Mobile Tech News -- HTC TyTN II Upgrade, PocketBible Update, Palm Virtual Lab, and More

Windows Mobile 6.1 Now Available for HTC TyTN II

The HTC TyTN II (AT&T users know this model as the Tilt) has recently received an official update to Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro. Besides updates in stability, performance, and Internet Explorer Mobile, this update also adds HTC's display performance update which addresses an issue that some users have had with the touchscreen's performance.

While this update is official for the HTC TyTN II model, AT&T Tilt owners should wait until the AT&T branded update becomes official before updating their devices.

To download the update, visit the HTC website and look on the member services page.

PocketBible 4 Released

Laridian has released a comprehensive update to its PocketBible Bible reader application for Windows Mobile Standard and Professional devices. PocketBible 4 introduces several improvements in performance and user interface, and a host of new features.

Some of these new features include:

• View a verse in all Bibles for parallel studies
• Save last 20 searches 
• Customizable toolbars with save and restore option
• Synchronize Notes, Bookmarks, and Highlights with PocketBible for Windows (sold separately)
• and more.

PocketBible 4 is available as a standalone application, and in several bundles which include varying levels of additional content such as commentaries, dictionaries, and several Bible versions.

For a limited time, PocketBible 3 owners can upgrade to PocketBible 4 for only $7. For more information and to download for Windows Mobile devices with or without a touchscreen, visit the Laridian PocketBible 4 website.

Device Anywhere Opens Palm Virtual Lab

Device Anywhere has made it easier for developers to investigate whether software works across Palm devices and implementations with its new Palm Virtual Lab.

Essentially a virtual device emulator, the Palm Virtual Lab looks to decrease time to market and enhance developer resources by providing a place to test and observe Palm OS applications on a variety of Palm Treo and Centro devices.

Device Anywhere is a browser-based solution. In addition to testing and viewing applications, developers and testers can collaborate over the Device Anywhere interface for feedback and testing purposes.

For more information and to sign up for free, visit the Palm Virtual Lab webpage at Device Anywhere.

eReader Beta for Symbian S60 Released

eReader is popular on several mobile platforms because of the wealth of ebooks that are available for this application. There is now a version for users of Symbian S60 devices such as the Nokia N95 and N81 models. This beta is a Symbian Signed application, meaning that it meets quality standards set forth in the operating system guidelines.

This version of eReader is equivalent to the eReader Pro versions for other mobile platforms. It includes features such as auto-scrolling, theming, and additional personalization features, in addition to being able to read both free and purchased ebooks from the eReader/Fictionwise library.

To download eReader Beta for Symbian S60, or for other mobile device platforms, visit the eReader download website.

OpenMoko Changes UI and Application Framework to Qtopia

OpenMoko has been pushing forward in developing its Linux-driven handset. However, much of its effort has been spent creating the user interface (UI) and application framework using the GTK+ toolset. A recent announcement on the OpenMoko software blog has indicated that OpenMoko has shifted to using Trolltech's Qtopia UI and framework.

Qtopia has been in development for some time and most recently has updated its tools framework to version 4.4. Featuring an HTML widget engine (based on the WebKit browser engine) and support for Windows CE and Windows Mobile, Qtopia enables faster time to market for applications, and even the ability to develop applications that can be run across several operating systems.

What this means for OpenMoko is that its device will be easier to develop for, as it will instantly gain developers from the Windows CE and Windows Mobile side who will have to do little to modify their applications. The former framework, GTK+, is still supported, offering developers even more options towards extending the OpenMoko application base.

The consumer model of OpenMoko's efforts, Freerunner,  is slated to begin product in June with availability soon thereafter.