SanDisk introduced the SanDisk Sansa m200 series of MP3 music players that use embedded flash memory to store many hours of digital music. The new players support Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 and feature PlaysForSure support for portable music downloads and subscription services such as Rhapsody To Go, Napster To Go, and Yahoo! Music Unlimited. The Sansa m200 series is available in 512MB, 1-, 2- and 4GB capacities, which is the highest capacity currently available for flash-based players. The new m200 players can store hundreds of songs and play up to 19 continuous hours on a single AAA battery.

SanDisk and Electronic Arts announced that SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo Game cards will be sold with bonus content to EA’s recent release of Madden NFL 06 for the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable). Contained in a feature called Game Save, the bonus content will be available on SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo Game cards that are distributed in North America. There is no additional cost for the Game Saves on SanDisk cards, which have suggested retail prices ranging from $49.99 for a 256MB card to $114.99 for a 1GB card. Also, the Madden feature still leaves most of the card with substantial space for videos, music, digital images, and other content.

ProportaMusic, the sister site of handheld accessories supplier Proporta, has released both silicone and Alu-Leather cases for three of Archos’ media players.

The CDMA Development Group and Signals Research Group announced the availability of a white paper on CDMA2000 evolution to 3G and beyond and the benefits it offers to operators in regards to capacity, data throughput, enhanced functionality, and revenue opportunities. The paper, entitled “The 3G Evolution–Taking CDMA2000 into the Next Decade,” was prepared by the Signals Research Group on behalf of the CDG, and is based on extensive interviews with operators, equipment suppliers, and other industry players. The paper is now available to the public on the CDG’s Web site.

P&T Luxembourg, operator of LUXGSM, and Research In Motion announced plans to offer BlackBerry to mobile professionals in Luxembourg with the introduction of the BlackBerry 7290 and BlackBerry 7100v. LUXGSM will make BlackBerry available to corporate, SME, and individual users with support for both BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service. BlackBerry will enable LUXGSM’s subscribers to access email, phone, text messaging, organizer, Internet browser, and corporate data applications through an integrated platform.

MobileDataforce announced the release of Intercue Publisher v2.0 to enable companies to automatically distribute new and revised electronic forms on Windows Mobile Pocket PC, Palm OS, and Tablet PC devices, plus Windows XP laptop and desktop computers. Companies that use handheld devices to collect data in the field experience a common problem: ensuring that a new or revised form is received and used by all employees. Intercue Publisher solves this problem by automatically publishing all new and edited forms to all subscribed users and creates reports that offer details on the employees who have successfully received and installed the most recent updates.

Laridian announced the release of iPocketBible New Living Translation Edition for use with iPod mobile digital devices. iPocketBible includes the complete text and dramatized audio of the Holy Bible, New Living Translation for reading and listening. iPocketBible utilizes the iPod “Notes” feature to present the Bible text for reading. A verse and subject index allow the user to start at any book in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. A “Listen” option links them directly to the audio so they can listen as they read.

Chinese authorities have shut down a popular online news and discussion forum that gave prominent coverage to a campaign by villagers in the southern province of Guangdong to remove their elected chief amid corruption allegations, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports. The Yannan forum, known in China as a BBS, carried an announcement dated Sept. 30, 2005, announcing that the Web site had now closed. The site, popular among academics, journalists, and rights activists, had previously had all Taishi-related news reports and discussions removed from public view.

Yahoo is launching a library-digitization project to rival Google’s controversial program. Yahoo is working with the Internet Archive, the University of California and others on a project to digitize books in archives around the world and make them searchable through any Web search engine and downloadable for free. The project, to be run by the newly formed Open Content Alliance (OCA), was designed to skirt copyright concerns that have plagued Google’s Print Library Project since it was begun last year.

Research In Motion and Sprint announced new group communication functionality for “MapQuest Find Me.” The GPS-enabled wireless service is now available on the BlackBerry 7520 Wireless Handheld, operating on the Nextel National Network. “MapQuest Find Me” lets users automatically find their location, access maps and directions and locate nearby points of interest including airports, hotels, restaurants, banks and ATMs.