Isaiah's Tech

Even though it's set to officially launch tomorrow it looks like current WinMo 6.5 handsets already have Marketplace on-board. This could mean that the tipster has the new AT&T HTC Pure that launched yesterday or something like that. Well, whatever, that's not important. The Marketplace looks like it's already available, but there aren't that many apps right now...

[Gizmodo, Engadget]

This video actually outlines a final version of Windows Mobile 6.5 aka Windows Phone. Other features that are also demonstrated in the video is the Windows Marketplace. Clearly, multitouch support is not in WinMo 6.5, but it will, apparently, be in Windows Mobile 7 so that's definitely something to look forward to. You can check out the video demo on an HTC Touch Diamond 2 below on WMPowerUser - you're warned, it's 10-minutes long.

Yeah, you've heard the rumours about the Microsoft Zune Phone, but they've been denied again. This time they were denied by Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Chief, Robbie Back, and Chief Executive, Steve Ballmer, himself. They mentioned that Microsoft "would do better" focusing on "software rather than any hardware." At this point, the Zune Phone is unlikely.

[The Inquirer, WMPowerUser, Stuff.tv (Zune rumours)]

Starting on July 27th, you will be able to submit apps for the future Windows Marketplace. One part of Windows Marketplace will be called "Business Center" so guess who's targeted there. The good news is that unlike earlier reports, Windows Marketplace will be available to WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 users as well as future WinMo 6.5 users, which will be very good for the company and the consumers. WinMo 6.5 should be available this Fall, so Windows Marketplace should be available at around the same time.

[Engadget]

Like Apple and its App Store, Microsoft's Zune HD will have the marketplace. The marketplace will obviously be a place where you will be able to purchase your own apps. This is the first picture of the Zune HD marketplace in action. Since it's a slow news day, I figured I might as well post something about it. I'm thinking about getting a Zune HD later this year - unless Apple announces their refreshed iPod Touch line-up with cameras. If Apple throws in an OLED display as well, I will definitely be sucked in.

[Engadget]

Microsoft France's product manager for Windows Mobile, Audrey Zolghadr, has just mentioned that Windows Marketplace will launch with around 600 apps. This is pretty good, seeing how Palm's App Catalog launched and it still has only a few apps available. It'll be a pretty good start if half of these apps are decent. We'll just have to see how it does when it officially launches. On a side note, I can't wait for Windows Mobile 7.

Mozilla has just released Alpha 2 of their browser, Fennec. This time it's available for all Windows Mobile users and not just HTC Touch Pro owners - like Alpha 1. With this version, they improved a couple of things. Check the list below.

Improved panning performance

Newly designed theme

JavaScript error console is now built in

Improved add-on support

Numerous bug fixes

Improved UI polish

[Engadget (Marketplace), Boy Genius (Fennec)]