The entry of Google in the mobile industry through open mobile platform Android and its supporters called Open Handset Alliance have the potential to alter the playing field and possibly change the way we use our mobile phones.

Although its competitors such as Nokia’s Symbian and Microsoft’s Windows Live downplay its impact, the excitement and anticipation of many mobile companies, analysts, and mobile apps developers continue to surge.

While there are indeed several advantages of using Android, mobile security provider SMobile Systems quickly cautioned that this open architecture combined with the popularity of Google will greatly increase the incidence of hacking, malwares, and other mobile viruses in the near future.

Using the Linux-based operating system gives many spammers and phishers the power to explore and exploit the loopholes in numerous third party software to create very formidable mobile viruses.

Today, security experts have identified more than 400 mobile viruses. Unlike before when these viruses are merely annoyances, new viruses are more lethal, undetectable, and cunningly created to deliver damaging effects to mobile consumers. For instance, the Bluetooth technology can now be manipulated to infect other wireless devices in the vicinity. In some cases, it can steal information and turn mobile phones to zombie dialers.

Ironically, the greatest weakness of Android lies in its greatest strength – easy Internet access and download of applications. An open platform opens the door to the community of hackers and the idea of bringing down a search engine giant is enough to inspire more dangerous mobile viruses.

None other than the infamous Robert Scoble Taptu after reviewing the search engine. Taptu was designed for doing mobile web searches on a mini-screen such as a mobile, phone or facebook profiles.

With just a few months after it was officially launched, Taptu promises to be not just another one of them mobile search engine. Since it is still in beta, Taptu currently works best with conducting fact-finding and music searches. Searching through the mobile search engine is as easy doing searches on a web search engine. But the big difference is, Taptu displays snippets or widgets of songs, video and web pages on its search results pages. This would save you a lot of time since you already which link would lead you to the right information that you are looking for. You can even click on a video or music link to watch the video or listen to mp3 tracks within Taptu’s search result pages. Again, another time-saving feature for its users.

Since Taptu employs some sort categorization scheme on its search results pages, mobile browsing has become an easy task at hand.This is a very useful application for a small screen and limited operating space of a mobile phone.

The search results page of Taptu is as as simple and as direct of a normal SERP of a web-based web based search engine. Since it would be operating on a mobile phone, Tapu engineers did not made it as elaborate and complicated as many other mobile phones today.

What you get from the SERP are straight forward links to relevant search results which you can access by simply clicking on the link.

Taptu is a young start-up which looks promising and useful even if it still on beta stage. But in due time, Taptu may get the attention that it needs.

What do you think will happen if two giants in the mobile industry combine their forces together? Well, it can result to either a revolutionary technology or a catastrophic flop.

World’s biggest handset manufacturer Nokia and the largest mobile operator in terms of revenue, Vodafone, have teamed up to create new handsets integrating Vodafone services with Ovi, Nokia’s range of Internet services such as N-Gage, Nokia Maps, and Nokia Music Store.

Both companies claim these new handsets will give the mobile consumers more choices in terms of content, communication, Internet services, and superior browsing capability on high speed 3G and 3G broadband networks. It is further emphasized that some handsets, of course the better ones, will be exclusive to Vodafone.

“Web2.0 is all about social networking and enabling people to connect with each other in new ways. Bringing location and context awareness to web2.0 services is the next stage in the web development and Nokia multimedia computers enable people to participate to their favorite internet services on-the-go,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Nokia Multimedia Anssi Vanjoki, in a press release.

In concept, both parties are winners in this tie-up. As a mobile carrier, Vodafone needs to offer new services constantly to please its target consumers. Why waste time brainstorming and developing new contents if you can partner with a very innovative company, right?

As for Nokia, this partnership allows the company access to large markets and numerous customers since Vodafone is one of the biggest in the world. No need to push extra effort on its business development side to get more customers.

Via paidContent:UK

Sony Ericsson has a new mobile baby that would certainly please the younger web-savvy mobile consumers, introducing the Sony Ericsson K660 mobile phone. Boosting of fast mobile connectivity with HSDPA technology, the K660 is a web optimized mobile beauty that was designed to bring SE fans a new mobile internet experience that is almost exactly as the way they would experience it on a desktop.

The main feature of the K660 is its web compatibility features. It will let you experience mobile internet the way you experience it on a regular desktop, minus the larger size of a PC’s LCD monitor.

Among its web features include an RSS widget that is always displayed on your desktop and which you can access with a short cut key. The K660 will also let you browse the mobile web in a landscape display mode for a better readability and high resolution display.

When browsing the web, the K660’s navigation key will serve as a mouse pointer that would allow you to navigate the mobile web page. It even indicates which part of the mobile web page is clickable and which part recognizes text input. You could also pan and zoom web pages when browsing in landscape mode.

Another main feature of the K660 is the embedded Google Maps for Mobile. This will let you find your way instantly with point-to-point directions just by inputting your location details.

Aside from the Google for Mobile Maps and Web features, the K660 is also loaded with high-end mobile phone features which SE phones are known for. The K660 is packed with a 2.0 megapixel camera, 262.144 color TFT display (with an effective resolution of 240X320 pixel), support for Memory Stick Micro and a built-in 32mb of internal memory and works with various mobile networks such as EDGE, GSM 850/900/1800/1900/HSDPA/UMTS2100.

To be released on the 1^st quarter of 2008, the K660 will be available in lime-on-white and wine-on-black color styles.

To meet the demands of small and medium-sized businesses that want reasonably priced wireless e-mails on their mobile phones, Blackberry maker Research in Motion has launched BlackBerry Professional Software

This new software is a streamlined version of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which is commonly used by government institutions and big companies. Designed for up to 30 users only, the cost is $500 for 5 users and $850 for 10 users. It’s a big savings compared to the Enterprise server which is $3,000 for just one user or $4,000 for 20 users.

The big benefits for many entrepreneurs of this new software include flexibility, improvement on communication and teamwork, increase in productivity, and low investment.

Main features are the following:

Mobile search technology gets a boost with Boopsie’s Smart Prefix Search Engine. With Boopsie’s search engine, you don’t have to type in the full text of your search to get relevant results. Just by typing the first few words of your search term, Boopsie’s search engine would be able to “find” relevant information that you maybe looking for.

The Smart Prefix somehow simulates the way mobile users compose SMS messages using shortened words or abbreviated ones. By recognizing the way text messages are written, Boopsie eliminates the hassles of typing in numerous character to form a word or phrases.

None other than Om Malik of GigaOm wrote something good about Boopsie earlier this year. But since its launch Boopsie never really gained some good ground despite its seemingly useful feature. It’s a pity since, mobile technology such as this is something that the mobile consumers would surely want to have on their mobile phone.

Boopsie Smart Prefix Search works fine with almost all types of mobile phones, including the iPhone. It loads fast on a Sony Ericsson P990i mobile phone through 3G connection. One note worthy feature of Boopsie is the fact that it doesn’t parse web channels by page. It works on a single mobile web page and this page is constantly updated while you are online.

Content providers love Boopsie’s reformatting of publisher’s content on the fly. It can also add time-saving and revenue generating shortcuts like Boopsie’s Click to Call, Show Map and Click to Buy features. Boopsie’s mobile web reformatting technology makes it easy for content providers to have their products or services up on the mobile web in a matter of an hour.

Boopsie is certainly one useful mobile search technology that should receive a much needed attention to increase its user base. The mere idea of time and cost saving benefit it would give to users certainly deserves a heads up.

Even before iPhone opens its doors to third party developers this coming February 2008, beverage brand Dr Pepper has eagerly joined the trend with the release of Matchcaps, the first-ever advergame designed specifically for the iPhone Safari browser.

Similar to the famous free online game Bejeweled, a player must swap adjacent pieces to match 3 or more caps to get higher score. What makes it different from other iPhone apps is it’s not affected by any iPhone software update. No need to download any software for it can simply be browsed at its official game site or Dr Pepper’s website.

Last September, Apple updated its iPhone software specifically to disable all unofficial mobile apps installed on this mobile gadget. Combined with its exclusive partnership with AT&T, sales restrictions and legal action against “unlocking”, Apple has infuriated numerous gadget geeks, consumer groups, and mobile app developers. Some analysts even say Apple is monopolistic and the enemy of consumer choice.

But last month, Apple sung a different tune by allowing third party apps developers to work directly on iPhone and even on iPod Touch. A Software Development Kit (SDK) will be deployed in February 2008 to kickoff the program.

“We are excited about creating a vibrant third-party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users,” Steve Jobs said in Apple’s Hot News.

While developing an SDK might be a simple task for company, Apple is allegedly taking precautionary measures to protect the subscribers against any virus or malware attacks.

Via MacMinute

Glofiish X600 is E-TEN’s latest mobile device in its stellar line up of pocket PC phone. The X600 boosts of a new level of convenience and affordability in a small sized pocket PC phone that measures only a mere 107 x 58 x 14.7 mm. But don’t underestimate the phone’s functionalities as it certainly doesn’t measure up to its power packed features.

The X600 could give you mobile connectivity power with its connectivity features such as:

• Windows MobileR 6 – the latest mobile platform that supports software applications that includes office productivity, dictionary and language utilities as well as travel, finance, games and many other mobile application features,

• GPS – the X600 provides easy and precise navigation whether on foot or in a vehicle with its SiRF Star III technology,

• Wi-FiR connectivity – lets you connect high-speed to your office or home network and in any other public wi-fi hotspots,

• BluetoothR 2.0 – allows you to connect wirelessly to a headset and other Bluetooth enabled accessories.

Aside from these connectivity features, the X600 is also a multifunctional mobile device that lets you do other things such as take photos with its built-in 2.0 megapixel camera that produces up to 1600 x 1200 resolution images. Images and photos can be displayed excellently on its 2.8” TFT LCD.

The X600 comes with a bult-in 128 MB flash ROM and 64 MB processor. For storage space, the mobile phone comes with a slot for additional microSD card. So you don’t have worry about storage space for your business and leisure files and documents.

To be released sometime in November, the X600 comes in stylish metallic black and red design. But since the device belongs to the pocket PC phone line of product, it will not by no means functions as a multimedia player. Would have been better if it actually has some multimedia features as well. But nonetheless, E-TEN X600 looks promisingand could very well make some headway once it becomes available.

Top U.S. data, voice and video service provider Qwest has added OneFlex Hosted VoIP to the services it offers to small businesses U.S.-wide. With the aim of helping its small business customers to increase productivity and performance, Qwest has combined the simplicity and functionality of a your regular landline phone with the flexibility of the internet.

There are several reasons why you would want to get Qwest’s OneFlex Hosted VoIP for your business. For one, Qwest has been known for its expertise and high quality of service backed by high-quality connection, fast speed and up-to-date voice and messaging features and functions. The new hosted VoIP service frees the customers of the worries of installing both hardware and software at home. With OneFlex Hosted VoIP, Qwest hosts the voice server and messaging offsite but at the same time providing its customers with continous high speed internet connections.

Qwest’s OneFlex Hosted VoIP can be availed in two basic packages, the Office Package and the Enhanced Office Package. OneFlex Office Package has the following key features:

• unlimited local and 8xx outbound calling,
• unlimited on-net calling,
• personal online dashboard with call logs, contact manager, click-to-call, and click-for-voice mail,
• voice mail with e-features, indicator and one-push button,
• office administrator account profile,
• distinctive ring

and a many more features and functionalities.

The OneFlex Enhanced Office Package on the other hand, has all the features and functionalities of the Office Package plus additional features, Microsoft Outlook integration, unified messaging and remote calling.

Small businesses wanting to minimize its operational cost without sacrificing productivity and performance could benefit well with OneFlex Hosted VoIP. It’s a great service from Qwest which would integrate small business’ phone and internet system, give ease of hardward system needs and provide more control on the telecommunications systems of small businesses through an easy-to-use web interface.

There’s no doubt iPhone is one of the coolest mobile phones every created in this universe. What many iPhone users don’t find cool is its outrageous bills for checking emails and net surfing while outside the U.S. In fact some owners were billed $3,000 just for these services.

To pacify these disgruntled customers, AT&T has announced 2 flat-rate international data plans applicable in 29 countries including Mexico, Canada, China, and selected areas in Europe and Asia.

The least expensive international data plan costs $25 per month, which allows users 20 MB of data monthly to check websites, emails, and other info in the countries included. If the country you’re visiting is not included in the list, the rate for data usage is $.0195/KB and excess usage is charged with $.005/KB.

For frequentl travelers, there’s another plan worth $60 per month, which is equivalent to 50 MB of data each month. If the country is not included, the data usage rate is $.010/KB while excess usage is charged with $.005/KB.

Unfortunately, AT&T has emphasized this option is not a standalone offer. Customers must have domestic voice and data plan for the iPhone. It also warns customers to check the options prior to travel, so customers won’t get any heart attack when the next phone bill arrives.

Still, the rates are not very competitive compared to other services. A better alternative is to buy a cheap or disposable phone to use in that country. Alas, you just can’t buy any SIM card because iPhone can’t be legally unlocked.

Via GigaOM