I’m not sure I’m familiar with Intrinsyc Software, or at least I haven’t heard about them as a big player in the navigation market. To be fair, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a compelling offering, quite the contrary — if you’re competing with the likes of TomTom, Garmin and now even Google (NSDQ: GOOG), you better have something special, otherwise no one will notice. And since they are definitely smaller company (compared to the larger rivals) I’m giving them some space on IntoMobile.

Anyway, they have released Destinator 9 in the Android Market. The application — as I’m sure you can guess from my ramblings above — provides users with navigation services offering “most compelling user experience specifically designed for Android smartphones.” I haven’t tried it myself (waiting for the GSM Droid), but I’m hoping there’s some merit to their over-hyped press release.

NAVTEQ provided the maps for the software and in addition to standard navigation service features, the application also comes with rich visual content such as extended lane guidance, speed limits, current weather conditions and 2D building footprints. Users can navigate to any map location using the TapNGo feature by using a long press on any point on the map and then tapping “Go” for voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, “Call” for calling the local business, “Save” location, or “Add to Trip Planner”…

Interested? Look for Destinator 9 in the Android Market.

Here’s one for hard-core back-from-the-days Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) dans – the Apple II classic text adventure Transylvania has been ported to iPhone!

Those not familiar with the game should check out a dedicated Wikipedia page for all the details. I’ll only point out key facts about the iPhone version:

• The game was remade in collaboration with Antonio Antiochia, the original author of Transylvania!
• Gameplay has been updated and you don’t have to text input commands. Using the magic of touch is enough, but if you’re so nostalgic that options still exists.
• The graphics has been updated, which is kinda expected.

The price is 99 cents which is like nothing for the experience of time travelling.

[Via: PocketGamer.co.uk]

Wataniya Palestine is the second mobile operator that offers its services in Palestine. The company which is owned by Kuwait’s National Mobile Telecommunications (unit of Qatar Telecommunications) and a holding company for Palestinian public assets is looking to serve residents of the West Bank, even though Israel has yet to release the full range of frequencies agreed for the network.

The new carrier began functioning with a frequency range of 3.8 MHz, less than the 4.8 MHz Israel had agreed to open under the last year’s agreement with the Palestinian Authority. Some $270 million was invested in infrastructure in addition to a $140 million licence fee, with part of the money being provided by the World Bank and the U.S. government.

Wataniya Palestine will compete with the existing operator, Zain-owned Palestine Telecommunications Co (PalTel), which has about 1.5 million subscribers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Right from the start, the Wataniya has 40,000 users who had registered during a month-long promotional campaign…

[Via: Reuters]

Just a quickie here for the TweetGenius users out there. I noticed a little earlier via Twitter that TweetGenius has been updated yet again, this time to version 1.1.2. A bunch of bug fixes and tweaks have been addressed… Of course, no detailed changelog was made available, but we’ll have to assume 1.1.2 is a marked improvement.

If you’re running TweetGenius on your BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), the upgrade is free, as all upgrades are a free-for-all until version 2.0. If you haven’t bought it yet, you can pick up your copy for $7.99.

Happy Twittering!

Note: While you’re at it, follow @IntoMobile, would ya?

Want to listen to police or emergency vehicle radio? Yeah, there’s an app for that. It’s called ‘Scanner 911′, and with it you can listen in on the likes of the LAPD, NYPD, and all sorts of other EMS radio channels from around the US and Canada. But not only can you listen to live radio, you can record live broadcasts to give them a listen later on (not sure how I feel about that feature…) There’s also a list of the 50 most active channels, and the developers are always adding new channels all the time. Rest assured, each time you pop this one open and give it a listen, something new and exciting will come of it (ok, maybe not ALL the time).

You can pick up Scanner 911 for $0.99 in the App Store (iTunes link).

Online and mobile music service, Slacker, has made the jump to Android tonight. We heard about this first at CTIA, along with new twitter integration, but the app is now live in the Market. You’ll be able to stream tunes organized into expert-made or custom-built stations over the air, but also sideload higher quality versions once you’re at a computer. As usual, you’re limited to the U.S. due to licensing issues, but it’s a pain us Canadians know all too well. Slacker for Android should work fine on the new HTC Eris and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) droid, as well as the older HTC Magic, myTouch 3G;  apps are already available for iPhone and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM).  Keep an eye on Slacker’s Everywhere page for their updated mobile offerings tomorrow.

The public eye might be focused on headlining smartphones with bang-whiz features and sleek designs, but Samsung proves yet again that the low- to mid-level handset market is nothing to laugh at. Samsung has announced that it has sold 10 million Samsung Star touchscreen handset since its launch just six months ago, as expected. That’s a lot of handsets, sure, but it’s impressive to see Samsung moving that much volume in such a short time.

Increased consumer interest in touchscreen handsets helped drive sales of the Star. “We’ve entered an era where full touch-screen mobiles are mainstream devices, and we are very pleased with the broad popularity of the Samsung Star,” said Young-hee Lee, Vice President of Marketing, Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is aiming to take the lead in the global touch-screen mobile market with our diverse product line up and customized, unique marketing approach.”

The entry-level handset isn’t going to make headlines for their features or style, but we’re sure Samsung could care less.

[Via: CN]

The competition in the US wireless market is getting fierce. Just ask T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). Citing increased pressure from other carriers offering innovative handsets, T-Mobile USA today reported a net loss of 77,000 customers in Q3 2009. The loss is striking, compared to the same quarter last year, when T-Mobile reported a net addition of 670,000 customers. Still, T-mobile USA’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT), reported a 7.2% bump in quarterly profit, increased to $1.4 billion for the quarter.

T-Mobile USA’s average revenue per user (ARPU) dropped in the third quarter, causing operating revenues to decline to $5.38 billion from $5.51 billion in the same period in 2008. As it stands, T-Mobile USA boasts 33.4 million subscribers, which is still an increase from last year. Even with a customer loss, T-Mobile USA is closing the gap with No. 3 US wireless carrier Sprint (NYSE: S).

We’ll have to wait and see how the upcoming Samsung Behold II and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Bold 9700 launches affect T-Mobile’s bottom line.

[Via: Forbes]

Mobile road warriors can attest to the usefulness of 3G modems. It’s empowering to know that you can hop online at anytime, no matter where you are. It gets even better if you can use your 3G modem with a prepaid data plan, like the Broadband2Go plan from Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM). And, it looks like Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless understands the need for prepaid data plans. The No. 1 US wireless carrier (by subscriber count) has just announced a trio of new prepaid data plans for use with the Novatel USB760 3G modem. The plans range from $15 to $50 per month, but don’t expect to get what you pay for.

For $15, customers will get 75MB of data for a single day of service. For $30, Verizon will offer 250MB of data, which can be used over the course of a week. The highest prepaid plan offers 500MB of data for a month, but costs a whopping $50. Compare those prices to the $60 post-paid (contract required) data plan from Verizon, and it’s clear that the prepaid plans are disproportionately expensive. If you compare those prices to Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go plans, which offer 100MB for $10, 250MB for $20, 600MB for $40, or 1GB for $60, and Verizon’s new plans look like downright rip-offs.

What justifies the extra cost of Verizon’s prepaid data plans? As far as we can tell, you’re paying more just for the brand-name. Verizon apparently thinks people shop for 3G modems like they shop for designer jeans.

Verizon Wireless will launch the prepaid plans and the Novatel USB760 modem on November 15th via Verizon retail stores. The Novatel USB760 will cost $129.99, and it’s up to you to fill it up with prepaid data.

Since Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps for iPhone doesn’t support (so far) turn-by-turn GPS navigation directions, iPhone users are left having to pay for GPS navigation apps from the AppStore. But, getting navigation on your iPhone doesn’t have to be expensive. Today, Networks In Motion has announced a new update to its Gokivo iPhone app [iTunes link] that offers users two relatively cheap options for GPS navigation. Users can download the Gokivo app for $4.99 from the AppStore and enjoy 30 days of voice-guided navigation, or, for $39.99, Gokivo will serve up iPhone navigation for a full year. And, to celebrate, NIM is giving iPhone users a chance to download their Gokivo for iPhone navigation app for FREE!

The Gokivo app supports voice-guided directions, including spoken street names. It also serves up real-time traffic alerts to help you avoid any delays. And, with iPod integration, you can listen to your favorite tunes from within the Gokivo iPhone app.

To get Gokivo for free today, you’ll first need to download the Gokivo iPhone app and pay $4.99. Then, simply email Gokivo with you riTunes receipt to nim@sutherlandgold.com and you’ll be reimbursed via PayPal or gift card, whatever you prefer.

Gokivo for iPhone [iTunes link]

[Via: NIM]