Wi-fi spreads, social networking rocks out, and a solar powered bikini simpers

It seems that no aspect of modern existence is to be spared from the onslaught of internet connectivity, especially if the patrons of London's underground system get their way. In a recent survey, the tube's users voted overwhelmingly for mobile email over talking on a phone, were the choice to be made available.

Commuting workaholics who travel on the Oxford bus line to London with The Stage Coach Group can already experience the joys of the mobile internet, courtesy of Vodafone and Moovera, who launched a mobile wi-fi service for the route this week. But although this sort of access seems like wizardry beyond all reckoning at present (or at least worthy of a press release) Nokia and Motorola are looking towards a time when mobile wi-fi internet is the norm, as evidenced in their intention to start selling WiMAX-enabled phones by 2008.

The already popular email-on-the-go device, the Blackberry, had a tougher week. On Tuesday night the service failed, causing the planet to spin off its access, after which we all very nearly plunged screaming into the heart of the Sun. Luckily the clever technicians at RIM sorted out the issue quick smart, averting an interstellar disaster. In the meantime, swathes of American Crackberry addicts experienced the joys of leisure for the first time in years.

Social networking continues to make the transition to mobile, with Orange now looking to get in on the action by making mobile photo blogging as easy as possible via a new deal with NewBay software. Competition is rife in this field; EMI has been thrusting rival ShoZu equipped phones into the hands of several wide-eyed rock and pop urchins.

No Pocket Picks round-up would be complete without an iPhone mention, and this week is no exception. No sooner had our Pocket Picks iPhone guru Casper Field speculated that development of the iPhone is complete, than an indirect retort came from AT&T chief Randall Stephenson, who painted a rosy picture about the iPhone meeting its June release date. At the same time, the iPhone got yet more publicity by appearing (if you squint a bit) in the latest episode of the hit TV series LOST.

Lastly... A phone made out of whale bone? A house pet cookery ebook for Symbian phones? No, a solar powered bikini that charges your mobile phone (yes, seriously). It's only a matter of time before the other two arrive though, so click 'Track It!' to make sure you read all about them.