Motorola announced its new Android-based smartphone, called Cliq, at the Mobilize conference in September. Among the key features of the device are its advanced syncing capabilities with the cloud and the desktop. As new details emerge about the Cliq, one of the facts that has been revealed is that the device's desktop syncing program is based on relatively new software from Nero called MobileSync.

MobileSync is a framework that mobile carriers and handset makers can license and use to build their own distinctive syncing applications. It aims to provide an end-to-end solution for managing multimedia, calendar, and contact information on devices in a way that is seamless, standards-based, and platform-neutral. Motorola has adopted several multimedia-related components of Nero's MobileSync stack for the Media Link software that will be shipped with the Cliq. Users will install Media Link on their desktop computer and use it manage content on the handset.

It's not that the Intertubes aren't stuffed with rumors of a magical Apple tablet that will rain down on consumers like wireless mana from heaven, because they are. But the latest rumor suggests that what Apple currently has under wraps will be focused more on media playback and "light communications" than serious mobile computing.

According to a source for iLounge, which in the past was spot on about the iPod nano and sort of right about the iPhone 3GS and its Chinese variant, the current form factor for the tablet is a lot like a large iPhone 3G/3GS. It will come complete with a curved back, 3G networking option, and will have a 10.7" touchscreen with "720p or thereabouts" resolution. The focus of the device will be on consuming media, much like current iPhones and iPod touches, though it's suggested that it will also serve as a replacement for books and magazines (i.e. an e-book reader). The device is not meant to compete directly with netbooks—along with media playback, it will also serve "light" communications and Web browsing duties.

Microsoft's Courier booklet is reportedly currently running on top of Windows 7 (remember the emphasis Redmond put on Windows Touch during the operating system's development), much like how the Microsoft Surface runs on top of Windows Vista, according to ZDNet. On the flip side, however, you won't be able to install Windows 7 apps on the device.

Sometimes, it's easy to get buried under the landslide of iPhone apps being released on the App Store, but this week has been a big one for some major apps. There are three in particular that caught our eye lately, including the long-awaited Zipcar app, Tweetie 2, and the first release of EyeTV for iPhone. Though two of the three require laying down some cash, we think the feature sets are worth it.

Google is facing a major backlash from the Android community after sending a cease-and-desist order to the independent developer behind a popular Android mod. The controversy reflects some of the licensing challenges that are raised by mobile platforms that incorporate both open and proprietary components. It also illuminates yet another weak point in Google's commitment to delivering a truly inclusive and open platform.

Developer Steve Kondik, known by his handle Cyanogen, is an independent Android hacker who builds custom ROM images that users can install on their Android-powered handsets. His customizations are well-liked and bring significant improvements to the platform. A growing number of Android enthusiasts contend that the stock platform doesn't live up to expectations and that the custom ROM, particularly its performance optimizations, are essential to having a quality Android user experience. The problem, however, is that the custom ROM ships with Google's proprietary software components, such as the Android Market and Maps applications.

Apple may be all about being green lately, but throwaway culture has made it so that anytime a gadget becomes less-than-perfect, we're frothing at the mouth for excuses to buy a new one. Dead pixels? Guess I need a new laptop! Battery is dying? That thing was old anyway. Need to take more music with you? That 160GB iPod is calling your name.

But with budgets tight, now is the perfect time to step back and contemplate the repairs and upgrades we can perform on our own. Influenced by the numerous people we know (both on staff and not) who have tossed perfectly good iPods, we thought we would go over some relatively easy fixes to give our iPods new life.

The most prominent theme at this last weeks Intel Developer Forum was Intel's push into the consumer electronics space, a push that starts in earnest at 32nm with products aimed at televisions, set-top boxes, and mobiles. In fact, a whole day of the conference was dedicated to Intel's thinking on "convergence," a trend that's up there with "virtual reality" and micropayments in the pantheon of Next Big Things that never actually materialized. Intel is, of course, well aware that "convergence" is a punchline, so the company has taken pains to specify that they're talking about a "new convergence," despite the fact that it's still essentially about hooking a PC up to your TV.

If you've ever been skeptical about the popularity of Apple's iPhone and iPod touch apps, Apple has some figures for you. The company announced today that users have downloaded 2 billion apps from the App Store. Some other figures from Apple: