Bing Mobile, Google Maps for Mobile, Omnia Pro, iPAQ Glisten

I like Microsoft’s Bing search engine, so it’s great to see them continuing to develop it for the mobile space. This week we’ll note a new version of Bing for Windows Mobile, as well as a new version of Google Maps for Mobile. Also, I’ll point you to reviews of the new AT&T iPAQ Glisten and Omnia Pro phones.

Bing for Windows Mobile

Last week Microsoft released a new version of their Bing application for Windows Mobile. According to the discussion online, this latest version seems to only be for Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. You can point your mobile browser at m.bing.com to automatically download the version appropriate to your device.

According to Microsoft’s announcement last week, the new version improves the voice search capability and includes an improved auto-locate feature for use with maps, driving directions, and traffic info. The application also makes it easy to find local information and to get quick answers. Not everyone is pleased with the changes, including Todd Ogasawara.

This page on Microsoft’s website explains more about Bing Mobile’s features. And PocketNow has some screen shots. You can also access Bing Mobile via your browser by going to m.bing.com.

Google Maps 3.3

Also recently released was Google Maps for Mobile 3.3. The main new feature is that if you have put stars on the maps to indicate your favorite places, and also use this feature on the desktop version, these can now be kept in sync.

You can read more on the Google website. To download, point your mobile browser at m.google.com/maps.

iPAQ Glisten from AT&T

As we noted last week, AT&T's iPAQ Glisten won’t be available in stores but must be purchased online. It’s available for $179, or $379 without a contract. It has a Blackberry-style form factor, with a front-facing qwerty keypad, and a touch screen. It has aGPS and a 3.1-megapixel camera for photos and video.

As usual, PocketNow gives it the full treatment, with an unboxing video, a hardware tour video (including using the D-Pad), and a software tour video. MobilitySite has also posted an unboxing and hardware tour video.

Samsung Omni II from Verizon

We’ve been covering the Samsung Omnia II, which has an iPhone-like form factor and 3.7-inch touch screen. PocketNow has posted a quick look video of the version from Verizon. It has an iPhone-like form factor with a 3.7-inch touch screen and uses Samsung’s TouchWiz interface.

Samsung Omnia Pro B7610 Released

Last week one of the biggest bits of news was the release of the Samsung Omnia Pro B7610. Like the wildly popular HTC Touch Pro2, this device has a touch screen and a slideout qwerty keyboard. Unlike that device, you can’t tilt the screen on the Omnia Pro.

It has a 3.5-inch touchscreen that uses AMOLED technology, which is top-of-the-line quality. PocketNow says that the keys on the keyboard are larger than on the Touch Pro2

It gets the usual treatment from PocketNow, with an unboxing video, a hardware tour video, a programs tour video (including the media player), and a home screen interface video that covers the two unique interfaces, including the widget-based TouchWiz.

Unfortunately, the bands on this device don’t yet include the necessary one for U.S. 3G broadband Internet.