palmOne introduced a resource center for Mac enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their palmOne handhelds and smartphones. New web pages at www.palmone.com/us/macintosh help the Mac community take its digital lifestyle on the go with tips on wireless connectivity, an array of photo album opportunities, and other informative features.

We’re noodling around with an article idea featuring the most useful, yet least known, most obscure, most poorly marketed Palm OS and Pocket PC software programs. If you know of such a program (and it’s got to be really, really good), let us know what it is, how to find it, and, if possible, who to contact to get more information. Please be aware we’re not looking for programs that are easy to find. This has to be like that hidden restaurant only the locals know about, that’s just the best anywhere — the special little secret apps and tools.

Remember, we only want breathtakingly good products with incomprehensibly poor visibility. We want to use Computing Unplugged to get these underpromoted programs some much need exposure. They can be commercial, free, open source, or otherwise, but they’ve got to be available — if you know where to find them. Oh, and they’ve got to have an English version.
If you’ve got your favorite nominee, send the above information to editor@computingunplugged.com, with “HIDDEN GEMS” as the subject line.

Utilizing a patent-pending technology, Firestreamer makes your DV recorder appear as a regular tape drive to other applications running on your computer, so that you can use the powerful Backup Utility which comes with your Windows operating system to back up and restore your files and folders to and from videotape.

Sony Electronics has introduced the Micro Vault PRO, a new USB-enabled device that provides 2 GB storage capacity and “Auto Sync” file synchronization software, all in an ultra-portable form factor about the length and width of a business card.

Now through Friday only, neohand is offering an exclusive discount on one of our most popular products, Global Advisor. For only four days, you can receive 20% off Global Advisor by using the exclusive GA1001 discount code.

Samsung has introduced the ML-2250 Series, a line of up to 22-page-per-minute (ppm) monochrome laser printers designed to meet a wide range of small business printing needs. Expanding upon other printers recently introduced by Samsung, the ML-2250 Series includes four distinctive models that offer network and/or wireless solutions right out of the box.

NS BASIC Corporation announced the availability of NS Basic/Palm 4.3, adding support for the special features of palmOne’s Treo 600 smart phone.

Verizon Wireless and Qwest Communications announced a definitive agreement for Verizon Wireless to purchase Qwest Wireless’ assets for $418 million. The agreement includes spectrum licenses in 62 markets in 14 western and mid-western states, covering a population of 30.8 million people.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced a project to create a standard method or symbol for indicating “airplane mode” on wireless devices. It is hoped that the new standard, expected to be finalized and released this fall, will encourage airlines to change their policies to allow use of such devices during flight.

Intel has reiterated its forecast that notebooks will begin to incorporate WiMAX wireless broadband technology during 2006. Speaking to reporters in Taipei during the launch of a antenna lab foundation program, Lonnie McAlister, a product manager with Intel’s Wireless Networking Group, also said the chip giant expects WiMAX take-up to grow more quickly than did the demand for Wi-Fi.