Nokia’s not the only one announcing a mobile app store at Mobile World Congress 2009 – Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), hot on the heels of their Windows Mobile 6.5 launch, have opened up on their own plans for on-device software browsing and downloading. There are more than a few advantages for Windows Mobile developers:

At first glance, Windows Mobile 6.5 didn’t look like much more than a touch-friendly facelift, but if it will be the landmark by which the beefier Internet Explorer, syncing MyPhone, and their Marketplace for Mobile will launch, 6.5 will certainly be an update to remember. That is, of course, until version 7 rolls around. 
[Windows Mobile Team Blog via pocketnow]

We’re still finding some CES news. During the Las Vegas event, Panasonic (NYSE: PC) introduced a new premium headphones made of Zirconia – model RP-HJE900. According to the Japanese electronics giant, these are the world’s first high fidelity in-ear headphones made out of such material, which is BTW used as a thermal barrier coating in jet turbine and diesel engines.

Zirconia is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and it’s an extremely durable substance which can withstand extreme temperatures. Not sure why “extreme temperatures” are that important, but apparently thank to Zirconia, the RP-HJE900 has scratch-proof, ultra-tough construction and its sound chamber has less resonance than plastic or aluminum. As a result, ultra-clear sound reproduction with virtually no distortion is guaranteed.

In addition, Panasonic used Neodymium magnet for RP-HJE900 construction to deliver rich and powerful sound. They boast frequency response of 6Hz-26kHz for realistic sound with precision highs and rich low end. Additionally, the RP-HJE900 has a sound pressure sensitivity of 100dB, impedance of 26 Omega and 12.5 mm drivers. The cord also has a slider to prevent tangling.

If these numbers mean anything, you’re probably already interested. However, you’ll have to wait for May when Panasonic will start selling the RP-HJE900 in black and white for $229.99. That’s super expensive for in-ear headphones, but then again, they should last forever thanks to detachable cables, or at least we think so.

It has been a long CES hangover week, but this episode should be the final purging…

CES might have been a bit smaller and underwhelming than previous years, but the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre made it worth the trip to Las Vegas this go-around. Will and I talk about the Pre as well as some other key announcements, such as microSD XC pacing the way to 2 TB memory cards, LG’s watch phone, and a few other stories following in the wake of CES. The Mobile World Conference is a scant month away, and should provide us with even more news for the mobile world. 

A big shoutout to our guest musicians, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, who are featuring You Better Pray on Tap Tap Revenge for the iPhone.

Listen in on the CES roundup podcast after the jump!

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At the CES, Broadcom (NSDQ: BRCM) has demonstrated a working implementation of next generation Bluetooth, featuring alternative MAC and PHY (AMP) technology that enables data rates of up to 24 Mbps and a significant increase in range by using other wireless radio technologies, such as 802.11, as its transport medium.

Broadcom’s CES demonstration involved their BCM4325 single-chip Bluetooth + Wi-Fi combo device, as well as modules that integrate the BCM2046 single-chip Bluetooth solution and BCM4312 single-chip Wi-Fi device. Fast file transfers were demoed between two Broadcom AMP-enabled devices (i.e. PC to PC, PC to mobile phone, mobile phone to mobile phone).

Broadcom’s AMP implementation is based on the current draft of the next Bluetooth specification (code named “Seattle”) and the company expects its implementation will be compliant with the final specification when it achieves ratification – which is expected to occur in mid-2009. Although Broadcom’s AMP demonstration represents the cutting-edge of Bluetooth technology, the solution utilizes proven Bluetooth profiles, applications and user interface elements, ensuring that the current implementation will face minimal hurdles in becoming a product that Broadcom’s partners, and their customers, will feel comfortable using.

Broadcom’s Robert Rango seems pleased with the company’s achievments, adding: “Our unique position as a leader in both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth has enabled us to take leadership in applications that require multiple technologies to work well together in the same device, such as Bluetooth AMP. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Bluetooth SIG in moving Bluetooth forward.”

Full release is available on Broadcom’s website.

Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) announced the winners of its fourth annual “Best of CES” contest to highlight the “hottest, most innovative and consumer friendly Bluetooth enabled products.”

In total, 54 new Bluetooth products were submitted for the contest in 6 categories focusing on what consumers can do with the technology – talk on a headset, input information, listen to music, print data, transfer information, or enable use in an industrial or other vertical environment. Each product was carefully tested and judged on a variety of criteria. Bonus points were given to products complying with Experience Icon requirements, which make it simple for consumers to understand what a Bluetooth enabled device can do and how it will work with other devices.

Winners of the Bluetooth SIG “Best of CES 2009″ contest are (finalists indicated in parentheses):

• Overall: Parrot Zikmu by Starck wireless speakers
• Headset/Hands-Free: LG HFB-500 solar-powered car kit (Motorola (NYSE: MOT) H780 Universal Bluetooth headset)
• Input: Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Vista Feature Pack for Wireless (ISSC Dexin Bluetooth mouse)
• Music: Samsung YP-P3 media player (Parrot Zikmu by Starck wireless speakers)
• Print: LG Decoy mobile phone (Samsung M8800 mobile phone)
• Transfer: Parrot Specchio by Martin Szekely digital photo frame (Broadcom (NSDQ: BRCM) Windows Vista Bluetooth software stack)
• Vertical: Nonin Medical Model 9560 Pulse Oximeter (Ford Sync with 911 Assist)

New this year is the category of User’s Choice. By visiting a dedicated page on the SIG’s website, you can enter to win one of the finalist products by voting on their pick of best product. Good luck!

Our last interview at CES was with Chris Loh and Mike Yurochko from the mammoth of mobile memory, SanDisk. They remained somewhat tightlipped about the 2 terabyte cards announced on the SD Association’s roadmap, but we talked broadly about what bigger memory cards mean for end consumers and developers. Mike and I talked in the second half about how SlotMusic is doing, and apparently one of Rhianna’s latest albums enjoyed 6% of its sales through the new microSD format. It might not be replacing CDs or online distribution any time soon, but options are always good to have. Now, the sound quality wasn’t great for the interview since my voice recorder mysteriously disappeared come showtime, but it did conveniently provide a chance to test out my brand new 16 GB microSD card on the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM). Happily, Voice Notes did the job admirably – run time is just a bit over ten minutes.

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The Wi-Fi Alliance could easily be overlooked in a show ostensibly about the shiny finished products that they’re only tangentially involved with, but one of the big things we wanted to do with our interviews was get in touch with some of the big movers behind the scenes. Wi-Fi is becoming a ubiquitous feature throughout mobile, and with Windows 7 beta touting a wealth of home interconnectivity, it’ll play an even bigger part of our daily lives. Kelly Davis-Felner from the Wi-Fi Alliance talks to us about their work with emerging brands and carrier pressures on manufacturers. Just a little over five minutes, so take a listen.

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Synaptics has been in the touch tech game for a good long time now – you might recall seeing their logo in your laptop’s system tray to keep tabs on the touchpad functions. Well, they do lots in the mobile end of things as well. Andrew Hsu talks with us about working with fragmented platforms and touchscreen usability in the latest cellphones. Before you start listening, keep in mind this was right before the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre announcement – we would have been having a slightly different conversation otherwise, considering they shortly after announced the iPhone-style two-finger pinch which we see in the Pre. It’s just under ten minutes, so take a listen. Also, be sure to tune in at the end of the week for our CES wrap-up edition of The Signal.

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At CES we sat down with Pam Deziel, Palm (NSDQ: PALM)’s VP of Software Product Management, in the swanky Palm Pre lounge to chat about their big announcement. I tried not to gush too much, but we hit topics such as points of inspiration, working with partners like Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and Sprint (NYSE: S), as well as what the announcement means for Palm as a whole. Overall, Pam emphasized their heritage driving the Pre’s design, but I think it’s safe to say they’re doing plenty that’s new. It’s a little under five minutes, so feel free to take a listen.

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During the CES, Alk has demoed its popular navigation software, CoPilot Live, on the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone and T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1. The latter won’t be a problem – Android Market is as open as humanly possible. Apple AppStore is a different beast, though. Cupertino boys still don’t allow for any GPS navigation application with directions. So why on Earth Alk prepared a version of its application for the iPhone. Do they know something we don’t? Are they hoping Apple will flip-flop? What’s going on here?

Anyway, we don’t have any release dates for the Android version, but since they’ve shown us pretty complete product, guess they’re only waiting for Google (NSDQ: GOOG) to enabled paid apps in the Android Market…

[Via: Navigadget]