As Trend Micro reports in its company blog, the security company has discovered flaws related to Windows Mobile. Both of the newly found vulnerabilities are flaws in inbuilt applications that ship by default with Microsoft's mobile device OS.
One of the said applications is "Pictures and Videos", the default application to watch photos and video file, which can cause a mobile device to hang for 10 - 15 minutes when it tries to process a malformed JPEG file. This vulnerability can cause a denial of service (DoS) attack against a device; however, no error occurs during this period and the user would have no indication as to why the device is not responding.

Looks like there is a serious market for portable storage devices which connects to mobile device. After last week's announcement by Agere Systems, to launch its "BluOnyx Mobile Content Server" later this year, now Seagate announced a similar device which is either a license of the BluOnyx or a self-developed system. Nevertheless, like the BluOnyx, Seagate's DAVE platform is an enabling technology that delivers 10-20 GB of wireless storage in an accessory smaller than many common slim-line mobile phones.
DAVE technology is designed to store, play and share digital files on mobile phones, PCs and other wireless-enabled devices.

1-2-Remote is a remote control software for Windows Mobile Pocket PCs to control your desktop music library stored in Windows Media Player or iTunes - right from the Pocket PC.
1-2-Remote requires a (wireless) connection from your Pocket PC to your media PC (W-LAN, Bluetooth or LAN), Windows Media Player or iTunes on the PC and the Microsoft .Net Compact Framework (preinstalled on devices with Windows Mobile 2003 or higher; for previous versions, it can be downloaded from Microsoft). 1-2 Remote includes two parts, the server software for the PC and the client software for the Pocket PC.

No, the so called, i-mate K-Jar isn't that new anymore - have we seen it last year already, when TechFaith Wireless previewed it the first time, but it looks like i-mate (which has licensed the reference design) comes closer to a release date now.
The K-KJar is a HTC Universal look-alike Windows Mobile 5-based Pocket PC Phone Edition, featuring a thumb-keyboard and swivel touchscreen which lets you use the device in traditional PDA-mode or like a sub-notebook. Unlike the HTC Universal, the K-Jar also features an external LCD display for caller information, however this display doesn't makes use of Windows Mobile's auxiliary display functionality.
Other features are triband GSM/GPRS (neither support of GSM 850 MHz nor EDGE), Bluetooth 1.2 and W-LAN b.

As you might have heard already, with tomorrows Windows Vista launch, the Microsoft ActiveSync client will be replaced by the Windows Mobile Device Center. ActiveSync will not work on Windows Vista PCs anymore but the required sync-client should become a native part of Microsoft's latest operating system.
As before with ActiveSync, the new Windows Mobile Device Center is the bridge between the PC OS and the Windows Mobile device, responsible for synchronizing both units and as before, also the Windows Mobile Device Center supports PIM synchronization of Microsoft Outlook. 3rd party PIM applications like Lotus Notes and others are still not supported.

Nevertheless, the Windows Mobile Device Center can do even more than just plain PIM synchronization - it also supports synchronization of audio and video files as well as importing photos from the Windows Mobile device to the PC.

Since late last year, I was testing the HTC S310 (code named HTC Oxygen) which is HTC's first budget Windows Mobile Smartphone. No, for techies and gadget-lovers, this device isn't anything special but for newbies, beginners or simply users without any further needs in their mobile phone, this Smartphone is a stylish device to start with as well as it is a cheap device for business users.
That said, the HTC S310 has everything you can expect from a Windows Mobile Smartphone since the device features Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone with support for Microsoft's push E-Mail functionality, quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0 (with wireless stereo/A2DP) but it doesn't features W-LAN. Multimedia-wise the S310 includes a 1.3 megapixel camera, has an inbuilt memory of 64 MB RAM and 64 MB ROM which can be extended with miniSD cards and is powered by a TI OMAP 850 CPU at 200 MHz.

Some time ago I wrote about Mike Buch's fit4cat Hermes Tweaker which lets you tweak the registry of the HTC Hermes in an easy and GUI-based way.Basically, the Hermes Tewaker was a compilation of known registry hacks as you can find it over at Xda-developers.com but it doesn't forces you to use a Registry editor on your Windows Mobile Pocket PC but this handy application does all the tweaks for you.
Now, the Hermes Tweaker was released in a new version and since it now supports even more HTC devices, it was also renamed to "HTweakC 2.0":

V2R announced today the availability of pro Tone Beta, which allows Windows Mobile Smartphone users to assign different ring tones, volumes and profiles for different numbers within one contact.
With pro Tone you will hear immediately who is calling you from which phone and it even allows you to set different volumes and profile rules for all phone numbers of a contact. You can assign different ring tones for different phone numbers of a single contact, assign different volumes for each phone number, overrule the selected profile for specific contacts and assign different ring types for different callers

Okay, after the fiasco with the HTC MTeoR (you remember, initially it was announced as triband UMTS as well) I'm not going to believe it until I see it myself (or get a confirmation from anywhere else) but according to a leaked spec-sheet, the HTC X7500 (HTC's sales version of the HTC Athena) isn't only singleband UMTS/HSDPA (2100 MHz as used in Europe and Asia) but triband UMTS which means it works in North America also.
Definitely good news for everybody in the U.S. and Canada who is awaiting a launch over there as well:

Today, AsusTek unveiled its latest Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition - the Asus P735 - which allows users to make full use of its 3G capabilities and integrates network connectivity, video conferencing, multimedia applications and many other business functions. With a broad range of network connectivity options such as UMTS 2100 Mhz (only), GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 Mhz (but no GSM 850 MHz or EDGE), GPRS Class 10, WiFi b/+g and Bluetooth 2.0, the P735 allows the mobile executive to be truly connected.

The P735 is powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC Phone Edition and features a Marvell Xscale CPU at 520 MHz, 256 MB Flash and 64 MB SDRAM memory which can be extended via miniSD flash memory cards.

For a couple of months, Microsoft is offering a Beta version of its Windows Mobile Device Center for Windows Vista which replaces ActiveSync. Due to so many changes in the Windows Vista architecture, Microsoft changed the way how devices will sync with Vista-running PCs and since most of us had a love/hate relationship with ActiveSync, I'm sure mostly nobody will miss it if it fades away, sooner or later. And indeed, the Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center works pretty nice in terms of enabling you to set up new partnerships with Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones, synchronizing content like your Outlook items and managing music, pictures and video with any Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5.0-powered device (sorry guys - no further support of Pocket PC or Pocket PC 2002). And in combination with the Windows Vista Sync Center (which is the central place to get Widows Vista PCs synchronized with Mobile devices that you plug in to your computer or to which you connect wirelessly (such as portable music players, digital cameras and mobile phones) and files stored in folders on network servers) the Windows Mobile Device Center (which needs to be downloaded as an add-on) does a fantastic job.

Are you a "Fonero"? If so, this utility might becomes handy for you as well. The German company Spotigo has signed an licensing agreement for its technically leading Wi-Fi Smart Client. The Spain based company FON - the largest Wi-Fi Community in the world (as FON says about FON) - will be using the Spotigo technology to substantially improve the way its Community members and customers can access its Wi-Fi Community. Spotigo's technology will be provided by FON under the name of the "FON Wi-Fi Connection Manager" and distributed to all of its users and Community members around the world.

While T-Mobile (Germany) announced its version of the HTC Athena Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition today to become available in Europe within the next weeks, HTC's daughter company Dopod International, a brand-product unit of High Tech Computer (HTC), will begin to market the HTC Athena as the Dopod U1000, in the Taiwanese market even sooner. Dopod's president Jack Tong announced a release for the next week already!
The launch comes much earlier than originally scheduled, said market sources, who had expected HTC to launch such a device by the end of the first quarter at the earliest.

Vito Technology today announced the release of  Vito Remote for Smartphone - the first universal remote control for Windows Mobile Smartphones. With Vito Remote you could basically replace all your TV, Video, Home Theater and other remote controls with your stylish and compact Smartphone.

Vito Remote for Smartphone allows you to teach you Smartphone all the commands from the original remote controls for your home and office electronics. Simply place Smartphone and an original remote control with their infrared ports facing each other, press a button on Smartphone and then on an original remote control: your Smartphone has learned it! This way you can easily stow all the necessary commands to your Smartphone and control any of your home and office equipment.

T-Mobile rings in the New Year in the role of innovation driver for the mobile telephony sector by launching an all-new PDA. T-Mobile's Ameo is creating a new category in the mobile device market, uniting today's computer functions, mobile broadband transmission technology and telephone functions in an attractively designed exterior. Thanks to its innovative concept the Ameo can be used with or without its QWERTZ/QWERTY keyboard. Connected at the side to the keyboard's magnetic strip, it can be easily attached. Whichever option is preferred, its large-format color display, powerful processor, spacious hard disk, array of interfaces, long battery life and many other features all add up to a stylishly indispensable device.

The Ameo, designed and manufactured by HTC (based on the HTC Athena reference design), supplies mobile access to almost all applications, information and connections commonly needed. Including not only singleband HSDPA/UMTS and quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE but also W-LAN b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, it offers users the fastest available mobile transmission wherever they are, via T-Mobile's mobile telephony network

In Germany, the HTC Excalibur is already available for some months from O2 as Xda cosmo (see my review here) and also T-Mobile USA introduced it as T-Mobile Dash last year. Now, Germany (most likely Europe) will follow as well and T-Mobile will introduce the HTC Excalibur as its new T-Mobile MDA Mail.
The super sleek - just 12.8 mm thin and weighing 130g - device makes light work of E-Mail and document management on the go. Like the O2 and HTC's S620, the MDA Mail is also featuring HTC's JOGGR touch sensitive navigation bar, ensuring easy access to all Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone applications at your fingertips. Combined with 1.3 megapixel camera, a 2.4" color landscape screen and fully integrated QWERTZ keyboard, this is truly a smart messaging device.

Today, during a Press Briefing I've joined in Munich, Agere Systems introduced the version 1 of its "Mobile Content Server (MCS)" which is called BluOnyx. BluOnyx can transfer, stream and share music, videos, pictures, business files to or from mobile phones, digital cameras, digital camcorders, PCs. BluOnyx MCS can access the internet via Wi-Fi or over multiple mobile networks around the globe in the office, at home or on the move.

With a footprint of a credit card and thinner than a Blackberry, the BluOnyx MCS is a highly valuable mobile device for the YouTube generation and consumers that want to access, backup and share their content using broadcast mode or for rapid internet access. This elegantly designed device offers the freedom to display contents on mobile phones, PCs and TV screens.

If you are a long-time the::unwired reader, I'm sure you remember Microsoft Research's Portrait for Pocket PC and PC, released back in the early days of Pocket PCs (see the USA Today article here). Basically, Portrait was one of the first applications which utilized cameras for mobile video communication. It supports .NET Messenger Service, Session Initiation Protocol and Internet Locator Service on PCs, Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones as well as Handheld PCs. It runs on local area networks, dialup networks and even wireless networks with bandwidths as low as 9.6 kilobits/second.
Microsoft Portrait delivers portrait-like video if users are in low bandwidths and displays full-color video if users are in broadband. In low bandwidths, portrait video possesses clearer shape, smoother motion, shorter latency and much cheaper computational cost than do conventional video technologies. Microsoft Portrait pursues providing presence notification, chat/voice/video functions anytime, anywhere, on any device.

During Motorola's Financial Analyst Update Webcast, Motorola confirmed it will release new Windows Mobile Q Smartphones. Ron Garriques, President Mobile Devices Business, includes two slides mentioning a "Enterprise Moto Q EDGE" and a "Enterprise Moto Q² HSDPA/EVDO" with the notice "Coming at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona".
So it looks like, that one year after Motorola announced the UMTS version of the Motorola Q (during last year's 3GSM Congress), Motorola is ready to finally release its UMTS (and now HSDPA) enabled Moto Q (which most likely looks like this):

According Pocketinfo.nl, T-Mobile Europe is expected to launch the previously leaked HTC Athena as T-Mobile Ameo soon (might be officially announced during the 3GSM Congress next month) and indeed, the previously information, we've published, seems to be confirmed now.
So the T-Mobile Ameo is going to feature an Intel XScale at 624 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 256MBROM which is backed-up by a 8 GB hard disk and can be additionally expanded via miniSD. Additionally, it's sporting quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and singleband UMTS/HSDPA, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 as well as GPS.
For photo and video, the T-Mobile Ameo will feature a 3 megapixel camera on the back and a additionally QVGA cam on the front for video telephony and displays all this on a 5" VGA sceen:

At a press briefing held in Singapore today, O2 previewed the UMTS follower of the Xda Atom which will be called "Xda Atom Life". Nevertheless, it still looks pretty much like the original Xda Atom. According to O2's country manager Low Han Thong, the Atom Life will come with support for UMTS and HSDPA and will feature a large onboard memory. CNET Asia, which was at the press briefing, had a look at the showcased prototype and found out it came with 1 GB storage memory which can be extended, according to CNET Asia, through miniSD memory cards. Further features are a QVGA display, a 2-megapixel camera on the back and a video telephony camera on the front:

We have seen a many blurry, fuzzy and Photoshop'd HTC Vox renderings and photos during the past days but now it looks like "The Boy Genious Report" received the final renderings.
The HTC Vox, which is expected to be called "HTC S710" later, is a Windows Mobile  Smartphone (the screenshot even shows Microsoft next Windows Mobile OS code-named "Crossbow") and similar to the HTC Wizard or Hermes, it's featuring a QWERTY slide-out (hopefully a semi-slider) keyboard. In addition, the phone is supposed to feature 128 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM, a 2.4" QVGA screen, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g and a 2 megapixel camera:

Those who do not require a full-fledged powerhouse mobile workstation like the Xda Zinc can still enjoy 3G technology in a more familiar setting. The O2 Graphite looks like a candy bar mobile phone and measures 109.5 x 46.9 x 18 mm only at a weight of 105g. The O2 Graphite is powered by an Intel Xscale PXA 270 Processor at 416 MHz and Intel Hermon chip for quick 3G data processing; comes with 128 MB Flash ROM memory and operates on the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform with Messaging and Security Feature Pack, direct push technology, and the latest editions of Microsoft Office programs for Windows Mobile including Outlook, Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger.
Match these productivity features with connectivity options like Wireless LAN 802.11b/g and Bluetooth SIG v 2.0, and you have a device that can really help you upkeep productivity during work days.

Today, O2 Asia announced the Singapore launch of its latest Windows Mobile-enabled 3G Pocket PC Phone Edition, the Xda Zinc. The Xda Zinc is designed to be the most powerful messaging PDA-phone for professionals who rely heavily on E-Mail, IM and SMS. To take productivity several notches higher, O2 has incorporated a slide-out Qwerty keyboard into the device to deliver the optimal messaging experience. When extended, the sturdy keyboard automatically switches the 2.8" 65k-colour TFT-LCD display from portrait to landscape mode to facilitate the composition and reading of E-Mail, SMS and work documents like Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides. The Xda Zinc's sleek design will also appeal to seasoned road warriors who prefer to communicate via a thumb keyboard and is perfect for high data users who don't think twice about banging out information at lightning speed. Communication can also travel faster now thanks to the device's 3G capabilities.

Franson Technology has launched GpsGate.com, a GPS mapping portal designed to enable people to share their locations from their Windows laptop or Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC device with anyone they have personally approved to "spot" them online.
GpsGate.com offers a great new way for a group of friends or colleagues to synchronize their lives for work or fun. Anyone that belongs to the same group can share their current location with the others in their group, which makes it easy to coordinate plans to meet for coffee in the morning, go shopping over lunch hour, attend client meetings in the afternoon or get together for drinks in the evening.

Well, Verizon's plan to launch the Samsung i760 later this year isn't brand new for the::unwired readers but now, Engadget Mobile received the first real (high quality) photo of the device - showing a Today screen running Microsoft's next Windows Mobile version aka Windows Mobile Crossbow.
The i760 is expected to feature 1xEvDO, a slide out keyboard and a 1.3 megapixel camera. In addition, it's supporting WiFi b/g as well as Bluetooth 2.0:

With V2R's Multi Desk you can have multiple Today screen pages on your Pocket PC.
You can create your personalized Today screens with different Themes, background images and desired plug-ins. So you can have different Today screens for your different needs like Home, Office, Music, Navigation, etc.
Just set up your personal Multi Desk and you have the most wanted applications and plug-ins available at a single click.
Multi desk comes with some sample layouts for home, office and multimedia screens:

Vodafone Germany's online shop preview unveiled that the German carrier will launch the HTC Trinity (also known as HTC P3600) as VPA compact GPS soon.
As you can see on the name affix "GPS", the Trinity definitely supports GPS which makes it the first 3G enabled Windows Mobile navigation device.
Other features of the HTC Trinity are Windows Mobile 5.0, quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 3G UMTS/HSDPA as well as W-LAN and Bluetooth and a 2.0 megapixel camera.

Normally when we receive files via Bluetooth, these files end up in our My Documents Folder - the default setting of Windows Mobile. Now wouldn't you want to be able to change the destination folder of the files received via Bluetooth?

Here is a small utility that allows you to save your received directly to your storage card. This utility is designed for Windows Mobile Devices which run the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack. It ises the .Net Compact Framework 2.0 to run the utility.

2D Barcodes are not really new. It's a technology which has been in use for some time now. Most of the uses though may be found where inventory is important with multiple details being held within each 2D barcode. Unlike regular barcodes which are in use in most places like groceries and shops, the 2D barcode can store much more data.

Another company has set out to make this more public in regions other than Japan where 2D barcodes are very common nowadays. TMS is another 2D barcode which is simplified but designed for mobile use.

Access, owner of the Palm OS, today announced the availability of a new technical preview of its NetFront Browser for Pocket PC, an Internet browser for Windows Mobile Pocket PCs. By making technical preview v3.4  available, Access expects to obtain extensive feedback from users prior to releasing the final commercial version of the browser, which is scheduled for release in the first half of this year.
Both the Japanese and English language versions of the technical preview version of NetFront Browser v3.4 for Pocket PC will be available for download from Access' website free of charge.

Well, Inventec's latest Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, which just received the FCC approval, isn't cute at all but it seems to be smart. At least it's sporting a feature-set I haven't seen so far: an inbuilt bar code/QR code scanner and a slide out thumb keyboard in one device. Therefore I expect we will see this device in vertical markets only, and not being released for consumers.
Other highlights of the device are Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC Phone Edition and it seems to support either triband (850/900/1900 MHz) or quadband GSM/GPRS (while the FCC documents only mention 850, 900 and 1900 MHz), WiFi (b/g) and Bluetooth. Nevertheless it lacks a camera (which makes it a business device even more):

Thanks to i-mate, today I received a brand new i-mate JAQ3. Made by TechFaith Wireless, the i-mate JAQ3 is i-mate's second Windows Mobile Pocket PC not manufactured by HTC.
Similar to the Palm Treo 750, the i-mate JAQ3 is also a Windows Mobile Pocket PC with a thumb keyboard bellow the screen. However, unlike the Treo 750, the JAQ3 isn't UMTS enabled but is featuring quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE only but also supports WiFi 802.11 b/g as well as Bluetooth 1.2 (with A2DP and AVRC support).
The i-mate JAQ3, which features Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 3.2, was designed with user preferences in mind - since its full QWERTY keyboard, five navigation buttons and scroll wheel allow easy navigation and use of services including E-Mail. Unusual is the the 2.4" color touch screen which is neither portrait nor square but landscape - as we know it from the latest Windows Mobile Smartphones like the HTC Excalibur/Cavalier and Samsung i320/i600. Last but not least, the devices is also featuring a 2.0 megapixel camera.

Spb Software House, a leading Pocket PC software developer, today announced a new website called "Spb Club".
With Spb Club Spb Software House officially opens its support forums. Spb customers can get 24x7 technical support through the support forums and get answers from community members and Spb employees. More than 15,000 Pocket PC users have already joined the community in just the few months the website was in beta testing.

In addition, this website provides Pocket PC users with quality content they can use to empower and personalize their Pocket PC including:

Today, I'm happy that I have soft launched the::placeshift and if you are a regular visitor of the::unwired, I'm sure you know what the::placeshift is about - it's about place shifting your media. Since I made my first experiences with some "self-cooked" software some time ago, I'm thrilled about place shifting my personal media to my mobile devices. However, since I'm not a software developer at all, I never continued on my own but thankfully some companies like Sling Media, Orb and others jumped into the game by developing and offering great place shift solutions.

Since I was using these solutions the first time on my Windows Mobile devices and Notebooks (doesn't matter if at home or on the go), I knew this will become another major hype and not just a buzzword because place shifting media - doesn't matter if it is TV, video, audio or photos - gives the us access to the highest possible customized content, something very special and personal. Place shifting as a technology adds real value to mobile devices, from mobile phones to PDAs to UMPCs to Notebooks/Tablet PCs and the feedback I got from the::unwired readers (when I was covering place shifting technologies) was so overwhelming that I've decided to launch a new dedicated platform for consumers, where you get the latest information, tips, tricks and reviews about place shift developments. And if I follow the last week's CES announcements and developments, it's simply the perfect timing to start the new platform today.

No question, many of us/you enjoy the HTC Excalibur (better known as O2 Xda cosmo/T-Mobile Dash) even if I prefer the the Samsung SGH-i320 at the moment. Nevertheless, the Excalibur follower will be released sooner or later and it's the HTC Cavalier.
The HTC Cavalier will get a faster Samsung processor with its 400 Mhz, flash memory is increased to 128 MB as well as the camera which will be 2 megapixel and for sure the Cavalier will be UMTS enabled, featuring triband UMTS/HSDPA at 850/1900/2100 MHz as well as quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz.
The Boy Genius got his hands on a pre-release sample now and put a some photos online:

Vodafone Germany released its latest Windows Mobile Smartphone - the VDA IV. Made by AsusTek, it's the Vodafone brother of the O2 Graphite, supporting UMTS and triband GSM/GPRS. It measures 108x18x47 mm at a weight of 120 g. Powered by an Intel XScale CPU at 312 MHz and Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone, Vodafone gives a talk-time of up to 4 hours and a stand-by time of 180 hours.
Most interesting might be the fact, that even if the VDA IV is a UMTS phone, it doesn't have a single camera. Neither one for photos and video recordings, nor a front facing camera for video telephony since this phone is addressing the business market:

After years of debate over the use of cellphones aboard airplanes in flight, the moment of truth has very nearly arrived. Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, installed satellite-based technology that allows voice calls and text messaging on one of its Boeing 777's late last year and expects to begin offering the service to passengers on an international route yet to be announced early February, as reported by the New York Times.
The service has already obtained approval from air safety and telecommunications regulators in 25 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, over about 30 routes that Emirates flies. The carrier expects to outfit its entire fleet with the technology within a couple of years.

Mobile television services on cellphones have had little commercial impact so far and that's likely to continue in 2007 despite a significant amount of money invested in the technology, according to a Deloitte research report released Monday.
The 2007 edition of the consulting firm's Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions study - based on observations from Deloitte's staff, clients and others - says there's not much demand in Canada for television programs on cellphones.

But John Ruffolo, national leader with Deloitte's technology, media and telecommunications practice, said shorter clips of about five minutes in length - such as highlights from sports events - are gaining in popularity.

If you wonder where I was the past days - I was in Ruhpolding at the IBU Biathlon Worldcup. Well for over 15 years or so, I'm a big Biathlon fan and since Ruhpolding is 1.5 hours away from my home only, it makes sense to step by there if the Biathlon world comes over.
Well, while we had pretty good tickets the days before - in the stadium - behind stand 1 - 3 (so we saw the shootings) - I haven't managed it to get that good tickets for Sunday too but I was able to get tickets for the course only.
Standing on the slope isn't to bad at all since you see the athletes running and climbing the hill which is really impressive but well, with more then 22k visitors yesterday, the good places were occupied pretty early and not just occupied - the folks stood in 4 - 5 rows where it doesn't made any sense to open the 5th or 6th row.

The idea isn't that new but maybe we will see the final breakthrough in the CE world as well. During the CES, Visteon Corporation announced the launch of a technology that provides a convenient way to make sure batteries for mobile phones, MP3 players or PDAs are always charged and ready to go with Visteon's in-vehicle wireless charging technology.
This in-vehicle technology eliminates the need to have dedicated power cords for each portable device in the vehicle. The user simply places the device on Visteon's charger and power is wirelessly transferred by electromagnetic induction from the charger to the user's portable device at a rate comparable to a plug-in power cord. The wireless charger contains intelligence that can determine if an object is in close proximity to the charger and whether the object can be charged (similar to electric toothbrushes and similar devices).

Avvenu, Inc today announced its Avvenu Music Player, a new digital music service that allows users to listen to and share their iTunes music library using any PC, Macintosh or Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC or Smartphone, anywhere, at any time.

The Avvenu Music Player is a web-based service that can access music users have ripped using iTunes on up to six Windows PCs. Once installed on their PCs, the Avvenu Music Player lets users remotely listen to and share their iTunes music collection using a web browser. The Avvenu Music Player streams music from iTunes via the Internet, enabling immediate playback while protecting the rights of copyright holders. Users can listen to their iTunes music collection using the Avvenu Music Player on any Windows Mobile 5 device, including the Motorola Q, Palm Treo 700w and Samsung Blackjack.

Apple today introduced its long awaited mobile phone and contrary to the latest speculations, it's indeed called iPhone - a device combining three products in one: a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls and a Internet communications device with desktop-class E-Mail, web browsing, searching and maps-into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting users control iPhone with just their fingers. iPhone also ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

Now that's interesting! If you have read the previous announcement from Motorola Q Pro, you might have noticed, that Motorola talks about document editing capabilities.
Looks like Motorola added DataViz's Documents To Go - which was available so far for a broad range of platforms but not for Windows Mobile devices.
While Pocket PCs have Offices viewers and editors built-in as (better known as Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile), Smartphone users left alone because the standard platform is even not including viewers.
Now it seems that DataViz is porting their - from other platforms - well known Documents To Go to the Windows Mobile Smartphone platform as well to support Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files on your Motorola Q, Samsung BlackJack, T-Mobile Dash and other Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphones.

Motorola announced today that it has signed an agreement with NewsGator Technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, Motorola will extend NewsGator-aggregated RSS content from behind the firewall to mobile users on a broad range of devices, including the Motorola Q, Samsung BlackJack, the Palm Treo family and many other standards-based smartphones.
This announcement follows Motorola's recently completed acquisition of Good Technologies. Motorola's Good Technology Group, which was formed upon the closing of the transaction, will work closely with NewsGator to implement the agreement and make NewsGator's technology available through its secure, managed service.

Plantronics yesterday introduced its new Discovery 665 Bluetooth Headset with AudioIQ, the industry's first DSP (digital signal processing) sound technology to automatically optimize audio levels on both sides of every call - significantly increasing clarity for mobile phone callers, as well as for the listener on the other end of conversations.

Plantronics will demonstrate its new AudioIQ technology and complete headset portfolio during the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Well, Motorola's latest MOTO Q PRO announcement isn't what we all expected to be the next MOTO Q PRO but Motorola only announced today it has expanded the functionality of the current Motorola Q with the launch of MOTO Q PRO; which is designed for enterprise users. The MOTO Q PRO solution features enhanced security software, an extended-life battery, additional mobile accessories, document editing capabilities, direct shipment services and enterprise call center support. Motorola has also enabled an enterprise-specific order portal and staging services to preload software.

After more than three years of development, Modeo today announced the Beta launch of a live, commercial quality mobile TV service in New York City. The Modeo beta service includes live video content from leading network programmers such as Fox News, Discovery Channel and others, as well as streaming audio content from Music Choice, to Modeo Mobile TV Smartphones. Initial distribution of the Modeo Mobile TV Smartphones to beta service participants began in the last week of 2006 and will continue throughout the first quarter of 2007.

In addition, Modeo plans to deliver live broadcast signals from the Las Vegas Convention Center during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Visitors to CES in Las Vegas will have an opportunity to preview Modeo's service and Smartphone functionality in demonstrations with Microsoft Corporation and HTC, the developer and manufacturer of Modeo's first Windows Mobile-based Smartphone but also IBM will showcase the new Modeo Mobile TV Smartphone. Modeo will also deliver live broadcast signals and demonstrations during the Mobile DTV Alliance press and analyst event.

Yahoo! oday launched a beta version of Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2007 in Las Vegas. Yahoo! Go 2.0 is an innovative new application that redefines the mobile Internet experience for consumers through a unique product design, ability to personalize with content from the entire Internet and a reinvention of mobile search. With this launch Yahoo! expands its mobile Internet leadership.

The Yahoo! Go 2.0 beta (http://go.yahoo.com) is available for consumers to download today on Motorola's new MOTORAZR maxx V6 and MOTORAZR V3xx devices as part of the two companies' ongoing alliance to deliver an optimized Yahoo! experience on the world's coolest devices. Beginning in the first half of 2007, Yahoo! Go 2.0 will be pre-loaded on select new mobile devices from Motorola. Consumers can also download Yahoo! Go 2.0 on more than 70 other mobile devices from major manufacturers worldwide and use it on most wireless networks. According to Yahoo! Go 2.0 Beta site, Windows Mobile isn't supported yet but is expected to be launched soon.

Whatever it wants to be (mobile phone, PDA, Tablet PC), Seamless Internet announced at CES a new device which they call an "Ultra Mobile Portable Computer (UMPC)" and which is based on a radically different design. The S-XGen from Seamless Internet a publicly traded company, is the only UMPC of its kind to integrate all of the computing and digital functionality of other UMPCs in a design that offers a near full-size keyboard and an ultra-productive eight-hour battery life.

Today at CES, Palm and Cingular jointly announced the launch of the Palm Treo 750 Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, Palm's first 3G Treo which offers blazing speeds, security and business productivity.
The highly anticipated Treo 750 (the same device which is already available for months now from Vodafone in parts of Europe and Asia) is a five-band world phone running Windows Mobile 5.0 with Direct Push Technology and offers Palm's exclusive usability improvements with powerful business features, including E-Mail, security, and web access on the go (see my previous review of the Vodafone Palm Treo 750v here).

Just when you thought a standard is a standard and established, the industry comes around the corner with a new one/update. So happened yesterday, when the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. (USB-IF) announced the completion of the Micro-USB specification, a new connector technology that will replace many of the Mini-series plugs and receptacles currently used in portable products.
This USB-IF connector specification was developed to support the growing miniaturization trend for portable devices, as well as the continued adoption of USB in mobile phones.

Right before the year changed to 2007, Vodafone UK released the Samsung SGH-i320 Windows Mobile Pocket Smartphone (see my previous review here). The ultra slim i320 Smartphone has a QWERTY keypad and runs on Windows Mobile 5.0.
It measures 111x59x11.5 mm only and weighs 95g. The i320 is equipped with 2.2" display with 65K colors and 320 x 340 pixels resolution.
The QWERTY Smartphone has 120 MB internal memory and a microSD slot for additional memory. 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and USB are also built-in. It features triband GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 900/1800/1900 MHz but lacks GSM 850 MHz as well as WiFi (something the HTC Excalibur features).

Targeting business and leisure travelers, Pharos Science & Applications, Inc., a leading provider of real-time, location-based information and services, yesterday launched its first GPS-enabled Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC Phone Edition. The "GPS Phone" (a rebranded version of E-TEN's glofiish X500) offers a full-featured navigation experience on a sleek smartphone with extensive wireless options and the added convenience of a two mega-pixel camera and FM radio. The GPS Phone will be available in February 2007 at national retail outlets and online stores.

Consumers and professionals striving to be more organized and productive in the new year can rely on Sprint and Motorola to help them achieve their New Year's resolution. The companies announced today they plan to begin offering the Sprint Mobile Broadband Smart Device MOTO Q by Motorola later this month in Sprint business sales channels and online at www.sprint.com.
Slim and stylish, the Motorola Q offered from Sprint operates on the Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Platform with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack and gives customers easy access to mobile E-Mail, Web, calendar, music, video and phone functionality in one pocket-sized device.

Not sure how you carry your mobile devices but the Tune Belt Open View Armband might be another option.
Tune Belt's latest armband in its "Open View" carrier solutions line not only fits larger MP3 players like the iPod Video and Microsoft Zune, but also Smartphones, slim phones and many other mobile devices like the BlackBerry Pearl, Samsung BlackJack and Motorola Moto Q.