Windows Mobile 6.1 to be released on 1 April

Pocket-lint has learnt from sources close to the matter that Microsoft will announce the much-rumoured refresh to its mobile phone operating system, Windows Mobile, on 1 April 2008.

An improvement over Windows Mobile 6 released in February 2007 the new version, unsurprisingly named 6.1, will be a stop-gap measure to keep both consumers and industry happy until the launch of Windows Mobile 7.

Leaked screenshots of 6.1 have already done the rounds in the blogosphere, and show the system has been simplified with the screens displaying less mess than the Vista-inspired version 6.

A new look with new fonts, new homescreen and new features such as a task manager and copying and pasting in Internet Explorer all bode well for users of Microsoft's OS for handhelds.

Cell phone firms to redial North plans

A cellular phone company has dialed down its plans to construct a 120-foot wireless phone tower on property behind the Allen Avenue School - at least for now.

Lightower Wireless, a company that builds and operates cell phone towers and rents them to carriers and Metro PCS, a company in the process of building a wireless network, have withdrawn their proposal to build the tower on property at 346 Allen Ave., which abuts the elementary school.

However, the companies intend to come back to the zoning board again later with another plan.

"It has come to our attention another wireless company has a service gap in that area," said Ricardo Sousa, an attorney representing the phone companies.

Sousa said the companies will work together to compile information and coordinate for another application from the zoning board.

The tower is being proposed for the property, which currently has a three-family home, due to coverage gaps for cellular phone service in the Interstate 295 area.

The proposal has drawn a mixed reaction from residents of the neighborhood. Some looked forward to the tower because it would improve telephone service in the area.

Other residents argued against the idea, saying that a cellular phone tower does not belong in a residential neighborhood.

Source: thesunchronicle.com

Cheap Cell Phone Rates

In Friday's consumer and money headlines, for cell phone customers, it's getting cheaper-by-the-minute. And this week's mortgage rates.

Continuing troubles in the beleaguered housing market, but there is one bright spot: mortgage rates -- and Metro Atlanta's home mortgage rates continue to fuel a buyers' market.

For housing in general, the sale of new homes was down again in January, keeping sales at their slowest pace in 13 years. Also down, the price of homes -- down 9 percent in the fourth quarter. In foreclosures, no letup.

Georgia foreclosures are up 28 percent, while nationally, they are up 57 percent. For buyers, that means big inventories, and strong incentives. Add to that, the lowest mortgage rates in decades.

The best Metro Atlanta 30 year fixed rate is now set at 5.875 percent and no points, while in the shorter term, the best 15 year rate is pegged at from 5.375-to-5.50-percent and no points. In the variable rate market, the best 5-and-1 ARM is down this week to from an even 5-to-5.125-percent and no points.

The battle for cheaper minutes and data rates on cell phones is heating up.

Latest in is Sprint Nextel. After posting a $29 billion loss in the fourth quarter, the wireless giant is now offering unlimited voice, web surfing and text messaging for $99 a month. Both Verizon and AT&T have voice only for $100 and say will not match -- at least for now.

Microsoft is now dropping prices on Windows Vista. Timed to coincide with release of its latest service updates, Microsoft will offer discounts ranging from 20-to-nearly 50 percent on boxed versions of the software.