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Can't say we saw this coming, but the Samsung Omnia appears to be headed for Verizon, like soonest. Engadget Mobile got a tip through Howard Forums that the keyboardless slab appeared on a Big V rebate form, and sure 'nuff, there she be.

The start date for the rebate is Oct. 14 — tomorrow! — and the end date is Nov. 15, so it's pretty safe to say we should see the Omnia any day now, if the rebate form's on the level. No sign of it on Verizon's Web site yet. Let us know if you see one.

Also note just above the Omnia on the list is the Samsung Saga, which Engadget says is a global version of the i770, which we recently saw pics of.

For more on the Omnia, albeit the non-U.S. version, check out Dieter's hardware hands-on and software hands-on, and George's recent overall review.

Seesmic has just announced the availability of their new Windows Mobile Seesmic client. Seesmic allows users to upload video questions to a community and receive video responses in a social media atmosphere. Similar to Qik, but with a community help kind of feeling. So far only Windows Mobile Pro 6 devices are supported, but rumor of standard support is in the air. Windows Mobile 5 users: move along.

I think this is technology at its best. Before we would have to be at home next to our computer in order to shoot video, upload it, and wait for responses. Now you can shoot video on the fly and watch your friends' videos on the train, at work, or in in your own bathroom. Not that we discuss recommend the last option of course.

Download available here.

One of the Euro-only devices that always seemed nice to us was the Samsung i620 -- basically take a BlackJack but turn it into a vertical slider. We've read a couple downer reviews of the i620, but nothing that couldn't have been fixed on its way to the US were Samsung to deign to give it to us.

Well, Samsung and AT&T have bought the form factor to the US in the as the Samsung Propel, but they stripped out Windows Mobile and replaced it with a standard feature-phone OS.

Bummer, that -- it's a form factor we've actually been pining for a bit here at WMExperts. We're hoping it's not a sign of things to come -- at least we're comfortable knowing that Samsung isn't going to remove any power from the Epix.

Well how about that. Silverlight's getting the upgrade to the big 2.0. (Guess these guys won't be coming to the party.)

Says Mary-Jo Foley at ZDNet:

Microsoft officials said Silverlight 2 will be available for download from the company’s Silverlight site starting on October 14. They also said that anyone using a beta version of Silverlight 2 or Silverlight 1 will be “automatically upgraded” via Microsoft’s various patching systems to Silverlight 2 in the coming months. (However, users will be able to block the Silverlight 2 download if they decide to do so.)

Microsoft's alternative to Adobe Flash has had its share of ups and downs, but it's still alive and kicking and hopefully a step closer to actually making its way onto a mobile device. And for proof that they're actively working on it, we again turn to Ms. Foley, who updated an earlier blog post stating that Silverlight for mobile would be a topic at this month's Professional Developer's Conference.

“In this demo-filled session learn how to extend your existing Silverlight 2 applications to work on Windows Mobile and how to build rich mobile Silverlight apps that access device peripherals such as camera; GPS or WiFi or the radio stack for location; as well as mobile web services. We also talk about tooling enhancements in Microsoft Visual Studio that support Silverlight app development on Windows Mobile, what to consider when delivering eye-popping UI on mobile, and help you understand the key differences from developing Silverlight apps for the desktop.”

That sounds like it's a lot farther than tinkering around in the ol' garage. Anyhoo, while we wait for the mobile goodness teased to lo' those many moons ago, snag the updated Silverlight on Tuesday and keep your fingers crossed that we'll see something when Windows Mobile 7 finally sees the light of day.

Update: It's heeeeere. Have fun.

It's time for Software Wrangle 22 and we have a bunch of apps to rope in today. Whether you're looking for some new software, need to update some existing software, or want some free apps, take a few minutes and check them out!

This week, WM Standard new software is Spb Online Games and LoanCalc. Updated software includes Bankarama and DVD Catalyst 3. The free app this week is Vibrate On Connect.

WM Professional new software are exoVirusStop antivirus and Halma Sharp. Updated software includes VsNotepad 2 and IM+ Instant Messenger. Freeware is Remote Touch Beta.

WM Standard: New

First up this week for a WM Standard app is Spb Online Games Smartphone v1.1 by Spb Software House. Want to get your game on with other real people online, all from your smartphone?

Spb Online Games is a pack of casual multiplayer online games. Play English Checkers, Russian Checkers, Hexagon and Reversi with real people in real time.

Features: - Two types of Checkers, Hexagon and Reversi - Play with real people - Easy to play casual games - No configuration

Call us fans ('cause we are), but it's nice to see regular updates like this from a Windows Mobile developer, with the updates implemented from inside the application.

And without further ado, the latest update to Kinoma Play brings improvements to:

The file scanner (one of our biggest sources of consternation):

• Kinoma Play now scans for media when you select My Media Files, instead of on startup. This is especially convenient when you launch Kinoma Play primarily to play online media.
• You can now choose between Automatic and Manual scanning in Settings > Library.
  Even with Automatic scanning turned on, scanning can now be canceled other than the first time a new source — like a new Storage Card — is detected.
• A new Scan command appears at the top of My Media Files if Kinoma Play detects that My Media Files may not be up-to-date (i.e. if a previous scan was canceled, or if Automatic scanning is off).

Indeed, those are all good improvements.

Playback on screens that rotate (a la the Touch Diamond, et al):

• On the HTC Touch Diamond, Kinoma Play now uses its orientation sensor to automatically rotate the screen to the correct orientation (0, 90, and 270°)
• Software keyboards (SIPs) are now handled properly on rotated screens.
• Rotated video playback performance has been improved on some phones.

Good. Good. And finally:

• Kinoma Play responds more quickly to the appearance and disappearance of Bluetooth audio devices, like Bluetooth headphones and speakers.
• The installer now works on “Tier 2” phones, which have more stringent security requirements. For anyone who experienced a “security failure” on installation, this release should fix that.
• This release includes preliminary support for the soon-to-be-released Sony Ericsson Xperia X1.

Excellent. Even better than just offering bug fixes is looking ahead to the future, assuming that darn Xperia X1 ever sees the light of day. Now just give us some AVRCP love, and we'll be happy campers. Fire up Kinoma Play and get your update.

To read what we got the in first two updates, click here and here. And if you still haven't tried Kinoma Play, check out Dieter's excellent review.

Chances are you're doing more with your Touch Diamond's (or Touch Pro's) G-sensor (accelerometer) than just switching back and forth between portrait and landscape mode.

But if you need a little help, wmpoweruser has complied a decent list of applications, including games and utilities.

Most of the app links head over to the giants at XDA developers. Included are the ubiquitous Lightsaber app, Lunar Tilt (seen at right), Diamond beer, Magic 8 Ball, and utilities such as BubbleLevel, G-Remote G-Mouse (as seen on WM Experts!), G-Alarm and a host of others.

Hit up the list here. And tell 'em WM Experts sent ya.

Remember how we said the alpha release of Firefox Mobile would be out "in a few weeks?" That still stands. But new this weekend are some leaked screen shots to whet our appetites that much more.

Code named Fennec, the browser will be Mozilla's first in the Mobile space and will compete with the likes of Opera Mobile, Skyfire, the Webkit-based Iris and, of course, pocket IE.

Note how Fennec purportedly scored 88 out of 100 on the ol' Acid3 test, which ain't bad at all for something that fits into your pocket. Stay tuned for more.

Via The Unwired