A new battery technology that’s being touted as a superior replacement for lithium-ion cells is being demonstrated at the Intel Developers Forum. Zinc Matrix Power has developed a new, rechargeable battery technology based on silver, zinc and water. The company claims its technology has three key advantages over lithium-ion.

Hewlett-Packard said it will purchase Voodoo, a producer of high-end computers favored by gamers, for an undisclosed sum–as well as create a new unit for gaming–marking the firm’s first notable effort to compete in the profitable PC-gaming space. Voodoo, of Calgary, Alberta, makes PCs with high-performance processors and top-of-the-line graphics cards, making them ideal for running computer video games.

Security experts have devised a system which triggers a high-pitched screech on a mobile phone if it is stolen. The service is also designed to prevent thieves from using stolen phones and accessing the data contained on them. Under the new system, Remote XT, a signal is sent to the mobile once it is reported lost or stolen, causing it to emit an alarm similar to a scream. The service is backed by the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum and is aimed at businessmen and women. The alarm noise is accompanied by a message, reading “This phone is stolen”.

Consumers are being asked to return 526,000 laptop batteries made by Sony because they could catch fire, the latest in a record-setting recall involving nearly 7 million computers. IBM and Lenovo Group were seeking the recall of rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries purchased with ThinkPad computers. A laptop caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport this month. It is the fourth recall in recent weeks involving Sony laptop batteries.

Microsoft’s Zune music player looks a lot like an iPod, acts a lot like an iPod and will cost about the same as an iPod. The software giant said Thursday that it will charge $249.99 for the device, signaling that it isn’t planning to spark a major price war to gain market share. The company is hoping to gain an edge by promoting two features Apple doesn’t offer on its iPod: a subscription music service, and the ability to share music with other Zune users through a wireless connection.

The planned shutdown of the Mobile ESPN cell phone service marks the first major bust in a rush of specialized wireless ventures targeting niche audiences they contend are underserved by the Cingulars and Verizons of the world. Mobile ESPN had made the same argument since its launch less than a year ago. But in announcing the decision Thursday to close its service at year-end, the company essentially said it will be joining the enemy: The new plan is to cut deals with major wireless carriers so they can offer the flashy multimedia features and content developed by Mobile ESPN to an established customer base of millions.

RhinoSkin now offers attractive leather cases for the hottest cell phones on the market–the Motorola RAZR and SLVR series phones. RhinoSkin’s RAZR and SLVR cases provide fashionable, inexpensive protection for these ultra-thin mobiles. The premium sheepskin leather cradles the phones in style without adding bulk. Integrated durable shields protect the phones from damage.

RhinoSkin announced new protective cases for the latest iPod Nano and Video players that add style and functionality along with security. Designed to serve as accessories as well as protective cases, the Rhinoskin leather cases and aluminum cases maintain the iPod’s sleek, compact form while allowing access to iPods’ click wheels and ports.

RhinoSkin now offers an aluminum hardcase specifically designed for the Polycom Communicator–the newest VOIP accessory optimized for Skype. Form-fitting neoprene protects the device from shocks and vibrations during transport, while the outside of the case features RhinoSkin’s new high-profile titanium finish.

Sony Electronics announced that it is offering a new broadband version of its high-end Vaio notebooks that the company hopes to market to those on the go. The Vaio VGN-TXN10 series notebook, which comes equipped with an Intel Core Solo processor and Sony’s SmartWi technology, will allow users access to connect to Sprint’s Power Vision Network for wireless downloading of email, Internet access and the ability to download large files, the company said in a statement.