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There's no real killer app yet for retrieving listings information on your mobile phone, but there could be soon.

On Aptil 11, FreeMobile411 launches the consumer version of its carrier-offered services. Visting FreeMobile411.com from your mobile browser gets you a decent-looking ad-supported WAP site that simplifies directory search and helps you avoid long waits while listening to ads from dial-in services like 1-800-FREE-411.

Enter the search term--it can be a business name ("Blockbuster"), business type ("video store"), or person ("Bill Blockbuster"). Then select the search type, and fill in either the city … Read more

Research in Motion's BlackBerry business is chugging along, and the company has the money to prove it.

RIM reported fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday after the close of the stock market, and the numbers were good. The company took in $1.9 billion in revenue, more than double last year's fourth-quarter haul of $930.4 million. And it had $412.5 million left over in profits, equal to 72 cents a share in earnings and two cents better than what Wall Street analysts were expecting.

The company shipped 4.4 million smartphones during the quarter, and 14 million for the … Read more

Vioce technology is Yahoo's big news of the day. While vocal search is one aspect of an enhanced version of Yahoo's oneSearch tool for mobile phones, it's the only aspect of the service that has been made available as a preview today. And the implementation has only been rolled out for BlackBerry phones.

Luckily, I happen to have one of those here at the CTIA Wireless conference in Las Vegas, where I met with Yahoo's director of mobile product marketing, Adam Taggart to discuss oneSearch 2.0 (see video).

Like Yahoo Go 3.0, oneSearch 2.… Read more

Research in Motion has been keeping itself plenty busy at CTIA 2008 with the release of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Verizon Wireless and Sprint and the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120. However, it might be a product that's not at the show that's causing the biggest stir among BlackBerry fans. Several sites, including Engadget Mobile and Mobile Magazine, have started posting pictures and "insider information" of the rumored RIM BlackBerry 9000. Based on some of the photos, the BlackBerry 9000 has a sexier look with rounded edges, and it's also said that it will … Read more

Phew! Day 1 of CTIA 2008 is in the bag, and as usual, the opening day provided plenty of action. Here are some of the highlights of the day.

Samsung was certainly a show stopper as it revealed its Samsung Instinct, an iPhone competitor that features a sleek touch screen interface and a boatload of features. Senior Editor Kent German has all the details for you and says it look promising. Kent also got some hands-on time with AT&T's new Motorola Z9, which left him with some mixed feelings. And Kyocera kept busy as it announced a … Read more

Verizon Wireless isn't the only CDMA carrier to have scored the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330. Sprint also announced at CTIA 2008 that it will offer the popular smartphone later this month. Like Verizon's version, the device features integrated GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP and DUN support), a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities, and a microSD/SDHC expansion slot. In addition, it's compatible with the carrier's various add-on services, including Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, and the Sprint Music Store. Sprint's BlackBerry Curve 8330 comes in a charcoal gray and is priced at $179.99 … Read more

I'm pretty excited about Vringo's new Facebook app for a number of reasons. First, I'm a big fan of Vringo's video caller ID service, which lets users choose a video ringtone (vringo) that plays on their friends' phone when they initiate a call to said friend. Second, this new app carries Vringo's concept of personalizing the moment of phone-to-phone contact by syncing your address book with your friends' Facebook profile photos.

It takes about 5 minutes and quite a few steps to set up the service, but the directions are clear and fairly straightforward. You … Read more

Feel better now T-Mobile customers? That's right, in case any of you were frothing with jealousy over AT&T's next-gen RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120, you can rest easy knowing that you'll be able to get your hands on one starting April 14 (you can preregister for the smartphone starting today). The upgrade to the original Pearl brings integrated Wi-Fi, which you can use for Web surfing as well as voice calls since it's compatible with T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home service. You'll also get the benefit of a 2-megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities, Bluetooth 2.… Read more

The exact purpose of Sony's "Rolly" may never be clear, other than to help keep Ricky Martin's career alive. But now, only months after its U.S. debut, the dancing egg has offered the ultimate evidence that it's here to stay: It's coming in different colors.

Unlike the original white version, a black 1GB Rolly is available for now only on the Japanese market, which will also get new speaker covers in red, blue, and silver, according to Akihabara News. We're still not interested (can't get past the Martin thing), but it … Read more