Could Windows Mobile really be catching up?

Between the opening of the Marketplace for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1, and some leaks about the upcoming version 7, it sounds like Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is getting ready for a big push. Will is out judging Under the Radar, but we tap Windows Mobile blogger and Microsoft MVP Darren Humphries from MobileJaw for his take on the platform in the face of fresh competition on the smartphone circuit. We also talk about legal squabbles between carriers over “misleading” ads.

Of course, we never want to leave our listeners empty-handed – this week we’re giving out a Scosche reCOIL to one commenter in the U.S. It’s handy, simple car charger for the iPhone whose cable is retractable for easy stowing when not in use. Normally it retails for $29.99, but you can nab it for free just by leaving a comment.

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Anyone that reads IntoMobile regularly will know that I’m a real accessories freak – I love to test the latest innovations and products in the accessories arena – partly because it’s a hotbed of activity (certainly around smartphones at the moment anyway), and also because a good accessory can really enhance the value of the device you own.

Case in point: Altec Lansing’s Orbit range of speakers – currently there are two, the Orbit-M, and Orbit USB. Both are entirely portable, and hence mobile, but are targeted at slightly different audiences. The Orbit-M (which I’ve reviewed, see here) has a 3.5mm jack, and connects to (ideally) your Mobile (though it can connect to other stuff, obviously). The Orbit USB has (surprisingly enough) a USB connector, and hence is for you Laptop – but again a portable accessory you might use when out and about.

The two speakers do have other subtle differences too – the Orbit-M is grey in colour and uses batteries (since no power comes over the 3.5mm connector), whereas the Orbit USB is black in colour, takes its power from the USB port, and also has a nifty little kickstand which can angle the sound trajectory. But, clearly the biggest difference between them is that the Orbit-M takes an analogue signal and then boots it out the speaker, whereas the Orbit USB takes a digital signal, and converts to analogue inside the speaker.

I’m happy to report that both ways round, the sounds is really excellent from such diminutive little speakers! The Orbit USB might just possibly edge it in sound quality, but it’s minimal – much more important is the quality of the source (be it a mobile or laptop) and also the quality of the source files you are playing back.

Personally though, I think that the Orbit speakers, and in this case the Orbit USB, are well priced (£39.99 in the UK), and do the job of providing music on the move, a lot better than a lot of other speakers that I have heard of a similar size.

I think, in conclusion,  the Orbit USB continues the great run that Altec Lansing is having with producing quality audio accessories, at great prices!

For more information on the complete autumn 2009 audio collection from Altec Lansing, you can visit www.alteclansing.com

ALK Technologies, the makers of the popular CoPilot Live Sat Nav software, have announced that their software is doing very well in it’s Android guise – since its launch on Android Market in June, it has risen to become the top paid application on Android Market in the UK. The UK and Europe apps currently hold the number one and number two positions of all paid travel apps respectively.

ALK Technologies has recently released their latest free update for CoPilot Live for Android, adding text to speech voice directions and full compatibility with the latest Donut and Eclair versions of Android. This brings full on-board turn by turn navigation to the latest handsets including Motorola Droid and HTC Tattoo. CoPilot Live brings full featured turn-by-turn navigation to the Android platform, complete with automatic route calculation, some nice 3D map displays, and turn-by-turn voice directions.  Digital street maps are stored on-device, rather than relying on mobile Internet connectivity for per-trip downloads.

A range of CoPilot ‘Live’ services, delivered via the phone’s mobile Internet connection, are also available – these include safety camera alerts, 5-day weather forecast information and a new location sharing service called CoPilot® LiveLink™. CoPilot Live Navigation UK & Ireland can be purchased and downloaded immediately from Android Market for just £25.99.  The European maps version (Western and Eastern Europe) retails at £59.99.

If you happen to have an iPhone, I can also heartily recommend that version of the App – it’s rather good also!

You might remember not so very long ago I posted on giffgaff, which is a new mobile (virtual) network, launching in the UK. Well, time has passed, and now giffgaff is pretty much ready to go:

The new ‘people powered’ mobile network, giffgaff will launch on 25th November 2009 at giffgaff.com with free data to all members for a limited period.  The launch will be supported by an innovative marketing strategy which puts its members in the driving seat

Defining a new ‘people powered’ business model, giffgaff launches by asking people to help make the network famous in return for free UK mobile calls, texts and mobile internet for a whole year.  The original launch campaign is based on a ‘Tool Hire’ concept, whereby a series of fun and eccentric marketing tools will be available for free hire by the public at tools.giffgaff.com/log

The tools are designed to promote giffgaff in an amusing and capturing way, and in true giffgaff sense, those who get involved and simply upload videos of themselves using the tools onto YouTube, have potential to get rewarded – by becoming a V.I.G member (Very Important Giffgaffer) with a SIM that means you pay nothing for UK use of your mobile for a whole year

Sounds interesting, no? It’s from the same kind of mould as Blyk (which was ad-funded), whereby the traditional revenue streams that Operators are looking for are not in evidence. Most MVNOs would traditionally look for voice+text revenue streams, but the likes of some very new ‘network operators’ are seeking to run things in a completely different way – giffgaff is certainly an unusual concept, and I for one will be watching to see how things pick up over the next 12 or so months.

Hey TELUS (NYSE: TU) customers… Want to get your hands on the TELUS 2010 calendar, for free? All you need to do is hit up this link, enter your TELUS phone number, and you’re on your way to grabbing your very own copy. TELUS is well known in Canada for featuring cute and cuddly animals in all of their marketing materials. The 2010 calendar is of course no different.

For all the details, head on over to TELUS.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Last we heard the AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8520 was hitting stores ‘in the coming weeks‘ for $99.99 after rebates (and of course, with that shiny new contract). Well, to add some more fuel to the fire it looks like 8520 dummy units are showing up at AT&T (NYSE: T) stores. Set the countdown timer, because we could see the 8520 go live on AT&T this week or next.

While the Curve 8520 is no flagship device, it is a huge improvement from the original Curve, and features a 2MP camera, 320×240 display, trackpad, and rubber-covered side keys for a touch of awesome.

Stay tuned for more news on the AT&T Curve 8520 as it becomes available.

[Via: CB]

BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) theme lovers, I’ve been meaning to post on this for a few days now… Not sure how I overlooked it, but here it is for ya, finally.

Elecite has launched yet another new Premium BlackBerry Theme. Called ‘Sentient’, the theme is for OS 4.6 and up devices only… which means it will be compatible with the Curve 89xx series, Bold 9000 series, Storm 95xx series, Tour 96xx series and Bold 97xx series. Groovy.

The theme features a very custom looking home screen, with smooth animations and more. You’ll notice in the preview video above that no screen has gone untouched, Elecite has worked in custom graphics into all parts of the OS. Well done, indeed.

If you like what you see, you can pick up a copy for $6.99.

Howdy amigos, hope everyone out there is having a pleasant and relaxing Sunday…I know I am! A little bit of AT&T (NYSE: T) news for ya this morning… Looks like the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is now available on AT&T (as Simon so correctly pointed out). Pricing is as follows:

• $199.99 on a 2-year contract (after $100 mail-in rebate)
• $449.99 ‘No Commitment Pricing’

If you’re a loyal AT&T customer that has been patiently twiddling your thumbs waiting for the 9700, while everyone over at T-Mo got all the glory… Now’s your chance. I was (and still am) a huge fan of the original Bold 9000, and big brother here has numerous updates and extra features… So go ahead and check it out at AT&T.

Heavy-duty social networkers will be familiar with the name “Seesmic“, a desktop and web Twitter client. It has officially gone mobile for Android and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), with the expected features such as home screen notifications, picture sharing, timeline viewing, saved searches, and basic tweeting. The one thing I haven’t seen elsewhere on a BlackBerry twitter client yet is lists support; more specifics can be found on the BlackBerry page. The Android version has a few cool tricks, like saving tweets as drafts and video sharing, but to get a closer look, check out Seesmic’s Android page. To get downloading, point your mobile browser to seesmic.com or find it in the Android Market.

[via Seesmic]

And we’re continuing with our “this week in fake devices” series. We have 5 different phones to talk about:

• Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 5730 clone – check out that stylus. It’s a clear mark we’re talking about a clone here, as the original 5730 doesn’t have a touchscreen.
• Ferrari flip phone ripoff – this is far from being the first fake Ferrari-branded device. This time, however, we’re talking about a clamshell-shaped phone.
• Aston Martin mobile phone ripoff – this is new, as we’ve haven’t seen Aston Martin-branded phones in the past.
• Micky Mouse mobile phone ripoff – although it looks like your child’s next mobile, we urge you to skip the purchase.
• Winnie the Pooh mobile phone ripoff – similarly to Micky Mouse phone, this clone lacks quality.

And that wraps it up. Again, we cover fake devices to warn you NOT to be tricked into buying them. Stay safe.

[Via: JampBLOG]

AT&T (NYSE: T) has added a new texter-friendly device in its portfolio – Pantech Impact. The phone comes with both full QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad, which [numeric keypad] interestingly sports haptic-enabled keys. Rest of the specs include a 3G radio, GPS, music player, camera that can take both photos and videos, email and IM clients.

As for the availability, AT&T will start selling the Impact starting from tomorrow, November 22nd, when interested users will be able to grab it for $99.99 on a contract and after $50 mail-in rebate, in either bright blue or soft pink…

[Via: Unwired View]