ALLTEL and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the availability of the BlackBerry 7250 Wireless Handheld, BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service. BlackBerry, developed and manufactured by Research In Motion, operates on ALLTEL’s CDMA 1X digital wireless network. The Java-based BlackBerry 7250 combines phone, email, text messaging, organizer, Web and corporate data applications in a single, integrated handheld device. The BlackBerry 7250 also features Bluetooth support for hands-free use with a headset or car kit, a bright full-color screen and 32MB of flash memory.

Pocketec, provider of portable storage solutions, announced the release of the DataStor Mini, a miniature version of their DataStor USB 2.0 Portable Hard Disk Drive. Measuring just 3-inch x 3.5-inch x 1/2-inch and weighing only 3 ounces, the DataStor Mini is smaller than a floppy disk but packs enough storage space to hold Hitachi’s 1.8-inch hard disk drives in 20GB or 40GB capacities. Because 1.8-inch drives consume very little power, the DataStor Mini is completely powered by the computer so it requires no batteries or power supply. To make backing up important data easier than ever, Pocketec has bundled the DataStor Mini and its entire line of portable hard drives with Retrospect Express, the award winning back up software by Dantz Development Corp.

iambic, provider of productivity enhancement software for handheld computers, announced the release of Easy Notes for the Palm OS. Easy Notes is a memo list manager that features voice recording capabilities and

iambic, provider of productivity enhancement software for handheld computers, announced the release of Easy Address for the Palm OS. Easy Address is a contact list manager that simplifies the process of associating pictures and icons to contacts, and includes image-cropping capabilities.

EarthLink Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the introduction of the Bluetooth-enabled BlackBerry 7250 Wireless Handheld. This powerful and versatile offering, built on the BlackBerry platform combines support for phone, email, Internet, intranet, text messaging, and organizer applications in a single, integrated device that enables users to perform multiple tasks on the go.

In a sign of another battle between regulators and Net phone service providers, a high-profile Texas lawsuit against Vonage is generating interest from other states’ top cops. The deceptive trade practices lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott in late March alleges that Net phone operator Vonage doesn’t adequately disclose how its 911 service differs from what customers are used to. The litigation surfaced shortly after a Houston-area Vonage customer allegedly tried, and failed, to get through to an emergency dispatcher after her parents had been shot during a robbery. Vonage denies the allegations.

palmOne announced that invivodata, an industry leader in electronic patient reported outcome (PRO) solutions for clinical research, has plans to deploy between 5,000 and 7,000 Tungsten E2 handhelds from palmOne for use in worldwide clinical trials during the next 90 days. As the demand for invivodata’s unique electronic diary system, DiaryPRO continues to grow, the number of deployed devices could easily be four times that amount by the end of 2005.

Building on the popularity of the Tungsten E handheld, palmOne announced the Tungsten E2 handheld. With the additions of a brighter color screen, flash memory, Bluetooth wireless technology, and a more powerful battery, the Tungsten E2 provides upscale, premium features at a budget-conscious price. palmOne’s Tungsten E2 handheld has an estimated U.S. street price of $249 and will be available on April 13 from the palmOne online store and select retail stores worldwide.

On Tuesday, Google introduced two new search options for mobile phones. One feature lets people with browser-enabled cell phones use Google Local–a Web directory of local businesses and sights–by typing in a name and ZIP code. Using the second feature, people can text message Google SMS (Short Message Service) with the short code “46645” to receive driving directions to most locations.

IBM and Sanyo Electric have put together a prototype of a fuel cell system for ThinkPad notebooks. The methanol-based fuel cell is designed to work with most standard ThinkPad systems and could provide power for up to eight hours. The new battery does not require any change in the internal power architecture of the ThinkPad. The fuel cell can be charged by means of an auxiliary docking station, which also provides an alternative power supply.