A key Republican lawmaker said on Thursday he would introduce legislation designed to stop the sale of private cell phone records and push wireless carriers to better protect customer privacy. Texas Rep. Joe Barton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said he will propose making it illegal to get cell phone records under false pretenses and “substantially increase the penalties” if telephone companies release consumer telephone records without consumers’ permission.

Yahoo said that it recently turned over information about its users searching habits to federal investigators, a startling admission that has touched off a new round of privacy concerns. As previously reported, search inquiries may be evidence in an upcoming trial that the government hopes will revive a controversial 1998 Internet law to protect children from stumbling onto inappropriate material on the Web. The law was struck down two years ago. The search queries are to serve as the raw material so the government can test whether Web filters are a match for the overwhelming amount of pornography that a child could run into while online.

The Bush administration, seeking to revive an online pornography law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, has subpoenaed Google for details on what its users have been looking for through its popular search engine. Google has refused to comply with the subpoena, issued last year, for a broad range of material from its databases, including a request for 1 million random Web addresses and records of all Google searches from any one-week period, lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department said in papers filed Wednesday in federal court in San Jose.

BoxWave announced the Armor Case for the Samsung i700. The Armor Case is a form-fitting, trendy aluminum case that is designed to fit your Samsung i700 perfectly. It’s exterior is made of anodized aluminum that is strong yet lightweight while the interior is padded with a layer of foam for optimal security. While Armor Case works to protect your Samsung i700 from everyday wear and tear, its accessible openings give quick access to stylus, headphone jack, memory slot, microphone, speaker, camera, and charging/synchronization port.

Proporta is proud to include accessories for the Palm Z22 to its existing product collection of over 800 products. Proporta’s Aluminium-Lined Leather Case has a unique “Screen-saver System,” using a sheet of aluminum embedded within the leather to protect the delicate screen against impact and crushing. The Proporta USB Sync and Charge Cable allows you to keep your device fully charged and up to date wherever you are. Proporta has also extended its Advanced Screen Protector selection to include one for the Z22, in addition to many other products for the Z22.

RhinoSkin has released three unique hardcases for the newest iPods that won’t cramp their style. All three cases use a transparent, polycarbonate plastic that protects the front of the unit without hiding it. The backs of these cases consist of an aluminum that is one of the lightest metals in the marketplace and possesses the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metal.

Research In Motion says its BlackBerry email device is so critical that a court-ordered shutdown of U.S. service could threaten public safety and business productivity. The Canadian company is trying to avoid a possible injunction, the result of a long-running infringement case won by NTP Inc., a tiny patent-holding firm. In a filing Tuesday in federal court in Richmond, RIM argued that there is “exceptional public interest” in keeping BlackBerries beeping. And the idea of exempting government and emergency users from an injunction–which NTP has suggested–would result in errors, RIM said. [Somehow, I just don’t see it being all that bad.–Ed.]

Cingular said on Wednesday it would begin selling a mobile phone running the latest Microsoft software for mobile phones. The Cingular-branded 2125 Smartphone, made by High Tech Computer went on sale for $199 on Wednesday. Cingular is aiming the phone at both business and consumer customers. It will be the first U.S. phone based on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software that has a typical cell phone dial pad instead of a tiny computer-style keyboard.

BoxWave announced the Armor Case for i-mate K-JAM. The Armor Case is a form-fitting, trendy aluminum case that is designed to fit your i-mate K-JAM perfectly. It’s exterior is made of anodized aluminum that is strong yet lightweight while the interior is padded with a layer of foam for optimal security. Designed with a clear plexiglass window that protects your i-mate K-JAM’s screen so you can easily read your display. While Armor Case works to protect your i-mate K-JAM from everyday wear and tear, its accessible openings give quick access to button functions, camera, and charging/synchronization port.

Proporta is currently producing a selection of products designed specifically to fit the new Palm Treo 700w smartphone device, including a Silicone Case, Advanced Screen Protector, and a Sync Charge Cable, with designs for Aluminum and Crystal Cases already underway and due to be featured on the site in the next few weeks. More details are due to be released as products become available.