Skype app launches beta version on Windows Phone Mango and up (video)

In the midst of this week's mobile madness, Skype has announced that its finally ready to arrive on its good friend's mobile platform. Yes, Windows Phone is getting its very own Skype app -- at least, a beta version. Compatible devices include the Nokia Lumia 710, Lumia 800, HTC Titan, Radar, Samsung Focus S and Focus Flash. A spokesperson has told us that the app will be available on most devices running Windows Phone 7.5 and above. This early version will allow free audio and video calls over WiFi or 3G, alongside those any-number paid-for calls. There's a brief video overview right after the break and the beta's available to download now.

Skype brings voice and video calling to Windows Phone users around the globe


Many of you have been waiting for this. And today we are excited to announce our new Skype for Windows Phone Beta app. This now makes Skype available on almost all of the leading mobile smartphone operating systems. The gold version of the app will be available in April, but starting today, you will be able to download the beta version to test drive Skype for Windows Phone and share your feedback with us.

Skype for Windows Phone Beta* supports the most important Skype features you've come to know and love. And you will be especially thrilled by the clean and simple Skype experience that the Metro user interface delivers on your Windows Phone. It has never before been so easy to connect with the people you care about most.

With Skype for Windows Phone Beta you can make free audio and video calls** to your Skype contacts over 3G and 4G or WiFi***, make affordable calls to landlines and mobiles using Skype Credit, create and hold one-to-one and group chats, and update your profile and account information, among others features.

This is only the beginning for Skype for Windows Phone...it's just going to get better and better. We see incredible potential to include Skype capabilities in Windows Phone in order to enable a great experience for you.

You can download the beta version of the Skype for Windows Phone app for free**** by clicking here directly from your Windows Phone, or simply scanning the QR code below. You will need to have a smartphone running Windows Phone 7.5. You can check what version of Windows Phone your phone is running at Settings > About.

We have already tested and certified the following devices for the best performance of Skype for Windows Phone:

· Nokia Lumia 710

· Nokia Lumia 800

· HTC Titan

· HTC Radar

· Samsung Focus S

· Samsung Focus Flash

Effort underway to port HARET / Android to Gen 1 Windows Phones

Some ex-Windows Mobile users may remember HARET as the tool used to enable to booting of Android on the old HTC HD2.

Now an effort is underway to bring the tool to Windows Phone 7.  I think it is safe to say the lead on the project is doing this more as a way to convert a nice Windows Phones to Android, writing:

WP7 is and will be shipped on many devices with quality hardware. In order to be able to run Linux on these, a novel aim is to investigate the use of HaRET on WP7 based devices.

I am sure however that there are a few Windows Phone users who would not mind hacking around with their device to access the full potential of the hardware.

I myself on the other hand would prefer an effort to port Windows Phone to some tasty Android hardware, like the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx, with its massive battery and thin form factor. Maybe with Windows Phone 8…

Read more on the effort, which is really still only in the planning phases, at XDA-Developers.com here.

Nokia Lumia 800 Unboxing

Now that was quick: announced on Wednesday last week, already the Nokia Lumia 800 is here on the SlashGear test bench. Availability in-store will take a week or so more, but we couldn’t wait to get to grips with the Finn’s first Windows Phone 7.5 Mango handset. The smartphone on which much of Nokia’s future rests, there’s a whole lot riding on reviewers – and shoppers – falling for the polycarbonate unibody allure.


With our first hands-on with the Lumia 800 just last week, the smartphone is feeling like a pretty familiar subject today. Nokia’s packaging is cleanly designed and eye-catching: compact, matte blue box, neatly stacked manuals and accessories each compartmentalized into its own recycled cardboard sleeve. As well as the Lumia, there’s a wired stereo headset – of which Nokia has been quite vocal about the promised quality – a USB to microUSB cable for charging and syncing, a small USB charger, and a rubber bumper-style case as was bundled with the N9.
Nokia Lumia 800 unboxing:




Nokia will offer three color variants of the 800, the black of our review unit, and cyan and magenta models. All are crafted from a single block of CNC milled polycarbonate, into which Nokia slots a brilliant 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED ClearBlack display, triband UMTS/HSPA, an 8-megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video recording, a 1.4GHz single-core processor paired with 512MB of RAM, and 16GB of storage.
We’ll be putting the Lumia 800 through its paces for the full SlashGear review, but until then there’s no shortage of test material to look through from last week’s show. Check out our iPhone 4S vs Lumia 800 comparison, our iPhone vs Lumia vs Galaxy S II camera showdown, and our browser test showdown.

Build 7720 - Now updated with keeping chevron and how to add more languages

Here is the RTM 7720 Mango for your wp7, download link at bottom of this post

UPDATE 15.08.2011:
Please read post #2 to see how I keep chevron unlock and add my native language to RTM 7720


1. THIS IS NOT A GUIDE ON HOW TO KEEP CHEVRON UNLOCK, THAT IS NOW COVERED (ON A HD7) IN POST #2 IN THIS THREAD. THIS GUIDE IN POST#1 IS JUST A TRANSLATED/EDITED INSTRUCTION FROM THE GERMAN ONE IN THE RAR FILE.
2. THIS UPDATE IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE DEVICE SPESIFIC, SO BUGS BECAUSE OF OUTDATED DRIVERS ETC CAN BE PRESENT. AND YOU MIGHT NOT GET DEVICE SPESIFIC SOFTWARE TO RUN PROPERLY ETC ETC.
3. ITS FINAL MANGO FROM MICROSOFT, BUT CARRIERS/OEM'S NEED TO ADD THEIR "MAGIC" FOR IT TO BE AT IT'S PRIME
4. IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE BASIC OF HOW TO FLASH, THEN YOU NEED TO RETHINK WHAT YOUR DOING, AND READ UP IN THE DEV SECTION OF WP7 :-)

I'm quite sure that DFT will soon release a unlocked and ready to flash for all, so there is also the possibility to wait for their release :-p


I just reuploaded and repost here, the file comes from longshot442. Original thread here

I take no responsibility for whatever happens to your device.

You can't update to 7720 when coming from DFT 7713 or 7714 

After flashing to my HTC HD7:




My edit of the instruction file:
Caution: Do this at your own risk, no one is to blame if your update fails
Prerequisites:
-Phone with Nodo (7392), Mango 7661 (Beta) or Mango 7712 (Developer Beta)
-Micro-USB cable
-PC with at least 20 GB of free disk space on C: (Only needed if you want to backup your device)
-external hard drive or USB flash drive with up to 16 GB of free space (for the backup)
-1.5 - 2 hours available to flash from start, perhaps more if something go wrong, or if you accidentally make a mistake  less if flashing from 7712
-Instructions might not work for you, perhaps you need to alter something? I'm sure you can figure something out ....and if you do, please post the sollution so others can benefit of you findings.


UPDATE 18.08.11:
Make backup of your 3'd party apps, visit this thread all questions regarding that app, ask them there


Instructions:
1. All contents must be extracted to a local disk, not a backup/external disk. I can recommend to put all contents of the extracted Mango folder directly to C:/ (If you got enough available space)
1a. C:/NoDoToRC
1b. C:/RCToRTM
1c. C:/Zune
2. Install the zune beta client version 4.8.2134.0 (comes with the downloaded file)
3. If necessary (usualy is), run the flashing tool "updatewp" from the folder "update tool" install right version for your system, 32 or 64-bit
4. Connect Device via USB to the PC
5. Close Zune software if it opens when connecting
5a. ----If your device is allready using 7661 or 7712, go to Step 16 
5b. You can also follow Ansars instructions on keeping Chevron unlock here

6. Open the "NoDoToRC" folder and run the file "ISV_Provisioning_Live.exe" with admin rights (right click on the file..)
7. The tool will now create a backup of the phone. This takes quite some time, depending on how much you have installed on your device.
8. The phone will reboot and are starting communication with a "special" update server. If necessary, enter PIN code if activated on your device
9. Please dont close the update tool until it say its finished.
10. In the directory "C: \ Users \ <user> \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows Mobile Update,"there should be the newly created backup folder with a cryptic name. Please feel free to copy the folder to a secure location (external hard disk, etc.) and keep safe!

Repeat to yourself many times: "Yes, I have copied my backup to a secure location" 

11. Now start the Zune client (with your phone connected) and it will begin looking for updates.
12. Build 7403 will now be found found and installed.
13. After 7403 has finished updating, the update is moving seamless to 7712 - the public developer beta.
14. If everything is done properly: Congratulations, the phone is in now running build 7712
15. Close/exit Zune.

Now please pay attention:

16. Copy the "RCToRTM" folder to "c:\" and only there.
17. In the RCToRTM folder, locate the "ISVTo7720.bat" and run as admin /still right click on file...)
18. Several updates will be installed, and the phone might reboot a few times. If applicable, please enter the PIN code.
19. If everything went smoothly: Congratulations, the phone is now on RTM 7720
20. Show of your RTM to your friends..or w/e :-)



READ THE INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE, IF YOU FAIL SOMEHOW..READ THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN

LG Quantum users please read this article before you download.


DOWNLOAD

Mirror thx to nanoware - DOWNLOAD

Mirror thx to jkommeren - TORRENT/PB

have fun

[ROM] Back to the Future [XBmod-Yuki] [7720 ready] [28/08]

Not only an updatable rom for HD2 but a concept for all WP7 devices

Special thanks to Football, OndraSter and Cotulla
and for me only to XBmod for his great patience





This thread is dedicaced to Da_G for his thread: The Windows Mobile Image Update System take a moment to read it

This thread is about two different things:

• A rom for HD2 which is able to update like any other devices:
  • You can use zune for official updates or use our tool to send some custom packages
  • You can now backup and restore device
  • Before a new update wait for a dev test to see if a corrective package has not to be applied before

For HD2 With previous WP7 rom:

• Better to flash an old stock rom and let it boot entirely
• But pay attention to put the 2.15 radio if changed
  
• Format your SD card too
• After reflash magldr and our rom

It's important because the format of partitions has changed and old rom can make problems with system update!!!

• A concept which can be applied on all wp7 device ans shared by its community:
  • The ability for users to send custom packages to device
  • The possibility to personalize the rom by this way without causing problems with system update
  • The possibility for cookers to send their own corrective packages, no need to recook and reflash
  • A way for any developpers and designers to make custom packages for WP7 cummunity

So you can find in the four next posts:

1. The rom for Leo and its specific updates
2. The tool and explanations for users to send custom packages, restore and backup
3. The tool and explanations for developers to make their own packages
4. The explanations for cookers to make their own rom with such features

!!! All this is new so read all instructions before doing something !!!
!!! an update done the bad way and you could have to reflash your device because it just don't boot !!!


Enjoy

HTC HD2 Gets Mango Bliss – SD Card And All!

I had an article published yesterday night for a couple of hours, which due to the magic of Word Press, ended up being completely blank. This article was a plea of help from devs to get someone to aid with a compatibility issue that was hindering Mango on the HD2. Apparently, there were modules in the HD2 governing the SD card that Mango did not recognize/like. Because of this, the card was not being seen by the Mango wielding device. As a result of having lost my article, I figured I would write it again this morning. However, as I was about to get started, I got a tip in my inbox from XDA member Warriorvibhu where he pointed me at the same thread I wrote about yesterday. Much to my surprise, it seems that the devs working on this (XDA member YukiXDA and XDA Recognized Developer xboxmod) finally tackled the SD card obstacle and were able to release XBmod-Yuki ROM, which is much more than simply a ROM. This fantastic piece of work includes a feature that will allow devs to update the ROM via installable packages, which would be of tremendous help to both devs and users. Just think of this as the WP7 equivalent of zip packages for Android.

Lastly, by getting your hands on this, you will get all the awesomeness of Mango on the HD2 with everything working, including the SD card. Make sure that you read the first couple of posts in the thread in order to avoid issues, and as always, please leave some feedback.

This thread is about two different things:

• A rom for HD2 which is able to update like any other devices:
• A concept which can be applied on all wp7 device ans shared by its community:
  

You can find more information in the original thread.

Want something published in the Portal? Contact any News Writer.

Thanks Warriorvibhu for the tip!

Noob frendly MANGO update

decided to make a tut on how to update to mango for the first timers out there that have no clue on how to do it! YOURE WELCOME!
this is a straight forward step by step tut
i take no responsibilities if u brick and take no credit for it
all credit do to all that make this happened
also do research before you do anything, i always do it before any upgrade or mod to any device being cellphone or any kind of electronics THE SEARCH BUTTON IS JUST LIKE GOOGLE IT WILL BE YOURE BEST FRIEND, and after a lot of searching then post youre questions so the comunity can help!

the back up is created at
C:\Users\YOURE USER NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Phone Update
and it will be a folder with a large sequence of alfa numeric name
i advice to copy this to other location because when you upgrade or downgrade the zune software it delets this file
also in this tread is more indeepth on wp7 backup
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1103011
if you cant see appdata folder try this:

1) Open Windows Explorer (Start\All Programs\ Accessories)

2) In Windows Explorer go to Computer\"driveletter"\users\"username"

3) With "username" highlighted, click "Organize" (top left of Windows Explorer window) and then select "Folder and Search Options"

4) Check the "Show All Folders" box in the General tab

5) Go to the "View" tab

6) Click the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" radio button

if you already updated or downgraded zune software sorry but you will have to reflash youre wp7 with a stock or unbranded rom and start over, i did cause i wanted to have mango unlocked to load sideapps

to restore last state you have to download windows 7 backup tool 1.6 or 1.5,
1.5 was the only one that worked for me
to do the backup just open app click restore and make sure youre backup file is in
C:\Users\YOURE USER NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Phone Update directory

you must have zune software prior version 4.8 for this to work with provision.exe so it will do a full backup, if you use zune 4.8 it wont do a full backup. YOU BEEN WARNED

1.download and unpack the files www.mediafire.com/?5zclb0ou8zdll

2.install file WPSupportTool-x86.msi for 32 bit or WPSupportTool-amd64.msi for 64 bit

3.run Provision.exe, it will make backup of youre phone and it will run all files to prepare youre phone for mango update

4.when it finishes close provision app and run StartZuneLocal.exe to install zune 4.8, after it finishes connect phone and follow instructions and all done welcome to MANGO!

if theres an error please post it so i can edit the post for future members

saludos a todos desde puerto rico!

Mango 7713 Custom ROM for HTC WP7 First Generation devices

[DFT Freedom ROM] Mango 7713 Custom ROM for HTC WP7 First Generation

DarkForcesTeam

proudly presents Frist Mango 7713 Build Custom ROM for HTC WP7 First Generation


This is 2nd big step to customization ROM for HTC WP7 First Generation devices from DarkForcesTeam.

This is First Custom ROM for all HTC operator devices which support by RSPL/HSPL operator,you can flash any time after you install our RSPL/HSPL.

This release [DFT Freedom ROM] supports 22 languages which is

1)USA_CHT_CHS_JPN_KOR,
2)USA_ENG_FRA_ITA_GER_ESN,
3)USA_NLD_DAN_FIN_NOR_SVE,
4)USA_PTB_RUS_ELL,
5)USA_HUN_CSY_PLK.

This release supports this [DFT Freedom ROM] devices:

*Gold (HTC Pro 7,T7575)
*Mozart (HD3,T8697,T8698,T8699)
*Mondrian (Surround,T8788)
*Spark (Trophy,T8686)
*Schubert (HD7, T9292,T9295,T9296)

This [DFT Freedom ROM] cooked with Mango 7713 build and remove some of operator's(T-Mobile,AT&T,Telstra) own apps just left HTC apps.

This ROM already Chevron unlocked or Jailbreak but we want to call this ROM for DFT Freedom ROM which can install any Apps which avaliable for Mango build.

Please note this ROM WILL NOT update new version of OS via Zune , we are working on this before we done will contiune release new version of Mango if we can get it.Schubert thread see http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...3#post16383783

Mozart thread see HERE

Spark thread see HERE

Mondrian thread see HERE

Schubert thread see HERE

Gold thread see HERE



Official DFT site (Chinese)

DarkForcesTeam Aug.06,2011

__________________
Every HTC devices from Wallaby to HD7 (WM6.x AKU-??? always new AKU ),my own build rom
Want to know what I know about the device then Read Wiki like I did.
http://wiki.xda-developers.com
http://darkforcesteam.com
http://darkforcesteam.com.cn
http://dft.so

If you like my work, you can support future development by "

Now land the Space Shuttle yourself with Infinite Flight 1.8 for WP7

The final flight of the Space Shuttle is a bitter sweet occasion – sad because it represents the end of reusable space planes for at least the next decade, but of course triumphant for the accomplishment it represents.

FlyingDevStudio is letting any Windows Phone 7 user celebrate the historic occasion by landing the shuttle themselves. 

Version 1.8 brings the space plane to the roster, and is enabled in the trial version also, meaning you do not have to pay anything to bring the crew safely home. The missions have 4 difficulty levels and ranging from no winds and daylight to night with poor visibility and gusty winds. Only the easy level is available in the free trial.

New in version 1.8 also are:

• Added the legendary Shuttle Atlantis
• New Mission System with ranking
• Fixed A380 nose wheel issues
• Better runway lighting
• Usual performance and UI tweaks

Infinite Flight is $4.99 with a free trial and can be found in Marketplace here.

Read more at flyingdevelopmentstudio.com

Translator Pro – Google Translator for Windows Phone 7

Translator Pro is Google Translator client for Windows Phone 7 with few additional features. It allows you to translate words and phrases between more than 50 languages, playback audio of the translation, and hear pronunciation of translated phrases.

The application adjusts to your theme settings.

With Translate Pro you can:

• Translate text between more than 50 languages
• Listen to your translations
• Display translations in full screen mode
• Access your translation history offline
• View additional dictionary results for single words

Official XDA-Developer Windows Phone 7 app now available

XDA-Developers now finally have an official Windows phone 7 app.

The app allows the user to view forums, read and respond to threads, manage your PMs, search, subscribe to forums, and receive push notifications (with the live tile) when you receive a new private message.

The software is $0.99 and can be found in Marketplace.