RealNetworks announced the launch of Rhapsody DNA, a new technology platform that enables device makers to deliver a seamless, Rhapsody experience to consumers via a broad range of portable, mobile, and in-home devices. In conjunction, Real announced that it is teaming with SanDisk to integrate Rhapsody DNA into Sansa MP3 players this fall in the United States. The RealNetworks/SanDisk partnership will feature groundbreaking new features embedded in a line of SanDisk’s Sansa e200 series of portable players. The collaboration will allow consumers to personalize their device and take full advantage of both Rhapsody’s subscription model and SanDisk’s flash-based MP3 player capabilities and capacity.

SOYO Group, provider of computer, consumer electronics, and broadband telecommunications products, announced a new Bluetooth stereo headphone and transmitter combo, which allows users to listen to music, make and answer Skype phone calls, or serve as a hands-free headset to use with any Bluetooth-equipped cell phone. The SOYO FreeStyler HS11 is an ear-hook type wireless stereo headphone. It can be used with any Bluetooth-supported cell phone to provide hands-free mobile phone conversations. The companion FreeStyler stereo transmitter has a standard 3.5mm audio jack, which can be plugged into any supported CD player, MP3 player, computer, Hi-Fi receiver or TV. It allows users to listen to music, DVD movie audio, as well as take incoming phone calls. Once the call is completed the FreeStyler HS11 will automatically switch back to the music.

Reaffirming its commitment and ongoing support to the developer community worldwide, Palm unveiled the Palm Developer Network. PDN is designed for mobile hardware and software developers targeting Palm products and is the first formal developer program to include both Palm OS and Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC developers. The new program provides focused technical, business and marketing support, and replaces Palm’s prior, successful developer program, PluggedIn.

The access panel door on a Diebold AccuVote-TS voting machine–the door that protects the memory card that stores the votes, and is the main barrier to the injection of a virus–can be opened with a standard key that is widely available on the Internet. A little research revealed that the exact same key is used widely in office furniture, electronic equipment, jukeboxes, and hotel minibars. It’s a standard part, and like most standard parts it’s easily purchased on the Internet. Can you say voter fraud and election tampering?

Users of smartphones and wireless handheld PDAs now have even more choice and control of their mobile audio experience with the latest version of SelectRadio software. In addition to access to more than 5,000 Internet radio channels, including XM Satellite Radio Online, Shoutcast, and radioio, the new version of SelectRadio software, an add-on program for smartphones and PDAs, has added more than 20 new music channels, commercial-free versions, 20 live worldwide news channels and more.

Intermec, one of the world’s largest makers of ruggedized PDA devices, released two new very-feature-rich models. First up is the Intermec CN3, which can be best described as a rugged Blackberry-type device which runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and sports integrated GPS, telephony + 3G Wireless (choice of either GSM/GPRS or CDMA/EV-DO), WiFi, Bluetooth, and choice of either an area imager or 1.3mpx camera. This is basically the all-in-one field PDA meant to converge several devices into one. The CN3 is scheduled to be available worldwide in the 4th quarter ot his year. Next up is the Intermec CV30, which is a more specialized data collection device designed with vehicle operators in mind. It comes with a choice of either Microsoft Windows CE.NET 5.0 or Windows Mobile 5.0 and supports RFID, speech recognition and voice, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Kids aiming to persuade their parents to buy the PlayStation 3 have some new ammunition–donating their PS3’s down time to researchers could help cure Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or mad cow disease. This November, Sony’s PS3, with a price tag from $499 to $599, will challenge Microsoft’s XBox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii in a battle royale for holiday dollars. The PS3’s chip is the same one IBM is using in a supercomputer it’s building for the Department of Energy. Folding@home uses a network of about 200,000 personal computers to simulate how proteins assemble themselves. A network of PS3s would run even faster. To participate, users will just download a program into the PS3’s hard drive. Then they just need to leave the machine on when they’re not playing. The Folding@home team will divide their complex calculations into manageable chunks and then send it to the participating machines.

Ahoy, in honor of Mrs. Pirate, who also happens to be the Managing Editor of these fine publications (and who doesn’t yet know about our avastitude of Talk Like a Pirate Day, aye, that’ll be a conversation, matie!), we bring you Knit Like a Pirate. No, we couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried. But others did. In fact, you can knit a hat, a bag, and many other incredibly piratical things. Oh, so you’re a hoidy toidy DominoPower reader and you don’t think DominoPower readers knit, do ya? Well, think again, matie. It’s scary actually. We’ve got editors talking knitting all the bloody time. Frankly, it’s a bit creepy. But that makes it perfect for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, now doesn’t it? Arrrrrrr!

Ahoy, just in case you think the highly restrained and professional editorial team here at ZATZ are the only one’s with a diminishing grip upon reality, me hearties, we present the wacked out crew that invented International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Aye, you’ll definitely want to visit their site for special sections like “Ask Cap’n Slappy” and some wildly hilarious and completely cracked videos. The lesson on pirate phone etiquette is not to be missed. Arrr!

It’s our job, here at ZATZ, to educate and inform you, to provide you with information and knowledge that will forward your career, enhance your enjoyment of your gadgets, and improve your love life. Today, we’ll ruin all that. For today, September 19th, is International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day and we call out to all our readers to baffle and confuse those around you by talking like a pirate.

Oh, come on. You know you want to. Now that we’ve told you about it, it’s going to rattle around your head for a few hours and then you’ll avast someone and matie someone else. Just don’t do any “matie-ing” at the office. It’d be bad. I’m Blackbeard the Editor and I talk like a pirate! Now, you can, too. Har har har!