We've known that the Motorola Q11 (an update to the Q9) was in the works, but today Motorola made it officially known. Maybe I'm the last person you should listen to when it comes to this particular Windows Mobile line, but I don't even think Motorola cares about this baby. It does have the requisite Wi-Fi, GPS, microSD support up to 32GB, a 3-megapixel camera and the ability to read H.264-encoded video, but with the same tight 2.4-inch LCD and no 3G data connectivity, the rest is for naught. Unwired View predicts that this omission is a sign of a low price, still unannounced. Me, I just see it as another example of Motorola running around like a chicken with its head cut off. [Motorola via Unwired View]

Microsoft's Ballmer has just confirmed that Zune software will be coming to Windows Mobile devices as well as other phones, as sort of a really late follow-up to Robbie Bach's comments on the same subject. Ballmer goes one step further than Robbie, who just made vague comments on the platform, and said this:

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One of the reasons you're going to see Android on a ton of phones—aside from Google's juggernautical influence—isn't because of its ass-beating potential, but because hardware makers don't have to pay anything for it. They do have to pay for Windows Mobile, the other major free-floating smartphone OS, on the other hand, and Steve Ballmer is saying it's going to stay that way, even as RIM's BlackBerry passes it in marketshare. Of course, by the time Windows Mobile 7 finally, finally enters a much more hostile mobile world, he could be singing something very different. [Reuters]

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It's not out yet, but this is how Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile 6 looks. It will be part of Windows Mobile 6.1, finally replacing the old browser codebase from 1997's Internet Explorer 4, bringing much-needed modern standards support. It has two modes of operation, which can be specified in a preferences screen: Mobile Device and Desktop Computer.

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Motorola doesn't seem to have a great plan for the mobile space in the next few years, and these spy shots do little to assuage our fears of imminent crappiness. I mean, there's nothing immediately wrong with what we've heard and now seen of the Q11—GPS, Wi-Fi, and 3G are standard fare for smartphones (and even feature phones) of the day—but there's almost definitely nothing exciting.

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In a small blow to Microsoft's smartphone market dreams, Sony Ericsson has refused to confirm that their spanking new Xperia line will continue shacking up with the Windows Mobile platform. The heartless cad of a company insisted that it not commit to any specific operating system, presumably because it'd be doing the world a disservice if it allowed itself to be tied down. Hmm, sounds like some of the dudes I've dated. What are the chances M'soft will also have to shoulder hysterical 3am phone calls begging for a second chance at making the relationship work? [Reuters]

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We mentioned the Velocity 103 back in April, giving it a Q2 launch date. It looks like there've been a few delays to Velocity Mobile's entry to the smartphone market though, since the device is only now on pre-sale, with availability at the end of this month. It's a Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional device, featuring a proprietary "Velocity Over The Air" updating system to add functionality, Bluetooth, touchscreen and trackball control, and TV/VGA-out to connect to your TV. Its September launch is in the UK, where it costs a whopping US$569, but there's no info no when it'll hit the US. [TheInquirer]

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Sony's just come up with the software development kit for the xPeria X1, designed to let programmers create new "panel" apps for the phone's funky one-touch panel interface that sits on top of its Windows Mobile 6.1 OS. The idea is to create stuff that will "meet the consumer's demand for a rich, individualised multimedia experience on their phone"—everything from search engines to social networking apps, all easy-access through the panels, or so says Sony anyway. If you're keen to get to grips with making software for this phone, you'll be able to get hold of the SDK for free here. Otherwise, check out a video of the panel interface at the Sony link. Press release below. [Sony]

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The BlackJack II (SGH-i617) finally gets its turn to ride the Windows Mobile 6.1 bus, which brings to it slight UI changes, better SMS threading, improved GPS navigation and internet connection sharing. There's little reason why you shouldn't get it, so download it now and join the 6.1 club. [Samsung]

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I got to play for quite a long time with the Samsung Omnia, the iPhone-Killer wannabe with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, here at IFA 2008. The verdict: it's not an iPhone killer, despite previous demos. In fact, it sucks. It has a poorly designed interface, lousy response time, buggy software, and it felt cheap and fat on my hand. I even thought that I was being even more thick than usual while trying it, but I got the Omnia expert lady to give it a marketdrone spin for me and her last sentence summarised it all: "Oh, naw it'z not verking at all. I think I haf too many tasks open. Sorry."

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