iPhone Gets EA's Spore Origins, More Mobile Titles (NewsFactor)
NewsFactor - If you can't manage to occupy yourself Web surfing, e-mailing or listening to tunes on your iPhone, EA Mobile has just announced a raft of games for the iPod touch and the iPhone. Phone games have become a real phenomenon as more and more mobile devices have enough screen real estate and processing power to become a viable game platform. The EA announcement Friday focused on the release of Spore Origins for the Apple mobile market, but the company also released details of nine other upcoming mobile game titles.

Russia's MTS to sell Apple iPhone (AP)

AP - Russia's number one cell operator MTS said Friday it has signed a deal with Apple Inc. to sell the iPhone in Russia.

Google touts iPhone, Chrome browser (InfoWorld)
InfoWorld - A Google executive Thursday heaped praise on Apple's iPhone, even with his company set to challenge Apple in this same space with its Android mobile computing platform.

Hands On with 'Spore' (PC Magazine)
PC Magazine - I'm pretty sure that I do not have an addictive personality. I don't drink or smoke -- I'm just not into doing anything in excess. However Will Wright's new game, the remarkably immersive Spore ($49.95, PC and Mac only), could have me signing up for the nearest 12-step program any day now.

ProteMac Meter logs network activity (Macworld.com)
Macworld.com - ProteMac has announced the release of ProteMac Meter, a network activity monitor and traffic logging utility for Mac O SX. It costs $29.95 for a single-user license. A download is available.

Adobe to announce Creative Suite 4 on Sept. 23 (Macworld.com)
Macworld.com - Adobe will officially announce Creative Suite 4 on September 23, 2008. The company will also host a webcast introducing the products to the public.

Sandvox 1.5 improves media processing, pagelets (Macworld.com)
Macworld.com - Karelia Software has announced the release of Sandvox 1.5, a "major upgrade" to the company's visual Web site editing software for the Mac. Sandvox 1.5 is a free upgrade for registered users, and costs $49 for the "Regular" version or $79 for the "Pro" version.

iTunes 8 coming at next week's Apple event? (CNET)

CNET - Add another possibility to the list of possible announcements at Apple's iPod event next week: a new version of iTunes.

Smartphone Competition Heats Up with Many Choices (NewsFactor)
NewsFactor - The market for smartphones is heating up and forcing competitors to make smart choices. With lots of players, including Apple going global with its iPhone 3G and HTC's Google Android-based phone, companies like Nokia-owned Symbian are paying attention.

Apple unlikely to unveil iTunes subscription service Tuesday (CNET)

CNET - Music industry insiders are buzzing about the press gathering Apple is hosting on Tuesday. The invitation shows a dancing man wearing an iPod and the slogan shouts, "Let's Rock."