The declining economy continues to hurt traditional print mags with the latest casualty being Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine. According to Hal Goldstein, publisher and owner, after 11 years the final issue will be published in 2008 and the magazine will be suspended.

Hal also went on to say that it�s been difficult to get phone companies, OEMs and even Microsoft to advertise, despite that the magazine was covering their products.

Hal is not stepping away from traditional print all together, though. Instead, he�s going to focus on launching a new magazine, iPhone Life, in 2009.

This is one of those sad things to report. I�ve been a reader for years and can remember countless times reading the latest issue late at night or on a plane. Even though most of my news comes from online resources, I still enjoy features and reviews in the old fashioned print mag and Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine was one of my favorites.

In addition to being a reader I�ve been a judge of the Software Awards. I will definitely miss this mag. I should also mention that I contributed a piece to iPhone Life and if its style is anything like Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, it�s sure to be a hit.

Read more of the announcement at pocketpcmag.com