After the Microsoft/Danger data loss saga and subsequent data recovery two months back, T-Mobile has quietly resumed sales of the T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 for $49.99 on Even More plans and $249.99 on Even More Plus and T-Mobile Sidekick LX for $149.99 on Even More/$349.99 on Even More Plus.

Following up on the small announcement made this morning, Google has gone into further detail regarding its new Google Maps Navigation application for devices based on Android 2.0.

The application includes conventional navigation features such as 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting with an additional seven features that are dependent on a mobile broadband connection, including map and business data from Google Maps, Google Search integration, voice control, live traffic data, business searching along the main route such as gas stations, restaurants or parking locations without excessive deviation, satellite view and the ever popular Street View.

The beta version of the application will be included with the Motorola DROID and will be offered on other future devices released in the US running Android 2.0 for free.

Google has announced the inclusion of Android 2.0 support in both the SDK and in the changelog along with a companion video ahead of the Droid announcement tomorrow. Read More for the changelog with the most important new features.

• Support for multiple Google and Exchange accounts
• Third-party “sync adapters” will allow apps to tie in to the phone’s sync services
• Quick contact menus for fast access to specific key pieces of contact information
• Unified email inbox
• SMS and MMS search
• Text message auto-delete after a user-defined thread size is reached
• Significantly improved camera controls with white balance, macro, effects, and more
• Improved keyboard layout, dictionary, and algorithm based on multi-touch support
• Double-tap zoom in browser, support for HTML5
• Bluetooth 2.1 support with addition of OPP and PBAP profiles
  Improved graphics hardware acceleration

The car kit consists of a dock with a built-in GPS transceiver designed in tandem with the companion TomTom for iPhone GPS application, although the application is sold separately for $99.99 and is not bundled with the $119.99 dock as first expected during its introduction at the last iPhone keynote in June.

PhoneNews.com Editor at-Large Christopher Price has previously emphasized the need for Zune platform integration on Windows Mobile in order to compete with iPhone in past editorial columns.

This represents a further change of sales policy regarding iPhone, as it was formerly restricted to AT&T retail stores, online sales and Apple, then opened up to select authorized retailers such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart last year.

No word on which AT&T authorized dealer networks will carry the iPhone is available at this time.

The following points were agreed upon by both executives:

“we both think it’s essential that the Internet remains an unrestricted and open platform where people can access any content (so long as it’s legal), as well as the services and applications of their choice.”

The post goes on to detail the following points that need to be considered in the net neutrality debate and potential addition to the national policy:

1.) Users should continue to have the final say about their web experience. Control by one or more entities will kill the web in its current form.

2.) Investment in advanced networks is vital with the existing wireline broadband rules appearing to be sufficient if they are enforced properly.

3.) Flexibility in government policy is key with dense, overbearing legislation being detrimental to the spirit of net neutrality.

4.) Broadband network providers should have the flexibility to manage their networks to deal with threats of any kind with transparency being a necessity.

5.) Broadband providers also need to present customers with clear information about their services without confusing them.

This follows Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg’s recent comments which sharply criticized the need for a national net neutrality policy, stating that Verizon was in fact troubled by the policy proposed by the FCC along with AT&T and Comcast, who are also opposed.

Seidenberg stated that innovation and investment will be stifled while citing examples such as telemedicine that he stated would require Verizon be able to prioritize such traffic. Without the ability to prioritize under the proposed policy, he states the company would not be able to offer such services.

In a press release, Nokia stated:

“The ten patents in suit relate to technologies fundamental to making devices which are compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards. The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007.”

Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia, further stated:

“The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for.”

“Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation.”

Nokia also stated that 40 other companies currently license these same patents, which it deems fundamental to making GSM-based cell phones function with licensees including competing manufacturers. Nokia has not stated a specific amount for damages.

With the addition of layers  you are now able to view different types of information about the area around you.

” For example, you can turn on the Wikipedia layer to read entries about nearby places, then use the transit lines layer to help map out a route. Or you can use the My Maps feature of Google Maps to create a collection of places you’re planning to visit on your trip and then use Google Maps for mobile to access it from the road. You can also turn on the Google Latitude layer to see your friends’ locations.”

Another great way to utilize layers is to set a layer to display train routes or bus tops.  By having these layers you can toggle them on and off based on your needs at the current time.  To download the updated Google Maps App, head over to m.google.com/maps with your BlackBerry browser.  Google Maps with Layers is also available for Windows Mobile and S60.

T-Mobile has also released the following statement:

“Microsoft/Danger continues its efforts to recover pictures, calendar entries and to-do lists, which may be available in the future.”

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