A built-in language translator is something I've always thought would be a useful add-on to Windows Mobile. I mean what better way to "integrate" and unify your user base than to provide a simple, effective ability to translate mobile content into multiple languages on the fly? It would tear down a significant barrier to global information sharing for sure.

"A new version of the award-winning handwriting recognition software for Windows Mobile features improved performance and compatibility.

I don't usually write game reviews, as I'd rather play them than write about them. I have also thus far resisted the urge to write about or buy an iPhone. When I caught a video of this game on YouTube (running on an iPhone), I did a double-take. The player was controlling it by tilting the phone around, which is so friggin cool, it hurts! Since I don't own an iPhone, I had to figure out a way I could get a look at it up close without, ahem, completely going over to the dark side (at least not yet).

"Sunnysoft upgrades its Windows Mobile contacts manager Sunnysoft Contacts to version 1.5! Some new features include...

"Papyrus 2 brings many exciting new features, including: Search View for PIM item searching; Advanced filters management; Automatic attendees notifications, Popup selection effect for optimized display and much more! Papyrus 2 back-end engine was re-designing from the beginning and delivers the fastest experience for the pro user!"

Photo from ZDNet

"...we have decided to temporarily offer you our individual software products at a reduced amount of 20% off retail. Don't miss this opportunity to secure your device at a discount!"

"July 30, 2008 – VITO Technology is proud to present Task2Gather - a brand-new free service for online task management. Task2Gather is one place for all your tasks and projects: family, social, business, and private. Task2Gather lets you put your tasks online and invite family members, colleagues, or clients to participate and achieve common goals."

I've reviewed a number of new software input methods this year for Windows Mobile touchscreen devices. They have all generally used the standard qwerty layout that would be found on a hardware keyboard. Fitaly throws you for a loop because it uses a non-querty layout, and incidently the name is derived from the arrangement of letters on the keyboard (just like querty).  The fitaly layout was designed in the nineties for pencomputers, when Jean Ichbiah thought that writing with a stylus required a different type of keyboard.

"It's been awhile since we released our last new title, but for a very good reason. Our latest title, Jaybot's Catchy Cadence is an amazing game, and it's now ready to play!"

"The efficiency of the Fitaly on-screen keyboard lies in its layout and its enhanced features. Most people think 10 fingers are necessary to do extensive texting. Fitaly allows 10-finger speed with a single pointer. As one user puts it: “Simply nothing better. I’ve tried many different input programs and fitaly stands out well above the rest."

I reviewed eWallet 6.0 here some time back, and this incremental update adds some useful tweaks and is free for existing users of 6.0 (discounted rate for older versions), so go grab it. If you are a relative noob to mobile gadgets, and have your passwords just sitting in an un-encrypted file on your handheld, you might want to go here and see how eWallet might help.

"July 14, 2008 - VITO Technology releases iWindowsMobile Communication Suite v 1.05. The Suite contains #1 finger-friendly contact manager FunContact, unique texting application SMS-Chat, zooming onscreen keyboard ZoomBoard, and now outstanding mobile shell Winterface instead of GoodWin! The price is $39.95, not  $70 when purchasing separately."

"July 7, 2008 - VITO Technology releases Winterface - a major breakthrough in the world of Windows Mobile. Winterface is the Next Generation Shell for Windows Mobile comprising the options of a launcher, a task manager, and a multitude of Today plug-ins. Winterface gives the user unprecedented freedom to easily lay out the interface exactly the way they like it."

Many a Windows Mobile power user (including me) will insist all kinds of wild stuff about how you can replace your laptop with the built-in programs in Windows Mobile. The sad truth is, well, NOT! For one, the fancy formatting in your desktop documents may not translate well to your device when opened in the built-in pocket office apps. You need something with seriously more power and features on the device-side. SoftMaker has the answer with it's most excellent Office suite.

"June 27, 2008 - VITO Technology releases a new version of FunContact - the best selling contact manager that provides the most exciting and convenient contact management on Windows Mobile touch screen devices. You can do everything with a flick of a finger! ...features a new black skin like in the recently released ZoomBoard and SMS-Chat, and also joystick support. The black skin fits the brand-new Windows Mobile devices perfectly hitting the market like HTC Diamond, TyTN II, Touch Pro and all other devices from Touch series "

"After more waiting, more work, and more fighting with Ninjas, we've finally released 5 more of our fantastic titles for Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphones and Windows Mobile 6 Standard devices!"

The following games are now available to play:

Arvale: Journey of Illusion

Arvale II: Ocean of Time

Arvale: Short Tales

Bowling for Burgers

GameBox Gems

They have also updated Plumbing Frenzy and Anthelion 2 to work in landscape mode, and added some features. Go check out all these great titles here...

"Fingertouch PRO, is the new version release, of the successful software keyboard from Teksoft. We've put a lot of effort into this product, to make it the best on the market. This upgrade comes with powerful features, designed to ease the text input on your Pocket PC."

Here are some of the new version's features:

"PHOENIX, Arizona. June 25, 2008—4SmartPhone, enabling owners of every smartphone the ability to seamlessly connect to and synch over-the-air their email, contacts and calendar through its Hosted Exchange 2007 service, announced today that it will support iPhone customers with a new site “4iphone.net”.  Last week, Apple announced that first generation iPhone devices with the 2.0 firmware upgrade as well as the upcoming iPhone 3G will support Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync beginning July 11th."

Well, this month's topic is a little easier to summarize, because our new blog content management system allows a method for creating/linking new categories. Click here to go to only the posts for this month's round-up about our favorite games. The experts that participated (and their picks) are briefly listed below. I trust the winners have received their licenses, etc., and if not, please feel free to comment here, and I'll make sure you get them.