Come later this year, RIM will offer a new application software that will provide users of select devices based on Windows Mobile 6 with a virtual BlackBerry application experience.

That means support for BlackBerry email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.

The extension of BlackBerry applications to a broader range of devices should spell good news for both the CrackBerries and BlackBerry enthusiasts who are still thinking if they should get their hands on one.

Key benefits of running the new BlackBerry application suite on a Windows Mobile-based device will include:

• The added benefit of BlackBerry applications, with a consistent user interface and messaging experience.
• BlackBerry “push” technology – messages and information updates can be delivered automatically to the Windows Mobile-based device
• Support for BlackBerry® Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS) allowing organizations to develop their own BlackBerry applications or deploy third-party BlackBerry applications that can run on Windows Mobile-based devices as well as BlackBerry smartphones.
• Support for various input methods, including QWERTY keyboards, 5-way navigation, touch screen and stylus operation.
• Support on BlackBerry® Internet Service, which provides push-based email from up to 10 supported email accounts (including most popular ISP accounts), attachment viewing and web browsing with optimized wireless efficiency.
• Support on BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, which tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM® Lotus® Domino® or Novell® GroupWise® to provide synchronized, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data with the industry’s most advanced security features, over-the-air IT policy enforcement capabilities and optimized wireless efficiency.

Palm/Treo fanatics rejoice! Next week on January 5, 2006; the world will see the very first Windows Mobile-based smartphone from Palm, and that is the Treo 700w!

Pricing? From Verizon Wireless: 1-year contract – $549.99, 2-years contract – $499.99, no contract – $619.99.

This compact smartphone comes with a host of features:

• Runs on Windows Mobile 5.0
• 240×240 TFT touch-screen
• Back-lit QWERTY keyboard
• 1.3-megapixel camera
• EV-DO support for fast internet access
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 10
• Microsoft Pocket Excel
• Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Pocket Outlook
• Microsoft Pocket Word
• Wireless sync
• Built-in Bluetooth
• 128MB Flash/60MB RAM
• Up to 280 minutes of talk-time
• Up to 360 hours of standby-time
• 2.30(H) x 4.40(W) x 0.90(D) inches (58.4 x 111.8 x 22.9mm)
• Weighs 170g

As we can see the phone lacks WiFi; perhaps EV-DO is the saving grace. Its 240×240 display could have been better as well. We shall see how well it scores when reviews start sprouting.

If you prefer Palm OS to Windows Mobile, then the Treo 650 is what you should stick to. Find one now on eBay.

[via Gizmodo, HowardForums]

Windows Mobile 5.0 is cool and all, but there are times when you need to run that oddball desktop app and using a laptop just isn’t an option (for example standing on a train). The people at DualCor Technologies sure finds this a problem, and so come March 2006 they will be bringing us the DualCor cPC. Combining Windows XP and Windows Mobile 5.0, the 6.5×3.3×1.2-inch cPC is set to be the best business companion for the frequent travellers.

The PC component of the cPC runs on Windows XP Tablet Edition, featuring a 1.5GHz Via C7-M processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, and a 3 to 4 hours battery life – which is pretty impressive! Basically, you can run any applications that you normally could on a regular Windows XP. As for the smartphone component, it runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition, sporting a PXA communications processor from Intel, 128MB of DRAM, 1GB of flash memory, and a 8 to 12 hours battery life.

Other features of the cPC is in no way lacking as well. Its display is a 5-inch 800×480 pixels LCD that provides a brightness level of 200 NITS, which DualCor claims to be brighter than most smartphone screens. It also features a 40GB hard drive, CF II external memory support, and external monitor support to transform it into a regular PC.

We won’t have to wait till March to catch a glimpse of the DualCor cPC, as it is expected to be shown off at the Computer Electronics Show next month. And we’re expected to see a price tag of $1,500 when it officially launches.

If DualCor cPC’s too pricey, you could try getting a OQO Model 01 on eBay! It’s an ultraportable Windows XP as well, minus the smartphone.

[via Engadget]