Microsoft implemented Image Update system in Windows Mobile 5 and since then has been included in every Windows Mobile version so far. Unfortunately, it was NEVER put to use by any carrier or by Microsoft to issue updates to the end-user. Here is what Image Update model means (source Microsoft) In the Image Update model, a Windows Mobile powered device does not have a single firmware, but instead has ROM regions segmented into different ROM packages that can be updated individually. Packages can be added, updated, or resized as part of an update process, without the need to reload all the firmware on the mobile device. This basically means we can perform a ROM upgrade without even loosing data! This can be boon to those who flash ROMs everyday or so and have to go throught the process of backing up the data and then restoring it on a new ROM (which is a manual process if the ROM image is different). So, all what is required is a central server containing all the updates and URL for each update. The user can then download these updates to his/her device by using the AutoUpdate feature which is already built-in into every Windows Mobile device (version 5+). [...]

We have now lost the count of the amount of AppStores we have for Windows Mobile! Although the design of this application is not the prettiest one around, but it really does the job of bringing nearly 10,000 applications directly to your Windows Mobile device, courtesy of freewarepocketpc.net. Although the application is still in its infancy stage, it is worth giving it a go! [0.30 version download] [...]

With Sync Express, you can sync many desktop applications with your Windows Mobile device. Syncdata ( www.syncdata.it ) announces the release and immediate availability of SyncExpress 4. The new version supports synchronization for the following popular desktop applications: Outlook Express, Windows Address Book, Windows Mail, Windows Contacts and Windows Calendar. [...]

According to this article, Dell is in talks with the China Mobile to launch its first smartphone in China. Although, it is not a new news/rumor of Dell getting into the smartphone business, but we always thought they would targeting US market in first place and not China. I hope Dell is well acquainted with the zillion mobile-phone designs that can be found in China. They will have to come with something that stands out from the Cheapo $80 phones. Also, since the Dell is targeting a Asian market, it would make more sense to come out with a device with resistive screen and not capacitive like the iPhone as the Asians prefer to use the stylus for data entry (try entering Chinese characters [...]