Today SBSH announced that their popular front-end replacement application for Windows Mobile Smartphones has been updated to version 2.1 and this new version includes many updates including an Analog Clock Display and Home Tab, as well as performance and stability improvements.

Along with this update SBSH has also opened up a brand-new online catalog for free skins, SBSH Facade Skins Arena. The convenience of this new innovation is that the skins can be downloaded directly onto your phone.

We are looking forward to reviewing these new enhancements to an already great product, in the meantime, check out Brandon’s review of an earlier release here: Review: SBSH Facade – Another winner for the pros of useability?

Press Release:

Tel Aviv, December 7th, 2009 – SBSH announced today a new update release for it’s best selling front-end replacement application for Windows Mobile Smartphones, SBSH Facade, to version 2.1. Along with this release, SBSH unveiled Facade Skins Arena – an exciting online skins catalog for your Smartphone and Facade.

SBSH Facade Skins Arena for Windows Mobile Smartphone devices announced Facade Skins Arena is an online catalog for free skins designed for use with Windows Mobile Smartphones and Facade. Loading new skins for your smartphone using Facade Skins Arena can’t be simpler! Simply browse for skins and click the skin you wish to load and the skin is loaded automatically to your smartphone!

In addition to Facade Skins Arena, The new Facade update brings additional exciting new features such as analog clock display to the Home tab and more! Click here to read our development team release post for complete details

Pricing and Availability

Facade is available for Windows Mobile devices without touch screen. Facade costs $14.95 and can be registered via our online store at the following link:

https://www.mobihand.com/cart1.asp?posid=362&pid=30309

Facade registered users are entitled to upgrade to the new version free of charge, simply download and install new version and enjoy all new version features.

Downloads and Support

Facade FAQ and user manual are available at the Facade support page:

http://www.sbsh.net/products/windows_mobile_smartphone/facade/support

For additional support we invite you to contact our support team, or, visit Facade forum and get in touch with our development team and other Facade users.

About SBSH Mobile Software

SBSH Mobile Software is a rapidly growing software firm specializing in the mobile market, developing software solutions for Windows Mobile, Symbian Series 60, BlackBerry, iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

SBSH Mobile Software offers a variety of best-selling applications for the fast growing mobile market enhancing end-users experience and providing added-value for mobile devices.

SBSH Mobile Software LTD is a privately held company based in Tel Aviv, Israel. SBSH Mobile Software was founded in February 2002.

http://www.sbsh.net

One of my favorite Windows Mobile applications has just been updated with a Major Release, SPB Time 3.0, and I’m sure you’ll agree that the new features are…well, simply amazing.

Stay tuned our review of SPB Time 3.0 and I’ll wait till that time to let you know why this is such a cool update to their already fantastic WorldClock/Alarm application!

Until then, please check out the press release below:

November 24th, 2009 – SPB Software, a leading maker of mobile applications, announces the release of SPB Time 3.0, a major update to the best-selling Windows Mobile time toolset. The updated version offers a completely new, reconsidered user interface and significantly improved alarm features. SPB Time 3.0 provides user with three different types of alarms to fit any needs. Paranoid alarm is designed to wake up deep sleepers while Bio alarm does its job in a very gentle way. Classic alarm is a good solution for those who don’t believe in biorhythms and do not want to be disturbed too much in the morning time.

A lot of features were reworked in the design aspect. For example, “World Time” feature is presented as a realistic looking 3D model of the Earth with chosen cities designated as spots on the surface. Countdown screen is supplemented with a picture of sandglass where the sand pours out as time goes. The splendour of these interface solutions are accompanied by a vast choice of skins in an online catalog.

SPB Time 3.0 is also one of the company’s Windows Mobile applications that is able to make use of SPB Mobile Shell’s widget system. Four widgets are available for those who already have Mobile Shell version 3.5.1 and higher: City Time, Moon Phase, Next Alarm and Stop Watch.

********* PICTURE HERE *********

*** SPB Time 3.0 New Features: ***

* Snappier, better looking user interface;
* Classic, Paranoid and Bio alarms;
* More than 20 alarm tunes;
* Online skins catalog;
* SPB Mobile Shell widgets;
* Scrollable Calendar with weeks numbers;
* Moon phases.

*** Pricing and Availability **

SPB Time 3.0 is compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and higher. It may be purchased for 14.95 USD, or a 15-day free trial version may be downloaded at www.SPBSoftware.com. Users of any previous versions of SPB Time are welcome to upgrade to SPB Time 3.0 with 50% discount. According to SPB Software’s upgrades policy, all SPB Time users who have purchased the product within the last 90 days, are eligible for free upgrade.

*** Further Information and Downloads ***

SPB Time 3.0 download page

http://spbsoftware.com/pocketpc-software/time/download.html

SPB Time 3.0 screenshots

http://spbsoftware.com/pocketpc-software/time/screenshots.html

*** About SPB Software (www.spbsoftware.com) ***

SPB is a leading brand in mobile software, standing for a unique line of popular consumer products and partnerships with the world’s most innovative handset makers and wireless carriers. SPB’s software solutions deliver richer smartphone experiences and enable subscribers to do more with their mobile data connections. SPB Software is the maker of the world’s single number one bestselling mobile application – SPB Mobile Shell. For more information, please visit www.spbsoftware.com.

Follow SPB Software on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/spb_software

Connect with SPB Software on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SPB-Software/77703564770?ref=ts

Skooba just announced Today a new line of protective skins for Netbooks.  These are really nice-looking cases that are form-fitting to the shape of your Netbook and do not add much additional weight or bulk. There is a slot for holding USB thumbdrives too…. Check out the press release below:

Rochester, NY, November 23, 2009—On the heels of its recent introduction of Netbook Messenger Bags, Skooba is expanding its accessory offering with a colorful collection of protective skins for netbook computers up to 10.1 inch screen size.

The new “Netbook Neo Sleeve” is a form-fitting, padded neoprene skin that protects against bumps, scratches and the elements. The zip-around Sleeve fully encloses the netbook, and can be carried inside another bag, or on its own using the included, removable shoulder strap. A stretchy, front zipper compartment provides space for the power adapter, and there’s even a dedicated USB thumb drive storage slot. If the front pocket is left empty, the Sleeve is airport “checkpoint friendly,” so it can be put through x-ray screening without removing the netbook. Skooba’s Netbook Neo Sleeve is available in the same 4 color combinations as its recently-introduced Netbook Messenger— Abyss Black, Blizzard White, Deep Ocean Blue and Inferno Red, each with contrasting charcoal front pocket.

The Neo Sleeve provides a high level of protection, yet adds minimal bulk, and tips the scales at a near “zero-gravity” 6.4 ounces.

The suggested retail price of the new Netbook Neo Sleeve is just $19.95. Full specs and dealer/ordering information at www.skoobadesign.com.

Here we are again, with another “Extreme Review” of another Otterbox case, the 2600, is a moderately priced case at $49.95.  This case is larger and wider than the Otterbox 1900 used in my previous review.  Special thanks to Otterbox for providing us with a 2600 testing unit for this review and for my use.

The Otterbox 2600 case is well constructed and provides protection from dropping, as well as water and dust.  Even though the manufacturer advertises that this case is crush-proof, since the glass on the PDA is not protected by a hard cover, we decided not to opt for a Suburban drive-over this time, as the last time after the review we were told that the pressure of the drive over could damage a device, as the cases do flex ever so slightly.

Throughout this review we will be protecting a much larger  and wider PDA device, that is, the Toshiba E800, which has a thick extended battery pack attached and is longer than most PDAs on the market.  Unfortunately, the previously reviewed Otterbox 1900 case was not tall or thick enough to protect the oversized Toshiba PDA.  Actually this is the only case that is large enough to fit this device.

What is inside of the package?

• The Case
• Extra Foam Padding for thinner devices.

Since the Toshiba E800 is a thick device, only one foam pad was necessary to firmly secure the device in the case and it did not slip or move throughout our testing.

Also of note is the construction of this clear plastic case, which is really Polycarbonate & ABS Shell, in disguise, as you will see in our test video that when dropped on a tile floor, I was not able to even find a scratch on the case…wow!!  This is a strong case indeed; don’t let the clear plastic fool you!

At the top of the picture below are two additional foam pads to provide a secure fit for your device, as this case does not have a strap, as with the Otterbox 1900, rather this case relies on a pressure fit.  Don’t worry though, our device did not slip throughout the testing.

Also thanks to the reflection in the picture, it is possible to see the clear plastic membrane that protects the screen of your mobile device, as well as allows for writing input and throughout our testing allowed audio and microphone recordings to be unimpaired.

Music Plays clearly through the membrane, as well as the nice feature of being able to write on the case enclosed PDA, while the device is secured inside the case.

Here is a picture of the Toshiba E800 with extended battery pack firmly secured inside the case.  Note the vertical cut-out on the right of the screen which allows for secure storage of a stylus.  A slightly thicker stylus will firmly fit into the custom slot.

Center the device face-down into the case, as shown and then close the back of the case and secure the latches.  Actually, it was easier to secure the device in the case with this Otterbox, than it was in the last review, as a strap in not used to secure the device from the inside.  I like the way that the E800 fit securely by pressure alone.  Note that on the top of the case is a slot that allows for a twist tie or a padlock to make sure that the case does not open, while under extreme conditions.

The hinge is thick and sturdy and looks like it will provide many years of service.

The latches are also very sturdy and securely fasten, providing a reliable closure, as the hinges did not open during our testing.

Unlike the Otterbox 1900, the 2600 does not have any pass-through ports or expansion capabilities, however, this was of no consequence to me, while testing the Toshiba E800, as I did not have any accessories that required that functionality.

The Neoprene strap is flexible, just like on the Otterbox 1900 and provides a secure feel while carrying the case.  The strap is easily adjusted by means of Velcro fasteners on both ends.  I removed the case for the testing, however it was very difficult to re-feed the strap back through their channels in the case, as the straps fit is very tight in the slots.  I recommend only taking of the strap infrequently, as a result of my experiences trying to re-thread the  strap.

Here is a close-up showing the convenience of writing through the case’s plastic membrane.  I was impressed by how easy it was to write through the membrane.

And now for our Video Review:

Otterbox 2600 Review

JAMM Review Summary

Things we liked: Everything!

Construction:  Strong enough to withstand damage from being dropped onto a tile floor and also great water-tight protection.  The strap gave a secure feel when holding the case.  The Stylus holder keeps a stylus firmly in place and is convenient.  The hinge is thick and durable.  Finally I was able to find a large and wide enough case to accommodate even a Toshiba E800 with a thick expansion battery.

Durability: The front of the case has a rubber rubber protector that is elevated from the mobile device’s screen to protect the glass during accidental drops, like the one we inflicted in our video review.  The Heavy-duty latches stayed closed during our testing.  The rubber pads that secure the device on the inside of the case protect, as well as keep the device firmly in place.

Ease of Use:  All buttons on the front of the mobile device can be easily accessed, including the touch screen through the plastic membrane.  The membrane that protects the screen and also allows writing with a stylus also does not dampen the device audio or recording.

Accessories: Multiple accessories are available as below.

Things that we would like to see: A plastic flip-cover  (like on the Otterbox 1900) that protects the glass on the device cover, since the mobile device’s glass is still exposed and the membrane will not protect against a direct-hit to the screen.  We would also like to see rubber around the case, as this would protect the plastic from scratches, as well as more durable.

The Price is a reasonable $49.95, which is well worth the money, if you are looking for a rugged case that will protect your thicker and oversized mobile device.

Last night, Microsoft launched phase II of their Windows Marketplace for Mobile and which is very welcome news, as the enhancements provide new options for purchasing mobile software.  It is now possible to browse, purchase and download mobile software wirelessly via mobile phone or via PC.

Check the the details out at WMExperts, as well as the direct link to Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Additionally please note that the Marketplace is only available on WM 6.5 ROMs, however there is a workaround explained here for WM 6.0/6.1 devices.