Not too much news on the BREW front of late, but this one's pretty big. Just this week, Qualcomm and Adobe jointly announced Flash support for the BREW Mobile Platform. Reportedly, the software will "fully integrate and deliver Adobe Flash technology to mass market handset devices," and it'll also enable Flash developers to "create standalone applications that integrate mobile device functionality with web content and services." Beyond that, there's just a bunch of back-patting going on in the release, but if you're into that kind of thing, feel free to make you way down to the read link.

[Via PhoneScoop]

Quite frankly, we're still recovering from Garmin's onslaught of GPS navigation systems at CES, but just as those last mental wounds were healing, along comes the outfit to drop yet another bomb. This time, Garmin's taking CTIA hostage and announcing a veritable smorgasbord of application upgrades and partnerships. Up first is an upgrade to Garmin Mobile, which promises to bring a new interface and Google Local search to a variety of BlackBerry, Symbian and WinMo handsets. Continuing on, we're also hearing that Garmin GPS owners can "now send locations found on Google Maps" and MapQuest, select Samsung handset owners can grab hold of Mobile Navigator and Garmin Mobile now plays nice with nTelos' lineup of BREW-enabled devices. Thirsty for more? Fantastic -- you'll be bubbling over once you get done perusing the links below.

[Thanks, Allory]

Read - Garmin Mobile On BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile
Read - Garmin Teams with Google Maps
Read - MapQuest and Garmin Announce a Partnership
Read - Garmin Provides Navigator for Samsung Mobile Phones
Read - Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry Available from Centennial Wireless
Read - Garmin Mobile Turns nTelos Phones into GPS Navigators
Read - Garmin's Fleet Management Interface Network Grows

We love seeing console and even old-school arcade games being ported to cellphone screens, and Verizon Wireless has done us a solid in that respect. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved can now be landed on the screens of those with Verizon's 'Get It Now' service. Want some gameplay deets? The BREW-based Geometry Wars version serves up Untouchable, Survivor, Monster, Trenches, Speed, Multiplier, Feline, and Bomber modes. We call that mobile game playing paradise. Get it now for a one-time $6.49 fee or $3.49 for a month of use. It's now available on 25 Verizon handsets, including the MOTOKRZR K1m and the LG enV.

If you've been a bit disappointed by Nokia's offerings of late, it's probably because the firm is shifting out of the cellphone industry and into the legal environment. Okay, so maybe it hasn't called it quits in the handset game just yet, but this ongoing battle with Qualcomm is beyond ridiculous. Before Qualcomm even had time to swallow the previous counter-suit filed against it, Nokia is firing away again, and this time it's claiming that its opponent "has illegally used six of its technology patents in its Brew smartphone and MediaFlo mobile TV chipset products." Additionally, Nokia's CTO got vocal by stating that this case was just "another example where Qualcomm has effectively copied Nokia's innovations." While we're sure it's getting difficult to decipher which counter-lawsuit belongs to which original grievance, this particular one apparently links to an April 2nd filing where Qualcomm "claimed that Nokia had infringed three patents." C'mon folks, why not settle this like they do in the Alabama State Senate? [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

[Via Yahoo]

These days, it's just not good enough to offer some form of search engine on your phone, as the marketing dollars of search giants are finding their way into phones as providers attempt to dictate your searching and clicking habits. Alltel is finally joining the gang as it unveils the "world's first carrier-branded mobile search application to be pre-installed on handsets with a dedicated search key." The button will activate a BREW client that allows users to search for whatever they please without thumbing through numerous menus, theoretically getting you your answers in a hasty fashion. By partnering with JumpTap, Alltel will reportedly start rolling the "feature" out on its mobiles here in the near future, with the colorful line of AX8600s being the first to "have the search application preloaded."

[Via MocoNews]

Square-Enix has announced that the excessively-titled Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode - Final Fantasy VII will be available exclusively for Amp'd handsets this summer. It's already the most popular 3D mobile game in Japan, taking place shortly after the events of Final Fantasy VII, and thrusting you in the role of one Vincent Valentine who, you guessed it, must save the world from evil. The mobile version is being timed to coincide with the August release of Dirge of Cereberus: Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation 2 and will initially be single-player only, although Square-Enix promises to let you get your multiplayer fix at a later date. And if you aren't lucky enough to have Amp'd service, or if fancy 3D graphics just aren't your thing, you can always grab an NES emulator and bust out some classic 8-bit Final Fantasy -- although we can't say Square would approve.