Mossberg, whose opinion can make or break a product or service, has revisited his earlier take on the MobileMe service, which got off to a disastrous start when it was launched last summer. Previously, Mossberg told readers to stay away from the product although recently gave it another look over. Through the process of developing the product, Apple did apologize for rushing the launch. Issues mainly pointed towards launching at the same time as the release of iPhone 3G, the App Store and the iPhone 2.0 software.

Mossberg said that “Apple has fixed all of the speed and reliability issues I encountered last year, ” even if Outlook data syncing between Windows PCs and Macs is still an issue. MobileMe is an important service for Apple, as it gives those wary about switching completely to the Mac a way to stay tethered to Windows. The app also improves the usability of the iPhone. MobileMe lets Mac or Windows users sync their contacts, calendar info and e-mail across Macs, PCs, and iPhones for $99 a year.

[via CNET Apple]

AT&T has decided to expand their range of Wi-Fi hotspots by purchasing Wayport for $275 million dollars. Wayport has many Wi-Fi hotspots in locations such as, Starbucks, Barnes  and Noble bookstores and many major airports. Oakly and Surfline have teamed up to create an all-in-one surfing application for the iPhone. Surf Report gives you real time information on surf conditions, weather, safety notices and reports. You may view weather conditions up to three days in advance.

Good news is being reported, rumors state that the new iPhone firmware 2.2 is going to be released on November 21st. We have all been backing up our iPhones as we eagerly await this update. Business iPhone users who use Calliflower for PC  will find the Calliflower interactive conference calling very useful. Now you can use the same services on your iPhone without the need to download a client to your PC. This application will be available for free on January 1st, after which you will be able to purchase it for $9.99.

HangTimer by DropZone is a great application for skiers of all kinds. HangTimer utilizes both the built in accelerometer and technology used by NASA to provide you with run statistics. This application will also give you snow conditions and directions to your local resort. More details have surfaced in regards to the new iPhone tethering plans by AT&T. These plans will cost $30 a month with a 5GB data cap.

iSoft has finally created a landscape virtual keyboard for SMS on the iPhone. The big drawback is that you have to use it as an application, there is no integration in the SMS application at all. Another drawback is that you must have a jailbroken iPhone in order to buy this application. Overall this application shows that it can kind of be done. But who in their right mind would give into the circumstances for such a bad feature.

We found out this week that Microsoft’s web-based Office Suite will work with the iPhone’s mobile Safari web browser. This web-based version will include full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote. There may be a sneak peak by the end of 2008 but we wouldn’t count on it. Google has set out to deliver the first voice search feature to the iPhone. This application will be free (no surprises there). With this application users will virtually be able to ask their iPhone any question like, “Where is the nearest Starbucks?” or “How old is the oldest man in the world?” Google will not comment on just how often this application works correctly, but they do say that they believe users will be able to get a lot of use out of it.

Just launch the application and hold the button as you either speak a contact’s name, or speak the number you wish to dial. Depending on whether or not you have auto-dial on or off, the application will automatically dial the number after a few seconds. After displaying the number that Say Who believes you are attempting to call it gives you two or three other options in case it heard you wrong.

We tested this application in the field to see how it would perform in day-to-day life. No matter how much background noise there was, Say Who almost always accurately heard our voice commands. This voice dialer even resumes after the current call ends.  Say Who is perfect for use while driving. We recommend this application over any played voice dialing application.

The object of this game is to get the ball bearing across the wooden board without letting it fall into any holes. Sounds simple enough, right? But what I really like about it is this game puts the accelerometer to work. By tilting the phone, you maneuver the bearing slowly and carefully across the board. Once you reach the other side, you level up. But avoiding those holes can be tough. It’s very sensitive to movement, so you may find yourself accidentally flinging the ball across the board unintentionally until you get used to the mechanics. 

One thing I like was the settings feature that allows you to calibrate the game to how you hold the iPhone. While you’re supposed to hold the device flat during game play, you can calibrate it to your specifications. 

Gameplay is simple and straightforward. It’s just like the mini-games you’d get from the supermarket as a kid, but this time it’s digitized. That’s the only difference. Image quality is simple but decent. Perhaps more realistic wooden blockers would add contour and depth to the board, which, as of this moment looks a but one dimensional. Sound effects sync up nicely and are appropriate as well. Update:Ever feel like you’re losing your mind? There aren’t sound effects on this game, and it would have been nice to hear the ball fall into the holes and bounce off of the blockers.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s a fun diversion, nonetheless. And isn’t that what little games like this are all about, anyway?

I’ve heard of other people having this issue with their apps, as well. Seems like I just need to re-download it. But I digress. I will pretend this inconvenience did not occur and proceed with my review. 

Pandora is not new. It’s been online for quite sometime, but now on the iPhone it makes traveling with music–any music you want–much easier. Plus, it’s free. It works like this: 

• Open Pandora
• Click the + sign and type in the name of an artist or song title
• Let Pandora work its magic

Now, sometimes the song you want to listen to will play right away, or you’ll get something the Music Genome Project thinks you will like. This is a very intelligent program because while it may not always play the specific artist you requested, it will play you songs that are very similar–and will give you the reasons why it’s similar. And if it plays a song you dislike or feels is not related to your initial query, vote it a thumbs down. And be sure to give songs you like a thumbs up.

I spent hours playing with this app over the weekend and it’s fantastic. However, there were a few times when it got off on a musical tangent, though that was probably my fault for not voting each and every song. 

The only real drawback is you can only skip songs six times within an hour due to their music licenses. That’s a bummer, especially when it goes off on a Steely Dan tangent. Hey, no offense to Steely Dan, but that’s just not what I wanted to listen to when I typed in “The Eagles.” 

Oh well. Good app, nonetheless. Now, if I could only get mine to work again!

Update: Just reinstalled Pandora and we’re back in business!