This isn’t “news” in the traditional sense, but it is an interesting speculative editorial on the possibility of an Xbox portable and what it might look like.

Apple Computer has initiated a voluntary recall for some of its 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries, citing performance concerns with the rechargeable batteries. Under its free Battery Exchange Program, Apple will replace the batteries for 15-inch MacBook Pro systems sold between February and May 2006. The batteries do not pose a safety hazard, so customers are allowed to use them until their replacements arrive.

Acer has begun offering its mega-desktop replacement, the Aspire 9800, which features a 20.1-inch widescreen display. The company is aiming for students or small home office workers who are looking for a combination of productivity and entertainment. As such, it says the Aspire 9800–which it said in a statement starts at $2,799–has the chops for graphics design or to display high-definition movies, including a high-definition DVD-ROM drive, dual hard drives and a Nvidia graphics processor. The Aspire 9800’s 20.1-inch widescreen–which is 36 percent larger than a 17-inch widescreen, according to the company–offers a pixel resolution of 1,680 by 1,050, otherwise known as WSXGA+.

A spokesperson for the One Laptop Per Child program reported July 31 that the countries of Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina and Thailand have each committed to purchase 1 million Linux laptops through the U.S.-based program. The OLPC aims to distribute–free of charge–millions of Linux-based laptop computers, complete with their own power sources, to needy children in developing countries around the world.

Karrier Communications announced the release of its new IntelliGolf version 8.0 software for Palm handhelds, Pocket PCs, and Windows Mobile-based smartphones. IntelliGolf version 8.0 adds support for hybrid clubs, GPS data entry using popular GPS viewers (e.g. Google Earth), GPS Auto-Fill, more wagering games, and improved synchronization. Version 8.0 also includes support for square screen-based Pocket PCs including the Treo 700w, HP 6500/15 and 6900/15.

Digital Foci announced that it is shipping the highly anticipated Picture Porter Elite 40GB and 80GB portable digital photo albums with built-in hard drive and memory card reader. Featuring a large 3.6-inch LCD for easy viewing, Picture Porter Elite lets you instantly and securely save and view digital photos and video on its hard drive wherever you go, so you can keep snapping away and stop worrying about limited memory card space on your digital camera.

In the future, around 80% of mobile phones will be blocked on all five UK networks within 48 hours of being reported stolen. That pledge is part of a charter to reduce phone crime launched by the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum. It will take effect by the year’s end but will not apply to foreign networks. Police have warned that, while it is now more difficult than in the past, blocked phones can still be illegally re-activated in the UK.

BoxWave has released their ClearTouch Anti-Glare and ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protectors for the BlackBerry 8700. 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 BlackBerry 8700’s display.

After a laptop goes missing, companies must rush to determine the severity of the incident based on the data involved, and decide who to call first for outside help. It’s the call that no IT manager wants to receive, but one that’s clearly ringing bells across the world of enterprise security: An employee’s laptop computer has been stolen, and it may contain sensitive data. Experts say the manner in which companies respond to such incidents, and the strategies they employ to improve their device security, will determine the impact that stolen laptops will have in putting affected companies’ information at risk.

Many businesses will be forced to respond to the theft of a laptop at some point, and getting the right plan in place to deal with such incidents makes a world of difference, IT security experts say. With the implications for losing a laptop computer to theft growing every day, companies must be prepared to respond to the theft of these machines and put strategies in place to protect both their sensitive information and their corporate images.