Yes, the best thing that has happened to the Future Windows Phone is the Zune HD.  ZuneBoards have released a hack that allows applications to be run directly on the Win CE framework.

What this does is gets the applications out of the sandbox that they usually run in.  It will allow them to run faster and with the 3D graphics accelerator.  Because Windows Phone 7 will run on XNA and that is what has been hacked on the Zune HD, we can speculate that it will be easily hacked when Windows Phone is released.

The next question is whether or not applications will actually be developed without XNA?  Hopefully they will.  Only time will tell, though…  Obviously they will not make it to the Marketplace but hopefully they create some other place to sell them.  These apps will be the better of the two so I really don’t see them being all that free, meaning that they will need a Marketplace of their own.

Who knows, maybe Microsoft will want to cash in on these as well.  I wouldn’t hold my breath but it may be bigger than their Marketplace apps.

[wmpoweruser]

I was a little annoyed when my iPad arrived last week when, as predicted, the case I ordered from Apple at the same time was nowhere to be seen.  In fact, it would be three long days before the case finally arrived.  This drove me absolutely crazy.  Being a new device, there were no third party cases available yet, and I was not planning to just sit around with this on my desk.  I had big plans for my daily commute on the train, not to mention my recent trip to Florida.  so, I scrounged and foraged through old cases and bags until I found something that would work temporarily until my permanent case arrived.

Finally, after three long days, I received that crucial second package from Apple.  I am not going to lie here and say that I did not use the iPad at all during that time, I used it plenty.  I will say, however, that the iPad is a dense device, which feels like it weighs far more than its meager 1.9 pounds.  Additionally, that shiny coat is also pretty slick.  So, slick and heavier than expected…yeah, you are going to want a case for that.

The first thing I thought when I saw the box containing the case was “Wow!  This is one skinny case.”  Which is exactly what I had been hoping to find to protect my ultra-slim new device.  As soon as I opened the box though, my “WOW!” turned into something more along the lines of “where is the rest of it??”  Which was quickly followed by, “I paid $40 for this??”

The case itself is made from a soft microfiber.  Soft, but nothing fancy.  The case itself is a book style case, meaning the cover is hinged on one side.  The nice thing here is that the case will accommodate either landscape or portrait mode.  In terms of protection, however, I was utterly disappointed.  This may secure your new investment against the routine dust or scratches, but don’t expect this to help when the iPad drops off your desk or gets stepped on by a five year old. The only protection for your iPad are a few reinforced panels.  No extra padding or foam here. 

In fact, not only does it not protect your iPad well, but it can also hurt you.  Once your iPad is loaded into the case, a small ridge appears along the seam, around three sides of the case.  This ridge actually could be pretty sharp, and while I did not actually cut my hand on it, that did not seem to be terribly far fetched either.

Along the top, bottom, and one side of the case are slots for all of your controls and jacks.  This all worked just fine, although I will say depending upon the charger you are using, the case could interfere with that connection.

The left hand side is where the real magic happens.  This is where you will find the hinge.  Though as you can see, this is not just a normal hinge, it is actually a double hinge.  This allows you to fold the flap back and tuck it into the notch on the back.  Once this has been accomplished, the case is transformed into the perfectly angled stand.  It is light and thin enough to rest on your lap, and the angle is perfect for reading, typing, and other tasks.

Although I loved this feature which turns your case into a stand, it also led to some additional frustration with this case.  When the case is closed, there is nothing holding the cover shut.  It really needs a magnet or snap or something there.  Meanwhile, the hinge has been bent backwards for a considerable period of time while in use.  The end result, when it is time to put it all away, is that the hinge may not close all the way, which seems to defeat the purpose of the case in the first place.

I won’t say that this is a terrible case.  It did get the job done for the most part, and the stand is absolutely fantastic.  I will say, however, that this is not a $40 case.  The material and construction of the case felt much more on par with any number of cases which came free with any number of devices.   Apple should have followed that lead.  I would have been perfectly happy with this case had it been included for free with the iPad…as it should have been.  As it was though, given the fact that I shelled out $40 for this case, I simply cannot tell Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple that I feel good about my decision to purchase one.  Numerous third party case manufacturers have already indicated that they will be offering iPad cases, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to upgrade this one.

The iPad case is available from Apple for $39.99.

Story by Doug Goldring

If you were running a TV network, it seems like your ultimate goal would be to put your shows in front of as many eyes as you possibly can.  Inn today’s times, that means a whole lot more than just airing them on the talking picture box in your living room.  People are more mobile than ever, and our entertainment options need to reflect that.  Which is why I think ABC is so much smarter than any of the other TV networks.

ABC is the only network so far which has recognized the power of the iPad as a personal entertainment vehicle.  Their ABC iPad app is absolutely fantastic.  Imagine a single channel DVR, which lets you carry every show aired over that network…and it is all free.

With my son in the hospital, I have not been been able to keep current with all of my favorite shows.  Tonight, while he was sleeping called up the latest episode of Lost and watched the whole thing over the air.

Now, I will not say this app is perfect.  It has a few drawbacks, such as:

• It does not use the iPad’s video player.
• It does not take advantage of the iPad’s HD resolution
• You cannot fast forward through the commercials ( I look at this as the cost of being free).

Still, those are some pretty minor problems for an app which takes every show on the network and makes them all available to you 24/7, and all absolutely free.   What I cannot figure out is why the other networks have not taken advantage of this option.  Right now, millions of iPad users are running around with no free TV options except ABC.  This is a pretty steep curve and it seems like NBC, CBS, and FOX are all getting left far behind on this one.

Like I said, these days putting the show on the talking picture box, no matter how  high tech that may be, will not allow you to access it from the soccer field, the airport, the train, or anywhere else you may go.  Only ABC can give you that.  Embracing new technology in a smart way is why I think they are the smartest bunch of network executives around.

The ABC TV iPad app is now available in the App Store.

Today’s JAMM Store Deal of the Day is Chess Genius for Windows Mobile.  You can register Chess Genius today for half the regular registration price.   The full details and specs are below.  You can download a trial and / or register here.

ChessGenius, award winning chess program. Packed with features for beginners and experts: 30 playing levels including easy and blitz – Chess clocks – Move record – Display of thinking – Save/load game. Superb playing strength. The author’s chess programs have won ten world championships. Features: Powerful, compact and fast. Simple, elegant user interface. Free updates for registered users. Customisable display. Piece sets, colors, board size etc. The board display shows chess clocks, move record and ‘thinking’ information. Hint. ChessGenius can suggest a move for you. Set up any chess position. Thirty three playing levels. 13 ‘easy’, 10 ‘blitz’ and 10 time per move. Understands the rules of chess including: draw by repetition, 50 move rule, en passant, castling, under-promotion etc. Take-back moves, also step-forward and replay game. ChessGenius can play against itself or allow two player chess games. Analyze game. Like two player but ChessGenius calculates continuously and shows its thinking. Save and Load games. Chess games are saved in PGN format. Multiple games per file. Easy import and export to PC programs. Permanent brain option for even stronger chess play. Tutor Option. ChessGenius will warn if a blunder or weak move is played and give the option of takeback. Big chess board option. Choose between two chess board sizes. Show legal moves and display chess board coordinate options. Opening Name displayed. For example. Book B12 Caro-Kann defence. Version 2.2 supports for all screen sizes. Landscape, Square, QVGA, VGA and WVGA displays. Version 2.2 has improved graphics. Text background can be dark. Board squares can be shaded or patterned.

Minimum Requirements: Windows Mobile 6.5, 6.1, 6.0, 5, 2003SE/2003 (Pocket PC) ChessGenius requires only 350 KB RAM. Display Dimensions 240×240, 240×320, 240×400, 320×240, 320×320, 400×240, 480×480, 480×640, 480×800, 640×480, 800×480 Operating System Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC 2003 SE, WM5, WM6, WM6.1, WM6.5

PDA-247 has done a fantastic job of comparing the iPhone 3GS, the reigning but slightly aging king of gadget lust, with the up and coming HTC Desire.  Shaun provides you with a table comparing each of the two devices in 16 different areas, including camera, call quality and application availability, to name a few and then goes into great narrative detail about how the two devices stack up against each other.  This comparison piece is well worth a read!  Click here to check it out.