mobile

Windows Mobile users looking for a way to manage their personal finance from their phones ought to take a look at SplashMoney for Windows Mobile smartphones and PocketPCs, which just became available this week. The two-way app synchronizes with a desktop companion (included in the mobile download) to keep information current between the phone and computer, though SplashMoney also works as a standalone app on the phone as well as the Mac or PC.

Similar to most mobile money managers, SplashMoney lets you store and track financial data such as credit card details, account balances, budgets, and expenses. You'll … Read more

Verizon made a big splash in 2007 by talking up its plans to open its network to third-party developers. "Any application, any device" was the mantra.

Several months later, however, more questions than answers remain as to just how open Verizon plans to be, and what it's going to charge for the privilege of openness, as BusinessWeek has highlighted.

Among the biggest concerns: Verizon did not divulge any details of the pricing plans customers would be offered to use such devices. Nor did it publish any specifications to help software developers create applications for the network. In fact, the company distributed materials to attendees online, stressing that the company "will not approve, test, or service third-party applications that customers load onto their Open Development Devices."… Read more

In the market for a new smartphone? Consider the T-Mobile Dash, a quad-band handset that compares favorably with the Motorola Q. LetsTalk.com has a pretty sweet deal going:

T-Mobile Dash: Free.

1GB microSD card: Free.

Shipping: Free.

Rebates: Up to $100.

Specifically, you automatically qualify for a $50 mail-in rebate on the phone, but you can get another $50 if you sign up for a $39.99-monthly (or higher) service plan and a $19.99-monthly data plan (fairly standard items for smartphone users anyway).

CNET and CNET readers alike had generally good things to say about the Dash, rating … Read more

Volantis just released its Mobility Server under the GPLv3 license, which should go a long way toward helping to grow Volantis' community further. As I wrote recently about Funambol and open-source mobile projects, it's hard to conceive how any proprietary software company can compete with open source in mobile.

It's not a question of software. Anyone can write that. Rather, it's a question of keeping pace with device proliferation, as OStatic suggests:

Volantis had already made its Mobility Server available as a free download in late 2007. By open sourcing it, the company is looking to the broad development community to help deliver web sites and applications aimed at mobile users for delivery on an ever-increasing range of mobile devices.… Read more

T-Mobile is now carrying the Nokia 3555. A slim flip phone in a lovely blue shade, the 3555 looks a lot like AT&T's Nokia 6555. It offers a midrange selection of features including a VGA camera, stereo Bluetooth, text and multimedia messaging, a speakerphone, voice dialing, a music player, quadband world phone support, personal organizer applications, and a wireless Web browser. Given the other features the inclusion of a VGA camera is a little odd, but even stranger is the dualband WCDMA (3G) support. T-Mobile has promised us a 3G network by this summer, but considering we … Read more

In its tradition of affordable prepaid phones, Virgin Mobile has just launched the Flare (otherwise known as the LG LX175), a simple flip phone without a lot of bells and whistles. Features are predictably bare bones, like a speakerphone, mobile web browser, and Bluetooth -- there isn't even a camera on this thing. But for something as low as $29.99 without a contract, it's not too shabby. You can pick it up now via Virgin's website or any of their retail partners.

Motorola's executive management shakeup continues as the company replaces two more senior executives.

The company has replaced treasurer Steve Strobel with Larry R. Raymond, a former vice president and treasurer at Sears Roebuck. Strobel had most recently been working for a private equity firm.

Motorola also replaced Mike Fenger, who had been the head of mobile devices in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Stephen Nolan, formerly vice president of sales at Motorola for Continental Europe, will now be in charge of the EMEA region.

The changes at the top are all part of Motorola's plan to transform … Read more

For an out-there 2009-2010 chip, Intel's Moorestown seems to get mentioned a lot by executives. If you consider, however, that this silicon may represent Intel's single biggest push into the "very large" mobile phone market, then all that jawboning is understandable.

At recent Intel conferences, CEO Paul Otellini and other high-ranking executives have dropped the Moorestown name frequently. Why? First, it will be Intel's showcase system-on-a-chip, combining the CPU, graphics, and memory controller on a single die, which, in turn, will be combined with other silicon. Second, it will probably serve as the main launching … Read more

Drivers may watch TV, browse the Web, or even make a sandwich while behind the wheel, but mobile phones have firmly retained their status as king of the road where distractions are concerned. Acknowledging that reality, the wireless "Bluetouch" system at least tries to lessen the dangers of dialing behind the wheel with a large touch screen that seems much easier (and therefore safer) to use than a handset keypad that requires you to avert your eyes.

And if the touch screen is still too difficult, according to Chip Chick, there's also a voice-recognition feature that controls … Read more