Woog Laboratories introduced PC Moderator, a parental control device that tackles the problem of computer addiction, particularly among teens. PC Moderator lets parents effortlessly, and with less conflict, limit the amount of time their children spend while they play games or chat online. Unlike parental control software, PC Moderator operates independently of the computer and cannot be easily hacked by tech-savvy teens. Easy configured, PC Moderator is compatible with most desktop computers, operating systems and applications. The small device easily and securely locks to the desktop computer’s VGA (or DVI with optional adapter) video port. During setup, parents choose passwords and time limits for up to 8 users. PC Moderator simply shuts off signals to the display when the user is unauthorized or time is not allowed. PC Moderator contains a battery-backed clock and microprocessor enclosed in a compact 18-gauge, stainless steel case.

Palm announced the Treo 650 smartphone is now available to Iusacell’s CDMA network users in Mexico. The Treo 650 running Iusacell’s MovilOffice solution is an efficient, quick and low-cost business communications tool that lets mobile users stay in touch with the office with wireless email. MovilOffice is a solution for executives, professionals and independent businessmen, as well as any employees who spend much of their time outside the office and yet need to stay connected. The application can be used on Lotus, Microsoft Exchange, IMAP or POP3 platforms, ensuring data security at all times at an impressive data-transmission speed.

PalmSource, which owns the rights to the Palm operating system, is now in the hands of Japan’s Access, starting a new chapter for the once struggling company. Finalization of the $324.3 million transaction means that PalmSource is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Access and will no longer be a separate publicly traded company. Access–a maker of software for mobile devices–said it wants to finish creating the Linux-Palm operating system hybrid that PalmSource started when it finalized its acquisition of China MobileSoft this year.

One in three mobile computers and smartphones is not protected with a password or security lock, even though they contain PIN codes and sensitive information, a survey showed. According to the global survey, corporate personnel now store huge amounts of corporate data on their mobile devices, including customer contacts, email details, passwords and bank account details as well as personal and private information.

Microsoft is expected to announce the commencement of the long-awaited Office 12 beta program possibly as soon as next week, according to testers. But for now, it’s not clear which Office products–including a new Office 12 for Windows Mobile SKU–will be part of the initial test round. Tentatively called “Office 12 for Windows Mobile,” the product will consist of viewers for Word, Excel and PowerPoint (along with some very limited editing capabilities for Word and Excel)–plus a new “OneNote Mobile” version of Microsoft’s OneNote note-taking application. The mobile Office 12 suite is being designed to run on smartphones and PDAs.

Deflexion, the game that combines lasers with classic strategy is now available in Canada from Stortz & Associates. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian-themed mirrored pieces around the board. Upon finishing their move the player fires their low-powered laser with the goal of illuminating one of their opponent’s pieces. If hit, the piece is eliminated from the board.

PalmSource, France Telecom’s Orange, and several other companies plan to announce an effort to standardize aspects of Linux running on mobile phones. The Linux Phone Standard (Lips) Forum wants to standardize Linux interfaces so that higher-level software won’t have to be customized for each variation of the open-source operating system appearing in different cell phone models. If successful, the allies believe they’ll make Linux a better competitor the fast-growing market.

When Turbine Games releases Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach early next year, executives there are hoping the new creation can reach the untold millions who played and loved the original, paper-based role-playing game. Turbine’s game developers say D&D Online is designed to stay as true as possible to the paper-based version and offers a reasonable online alternative to the more than 4.6 million people still playing D&D just in the United States.

Softonic.com has successfully launched its third portal, broadening its sights to include the worldwide English speaking software community. Offering support for all major desktop platforms, Softonic also maintains an exceptional library of software for Palms, Pocket PCs and mobile phones. Softonic also provides a software sales platform so users can purchase software online from a reliable, secure source and start using the program immediately. Developers benefit as well since Softonic will take care of administrative tasks, allowing them to concentrate on improving their software while still maintaining control of their products.

Microsoft will update its security tools to detect and remove part of the copy protection tools installed on PCs when some music CDs are played. The Redmond software maker has determined that the “rootkit” piece of the XCP software on some Sony BMG Music Entertainment CDs can pose a security risk to Windows PCs, according to a posting Saturday to a Microsoft corporate Web log. The Sony BMG software installs itself deeply inside a hard drive when a CD is played on a PC. The technology uses rootkit techniques to hide itself. Experts blasted the cloaking mechanism, saying it could be abused by virus writers. The first remote-control Trojan horses that take advantage of the veil provided by Sony BMG have surfaced.