02-11-2008, 10:08 PM
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010
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MSN Direct now on Windows Mobile
"Although MSN Direct has popped up in all sorts of devices over the years, we've always thought it belonged on cellphones, and it looks like Microsoft finally agrees -- it's announced a WinMo version of the auto-updating information system at MWC. The client uses your phone's data connection instead of the SPOT network to grab data -- but unlike other widget apps, the info is presented directly on the homescreen and auto-updates. Microsoft has got a technology preview of the app available now, no word on when or if it'll ever be standard fare."
 This is really cool. I have been playing with this on my Samsung Blackjack all morning (yep, I moved back). I am a little annoyed that this did not appear to be built with landscape type screens in mind. The actual plugin, once installed, only takes up a small portion of the width of the screens realestate, unlike the images above where it seems to fit snuggly within the width of a portrait screen-based setup. This isn't really a huge problem, but if Microsoft would have created two plugins, one for portrait screens and one for landscape screens, than we would have been able to fit more news or other data on the homescreen of the landscape devices, which is one of the reasons I own a landscape enable device. Once again, this is another prime example of Microsoft bringing us something totally cool and long overdue… but once again flaking out on us with their half-arsed form of execution.
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02-12-2008, 04:07 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 19
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How much room on homescreen
How much room does this take on the home screen?
It looks decent but the link makes it look like it takes up a lot of space on the home screen. I dont want to give up so much space that I have to scroll down to see appointments.
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02-12-2008, 06:04 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 136
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Maybe I'm missing something but how is this any different than say Elecont Weather, or Fizz Weather. Both can appear on the home screen and both auto update.
Is it that MS is finally getting around to addressing what other 3rd party apps already do?
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02-12-2008, 06:08 PM
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Contributing Editor-in-Training
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 748
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It sucks cause the calendar is displayed below this plugin, and you can't easily change the order on the Home Screen (I know there's a way to edit the xml, but that's a pain for me). So I turned it off right after trying it. Plus, it didn't appear to be updating any data.
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02-12-2008, 08:29 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocco Augusto
Once again, this is another prime example of Microsoft bringing us something totally cool and long overdue… but once again flaking out on us with their half-arsed form of execution.
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I couldn't agree more with that statement.
Heck, they might be sitting there wondering why we're complaining about the plugin when they know it can be expanded... but they haven't released any documentation to help us do that.
If MS would document their plugins and the options each supports, there would be a lot less bitching and a lot more creating going on.
__________________
Current Device: T-Mobile Dash
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02-12-2008, 09:07 PM
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
Is it that MS is finally getting around to addressing what other 3rd party apps already do?
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Correct. 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Will
It sucks cause the calendar is displayed below this plugin, and you can't easily change the order on the Home Screen (I know there's a way to edit the xml, but that's a pain for me). So I turned it off right after trying it. Plus, it didn't appear to be updating any data.
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That was one of my annoyances as well so I went ahead and edited the theme file for you. 
Take the XML file in the ZIP archive and move it to the following directory on your device:
\Application Data\Home |
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02-12-2008, 10:41 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 19
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Huge ram hog!!!
Thanks for the editing Rocco.
Man this is a huge ram hog. I just installed this and restarted my dash. I went from having 18-19,000 kb on restart before installing this. After installing I had 8,000 on startup. I removed it quickly. Looks cool but not worth loosing that much ram.
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02-13-2008, 05:03 AM
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atlp99
Thanks for the editing Rocco.
Man this is a huge ram hog. I just installed this and restarted my dash. I went from having 18-19,000 kb on restart before installing this. After installing I had 8,000 on startup. I removed it quickly. Looks cool but not worth loosing that much ram.
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Glad I could be of help.
Hm, I do not appear to be having the same problem on my Blackjack. usually on restart I use 38/48.4MB and with this I am running at 36.3/48.4MB. Maybe this could be a problem with the Dash's version of WM. Is anyone else noticing a memory leak? If so, let us know! |
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02-22-2008, 06:58 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 83
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Unsuccessful Operation:
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
T-Mobile SDA with WM6.0 installed. Data plan works great with Internet Explorer, etc using proxy server setting.
After installation of MSN Direct; application seems to be installed and is visible on my home screen. After setting "Local City" the "Refresh Data" option appears to work but downloads NO weather information. Further there is no NEWS option as I toggle to the right; only Weather (no data); $COMP (no data) and SPONSOR (no data) It does not appear to have access to my "T Zones" data plan. How do I correct this problem?
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Linear Mode
