As expected, Adobe has announced that the latest versions of Flash and air are packed with APIs for mobile, like multi-touch, gestures, accelerometer, mass storage, peer-to-peer, and UDP networking. Lately BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) has been pretty vocal about their upcoming Flash support, but webOS, Android, Symbian, and Windows Phones are all a part of the Open Screen Project, and will enjoy the same treatment. Using video players in the browser is the big thing, but really only the beginning – Flash opens up a whole new area of native and web apps that we have yet to really see on mobile, outside of the odd appearance in Fennec or Skyfire. iPhone remains conspicuously absent from the party, and Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) may have some catching up to do once all of these platforms get settled in to the new technology. If you’re a developer, you can get started with Flash Player 10.1 from the Adobe Labs here, or air 2 here.

[via Adobe]

AdMob is introducing a new service for iPhone that allows folks viewing videos to launch into related content, such as web, iTunes, and other videos through links along the bottom. This Interactive Video Ad Unit, of course, hinges on end-users actually sitting through video ads. Apps supported by these kinds of ads likely won’t last long if it takes any discernable amount of time or data to buffer the video before launching into the app proper, although a click-to-play option would leave some of that choice in the users’ hands. Podcasts preloaded with Video Ad Unit could potentially take advantage of the interactivity, since passive listeners might be looking for something to do anyway, and wouldn’t have to wait for videos to load up wirelessly. Mobile advertising is still a bit of a crap-shoot, but bringing multimedia into the mix may very well change that. Looking at how desktop YouTube videos have become monetized with iTunes links, it shouldn’t take long for AdMob to get this system in place for various mobile YouTube apps (since Google (NSDQ: GOOG) is a common owner).

[via AdMob]

So, you might have heard that AT&T (NYSE: T) is suing Verizon for misrepresenting them in the “There’s a Map for that” ads that attack AT&T’s coverage. AT&T tried to “set the record straight“, but Verizon (NYSE: VZ) continues to hold firm, and has even gone so far to say that AT&T only launched the lawsuit because “the truth hurts”. Oh, snap. Verizon is refuting the temporary restraining order that AT&T is demanding for the ads, on the basis that AT&T has apparently admitted that the coverage maps used in the ads are entirely accurate, and the comparison Verizon makes is apt. AT&T’s angle is “Verizon has stepped over the line of legitimate comparative advertising,” which sounds really wishy-washy to me. It looks like this whole situation is quickly degenerating to a PR slap-fight, and will probably result in nothing productive in the long run (however entertaining the drama may be).

[via Engadget]

Shaw Wu from the Kaufman Bros. analyst firm has claimed that a 9900-series BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) is in prototype phases, packing a touchscreen slider form factor. The supposed device will mix the traditional BlackBerry style with the Storm, which makes me think it’ll be a portrait slider like the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre. Now, I’ve been calling for a slider BlackBerry for awhile now, and there have been similar rumors floating around about the 9100 Striker (although it’s in the Pearl family) and the landscape-oriented Mr. T; patent designs from RIM certainly show they’ve been thinking about it, but I’ll believe it when I see it. This new Storm 3 device has a lot of potential for appealing to consumers who still hate SurePress for typing, although it would go against the slim and trim look the latest BlackBerrys have been adopting. In any case, the 9900 should be landing sometime in 2010, according to Wu’s contacts in the supply chain, so cross your fingers.

[via Electronista]

For those who have been checking out T-Mobile’s public release of the new BlackBerry Bold 9700, hold your horses – AT&T (NYSE: T)’s offer is coming soon. Business customers can already get their mitts on the next generation BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Bold immediately, but AT&T’s public availability for the 9700 has been announced for November 22. The $199.99 on-contract price point remains identical to T-Mobile (NYSE: DT), and the device itself keeps all the same fixings, like 3.2 megapixel camera, 480 x 360 display, 256 MB of application memory, slim form factor, and snazzy new optical trackpad. If you’re on AT&T and looking to pick this up, mark November 22 on your calendar, and keep an eye out for our review of the device this week!

[via AT&T]

A new mobile virtual network operator named Simple Mobile has launched today, making some tall claims about how they’re going to change the U.S. wireless market. Here’s the pitch; you can judge for yourself:

Today the chaotic wireless industry just got … Simple. Executive leaders from some of the nation’s largest wireless mega giants have come together to revolutionize the unlimited prepaid wireless market by launching the new MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), Simple Mobile™.
How will Simple Mobile change the market? Simple, by offering the nation an unheard of SIM card program that instantly delivers affordable, unlimited access with everything wireless has to offer. Unlike other programs with corporate agendas, Simple Mobile customers are encouraged to B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Phone). Service is obtained by placing a Simple Mobile SIM card into over 180 approved cool GSM phones. Customers will immediately get access to a national network that offers Unlimited Nationwide Talk, Unlimited Global SMS, and Wireless Internet Access (IM, MMS, Email & social networks). OMG! This is a game changer.

Simple Mobile (http://www.mysimplemobile.com) promises an affordable way of bringing the nation a much better wireless experience. Their promise of no compromising includes no minimum term lengths in contracts, no credit checks, no hidden fees, and unlimited plans starting at $40 a month.

It’s a simple approach based on their strong belief that wireless can be made less complicated. Simple Mobile plans to cut through the noise and offer a flexible handset solution on a high quality network with a full suite of web capabilities, at a crazy low price. Finally, today’s wireless customers will get what they have always wanted: EVERYTHING – NO MORE COMPROMISING!

While you’ll be able to bring your own GSM phone, Simple Mobile will be offering the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Pearl Flip, the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) razr V3, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 6030, and three Alcatel phones: the OT-800, OT-363, and OT-303.

Now, the idea of cheap unlimited access sounds suspiciously familiar to Zer01, only Simple Mobile is much more concerned with voice. Their $50 plan only includes 20 MB, with the option to double it to 40 MB for $5. Still, no contracts is sweet, and an ideal situation if you’ve already got your hands on hardware you like. As for coverage, it’s hard to tell if these guys are partnering with AT&T (NYSE: T), T-Mobile (NYSE: DT), or some combination thereof, but you can compare their coverage maps with Simple Mobile’s (I’m inclined to think it’s AT&T based on similar CA coverage in the north), and draw your own conclusions. It’s a tempting proposition, and I think there will be many customers out there interested in unlimited plans with no contracts. If you’re one of them, check out Simple Mobile’s home page for more info. I really hope wind brings something similar to Canada soon…

[via BusinessWire]

Now, I’m not exactly in the iPhone-toting 14-year-old girl target demographic for this kind of game, but the concept struck me as really original: players adopt the role of artsy, nerdy, rebellious, or slacker high school students, and employ either flattery or abuse to curry loyalty from a variety of cliques. The tactics you use depend entirely on which blocks you pair up in the puzzle game that comprises the bulk of play. You get new powers and particular bonuses depending on your character, but crossing that with a highly-recognizable Bejeweled-style puzzle makes for a neat mix – if you’ve played Puzzle Quest at all, this might seem familiar. Mean Girls is based on the movie of the same name from 2004, starring Lindsay Lohan and Tina Fey, and should be available soon in the iPhone App Store for $0.99.

If you’re looking for something a little manlier, holing up in a bunker versus zombie Nazis is always an option.

[via Paramount]

The affordable BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8520 has been getting makeovers on T-Mobile and Rogers, and even getting CDMA compatability for Sprint and Verizon, and it’s finally finding its way to AT&T (NYSE: T). The 8520 Curve isn’t much to look at (2 megapixel camera without flash, 320 x 240 display), but the trackpad is slick, and the rubber-covered side keys feel great. Of course it still handles all of the push e-mail, instant messaging, and music playing you would expect from the latest BlackBerrys out there, and making calls over the Wi-Fi network with a UMA plan is a nice option for those looking for a home phone replacement. Interested? You’ll be able to pick up the Curve 8520 from AT&T stores “in the coming weeks” for $99.99 after rebates and with a contract. For a closer look, check out our review.

[via AT&T]

Thanks Ronen!

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) UK’s X10 launch page has spelled out their launch window in black and white: February is the month to hold out for. The most we got out of the announcement of SE’s impressive Android handset was an expected release in the first half of 2010, so it’s good to have that narrowed down a bit. The X10 promises to be the biggest, baddest Android handset out there – an 8 megapixel camera, 1 Ghz processor, and 4-inch WVGA display put it head and shoulders above the HTC Hero, and will give the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) droid a run for its money. Their custom Timescape user interface is exceptionally slick, all practicality aside. If you’re interested in a prerelease tour, check out this video.

[via Engadget, HDblog.it]

TwitterBerry was one of the first twitter clients for BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), a market which quickly became crowded with the likes of ÜberTwitter, SocialScope, and TweetGenius. Though the competition is stiff, TwitterBerry isn’t out of the game yet, and are actually rebranding the app as OpenBeak (presumably to get into the App World without stepping on RIM’s sensitive copyright toes). The bare-bones user interface keeps the app trim for those concerned about app memory, and the launch screen goes right to the “What are you Doing?” screen for quick one-click tweeting. Local profile picture storing is also a nice touch to keep load times snappy. All of the usual stuff is also available, like picture sharing through Twitgoo, yfrog, TwitPic, and Zannel, friends timeline viewing, replying, and trending topics. To download OpenBeak for free, hit up m.openbeak.com on your BlackBerry’s browser – thinking I might switch from ÜT for a little bit… That is, until someone manages to get that push support into their twitter app.

[via miblackberry]