The Global Mobile Awards jury decided: the phone of 2009 is smartphone HTC Hero. On the nominations list was found in May 9700 Blackberry Bold, Samsung Omnia HD, Samsung S5230 Star and Huawei U8220 (T-Mobile Pulse).

What can we say, we are happy that HTC Hero was elected, even if Omnia HD was preferred by most of us. Taiwanese smartphone is really valued and dignified facilities, despite some shortcomings such as inability to transfer files via Bluetooth or lack of advanced multimedia support, is back with a huge potential platform (Android). Applications will certainly appear to cover gaps.

Verizon, just announced with Skype at MWC that they have created an exclusive easy to use Skype application for BlackBerrys. No word yet on the release date but they promise to have more information by next month. The upcoming Skype/Verizon application will allow you to:

* make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe
* call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates
* send and receive instant messages to other Skype users
* remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence

When launched the new Skype mobile application will be available for the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition, and Tour 9630. I am really curious to know how Verizon has managed to get full VoIP working on BlackBerrys but I welcome it all the same. Compared to other smartphones which already have 3G Skype calling this is not really a game changer but for BlackBerry users who have yet to see a true VoIP solution this is huge!

via www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile

RIM is just offering a free scaled down version of BlackBerry Enterprise server for small businesses and midsized companies who do not want to invest in a full blown BlackBerry Enterprise server. I really hope RIM has a consumer solution up their sleeve since this is just a cost effective watered down BES 5.0 corporate solution.

To summarize this new BES Express works with Exchange 2010, 2007, and 2003 running on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 or 2008. It can also be installed on the same server as Exchange, on its own server, and it is also VMware ESX certified. It will provide most of the features in BES such as:

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There are only a few days until the opening of Mobile World Congress 2010 trade fair (15 to 18 February, Barcelona) – the largest event dedicated to mobile telephony and communications. This year, Global Mobile Awards ceremony (the equivalent of the Oscars, but in mobile communications), we find among others that is in the opinion of specialists the best phone released in 2009. Category has five nominees that we present below.

Blackberry Bold 9700

Redoubtable smartphone is receiving a processor clocked at 624 MHz, 256 MB RAM and OS BlackBerry OS 5.0. On the connectivity offers a complete support, consisting of HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 A2DP. Auxiliary branches are the integrated GPS receiver (plus maps BlackBerry Maps) and 3.15 MP camera with autofocus. BlackBerry Bold 9700 ensures a quick handling, thanks to full-QWERTY keyboard and optical touchpad navigation.

The screen measures 2.44 inches and has a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels, thereby overcoming the main competitor of the business category – the Nokia E72. Moreover, E72 is lower and in terms of speed (128 MB RAM, Bold 9700 comes with 256 MB). Sure, the Symbian operating system is more popular and there are many applications for it, so a significant proportion of users would opt for Finnish smartphone instead of Canadian. Therefore, our alternative proposal is the Nokia E72. I believe it can be used more efficiently in terms of software.

Samsung S5230 Star

Can hardly be explained by the presence of this terminal in the list of nominations. As it were dozens of models from different manufacturers and specifications are disappointing: resistive touch screen (there are similar models but with screen capacitance), Lisp 3G/HSDPA and Wi-Fi connections, missing GPS module. Neither the multimedia highlights not too much: 3.15 MP camera without autofocus, QVGA @ 15 fps video recording and Sony’s proprietary interface for connecting headphones.

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Fashion porting operating systems and telephones arrived. If until now people marvel when they saw Mac OS installed on any netbook, now something is already commonplace. Now the bear cross the installation of mobile operating systems. In this case the BlackBerry OS has reached a Nokia phone.

A Chinese with some knowledge in the area, perhaps eager to show that China is also making something else out copying Western brands, managed to install BlackBerry OS 4.6.0.305 on Nokia 5700. He simply did it to prove that we can.

Now go do not know how well those on your BlackBerry OS. The video behind as evidence is not sufficient to realize how and why you are running.

Vodafone Essar and Research in Motion (RIM) announced the launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for Vodafone customers in India.

The network had already very successfully launched the BlackBerry Bold 9000, and the Bold 9700 continues to build on that success. Kumar Ramanathan, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone Essar Ltd, said that “this launch reiterates our commitment towards providing our customers with superior products and services, which enables them to balance their professional and personal lives”.

Frenny Bawa, VP, RIM India, is also very pleased, stating that “we are very excited to introduce the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in India. This best in class smartphone will certainly appeal to Vodafone customers, offering a sleek and elegant design packed with powerful communications and entertainment features”.

The Bold 9700 supports 3G HSDPA networks, has the new 624MHz processor, 256MB RAM, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a 3.2 megapixel camera capable of video recording.

This launch is another big step for RIM in Asia; India is the second-most populous country in the world, with demand for mobile phones increasing each year.

Google announced that you can now search email and contacts on your Blackberry device if you use the built-in Messages and Contacts Apps and use the new version of Google Mobile App.

To use type or speak your query and Google Mobile App will search your emails and contacts in your device and return the results. This will allow you to quickly reply to an email or forward it.

Additionally, you can quickly call, SMS, or email contacts by typing the first few letters of your contact’s first or last name, then pressing the corresponding button. Google Mobile App will then suggest contacts as you type. You can then scroll down to select one. Google Mobile App promotes the people you contact frequently to the top of the suggestion list.

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In 2010, the smart phone market continues to grow: Samsung has announced a flood of such devices (once in 2009 were absent from the segment about smart, at least in Europe), and tomorrow is expected to officially launch the first phone that will bear the brand Google – Google Nexus One, manufactured by HTC.

Samsung will pump in rhythm known business phones with Windows Mobile and Android, Nokia to Symbian stake in principle and we will feel the least maemo Linux platform, Sony Ericsson could not leave the ramp with less than three operating systems (Android , Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 – the first two already confirmed XPERIA X10, respectively XPERIA X2), and Samsung will offer new OS Bada, in addition to Windows Mobile, Android and more unlikely, Symbian S60. Neither Motorola is not negligible after very pleasant surprise smartphone milestone. 2010 is the year that mobile phone inventors can not lie in the top one, but even more devices.

Finally, Apple will not miss the opportunity to launch the fourth generation of iPhone – informally called iPhone 4G.

Finally, the BlackBerry will also have its say, but with a greater impact on the market in America than in Europe.