Morning Paper

Motorola splits

If you own Motorola stock, you probably already know this. C|Net is reporting that the phone maker giant  has decided to split into two publicly traded companies, one handling handsets and accessories and the other taking on wireless broadband networks and enterprise-level communications services.

"Our decision to separate our Mobile Devices and Broadband & Mobility Solutions businesses follows a review process undertaken by our management team and Board of Directors, together with independent advisers," CEO Greg Brown said in a release. "Creating two industry-leading companies will provide improved flexibility, more tailored capital structures, and increased management focus--as well as more targeted investment opportunities for our shareholders."

I would like to believe this is a good move for consumers, since it will allow the two companies to place more focus on their relative specialties, which will hopefully result in better products and services for all of us.

C|Net

See the Celio Redfly in action

If you're not familiar, the Celio Redfly Mobile Companion is a UMPC-sized companion for your Windows Mobile device.  Basically, it provides a way to easily give your small phone screen an instant-on larger display, full keyboard and mouse pointer.  It does not have its own processor, as it uses the phone and connects to your phone via USB or Bluetooth.  You can, however utilize one of the 2 USB ports to plug in a flash drive and utilize it as external memory.

As we all heard several months ago, Palm attempted the very same device, under the name of Foleo, but its initial launch failed.

jkOnTheRun has posted a great hand's-on demo of the Redfly.  Rumors are that it will be shipped at around $500, which seems a bit expensive to me.

See the video.

jkOnTheRun
Image: Brighthand

Google Search Home Screen plugin now available for Windows Mobile

Finally something Crackberry and Symbian users have enjoyed for a short while...a Google Search plugin for Windows Mobile devices.  As soon as I saw this last night, I downloaded it on my Moto Q and SHAZAM! there it was.  I use Façade as my Home Screen manager, and initially it reset it to a "Google-fied" one, but then I went to my Façade settings and I was able to reconfigure it to work with Façade's home screen.

It works great. Whenever you want to do a quick search on Google, just hit <HOME> and enter your query. When focus in this plugin slot, the left soft button changes to 'Search', so press it and you're off to your browser with the results.

Google Mobile Blog

WinMob Users To Get Flash!

  FLASH ON!  Apparently Silverlight wasn't enough for Microsoft on it's mobile platform, so the company went and partnered up with Adobe to bring "Flash Lite" (no not the P-Funk song), the lighter side of Adobe's Flash player.

By the years end, WinMob users will be able to view Flash content on their browsers without the need for additional setup.  Users will also be able to view PDF's with Adobe Reader Lite.

Not sure what took so long because Reader has been on Palm devices for a good while now.  But fret not my WinMob friends, your time is coming.

Read

Brighthand has posted a review of Opera Mobile 9.5

I'm a big fan of Opera Mobile, and use it on a daily basis.  Compared to Pocket Internet Explorer, it's a completely different world, even with its current released version.  First off, it provides "tabbed" browsing, in the form of multiple instances, including opening a link on the active page in a new window.  Then it has the ability to identify your device as a desktop or mobile device.  If you choose to use "desktop" it will not format the site for the mobile browser,  dpad navigation is much better and it has a downloads manager.  This is just highlighting the big ones.

The anticipation of Opera Mobile 9.5, I must admit has me a bit "giddy."  I've see the demo video and that was enough to make the hairs on my neck stand up.  Now Brighthand has posted a review, and to hear how great this upcoming browser is from another user is exciting.

Some of the revealed new features will be:

- Full screen view with tap-to-zoom when you need to see part of the page close up
- Improved speed
- Improved navigation
- Flash video viewing
- Mouse cursor
- AJAX-friendly
See the full list of anticipated features here and see a video demo here.

Brighthand

SyncMate: Another Way To Sync Your WM With Your Mac

  This is what I like to see.  Companies out there fighting, competing for your tech dollar.  Eltima chimes in with SyncMate, making your Windows Mobile syncing easy as pie on your Mac.

SyncMate comes in two flavors, one of which is free, and we like free.  The other is the "expert" version that will cost you $39.99, and iis touted as being for "experts".

SyncMate syncs all of your WM important info with the iCal, address book, Bookmarks, just about everything you need to stay on top of things between your Mac and your Pocket PC.

The Expert edition adds plugins that allow you to sync with iTunes and iPhoto with video compression.

"With SyncMate you can:

Sync contacts: Keep your contacts up-to-date with our synchronization tool. No matter where you are and what device you are using, your address book will always be with you, filled with all contact details you need.

Sync bookmarks: Dozens of sites visited, tons of needed information found. Don't lose it! Save it! Bookmark it! Managing bookmarks between your computer and Pocket PC has never been easier. SyncMate at your service. (Expert Edition only)

Manage text messages: With SyncMate managing SMS becomes fun! Create them using your keyboard, edit them on the computer, send and receive not even touching your Pocket PC.

Sync iPhoto/ iTunes: Your favorite tunes, pictures, video files - all in your pocket. Share them with friends, bring them home! (Expert Edition only)

Your calendar is always in reach. What when and where - you know that, you've already synced, right?"

Platforms:

Mac OS X 10.4 and higher
Mac OS X 10.5

eltima

Update: Sprint Mogul Update

Small update concerning the new update for the Sprint Mogul.  Reader "GoodThingsToLife" informs me that the update is available for download.  Try it here:

(Thanks GoodThings)

SplashMoney Goes Windows Mobile

Apparently Cingular still exist in the SplashData universe but that's not the real story here.  The real story is "SplashMoney" is ready for your WM phone and is Vista ready for your PC.

Splash Money helps keep your financial life in order by being your virtual pocket check book, but with added benefits your check book could never perform.

Key Features:

Connect wirelessly to almost any online bank account (list of banks)
Supports most account types: checking, savings, credit card, cash, asset, liability, money market and line of credit
Secure password protection using Blowfish encryption
Quickly enter transactions using auto-fill and memorized transactions
Reconcile account statements
Print registers and reports
Scheduled transactions with reminders
Customizable transaction types
Multiple currency support
Simple, intuitive interface
Supports categories, classes and splits

Buy now for $29.95 - get SplashData’s 60-day money back guarantee

There is a 30 day trial so give it a go.

Sprint HTC Mogul Gets Updated

Today your Sprint HTC Mogul will be getting it's update with EV-DO Rev. A support and GPS love.  Your Mogul is about to get a whole lot faster.

The update has not been posted just yet, but keep your eyes on the prize and you'll be happy or happier at some point today.

HTC

Updated version of Google Maps for Windows Mobile is available

For all of you Windows Mobile users out there, Google has released an update to Google Maps Mobile.  Not 100% sure what was changed, except some improved buttons for PPC users. MyLocation still not working on many devices, including Treos and Moto Qs. :-(

Point your mobile browser to http://www.google.com/gmm to download to your device.