Everyone knows by now that when you delete data on a computer it’s not necessarily completely gone. The importance of this fact, and the need to be able to delete data with absolute certainty, have increased in recent years.

Standard formatting tools aren’t perfect. They’re not designed to eliminate data completely, but more to get the disk blank enough and set up for new use. In fact, all software tools have a tough job in eliminating data, in that old data can survive multiple writes. Nevertheless, there are software products which erase data to varying standards of completion.

Lexar announced that it has further increased the capacity of its Platinum II flash memory card line by introducing a Platinum II 60x 16GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card and Platinum II 80x 16GB CompactFlash (CF) card. The new, high-capacity cards give value-conscious video and photo enthusiasts the ability to shoot longer and faster, while taking advantage of new higher-resolution and high-definition digital camcorders, digital SLRs and point-and-shoot cameras.

When used with many of today’s popular flash-based digital camcorders, the Platinum II 16GB memory cards allow up to six hours of 1080 high-definition video recording. The Platinum II SDHC memory card is speed-rated at 60x, capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 9MB per second, while the Platinum II CF memory card is speed-rated at 80x, which represents a minimum sustained write speed of 12MB per second. The high-speed cards provide faster transfers of high-resolution video and photos, as well as large audio and digital multimedia files.

HTC has unveiled the HTC Touch HD, HTC Touch 3G, and HTC Touch Viva overseas to the growing line of HTC Touch enabled products. The HTC Touch HD is an entertainment focused mobile handset that features a large 3.8 inch wide-screen VGA display, 5 megapixel camera and 3.5 mm audio jack creating a great multimedia device. The HTC Touch HD will be available across major European carriers in Q4 2008 and be introduced in other global markets shortly following.

The HTC Touch 3G provides powerful Internet capabilities including wireless download speeds up to 18 times faster than standard 3G. The device allows users to zoom and pan Web sites using only one-hand, search and watch YouTube video streaming, get up to the minute directions from Google Maps and stay updated on the latest news with the integrated RSS reader. The HTC Touch Viva is an affordable phone, easy to use phone leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO technology, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and provides an optimized mobile Internet experience.

Both the HTC Touch 3G and Touch Viva will be available in early October 2008 in a variety of markets. The Touch 3G will be available in four colors: sophisticated black, noble gold, sparkle blue and modern brown while the HTC Touch Viva will be available in Storm Gray.

Monday was a bad day for Vivian C. Brown of Wilmington, N.C.. The 79 year-old missed her programs as Wilmington became the first city in the U.S. to make the switch from analog to digital TV.

Depending on who you talk to, the Wilmington switchover was either a resounding success, or a valuable learning experience. Regardless, the rest of the country will make the switch next February, and, based on the results in the test market, it looks like there may be a lot of work to do in the meantime.

The switchover worked–that much is undeniable. Analog television sets in Wilmington will no longer display a picture unless they’re connected to an analog-to-digital converter box.

Of more concern is the fact that over 1,000 Wilmington residents called the FCC help line over a two day period. While the FCC is quick to point out that 1,000 help calls represents less than 1% of the total Wilmington market, that number becomes problematic when applied to the entire nation.

What Web-based information storage services and Locket, a portable USB flashdrive, have in common is that both are easy to use and more practical than old-school manual filing systems, which can be a challenge to keep organized and up-to-date. Locket was carefully designed with one critical top benefit in mind–to be a self-contained portable program that is completely safe. All of the data and commands needed to operate Locket are securely stored on the flashdrive. When you need to move fast, you simply have to grab and go with your Locket. You can view, add, change, and print your information securely–from any computer–without an Internet connection.

Locket is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly even for those with the most basic computer skills. The initial log-on screens will walk you through the process of creating your password. Once your password is set, and encrypted (or matched to your flashdrive), you can immediately begin using Locket.

WD announced that it has commenced volume shipments and OEM qualifications of its WD Scorpio Blue 2.5-inch notebook hard drives with capacities up to 500 GB. Utilizing industry-leading 250 GB-per-platter technology, the new WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB and 400 GB SATA hard drives are designed for notebook computers and portable storage devices.

WD Scorpio Blue delivers high-performance with a 3 Gb/s transfer rate, while including proprietary features that make the drive extraordinarily quiet, while running at cool operating temperatures. The WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB is the highest capacity 2.5-inch, standard form-factor (9.5mm) hard drive shipping-to-date, and is developed for use in OEM notebook platforms that offer the highest storage capacities to the market.

Catering to consumers on-the-go, WD introduced its new 500 GB capacity My Passport Portable USB Drives which are designed to make it easy to store a half a terabyte of music, videos or photos and carry them in the palm of your hand. Available now at WD’s online store, the new 500 GB capacity is offered on the My Passport Elite and My Passport Essential portable drive models.

WD’s My Passport Portable USB Drives with 500 GB capacity are available now. MSRP for the My Passport family of portable drives with 400 GB and 500 GB capacities ranges from $179.99 USD to $219.99 USD depending on model. The My Passport Elite and My Passport Essential portable drives are offered in the following capacities: 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB, 400 GB and 500 GB.

Do you want to create an ebook, whether for sale or free distribution, but have no idea where to start? If you answered yes, after reading this article you should be able to make your very own ebook.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.

Apple updated the software that runs its iPhones on Friday in hopes of decreasing dropped calls, improving battery life and cutting the time it takes to synchronize the device with a computer.

Shortly after Apple made the new software available on its iTunes online service, some users offered positive feedback on Internet forums, saying it appeared the device was getting faster at handling key tasks. In contrast, an August update that was supposed to improve the iPhones’ connectivity to high-speed data networks drew mainly negative responses claiming it didn’t work.

Nokia said on Wednesday it has signed a deal with Microsoft to expand corporate email access to 80 million Nokia phones as the world’s top handset maker battles Blackberry-maker RIM.

Nokia said it will enable access to Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync email from all Nokia phones using the latest edition of S60 software, with around 80 million such phones sold so far.