Palm Treo 700w is $99 after rebate at Buy.com

Boy, this is gonna tick off alot of customers who paid a premium for this one! Jason over at Pocket PC Thoughts found this gem on the Buy.com website.

The catch on the $200 rebate is that you must purchase a contract with at least a $39/mo voice plan and a $44/mo data plan for $150 of the dollars. The other $50 is a buy.com rebate.

One thing I noticed, if you follow the URL above and pop in your zip, it doesn’t say "you are eligible to get this deal", it says, "you are eligible to switch your carrier and keep your number". Just for giggles, I started the purchase process. It does look like you don’t HAVE to change carriers for the deal, but another surprise popped up. The terms and conditions were Tmobile, but on the previous page, I selected a plan from Verizon. Most likely a simple mistake on Buy.com’s part.

Check out the deal here.

Source : Pocket PC Thoughts

 

Is Homer your hero? Now he can protect your iPod video too

As if there weren’t already enough iPod cases out there, we are now being presented with yet another, and it looks pretty neat. New Iconz for iPod video are durable cases featuring pop icons on the front, translucent backs, play through control for the click wheel, and built-in screen protection.  Iconz come in several designs including one with the Superman logo, Batman, Speed Racer, and Star Wars, among others.  Personally I like the Homer Simpson one the best, where Homer’s giant yellow round forehead covers the click wheel.

Iconz cases are fully licensed and available for a limited time only for $29.95 each.  You can purchase them here. 

Source: MobileWhack

Google Operating System?

Google engineers and developers are reportedly now working with those who created the popular, simple Linux distro "Ubuntu" to develop a new iteration called "Goobuntu." 

Release date and details are still unknown, but there has been talk for some time of Google doing something to compete with Microsoft and whisperings among nerd circles of one day running all Google applications on your computer. 

For those already familiar with Linux, I doubt this will be of great interest as Ubuntu isn’t the most powerful flavor available, but this may attract many disgruntled Windows users if it comes to fruition.

 

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/31/google_goes_desktop_linux/

SPB Software releases Air Islands, a VGA game for the PPC

I checked this one out a while back in Beta, its pretty nice.

"The first Pocket PC game featuring all the benefits of a powerful PC strategy and designed for Pocket PC playing scenario.

Be the owner of a small island. Build it up enjoying excellent graphics (qVGA and VGA supported), high quality sound and original game concept. Enjoy 3 mini-games included!"

Beat the game in 25 or less days and SPB will give you a copy of SPB Freecell. More Info

Check out the website for more details or to order.

Cingular releases the Motorola SLVR L7

Cingular announces the availability of the Motorola SLVR today. A few days ago, when a promo showed up online, we knew it was coming soon. That was fast Cingular!

Features:

iTunes Digital Jukebox - play, sort, store and manage music

VGA Camera with 4x digital zoom, video capture and playback

Bluetooth® wirelesss synchronization

Download games, MP3, ringtones and streaming video

Mobile Instant Messaging using AOL®, Yahoo!® and ICQ® Instant Messaging

Sleek ultra thin RAZR like design

Multimedia Messaging - send text, pictures and sound

Pre-installed 512 MB Micro SD card for extended memory

Store up to 100 songs on removable Micro SD card

iTunes synchronization with your computer via included software

Shuffle music library or select songs by artist, album or playlist

Mobile email and browser

Built-in stereo speakers

Brilliant TFT color display with 262k colors

Voice activated dialing and speakerphone

Customizable music and wallpaper

Music pauses for incoming calls then resumes

With a 2 year contract, you can pick one of these up for $199.00 - Click Here!

More info on “Mobile Me”. Apple Cell looking more likely.

Well it looks like this story is starting to grow legs. There were initial speculations that Apple may be working on an iPod with Cell service, but maybe its just this. (see below)

An anonymous tipster submited this photo to Engadget today. Not sure if its real or not, but the story sounds legit and the photo seems real. BUT : If its going to ride cingulars network as the story indicated, why is there no orange cingular simm card, why the Apple logo? Or is this going to be a "Apple Branded" service leasing Cingular’s network?

"having a friend who came over to show off his new cellphone (pictured), a one-in-fifty test unit for trying out Apple’s Mobile Me service, which is apparently an Apple MVNO slated to run on Cingular and to be launched in February"

Source : Engadget

Symantec Expands Virus Protection for Handheld Devices

I gotta tell you, I don’t think this is really needed. In the corporate world, I think this has its need to protect networks, but I don’t think the average user will ever need it. Regardless of what "I" think, Symantec releases AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5 

"Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5, a comprehensive virus protection solution designed to secure wireless devices running on Palm OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile and Pocket PC platforms. Available now, Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds Corporate Edition 3.5 helps safeguard corporate assets and protects against the potential spread of malicious code downloaded from the Web, email or a Wi-Fi connection, or beamed via Bluetooth or infrared ports. With new configuration management capabilities using Symantec Client Security with the Symantec System Center console, IT organizations can improve their overall corporate security posture with greater control over securing wireless devices accessing sensitive company data. "

[Read more]

Skype gets music ringtones from Warner Music

On Monday, Warner Music Group announced it agreed to make music available as ringtones for Skype.

Skype is looking more and more interesting to me, but unfortunately most places I need a phone, do not have Wi-Fi.

This is said about digital music sales last year.

"According to the global music trade body, the International Federation of Phonographic Industries (IFPI), ringtone sales accounted for around $400 million, or 36 percent, of total digital music revenues of $1.10 billion."

Google News no longer Beta!

I think most of us use Google News and know that it works very well, but the one thing that has always left me curious is that it is still in Beta. It seems Google likes to leave many of their projects in beta status for a long time.

Well finally the day has come that Google News is no longer Beta! First off you will notice that there is no more a beta logo at http://news.google.com/

plus, it is talked about on the Google Blog here: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/01/and-now-news.html

 

Google Toolbar Version 4 Beta - Cool

This is not Mobility, but hey, it’s Monday. 
Google’s Tool bar gets a face lift and many new toys….

Ok, 1st thing I have to say is, type AXIM in your URL bar, not www. something, just AXIM. It brings up Aximsite.com by default. TOO COOL. POCKETPC brings up Microsoft’s Windows Mobile page. IPAQ brings up HP’s iPaq product page and so on….

Download the bar.

Some of the key features include:

Enhanced Search Box

Read on for more!

[Read more]

HP enters the GPS market with new handheld device

HP has partnered with ViaMichelin to develop the new HP iPaq rx1950 Navigator GPS kit.

The HP rx1950 Navigator features:

• Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 with updated Microsoft Office software means improved productivity with more efficient data management.
• Simple 3-step installation – just plug in the power supply, insert the navigation SD card and go. A user-friendly interface design allows quick access to all key functions via the main menu touch-screen.
• Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) for high-speed wireless access to the Internet and e-mail.
• Compact, portable and stylish design (including CarCradle with loudspeaker) is not restricted to your own vehicle and is easily transportable between cars.
• ViaMichelin’s experience, up-to-date maps, quality GPS information and hardware mean users will always be in control of their journey and aware of many points of interest along the way.
• The kit contains the HP iPAQ rx1950 PDA, a cradle for the PDA, and ViaMichelin software.

 Check out the product page for more information

Source : MobileWhack

BenQ Qube Z2- square phone?

The newly available BenQ Qube Z2 phone has a very interesting form factor, it is a square phone.  I am not to sure about how it would feel to hold a little square box up to my ear when I talk on the phone, but hey, it is different, and I am sure I could get used to it.  The cube has a full function MP3 player incorporated, with a voice recorder and FM radio, and has a 1.3 megapixel camera onboard.  It claims to have "3D surround sound" and its memory of 58 MB is expandable through the use of mini SD cards.  It comes in several colors and you can dress it up in all kinds of patterned faceplates.

 Source: Aving Global News Network

Is white too boring? A red iPod may be coming!

I will admit, I am not an iPod owner. I am one of the few in the world, but my Dell DJ does me just fine. My dad swears by his though, he has one of those special edition black and red U2 models that came out in 2004.

According to T3, a gadget magazine in UK, rumors are surfacing that Apple is joining in on a campaign to aid HIV research called Product Red.

"Late last week rumours surfaced that a red iPod is in the pipeline. This began following a post on Popbitch which claimed that U2 front man Bono was overheard “in Dublin’s Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud restaurant discussing a new charity red Amex card and red iPod.” There was nothing to suggest this was more than pure hearsay until Bono today unveiled the aforementioned red Amex card as part of Product Red – a new brand of red merchandise created to help fight the global battle against HIV. The idea is that around 40 percent of the profits received from the sale of these special red products would go to the Global Fund to Fight Aids."

Source : T3 via Gizmodo

It’s Official : i-mate JAMin (HTC Prophet) released

The i-mate JAMin is now on the i-mate website.

Windows Mobile 5, Quad Band, 200mhz processor(huh?), EDGE, 128/64mb, and 802.11 b/g WiFi.

This unit was reviewed by Pocketinfo.nl a couple weeks ago.

"THE HTC is reasonable standard device. With that we mean that there actual a little unnecessary toeters and ring opzitten. This is the device where many people for to sit wait: Windows mobile 5, WiFi, Bluetooth and a reasonable camera in a beautiful luxuriously factor. Of course this device are simply i-Mate KJAM without keyboard. As a result, he reasonable plat without loss to functionality becomes (except the keyboard then). The device work rather fast and the buds under the baffle are good serve. The device support GSM, EDGE and GPRS. A next version will support also UMTS but these just end Q2 will come 2006 from. The largest minuses are software bugjes and the krasbestendigheid of the black housing. All in all we think that this device a hit larger can become than its predecessor. Especially the price and look & feel turn this device into a large favourite for first half of 2006." - PocketInfo.nl

Source : Davespda

iBook protection from down under

One of the things I looked forward to the most when I got my first Mac, a 12" iBook, was ordering a foofbag for it.  If you are not familiar with Foof, she is from Australia and handmakes wonderful fun and funky pouches for protecting your iBook, Powerbook, or even your iPod.  Even before the advent of iPod socks, Foof was making these marvelous pouches in a similar form factor and fantastic fabrics.  The foofbag pictured is called "purple people eater," for obvious reasons and is just one of the many fabric options available.  I ordered the "it’s not easy being green" corduroy foofbag for my laptop, and it is splendid.  It protects my iBook just enough to allow me to carry it around with me, but doesn’t add much bulk.  I can only imagine that the foofpods are excellent as well, and I am really digging the one she calls "half a giraffe."  These bags are not a new product, but are fabulous and handmade so I decided to share the experience.  Stop by and order yours at www.foofbag.com.  I will be ordering from her again!