My first impression of Google Chrome is that it is unbelievably quick! It feels like the first time I used Broadband all over again. Even the most complex of pages load up in the blink of an eye, and within a couple of minutes I can tell that this is special.

The tabbed interface is pleasing to the eye, and practical, and it makes better use of the full screen than IE does.

Most secure pages I use work well- my work intranet is super quick, my electronic banking is accepted straight away (I usually get warnings from any browser except IE).

Right clicking brings up a logical menu list which makes copying and sourcing information easy. You can also inspect an element to reveal source code for a part of a page.

Importing my bookmarks from IE took a couple of seconds, as seemingly did the entire installation, and my main links bar was also copied over perfectly.

The only issue I am having is with the WYSIWYG interface for our news posting system. Besides that I have to recommend you give it a try!

Google Chrome is now available to download. Let us know what you think of the experience, and how it compares to IE, Firefox, Opera etc. etc.

"At Google, we spend much of our time working inside a browser. Like all of you, we search, shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends - all using a browser. People are spending an increasing amount of time online, and they're doing things never imagined when the web first appeared about 15 years ago.

Since we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if you started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realised that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build.

So today we're releasing the beta version of a new open-source browser: Google Chrome.

On the surface, we designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple. To most people, it isn't the browser that matters. It's only a tool to run the important stuff - the pages, sites and applications that make up the web. Like the classic Google homepage, Google Chrome is clean and fast. It gets out of your way and gets you where you want to go.

Behind the scenes, we were able to build the foundation of a browser that runs today's complex web applications much better. By keeping each tab working in isolation, we were able to prevent one tab from crashing another and provide improved protection from rogue sites. We improved speed and responsiveness across the board. We also built V8, a more powerful JavaScript engine, to power the next generation of web applications that aren't even possible in today's browsers.

This is just the beginning - Google Chrome is far from done. We've released this beta for Windows to start the broader discussion and hear from you as quickly as possible. We're hard at work building versions for Mac and Linux too, and we'll continue to make it even faster and more robust.

We owe a great debt to many open source projects, and we're committed to continuing on their path. We've used components from Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Firefox, among others - and in that spirit, we are making all of our code open source as well. We hope to collaborate with the entire community to help drive the web forward.

The web gets better with more options and innovation. Google Chrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making the web even better.

But enough from us. The best test of Google Chrome is to try it yourself."

I have just been sent these two offers by expansys which look like good value. First up is the ASUS Eee PC 701 Surf in black at only £158.99 including VAT- "Easy to Learn, Easy to work and Easy to play!!!

Share photos of your travels without waiting till you get home. Shop the world wide web without attaching any lines or wires. Learn through the latest technology without a technical manual. Play, relax, and entertain on the go with shock-proof design. Connect with friends and family with just a few clicks.

Mobility & Reliability
• At half the size of regular notebooks and weighing less than 1kg, you can take the Eee PC anywhere.
• Bumps and shocks are no longer issues. With a dependable solid-state disk, you get unparalleled shock-protection and reliability.
• Power-efficient design provides longer operating time when on the go.

Ease & Technology
• With a rapid start-up time, the Eee PC is always ready to get into action.
• No technical manual required with the specially designed, user-friendly and intuitive graphic interface .

Work & Connectivity
• You’re always connected with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g that automatically detects and connects to the Internet at any hotspot.
• The Eee PC includes the documents and the e-mails software, and a suite of other productivity software to help keep you on track.
• Upload photos and videos and share them instantly on Flickr or YouTube without waiting till you get home."

Not all of you are Windows Mobile fans, but a WinMob 6 smartphone at under £100 needs a second look. The BenQ E72 Smartphone is described as follows- "Incredibly thin at a little over 1cm front-to-back, the E72 puts all the functionality of an advanced smartphone in an amazingly compact device whose looks don’t stint on style. With design touches like indicator lights that gently pulse beneath a mirrored surface and a striking colored band that provides easy access to key functions, this is a smartphone whose looks are as smart as the technology gracefully wrapped inside.

Communications made comprehensive
The E72 puts five instant messaging networks—AOL, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and Google Talk—together on a single platform, letting you have multi-party chats over one or more networks. You can also take advantage of handy e-mail features, such as the ability to easily record and send audio, as well as push mail, which automatically downloads and alerts you to new e-mail messages. Best of all, all these communications options, plus free VoIP calls, are available over the E72’s high-speed WiFi connections.

Internet on hand
With the E72, you can access a full range of online information right on your phone. Subscribe to RSS feeds on the E72, so you can stay updated with the newest information posted on blogs and other websites that matter to you. You can even download your favorite podcasts straight to the E72 and listen to them at your leisure. Real-time information such as weather and currency rates is ready for you to view anytime and anyplace."

Is There A Recipe For Success In Mobile App Stores? has been posted at TechCrunch. I'm not convinced that the Application store model will work on other platforms due to the nature of how they are installed, and the manual input required.

"Now that Apple has enjoyed some success with its App Store, smartphone manufacturers are starting to realize that having such a service is a worthwhile endeavor. An App Store with the right ingredients for success not only makes people want to buy the smartphone more than others, but it offers a new revenue-sharing opportunity that could become extremely lucrative.

Perhaps that’s why Microsoft’s new store for Windows Mobile 7, called Skymarket, leaked today. And it’s also why Google announced late last week that it was planning on launching the Android Market to compete with Apple’s store.  Each and every company going after the mobile Web is trying to do what Apple has done with its own App Store.

If nothing else, the App Store has shown that there really is a recipe for success in this space.  What is that recipe?  At this point, success in the Mobile App Store market requires..."

And Google's Android Market: cathedral or bazaar? has also been published which looks at this very new market- "After months of silence, Google is rapidly pushing its Linux-based Android mobile platform towards the finish line in preparation for a big fourth quarter launch. The recent SDK beta release offers a compelling look into what users can expect to see on upcoming Android hardware, but it left one critical question unanswered: how will third-party developers get their software onto end-user handsets?

Related StoriesApp developers grow impatient with lack of Android updates
That question was answered yesterday when Google announced Android Market, a content deployment channel that will allow users to find and install new software. The Android Market consists of a web-based distribution service hosted entirely on Google's infrastructure and a specialized client application that will run on Android handsets and provide users with direct access to the service. Users will be able to obtain new applications from the Android Market over the air and install them on their devices..."

Finally, Will Microsoft SkyMarket end Windows Mobile app sales at Handango, PocketGear? has been posted at JK. If only the 40% figure was not 50-75% in reality...

"One of the most appealing features of Windows Mobile is the vast support for third-party applications. You name the problem and it's a safe bet there's a software solution out there for you. Of course, you have to find it. Aside from a Windows Mobile marketplace like those offered at Handango and PocketGear, there's no "one-stop shopping" for WinMo apps. Obviously Apple has the App Store for the iPhone platform and even Nokia offers a small selection of apps through the Download function on their devices.

Microsoft appears poised to change that based on an open job description that offers clues to a centralized software marketplace. SkyMarket is tentatively planned to debut with Windows Mobile 7, although it's not yet clear if older Windows Mobile devices are able to take advantage of the anticipated storefront. I can't see any reason why they wouldn't be able to, but it also wouldn't surprise me to see direct app purchase work initially with the new mobile operating system. It would be a much bigger win for Microsoft if Windows Mobile 5 and 6 were supported out of the gate, however..."

This news would normally be only for MoreMobile247, but what are your thoughts on getting a year's worth of music with a new phone? Is it enough to tempt you to buy?

London, UK - Nokia today announced that the United Kingdom will be the first market in the world to launch 'Comes With Music', its groundbreaking service which introduces a revolutionary way for people to discover and enjoy music. Comes With Music gives people a year of unlimited access to the entire Nokia Music Store catalog with the ability to keep all downloaded tracks even after the year is over.
 
Carphone Warehouse will be the exclusive UK pre-pay channel offering the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic 'Comes With Music' edition. People who buy the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic 'Comes With Music' edition will have unprecedented freedom to find and listen to music from a diverse catalog, including international and UK artists. Carphone Warehouse is accepting pre-orders via http://www.carphonewarehouse.com starting today.
 
Tero Ojanperä, Executive Vice President and Head of the Nokia Entertainment and Communities business, said: "We believe that Comes With Music will transform the way people enjoy music. With unlimited music access for a year, you can enjoy your favorite artists or delve into new genres without having to worry about individual track or album purchases."
 
Simon Ainslie, Nokia UK Managing Director, said: "Comes With Music is the most compelling digital music offer ever introduced to the UK. You get a fantastic Nokia device with unlimited access for a year to a huge catalog of music. We're thrilled to be working with Carphone Warehouse to bring Comes With Music to the UK."
 
Andrew Harrison, UK CEO, The Carphone Warehouse, said: "We expect the Nokia 5310 Comes With Music to be the gift for Christmas and at the top of all shopping lists. We know how much our customers love music and we hope to make music millionaires of people everywhere."

The US Election gets more interesting by the day and there are many ways to track what's going on, find out more detailed information or even have a bit of election fun on your PDA. Here are just a few examples.

Palm users can take a look at US Presidential Election 2008 which includes biographies of all the candidates. It is already a little dated, but quite an interesting little program, which is also free. It is also available for some Windows Mobile devices here.

"US Presidential Election 2008 - FREE biographies of all US presidential candidates.

The FREE US Presidential Election 2008 describes the personal life, political career, significant events, legislation, appointments and programs of all candidates.

The appendix includes US election rules, complete list of US presidents, history of US presidential elections, and events and controversies of presidential election 2008."

A trip to m.google.com/elections will bring up Google's mobile coverage of this election. You can undertake specific searches for Obama or McCain, read political blogs and even watch videos related to current events.

USA TODAY Election 2008 is an excellent title for Windows Mobile smartphones that is not exactly cheap, but definately one for the election buff.

"USA TODAY Election 2008 captures all the excitement and drama of the upcoming elections!

Application features include

Headlines: The latest headlines and breaking news related to the elections. You can also email the headlines to your friends.
 
Results:  The latest election results for both the parties.
 
Voting Calendar: View dates for all the important events in this election, including the various primaries, caucuses, conventions and final elections.
 
The Candidates: Information on candidates of both parties, including the latest headlines, profile, images, timeline, and their take on major issues.
 
Candidate Game: Find the candidate that best matches your views on various major issues."

Battle for the White House is a superb game from Gameloft which involves lots of mini games and is great fun, no matter who you support.

The White House is near, as long as you're willing to steal votes & fight your rivals to get there!

Features (may vary by handset):The craziest game to match the craziest hoopla of 2008: the U.S. presidential elections!

Play 70+ different challenges within wacky mini-games: dance, box, run, roll, break, or fight!

Choose a party and candidate, and unlock 8 different locations for your own presidential campaign!

Face or play up to 6 primary star candidates: Clinton, Giuliani, Obama, Edwards, Romney, Thompson.

Also features a guest appearance by the White House's current tenant, George W. Bush!

2 main modes, 3 levels of difficulty and a ""Hall of Fame"" to keep track of all your achievements.

If you know of any other PDA related software or resources that would be useful for tracking the election, please let us all know via the comments link.

The Future Looks Bright for Mobile Developers is an educational article over at Dr. Dobb's Codetalk (thanks to Bob)- "Programming for mobile devices still has its problems, which operating system to target, the fragmented target device market, and getting your application noticed and in the hands of prospective customers to name a few. There are changes happening in the industry that point to a bright future for the mobile developer.

First, after some faltering starts Smartphone's are starting to appeal to consumers.  Consumers are beginning to get comfortable with the utility of a mobile phone that can do many more interesting things than field calls. In fact, Smartphone sales increased to 19 percent of all mobile-phone sales in the second quarter representing a 9 percent increase from the same period a year ago according to a study by the NPD Group. What makes this increase even more impressive is that total U.S. mobile-handset sales were actually down 13 percent in the second quarter compared to the same quarter in 2007. "People are getting used to the idea that there's more to a phone than talking," said Shiv Bakhshi, an analyst who covers the mobile phone market for industry research firm IDC. "It's a very exciting time."

Second, Smartphone's are really getting smart.  With the introduction of 3G Smartphone's with GPS capabilities we now have devices that can support some very useful and interesting applications. According to Robert Pignataro, Nokia's director of retail channel sales "The market is evolving. You've got the convergence of the Internet, mobility, context awareness; this is changing the way people communicate ... voice is only 12 percent of the total use of the device. People are Web browsing, they're e-mailing, they're using GPS and their music. Nokia is looking beyond the device portfolio, which in itself is very broad. ... But we're looking beyond the device and saying: How do we evolve the usage of your handset into these areas to connect people with their passions and their interests anywhere?"

Brixster is new and looking like a classic Palm OS puzzler- "Brixster is an engaging puzzle game that will have you playing time and time again. Can you arrange the blocks to clear rows and reveal the hidden picture? It takes clever thought and planning to master this unique puzzle game."