PalmAddicts

In the last few days there has been a new beta of TealDiet released

[From Eric Mann] In the last few days there has been a new beta of TealDiet released which fixes backdated food entries from disappearing (placed in missorted order). "Shape up your life with TealDiet, the diet, exercise, and personal tracking application for mobile devices. Whether you're trying to lose weight, build more muscle, or simply live healthier, TealDiet can help you achieve your goals. Use TealDiet to record your daily food intake, exercise, and measurements. Then graph the results to see your progress as you go. TealDiet comes with a fully editable database of over 100 exercises and 1000 foods, complete with detailed nutritional information. If you need more, create your own entries from scratch or use TealDiet's advanced importing and exporting features to load additional selections from external sources. "

For those of you with smartphone Palm devices how cool does MSN Direct look

[From Hans] For those of you with smartphone Palm devices how cool does MSN Direct look. "The MSN® Direct for Windows Mobile® Technology Preview gives you the information you want, when you want it. Get the top news stories, weather updates, and stock quotes where and when you need it most. MSN Direct gives you instant access to information such as weather, stocks, top news stories, entertainment news, sports news, business news, and more. Information is presented in a glanceable format and is easily accessible right from the home screen of your device. Content is automatically updated to give you a fast and fun experience. It's always on and always there!" Get the deets after the jump.

Iris Browser is available for those of you who have upgraded to WinMob 6 on your Palm Treo devices

[From Hans] OK, Windows Mobile Treo users if you have upgraded to WM6 then make a note that there is a new web browser on the market obviously in preview stage and its called Iris Browser. "The Iris Browser is an advanced, high-performance and versatile application that is specifically designed to function in resource-constrained environments. It brings the full Web experience to mobile phones, set-top boxes, mobile Internet devices, portable media players, Ultra-Mobile PCs and other embedded devices - in a fast and user-friendly manner. The Iris Browser leverages the WebKit rendering engine, providing a powerful, standards-based and Web experience that is consistent across mobile Web devices. Harnessing our extensive WebKit expertise, we made the Iris Browser small, fast and adaptable. Why shouldn't you get the desktop browsing experience in a mobile environment? With the Iris Browser's revolutionary technology, you can access the full Web on resource-constrained device and get the same functionality as you would on a PC. The Iris Browser offers unparalleled flexibility. Its browser layer and user interface are modular and can be easily customized to meet specific requirements. The component-based design provides manufacturers with complete control over the software. The Iris Browser is portable to many devices and platforms." Full list of features and preview download after the jump.

Free Wi-Fi provider launches software for Windows Mobile, Facebook

[From Hans] "WeFi, a Wi-Fi software company, released software for both Windows Mobile and Facebook that the company says will improve Wi-Fi connectivity and help create broader open Wi-Fi networks worldwide. WeFi creates software that can be downloaded onto laptops or mobile devices that the company says will enhance Wi-Fi connectivity and provide mobile devices with more powerful connection tools. Once the software is installed, it begins searching for Wi-Fi hotspots in a user's area and allows them to map all the hotspots in their vicinity through the Google Maps application." Network World has all the deets on this one.

PalmDiscovery lets us know of audible files you can listen to from your mobile device

PalmDiscovery gives us the heads up on some free audible files that you can listen to on your mobile device.

iPod Touch... the Gateway drug?

[From Rich Schmick Kansas City, MO.] I'm a long time PC and Palm user. Over the years, I've owned three different Palm PDAs, two different Sony Clies, a Treo 600, a Treo 650, and I bought the Palm Centro the first week it was out. I've always been a PC user and worked for a PC manufacturer (Gateway) for several years. For Christmas, I picked up an iPod Touch and have become thoroughly addicted to it. I rarely use my Centro for email or web browsing anymore since I have wifi access at home and at work. Between my great iPod Touch experience and all the horror stories I've heard about Windows Vista from my friends, I'm seriously considering abandoning both the Palm and Windows platforms in the future... something I never thought I would say. Does this mean that the Touch is my Gateway drug (so to speak) to becoming a full-fledged Mac-aholic?

One of my favourite podcasts is available for your listening pleasure - MobileTechRoundup 123

One of my favourite podcasts is available for your listening pleasure - MobileTechRoundup 123.
Why do broken Apple products "just work" in the Apple Store? :)
Two of out three MobileTechRoundup-pers have new gear on the way.
Matt succumbed to the dark side and ordered "Darth Vader": a Fujitsu U810 UMPC.
James has a Fujitsu P1620 with 2 GB of RAM arriving in a few weeks.
Does the P1620 replace or supplement the HP2710p for James?
Freeware of the show: JoikuSpot turns your S60 device in to WiFi hotspot.
T-Mobile updates the Shadow; Matt can type even faster on it now.
Did T-Mobile misplace their 3G network? ;)
Matt's off to Barcelona for the Mobile World Conference; perhaps we'll get an update from Spain on the next MoTR?
JKONTHERUN for the listening deets.

Nokia N96, the first official info

[From Steviedee] Looks Promising, the N series by Nokia is really starting to shape up i think. Check out the first official info of the N96 here.

"After rumors and scattered photographs, more or less intentional, we’ve at last got the first official information concerning the Nokia N96. So, the forthcoming smartphone from Nokia will hava HSDPA and DVB-H support, 16 GB of internal storage (you’ve read it right, 16 GB!), 2.8 inch display (6.1 cm) with a 320×240 pixel resolution, Wi-Fi, guided GPS, 5 MP photo camera with Carl Zeiss lenses, two LEDs and video recording at 30 FPS VGA. Nokia N96 will be run by a Symbian S60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 2 operating system."

Trial software: one of the best things of my Treo

[From Mauricio Tanzi, Costa Rica] I know that everybody knows that you can download trial software for Treos, but think about it just for a minute. Getting software for my Treo can be done over the air, through Hotsync, via an SD Card, even via Bluetooth and infrared… It´s so easy and can be done within minutes. Having thousands of titles and apps for every need, I just find it amazing the amount of solutions you can find in a single device. The best part of all is that relatively cheap to buy after trying! Over the years I have tried lots of software and can easily compare which one suits me best. Of course I found my favorite titles and developers and mainly because they are users also is that they make the experience of using that software slicker and easy. Add one more thing why I love my Palm!

More Google’s Android in action video

[From Hans] Hans sends another video in of the Google Android OS and this time Rob Coombs, VP of mobile solutions at ARM Holdings. "This prototype contains a Texas Instruments chip based on an ARM design. Several members of Google’s Open Handset Alliance, to which ARM does not belong, are demonstrating Android prototypes at this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. " Reuters for the deets.

CrunchGear gets its hands on Android

[From Hans] I am getting excited about Google's Android and CrunchGear got it's hands on the OS. Interesting video and more deets at CrunchGear.

MapSaver

[From Justin Goldberg (San Jose, CA)] I met a new girl at college last week and yesterday she wanted to hangout. She gave me directions to her house so I could pick her up, but her directions sucked. Thank god for Google Maps on my Centro though. I fired up the app and was able to find the right route in a matter of minutes.

Two in One is Good!

[From John] After years of using two devices, a series of various cellphones and a series of various Palm HH (m505, m515, T3, TX), I've been using a single device, PalmTreo 755p, for the last 2 months, and am very happy with the simplification. I am finding the 755p to be an excellent and reliable tool. Concerns for losing everything if I lose the Treo are ameliorated by having multiple SD and laptop backups at all times, and the availability of spousal cellphone if needed.

AOL today announced the AOL Open Mobile Platform, which it plans to make available to developers this summer

[From Jaymelina Esmele] AOL today announced the AOL Open Mobile Platform, which it plans to make available to developers this summer. The new open platform will help stimulate innovation by providing developers with ready access to the tools and source code they need to build and distribute applications across all major mobile device platforms and operating systems including BREW, Java, Linux, RIM, Symbian, and Windows Mobile. As a result, developers will be able to create applications for a wide variety of mobile devices.

The AOL Open Mobile Platform is based on proven technology acquired by AOL that has been deployed across more than 150 different handsets on carrier networks in the U.S. The platform will consist of three components: an XML-based, next-generation markup language; an ultra-lightweight mobile device client; and an application server. A dynamic presentation layer will allow for rapid deployment of new features and easy optimization for a wide variety of mobile devices, allowing developers to build and update applications once, and then distribute them across all supported devices and platforms.

In addition, it will be possible to integrate applications built using the AOL Open Mobile Platform with third-party APIs, as well as with AOL’s open APIs for AIM, AOL Mail, AOL Video, MapQuest, Userplane, Truveo, Winamp, and others. The AOL Open Mobile Platform will also give developers the ability to monetize their mobile applications by utilizing advertising resources, such as clickable banner ads, provided by AOL's Platform-A.

“The use of mobile services continues to increase at a steady rate and for any developer looking to build applications for this growing space, the AOL Open Mobile Platform couldn’t make it any easier,” said Steve Murphy, Senior Vice President of AOL. “Our new open platform will provide developers with a new breed of tools, including source code, for creating robust mobile services and will encourage product innovation.”

"AOL is committed to providing developers around the world with access to our core technologies which give them the ability to build and deliver innovative new products," said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President of AOL. "Mobile is an important example of how we’re opening AOL’s products to the developer community and providing access to new open tools and source code. As more developers leverage our open technologies, we look forward to seeing exciting new products that serve a global audience."

The AOL Open Mobile Platform is expected to be available this summer. More information on the AOL Open Mobile Platform can be found at http://dev.aol.com/openmobile.

Microsoft buys mobile software firm Danger

[From Hans] This is interesting news that is coming from Barcelona today, "Microsoft has agreed to buy Silicon Valley-based Danger, maker of the software that drives T-Mobile's Sidekick Web phone and co-founded by Andy Rubin, now running Google's new mobile venture. Microsoft did not disclose the purchase price on Monday for privately held Danger." Reuters has the full deets on this one.

NVIDIA Introduces APX 2500 - The World's Lowest Power, High-Definition Computer on a Chip

[From Guy] [SAMMY I did say earlier today that the mobile world event in Barcelona was going to send a flood of press releases in today] NVIDIA Corporation, the world leader in visual computing technologies and inventor of the GPU, today introduced NVIDIA(R) APX 2500, a breakthrough applications processor that enables intuitive 3D user interfaces and engaging high-definition video on connected Windows Mobile phones. The APX 2500 applications processor delivers an unprecedented 10 hours of 720p HD playback-an industry first for video quality and power consumption on a mobile device, as well as stunning HD camcorder and ultra-high-resolution photo imaging capabilities.

"This is the dawn of the second personal computer revolution," said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. "Technologies are converging in amazing mobile devices, that have all of the rich, visual capabilities of a modern PC-from watching movies and making video calls to surfing the web and playing 3D games. The APX 2500 combined with Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile, will make the next generation of smartphones our most personal computer."

NVIDIA has worked closely with Microsoft on the development of APX 2500, marking a significant milestone in a long-term relationship that has seen the companies share a passion for making interaction with technology more visual and instinctive across multiple platforms. The combined engineering efforts of the two companies will ensure that next generation versions of the Windows Mobile operating system will harness the capabilities of the APX 2500 applications processor across challenging multimedia use cases.

"Microsoft is dedicated to providing people true mobile freedom, so that they only need to carry one device for both communication and entertainment," said Todd Warren, corporate vice president of Microsoft's mobile communication business. "We are delighted to work with NVIDIA to offer our users an amazing visual experience on the next-generation Windows Mobile phones."

The NVIDIA APX 2500 applications processor, which is the culmination of 800 man years of engineering, delivers:

-- The industry's first HD (720p) playback and capture capability for handheld devices.
-- A new ultra-low-power (ULP) GeForce(R) core that is fully OpenGL ES 2.0 and Microsoft Direct3D(R) Mobile compliant and the lowest power 3D hardware solution available for acceleration of intuitive 3D user interfaces.
-- NVIDIA nPower(TM) technology, enabling over 10 hours of high-definition video playback and up to 100 hours of audio -- more than four times the audio playback of the latest touch-screen phones.
-- The connectivity and media acceleration technologies required to enable the latest Web 2.0 applications, from effortless web browsing and social networking to GPS and mapping applications.

The NVIDIA APX 2500 applications processor is sampling today with key customers and will enter into full production by the end of Q2 2008. For a live demonstration of the APX 2500 applications processor, please visit NVIDIA at Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona, Hall 1, Booth # 1C34.

For more information on the NVIDIA APX 2500 applications processor, please visit: http://www.nvidia.com/apx2500

EQO Expands its Mobile VoIP Service Globally

[From Jennifer Hols] EQO Communications (www.eqo.com), today announced the expansion of its award-winning low-cost mobile VoIP service to over 200 countries. This now extends the availability of EQO’s calling services from its original 30 countries to over 200 countries including India, Russia, the Philippines and Brazil.

People from around the world have already been enjoying EQO’s free application that brings free international texting as well as free instant messaging to mobile phones. With this recent service expansion, all EQO users across the globe can now use EQO to make cheap calls. In addition, all EQO calling users will now have access to EQO’s presence feature, which displays in real time when their EQO friends are online and available to receive phone calls.

“In many countries, mobile calling rates are still ridiculously high,” said Bill Tam, EQO’s CEO. “We wanted to break through the cost barriers by providing an easy, cost-effective option for everyone to stay in touch with friends and family in more places around the world.”

EQO is free to download to your mobile phone, and is a truly mobile application that does not require a computer, WI-FI connection or new contract. With EQO, users can chat on the go for free using MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, QQ, AIM, ICQ and Jabber, or call or text anyone in the world at super-low rates. Users can also invite their friends to join EQO, and call them at 50% off EQO’s regular calling rates or message them for free*.

EQO works with a broad array of handsets from major manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, Blackberry and HTC, bringing the benefits of VoIP, IM, chat and social networking to regular, everyday mobile phones. EQO’s application is available in multiple languages including English, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese.

* Please note that minutes and data from mobile plans are utilized when using EQO

New Fun With Blackberry!

[From Sheldon at The Morning Paper] Blackberry has always been known for its business use. Its stodgy look and feel along with its overwhelming acceptance in the suit and tie world have always put it into one category. As a long time Palm Treo user, Blackberry was never within my scope of curiosity. Until the 8830 that is. Something about that particular Blackberry spoke to me from the very first day I held it. A few months later I now own one, and although it has not taken over for my primary phone the Treo 755p, right now I'm having a bit of fun finding ways to make it more Palm like.

If you've ever used a Blackberry, you're probably wondering how one can make a Blackberry that's not a "Curve or and Pearl" Palm like? Well, it aint easy. But that's the fun of it. Apps like "Flipside" and "iBerry" which turns your Blackberry's home screen into a iPhone have made playing with and learning the Blackberry OS fun. Sorta like the early days of the Treo 600. In those days, everyday was like a new adventure trying to find new and fun apps that were coming from every corner of the net.

Now even though I still love my Palm, I'm having that same joy I got from Palm early on, carry over to Blackberry. But, I have to say, I'm close to getting an iPhone, and as a very longtime Mac user, and a voyeristic fan of the phone that Steve made, I'm sure my "fun with Black & Berry" won't last too much longer.

Google attacks: Android at Mobile World Congress

Google Android demo has been showing up at the Mobile World Congress this morning according to Engadget. "Seeing as Mobile World Congress is all about the cellular experience, we weren't too surprised to bump into some Android goodness while here. Texas Instruments had the handset you see above -- from an unknown vendor -- to demo the OS running on an OMAP 3430 at 500 MHz. The interface is dead quick and rather glorious, and while we had no internet connectivity on it, we still were able to have a peek at various applications -- check the gallery for more photos."

MSN Direct Now Available for Windows Mobile Devices

[From Hans] Today at Mobile World Congress 2008, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of a technology preview for accessing MSN Direct content on Windows Mobile-based devices.

With this technology preview, customers can receive instant access to information such as weather and stock updates; top news stories; and entertainment, sports and business news. The information is presented in a glanceable format, and is easily accessible directly from the home screen of a device. Content is automatically updated so that customers have immediate access to the content that matters most to them.

"This is the first time MSN Direct content has been made available to mobile phones, and it is a strong next step for the delivery of MSN Direct content where customers have said they need it the most," said Eric Lang, general manager of the MSN Direct initiative at Microsoft. "We are excited about the opportunities this new application will bring to mobile operators, consumers and the industry."

After installing the technology preview on the device, customers can select content based on relevancy and preference. For more in-depth information on the topics a person is exploring, MSN Direct provides links that connect users to the relevant areas of the popular MSN Mobile portal. Together, MSN Direct and MSN Mobile provide users with quick and easy options for getting current information while on the go.

"The MSN Direct for mobile technology preview is a clear demonstration of Microsoft's commitment to bringing simple and useful information to mobile customers," said Alexander Gounares, corporate vice president of Microsoft Ads and Commerce. "We are pleased to offer this preview and look forward to feedback."

The MSN Direct content is supplied by a number of leading partners, including Foreca Ltd. for current weather information, Comstock Resources Inc. for stock prices, and MSNBC for the wide gamut of news offerings.

Windows Mobile customers interested in downloading the MSN Direct technology preview can use either of the following methods:

-- Via mobile browser. From the Web browser on their mobile phone, users go to http://phone.msndirect.com and follow the instructions on the page to download and install MSN Direct.

-- Via PC. Users download MSN Direct to their PC and copy it over to their device using whatever software they normally use (such as ActiveSync). On the device, they click on the MSN Direct file to begin installation.

The MSN Direct application is free to download; MSN Direct requires data connectivity from a wireless carrier, which may charge additional fees. Consumers should check with their wireless provider for its coverage areas and service fees.

About MSN Direct
MSN Direct, part of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, is a specialized wireless service that delivers customized and personalized information to people. Those interested in learning more about MSN Direct can visit http://www.msndirect.com.

OK, it's time to giveaway the MacBook Air that I hinted about last week

OK as I decide on the winner for the MacBook Pro, still many emails to go through yet, I am going to do what I gave a hint about last week and I am sooooo looking forward to this one. We got three MacBook Air's purchased, one for me, one for the office and the other I am will giveaway to a PalmAddict reader. It's the usual rules and you'll find them in this link. Writers and readers are welcome to enter but I will not tell you when it closes, it could be tomorrow or it could be next week, I will let you guess. All the deets are in this post so enjoy. You can read my initial thoughts on the Macbook Air here.

Countdown to Glide OS 3.0: Ad Free Mobile Computing With Cross Platform Support for Android, Symbian, Blackberry, Palm, Windows Mobile, iPhone, Linux, Mac and Windows - The Power of Full Featured Desktop Apps on Your Mobile Device of Choice

[From Marcus Farny] TransMedia is announcing today at the Mobile World Congress the launch of the all new Glide OS 3.0 universal computing platform on March 19th, 2008. Glide OS 3.0 will be available in 16 languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Hebrew, Greek and Turkish.

"We are very excited today to announce the launch date for Glide OS 3.0 with over 100 new features, an all new design and significant performance enhancements,” said TransMedia Chairman & CEO, Donald Leka. “We believe version 3.0 realizes Glide's goal to be your mobile companion serving as a mirror reflecting your life and a window to explore."

"We chose the Mobile World Congress to announce the launch of Glide OS 3.0 because version three fully unleashes the potential of mobile technology for millions of users around the world on exciting new devices of all different shapes and sizes fundamentally changing the way people live and work," said Mr. Leka.

Glide OS 3.0 Universal Computing Platform

Desktop: http://www.GlideOS.com
Mobile: http://www.GlideMobile.com

Glide 3.0 is a universal computing platform for Linux, Windows and Mac PCs, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) and Android, Symbian, Palm, Windows Mobile, iPhone and Blackberry smart phones. Version 3.0 manages a comprehensive universal set of applications, a personal web portal where users can securely "spin their own web" and a powerful email and communication hub that features advanced security and sharing features for consumers. Users can toggle effortlessly between the three fully integrated environments throughout the Glide platform. Glide 3.0 features over 100 new features and significant performance enhancements.

Compatibility & Consumer Choice
The biggest impediment to consumer choice when it comes to purchasing a new computer or smart phone is incompatibility with previously purchased hardware and software and a lack of support at work. Consumer choice is limited by proprietary ecosystem traps that effectively corral consumers into continuing to purchase their hardware and software as well as IT decisions made by employers. Thanks to Glide's automated device recognition, file synchronization and file translation technology, individuals and families can now purchase virtually any combination of computers, MIDs, UMPCs and smart phones and be compatible with each other and with work.

Synchronization for Offline and Online Access
The Glide application suite development strategy is substantially different from purely browser based approaches. Glide is both: 1) an online browser based solution; and 2) an offline out of the browser native solution. Glide's Save and Sync technology enables users to work offline or online from any location. A file created or edited online or offline is automatically synced and saved to online and offline designated locations. Glide's native applications are coded in C/C++ and escape the inherent limitations of the browser when it comes to performance, supporting advanced functionality and reliability.

With Save & Sync, Glide now offers a comprehensive native application suite for Linux (both 32 bit and 64 bit) that is cross-platform compatible. Where pure browser based application suites come up short, Glide makes it possible to take Linux mainstream and provide an attractive and powerful alternative to Windows and Mac.

Privacy and Social Networking
The development of Glide OS 3.0 as with its predecessors has considered the serious consequences of advertising business models found in online web services (in particular the threat to online consumer privacy) and developed a viable and sustainable alternative. In Glide OS 3.0, a user establishes his own personal web space and sets his own rules of online engagement. Each user can control how their personal web interacts with the personal webs of others. In contrast with ad driven online communities, Glide users get to individually set all of the ground rules and are empowered with tracking tools to protect their personal information and files.

"2008 will be a good year for online privacy," said Mr. Leka. "We believe that the era of channeling people into artificial social networks where the advertising business model driven by the sharing and selling of personal information determines the rules of human engagement has run its course. As privacy awareness grows and alternatives emerge, people are opting to protect their personal information and interact in a more intuitive and natural way."

Brightpoint Agrees To Distribute Google Services

[From Hans] Monday, Brightpoint, Inc. (CELL), a distributor of wireless devices, announced that it signed a distribution agreement with Google Inc. (GOOG) to distribute Google services.

As part of the agreement, Brightpoint will pre-install a broad variety of smartphones, including those running on Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm, Symbian, and other OS-powered device, with Google Search and Google Maps for mobile.

Brightpoint said that it would provide applications via its 25 thousand B2B customers around the world.
http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=02/11/2008&item=12&vid=0

ArcSoft Demos Unified Threaded Messaging Solution on Windows Mobile at Mobile World Congress 2008

[From Arcsoft] [SAMMY Here is one for those of you with Windows Mobile devices this hour] ArcSoft, Inc. is showcasing its latest mobile technologies from February 11-14 at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Visit ArcSoft in Hall 1, Booth G39, and learn more about our next-generation Mobile Messaging solution.

“As one of the world's leading providers of MMS clients for handset manufacturers and operators, we bring to the industry the much expected Unified Threaded Message Solution on the coming Windows Mobile 6.1 platform,” said David Cao, Vice President and General Manager of Mobile Group. “With this solution, users can now chat through regular SMS and MMS with a unified experience, like on Instant Messenger.”

ArcSoft MMS Composer™ V5.0 Features

MMS Composer offers multimedia message viewing, composing, managing, sending, and receiving for handheld devices. It features:
* Threaded Message
* Unified inbox
* Support for MMS service and functional model defined by 3GPP R5
* Compliance with OMA MMS 1.2 feature set and partial OMA MMS 1.3 features
* Support for both HTTP and WAP-based MMS transportation
* Synchronized rendering of SMIL-based MMS or plain MMS with various URIs (telephone number, email address, URL, etc.)
* WYSIWYG templates for user creation of photo MMS, voice MMS, video MMS, long text MMS, or generic multiple slides MMS
* Support for world wide text type, including western languages and pictographic text
* Support for OMA Digital Rights Management
* Integration with other system applications such as Camera, Calendar, Address Book, Phone, Browser, Call History, Email, SMS, etc.
* Support for UAProf and OTA provisioning
* Provides message creation using photos, videos, sound files, animation, and added text
* Supports a wide range of popular file types
* Available as a Build-to-Suit Application

BenQ to Showcase New Mobile Devices at Mobile World Congress 2008

[From BenQ] [SAMMY We my friends are very busy with the press releases coming in which we endeavor to post] BenQ today announces the exhibition of its various next-generation mobile devices at this year’s Mobile World Congress. Visitors to the event can expect to see BenQ's maiden Mobile Internet Device (MID) which combines the advantages of a notebook and a smartphone to give users a full interactive Internet experience in a single device, as well as its new NFC-enabled (Near Field Communications) T80 smartphone and the trendy, ultra-slim T60 mobile phone.

BenQ's MID, embedded with Intel Menlow platform, features BenQ's unique user interface that allows multiple windows for a full interactive Internet experience similar to PCs. It also supports WiFi to give users fast Internet connectivity to enjoy instant audio, visual and multimedia content. The MID is going to be the inseparable companion that users bring with them on-the-go for multimedia enjoyment anytime, anywhere.

BenQ T80 is the first NFC-enabled smartphone to be built on Windows Mobile 6 offering users a familiar PC-like environment to fulfill their mobile demands. Users of BenQ T80 smartphone can use their phones to make contactless credit and cash payment, pay for public transport, enjoy e-wallet services and access home security systems. T80 is also DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)-compliant and can be integrated into any DLNA-compliant digital entertainment system. Targeting the fashion-conscious, the new BenQ T60 mobile phone is eye-catching with its trendy and ultra-slim design. It boasts a big 2.2-inch screen to enhance users’ viewing pleasure and is only 8.9 mm thick.

"The Mobile World Congress 2008 is undoubtedly one of the most important events, highly anticipated by every mobile device provider and the entire mobile industry," Peter Chen, General Manager of Technology Product Center, BenQ Corporation said. "Not only is BenQ's participation in this year's congress evidence of our successful collaborations with our partners, it also showcases BenQ's impressive results in design, research and development. We will continue to strive for innovation and creativity to move with the times and fulfill different consumers' needs."

Formerly known as 3GSM World Congress, the Mobile World Congress 2008 is organized by the GSM Association and will be held in Barcelona, Spain from the 11th to 14th February. BenQ will showcase its MID at Intel's exhibition arena in Hall 8, booth 8B109. T80 and T60 will be exhibited at Microsoft's booth (Hall 1, Booth 1D19) and MediaTek's booth (Hall 1, booth 1C58) respectively.
http://www.benq.com/

ACCESS Strengthens Commitment to Mobile Linux, Affirms Leadership Role in Promoting Open Internet, Open Platform, Open Opportunities

[From ACCESS] # ACCESS Linux Platform™ to Power First Open Linux Handset from Orange
# ACCESS Joins LiMo Foundation; Company Spearheads LiMo Foundation Development Team for Native Linux SDK Suite
# ACCESS Launches New Developer Portal, Releases SDK and Tools for ACCESS Linux Platform
# ACCESS™ Connect Ecosystem Global Partner Program Celebrates One Year Anniversary with over 85 Partners ACCESS CO., LTD. today reinforced its leadership in the mobile industry with announcements supporting joint initiatives to deliver Linux-based platforms for mobile devices. Just one year after releasing the Product Development Kit for its ACCESS Linux Platform to licensees and partners, the Company confirmed that the platform will power the first open, mobile Linux handset for Orange. The new handset, expected to be available to Orange customers later this year, will be produced by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and will give Orange customers the full benefits of the ACCESS Linux Platform, including an innovative and user-friendly Interface design, access to thousands of off-the-shelf Garnet™ OS-based applications available immediately, and integrated communication between applications, enabling a seamless user experience for music, messaging and other advanced features.

In a move to help unify the mobile Linux industry and further enable time-to-market development of open devices, ACCESS also announced that it has joined the LiMo Foundation as a Core member and will hold a seat on the LiMo Foundation board. In recognition of ACCESS’ proven track record with the developer community of successfully bringing to market its ACCESS Linux Platform Software Development Kit (SDK), ACCESS is spearheading the team tasked with developing the LiMo Foundation’s native Linux SDK suite.

ACCESS further announced the availability of the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite (including SDK and Tools) via a newly-created developer portal designed to provide support and services for third party Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). The ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite is immediately available free of charge to all registered members of the ACCESS Developer Network at http://accessdevnet.com.

As evidence of the continued momentum behind ACCESS solutions, eleven new members were added to the growing roster of companies in the ACCESS Connect Ecosystem (ACE) global partner program, bringing total membership to 85. The ACE partner program, which was launched at 3GSM World Congress 2007, represents a network of world-class partners developing and promoting new converged technologies and solutions in concert with ACCESS.

"ACCESS is dedicated to driving industry momentum to enhance the growth of the mobile Linux platform,” said Toru Arakawa, ACCESS CEO, president and co-founder. “The marketplace is rapidly moving towards a complete and seamless experience for users of Internet-enabled devices. An open platform and open Internet are vital to this convergence, and ACCESS will continue to be a leader in helping our partners bring applications, content and services to converged devices around the world.”

ACCESS is inviting attendees to “Open Up Your World” at the ACCESS booth at Mobile World Congress. The Company will showcase the latest trends in the mobile industry and continued innovation in supporting an open Internet for mobile and converged devices. The ACCESS exhibit will feature demonstrations of the latest ACCESS products and solutions, including: ACCESS Linux Platform, the Company’s next-generation mobile platform; NetFront™ Browser Widgets, a comprehensive mobile widget platform; and NetFront™ Transcoder, ACCESS’ PC website-to-mobile conversion solution.

There will also be demonstrations featuring internetworking devices using ZebOS®, the switch/router middleware from ACCESS’ subsidiary IP Infusion, a leading provider of intelligent network software for enhanced IP services. ZebOS supports advanced network technologies that enable Next Generation Networks. In addition, visitors to the ACCESS booth will be able to experience hands-on demonstrations of a next-generation multimedia home network that seamlessly connects mobile handsets and consumer electronics using NetFront™ Living Connect, the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)-compliant solution for digital content.

ACCESS made the following additional announcements at Mobile World Congress:

* The Company is extending its partnership with Wind River into the mobile handset market with a pre-integrated software development solution for mobile handset OEMs and cellular carriers.
* ACCESS reinforced its commitment to enabling the rapid development of smart mobile devices by releasing a pre-integrated certified software stack combining the ACCESS Linux Platform with the MontaVista Mobilinux operating system.

The ACCESS booth at GSMA Mobile World Congress is located in the Courtyard Area CY06, Fira de Barcelona.

Wind River and ACCESS Extend Partnership into Linux-based Mobile Handset Market

[From ACCESS] Wind River Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIND), the global leader in Device Software Optimization (DSO), and ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced that they are extending their partnership into the Linux mobile handset market with a pre-integrated software development solution for mobile handset OEMs and cellular carriers. The solution, expected to be available in Q2 2008, will combine Wind River’s Platform for Consumer Devices, Linux Edition with the ACCESS Linux Platform™, delivering a completely integrated, open and flexible Linux-based platform tailored specifically for mobile devices. Handset OEMs and carriers will have the option of coupling a leading commercial-grade Linux distribution with a leading commercial handset software stack to more efficiently develop and differentiate devices, including LiMo-compliant handsets.

In today’s demanding mobile marketplace, handset OEMs and carriers are under increased pressure to reduce time to market and overall costs while delivering highly differentiated handsets. As a result, mobile developers must manage increasingly complex and often incompatible software environments across the development stack. To minimize these development challenges, handset manufacturers require proven and optimized solutions that pre-integrate the operating system and application framework.

The new Wind River-ACCESS solution will come with the backing of two of the leading providers in the mobile handset market. Wind River extends the platform with its professional services team with considerable mobile handset expertise while the extensive ACCESS developer program adds a broad array of applications with which to differentiate a handset. Further, the Wind River Workbench development suite and ACCESS Linux Platform Product Development Kit (PDK), both available with this solution, are based on the Eclipse framework, giving developers a familiar foundation for development tools. This pre-integration speeds time to market for mobile handset manufacturers and provides world class support for the complete software stack.

Both companies are also Core members of the LiMo Foundation, where they are working together with other LiMo members to provide the market with a LiMo native Linux Software Development Kit (SDK), based upon Wind River’s contribution of their world-class build system for the LiMo Common Integration Environment (CIE) and ACCESS’ successful SDK for the ACCESS Linux Platform.

Additionally, the two companies announced that Wind River will join the ACCESS Connect Ecosystem (ACE) partner program. The ACE partner program is designed to create a network of world-class partners that will develop the potential of the digital life generation by driving development and adoption of new mobile converged technologies and solutions.

“By extending our partnership with ACCESS into the mobile Linux market, we greatly help our joint customers by delivering baseline integration before the project starts so they can focus on the true innovation -- creating and deploying mobile applications that will better add value to their handset product,” said Jason Whitmire, general manager mobile solutions, Wind River. “ACCESS customers have come to value and rely on the company’s flexible, open mobile platforms and its combination of best-in-class, open source applications and proven mobile technologies. The combination of ACCESS‘ SDK and capabilities for application developers combined with Wind River build systems and tools for platform development is a significant step forward for the mobile Linux community.”

“We welcome Wind River to the ACE partner program and look forward to working with the company to help extend the growing market momentum of Linux,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “Today’s announcement represents a natural extension of our existing relationship with the company. We share a similar commitment to speeding time to market for media-rich Linux phones, and delivering a joint commercial, OEM-grade platform.”

Wind River and ACCESS are long-standing partners and trusted advisors in the device software market. The two companies previously announced that ACCESS’ Software Developers Kit (SDK) is available as a pre-integrated solution with Wind River’s VxWorks® real-time operating system (RTOS).
http://www.windriver.com/

ACCESS Linux Platform Integrated with MontaVista Mobilinux to Accelerate Development of Smart Mobile Devices

[From ACCESS] ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, and MontaVista® Software, Inc., the leader in embedded Linux® commercialization, today reinforced their shared commitment to accelerate the development of smart mobile devices by releasing a pre-integrated software stack combining the ACCESS Linux Platform™ with the MontaVista Mobilinux™ operating system.

ACCESS Linux Platform enables the creation of world-class mobile phones and wireless devices by providing an integrated, flexible, and complete commercial-grade Linux platform designed for the worldwide mobile phone and converged device markets. MontaVista Mobilinux is the field-proven mobile operating system used in 90 percent of Linux-based smartphones. Because the new software stack pre-integrates the ACCESS Linux Platform framework and applications with MontaVista’s commercialized Linux operating system, it significantly decreases the weeks or months of engineering time required for do-it-yourself integration, and it also reduces associated costs and risks.

“The integration of the ACCESS Linux Platform with MontaVista Mobilinux provides mobile developers with more choices, faster time to market, less risk, and easier deployment in carrier networks,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “While the ACCESS Linux Platform supports multiple Linux operating system kernels, this implementation with the field-proven Mobilinux software will further help device manufacturers and application developers bring innovative mobile products to consumers even more quickly in the fast-paced mobile industry. In addition, it will make it easier to port ACCESS Linux Platform on top of the many silicon platforms supported by MontaVista Mobilinux.”

”Millions of people around the world will depend on ACCESS Linux Platform for its intuitive, consistent user interface and its operator-specific applications, and millions already depend on Mobilinux as the underlying operating system for their mobile devices,” said Tom Kelly, chairman and CEO of MontaVista Software. “Our strong relationship with ACCESS has produced this new software stack to deliver the best of both worlds to mobile developers, operators, and consumers.”

The integrated ALP-Mobilinux software stack is available now on the Texas Instruments OMAP2430 processor. Additional hardware platforms will be added in the future. Monta Vista will exhibit ACCESS Linux Platform-Mobilinux on TI OMAP2430 in the ACCESS™ Connect Ecosystem (ACE) partner section of the ACCESS booth at Mobile World Congress, located in the Courtyard Area CY06, Fira de Barcelona.

ACCESS Connect Ecosystem Partner Program Expands Network of Global Industry Leaders

[From ACCESS] ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today strengthened its commitment to place emphasis on cooperation among mobile industry players with the addition of eleven new partners to its ACCESS™ Connect Ecosystem (ACE) partner program. The ACE partner program is designed to create a network of world-class partners that will develop the potential of the digital life generation by driving development and adoption of new mobile converged technologies and solutions. In its first year, the ACE partner program has rapidly grown to include 85 members.

“Since its creation one year ago, the ACCESS Connect Ecosystem partner program has successfully brought to market innovative solutions from ACE members and ACCESS to our joint customers,” said Toru Arakawa, ACCESS CEO, president and co-founder. “The ACE program gives our customers a competitive advantage to easily and quickly deploy open platform and open Internet solutions, and we are very pleased to add each of these eleven new ACE members who will continue to increase our support in the global promotion of convergence and the digital life generation.”

New Global Partners
* Arphic (http://www.arphic.com), established in 1990, is a leading developer and provider of embedded systems’ font solutions. Arphic's superior stroke-based font technology generates the Arphic Mobile Font® and HiFont® compact, high-speed and high-quality Asian font solutions for embedded systems to support global languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Arabic and Thai.
* Chosen Security (www.chosensecurity.com) is the leading provider of on-demand PKI (public key infrastructure) security services in the world, enabling a wide range of PKI-enabled security services for enterprise authentication, secure e-mail and digital signatures.
* Cyberon (www.cyberon.com.tw) headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a leading embedded speech and distributed speech recognition solutions provider. Cyberon's solutions are developed specifically for mobile and portable devices to provide users a convenient, natural and reliable user experience. More than 30 million mobile and portable products embedded with Cyberon solutions support 30 different languages worldwide.
* Digital Aria (www.digitalaria.com) provides the state of the art technology, Mobile Flash™ platform. Mobile Flash™ provides operators and OEMs the powerful GUI framework to create rich-media user experiences along with FLV content playback.
* Entrust Japan Co., Ltd. (http://japan.entrust.com) is the Japan office of Entrust, Inc. Entrust Japan provides Entrust’s products, professional services and customer support for the Japanese market. Entrust [NASDAQ: ENTU] secures digital identities and information for consumers, enterprises and governments in 1,700 organizations spanning 60 countries. Leveraging a layered security approach to address growing risks, Entrust solutions help secure the most common digital identity and information protection pain points in an organization, including SSL, authentication, fraud detection, shared data protection and e-mail security.
* EXPWAY (www.expway.fr) is the leading provider of electronic service guides (ESG) for rich content and TV services offered over mobile, broadband and broadcast networks. EXPWAY’s solutions FastESGTM (electronic service guide –ESG- for mobile DVB-H and 3G networks) and FastEPGTM (electronic program guide -EPG- for IPTV and broadcast networks) enable operators to grow their revenues by promoting and differentiating their service offerings.
* Gemini Mobile Technologies (www.geminimobile.com) is a leading developer of wireless software infrastructure. The company’s Hyperscale® Technology is the foundation for its two products: a messaging platform, HyperScale Messaging Center, and a community platform, eXplo™. The company’s development efforts are distributed across China, Japan and the United States and it has offices in Asia and Europe.
* Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Semiconductor Company (http://panasonic.net)
* NAVITIME (www.navitime.com) is a solution for true navigation. It keeps maps and time tables from around the world at hand at all times, instantly displaying your optimum total travel time whenever you set a destination, using any combination of means of travel you like - including train, airplane, bus, car, and walking. And NAVITIME is not just a guide for human travel: NAVITIME will make it possible to instantaneously calculate the time required for all sorts of travel, including goods and information.
* Stratus Technologies Japan, Inc. (www.stratus.com) is a solutions provider focused on helping its customers achieve and sustain information systems that support their critical business processes. Stratus is a trusted solutions provider to customers in manufacturing, life sciences, telecommunications, financial services, public safety, transportation & logistics and other industries.
* Wind River (www.windriver.com) is the global leader in device software optimization (DSO), a holistic, enterprise-wide solution to the challenges generated by increasing complexity in developing and running device software. Wind River enables companies to develop and run device software better, faster, at lower cost and more reliably.

As part of its strategy to enable a truly connected world, the ACE partner program is an integral component in the delivery of interconnected products. ACCESS facilitates digital life by delivering open, extensible, and unifying platforms which partners can influence and build on, including:
* ACCESS Linux Platform™ - An integrated, flexible and complete next-generation Linux platform for mobile phones and wireless devices.
* NetFront™ Browser - An advanced, versatile and powerful Internet browser for mobile handsets and information appliances.
* NetFront™ Living Connect - An advanced middleware for the multimedia home networking markets based on Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards.

Orange and ACCESS Join LiMo Foundation™, Uniting the Mobile Linux Community

[From ACCESS] LiMo Foundation, global communications company, Orange and ACCESS CO., LTD, a global provider of advanced mobile software technologies—pioneers in the Mobile Linux movement—today announced that Orange and ACCESS have joined LiMo Foundation to unify the Mobile Linux industry and make truly open devices more accessible to mobile users all over the world.

In recognition of its historic and pioneering role in the mobile Open Source community, Orange has been invited to join LiMo as a Founder member, alongside original Founders Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone. ACCESS, which shares a strong heritage in Mobile Linux innovation, joins as a new Core member and will also hold a seat on the LiMo Foundation board.

“The reputations of Orange and ACCESS for leadership within the Mobile Linux community are widely recognized, so these companies represent major additions to LiMo Foundation’s governing board,” said Morgan Gillis, executive director, LiMo Foundation. “Both Orange and ACCESS will make an invaluable contribution to delivering the LiMo Platform™ as a consistent, open source-based software platform that will benefit the entire mobile industry.”

Dr. Malik Kamal-Saadi, principal analyst with Informa Telecoms & Media commented, “With Orange and ACCESS joining LiMo Foundation, we are now seeing even stronger industry support for LiMo’s open, transparent approach to delivering a global handset platform based on Mobile Linux. This important milestone illustrates an intensifying commitment across the industry to Mobile Linux compliancy, portability of applications from one mobile device to another and the achievement of better user experiences through unification.”

“Orange was one of the first mobile operators to make significant strides in open source innovation,” commented Yves Maitre, senior vice president, devices, Orange. “Our vision is for a truly open mobile community which delivers richer mobile services, more affordable devices and a better experience for our customers. We previously supported open source Mobile Linux through our participation in the LiPS Forum. Today, we believe that by participating in LiMo, we will accelerate the delivery of new and compelling mobile services.”

The addition of ACCESS provides further evidence of strong industry-wide engagement with LiMo Foundation. ACCESS and Orange have a long track record of collaborating to promote the introduction of Linux in the market for mobile and convergent devices. By participating in LiMo Foundation, the two companies will work to substantially advance the creation of Linux-based mobile platforms; establish an ecosystem that highlights the advantages of Linux development (including transparency, innovation and scalability); collaborate with other industry peers, and promote platform standardization.

“Our motivation to join LiMo grew out of our longstanding dedication to accelerating Mobile Linux innovation,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “Mobile users are demanding easier-to-use products with more sophisticated applications. Our experience in developing the ACCESS Linux Platform and our work with LiMo Foundation will help to meet these demands and hasten the development and delivery of new, innovative products. Together with Orange and the other Founder members, we look forward to playing a key role in bringing Mobile Linux innovations to market.”

Kiyohito Nagata of NTT DoCoMo, chairperson of LiMo Foundation added, “Orange and ACCESS are true innovators within the mobile industry. These are companies with proven technologies and large, sophisticated customer bases that will further establish LiMo as a global Linux-based platform while reducing fragmentation in mobile. We greatly look forward to their contributions as new board members.”

Launched in January 2007, LiMo Foundation is open to all vendors and service providers in the mobile communications marketplace, including device manufacturers, operators, chipset manufacturers, independent software vendors, integrators and third-party developers. LiMo members are participating collectively to building a rich ecosystem and have the ability to influence the evolution of the LiMo Platform, leaving them free to provide compelling and differentiated services to customers.

LiMo’s technology will be showcased in Booth 8b135, Hall 8 at Mobile World Congress, February 11-14 in Barcelona. The Orange booth is located in Hall 1, stand 1E19. The ACCESS booth is located in the Courtyard Area CY06, Fira de Barcelona.

For more information on LiMo Foundation and its guiding principles and bylaws, please visit www.limofoundation.org.

ACCESS Launches New Developer Portal, Releases SDK and Tools for ACCESS Linux Platform

[From ACCESS] ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced the immediate availability of the ACCESS Linux Platform™ Development Suite (SDK and Tools) via a newly-created developer portal designed to provide support and services for third party Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Successfully field-tested by select ISVs since early 2007, the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite has also been productively used by developers creating mobile applications for the Orange Application Package for ACCESS Linux Platform that is part of the Orange Signature strategy intended to deliver a consistent customer experience across a variety of devices and applications.

The ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite is now immediately available to all registered members of the ACCESS Developer Network (ADN). The ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite is a complete, integrated development environment (IDE) that leverages open source tools such as Eclipse™ and Glade, integrated and extended for the needs of mobile applications. The ALP Development Suite includes all the necessary components, tools, samples and documentation to develop, run, test and debug native applications for mobile devices based on the ACCESS Linux Platform. It includes:
* A complete Eclipse-based set of development tools
* The Glade 3 Interface Editor for GTK Apps
* The ACCESS Linux Platform Simulator which runs on the Linux™ desktop and provides seamless application debugging
* A Compilation Toolchain: gcc, linker and gdb
* The VirtualPhone Tool which simulates a carrier network for telephony applications
* Scratchbox, which enables command-line development and cross-compilation for ARM device targets
* Headers and libraries
* How-To Documentation and an Integrated API Reference

Also freely downloadable from the newly created ADN Portal is the ACCESS Garnet™ VM Compatibility Kit, a stand-alone kit enabling developers to test their ACCESS Garnet OS-based applications' compatibility with ACCESS Linux Platform. The ACCESS Garnet VM provides the ability to run existing ACCESS Garnet OS (formerly known as Palm OS® Garnet) applications on the ACCESS Linux Platform.

“We have a great history building a successful developer ecosystem and supporting mobile developers,” said Larry Berkin, senior director developer ecosystem & technology acquisition, ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc. “By making the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite and ACCESS Garnet VM Compatibility Kit freely available, we begin building and growing a robust mobile Linux application ecosystem benefiting developers, operators and handset manufacturers while providing end users a choice of market-ready applications.”

"The public launch of the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite leverages the experience and passion of mobile developers to innovate new product concepts and services for ACCESS Linux Platform," said Yves Christol, Strategic Marketing, Devices Director, Device Development, Orange Group. "Orange is committed to open innovation and eagerly anticipates stimulating the introduction of advanced mobile solutions for ACCESS Linux Platform in conjunction with Orange Partner, our leading partner program with over 45,000 members worldwide."

"Bluestreak's participation in the Orange Application Package project with our award-winning MachBlue™ platform has been greatly facilitated by the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite," said “Paul Forostowsky, CEO Bluestreak. "Having extensive experience with most major mobile platforms Tools and SDKs, we have been impressed by the ease of development that the ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite provides."

The newly created ACCESS Developer Network Portal is a community-driven website designed to stimulate development of mobile applications for ALP. In addition to technical tools and documentation, ADN provides new social networking features to facilitate developer community interaction via discussion forums and feedback mechanisms that include a bug tracking and feature request system.

The ACCESS Linux Platform Development Suite and the ACCESS Garnet VM Compatibility Kit are immediately available free of charge to registered members of the ACCESS Developer Network. Previously registered Garnet developers and new developers are encouraged to register and build a profile on the new ADN Portal. Registration is quick and simple at http://accessdevnet.com.

About the ACCESS Developer Network (ADN)
The global developer program for ACCESS, ADN provides technical and business development support to mobile developers, handset manufacturers and operators to assist them in achieving their goal of successfully launching mobile applications and services for the ACCESS Linux Platform.

About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for Web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, and other networked devices. ACCESS' product portfolio, including its NetFront™ Browser, Garnet™ OS (formerly Palm OS®) and ACCESS Linux Platform™, provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates 29 subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mother’s Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit http://www.access-company.com.

ACCESS Linux Platform in Europe this year by Orange and Samsung

[From Jose Julio Ruiz] Orange will sell in Europe, later this year, the first ALP device in Europe according to an email from Jose Julio Ruiz at PDAExpertos.com [In Spanish]

Nokia says no to Windows Mobile

[From Hans] Reuters is reportying this morning, thanks to Hans for the heads up that Nokia has no plans to use the Windows Mobile Operating System. " Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research) has no plans to use Microsoft's (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Windows Mobile operating system in its mobile devices, the head of the world's largest cellphone maker, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, said on Monday. "We don't have plans to do Windows in mobile at the moment," Kallasvuo said. Kallasvuo repeated Nokia would unveil a version of its own operating system, Symbian S60 touch-screen platform, in the second half of 2008." Reuters has the full deets on this one.

Boingo Extends Mobile Wi-Fi Service to Windows Mobile 6 Devices

[From Boingo] Boingo Wireless Inc., which provides access to the world's largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots, today released a version of the Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi software that supports Windows Mobile 6.0 devices. It can be downloaded from http://mobile.boingo.com/download/.

With Boingo Mobile, users can automatically connect to Boingo's network of tens of thousands of hotspots across the globe with an increasing number of mobile devices. Boingo Mobile, which is also available for Nokia S60 and Internet Tablet devices, has supported Windows Mobile 5.0 since Feb. 2007.

Using the latest version of Boingo Mobile, owners of Wi-Fi enabled Windows Mobile devices -- including the HTC TyTN II, HP iPAQ 510, and the TMobile Dash -- can maximize the networking capabilities of their handset by accessing Boingo's worldwide hotspot network any time they're out and about.

Boingo Mobile software automatically identifies Boingo-enabled hotspots and authenticates users with their Boingo account. Unlimited access to those hotspots is available for a flat rate of only $7.95, EUR 5.95, or GBP 3.95 per month.

"Boingo provides the best global Wi-Fi service value for dual-mode smartphone customers," said Jonathan Mendelson, General Manager of Boingo Mobile. "The release of our new Windows Mobile client gives millions of additional mobile devices worldwide the advantage of unlimited hotspot access for one low price per month."

Boingo will demonstrate Boingo Mobile on Windows Mobile 6 devices -- as well as Sony Ericsson and Nokia smartphones -- at the following GSMA Mobile World Congress locations:

-- Feb. 10: The Showstoppers media event at the Hotel Majestic Barcelona from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

-- Feb. 11-14: The Boingo Wireless hospitality suite at Fira de Barcelona, Hall 4/Floor4/Hospitality Suite 30, by appointment only. To schedule a demonstration, contact Baochi Nguyen at bnguyen@boingo.com or +1.310. 994.4431.

Boingo Mobile subscribers can use high-bandwidth Wi-Fi access for Internet-enabled services and applications such as wireless VoIP calls, emails with large attachments, streaming video, and news broadcasts. It provides unlimited high-speed Internet access with no premium charges or per-minute fees at all Boingo Mobile locations, including the places road warriors need it the most -- airports, hotels, restaurants and convention centers worldwide.

Boingo Mobile is currently available for devices running Windows Mobile 6.0, Windows Mobile 5.0, Symbian S60 3rd Edition, and Linux. It has also been ported to Symbian UIQ and BREW. Users can download Boingo Mobile software from http://mobile.boingo.com/download/.

Vimicro Launches Application Processor and New Mobile Platform Based on Windows Mobile

[From Meghan Weber] Vimicro Corporation , a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs advanced mixed-signal multimedia products and solutions, today announced the launch of its most recent high-performance application processor, Vinno-III (VC0818) and an open mobile platform, Vinno-III-Win, based on Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system when attending Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona, Spain. The new application processor and open mobile platform was launched to provide a lower cost option for smart phones and increase its popularity.

"Vimicro has been committed to providing handset makers with reliable, competitive, easy- to-use multimedia IC products and strong technical support services to help them increase speed-to-market," said Raymond Zhang, senior vice president of Vimicro. "Vinno-III offers customers not only a powerful SOC (System-on-Chip), but also a flexible development platform. Handset makers can fully utilize the Vinno-III-based platform to complete their creative design ideas and make diversified mobile phones."

Samuel Shen, Senior Director of the Strategic Partnership Group of Microsoft China Research and Development Group said, "Microsoft and Vimicro's efforts have had a positive impact on the PC multimedia market since our partnership began in 2002. In May 2007, we expanded the scope of our collaborations with Vimicro to encompass the mobile multimedia sector. We are pleased to see Vimicro's significant progress on the development of Windows Mobile-based mobile platform."
http://www.vimicro.com/english

WebMessenger Announces Free Business-Class Mobile IM for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm Devices

[From Paul Adams] [SAMMY My friends we are probably going to get a stash of press releases this week due to the Mobile World Congress Barcelona so be warned but if you can make use of the products then just make the relevant jumps of course] "WebMessenger, Inc., an enterprise mobile messaging software and services company, today announced they have opened up free downloads of their market proven WebMessenger Mobile IM clients as well as free business-class IM service for mobile professionals who use BlackBerry, MS Windows Mobile, Symbian, and Palm PDAs and smartphones. The free IM service provides single client access to AIM, Google, MSN, Skype, and Yahoo.

This move to free client downloads and mobile service addresses the growing demand from business professionals to take advantage of productivity gains obtained through presence-enabled real-time communications. The free service is intended for those business professionals who use smartphones and PDAs for personal and professional purposes within the bounds of corporate communication and IT policies. For those requiring enterprise grade solutions, WebMessenger offers a number of options to fit all needs whether it be access to existing enterprise collaboration platforms such as Microsoft LCS/OCS, IBM Lotus Sametime, and Jabber XCP, or small businesses that need a self-contained messaging solution. The free business class IM service runs on WebMessenger’s recently released Mobile Carrier Service Network, a high scalability and reliability presence and communications platform.

In conjunction with the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, WebMessenger also announces their renewed commitment as a Symbian Platinum Partner in order to address the needs of Symbian-based enterprise solutions globally. WebMessenger executives will be present in Barcelona to meet with those in the Symbian community interested in enterprise collaboration and business communications management solutions including operators, OEMs, channel partners, and enterprise representatives.

Joe Naylor, president of WebMessenger, said, "We are excited to open up our long-standing WebMessenger Mobile IM service for free usage so that more business professionals can experience the true advantages of presence and real time messaging on their mobile devices. As WebMessenger turns its core focus towards extending enterprise collaboration and unified communications platforms into the mobile domain, we want to leverage our strong assets for the benefit of mobile business professionals everywhere. Additionally, we are reaffirming our commitment to the fast growing base of business users who increasingly rely on their Symbian-based smartphones. As a Symbian Platinum and Forum Nokia PRO partner, we will continue to deliver leading business-class unified communications applications built on the Symbian S60 platform."

Product Availability and Pricing
WebMessenger’s Mobile IM Service for users of BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian S60, and Palm smartphones and PDAs is available for free at http://www.webmessenger.com/.

WebMessenger’s popular BlackBerry messaging and device management application, Message Alerts, is available for $24.95 at http://www.webmessenger.com/products/mablackberry.htm. A full-featured 15-day free trial is available.

WebMessenger Mobile for LCS/OCS, MindAlign, Lotus Sametime, and Jabber XCP is available for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile/Pocket PC, Symbian, and Palm device platforms. Pricing for enterprise accounts for all WebMessenger products is available upon request at contact@webmessenger.com. "

Who owns your mobile?

Rory Cellan-Jones has wriiten a very good editorial entitled Who owns your mobile? "The answer, of course, is you. But who owns you – or rather you as a mobile customer? That's the question being debated by the thousands of visitors to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. As phones become mini-computers, the balance of power in the industry is shifting. It used to be simple – your network owned you. After all, you signed up with them, they collected your bill, and they did their utmost to nurture you so you wouldn't stray. But now two other players want to interfere in that relationship – the handset makers and the software giants. Nokia is tired of watching the networks launch – and sometimes profit from – flashy new services, so it's pushing its own offerings. That includes music, with a new range of “comes with music” mobiles out later this year, and its Ovi service which promises every form of entertainment a mobile user might want and currently gets from the networks." Read the full editorial over at the BBC.

Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 QWERTY with Windows Mobile and HSUPA

I have to say that this looks a lovely piuece of hardware and it's something I would like to see for real. "It's here, the XPERIA X1 QWERTY from Sony Ericsson. Yes, full QWERTY to make the most of that Windows Mobile 6 operating system. SE's new XPERIA brand will focus on multimedia and mobile web communication. The X1 then, brings a 3-inch wide VGA (800 x 480) touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera (with photo light), A2DP Bluetooth, aGPS, WiFi, and microSD -- just 400MB on board. On the phone side you've got quad-band GSM/EDGE, and 900/1700/1900/2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (or 850/1700/1900/2100MHz in what must be a US-bound model)" Engadget has the lovely deets on this one. Or you can access their product page which you will find here.

PIEPlus

With all the hype about the new mobile browsers I thought I would throw in a mobile browser that I have been using for the past couple of days. Its called PIEPlus and has been a really good browser for the time. Very stable and easy to use. Some of the key features include the ability to scroll by dragging the screen favorites and my favorite wich is tabbed browsing. So before you go out trying some of the others browsers start with the one that works. PIEPlus

How using my Treo 680... for gaming!!!

Hi, we all know that Palm devices and other pdas and smarphones ara a magnificent devices for productivity, in fact my main use for  my treo apart of the phone obviuosly are the apps that let me do my task on the road, writting a documents, calculating stuff, manage my time, reading and so on but i have to admit that apart of using my treo as music device and some videos the entertainment role of my treo was short... not so much games, of course I own bejeweled 2 and the bundled solitarie but that's it Idon't even play much, but my sisters in law play a lot with my treo, bejeweled mostly, but as you know i love to dig in to forums to discover apps that we don't hear much and recently i re-discover and app that was a bit tricky on my LifeDrive but on my Treo 680 it's a very different story.
Depending on your age you may be aware of some systems called: NES, SNES, Genesis, Gameboy and so on... yes all those were gaming consoles and brought us fabulous times, sonic, mario... etc. timeless icons for entertainment and all of them avaible for your Palm OS device... OH YEAH!!

Emulators are common but i never tought that i was going to be able of playing emulators on my palm but something come up (we can thank zodiac fot that): Little John PalmOS, wich is an app that enables emulation of classic consoles for FREE!!, yes that's right for free!!

In our palm devices we have enjoyed emulators of calculators and stuff but of a gaming not so much on a PC they are common and old but now it is possible to emulate the classics from NES, SNES, Genesis, GameBoy and others, the app is a bit tricky 'cause it uses a lot of dinamic memory so, if you don't own a Treo 680 you maybe end up needing other  app called UDMH from Palm Powerups wich enable the use of card storage as dinamic memory wich us key for LJP for some devices, I tried LJP before on my LD and only was able to run NES and GameBoy games cool but not enough but with the Treo all are able all you need is to close the launchers and you have memory to play with almost 98%-99% of speed on genesis and snes so it is very very playable you only need to get use with the controls.

The  emulator is fully documented and not so hard to config, excellent forum support and you can assing hard buttons to control the games, even support BT and IrDa Keyboards...WOW!!

Check LJP Forums for better performance for your specific device.

Now in my little free time i'm enjoying SNES classics and it is priceless one guy at work almost cry watching me playing and was so jelous and turn his face with anger toward his Motorola Cellphone :).

If you have a Treo 680 or 700p you get the full expierence easily with other devices you need UDMH but it cost like $10 bucks so it is not expensive and it is worthy for a better performance with other apps.

*CAUTION !! the use of emulators are legal but having or using roms of games that you don't own is illegal in some countries, neither Palmaddicts or myself are responsable of the use of this roms and we do not encourage you to use or have roms of games that you don't own so please don't ask for them , for further info check LJP forums about this subject.

Good Luck... See you soon !!

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

Caught a glimpse of this on Engadget and slid over to Sony Ericsson, who have just announced a brand new phone called the XPERIA X1. Whats new about that... Well for starters it has a whopping 800x400 touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera and a tilt and slide keyboard running on WinMob 6. The wow factor though, comes from its new superslick GUI they call a panel interface.... Shortcuts to your info or to the web. Now this is what I am looking for in a phone. The fewest taps to get to the info you want... and it looks good in the process. No sign of availability yet, although on the spec sheet they say it will be available in GSM/EDGE and UMTS andHSDPA/HSUPA. Putting off that switch to a smartphone sure is getting harder....

New Depths to my "new" Palm

[From Judy Baumgardner] My 5 year old Palm m130 died last fall, and I upgraded to a used LifeDrive. I immediately swapped out the hard drive with a CompactFlash card and all my calendars were back and better than before. Beyond enjoying the larger screen, I didn't bother to expand my application horizons. I used my calendars, DocsToGo, read my ebooks, and played the occasional game of Space Trader. I occasionally dabbled with the web browser. I put a few pictures on it. Only in the last month have I started discovering what the device is capable of. I have an iPod (video), so I never bothered to try to play video or music on the LifeDrive. What a mistake that was! I discovered TCPMP, and upgraded to CoreMedia. I love the larger screen for movies. The bird watching .mp3s for my iPod (with embedded images) work like a charm on it. I'm a Mac owner, so I bought the MissingSync. Now I can sync via WiFi (which my husband could do with his Windows laptop). I can use AvantGo again, so if there's no WiFi, I can read the news I downloaded earlier. It's a whole new toy!

An Internet Addiction: 5 Ways I stave off withdrawal

[From Tony Washington, DC] My mobile phone (N95, US 3G variant) keeps me tapped in to the information flowing through the intertubes. I have an internet addiction and my phone keeps me from twitching due to withdrawal.

5 Mobile Internet Uses
- Checking Email
My N95 checks all my email, work and personal. It keeps me informed on the latest happenings at work, so I'm never surprised. Having my personal email at hand allows me to tap out quick messages to friends and family and stay in touch in an increasingly busy life.

- Firing up the Web Browser to check my feeds
I have a serious Google Reader problem. Really serious. I subscribe to over 100 feeds (technology, news, business, writing, my wife's link blog) - I always have 1000+ unread items and I'm always behind. Checking on the go, in between meetings, while walking down the street, or in the loo - helps me from drowning in the information age.

- Uploading Mobile Photos
My N95 has a sweet camera - it allows me to capture the moment at the bar, while playing with my cat, or with family. Uploading those photos to facebook used to be time consuming, until I found Shozu. Every photo is automatically uploaded and tagged to a Facebook album. I can share the day to day moments with all my friends easier because of my mobile phone.

- gMaps & GPS
I work in DC and the Gmaps & GPS helps me from getting lost (the Cartesian system is a little wacky). GPS coupled with Google Maps makes sure I always can find myself on a map (even if I'm lost..) and shows me where the best places to find a bite to eat. Overlay traffic info and I'm always able to avoid congestion.

- Mobile Entertainment
Symbian rocks. I have several casual games that entertain me in line or on the metro. I'm also able to browse mobile youtube and see all the funny videos of cats I can stomach.

My T3 as a checkbook

[From Tod Shields, Webster Groves, MO USA] Hi Sammy, Besides the multitude of other uses I have for my T3, I use Adarian Money (http://www.adarian.com/ampalm/) and Ultrasoft CheckBook (http://www.ultrasoft.com/checkbook/) to help keep my financial world in order. Adarian Money allows me to have scores of accounts and keeps a log of all the transactions; shows me my accounts' balances; sets up a budget plans; analyzes the income and expense; reminds me of upcoming bills; will automatically log reoccurring bills; keeps me from being charged for overdrafts or over credit-limits; calculates mortgages or loans; keeps a log of all your transactions, categorizes them, and analyzes the income and expenses for me; and with Windows desk top will chart and graph and spreadsheet everything. With both the Palm OS and Windows version working together, I can seamlessly synchronize data between a Windows PC and my Palm T3. Ultrasoft CheckBook does much the same things but has no desktop. I use it only to double check all my entries but if one doesn’t need the desk top it is a very good application. These applications have been a tremendous help to me. PALM ADDICT ROCKS!!!!