Stories about: RIM

At first glance, the T-Mobile G1 (US$179) doesn't seem to merit much attention. It looks like just another bland, HTC-manufactured phone. But use the G1--the first phone to run Google's Android operating system -- for 5 minutes, and you'll start to see why it's one of the best-designed phones you can buy. Not only is the G1 intuitive to use, but its customization options (via Android) makes it a tweaker's delight.

A new generation of mobile Web browsers is finally making the Web a reality on handheld devices.

Patent trolls beware: Some of the tech industry's biggest names are banding together to run you out of court.

The global battle to control the smarts in your smartphone escalated this week when some of the combatants redeployed their forces in two big moves.

Funambol has delivered an open source email client for the new iPhone, and has won new funding for its bid to offer a free alternative to the Blackberry.

Verizon Wireless is throwing its support behind mobile Linux, becoming the first US operator to join the LiMo Foundation, a group developing mobile Linux technology.

Sun continues to pursue talks with Apple Computer to have Java applications run on Apple's iPhone while acknowledging a third party's efforts toward the same goal.

Frengo Wednesday announced the availability of its OpenSocial Mobile Toolkit, which expands on the capabilities of the company's mobile toolkit for Facebook. Developers can use the new tool to upgrade applications running on several social networks to support mobile devices.

In the news this week: CeBIT - Intel and AMD's new chips, Asus' new Eee PC, Greenpeace, Vodafone's image search service, Blackerry browser updates, and more!

The predictable flood of 2008 IT prognostications has rolled in over the past few weeks and we have listened to analysts, vendors, consultants and our geek friends, accepting some forecasts and rejecting others. Turns out we did pretty well culling the wheat from the chaff last year and gazing ahead, though maybe we weren't bold enough in our declarations. So, this year we'll stretch a little and predict:

Google's introduction of its Android device operating system and Open Handset Alliance on Monday could help create just the breed of mobile Linux platform that many enterprise IT managers have been waiting for, industry experts contend.