Multimedia

SPB TV is a real winner (get it here), and is fast becoming one of my all-time favorite apps on either iPhone or Windows Mobile (see my early WM review here). Now at version 2.0, the channel list has really grown, and I love watching old forgotten SF movies on one of the many free classic channels available.

Windows Mobile 6.5.3 is now starting to arrive, with the release of two new phones. This week I want to point you to information about these new devices, but will first note some good how-to information about converting videos for your Windows Phone as well as watching Amazon Unbox movies on your device.

“St. Petersburg, July 30^th, 2009 – SPB Software, a top mobile usability expert and mobile applications developer, releases SPB Radio – a high-quality Internet radio player for Windows Phones, which gives subscription-free access to an unlimited number of live streaming radio stations from all over the world.

This past week brought some welcome news about Microsoft’s forthcoming software store for Mobile Devices. This week we’ll also note two great freeware applications, a media player and an RSS reader. And I'll point you to an application that lets you use your device as a web cam.

Skype has released the Windows Mobile v3 of its popular VOIP software. Download it  from their site - http://www.skype.com/go/downloading-winmobile - or grab the CAB file directly to your device - http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-winmobile-cab (don't forget to make the CAB file 'read-only'.

Amazing how we’ve come to expect so much more from our phones now, including streaming video. TheChanner is a free app that gives you access to over 300 streaming TV channels. This week we’ll also note a freebie that gives you an iPhone-like unlock screen, a review of the Celio Redfly (which turns your phone into a laptop), and an early review of the Omnia II.

I’ve frequently posted reviews (last one HERE; if it doesn’t work, try THIS instead) of the ever-evolving of WinMobile Download Accelerator (wmDA) by Adisasta, an application greatly helping in downloading files off the Web.

It was two and a half years ago that I’ve reviewed the initial version of LivePVR.

Spb TV is a recently released application by Spb Software--a well-done IPTV viewer for tuning in publicly available worldwide channels. This app will work for the global traveler on the go, looking for a quick fix of TV news, sports, and variety shows, but will be a bit of a letdown for anyone thinking to replace a real TV service.

Install and Setup

"Las Vegas, March 31st, 2009 - Today at CTIA Wireless, Spb Software - a leading maker of mobile applications, announces the release of Spb TV - a practical mobile TV player with patent-pending on-screen controls and fast channel switching technology, use of intelligent stream correction, picture-in-picture mode, and an integrated TV guide with export of show reminders into Outlook.

Verizon’s Samsung Saga, at $200, looks like a solid low-end device. This week we’ll note a review of this device and of the HTC Touch Pro, as well as a hands-on with the new Pharos Traveler 137. I also want to highlight an in-depth review of the TouchFlo 3D interface on HTC Touch devices and the latest offering from Didiom, a music streaming service with over 1 million songs.

As we've noted before, Google's Android isn’t related to Windows Mobile, but we cover it here because it’s one more indication of the trend toward Internet-centric touch devices. Plus this week we’ll note new mobile video sharing sites that even let you stream live video from your device.

I've just added the just-released Kinoma Play 1.0 and Spb Online 1.0 to the chart of Sneak peek: the Main Chart of my forthcoming Multimedia Audio Streaming Bible!

The Spb folks have just released their online portal, Spb Online. Three other reviews have already been published (some hours ago) on it. Therefore, I've paid special attention to elaborating on issues not discussed in the other reviews, particularly when it comes to comparing Spb Online to the competing alternatives – after all, I've published several articles on several areas Spb Online implemented: radio and TV streaming, podcasting and multiplayer games.

See THIS for more info.