Spb Software House has announced the public availability of the Spb Diary 2.0 Beta. The new version includes a number of new features–the most noteworthy ones being photo contact and contact dialing support, a special events tab (for birthdays and Spb Finance scheduled transactions), an enhanced notes tab (support for PhatNotes, text files, and Word Mobile documents), skin support, improved stylus-free navigation, and an enhanced database engine.

DeadMan’s Handle, the innovative concept in notebook security, is being recommended for use after the recent terrorist incidents in the UK. This advanced software protects sensitive notebook information when it is lost or stolen. It does so by invisibly erasing it, providing an additional layer of security that complements technologies now in use. The system not only protects company data, but also system access and network settings. The removal of these settings greatly reduces the possibility of attacks by criminals. With laptops now going into unlocked hold baggage in planes it has become essential for mobile security to be improved. The software can protect all aspects of confidential information and system data on their machines.

A portable hacking device equipped with hundreds of exploits and an automated exploitation system will go on sale in the United States in October. The wireless handheld, called Silica, is the latest product to be developed by Immunity, a Miami-based security company that sells penetration testing products and services. An early version of Silica, which supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connections, has been fitted with more than 150 exploits from Immunity’s Canvas product to allow security professionals to conduct pen tests while walking through office cubicles. Penetration testing, or pen test, is used to evaluate the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack by malicious hackers.

AOL is preparing to dig for buried gold and platinum on property in Massachusetts owned by the parents of a man it sued for sending millions of unwanted spam emails to its customers. AOL said Tuesday it intends to search for gold and platinum bars the company suspects are hidden near the home of Davis Wolfgang Hawke’s parents on two acres in Medfield, Massachusetts. AOL won a $12.8 million judgment last year in U.S. District Court in Virginia against Hawke but has been unable to contact Hawke to collect any of the money he was ordered to pay. AOL accused Hawke of violating federal and state anti-spam laws by sending unwanted emails to its subscribers and won its case in a default judgment against Hawke, who didn’t show up in court.

This week’s LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco is shaping up as a showcase for Linux cellphone-related products, alliances, and open source contributions. The barrage of phone-related announcements and demonstrations underscores the growing stature of Linux as a mobile phone operating system. One announcement notes that the Diffusion Group expects Linux to surpass Symbian, the current mobile phone OS marketshare leader, within four years.

Another small businessperson who is being bullied by Apple’s lawyers for the use of the word “pod” in her trademark has come out of the woodwork. Meet 53 year-old self-employed Terry Wilson from New Jersey. After having success using a spare sock to store her mouse in a way that its wire didn’t get all tangled up with the other contents of her bag, she raided her dresser once again, found a vintage pair of spandex pants from the 80’s, and recycled them into an ingenious, incredibly lightweight and apparently snug protection sleeve for her notebook, calling it the TightPod and making them for resale. But not if Apple gets its way. After Apple, maker of iPods, found the trademark application in which Wilson mentions covering MP3 players as well, its lawyers sent a threatening letter that was nearly identical to the one that the same law firm sent to Dave and Carolee Ellison, owners of a family run business out of Florida that makes arcade games and a small accounting device called a Profit Pod. In the letter (full text) to Wilson, not only does Apple offer her what it says is a “reasonable opportunity” to phase out usage of the TightPod trademark, it notes that Apple has registered a trademark for the word POD in other parts of the world and plans to do so in the US.

Dell has identified a potential issue associated with certain batteries sold with Dell Latitude, Inspiron, XPS, and Dell Precision Mobile Workstation notebook computers. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies, ##Dell is voluntarily recalling## certain Dell-branded batteries with cells manufactured by Sony and offering free replacements for these batteries. Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire.

Dell announced a recall of lithium-ion batteries sold in many of their notebook computers over the past two years. This recall follows an extensive investigation, but it is absolutely about safety first. This is a voluntary recall of approximately 4.1 million batteries, making it one of the largest in Dell’s history.

For Palm Treo smartphone users and GPS enthusiasts, Palm announced the Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition, featuring new TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software. Drivers using the new GPS Navigator with their Treo smartphones can rely on voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions to easily find their destinations as well as millions of points of interest, including gas stations, restaurants, parks, airports and more. TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 is available today exclusively for Palm’s GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition. Palm’s new Bluetooth enabled SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, which features a sleek design and easier-to-see LED lights, seamlessly pairs with Palm Treo 650, Treo 700w and Treo 700p smartphones. The product is simple to set up, thanks to a 1GB memory card preloaded with maps. Travelers simply pop the memory card into their Treo smartphone and pair the GPS receiver to access highway and street-level maps covering the United States and Canada. No desktop syncing or downloading of maps is required.

Belkin has announced new surge protectors that provide cable management, sliding outlet covers, and an inconspicuous design. The Concealed Surge Protector features an unobtrusive design that blends into the wall, while keeping plugs and cables hidden under its lid, making it cleaner and safer for kids and pets. A convenience plugs allows you to quickly plug and unplug devices, such as a vacuum or a cell phone charger, without having to open up the surge protector. Belkin’s new Clamp-On surge protector provides more outlets in a mountable, space-saving design. This surge protector is the first to clamp onto a surface edge, making it easier to quickly plug in and unplug your devices. By clamping onto the edge of a desk, workbench, or two-by-four, the Clamp-On Surge Protector makes it more convenient to access your power outlets. Both will ship in North America in October for $49.99 and $59.99, respectively.