HTC, provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile smart devices, announced the European launch of the HTC P3470, the latest member of the HTC product portfolio. Combining a lightweight design, large screen, sat-nav software and strong battery life, the P3470 sets a new standard in affordable smartphone, GPS-based devices.

At the Mobile World Congress 2008, Microsoft announced the availability of a technology preview for accessing MSN Direct content on Windows Mobile-based devices.

With this technology preview, customers can receive instant access to information such as weather and stock updates; top news stories; and entertainment, sports and business news. The information is presented in a glanceable format, and is easily accessible directly from the home screen of a device. Content is automatically updated so that customers have immediate access to the content that matters most to them.

Starbucks has upgraded its Wi-Fi offering from a tall to a venti, switching partners from T-Mobile USA to AT&T in a deal that will mean free coffee-shop wireless for millions of U.S. broadband subscribers.

The chain’s network of hotspots, the best-known in the U.S., covers more than 7,000 company-owned stores. Users of AT&T Broadband and U-verse DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) services will get free access to the networks, and the carrier will soon extend benefits to AT&T Wireless customers as well, according to a news release. AT&T business customers with remote-access subscriptions will be able to buy unlimited, flat-rate access at any Starbucks location.

A major service outage afflicted users of the BlackBerry smartphone across the United States and Canada on Monday, wireless carriers said. Officials with AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless said BlackBerry maker Research in Motion told them customers of all wireless carriers were affected.

It was not immediately clear how many BlackBerry subscribers had problems, as some users reported being able to access their service normally Monday afternoon.

Microsoft has agreed to buy software firm Danger Inc, maker of T-Mobile’s SideKick Web phone. The gadget, also known as the Hiptop, has been popularised by a number of American celebrities, including socialite Paris Hilton.

Danger was co-founded in 1999 by Andy Rubin, Joe Britt and Matt Hershenson. Mr Rubin has moved on to a new job running Google’s mobile venture. Microsoft did not disclose the purchase price as it made the announcement.

The first mobile phones to be loaded with Google’s Android software for mobile phones have gone on show. About a dozen companies such as ARM, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm showed off prototype handsets at the annual Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The free software system was launched in November 2007 and is being developed by an alliance of more than 30 companies including Google.

NVIDIA introduced the NVIDIA APX 2500, a breakthrough applications processor that enables intuitive 3D user interfaces and engaging high-definition video on connected Windows Mobile phones. The APX 2500 applications processor delivers an unprecedented 10 hours of 720p HD playback–an industry first for video quality and power consumption on a mobile device, as well as stunning HD camcorder and ultra-high-resolution photo imaging capabilities.

Sierra Wireless has added two new products to its lineup of HSPA mobile broadband modems. The AirCard 885E ExpressCard and the Compass 885 USB modem are small, full-featured, offer the latest high-speed mobile broadband technology for use worldwide. Both products are on display for the first time this week in the Sierra Wireless pavilion at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

The Sierra Wireless Compass 885 tri-band USB modem for HSPA networks packs more features in a smaller volume than any current counterpart. Designed to offer a flawless user experience, the Compass 885 USB modem includes TRU-Install software installation to simplify setup, a microSD memory card slot to expand its functionality, and a laptop clip accessory to provide flexibility in use. Compatible with mobile broadband networks worldwide, the Compass 885 USB modem is the only product in its class to include a connector for an external antenna, allowing users in remote areas or fringe network coverage to extend and strengthen their connection to the network.

DeLorme announced the release of Public Land Survey System (PLSS) data for use in all current versions of XMap, their GIS software. These free downloadable Openspace GIS layers display township, range, and section boundaries for each of the 30 states covered by the PLSS. Derived from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, and state GIS agencies, the data has been processed into a consistent and easy-to-use format.

T-Mobile has released an update for the Shadow. The release contains a number of updates and additions, such as wallpapers, ringtones, music tracks, and audio postcards.