MSN Direct for Windows Mobile

MSN Direct is Microsoft's platform for pushing weather, stock updates, sports, and other news to mobile devices via an FM radio frequency. The service was available for internet enabled GPS devices, watches, and other appliances. Yet for some reason Microsoft is just now getting around to releasing an MSN Direct client for cellphones and PDAs. The service will use available data connections like WiFi or 3G connections, rather than FM radio.

The Windows Mobile client is considered a "technology preview," which is a fancy word for beta. Right now it's available for Windows Mobile 5.0 or newer phones only. You can either download the client from your phone by pointing your mobile browser to phone.msndirect.com, or you can download the application from the same site using your desktop browser and install it to your phone using ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device center.

MSN Direct is available as a free download.

I just added this to my Blackjack (which is now successfully running WM6) and I love it.

Samsung i617 Is The New Blackjack 2?

The follow up to the successful Blackback smartphone has leaked its way out. The Blackjack II is masking as the Samsung i617, and most of the details are still unknown. But it is running Windows Mobile 6, has 2-megapixel camera, and 3G HSDPA, just for fun. Soul sucking AT&T most likely will get the exclusive rights to the phone, as they did for the first Blackjack.

No word on when it will be available, but it is rumored for sometime in Q4 2007.

[mobiledia via Gizmodo]

HP iPaq 510: Shipping State Side

One thing that I didn't expect was for HP to get into the cell phone game, but here they are with this entry.

The HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenge phone makes calls, opening applications, and composing and sending e-mails. So what's the big deal about that? It allows you to do all of those things with the sound of your voice.

It comes with Windows Mobile 6 and it is shipping unlocked thru HP starting at $319.99.

Hit the jump for more info. [Crave]

HTC Touch Adds Finger Groping to Windows Mobile 6

Previously known as the Elf, the HTC Touch is the next generation in the Taiwanese company's line of Windows Mobile phones. The Touch takes Windows Mobile 6 which is already pretty usable and integrates what everyone's fawning over the iPhone and the Prada for: finger touching.

The specs: 2.8-inch touchscreen at QVGA resolution, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, 1GB microSD card (included), 2-megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6, tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, and dimensions of 99.9mm x 58mm x 13.9mm (3.9in x 2.2in x 0.5mm). It's also available in two colors, soft black or wasabi. Yes. Wasabi.

The Touch is on sale now in the UK and should be available in the US in the second half of '07

Stay tuned.