LandWare announced the immediate availability of the Wine Enthusiast Guide 2005 Edition for Palm Powered and Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC handhelds & smartphones. The new version of the Wine Enthusiast Guide offers instant access up-to-date details, reviews, ratings and retail prices for over 12,600 wines worldwide.

PDAMill has announced they have just completed updating all of their Palm OS games, making them compatible with the newer devices. They have also released Gamebox Solitaire II for the Palm OS. In addition, they’re offering a 30% discount on any purchase made between Dec 24th and 26th, just use promotion code: PDAMILLXMAS.

Proporta has announced the release of the Alu-Leather Flip Type Case for the Mitac Mio 168. Incorporating the unique “screen saver system” provided by all Proporta Alu-Leather Cases, the Mitac Mio 168 is protected by the inclusion of two sheets of thin aluminum enclosed within the leather, giving the look and feel of soft black leather whilst providing the rigid protection of hard aluminum.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) Wednesday unveiled a new humanoid robot capable of moving its fingers independently, unlike Japan’s celebrity robot ASIMO. The robot named HUBO, more stable and versatile than the experimental and prototype models KHR-2 and KHR-1, can slow-dance and shake hands with people by using its 41 joints.

Data Evolution announced that it will launch a pre-order incentive program for the Clio NXT, the only full-sized, Windows CE, convertible handheld computer, on January 4, 2005. For a limited time, customers may pre-order a Clio NXT for $799.00 instead of the suggested retail price of $999.00. The special price will be applicable until February 4, 2005. The Clio NXT is expected to be available for delivery in April 2005.

Antivirus companies say the Santy worm, which searches Google for sites that use a vulnerable version of the phpBB bulletin board software, was spreading quickly and had already infected about 40,000 Web sites by Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, a Google representative told ZDNet Australia that though Google users were not at risk from Santy, the search company had started blocking attempts by the worm to replicate.

The MetalGear.A Trojan horse combines several malicious mobile phone programs that work to spread over Symbian-based phones, antivirus-software maker SimWorks said in a release published Tuesday. The program, camouflaged as a version of the game Metal Gear Solid, will disable antivirus programs, including SimWorks, as well as other programs. The attack also installs a version of the Cabir virus, which spreads through the Bluetooth short-range wireless protocol.

In the back of Carlos Owens’ southern Alaska yard, an 18-foot-tall steel robot is taking shape in the dim light of the winter afternoons. In his own time, he’s hoping to become the creator of a true “mecha”–not a robot, exactly, but a gigantic exoskeleton that can transform its wearer’s motions into eight-foot strides and the devastating sweep of a steel fist.

Convenience is about to take on new meaning in the coffee aisle: single-serving coffee in a can that heats itself. Beginning Jan. 2, consumers can buy a 10-ounce container of Wolfgang Puck gourmet latte at the store and heat it by pressing a button. No electricity. No batteries. No appliances.

Are geeks cool? Maybe not, according to “GQ magazine” or “The Bachelorette.” But when it comes to consumer gadgets and gizmos, geeks are very much on the cutting edge — which makes them difficult to shop for. But fear not. Here’s a little guide to delivering the goods this holiday season to that techie geek in your circle of friends or family.