HTC Hidden WiFi app now available

For us WP7 users, one of the more annoying bits about the OS is that you cannot connect to a hidden WiFi.

HTC is continuing their assault on creating more WP7 apps for their loyal WP7 customer base.  Having recently released the Compass App, they have released another HTC only tool that allows you do connect to any hidden WiFi connections.

However, there seems to be radio firmware update that's should be coming down the pipe for us HTC users as when I try to start the app, it reports "This application requires the latest Wi-Fi software.  Please update your phone to the latest system software".

Maybe there are some of you who have received this HTC firmware update (via Zune Desktop - note that this is not the Nodo/March update) who will have better luck with this.

As usual with HTC apps, this cannot be found under the HTC hub.  Simply start Marketplace on your WP7 handset and search for "HTC" and it should be at the bottom of the list.

Nodo (WP7 March) Update Review

So now that I have used my HTC Surround with the March Update (Nodo) for the past 1.5 weeks, how was the update?  Was it worth the wait?

I didn't want to rush into writing a review for this as I wanted to at least use it for a bit first before jumping to conclusion.

I'll go over the update process, the pieces in the promised updates, things that are not mentioned in the updates (i.e. battery life after update - I know because iPhone updates have a thing will killing your battery life) and whether or not some Canadian WP7 issues were addressed.

Skype is coming this fall

WP7 related news are coming out from MIX11.  One of the biggest ones is that Skype is coming to WP7 this fall.

So far, these kinds of 3rd announcements have been pretty accurate (unlike the firmware update "dates").

Source: Engadget

Prelude to Mango?

Hate to do this right now as some of you loyal wp7 fans still haven't received the official Nodo update notification yet.  Some of you have gotten around the delay.

Over at PocketNow.com, there is this mysterious build 7.0.7753.0 of wp7 OS (Currently, Nodo or the March Update is on 7.0.7390.0).  Perhaps this a test build of Mango?  Perhaps it's something that's being considered for an update between now and Mango (as Mango has widely believe to be version 7.5 of WP7)?  Who knows.

Something that pretty interesting in the additional of a "search" icon to the right of the start screen right underneath the right arrow.

Speculate away....

Hit up this link to read more on Pocketnow.com

Source: PocketNow

Trouble with Nodo updates? Microsoft has a solution for you

As Microsoft is rolling out this March update to the masses, from what I can see from various websites, things are going pretty smoothly for those who got pushed the official update or use this method to get the Nodo update.

But not all WP7 users are experience smooth sailing while updating their WP7 handsets.  Luckily, our Microsoft overlords has released some information to help those who are having problems.

Excerpt from Microsoft

"If you encounter 800705B4 while trying to install the February update, first try deleting the history files for Internet Explorer Mobile, Maps, and Search (this article provides step-by-step instructions). If you’ve tried that and still can’t install the update, then use the new Windows Phone Support Tool we’ve created."

Blast from the Past - brought to you by Telus

To do battle with Chat-r, for those of you who remembers it, Telus has brought back the name "ClearNet" from the late 1990s when Telus bought them out.  Currently ClearNet appears to be doing battle with Chat-r.

It is appear to be servicing Alberta and BC at this moment but from the specs of the phones (2 at the moment, another android phone coming soon), it appears to be a 3G network.  If you click through the site, there is a check for for "notify me when data add-on becomes available".

Rates starts at $45/month for province wide unlimited talk in BC and unlimited talk and text plans starts at $55/month

Hopefully they can bring along some reasonably priced data plans. 

How To Copy and Paste Multiple Times

So now that you got your Nodo update, one way or another, first thing you probably tried is the copy and pasting text around.  For the most part it works well, until you asks yourself, how the heck do I paste the same text over and over again?

After your first "paste", the paste icon disappeared from view. EEEEEEKKKK!!!

Fear not, it didn't disappear.  It only "moved" off the little grey bar where it used to be.

Just swipe that grey bar (you know, where the suggested words are) to the right (or the other left) and you can continue with your pasting.

Now that you can only paste to your heart's delight until your lock screen kicks in (weird but that's what Microsoft claims)