A few weeks ago Jason Langridge asked if you could spend $100 on your device to make improvements, how would you allocate your money. The results are in.

? IE Mobile: $125 (2%)
? Messaging: $156 (2%)
? Office Mobile: $300 (5%)
? Connection Manager: $350 (5%)
? Device Management & Security (my team): $360 (6%)
? Phone: $377 (6%)
? PIM (calendar, contacts, etc.): $405 (6%)
? Windows CE: $420 (6%)
? Sync (primarily wireless sync): $640 (10%)
? Shell: $1425 (22%)
? Other (OEM requests, or things too generic to categorize): $1473 (23%)

Fortunately, according to Jason, a few of these are already in the works for a future version.

“I have the honor to review the iGo My Way Navigation Software 2006 All Region Beta version after publishing the TomTom Navigation 5 review couple weeks ago. The package arrived from GPS & More Ltd. in about a week. I have extensively used one in-car navigation system for 4 years, an older version of iGuidance on the second generation IPAQ for 2 years, and lately the TomTom Navigation 5 software on T-mobile MDA. This would be an interesting comparison, especially with the TomTom Navigation 5 software, since the other two are considered older generation hardware and software.”

If you’re considering GPS navigational software options, then take a look at The::Unwired’s review of the iGo My Way Navigation solution. You’ll see some contrasts and comparisons with the TomTom Navigation 5 software that the reviewer currently uses.

But wait… there’s more! TomTom has just released version 6 of their GPS navigational software with a host of new features which you can learn more about here. Now, if you’re itching for more information, we also have a Babelfish translation of a just-released Dutch review here for all to enjoy. Check it out!

Tom Tom is on the verge of releasing an update to its acclaimed navigation software to version 6. Pocket Info got an early look at the application and found it to be a solid update with great maps and functionality; on the other side, they had hoped for a text-to-speech feature. Read… Read More

As spotted on Handango is MR Moonlanding, a Pocket PC version of the classic Moonlander game featuring randomly generated terrain and full VGA support. MR Moonlanding is available to try or buy for $2.99….

There was some debate about the recent press-quality pictures of the 8525 put up as to whether the 8525 was as shown, considering the poor Photoshop job in covering up the regular HTC Hermes’ front camera. Now there comes some blurry in-the-wild snaps of the 8525 that do indeed suggest that the 8525 is real, and front-cameraless:

Personally, the lack of a second camera, while a little unfortunate, wouldn’t dissuade me going for the Cingular-branded device; if HSDPA coverage is good, I’m seriously tempted to pick one up this fall when it comes out. Hit the link above for a few more blurry pics.

“ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS), a leading provider of high-performance notebook computers, today unveils the latest R2H Ultra-Mobile PC. With built-in high-resolution webcam, incorporated global positioning system (GPS) and biometric fingerprint authentication, the 7-inch ultra compact R2H is designed to fulfill the increasing need for an all-in-one mobile device that enables professionals to stay connected, productive and secured on the go.”

Whether you love the UMPC concept or not, the idea continues to gain more traction with AsusTeK being the latest to officially join this market segment. Their UMPC offering comes with a 900MHz Celeron M ULV CPU, 256MB RAM (expandable to 768MB), 7″ WXGA touch screen (screen resolution not specified), integrated GPS receiver, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, 20/30/40/60 GB HDD options, USB, SD card reader, and biometric scanner. Thoughts?

“One of the posts I made a while back I still get lots of questions about and that is in relation to Bluetooth Car Kit support of Windows Mobile. (http://blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/archive/2005/11/23/496368.aspx). The challenge is that differing car kits have implemented differing variants of the Bluetooth standard and profiles making it really confusing as to whether a phone will actually work with your car.”

The JETware Hands-Free Extension Support software was built to “extend the capabilities included in the Bluetooth stack built in to Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE and Windows Mobile 5.0 based phones,” and as Jason Langridge points out, this can be beneficial if you’re having compatibility issues with your vehicle’s integrated Bluetooth capabilities.

Unfortunately, many of the newer vehicles today supporting integrated Bluetooth have major limitations in terms of device support. If you are currently experiencing these issues or are considering either a new car (with integrated Bluetooth) or new mobile device and want to ensure both play well, take a look at the JETware software to see if this loosens up your options.

“Basic4ppc is the easiest and most affordable way to develop applications for Pocket PC / Windows Mobile devices. Basic4ppc Version 3 released! Compiles to Windows / Device executables (EXE files). Built-in database support.”

I posted on Basic4PPC in the past, however with a new version and a limited time offer on pricing, now may be a good time to look into it again if you were intrigued the first time!

“Qantas said it would introduce new technology from early 2007, which will enable customers to make and receive emails, SMS and calls via their own mobile phone or personal electronic devices such as Blackberrys. Qantas Group General Manager of Customer Product and Services, Ms Lesley Grant, said the airline would evaluate the technology over a three-month period on a Boeing 767 aircraft operating on Australian domestic routes. “Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service.” Ms Grant said Qantas’ research indicated that customers were increasingly demanding the same range of services in the air as those available on the ground… Qantas has teamed with Telstra, Panasonic Avionics Corporation and AeroMobile in the evaluation, to bring about a solution that will allow appropriate communication devices to be safely used inflight and not interfere with the ground network.”

So much for the “don’t use your cellphone on the plane” argument. Both Qantas (Australian-based) and Ryanair (European-based) are gearing up to allow in-flight calling using personal handsets. I’ll be making a domestic flight early next year, so assuming I’m on one of the evaluation flights, I’ll get a chance to try it out. Your thoughts on in-flight calling? Pros? Cons?

I hope you don’t mind; but I really have to comment on this. Most of you know that I’m pretty tight with Dave Ciccone from Mobility Today. I listen to their Podcast, and find it to be very informative as well as entertaining. Dave does a good job with it. He’s also been Johnny-on-the-spot… Read More

More and more Treo 750 pics are coming out; a poster at MyPDACafe.com has put up some very large (occasionally blurry) pictures of a Vodafone engineering sample.

Good news: looks like it has 64MB of RAM like the 700wx. Bad news: these pics clearly show that the unit has miniSD. Looks like the 700w/wx are amongst the last recent Pocket PC phones to feature SD slots…