Microsoft released some tutorials that run directly on your device for Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Smartphones.

"Learn to use Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software by downloading tutorials to your device.

The Tutorials for Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition are designed to introduce novice users of Smartphone, Pocket PC, and Pocket PC Phone Edition devices to the capabilities of the latest release of Windows Mobile software. The tutorials combine text and animations to illustrate how to perform common tasks."

Click here to download the tutorials from Microsoft

(Make sure you have enough storage on your smartphone before you install the tutorials - they require 6.5MB of space)

If Apple Corporation will not enter cell phone industry with iPhone or another Apple branded cell phone, then other manufacturers will not be waiting and will enter area, where Apple (yet) rules: mobile devices with hard disk.

People are bored of carrying around several devices and would prefer to have one device with all features they need. So if you already have Apple iPod, consider buying this Microsoft Smartphone with built-in hard disk:

... that Samsung is considering to produce. Some features of this phone:

• built-in hard disk of size: 3GB
• operating system: Windows Mobile Magneto = Windows Mobile powered by Windows CE 5.0, not by Winodws CE 4.2 as Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Commercially Magneto will probably be known as "Windows Mobile 2005".
• bilt-in Bluetooth (version 2.0) with streaming in stereo (by now most Bleutooth audio is mono)
• GSM tri-band with GPRS class 10
• dimension: 113 x 48 x 21 mm , weight: 160 gr
• display: 320x240 pixels (Microsoft Smartphone platform in "Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition" version supports this resolution natively already)
• OTA / Online Music Service - online music downloads are
• jog shuttle navigation - something like in Apple iPod

To learn more click here.

We have seen Microsoft Smartphone cell phones from Samsung in various trade shows that were presented behind the glass, without possibility to play with them and that never (by now) have been commercially released. This new Microsoft Smartphone:

... may be just another Samsung smartphone never to be released commercially but who knows... so here are the features:

• OS: Microsoft Smartphone 2003 Second Edition (or to be precise: Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Smartphone)
• GSM tri-band with GPRS Class 10
• Intenna = Internal antenna (previous Microsoft Smartphone cellphones had external antenna protruding from the device, this one has antenna integrated in the case)
• built-in camera: 1 megapixel
• card slot: mini-SD
• built-in Bluetooth version 2
• dimensions: 94 x 50 x 26 mm (130 gr)
• file viewers (doc, xls, ppt, pdf)

To learn more click here.

[Via msmobiles.com]

With this program you can check prices of various items at Amazon: 

... so if you are seeing some item in brick and mortar shops you can compare to online price at Amazon! ... or get additional product information. Usually Amazon puts limit on usage of Amazon web services, and we dont' know how this program can work if number of users will increase beyond some point, but it is worth trying...

Shop at Amazon.com with ShopEdge from your Smartphone, today! Check the best prices offered at Amazon.com, before you buy at full price elsewhere. Also, find out local movie times and restaurants.

View item details, prices and ratings, start with a simple search. Check prices and ratings before you buy at retail shop. Find books, movies, electronics, health/personal care, PC hardware, wireless, software, sporting goods, kitchenware, tools, toys, video games and more. Read customer reviews and buy with Amazon 1- Click® from your Smartphone. You can always cancel it later. Find local movie times and restaurants, too.

To learn more or to download this FREE program click here.

[Via msmobiles.com]

"SBSH released today their first software for Smartphone devices; Papyrus, a new solution designed to replace the default calendar application on Smartphone devices with a more powerful solution. Papyrus is first released as public beta and can be downloaded for free, in return we hope that users using Papyrus will post their feature requests and ideas on our forms and help us improve Papyrus."

Papyrus looks like a pretty nice replacement for the limited functionality of the Smartphone calendar. Papyrus beta is a free download, however you must be a registered user of their forums before you can download it. Once you've registered, use this link to download Papyrus.

MGN member texlbs made life a lot easier for those of you who like to sync your Smartphones using Bluetooth. He stumbled across directions posted on MTekk for Pocket PCs, and converted those for use with the Smartphone platform. It involves setting up a speed dial button for Activesync, and will allow you to sync through Bluetooth with the press of one button. Click the title of this post to get the full instructions.