The battle between two hyped formats for high-definition DVD will confuse shoppers and turn many of them off the whole technology, a London-based research firm predicted. Market research analyst Screen Digest also forecast that only $11 billion of the total $39 billion expected to be spent on video discs by 2010 in the United States, Europe, and Japan will be generated by the competing high-definition formats, Sony-backed Blu-ray and Toshiba-supported HD-DVD.

Alltel Wireless announced Thursday that it had inked a deal with XM Satellite Radio to make some of the radio company’s music channels available to its customers. Using software developed by mobile media content provider MobiTV, Alltel subscribers will be able to listen to streaming content from 20 of XM’s more popular channels–among them are ’80s music, indie rock, country and Latin pop.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is only restricting liquids and gels on all flights originating in the United States, a spokesperson told eWEEK Aug. 10. But that doesn’t mean you can take electronic devices on all flights as carry-on luggage. As a result of the change in the terrorist threat level to Code Red, or Severe, on flights to the United States from the United Kingdom, significant restrictions exist on those flights, including, in some cases, elimination of all electronics of any kind from carry-on luggage. In a statement released early in the morning on Aug. 10, British Airways said it will not allow electronics of any kind in carry-on luggage on its flights. This includes, according to the statement, iPods, laptop computers, cell phones, BlackBerrys, and even electronic car keys and key fobs.

BoxWave has released their ClearTouch Anti-Glare and ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protectors for the Nokia 6270. The ClearTouch Anti-Glare is the screen protector with a perfect blend of anti-glare and optical clarity. Packed with numerous features, ClearTouch Anti-Glare provides you with more than protection from scratches. Just to name a few features, this screen protector reduces 90% of UV Rays caused by reflected light, repels dust, fingerprint free, is washable and reusable, and sized to fit your Nokia 6270’s display. The ClearTouch Crystal is known for its amazing glass-like clarity and 99% visual transparency. ClearTouch Crystal will retain the full color vibrancy and life of your Nokia 6270’s screen along with similar great benefits of ClearTouch Anti-Glare screen protectors.

BoxWave has released their ClearTouch Anti-Glare and ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protectors for the Mio P550. The ClearTouch Anti-Glare is the screen protector with a perfect blend of anti-glare and optical clarity. Packed with numerous features, ClearTouch Anti-Glare provides you with more than protection from scratches. Just to name a few features, this screen protector reduces 90% of UV Rays caused by reflected light, repels dust, fingerprint free, is washable and reusable, and sized to fit your Mio P550’s display. The ClearTouch Crystal is known for its amazing glass-like clarity and 99% visual transparency. ClearTouch Crystal will retain the full color vibrancy and life of your Mio P550’s screen along with similar great benefits of ClearTouch Anti-Glare screen protectors.

A job listing like this only comes around once in a very long while, so we feel it’s our responsibility to pass it on. Royal Caribbean International, one of the world’s largest travel brands and parent company of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises, has announced it will be hiring for a broad range of information technology positions located at what they report is a state-of-the-art facility.

The company is seeking IT professionals ranging from WebSphere Engineers and Oracle Database Administrators to Shipboard Communications Engineers. Most hires will work from the company’s corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida with other positions destined for its Kansas and Oregon offices. Applicants wishing to apply should visit the employment area of Royal Caribbean’s website. And if you get the job, remember to invite your favorite editors on your next big cruise outing!

Resco Photo Viewer has received a major update. The photo browser now sports a nicer GUI and many other improvements. The update includes speed optimizations and faster folder loading times, new categories and settings, image histograms and features and all new custom slideshow with text overlays, effects, and music.

Six Apart has released TypePad Mobile, a free application for your Palm, Windows Mobile, or Symbian Series 60 smartphone that lets you post photos and entries to your TypePad blogs and photo albums with just a few clicks. TypePad Mobile comes from Six Apart’s acquisition of SplashBlog. The free mobile blogging service requires a TypePad blog and a smartphone that runs Palm OS 5, Windows Mobile 5, or a Symbian Series 60 model.

This project isn’t for the faint of heart, but nobody said stopping time would be easy. The basic principle of the “Time Fountain” involves fluorescent water and UV LED strobes, timed in such a way to make the dripping water look like it’s slowing down, stopping or even dripping backwards.

Wireless networking providers pushed sales of PDAs to a record high, up 2.7 percent from last year to 3.7 million units shipped in the second quarter. But hardware makers weren’t as happy, as they watched worldwide PDA revenue fall 4.1 percent to US$1.38 billion, according to a report released Monday by Gartner.