The Mobile Fun Blog

One of the biggest problems/hang-ups I’ve had with Android in Canada has been the lack of paid app action in the marketplace. For whatever reason, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and the big Canadian carriers have had issues to sort out before paid apps were a go. Thankfully, it looks like those issues have been sorted, and paid apps are starting to appear. I should say, they’re starting to appear for folks on Rogers (NYSE: RCI) and Fido. Folks packing an Android device on TELUS (NYSE: TU) and Bell have reported scant reports of paid apps making their debut.

Motorola has been fighting hard to reestablish itself as the giant mobile phone maker it once was. The new wave of Android phones – like the Motorola Droid and Devour – prove that Moto’s well on its way back to prominence, but the company’s fight is a long way from over. As such, co-CEOs Greg Brown and Sanjay Jha have voluntarily agreed to take a 25% pay cut for 2010. The move will have the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) co-chiefs continuing salary reductions made in 2009.

SPB Software is bringing its popular puzzle title SPB Quads to Symbian S60 touch-enabled smartphones. The game, which is already available for the iPhone and Windows Mobile platforms, sees you putting together “all your pattern-finding skills to succeed.” The goal is to reveal and mark rectangles’ corners of the same colors in a field filled with color bricks, in a move that “destroys” them and earns you some points.

Alliances in the mobile world are sometimes fleeting, but they can also be strong enough to break other partnerships. Take Skype’s recent partnership to bring VoIP calling to Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless customers, for example. Verizon and Skype announced that they had joined forces to create a Skype mobile app that would allow free Skype-to-Skype calls and VoIP calls over Verizon’s 3G network. The company more recently launched its Symbian app on Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s Ovi Store, giving millions of Symbian smartphone users a chance to easily download the app and make unrestricted VoIP calls. Unfortunately Skype has, in the spirit of promoting their new carrier partner, decided to keep the app from hitting Ovi Store shelves in the US.

The Android phone that Megan Fox was showing off in the bathtub during the Superbowl has arrived at IntoMobile headquarters, and we’ve taken a quick little video to show you the goods. We had a chance to put hands on a locked Devour at Mobile World Congress, but this time around we actually have an activated unit to show you. The stylish Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Devour brings yet another Android phone to Verizon (NYSE: VZ). With a metallic unibody and Type A geek design, it gives the Motorola Droid a cheaper companion in Verizon’s stable.

These days, if you’re not going green, you’re not going anywhere. AT&T (NYSE: T) knows this and is embracing the eco-friendly movement with a new initiative to reduce the size of their wireless accessories’ retail packaging. And, to help further their “green” cause, AT&T will also be requiring their mobile phone manufacturers to embrace new packaging guidelines aimed at reducing waste and the environmental impact of tons of unnecessary paper and plastic.

Once again, MetroPCS (NYSE: PCS) is teaming up with Mister Cartoon — renowned tattoo artist, car customizer and illustrator — to launch a special edition device. This time it’s the limited edition black and chrome Motorola VE440, which is sold along with two interchangeable back covers featuring Mister Cartoon’s artwork. Additionally, inside the box, users will find a 1GB microSD memory card with two unreleased full-length tracks from Snoop Dogg, along with exclusive wallpapers and ring tones from both Mister Cartoon and Snoop Dogg.

Big Red is being hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging the largest U.S. carrier has been improperly charging non-smartphone users for data.

The new TELUS Motorola Milestone seems to be getting a lot of attention up in Canada these days. The Canadian version of the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Droid is doing well as far as I can tell, no doubt due to the great marketing efforts the Canadian carrier has put forth.

Case in point, a little note I received in my email today from a TELUS (NYSE: TU) buddy.