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Remember the rather boring (and blurry) pictures of Verizon's new LG "Chocolate Touch" VX8575 we showed you a few weeks ago?  More pictures were leaked today, and much to our chagrin, it's beginning to look more and more like Verizon is moving away from the BL40's new and improved design in favor of this.  According to PhoneArena, two initial VX8575 prototypes were created - one that looked similar to the BL40, and the one you see above - and focus groups preferred the design of the latter.

Music seems to be the centerpiece of the Chocolate Touch, but with a 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, HTML browser, and a WVGA TFT display, it's poised to be a decent mid-tier device when it launches later this year.  Sporting a dedicated Bing shortcut, the Chocolate Touch continues the latest Verizon trend of categorizing EVDO coverage as "3G" instead of "EV" - reportedly due to customer confusion surrounding the "EV" moniker.

As a side note, are the asymmetrical keys driving anyone else nuts?

Source: PhoneArena

The good news?  After several weeks of speculation and Twitter rumors, AT&T is quietly rolling out its 3G MicroCell.  The bad news?  As of right now, it's part of a public trial that's only available in Charlotte (with more markets on the way by the end of the year).  For $150, those in the Charlotte metro area can pick up the device, which is said to enhance voice and (3G) data coverage for up to 5,000 square feet.  Three unlimited minute plans are available for use with the device: unlimited MicroCell calling for free if you subscribe to AT&T's home phone and internet services, $9.99 per month if you have one of the aforementioned two AT&T services, and $19.99 if wireless is your only AT&T-branded service.

AT&T becomes the forth (and final) nationwide carrier to implement some sort of signal-enhancing solution. As a comparison, here's what the other carriers offer:

• Verizon Wireless: Once you purchase the unit ($250), there are no additional charges.  Their device isn't 3G, however, and there is no unlimited option.
• Sprint: In addition to the $99.99 charge for the device, the Airave costs a mandatory $4.99 per month, but is often waived in the instance of a customer complaining of poor service.  The unlimited calling option starts at $10, but is optional.
• T-Mobile: The carrier's Hotspot @ Home service costs $9.99 per month for unlimited calling via Wi-Fi (compatible phone required).

Personally, I'm considering picking one up for testing, as I happen to be 1.6 miles outside of Charlotte's 3G coverage area and drop calls on a fairly regular basis.  But I'm torn.  I'm not really sure how I feel about dropping $150 to boost coverage that AT&T can't provide for me.  On one hand, yes, the fine print does say that coverage isn't guaranteed everywhere.  On the other hand, shouldn't the carriers be offering this solution free of charge as a retentions tool?  What do you think?

Source: Engadget Mobile

Lars Aronsson of GeekedOut.se has put together one of the most comprehensive guides to Windows Mobile available on the web.  There is so much information we decided to break it down for our readers in numerous blog post.  The first part covered Tweaks, Tips, and Optimization for Windows Mobile.  Part 2 highlights essential software.  (KEY NOTE: The information provided by this guest editor was not produced by PhoneDog.  Take all normal precautions when dealing with downloads and use at your own risk.)

Essential WinMo Software

Internet & GPS

• Opera Mini - The meanest, leanest and quickest browser available! My personal choice. Yes, it lacks some of the more advanced features (like tabs) of its big brother Opera. But both Mr Mini's interface and the speed at which it displays websites are surprisingly rapid. And if you still have to pay rather hefty fees for data traffic, this is the browser to use, since all pages are sent to a server in Oslo where they get compressed before being directed to your phone. This both makes it faster, and saves some of your hard earned (?) money. So Opera Mini rocks, right? But you probably get these annoying pop-ups since it's a Java application. Here's how to get rid of them by signing the software.
• Opera - Needs no introduction, one of the most popular web browsers for WinMo.
• Iris Browser - Torch Mobile's browser is actually quite good, especially now when it's no longer in beta.
• Fennec - Fennec is Mozilla's mobile version of their web browser Firefox, and has recently been released in alpha form. I have high hopes for this browser.
• Skyfire - This hyped browser didn't quite live up to its expectations of bringing "The PC web, real fast" to your phone. Still worth checking out. A demo of Skyfire running on the X1 is available.
• Spb Online - An Internet application from the Russian Windows Mobile software giant. You can play online games, read news, get weather reports, listen to Internet radio and watch mobile tv.
• Google YouTube - This is Google's YouTube client. May come in handy for those who don't already have the YouTube app by HTC. Google's version is downloaded by visiting m.google.com/youtube with your phone's browser, but the application isn't available in all countries yet, so I provide a direct download here just in case.
• Twikini - If you like Twitter and want to use it on your phone, Twikini is an excellent choice.
• Facebook - Microsoft's own Facebook application.

Instant Messengers

• Fringe - An excellent chat client. Supports a wide range of social networks such as Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM. And it's all free for your communication pleasure.
• Slick - Supports the most common protocols. Has been in beta for two years (!), though still fully functional.
• Skype - The one and only, for your WM device.
• Beejive IM - Beejive IM is in permanent beta, but it's free and works just fine.

GPS

• iGO My Way 8 - I'm very impressed by this navigation software. It's really fast, provides excellent directions, has many useful features and as a bonus: it looks great and even has 3D navigation. Has saved my (lost) behind at least once.
• Google Maps - But of course.
• TomTom - Another popular GPS navigation system.
• CoPilot - Dito.
• Run.GPS Trainer UV - This app lets you use your phone's GPS as tool for keeping track of your workouts.
• SportyPal - This is also a GPS-based fitness application - and it's free!
• MASPWare GPSMeter - Allows you to utilize the GPS for way more than just navigation; turn your phone into a high precision metering machine.

Multimedia

• Resco Photo Viewer - A competent photo viewer with lots of options and features.
• S2V - This Chinese gentleman got his coding straight! S2V is by far my favorite image viewer for Windows Mobile. It has a clean and simple touch interface, nice graphical effects - and it's freeware.
• Pocket Artist - Probably the best image editing software for WinMo.
• Flip It! - A doodling animation tool, which allows you to create your own little animated movies. Great to make time go by faster when you're on the road, you can have lots of fun with Flip It!
• CorePlayer - This movie player (with a built-in YouTube client) is just so good that I see no reason to even list another one. Plays all my DIV-X movies straight up with no lag.
• Pocket Player - This equivalent of CorePlayer, but for the music on your device. In a league of its own, in my opinion.
• LCG Jukebox - Another MP3 player.
• S2P - a free player by A_C.

Utilities

• SynchroTime - Synchronizes your phone's clock and date to an Internet time server, quite practical.
• PHM Reset - This tool is simple and it only does one thing: softreset your phone. But it does it well. Might come in handy, especially if you mess around with your phone a lot like I do.
• Evernote - A note and reminder tool. "Allows you to easily capture information in any environment..."
• Spb Time - Since Microsoft chose not to include a timer and a stopwatch in WinMo, this is a good way to get it.
• G-Watch - Just as good as Spb Time, and perhaps better still - since it's free.
• Spb Wireless Monitor - This nice little utility keeps full track of all your data traffic.
• Resco Audio Recorder - I often record song ideas on my phone, and this is what I use.
• Voice Command - Allows you to control your phone with your voice.
• CapSure - A basic but functional screen capture utility.
• hTorch - Lets you use the camera LED as a flashlight.
• Head over to the XDA Classics! section for more useful utilities.

System Tools/Today Plug-ins

• Spb Keyboard - A better alternative to Windows Mobile's built-in on-screen keyboard.
• FingerKeyboard 2.1 - Another on-screen full QWERTY keyboard, even better and free of charge this time.
• SPB Mobile Shell - This is just what it sounds like: a shell for your WinMo device. I used this for quite some time before I finally settled for TouchFlo 3D. However, when version 3 arrives, I will probably go back, since it's looking mighty promising. More info at the user-interfaces section.
• AE Button Plus - Extends the functionality of your device's hardware keys.
• Spb Pocket Plus - If you don't have Pocket Plus already, you should check it out. I can't do without it. I especially enjoy the File Explorer enhancements (ZIP, encryption, properties etc), the smart scrolling and improved key-mapping.
• Spb Phone Suite - Another excellent tool from Spb Software. It brings features such as profiles, photo speed dial and call filtering.
• Total Commander - A great, classic file manager. Very common and pretty much standard, albeit some might feel that the interface is slightly user-hostile.
• Resco Explorer - Resco is indeed a solid developer of Windows Mobile software, and this is one of the applications I just can't do without. A great file manager, and it has excellent add-ons such as a registry editor, FTP browser and ZIP handler.
• Resco Contacts Manager - This tool was released just a couple of weeks ago, but it's good. If you don't have Touchflo 3D running and HTC's contact manager, I suggest you give this a try.
• S2U2 - A popular lock/unlock application and screensaver
• mToday - Lets you easily switch between two different Today screens.
• Click here for some terrific tweaking tools, and here to go to the user-interfaces section which lists a lot of Today plug-ins.

Backup Tools

• Spb Backup - Some say that this backup tool isn't as thorough as Sprite Backup below, but I've had no problems with it and I've used it plenty. It will probably tend to most of your backup needs.
• Sprite Backup - Another excellent and well-liked backup solution. Also recommended.
• Sprite Terminator - This might be listed under the wrong category, since it doesn't do backups. But it does deal with lost data. If your device gets stolen, you can use its GPS to see exactly where its located (renegade vigilante, anyone?) and remotely lock or wipe out your phone's data. Sounds a bit CIA, no?
• PIM Backup - A free tool for making backups of the personal information on your device; such as contacts, messages and appointments.
• My Phone - An online backup and synchronization solution from Microsoft. Still in beta, but it's easy to sign up. Recommended.

Misc.

• Art of Positions - You might find this inspirational, depending on your previous experience and profusion of ideas...
• Guesser - A fun Randomizer.

We knew it was coming and thanks to the title, we knew it was ear-related, but has Sony Ericsson’s new product announcement put our ears in control?  Well, possibly, but it’s perhaps not as exciting as a new phone would have been!  The product in question are the MH907 Motion Activated Earphones, which are about as exciting as earphones get.

The phones are a continuation of Sony Ericsson’s ‘SensMe’ philosophy - adding a personal touch to control systems - where in this case, by inserting both earphones, your mobile phone’s music player automatically starts playing and then when you want to pause, just remove a single bud.  If you get a call, just put one earphone in to answer the call and then remove it again to end it!  It’s a great idea, but don’t expect to grab a pair and use them if you don’t own a Sony Ericsson phone, as they utilise the Fast Port connection found on the vast majority of SE handsets.

So, no more fiddly buttons on the headphone cord and no more digging your phone out of your pocket to select the music player.  If you want to see them in action, follow the link to Sony Ericsson’s dedicated mini-site, where a frankly terrifying short film awaits.  If that’s what a tube journey will be like when wearing the MH907 earphones, we’ll settle for a discarded newspaper!  Available in yellow/white or Titan Chrome, the MH907’s will be on sale this week.

Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.