Kingston Technology announced the new Kingston Media Reader, an external, hi-speed reader designed to support 19 popular types of Flash memory cards. The reader is an excellent solution for moving data between Flash cards and a computer or other device with a USB port as it requires no adapters or power cable.

With four built-in slots to handle the various card formats, the Kingston Media Reader has a unique retractable chassis that keeps inserted cards safe. It also houses a short, compact USB cable for use on the go with a notebook or other portable device with a USB port. A detachable three-foot extension USB cable is also included for use at home or at the office.

Gwava, the developer of security software, plans to introduce a new product that lets enterprises easily track and find text messages and phone calls that BlackBerry users send and receive. The software should appeal to enterprises that need to comply with regulations that require them to track employee communications. Key to the Retain for BlackBerry Enterprise Server is that it doesn’t require any client software. That means an IT administrator can manage it fully from the back end.

Verizon Wireless and Palm announced the availability of the Treo 755p smartphone in exclusive deep blue-green. Beginning today, customers may purchase the Treo 755p online from Verizon, by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or by contacting their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative. The device will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Jan. 7.

Compared to its Treo 700p predecessor, the Treo 755p has a sleeker design with an internal antenna and a soft-touch feel. Featuring a large, high-resolution, color touch-screen for quick stylus access to applications, the Treo 755p offers a full QWERTY keyboard for easy email creation, Web browsing and text messaging. It also includes features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera and built-in support for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and PDF documents. Customers can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, and view PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files. Running the Palm OS, the new Palm Treo 755p from Verizon Wireless gives mobile professionals the tools they need to help maximize productivity.

The Treo 755p offers VersaMail 3.5.45 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology that delivers email and calendar updates from a home or office PC using Outlook. Businesses connected to a Microsoft Exchange Server get fast, automatic wireless updates of email, calendar and contact information with added IT security and remote manageability. Treo 755p users also have the option of using Verizon Wireless’ Wireless Sync for quick and easy access to personal or corporate email, contacts, calendar, and tasks from their home or office PC. Customers can sync up to 10 POP3 or IMAP email accounts, including AOL, Yahoo! Premium and more with their Treo 755p. Wireless Sync supports Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes and IBM Lotus Domino.

PhatWare Corporation announced the availability of PhatPad 4.4, the new version of the company’s notes organizer for Microsoft Windows-based Tablet, Desktop, and Pocket PCs and Smartphones.

PhatPad allows users to draw pictures, jot notes, or put a mixture of pictures and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The program uses new digital ink technology, which provides a very smooth ink flow, so it feels like writing on an actual piece of paper. While working with the note editor, PhatPad offers standard editing commands in addition to a customizable pen palette and variable pen width.

CT Scheduler is a utility that adds a new functionality for automating phone actions in accordance to your schedule. CT Scheduler allows sending SMS, switching profiles, bluetooth, Flight Mode, set Call Forwarding, run programs and do many other interesting things at the desired time automatically. The program is easy to understand and easy to use. You can view, change, delete and create events fast and easily. Status icons, sorting, filtering and other options significantly simplify your work with your list of events.

A Canadian man has been shocked to receive a mobile phone bill for nearly $85,000. Piotr Staniaszek thought he could use his new phone as a modem for his computer under his $10 unlimited mobile browser plan from Bell Mobility.

He downloaded high-definition movies and other large files unaware that this incurred massive extra charges. Bell Mobility has since lowered the bill to $3,243, but Mr Staniaszek says he intends to fight the charges anyway.

Laridian announced the release of PocketBible for Windows. The Windows version is available as a download from the company’s Web site, or on a USB flash drive–the first PC Bible software that can run from a USB flash drive and also synchronize personal data with a mobile version on a Windows Mobile or Palm OS device. A new feature for users of the PC and Windows Mobile Pocket PC versions, and soon to be expanded to other platforms, is the ability to synchronize personal data (such as notes, bookmarks and highlights) between devices. For example, notes entered with a particular Bible passage on the Pocket PC will synchronize and appear when the PC version is being used.

The new iPowerRush increases the run time of the iPhone, iPod and iPod Touch devices by more than 50 percent. The first charger capable of operating and quickly charging every iPod device, iPowerRush is powered by six AAA batteries and equipped with a power on/off slide switch. A push-button power indicator indicates the amount of reserve left in the unit. An automatic limiting circuit prevents overcharging the device.

Apple estimates the iPhone battery can accommodate up to eight hours of talk time, six hours of Internet use, seven hours of video playback, 24 hours of audio and 240 hours of standby time. It’s estimated that iPowerRush extends talk time by four hours, Internet use by three, video by 3.5, audio by 14 and standby by 120 hours.

Software giant Microsoft unveiled some of its future technology at its fourth annual Innovation Day in Brussels on December 4. And from virtual family organizers to tabletop touch-screens, their vision of the future sees technology move from the traditional desktop computer to become seamlessly integrated in all aspects of our lives.

One key area that’s set to change, says Microsoft, is user interface. MD of Microsoft Research, Cambridge, Andrew Herbert told CNN, “Sitting at a keyboard with a screen in front of us is an old-fashioned view of computing. Technology is going to be around us, it’s going to be much easier to use.”

This isn’t a vacuum cleaner, but it sucks. This isn’t a fan, but it blows. This isn’t a dog, but it bites. Wow, who knew GE could make something so sucktacular? I’m talking about the GE Halogen toaster oven. This thing is firing ass on all cylinders. It’s dangerous, it’s annoying to operate, and it works poorly. It’s also the most expensive toaster oven Wal-Mart sells and you should not buy it.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.