The Information Technology Association of America reports that offshoring is actually boosting the US gross domestic product and helping to generate US jobs. The report states that offshore resources lower inflation, increase productivity, and lower interest rates, thereby boosting business and consumer spending and increasing economic activity.

Sharp has started shipping a Linux-based handheld supporting enterprise applications and databases. The PDA is powered by an Intel XScale 400Mhz processor, with 64 Mbytes of synchronous dynamic Ram, 64 Mbytes of flash memory and a lithium-polymer battery.

Microsoft has announced new voice over Internet Protocol features for the latest version of its Windows CE embedded operating system. Among the new VoIP capabilities of Windows CE 5.0 is integration with Exchange Server 2003 for contacts and calendaring. It also provides automatic provisioning to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) servers.

Formulae 1 (F1) is a Computer Algebra System designed specially for students and professionals that require mathematical support on the go. F1 gives the user the ability to see intermediate steps of calculations as well as final answers.

Mark/Space, makers of the Missing Sync software family, announced the availability of Missing Sync for Tapwave, enabling users to connect and synchronize information between a Zodiac console and a Mac computer running Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later via USB or Bluetooth.

Proporta has extended their protective casing line to include the NEW Crystal case. Available for select Pocket PC and Palm OS models, the Crystal line is a series of clear plastic protective cases.

SplashData has launched an upgrade to the Mac OS version of its personal identification organizer, SplashID. SplashID 3.0, which securely maintains personal identification information on a Palm Powered handheld and desktop computer, now offers Mac users a host of new features aimed at simplifying the security of data stored on their PDAs and enabling users to customize the program to suit their particular preferences.

A computer hardware problem caused more than 800,000 credit and debit card transactions to be double- or triple-billed last week at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, according to officials at First Data Corp., which handled the electronic payments.

SYWARE has announced FoneDB 2.0, the newest version of the company’s database software for Windows Mobile-powered Smartphones. FoneDB allows users to quickly and easily create personal databases.

Buffalo Technology has announced the latest addition to its AirStation series. The AirStation 54Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Router with AOSS (WBR2-G54) combines 54Mbps of wireless data rates with Buffalo’s new connectivity and security technology, AOSS.