SBSH Mobile Software Releases PocketBreeze 5

PocketBreeze version 5, released today, is a today plug in that offers improved views of your calendar and tasks. Version 5 includes new built-in Notes and Messages tabs offering control of your notes and emails/SMS, unlimited custom tabs, new skinning capabilities, and an optional pinned calendar.

PocketBreeze 5 is fully compatible with Windows Mobile 5. Registered users that purchased PocketBreeze before August 1, 2005 are entitled to upgrade to the new version for a discount. Registered users that purchased PocketBreeze after August 1, 2005 are entitled to a free upgrade. If you'd like to check out PocketBreeze 5, a 12 day trial version is available as well. For the full scoop see www.sbsh.net. It's good to see so many software houses acting quickly to release new versions of their products for Windows Mobile 5. (Windows mobile, News)

Namco Games' Dig Dug coming to Windows Mobile and PalmOS

A couple weeks ago I had to chance to review the arcade classic Galaga for Windows Mobile. Now Namco Games has done it again. They'll be releasing Dig Dug for Windows Mobile and PalmOS. This is the subterranean adventure where you dig around the board trying to inflate or crush your enemies with rocks. You have to hurry or they'll get away or get you first! It was fun in the arcade twenty years ago and is bound to be fun on the go too. Dig Dug is currently available for various smartphones and will be coming to Windows Mobile and PalmOS soon. Check www.namcogames.com for pricing and information about device compatibility. (Palm, Windows mobile, News)

Review - Namco's Galaga: A Blast from the Past

Retro gaming is alive and well on all kinds of mobile platforms. This is partly due to the fact that legendary game developers, like Namco, are releasing their classics for us all to enjoy while we're on the go. Namco let me play with their version of Galaga for Windows Mobile this past week. Officially licensed and nearly identical to the old arcade version, it's been a blast to play. Read on to see why...

 (Windows mobile, Reviews)

Beware the ActiveSync 4.0 Preview Release

Some weeks ago Microsoft posted its latest version of its ActiveSync software on Microsoft.com as a preview release. This made headlines all over the web as users installed it hoping for improved stability and speed. However, now there are numerous stories cropping up about no longer being able to sync wirelessly, troubles browsing the device from the desktop and other issues.

In the pursuit of knowledge for pdaBuzzers everywhere, I installed ActiveSync 4.0 build 4343 from the preview release page to see what all the fuss is about. Once installed, I have been able to sync my Windows Mobile 2003 SE device without troubles and there are indeed new, colorful icons and graphics. However, I've had trouble getting the Windows Explorer to display the contents of my device. And no I haven't seen a blinding increase in speed when transferring data either. I've been using it for a little over a week now.

My recommendation here is that the average user should not install the preview release of ActiveSync 4.0. If you are a developer and need to inspect its behavior or test it for compatibility with your apps, go for it. This is what Microsoft intended when it posted the preview. But don't plan on using it for daily syncing until an official end user release is made.

Obviously, if you've got a Windows Mobile 5.0 device, ActiveSync 4.0 is your only choice but I'm thinking Microsoft might have sent a different build to device manufacturers like Dell and HP. I'd appreciate hearing from you early adopting pdaBuzzers to hear your experiences. Just post a reply below. (Windows mobile, News)

Review - PocketBreeze Today Plug-in

Today screen plug-ins have got to be the absolute biggest category of Windows Mobile application out there. So in a crowded market place, a plug-in has got to do something unique or especially well to gain an audience. I've been checking out PocketBreeze from SBSH Mobile Software to see how it manages my calendar, tasks and contacts. It's extremely customizable and pretty helpful too. Read on to see why…  (Windows mobile, Reviews)

Review - Resco Pocket Radio: Let the Good Tunes Roll

Want to take commercial-free digital radio with you on the go without having to go out and buy an XM tuner? Resco Pocket Radio has got you covered and all you need is your Pocket PC and an internet connection. I've been having a blast all week listening non-stop to crisp, clear 128 bit internet radio thanks to this great software. Read on! (Windows mobile, Reviews)

Spb Software Launches UniThemes

Spb Software House has announced an interesting new idea: Spb UniThemes. Every UniTheme is a complete set of skins for all skinnable standard Windows Mobile apps as well as Spb's own Pocket PC applications, all designed with the same look. This allows users of Spb's software to have a unified look and feel on their Today screen, Windows Media Player, Dialer, and Calculator as well as Spb Pocket Plus, Spb Time, Spb Weather, Spb GPRS Monitor, Spb Finance, and Spb Full Screen Keyboard. The themes are available for free download. Currently there are four available. More UniThemes will be available later this year. Now hopefully, they'll design me one based around images of Jennifer Garner! You can find more information about UniThemes at the Spb UniThemes page. (Windows mobile, News)

New Mobile messaging features released for Windows Mobile 5 Devices

Microsoft have released an update to their email server, Exchange 2003. Accordingly, many people will be asking,"How will this affect my mobile world?"

Well, if you have a Windows Mobile Device and your email service provider uses an Exchange 2003 server, big changes are about to happen. (Windows mobile, News)

Fujitsu Siemens Releases New Windows Mobile 5 Devices

Fujitsu Siemens Computers has officially announced two new Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PCs. They are part of the Pocket LOOX N series. There are currently two models in the series, the N500 and the N520. Both devices have a 312 MHz Intel processor, a QVGA screen and an SD slot. What sets these devices apart from others on the market is that both of them come with an integrated Global Positioning System. The N500 has 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM. The N520 has the same RAM but 128 MB of ROM. Neither device has Bluetooth, but the N520 has, get this, 802.11g built in. That's right the spec sheet says g, not b. So while some specs on these machines seem a little on the lean side, there are certainly some features that will make these devices stand out in the crowded Windows Mobile 5 market place. Now if only they'd move away from that rectangular form factor.

For a complete spec sheet go to

http://vilpublic.fujitsu-siemens.com/vil/pc/vil/datenblaetter/handheld/ds_pocket_loox_n_series.pdf

Also, there was no word when and where this device will be sold. A quick search of the web didn't show any online retailers with the device listed. (Windows mobile, News)

Review - Astraware Bejeweled 2 Rocks!

Rocks, bombs, power gems and hyper cubes actually! Astraware has released the successor to its award winning puzzle game for Windows Mobile 5 and VGA screens. Of course it's still compatible with older less, exciting devices like mine. And it's more addictive than ever. Read on to learn why…  (Windows mobile, Reviews)