Skype is to acquire mobile group messaging service provider GroupMe, which provides a range of services that enable mobile phone users to connect and share locations and photos with friends across networks and mobile platforms.

Google is poised to extend its domination of search to the mobile phone market with news an official Google phone may be on sale as early as January 5th. The handset will be for sale unlocked and without contract and will use data, not voice.

RIM has finally launched an app store for Australian and New Zealand BlackBerry users, opening up a world of capability extending business, reference and utility apps alongside fun time-wasters like horoscopes and games, but while paid apps are available to US users, ANZ'ers are only getting free ones, for now.

BlackBerry’s very recently announced Bold 9700 is finally available at retail from Telstra stores today, and other telcos from early December, and given that it’s the best BlackBerry yet, despite strong competition, it should be a Berry Merry Christmas for RIM and telco partners!

Both Telstra and Optus have selected US based specialist WMC Global to monitor mobile premium SMS services advertising and SMS message flows during services opt-in and participation to ensure these conform to their respective contract requirements and the industry code.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority wants feedback on its proposed new rules for blocking unwanted high-cost services delivered to mobile phones by the end of this week.

Motorola has unveiled its first Android phone and an innovative feature, Motoblur, that automatically syncs users' contacts, posts, messages etc from popular social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, web based email accounts such as Gmail and standard POP email accounts, provides automatic backup and replication of the user's personalisation on a new device if one is lost or stolen.

Mobile broadband usage has surged over the past year, with subscribers to the services nearing a quarter of a billion globally and the industry recording year-on-year growth of 93 percent.

Six months ago Telstra outsourced operators for its mobile memo service to the Philippines. The telco has now announced it will be returning to native English-speaking operators.

For business users, mobile e-mail has become a must-have. Turn otherwise unproductive time to good use by keeping up with what’s happening. Yet in the battle of smartphones is the old trusty BlackBerry getting long in the tooth? Does the sexy iPhone challenger have what it takes to unseat RIM?