- Compiled by Gary Thayer, MobileVillage Editor

MobileVillage, May 23, 2007 -- Following is a roundup of recent announcements about mobile software for consumer use.

DataViz has released Documents To Go Premium Edition v3 for Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone and 6 Standard devices. The latest version enables users to open and view Microsoft Office Word and Excel 2007 files in their native .docx and .xlsx format on their devices. Documents To Go is available for a range of Windows Mobile devices. DataViz plans to release a version that will include the ability to edit and create Word, Excel and PowerPoint Office 2007 files, for later in the year. Customers who purchase Documents To Go Premium Edition version 3 will receive this update at no additional cost. Documents To Go Premium Edition retails for US $29.95 and is available from dataviz.com and Handango.

Electric Pocket has announced LobsterTunes for Windows Mobile, an MP3 player that allows users to stream music from their home PC media servers. When launched on the Pocket PC, LobsterTunes immediately goes online via WiFi or 3G and connects to music folders stored on the PC. Users can then browse the music library and build a playlist of the tracks they want to hear. The software can also wirelessly retrieve the Album Art for the currently playing track, and its Biography feature automatically goes online and delivers information on the band or artist. LobsterTunes is available for an introductory price of US $19.95 at both electricpocket.com and Handango.

Mobio has launched Cheap Gas, an application that lets people instantly locate the cheapest gas stations using their mobile phone. Once the user provides a street address, Cheap Gas pinpoints the most relevant results and displays a map for those stations located nearby. Users can search near any location and to filter search results by brand. For more information, see getmobio.com.

PhatWare has announced the beta availability of PhatNotes 5.0, the next generation of its notes organizer software for Microsoft Windows based desktops, Smartphones and Pocket PCs. PhatNotes allows users to create notes and organize them by type, subject, creation, and modification date. Version 5.0 adds support for Windows Vista and Windows Mobile 6.0. Unlike the multiple previous versions, 5.0 supports both Pocket PC and Smartphone devices and includes the desktop software and the synchronization module for ActiveSync. For details, see phatware.com.

Resco has released a major upgrade of its Resco Explorer 2007 for Palm OS PDA management software. Resco Explorer also includes a file manager, zipper, backup, viewer, FTP explorer, and RAM analyzer. The updated version adds FTP integration, bookmarking of favorites, and a RAM Analyzer that helps users understand RAM and identify old unneeded data files. While the interface is PC-like, special optimizations for the Treo series are incorporated. Resco Explorer 2007 is available in English, German and French. The software is currently priced at $19.95 for a limited time at both resco.net and Handango.

Spb Software House has released of the Smartphone version of Spb Mobile DVD, a desktop application that converts DVDs and video files for watching on Windows Mobile devices. The software offers a real-time preview feature, which allows users to see the result before the conversion starts. On a new PC it's possible to convert a 2 hour long DVD film in about 20 minutes, according to Spb. Spb Mobile DVD is available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. A free 15-day trial, or the full version of Spb Mobile DVD for US$ 24.95 are available at spbsoftwarehouse.com and Handango.

Skylab Mobilesystems has released MobileTracker for BlackBerry, a tracklog application that uses the GPS feature of a BlackBerry 8800 or 8830 to log tracking information on a memory card. Users can set the amount of time between recordings, and once back at home, can connect the BlackBerry to a PC and map the locations on Google Earth by clicking on the tracklog file. According to Skylab, MobileTracker works even if the user does not have cellular-network coverage. The software costs US $24 from skylab-mobilesystems.com.

Unbound Medicine released Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 28th edition. The PDA software reference includes 107,000 medical terms and definitions, and the new edition adds 5,000 new terms. Users can also find definitions, pronunciation, etymology, and hyperlinks to synonyms and related terms.
For more information, see unboundmedicine.com and Handango (BlackBerry), (Palm), and (Windows Mobile).