SPB Software has just released a major update to one of their programs.  SPB TV for Windows Mobile now sees the light of day at version 2.  Along with a slew of features, version 2 finds a new pricing model.  It’s now free!  Yep, you read right… SPB TV 2 is available for free.  You can find the full press release below:

8 June 2010 - SPB Software, a leading mobile software developer, has updated the Windows Mobile version of its flagship application SPB TV to version 2.0. Due to advertising revenues support the program is now free-of-charge and subscription-free. Ads featured in SPB TV only last as long as channel buffering takes and therefore preserve the best user experience.

In addition to the existing features that include quick channel previews, a TV guide for more than 150 offered channels in more than 20 languages, picture-in-picture mode, fast channel launching and switching, the new version offers also a video on demand (VOD) option. With this new feature the users can control what they are watching and when. Unlike broadcast TV, VOD provides greater choice and interactivity.

Another significant enhancement is the Advanced Video Codec (H.264) support which improves video quality. As a result even with substantial lower bitrates the resolution is strongly improved. SPB TV 2.0 also allows to watch TV with low speed mobile network connections.

SPB TV works on iPhone, Symbian, Android, BlackBerry and WebOS smartphones as well. Last month SPB TV has reached one million users milestone. It is interesting to see how mobile TV watching behaviour is different in different countries. For example 71% of US users use SPB TV via 3G while in Greece and Poland only 10% of users use 3G and others use WiFi.

“Taken into consideration all the statistics and feedback collected from our users, we created the new version of SPB TV, which can not only offer our users better video quality but can be also available to all Windows Mobile users absolutely for free”, said Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO of SPB Software.

SPB TV is also available as a solution for mobile operators.  SPB TV Mobile Operators Solution allows carriers to couple SPB’s proven solution with their own infrastructure and various subscription models. Three mobile operators world-wide has already deployed SPB TV based mobile TV solutions.

SPB TV 2.0 for Windows Mobile Main Features:

• Integrated TV Guide with the list of current and upcoming TV-shows
• Unique browser with fast channels launch and switching
• Quick channel preview (picture-in-picture mode)
• On-Screen Control Panel
• Video on Demand
• Setting a Reminder
• Video Quality Switcher
• Advanced Video Codec support

Pricing and Availability

SPB TV 2.0 for Windows Phones running Windows Mobile 5 and later Professional and Standard editions, qVGA, VGA, Square QVGA, HVGA, and WVGA screen resolutions are supported. The application can be downloaded for free from http://spb.com, there is also no monthly fee for using it. The application is ad-supported: an advertisement is shown every time user switches the channel while the stream is buffering.

Further Information

SPB TV for touchscreens product page
http://spb.com/pocketpc-software/tv/

SPB TV for non-touchscreens product page
http://spb.com/smartphone-software/tv/

SPB TV for touchscreens  screenshots page
http://spb.com/pocketpc-software/tv/screenshots.html

SPB TV for non-touchscreens screenshots page
http://spb.com/smartphone-software/tv/screenshots.html

SPB TV for touchscreens downloading page
http://spb.com/pocketpc-software/tv/download.html

SPB TV for non-touchscreens downloading page
http://spb.com/smartphone-software/tv/download.html

About SPB Software (www.spb.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 best-selling mobile application – SPB Mobile Shell. For more information, please visit www.spb.com.

Follow SPB Software on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/spb_software

Connect with SPB Software on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/spbsoftware

SPB Software is currently running a survey, now through June 9.  As a bit of motivation to help them out by taking it, SPB is offering 3 prizes, each a $50 gift certificate for some of their software.

You can take the survey here.

SPB Brain Evolution for Maemo

In case you’re scratching your head, wondering what Maemo is right about now, it’s the Linux operating system that runs on Nokia devices like the n800, n810 and n900.  It’s only logical that if SPB Software was going to release anything for this platform, or anything Linux oriented in general, that the price would be a whopping $0.  Typically software is for Linux, and therefore Maemo, is free, and moreso it is typically open source.  I definitely don’t suspect that SPB went the open source route, though, and I understand as it would undermine their IP on other platforms to one degree or another.

If you are using a Nokia nxxx series device, you are likely going to want to check out SPB Brain Evolution here.  If you do, we would love to read your comments!

In case you missed the news, SPB Software recently announced the availability of their popular today screen application for Symbian users.

SPB Mobile Shell is a next generation user interface that was specially designed for Symbian-based touchscreen devices (Symbian S60 5^th Edition and higher). SPB Mobile Shell comes up with multiple screens and customizable widgets, integrated weather forecasts and a 3D carousel with special effects.

· Multiple screens with widgets

· Fast access to all your smartphone features

· Photo call log

· Adaptive skins and background

· Integrated weather forecasts

Purchase SPB Mobile Shell for Symbian
($29.95)

See also: SPB Mobile Shell for WM touchscreen

SPB Mobile Shell for Symbian: Learn more

SPB Software has just released another of it’s Windows Mobile games as a port to run on Symbian phones equipped with a touch screen.  SPB Quads is an interesting game, asking users to find enclosing corners to clear a section of the playing board.  You can check out our review for the Windows Mobile version here.

The full press release is below:

March 11^th, 2010 – SPB Software, a leading mobile applications and games developer announces the release of the Symbian version of SPB Quads – an extremely addictive mobile game created to help killing time with use. Now the users of touchscreen Symbian phones have a good way to spend 5 boring minutes in line or challenge their Windows Mobile and iPhone rivals’ dominance in our online score table.

Based on SPB Quadronica game, SPB Quads is the new arcade game for Symbian in which one has to put together all his/her pattern-finding skills to succeed. A player’s goal in this game is to reveal and mark rectangles’ corners of the same colors in a field filled with color bricks, thus “destroying” them and earning scores. There are two modes in the game: a time-limited mode and an endless, “strategic” mode. This effectively creates two different scenarios of playing.

SPB Quads for Symbian Main Features:

• Addictive game play
• Two game modes for different gaming scenarios
• Attractive graphics
• 6 different types of bonuses
• Online high scores

Pricing and Availability

SPB Quads for Symbian is compatible with Symbian S60 v.5-based touchscreen phones only. A free, 15-day trial can be downloaded, or SPB Quads for Symbian may be purchased for 9.95 USD from www.spb.com. The application can also be purchased from OVI store.

Further Information and Downloads

SPB Quads for Symbian page

SPB Quads for Symbian downloading page

SPB Quads for Symbian screenshots