Unless you have been asleep under a tree for the last week, you can't have failed to notice that Amazon has done something pretty impressive - it has stolen Google's thunder by launching Cloud Drive.

Even though the name is a little clichéd, it does give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Cloud Drive is a cloud-based file storage service provided by Amazon. You upload the files you want to store and access - music, videos, photos, etc - and are then free to access them whenever you want using the Cloud Player - an internet based service for Macs and PCs, but currently only available in the US.

Cloud Drive is free for up to 5 GB of media - after that, you have to pay. Interestingly, Amazon are providing mobile access, but only for Android, Blackberry and Palm. Thinking back to last week and the release of Amazon Appstore for Android, it seems that the internet giant is intent on targeting the vast market that the iPhone hasn't yet managed to tap.

One of the hardest programs to track down is a good note-taking app. This seems weird, as there are a bunch of them out there. Even so, some just don't make the grade - they're ugly, awkward and sometimes really make it hard to jot down information when you're on the go.

EverNote and Springpad are considered by many to be two of the best. Both have smartphone and online versions, so we're evaluating them on their performance across devices and platforms, since accessibility is a major concern when it comes to note-taking apps.

Both score really highly in their Softonic reviews, so it's not surprising that you might be finding it hard to choose. The best way is to install both and test them, but if you're short on time - or motivation - we're here to do it for you!

Registration and sign-up

In the sign-up stakes, these apps are almost neck and neck. The sign ups are pretty much as painless as you get - email address, password and you're in. SpringPad does slightly better than EverNote - you don't need a username and there's no security CAPCHA, cutting out two steps and winning it this round.

Result - Springpad, but only just!

Available platforms

The availability of platforms is crucial for a note taking application. The aim is that no matter where you are or what you're doing, adding a note is as easy and fast as possible. Looking at our two applications, it's pretty obvious that Evernote comes out on top.

This application is available for pretty much anything you can imagine - Online, Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, Palm Pixi, Windows Mobile and even a Windows, Mac and Linux compatible Firefox extension, for including online information in the click of a mouse button.

Springpad doesn't skimp, but it's not quite as impressive. It's available online and for Android, iPhone and iPad. There's no desktop version, and if you have any smartphone other than Android/iPhone, you'll miss out.

Result - Evernote, by a mile!

HP has today announced its vision of the next generation of mobile devices - the Palm Pre 2, which will be the first handset to run the new web OS 2.0. The device itself doesn't appear radically different from the original Palm Pre, but the new operating system has been significantly tweaked to improve the user experience.

Among the new features of web OS 2.0 are improved multitasking, an enhanced Universal Search, HP Synergy support, and the inclusion of Flash Player 10 Beta. For a fuller run-down, check out the post I wrote last month when the web OS 2.0 SDK was announced.

HP's plans for a tablet have taken a new turn: instead of running Android - or even opting for Windows Phone 7 - the company has decided to put its weight behind a Palm-based operating system. It has also been revealed that any plans for a HP smartphone running Android have been scrapped.

Android's not very used to rejection, so why has Hewlett-Packard decided to give the Google operating system the cold shoulder? Well, back in April, HP bought struggling smartphone makers Palm and is obviously counting on WebOS - as part of a new tablet - to help recoup the expenditure.

Even though it is a solid operating system, Palm never managed to get a strong foothold in the mobile market. Technically though, it's a strong system, so let's hope its reputation as the "almost-there" of the mobile world doesn't hold the PalmPad back.

[image courtesy of Mobiusu]

Good news for fans of that washed-up smartphone dinosaur, Palm. The company has today released the beta version of its new webOS 2.0 SDK. The operating system includes a number of powerful new features that should, at least in theory, make it a serious rival to the new iOS, Android, Windows 7 and the new Symbian^3 platform.

Key new features of webOS 2.0 include a revamped multi-tasking system, known as Stacks. Expanding on the operating system's existing playing cards-inspired user interface, webOS 2.0 now allows users to group related cards (which each represent an app) into stacks, to reduce clutter and make it easier to switch between different tasks.

Palm has also improved the power of its Universal Search feature, which has now been renamed Just Type. It lets users create emails, perform web searches, update status, etc., without having to launch an app. This is done using a new tool called Quick Actions.

Other new features of webOS 2.0 include a feature called Exhibition for running apps on the TouchStone dock, improvements to Synergy, and a number of HTML 5 enhancements. If you want to learn more about these, and other new features, take a look at Palm's introduction to webOS 2.0.The new webOS SDK is currently available to developers who sign up to Palm's SDK Early Access Program.

My heart tells me that webOS is a platform that deserves a lot more attention from mobile developers. But my head says it's pretty sure that this won't happen, and that the Palm platform will finally succumb to the might of the more fashionable operating systems from Apple, Google and BlackBerry.

Are you on Facebook? We've added another way for you to follow posts at OnSoftware, with the Softonic (EN) Facebook group. Join us, and you'll be updated as soon as new posts are published, and we'll also share links to cool software and games.

As it's a Facebook group, all members are free to start discussions and talk to other members too. It's also a great place to share your thoughts on software on our wall, so if you've got something to say, get involved! You can join our Facebook group here. Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter!

What are we expecting from the Worldwide Developers Conference in June? Lots of people are predicting that Palm will launch their much hyped Pre handset on June 7th, just a day before the Apple conference begins. Maybe Palm are hoping to overshadow any Apple announcements, but that looks dangerous to me, as Apple are likely to have some cool stuff up their sleeves.

Here at OnSoftware we've been wondering out loud what might happen, so starting with the most likely things, here we go:

1: Snow Leopard. Surely there'll be an exhibition of the next version of OSX, 10.6, which sounds like it will build on what is already my favourite operating system. The most interesting thing about it for me is that it will have an overall smaller hard drive and RAM footprint (like Windows 7) - efficiency is always a good thing. We know that Windows 7 is lighter so it can work on netbooks.... Probability: 100%

2: The next surest thing, and it's a pretty sure thing too, is an announcement of a third generation iPhone. What's it going to be like? I wouldn't expect much of a visual difference (it won't be available in pink any time soon), but should do the things people think it should already do, like video capture or maybe a compass (like the HTC Magic). Perhaps you'll be able to alter the backlight time too? Reading that back, maybe Palm are right to gamble, or maybe Apple have something really cool for the next gen iPhone? Probability: 90%

2.5:  Rumours abound that working with Verizon, there might be an iPhone lite in the works, and some have claimed to have actually seen the device. It's worth remembering that Apple went as far as creating fake prototypes to keep people from knowing the truth about the original iPhone... I think an iPhone lite is a pretty underwhelming concept too. Probability: 30%

3: Mystery item! With all the stories about Apple ordering 10 inch touchscreens, Snow Leopard being easier on resources and the success of netbooks in general, there are many predicting Apple will announce something between a Macbook and iPhone. Tim Cook, Apple's COO recently said that netbooks "suck", but that could be a precursor to "but ours are cool". Bets are divided between some kind of netbook or keyboard free tablet device. The 10 inch touchscreen tablet sounds like a sweet idea - a device for browsing and watching media. However, in my head that looks like a big iPhone, which shows a lack of imagination on my part! Probability: 50%

We've seen numerous alleged photos of Apple netbooks, or Macbook minis, but none of them look convincing (or good!)!

*thanks to our resident Apple insider Tom for the secret Apple iPhonebook image!

The future of browser games is bright. [Gamesindustry.biz/Blurst]

The internet versus the environment! [The Guardian]

Nine Inch Nails versus Apple! [Engadget.com]

Discoveries made with Google Earth. [Google Earth Blog]

Myst released for the iPhone - relive the boredom! [9to5mac]

Palm Pre out on june 7th? [The Boy Genius Report]

Windows 7 RC1 released to MSDN and TechNet [Microsoft]

Apple augments chip team - secret new stuff to come? [WSJ]

Yahoo! layoffs start - Flickr hit first [GigaOm]

Palm Pre Mini to be released this year [TechCrunch]

Panda introduces 'cloud based' antivirus app [Cloud Ave]

Microsoft releases Office 2007 Service Pack 2 [Softonic Download]

Palm may release Pre day before Apple's WWDC keynote [MobileCrunch]

Google launches Public Data Search & Charts [SearchEngineLand]

4chan wags rig Time poll with Marble Cake & moot [Music Machinery]

Microsoft Vine - social networking for emergencies [Mashable]

Making the most of Twitter [Guardian]

[Image from Twitter]

Twitter's 'Discovery engine' is coming [Twitter]

Piracy law 'cuts Internet traffic' [BBC]

WebOS SDK is released,  will support Palm OS emulation [Engadget]

GaiKai vs OnLive - game streaming war [gamesindustry.biz]

Online April fools roundup (including Shouttr) [TechCrunch]

I think anyone who's played with an iPhone will agree that it's a great toy, and has the "I want one" factor. Unsurprisingly, all the major mobile manufacturers are following suit and churning out touchscreen phones.

There's no doubt that being able to browse the web wherever you are is useful, and a touchscreen is a good interface for this, but I'm not convinced it makes a good phone. Without a physical keypad of some sort you can no longer SMS by touch, whether they have haptic (vibrating) touch features or not. There is no way that a touchscreen keyboard will be as easy to use as a physical one: it will require human evolution for that to be the case. We shouldn't have to wait for human evolution to catch up with touchscreens

My other criticism of this current generation of touch phones is size - I still don't carry a 'man bag', so my phone goes in my pocket. Blackberry or iPhone - they're too big. It's surprising that the smallest phone I had (a Nokia 6210, if I remember correctly) was in 2003. They have been growing ever since. Do I have to start wearing clown trousers?

Looking through user reviews on Amazon, touch screens seem to get pretty average scores. The iPhone gets 3 or 4/5, and the Samsung Omnia and Blackberry Storm both manage 3 to 3.5/5. Maybe 3/5 isn't a total disaster, but there are plenty of "old school" phones that get 5/5 reviews.

I'm not against touch screens particularly, but I think there's some way to go before they are done right. The Android 'Magic' phone's keyboard is OK, but I think a better compromise would be a touchscreen keyboard with a physical traditional keypad. Maybe the Palm Pre will be an improvement - though things are rarely perfect on a first generation machine. Until touchscreen technology can give some tactile responses so your fingers can feel their way around, I'm going to want a physical keypad.

Positive pre-'Pre' publicity probably provoked Palm profit plummet [Forbes]

Amazon release Kindle software for iPhone [TUAW]

Blush: an attractive and addictive online game [Blurst]

Three key MySpace execs leaving [TechCrunch]

Google CEO: Twitter's a "Poor man's email" [Silicon Alley insider]

Successful startups have that 'oo' factor [MercuryNews]

StatCounter launches free global stats service [ReadWriteWeb]

Visiting a bar isn't all about just getting drunk and chewing the fat with the locals. In fact, pubs are often a breeding ground for some of the most successful sportsmen on the planet. Heroes such as snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan and darts legend Phil 'The Power' Taylor honed their skills in the smoky games rooms of their local watering holes.

We all know that pub sports aren't the most strenuous of activities but if you're so lazy that you can't even be bothered to get up and walk to the local bar then stop panicking. You can now enjoy your favorite pub games on your mobile phone. Grab yourself a cold one and install these fun sports on your device.

If you're into darts then you're spoiled for choice in terms of titles. One of my personal favorites is the graphically-rich Power Dart for Symbian Series 60 devices. The game allows you to play the popular '01' tournaments (i.e. 301, 401, 501, 601) against the computer, or challenge your friends over Bluetooth. Arrows games for other platforms include Darts for iPhone, Darts (Java), Darts Deluxe (Palm), and Dartz (Windows Mobile).

Pool fans also get a plethora of choices when it comes to mobile games. The king of the genre is Virtual Pool Mobile, which is available for a range of different mobile phone platforms. This impressive 3D simulation sees you start your career in a garage then work you way up by defeating different opponents in a range of locations. Other decent pool games include Vegas Pool Sharks (multi-platform), Pool Rebel (Windows Mobile), and Pool House (Palm).

An alternative ball-blasting game, popular in British boozers, is bar billiards. The object of this one is to accumulate points by strategically potting the eight balls into any of the nine holes, which each have a points value. You also have to contend with three pegs that are placed on the table, each of which affects your points tally in a different way when it. It sounds complicated but it's quite easy to pick up, as you'll see if you install Pocket Bar Billiards on your Windows Mobile phone.

My personal favorite barroom sport is table football, mainly because it's a lot less strenuous than the  real thing (and you actually play better after a couple of lagers). Masterkick is an awesome foosball sim that's available for a wide range of different mobile operating systems. The game looks and sounds great and offers a realistic handle-twiddling experience. Alternatively, you could try Resco Table Soccer, which supports Windows Mobile devices.

Dominoes is one of the oldest bar games around and has been played in taverns ever since the times when smugglers and pirates would bet with each other for pieces of silver or parrots. Real Dice Dominoes allows you to take on up to four real-life players online, or a strong computer opponent. All players take their turns to lay down their slabs so that the number of dots corresponds to those of the last domino played. Whoever gets rid of all their stones first is declared the winner. The game is available for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm and Symbian handsets.

The theme of the day at the World Mobile Congress today has been mobile Internet. Accessing the Net from a mobile device has always been rather awkward, if not even a little scary, thanks to slow connections, high data charges and unusable software. Today there was a noticeable sense of optimism from within the mobile industry over the future of mobile Internet. Discussions at the keynotes centred around how to make the Internet easier, faster and cheaper on a mobile, and we saw plenty of Net-enabled apps that are impressive enough to get mobile users connecting. Here are some of the things that we saw today:

Improving mobile Internet: Today's keynote presentation saw the top minds from Skype, Google and Telstra outline their ideas for how mobile Internet can really take off. Each of the speakers was coming at the issue from a different angle, but all made valid and interesting points. Sol Trujillo, CEO of Australian mobile operator Telstra, explained how the Aussies are now benefitting from 99% mobile Internet coverage at speed of up to 42mbps. He sees the mobile Internet being used on a wider scale than just for Web browsing and entertainment, and pointed out examples of how 3G technology is being used in Oz to improve healthcare, education, farming and the environment. Vic Gundotra, VP of Engineering of Google, said there were three key drivers for the mobile Internet: cheaper and clearer data plans, improvements in browsers, and software innovation. He went on to give some impressive demos of Google's new Latitude and voice search apps. Josh Silverman, CEO of Skype, reiterated the importance of the role software developers play in driving forward the mobile Internet. Buoyed by yesterday's announcement that Skype will be pre-loaded onto the N97 and other Nokia N-Series phones, Silverman delivered a strong message to mobile operators that cheap data plans are central to increasing mobile Internet use.