The Mobile Search team officially launched V1 of their application for Windows Mobile and J2ME (Java) phones at 3GSM this week. (Installation instructions for either version) some really nice enhancements in the final release since the beta. Here is the news from Darwin Cruz, one of the program managers for the release:

At the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, we  announced the official release of our client application for Windows Mobile Smartphones Pocket PCs as well as compatible J2ME capable devices in the US and UK. You might have heard about the beta release back in November, but we’ve added some new features in addition to the great things you can already do.

· Category-based local searching -Search businesses and restaurants through our category system and save your thumbs from typing.

· Maps and Directions - Get maps of your area and directions to your destination. Hook up a GPS unit to search around and track your current position (currently only available on Windows Mobile).

· Traffic - View real-time traffic to save time and help plan your routes.

· New! Contacts list integration – search for a contact’s address without typing it or save a business to your contacts to use again later.

· New! SMS a friend - Send a text message with business’ address and phone number to your friends so they know where to meet you.

If you don’t have a compatible phone, try typing mobile.live.com/search into your phone’s browser. For those without data plans, you can always send a text message to 95483 (WLIVE) with your search query. Learn more at http://mobile.search.live.com/about or send us your feedback at lsmobile@microsoft.com.

Darwin also put together some screenshots with a Valentines day theme to show off the app. It's touching :-)

Searching for Love? Or Just Love to Search?

Kevin finds himself on the subway home, but empty-handed with no Valentine’s Day gift for his wife Julie. Fortunately, he’s got Live Search for mobile on his Windows Mobile Smartphone.

He opens it up and enters a search for Flowers. Browsing through the list, he finds a place on his way home.

All of a sudden, Kevin remembers that he should tell his forgetful younger brother Darren (who’s been with his girlfriend Lisa for 2 years now) that today is in fact Valentine’s Day. He easily sends Darren a text message with the address & phone number of the flower shop.

Kevin proceeds to get directions to the flower shop and pulls up a map. In no time, he’s home with his arms full of a beautiful bouquet sure to bring a smile to Julie’s face.