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Mobile software developer Handmark today announced the first edition of the 3.x release of its Pocket Express wireless news and information service for a Symbian device, the Nokia E62 offered by Cingular Wireless in the U.S.

Pocket Express for the E62 isn't actually a Symbian application, but rather takes advantage of that smartphone's ability to run J2ME applications. A Handmark spokesperson told PDAStreet a version of Pocket Express 3.x that's actually for the Symbian operating system should be available within the next couple of months. Pre 3.x versions of Pocket Express are no longer supported for Symbian devices, she added.

The concept behind Pocket Express is to downsize the Web to make it more manageable or usable for small-screened mobile devices. Pocket Express uses a channel metaphor, rather than a browser, to deliver Internet content to PDAs and smartphones. Handmark asserts the service is faster than mobile Web surfing by orders of magnitude.

A basic free edition includes news, sports and weather channels, while a paid version ($6.99 per month or $69.99 per year) adds stock quotes, street maps with turn-by-turn directions, movie reviews and show times, Oxford references, 411 directory searching, Dear Abbey, and other content.

Handmark recently enhanced Pocket Express sports coverage with a feature hat lets users access scores and information from major sports in real time; be it inning by inning, quarter by quarter or half by half. The sports scoreboard is located at the top of the Express Sports list, above News and Sports leagues.

The latest version also adds a scrolling banner that runs across the top of the PageOne interface with the top news headlines of the day. In addition, the PageOne and Extras tabs are now located on the left side of the screen to improve navigation.

Handmark said to PDAStreet Pocket Express for E62 should ship by the end of the week. The application is also available for the Palm, Windows Mobile Pocket PC & Smartphone, and RIM BlackBerry platforms.