There are so many potential jokes about the app below....

VooDude: a torture app

The newly released VooDude app lets users create and manipulate their own personal, portable Voodoo doll on an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Users can use any photo for the head of the doll and then use the accelerometer and touch screen to shake, poke, burn and toss the doll.The voodoo doll is cornered in a dark setting.

He reacts to poking, burning or pricking by writhing in pain with sound effects. It's actually quite disturbing - or effective, depending on how you see things.

Important: I am still looking for someone that can provide the opposing views to the Mobile News. Vick used to do it before - Mobile News from the opposite point of view....

Since I am going to RehabCare for 1 week.....

There is another study documenting addiction to mobile devices and texting.

The latest headline to get my attention if from AFP an entitled: ‘Japanese Teens Addicted to Cellphones’.

I understand the lure of mobile phones and the tiny keys offering instant communication. The researchers found Japanese teenagers, who often send and read dozens of messages while eating or even bathing, just cannot give up the urge to text.

Thirteen Years or Older….

Android Market Announces Policies and Guidelines

“Kids, get your parents permission before downloading any apps from the Android Market. One of the new guidelines established by Google for the Market is that you must be 13 years or older. "
Doesn’t seem like there’s going to be much of a problem with that. Most of the folks we know using a G1 [...]

Upcoming Additions to Windows Mobile®

Introducing Windows® Marketplace for Mobile a contribution by John Bruno got my attention:

"At Mobile World Congresstoday in Barcelona, Steve Ballmer announced a number of upcoming additions to the Windows Mobile® family. In addition to great consumer-focused services such as Microsoft® My Phone, he also announced a new on-device application marketplace for Windows Mobile 6.5 called Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Beyond providing consumers with the ability to browse and download applications from their Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, this new service will offer developers, like yourselves, the opportunity to connect directly with those millions of Windows Mobile users, to publish and distribute applications.

Sound like a win-win opportunity? Let’s take a closer look.Before I dig into the details, let me begin by introducing myself. My name is John Bruno and I am a new contributor to the Windows Mobile Team Blog. As a Program Manager on the Windows Marketplace team, I am responsible for the developer-focused features of the product. So, I am really excited to be able to announce this program for developers, and hope all of you are as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are.In the past, it has been challenging for developers to get their Windows Mobile applications into the hands of consumers. In addition to fragmentation in the distribution channels, there has been no definitive marketplace experience on the device for users to browse and acquire applications and/or content. This has prevented developers from achieving broad reach with their application offering, and inhibited the user’s ability to leverage the power of their Windows phone. Fortunately, Windows Marketplace for Mobile addresses these challenges while also including a number of key benefits for developers. Examples of some of these key benefits include:* An easily discovered on-device application that is installed on every Windows Mobile 6.5 device, and includes prominent placement on the Start menu.* Leverage existing Microsoft developer tools, such as Visual Studio, for faster time to market.As you can see, the opportunity for developers is quite clear. Windows Marketplace can help you grow your business profitably by connecting you directly with millions of Windows Mobile users that are looking for your applications. Whether you are a hobbyist developer or a large ISV, we’ll make it easy for you to bring your applications to market and manage them effectively throughout their life cycle.

My Slavic brothers and sisters can do great things! Andrej K would be so proud..... From Koper to Vladivostok....

iPhone GPS App Shown at Mobile World Congress (NewsFactor)

While Apple develops turn-by-turn GPS navigation features for the iPhone, one company has shown it can be done. Sygic, based in Bratislava, a region in southwest Slovakia, displayed its mobile GPS application for the iPhone 3G Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Copycat Phone Conundrum

It’s no secret the mobile phone industry is envious of Apple's iPhone strategy allowing users download thousands of small software programs.

The world’s biggest annual trade show for the wireless industry, the Mobile World Congress is underway in Bacelona, Spain and Apple is absent.

But while Apple is absent from the wireless trade event, the iPhone impact is evident.

This item got my attention and I recommend it to see the evidence of the iPhone in many other handsets.

Something for everyone.....

Student Arrested For Classroom Texting

A 14-year-old Wisconsin girl who refused to stop texting during a high school math class was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to police.

The student was issued a criminal citation for disorderly conduct, which carried "a bail of $298," and had her phone confiscated.

Another very scary news item….....I got to get off the grid.....any suggestions?

UK Mobile Operators to Sell Customer Data for one GIANT Database!

Five major UK carriers are banding together to pool customer data so that it can be put into a giant database and then be used to sell advertising, The Register is reporting.

Announcing the move at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the GSM Association, whose members include 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, said it had created a "measurement process for mobile browsing that respects the privacy of mobile users and provides rich planning information for the media and advertising communities.

Casinos are warned about card-counting iPhone app

A warning is going out to casinos about an iPhone application according to published reports in the The Sydney Morning Herald. Nevada gambling regulators have sounded the alert on an iPhone/iPod application called BlackJack Card Counter, that illegally helps players beat the house in blackjack.

A YouTube video demo shows how it works.

Android 1.1 SDK Released

Effective immediately, developers have been given access to the Android 1.1 SDK.

According to the official Android Developers Blog, this recent release includes see few “minor, but useful” changes.

There are a few API’s changes available for development including: Adds annotations for test systems, no actual (non-test) API changes. Check out the blog for the details.

Yikes!-- The G1 Phones Home with More Info Than You Know

New privacy concerns today. This comes as no surprise to some of you know what a privacy and 4th amendment freak I am. But check out the link to a blog about the G1 which scares the heck out of me.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=981&tag=nl.e102

Paid Apps Coming to Android Phones This Week

Google is expected to allow developers to start charging for programs sold through the Android market place, says The WSJ via Wired

Unlike the iPhone App store that has splits the revenue with the developers, Android allows for third party programmers to keep the profits to themselves. Apple keeps 30 percent of the revenue from apps sold through the iPhone store.

The Android marketplace is also open. Apps do not have to be approved by either the carrier or Google which developed the Android mobile operating system. That is in contrast to Apple's walled garden approach that requires all apps to be scrutinized by the company.

iPhone users are billed for paid apps through their iTunes account. It is not clear what kind of payment framework Android will use.

Mobile Manager for Netflix

Check out this info on Mobile Manager for Netflix from Windows Mobile Team Blog.

A few weeks ago at the Consumer Electronics Show(CES), Steve Ballmer talked about the Microsoft vision for connected experiences that extend across the three main screens people use every day. Specifically, PCs, mobile devices, and TVs. As part of that discussion Robbie Bach showed a demo of a Windows Mobile Netflix application that would allow users to update their movie queues from their phone. Well, as of today, the application is available for download (desktop/mobile) and in fact does more than just let you update your queue. The first official Netflix application for Windows Mobile phones, this app makes it simple to manage a Netflix experience from your mobile device. Leveraging the Netflix API, but with some exclusive extensions, I think Mobile Manager for Netflix is a great example of an on-device application that interfaces seamlessly with a web service.

I’ve been playing with the application for about a week now and I thought I’d highlight the two scenarios that impressed me the most. Let’s start with this past Sunday after the Super Bowl, when a new episode of The Office was aired. I’d seen a couple episodes of the show previously, but I honestly hadn’t ever followed it closely. After the first few minutes I came to the conclusion that it was definitely a show I’d like to see more of. Being lazy and full of Super Bowl snacks, I decided to give the Netflix application a try from the comfort of my couch rather then hike upstairs to my computer. The application started up with a simple login screen that accepted my regular Netflix credentials and once signed in it was easy to start a search

As you can see below, my search on “The Office” came back with 20 results and what I wanted was right at the top.As you can see below, my search on “The Office” came back with 20 results and what I wanted was right at the top.

Though you can add items to your queue using the Menu softkey, I clicked on “The Office: Season 1” to get more details. The details screen provided a lot of useful information, including a synopsis and the fact that The Office could be added to the Instant queue. As a huge fan of watching instant Netflix content through my Xbox, it was great to see that I wouldn’t have to wait for a DVD in the mail. Deciding to give it a try, I added the first couple seasons to my Instant queue and moved them to the top of my list.

From that point, it was just a matter of starting up my Xbox and navigating to the Netflix blade. Below you can see a picture of my Instant queue on the phone and on the Xbox. I personally really liked how easy it was to be watching TV, add something to my Instant queue from my phone, and then transition to watching it on my TV using my Xbox.

Moving on though, let’s take a look at the second scenario I encountered, which highlights one of the remaining features of this application. Even though I’ve seen it before, I recently found myself wanting to watch The Dark Knight again. Since I wasn’t in any particular hurry to watch it, I figured I’d add it to my regular Netflix DVD queue. Opening up the search screen, I again found what I wanted on the first try.

As you reach the bottom of the movie synopsis, you’ll see the one feature that really differentiates this application from any other Netflix application. Specifically, the ability to see a preview of the movie before you add it to your queue. Clicking on the See Preview button, a new window opens and buffers a video clip. I didn’t time it, but in a reasonable period of time I was able to watch the trailer for The Dark Knight right on my phone.

Even though I didn’t need the trailer to know I wanted to add this particular movie, it was still fun to be able to watch it from my phone. It played well and the feature will definitely be helpful in the future with films I’m not as familiar with. I know I went over things quickly, but hopefully this post has given you a good idea of what this app can do. If you’re a Netflix and Windows Mobile user, take some time and try it for yourself.

Microsoft to Open Mobile Phone Store & Expand Services

Microsoft is planning an ‘online bazaar’ and other new programs and services for mobile phones according to the Wall Street Journal.

The online bazaar would be for phones running Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Dual SIM cards phone explanation below, but first, take a look at this toy.... Kal prefers my old phones

Toddler toy mimics text messaging: LeapFrog unveiled a new smart phone toy called Text & Learn, allow small children to mimic their BlackBerry-addicted parents.

Text & Learn, which is scheduled to arrive in U.S. stores this summer, is modeled after a personal digital assistant and allows children to practice spelling and computer skills with games that emulate text messaging, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.

Some of you asked me about dual SIM cards phones and why I was so excited about them.

Based on your carrier and phone, you should be able to use your cell phone outside the US. For instance, in London, my ATT phone gets connected to local Voda phone network. So far, so good.

However, whenever I call a local number I am actually paying international charges. Same is in reverse; if I call my number from a local phone I would again, be paying international chargers.

So, with secondary SIM card, and that can be bought in most grocery stores, I receive a local number and can use secondary card to make and receive local calls.

Mobile Tracking with Latitude

New Google software to track mobile users and other wireless devices. The upgrade to Google mobile maps is allowing people to use their mobile devices to share their location with others.
The new featured named ‘Latitude’ expands on a tool allowing mobile phone users to check their location on a Google map.

The software plots a user's location -- marked by a personal picture on Google's map -- by relying on cell phone towers, global positioning systems or a Wi-Fi connection to deduce their location. The system can follow people's travels in the United States and 26 other countries.

Reuters reports Google’s ‘Latitude’ will work on Research In Motion Ltd's Blackberry and devices running on Symbian S60 devices or Microsoft Corp's Windows Mobile and some T-1 Mobile phones running on Google's Android software.

The software will eventually run on Apple's iPhone and iTouch and many Sony Ericsson devices.

Lets see if some of our old mobility clients could use something like this. Make note of devices and OSs it runs on.

SMS to Rail Police

In India, the railway police force is just an SMS away and the same approach would work in the United States.

We have technology in the US that would allow this. This is the same as texting a question to the call center and getting response back, as implemented and used by some of the internet retailers.

The Times of India reports anyone needing help during a train journey can send a SMS to a designated number and a government railway police constable will show up at their side!

The new system also will allow passengers inside trains and at railway stations to post complaints and request police assistance.

London Borough Uses SMS to Boost Immunizations

Southwark has employed text messaging to improve the uptake of childhood immunizations and to tackle measles outbreaks in local schools within the Borough 160characters.org reports.

The campaign is in response to an increase in the number of measles cases reported in Southwark over the last few months.

Every quarter, surgeries receive a list from the central system known as Open Exeter, which indicates all the children who are due their immunizations for the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab (MMR).

By running a search on their clinical system, practices were able to send out a text message to a group of selected patients, who were due their first MMR or booster MMR jab, advising them to call the surgery to make an appointment.