This morning in Las Vegas, at the CTIA Wireless 2008 convention, Microsoft President - Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach is announcing a set of new features for Windows Live Search for Mobile, available soon if you have WLS installed on your mobile device, available now in the US and UK only.  For Windows Mobile devices, the new features include:

· Map a contact:  For any people in your contacts list/address book, immediately view their address on a map and get directions there.

· View Virtual Earth collections:  View custom maps of locations and events that are created on the PC by you, your friends, or the broader community.

· Web search: Launch web search directly from the client to find web pages, product price comparisons and reviews, news, images, and more.

· Weather: View the latest weather conditions and the 4 day forecast.

In addition, voice input functionality, already available for Windows Mobile devices, will be available this spring for the Blackberry version, currently in beta in the US only,  of Windows Live Search for Mobile.

Phil Holden has more on his blog at philiworld.spaces.live.com

To download Windows Live Search for Mobile on your Windows Mobile or Blackberry device, browse on your phone to wls.live.com, or send a text with a download link (US).  When the new features are enabled you will be notified of an update.  You can also use Live Search on any mobile device from m.live.com.

No news yet about an announcement about Windows Mobile 6.1 (maybe this part was an April Fools joke), we'll be keeping a close eye on the keynotes (local Seattle football legend Steve Largent, now the President and CEO of CTIA, and Richard Branson, Chairman of The Virgin Group (Virgin Airlines) will also be keynoting, among others). Press releases, etc. for the show are here.