Back and settled from our first-ever MSG meet-up in London. Thanks to our supporters, sponsors and followers (who helped spread the word via Twitter). A special thanks to RealWire, an MSG partner and supporter whose global news release distribution service (specializing in the online media and mobile) consistently delivers reach, audience and exceptional analytics.
TOUCHSCREEN DEVICE SALES IN THE U.S. ROSE 159 PERCENT OVER THE PAST YEAR, says Comscore, with the growth outpacing that of smartphone sales, which rose “just” 63 percent. The company says there were about 23.8 million touchscreen devices in use in the US at the end of August, and about 33.8 million smartphones. 
But before we dive into this week's line-ups of posts from bloggers, pundits and practitioners, allow me to thank Judy Breck, the "Keeper of the Tents" at the Carnival of the Mobilists. She is stepping down 
In brief: We have hard words and constructive advice for Nokia, hone in on what makes Flirtomatic a textbook case of how companies should approach mobile and discuss this year's deal flow. A preview of the upcoming podcast series looking at winners of the Smaato Mobile Advertising Awards 2009 (Flirtomatic, Aloqua, Waze, Yoose and SPBTV). We also raise our goblets of Rock to companies (rather than individuals) making mobile exciting: Spanish games start-up LemonQuest and the line-up of cool companies in Augmented Reality (specifically, GeoVector and Layar) and visual recognition (Kooaba).
Mobile Groove -- the monthly podcast I produce with Inma Martinez, leading digital media strategist, "free radical" and advisor to venture capitalists -- is back. This time we kick off with a hard look at Nokia strategy and question the wisdom of its decision to sue Apple. 
