Optus, Palm, and Research In Motion announced the availability of BlackBerry Connect for the Treo 650 smartphone on the Optus network in Australia. BlackBerry Connect enables new and existing Treo 650 users to benefit from many popular features of the “push”-based BlackBerry architecture via BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

SplashData announced that its SplashWallet suite of mobile productivity applications has been optimized for the Palm Treo 700p smartphone. SplashWallet includes four of the best-selling professional applications for Palm-powered devices–SplashPhoto, SplashMoney, SplashID and SplashShopper.

The trial version of NetFront 3.3 for Pocket PC is now available for download, with the full version set to be released at the end of May. NetFront supports Flash and Java, and provides unique functions, such as the Multi-Window, for viewing Web contents. New features in this powerful browser include support for VGA, smart frame functionality, a pop-up blocker, a data and password manager, RSS and Atom support, page translation functionality, virtual rendering functionality, a SMIL player, and a SVG viewer.

Fizz Traveller 2.3 has been released for both Pocket PCs and Smartphones, and offers background updating via ActiveSync, a new set of options, enhanced Windows Mobile 5.0 compatibility, support for new currency rate sources, new themes, and other minor bug fixes and requests.

SayIt v1.0 is a new text-to-speech application for Palm OS 5.1 and higher devices. SayIt is the first global text-to-speech application for the Palm OS that works with most applications with text editing capabilities. SayIt will speak selected text in plain English using a synthesized computer voice. The user interface allows you to follow the text as SayIt speaks the words, you can Stop and Start the speech and adjust the volume control.

Sony Ericsson announced the Z710, a clamshell mobile phone with advanced business and multimedia features. The Z710 makes Web access on the move as simple as on a PC, and EDGE speed means pages download rapidly. It also has Bluetooth 2.0 for fast data transfer with other devices, providing robust, quality connections for accessories such as wireless headsets and handsfree car kits. The Z710 also features a 2 megapixel camera to capture stills and video, easily shared using MMS, Bluetooth, stored on Memory Stick or transferred via USB.

The Boostaroo Revolution is a tiny, mini-amplifier designed to boost your headphone’s volume. The manufacturer makes a number of claims regarding this $60 box. First, it claims it will boost the overall sound volume, helping you hear your favorite audio device better on airplanes, buses, and in other noisy environments. Does it work? You’ll have to read this article to find out.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.

MantraGroup announced mobiVoIP, the first VoIP solution targeted for Palm OS devices. mobiVoIP requires the Palm device to be able to connect to the Internet through Bluetooth, WiFi, or EVDO. It allows the user to place telephone calls directly from the PDA thus expanding PDA’s capabilities to be used as a converged device.

With the introduction of Palm’s newest Treo, Nokia’s partnership with Google for instant messaging on the handheld, and BlackBerry’s move into China, it’s clear that powerful devices abound, offering sophisticated capabilities both inside and outside the office. Enterprises must balance the promise of such products with the security implications they bring. With workers carrying a growing array of consumer devices capable of storing large amounts of data, enterprises are being forced to rethink their IT policies to protect themselves from vulnerabilities.

Sony Ericsson announced five new mobile phones for the end-of-year holiday shopping season, including two flip phones, two Walkman phones and one with Chinese character handwriting recognition. All new models will be available in shops during the third quarter of 2006.