Windows Phone 7 – Released to Manufacturing

Today, the Microsoft Windows Phone Team has announced that they have released Windows Phone 7 to Manufacturing. Back in July, Microsoft released a technical preview.

Windows Phone 7 is Microsoft’s next generation of mobile operating systems, set to replace Windows Mobile 6.5, complete with new branding a name change to Windows Phone 7. The name change is both to move it forward version wise, as well as to tie it to the success of Microsoft’s Windows 7 on the desktop and laptop platforms. Windows Phone 7 features a new interface, a new browser, and a more coherent design through the OS. It will also feature a better software update process.

With the Release to Manufacturing (RTM), this marks the integration of the software with the final phone/mobile device hardware that manufacturers and mobile/cell phone network providers will be releasing to consumers later this year.

On the Windows Phone 7 blog, they mention the testing it went through:

Windows Phone 7 is the most thoroughly tested mobile platform Microsoft has ever released. We had nearly ten thousand devices running automated tests daily, over a half million hours of active self-hosting use, over three and a half million hours of stress test passes, and eight and a half million hours of fully automated test passes. We’ve had thousands of independent software vendors and early adopters testing our software and giving us great feedback. We are ready.

For the full story, see the Windows Team Blog

Apple’s September 2010 Event and Mobile Genealogy

Well, what did we learn today from Apple’s September Event, and what impact, if any, will it have on mobile genealogists? First off, there is a new iPod nano and iPod shuffle, but neither of those interest me since they can’t run genealogy apps. They are really awesome and very well designed, but I already have an iPhone and don’t need a second music player.

General news:
* iOS 4.1 is coming out next week, with some bug fixes and minor updates.
* iOS 4.2 will be out in November and it adds Multi-tasking and folders for iPads. It also brings wireless printing. That is big for some of us.

New 2010 iPod touch and notes about the iPod touch
* iPod touch is currently the most popular iPod
* 1.5 billion titles download to it
* 2010 design is thinner than pevious iPod touch
* Inherits the “Retina” display that the iPhone 4 has, which means a higher resolution and better-looking screen. Big deal for genealogists using iOS apps.
* A lot faster than previous model (good for big genealogy databases)
* Comes with a front-facing camera to work with Apple’s Facetime – two-way video chatting
* Rear-facing camera capable of HD-level video. It doesn’t do much in the way of still photos – very low resolution. Not surprising – Apple wants you to get into the iPhone 4.
* 8GB model – $229, 32GB – $299, 64GB – $399
* All three start shipping next week

iPad News
* iOS 4.2 updates really focus on the iPad, including wireless printing
Read more

Reunion for iPad Released

Reunion for iPad was released this morning. It’s interesting, since there is the ability to have a “Universal” app covering iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Leister Productions, Inc. has in fact added enough iPad-specific items to justify a branching of the genealogy apps.

Like the Reunion for iPhone app, you’ll be able to take your family tree information with you, as well as edit and add genealogy information on the go. You can then synchronize this data back to your Reunion installation on your Macintosh. Speaking of which, you will still need a Mac OS X based machine running Reunion 9.0c (Mac Genealogy) to use Reunion for iPad, otherwise it will be useless to you.

For the differences between Reunion for iPad and Reunion for iPhone, please see the Reunion for iPad page. The major differences are that it will have an always-available index listing (people, bookmarks, etc.), the family tree views have been expanded, and it can generally take advantage of the iPad’s larger hardware and software offering – using the iPad’s iPhoto Gallery, more generations of a family tree displayed, etc.

You can purchase and download Reunion for iPad for $14.99 through Apple/iTunes App Store

You can view a video of it in action at Leister Productions, Inc.

Adobe Photoshop Express 1.3 for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch

Adobe has upgraded and rebranded/renamed it’s Photoshop Express mobile app for iPhones and iPod touches. The new name is Adobe Photoshop Express, with the version being version 1.3. It is still free.

Adobe Photoshop Express is an iOS app that allows you to edit photos, as well as upload them, from your iOS device. It still functions as a “companion” (Adobe’s words) to Photoshop.com. You can create a Photoshop.com account with up to 2GB of photos and videos online (with a free account). Along with various easy to use effects, you can do standard editing – cropping, rotate, adjusting color, etc. The original photo is always available, untouched, should you need to revert.

It adds Universal support for iPads, the user interface has been updated, among other changes and improvements. If you are running an iPad, it has support for both portrait and landscape orientations, and it has a new organizer for iPad use, along with several other features (listed below).

Changes/updates:
* Initial support for iPad
• New name: Adobe® Photoshop® Express
• Updated UI
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

iPad specific features:
• Support for portrait and landscape orientations
• Redesigned Online, Edit, and Upload workflows
• Ability to work on multiple photos in sequence from within a single workflow
• Redesigned Organizer view with simplified album sharing
• Updated icons and visuals that make it easier to navigate and use the Editor
• Ability to upload to Photoshop.com and Facebook simultaneously

Requirements:
* 6.5 MB space
* It is in English (other languages may follow)
* iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad running iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

You can download Adobe Photoshop Express through the iTunes Store.

Families 1.0 Released – For Legacy Family Tree

There is a new iOS / iPhone OS genealogy application in town, one that is paired up with a desktop application.

BUT! It’s not what you might think – a Mac OS X genealogy application such as MacFamilyTree and MobileFamilyTree.

Instead, we are finally seeing some movement on the Windows side of things. This time it’s Families for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad (Families at the App Store), and it’s paired with Legacy Family Tree genealogy software, a popular desktop Windows application. It’s from TelGen Limited, not Millenia Corp. (makers of Legacy) and I’m not sure if it’s officially sanctioned or not. It allows you to keep your Legacy files with you, without the need for a laptop, and you can edit them as well. You can also have multiple family files loaded and accessible. It’s apparently been tested with up to 300,000 individuals in a single database.

Features:
* Can load multiple family files as well as create new ones.
* Views include family and pedigree
* Searchable index
* To Do Lists
* Geolocation available, support for locations/addresses (Google Maps)
* Can add pictures from iPhone camera or photo album
* Supports both portrait and landscape modes/views
* Native/Universal support for the iPad (and probably iPhone 4)

Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad w/iPhone OS 3.1 or iOS or later.
* It is English-only at this time.
* Windows sync program available at www.telgen.co.uk/families

Purchase:
* Families – TelGen Limited at Apple’s App Store (iTunes) for $14.99

Update: Families temporarily withdrawn from App Store
Update #2: Families 1.0.1 is available with a fix, along with some new features.

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