Mobile Tech News -- AIM for Windows Mobile, Google's My Location for Centro , and PocketMac MacThemes

AOL Instant Messenger for Windows Mobile Updated

America Online has released a new beta version of its client application to allow Windows Mobile devices to connect to its instant messaging service. The goal of this is to give mobile users a client that's as close to the desktop one as possible, including the ability to manage Buddy Lists.

This software supports Windows Mobile 5 and 6, including both Standard and Professional (touchscreen and non-touchscreen) versions.

To download this beta version of AIM for free, visit AOL's website.

Google Maps with My Location Available for Palm Centro

Palm and Google have released a version of the Google Maps application featuring the highly touted My Location feature. This is a GPS-like feature that uses cell phone triangulation in order to help Google Maps determine an approximate location for the Centro.

Google Maps Mobile also offers real-time traffic information, satellite and maps views, integrated search results, and integration into the Contacts application to get directions to/from contacts.

Google Maps Mobile for the Palm Centro is a free application and can be downloaded via the Google Maps Mobile website (www.google.com/gmm).

PocketMac MacThemes Turns a BlackBerry into a Mini Mac 

BlackBerry users who want a Mac-like experience on their smartphone don't have to turn to the iPhone. Information Appliance Associates has released PocketMac MacThemes for BlackBerry, the first tool to transform the look and feel of a BlackBerry into a miniature Macintosh. It replaces the standard icons and images of the BlackBerry with those of original, yet very familiar Mac-like icons, complete with familiar colors and backgrounds.

This application works with the BlackBerry 7100, 7200, 8100 (Pearl), 8300, 8800, 8700 and 8703e. Support for the BlackBerry Bold is coming soon. It works on OS 10.4.x and 10.5.x (Tiger and Leopard).

PocketMac MacThemes for BlackBerry retails for $9.95. More information can
be found at www.pocketmac.net.