America Online has updated its MapQuest mobile service, offering live traffic updates for 90 U.S. metropolitan areas, which can be viewed on mobile phones. MapQuest on Monday also introduced a “Find Me” service, designed for phones that use global positioning system, to help users pinpoint their locations on their phones and seek directions or help from others.

Toshiba unveiled a new notebook that protects itself from falls and spills. The Portege S100 notebook’s built-in three-dimension accelerometer detects ‘acceleration’ caused either by an accidental dropping or sudden vibration. Once alerted, the hard drive switches into a protected mode till it is safe to resume normal operation. The notebook also has a spill-resistant keyboard that Toshiba says is capable of fighting off moisture for a few minutes, to give the user adequate notice to power down the system.

A small British company is selling a mouse adapter, developed by IBM, that compensates for trembling hands and could help 3 million people in the United Kingdom and many more worldwide. After deeming the device noncommercial, IBM licensed it to niche electronics company Montrose Secam, which will now sell it for 65 pounds ($124). The device, which plugs in between a mouse and computer, filters signals to remove erratic movements such as those experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease or hereditary disorders such as essential tremor.

With cost-saving voice over Internet telephony taking off and replacing wired phones, makers of cellular phones are taking notice. Cell phone heavyweights Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Nortel Networks and others are incorporating VoIP into the cell phones, chips and wireless network equipment they manufacture or design. VoIP is the basis for Internet phone services, popularized by commercial VoIP provider Vonage and free peer-to-peer phone service provider Skype.

Research In Motion Limited (RIM) and NTP, Inc. announced that they have signed a binding term sheet that resolves all current litigation between them. As part of the resolution, NTP will grant RIM and its customers an unfettered right to continue its BlackBerry-related wireless business without further interference from NTP or its patents. This resolution relates to all NTP patents involved in the current litigation as well as all current and future NTP patents. The resolution covers all of RIM’s past and future products, services and technologies and also covers all customers and providers of RIM products and services, including wireless carriers, distributors, suppliers and ISV partners.

Aiirmesh Communications announced that on March 31 it will launch a pilot program to provide Wi-Fi access for the Cerritos on Wheels (COW) public transportation system in the City of Cerritos, CA.

Inclosia Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company that specializes in developing enclosures for consumer electronic devices, is announcing a change to the gray and silver laptop computer with the unveiling of the “E-Go”, the world’s first line of mass-produced leather and fabric covered laptop computers. Six fabric and leather laptop versions have been designed and developed, a preview of what will become available in October 2005.

Diesel-eBooks announced the deployment of a free online tool designed to dramatically reduce the uncertainty of downloading an encrypted e-book. Digital Rights Management, the technology used by e-book publishers to protect author’s works from being illegally duplicated, has long been a double edged sword. While it has provided publishers and author’s confidence in distributing their product in digital form, it has complicated the process of purchasing an e-book and even deterred some consumers from e-books altogether. It is these consumers Diesel is hoping to serve with the test download by essentially giving them a try before you buy experience.

iAnywhere Solutions’ AvantGo mobile Internet service announces the 2005 Infiniti College Hoops mobile Web site–just in time for March Madness. The mobile channel will provide all of the exciting NCAA Men’s Division I tournament action, delivering game-day information directly to users’ smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDA) wirelessly or via desktop synchronization. Fans can conveniently access the 2005 College Hoops mobile Web site for all of the exciting NCAA Men’s Division I tournament action, with game-day information delivered directly to users’ smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDA) wirelessly or via desktop synchronization.

eFrameCentral.com announce the availability of a new digital picture “eframe” which not only displays beautiful high-resolution pictures, but also plays music and video files. The PV1 Digital Photo Album by Pacific Digital features a bright, high resolution 5.6-inch TFT screen that displays both digital photos and video clips in vivid color. Users can set up slide show presentations with background music, or plug in headphones and take advantage of the PV1’s MP3 player capabilities.