Microsoft don’t want to repeat the previous mistake of letting any kind of phones to run its Mobile Operating system and cause some problems because of insufficient hardware resources. Well, the majority of the problems are definitely because of the bugs of Windows Mobile (I bet nobody would disagree with me on this), but difference of hardware specifications is also one big headache problem for mobile OS developers. Hence, Microsoft set some tough standards for phones that would run Windows Mobile 7, which was announced at MWC 2010 a week ago. The detailed specs of the phones are still not clear, but Microsoft did clearly mention that there will be only tree chassis models that Microsoft allows. Below are the chassis types.

Chassis 1: Meant for “big touchscreen phones”; they will be only touchscreens and have at least a 1 GHz processor such as Snapdragon, and will need its own dedicated graphics processor. Chassis 1 will be the first ones out of the gate for this holiday season.

Chassis 2: Slide-out keyboards will be added on alongside touchscreens.We assume the processor specs will be roughly similar to that of Chassis 1.

Chassis 3: There are no certain details on 3, though they are suspected to be candybar devices. No word on when 2 or 3 will be ready.

Microsoft looks like is ready to mount a serious challenge on iPhone and Google Android.

Affordable local mobile phone carrier, MetroPCS, today launched the first smartphone of the carrier – Samsung Code, also known as Samsung SCH-i220. It is kind of disappointing to learn that the Samsung Code runs on Windows 6.1 operating system, instead of the latest Windows 6.5 operating system. MetroPCS doesn’t mention whether the Samsung Code is upgradeable to Windows 6.5 or not, we doubt it does.

The Samsung Code feature a 2-megapixel digital camera, QWERTY keyboard, Stereo Bluetooth, 3G connectivity, full Internet browser, and a memory expansion slot that supports up to 32GB. Like other Windows phones, the Samsung Code is equipped with Microsoft applications, including contacts, calendar, tasks, notes, voice recorder and Windows Live. It supports ActiveSync technology for easy synchronization with PC and Microsoft Exchange Server.

“We are excited to add another smartphone to our lineup of the latest handsets,” said Roger D. Linquist, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of MetroPCS. “In a time when consumers want more from a phone than simply to talk or text, our customers will be able to take full advantage of the Samsung Code’s advanced features and services that will give them an enriched wireless experience. This is just another example of how MetroPCS is providing customers with more, all while maintaining the economical unlimited, flat-rate service that they can expect from MetroPCS.”

“Samsung Mobile is excited to launch its first Windows Mobile® 6.1 powered smartphone to MetroPCS customers,” said Paul Golden, chief marketing officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. “The Samsung Code gives users the ability to balance work and personal communication with a variety of applications and features.”

MetroPCS doesn’t mention its pricing. What we know is customer could add $50 rate plan to get unlimited talk, text and data, including emails.

Nokia Booklet will be available at BestBuy stores nationwide in November, right before ThanksGiving holidays. As the first netbook of Nokia, the Nokia Booklet is a rare product from the Finland-based cell phone maker. The Nokia Booklet features a 10.1 inch HD LCD screen, A-GPS with Ovi Maps, Ovi Suite for data synchronization, SD card reader, 3G, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It weighs less than 2.76 pounds, measures slightly more than two centimeters thin. The selling price is going to be $299.99 with an AT&T Data Connect plan two-year activation. While made-in-Asia netbooks, such as Acer and Asus, are sold for less than the price of Booklet, it is hard to say whether the Nokia Booklet is going to be big success.

Watch video of Nokia Booklet

“Nokia understands mobility like no other company and recognizes that the most ‘powerful’ device is the one that doesn’t have you running for the power plug or network point,” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, president and CEO of Nokia. “By combining the Booklet’s sleek design, impressive features and competitive price together with the new Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft, AT&T’s nationwide 3G coverage and Best Buy’s unmatched national retail footprint, we believe we have a winning combination for U.S. consumers.”

“Our alliance with Nokia is advancing on multiple fronts and the Nokia Booklet 3G is an important step,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “We are excited with Nokia’s decision to launch its first PC with Windows 7. By combining the value and simplicity of the operating system with the all-day mobility of the Nokia Booklet 3G, we are bringing new and valuable experiences to consumers and businesses.”

“The Nokia Booklet 3G is a really sharp, exciting device and we look forward to powering it with the nation’s fastest 3G network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Consumers and small business customers can’t get enough mobile broadband. Nokia’s mobile device leadership, together with AT&T’s mobile broadband network leadership, Best Buy’s retail reach and Windows 7, is a very strong line-up to drive this fast-growing market.”

“Our customers are looking for ways to stay connected no matter where they are and we’re finding that netbooks and laptops are important companion devices next to the smartphone. The addition of the Nokia Booklet 3G to our stores will only serve to amplify consumer interest in this emerging mobile technology,” said Brian J. Dunn, CEO of Best Buy. “As the exclusive retailer through the holidays, Best Buy is uniquely positioned to offer this great product to consumers and ensure they have the knowledge, supporting products and services to use it the minute they leave our stores.”

T-Mobile SideKick series phones have been having issues ever since they were launched a couple of years ago. SideKick series are messaging phones with a slide-out keyboard, targeting users who love to text, especially teenagers. The idea of the SideKick phone is excellent, but the product has always been giving headaches to the users. This time, the problem goes to Microsoft, who took over the Sidekick services last year by acquiring Danger, the maker of SideKick, had sever failure causing T-Mobile Sidekick users to lose their personal data including contacts and photos.

According to Microsoft, the problem started about a week ago, and the users of Sidekick had problems accessing their contacts. Although T-Mobile and Microsoft stated that the services have been fully restored, the personal data of users has “almost certainly” be lost if the data are not stored on the phone. Yes, you read right, the data is lost! This might be final nail in the coffin for SideKick phone.

Microsoft’s and T-Mobile’s messages to the customers

“Our goal is to have all services restored to 100 percent functionality by Thursday; however there may be some exceptions,” Microsoft said in a statement.

“I sincerely apologize for the impact the current disruption of data services may be having on you,” said Jim Alling, T-Moble’s Chief Operations Officer. “I assure you that T-Mobile is working very closely with Danger/Microsoft to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Read T-Mobile SideKick 2009 features and specifications.

Firefox has gained some much of marketshare from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer in the PC web browser market, now a new startup company, Skyfire, is determined to kick Internet Explorer Mobile out of the Mobile world. According to the CEO of Skyfire, Nitin Bhandari, Skyfire aims to bring the full PC browsing experience to your mobile handset rendering a web page complete with Flash with no compromises.

Will the rise of Skyfire challenge Internet Explorer Mobile? It is too early to answer this question. If you would like to test use the Skyfire browser, you can sign up for the beta testing at Skyfire’s web site.