That’s right, Windows Mobile is getting re-branded. Get use to the name, as arbitrary as it sounds. It took me a while to realize that WP7S meant Windows Mobile 7… oh well, that’s just one more acronym to store my database (brain).

But really, Microsoft is making a bold move by rebranding Windows Mobile 7 to Windows Phone 7 Series. Here’s the truth behind why they did it. Some will say that it’s because they just want a fresh look to compete with the iPhone and Android. While that is partly to blame for the change of name, it’s not the only thing. The truth is that Windows Mobile is garbage. And don’t take my critique for anything negative against Microsoft as a company; but Windows Mobile, the entire series, was crap. Microsoft was simply one of the first players in the smartphone and pocket pc market, so that’s how they got so big.

Windows Phone 7 Series should surprise us. Personally, as a consumer, I hope to throw my WM6 phone out my car while driving 90mph on the freeway when Windows Phone 7 is released.

Microsoft knows how important it is to retain their mobile market share in an increasingly mobile world. Read more about the new Windows Phone at Microsoft’s site or any Windows Phone 7 blog.

When the strike turned midnight on January 1, 2010, you weren’t the only one going crazy. Almost every HTC phone went berserk and changed it’s own internal clock to 2016 instead of 2010.

Get the bug fixes here:

HTC Touch Pro 2
HTC Touch Pro
HTC Touch Diamond

Thanks WM for the links.

Microsoft released a new upgrade for their Marketplace for Mobile application. In short, not much changed. Nothing you can tell, I should say. There were some heavy bug fixes that were more prominent in certain devices over others. Either way, it’s a good idea to install this update, regardless of your Windows Mobile 6 version (6.0, 6.1, 6.5).

Upgrade to v1.1.1109

Before you even try to do this, you should make sure that your Pocket PC or Smartphone can browse the web with its 3G/GPRS. If it’s not working, then fix it or get it somehow. Some carriers (especially in the US) might require you to active this feature.

Here is how to share your Windows Mobile phone’s internet connection with laptop:

1. Plug-in your Windows Mobile device to your laptop (or device) via USB cable.
2. On your Pocket PC or Smartphone, select Start > Programs > Internet Sharing.
3. Select “USB” for “PC Connection”
4. For “Network Connection”, choose the one that you will use to connect to your 3G from PDA. For my case, I’m using “Maxis Internet”.
5. Tap “Connect”. Your phone will attempt to connect to the USB, then to the internet using 3G.
6. On your laptop, you will see a network connection (like any another LAN connection).
7. Connect to it!