MobileDataforce announced the launch of PointSync 3.0, a complete system for developing and operating end-to-end mobile software applications on handheld computers that synchronize with in-house enterprise database applications. PointSync 3.0 is a graphically-rich development environment that enables you to develop end-to-end mobile solutions with minimal coding required. Over 130 pre-built functions are packaged in PointSync. Programmer object models can be viewed graphically, and developers can also view applications in XML. PointSync 3.0 provides existing database application administrators the ability to quickly create a mobile client that can be used on handheld computers, and synchronized with existing database applications. Work order management, inspections, route and delivery, field sales, asset management and many other business processes can quickly be mobilized using PointSync.

LEGO announced the MINDSTORMS NXT, a new robotics system that redefines the consumer robotics category the company created in 1998. Smarter, stronger and more intuitive than ever, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is a robotics toolset that provides endless opportunities for armchair inventors, robotics fanatics, and LEGO builders ages 10 and older to build and program robots that do what they want. The heart of the new system is the NXT brick, an autonomous 32-bit LEGO microprocessor that can be programmed using a PC, or for the first time in the retail offering, a Mac. After building their robots, users create a program within easy-to-use yet feature-rich software, powered by LabVIEW from National Instruments. New technologies and expanded sensor capabilities add a level of sophistication to excite and challenge more experienced robot creators. LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT will be available in August 2006, but will be demonstrated in the Robotics TechZone through Sunday, January 8 during the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show.

Dell has just released a new set of ROM updates for the Axim X51/X51v series. Both A05 for the X51 and A06 for the X51v, while named differently, add similar Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 1.1 enhancements, further to the addition of AKU 1.1 from the A04 ROM update released back in November.

Pocket Watch Software has released ActivePrint 4.1, the newest version of its mobile printing solution. Included in this new version is support for printing PIM features such as Appointments, Contacts, Tasks, and Inbox Messages. Also included is support for printing text and images from your device’s clipboard. Now, not only can you print as many as 80 different document types from your Windows Mobile to any MS Windows compatible printer, you can now print the most basic features of every Windows Mobile device.

Directv said it planned to roll out various new products in 2006, including its new DIRECTV 2Go service for portable media players and a new HD DVR. The DIRECTV 2Go service will allow DIRECTV customers to transfer programming content from their DIRECTV Plus DVR to a wide variety of portable media players.

SanDisk introduced its top-of-the-line SanDisk Sansa e200 MP3 player with a large color screen and 6GB of storage capacity that makes it ideal for listening to music or viewing photos and personal videos. The company also introduced the Sansa c100, a value-conscious MP3 player with a color screen and compact size.

SanDisk announced a significant enhancement to its line of Cruzer Micro and Cruzer Titanium USB flash drives. The two models feature a sleek new design and include software that turns them into “U3 smart drives” so users can access their “personal workspace”–software programs, personal preferences, personal files, and data, as well as the means for managing them within a highly secure environment–on any personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000.

SanDisk introduced a gaming-oriented USB smart drive–the SanDisk Cruzer Crossfire–to serve the needs of console and PC video gamers. Microsoft’s recently released Xbox 360 features three USB ports, and early announcements from both Sony and Nintendo have indicated that their next-generation game consoles will also support USB connections when they go on sale next year. Apart from consoles, personal computer gamers can also make use of smart drives to save game levels, previews, and interactive game content, according to SanDisk’s senior manager of product marketing for gaming cards and flash drives.

Lexar Media announced plans to add a unique storage capacity meter to its popular USB flash drives by integrating an innovative electronic paper display from E Ink Corporation. The E Ink display is a paper-thin, shatter proof, easy to read meter that does not rely on power to show the capacity information when disconnected from the computer. On display at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show, Lexar JumpDrive Mercury will be the first USB flash drive to feature the on-board non-volatile smart capacity meter that will let customers easily monitor their available storage capacity.

Lexar Media announced its plans to incorporate PowerToGo into its line of JumpDrive products, creating a portable working environment for its USB flash drive customers. PowerToGo will enable users to install and run most standard Windows applications from their Lexar JumpDrive. Using a customized solution provided by Ceedo Technologies, PowerToGo is being developed with an open standard. Lexar’s Smart USB flash drive technology will be compatible with most consumer and electronic mobile devices as well as corporate computing environments.