Get Answers via ChaCha; Live Search Mobile Update; Downloading Software

I’m surprised I haven’t yet mentioned ChaCha, a free, human-powered service that lets you ask any question and sends you an answer via text message. Also, this week we’ll note an update of Windows Live for Windows Mobile and discuss various opportunities for downloading software, including freeware, directly to your device.

Get Answers Via ChaCha

ChaCha is a quick way to do an Internet search — without having to search the Internet. A live human actually does it for you. It’s exclusively available to you via a cell phone. You either call 800-2ChaCha (800-224-2242) or send a text message to 242242 with your question, and one of ChaCha’s Guides does a quick search and within two minutes sends you a text message with the answer.

ChaCha works best with specific questions, such as, What is cytoplasm? What is the weather in Naples, Florida? What was last weekend’s Bengals game final score? Where is a great Italian restaurant in Manhattan? It has to be a question that can be answered within the 160-character limitation of a text message.

New Version of Windows Live Mobile

Speaking of searching for information via voice queries, keep in mind the nice voice feature of Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which I’ve covered in past columns. You can get local information simply by speaking your request.

You can use this software to sync your Live contacts with your contacts on your device, sync your Live e-mail (MSN, Hotmail), view graphics, links, and photos in e-mail messages, respond to e-mail with voice recordings, and upload photos to Windows Live Spaces.

To download the software, simply point your mobile browser at wl.windowsmobile.com.

Downloading Software

One of the nice things about converged devices is that it’s so convenient to download software such as Windows Live for Mobile and Google Maps directly to your device.

And in general, there are more and more vendors and portals that make software available in CAB form via a mobile site to make it easy to download it directly.

One of the first such was Freecabs.de, which continues to make available free software for Windows Mobile that you can download directly. Simply point your browser at www.freecabs.de. The site also has a range of other offerings, including themes and eBooks, mobile portals, mobile shops, and more.

In addition, Handster has a mobile site with commercial software available as CAB files. Point your browser at cab.handster.com. And Handango, a major vendor of commercial software for mobile devices, takes a different approach. Point your mobile browser at handango.com, and you’ll get a mobile page inviting you to download a free catalog that makes it easy to download games, ringtones, and software directly to your device.