Wow!

I grabbed a spot in this. It is supposed to be HUGE. It’s only a one-time fee of $100.00.

Now, there are two Project Pink smartphones so far and, as you may remember, Microsoft intends to support Two Windows Mobile Operating System. the 6.5  version will be geared to compete directly with Android, while 7 will face off against the iPhone OS. Considering Microsoft’s grand scheme, it stands to reason that one of these smartphones will pack 6.5, and the other 7.

We won’t really have a good guessing point until we see some hardware specs (the 6.5 smartphone will probably be somewhat wimpier) but we can make some guesses from the designs. The Pure seems to have a larger screen and a more traditional design, while the Turtle looks clunkier and built more for texting/social media use. If I had to guess now, I’d say 6.5 for the Turtle and 7 for the pure.

Everything but the names and design of these new smartphones is just speculation right now. That said,  Microsoft is supporting two new operating systems going forward, and  know they’re releasing two flagship mobiles. That’s as close to confirmation as we’ll get until Gizmodo posts another update.

source: Cnet

Earlier in September, Microsoft revealed that the first batch of smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 would start shipping on October 6. Since then, we’ve already learned the identities of some of the devices, including the HTC Touch2 and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2. LG said it will introduce three new Windows Mobile phones in the next few weeks, and Samsung has revamped its Omnia line with Windows Mobile 6.5. Not a bad showing, but it looks like it’s only the beginning.

According to Benjamin Tan, senior director of the GCR Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China, there will more than 30 smartphones running on Windows Mobile 6.5 by the end of 2009. Tan told a group of reporters that the devices would come from more than 15 handset manufacturers. In addition to the companies mentioned above, HP, Acer, and Toshiba have voiced their support for Microsoft’s mobile OS as well as carriers worldwide, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, and Telus.

In fact, Verizon Wireless has already confirmed that it will offer a WM 6.5 upgrade for the HTC Touch Pro2 by the end of the year, and Sprint has alluded to doing the same for its version of the smartphone. AT&T is also rumored to be getting its own version of the Touch Pro2 under the Tilt 2 name as well as the HTC Pure (aka HTC Touch Diamond2).

While the merits of Windows Mobile 6.5 have yet to be seen in real-world testing, it’s still nice to see a new crop of devices added to the mix. Microsoft has been noticeably absent during a busy summer where Apple, Palm, and Google dominated the headlines.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with the GSM Association have announced a programme that will expand the availability of mobile banking services in the developing world. The Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU) programme, supported by a US$12.5 million grant from the foundation, will work with mobile operators, banks, microfinance institutions, government and development organizations to encourage the expansion of reliable, affordable mobile financial services to the unbanked.

Continuing the announcement on february 26, 2009, Bil Gates has announce the world wide company that grant on the programs.

The association, which has 800 mobile operator members, is giving its first grants to Axis in Indonesia, Oi in Brazil, Roshan in Afghanistan and Smart Communications in the Philippines, using funds from a $12.5 million grant from the Gates foundation. Gavin Krugel, a director at the GSMA, said: “The scope of these projects is hugely exciting as they will not only provide mobile money services to the unbanked, but will also have the ability to enhance the way whole communities live and carry out business by helping them achieve stability, economic growth and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities.”

The initial four programmes were chosen to be geographically diverse. “I am delighted to be working with these and other pioneering companies as we continue to strive to build financial security and an identity for the most disadvantaged in our society and work towards our goal of reaching 20 million unbanked people with mobile services by 2012,” said Krugel. The Axis mDuit project is due to launch in December 2009. The operator has a significant opportunity to bank the unbanked via mobile in Indonesia as only 40 million of the country’s total population have bank accounts, whereas 90 million have mobile phone subscriptions. Axis will offer a range of services to consumers via mobile, including payments, savings and credit.

Brazilian operator Oi intends to provide individuals living in low income and remote communities with access to basic banking services to encourage development. The proposed service will allow individuals to receive welfare funds, make domestic remittances and buy products at participating stores. A cash-out option is also being considered. Building a distribution network that has the ability to grow and manage customers in a country at war is the main focus of Afghanistan operator Roshan. Currently 97% of Afghans are unable to access traditional banking services as 76% of Afghans reside outside major urban centres. Its M-Paisa project will provide mobile money services to rural entrepreneurs, women, public and private institutions, and those in extreme poverty. Smart Communications will benefit those on remote islands or inland locations who are isolated, have no or limited access to financial services and limited electricity. Smart aims to build remote economies through reaching the underbanked and unbanked and so enabling customers to send and receive domestic remittances, reload e-wallets, pay bills or send money via the Smart Money Platform. The GSMA is still considering applications from other operators around the world.