Hoping to draw back readers, libraries around the country are expanding their lists of digital books, music, and movies that can be downloaded by their patrons to a computer or MP3 player or even a PDA, cell phone or smartphone that includes audio-playing capabilities–and it doesn’t cost a cent, unlike, say, media from Apple’s iTunes or Amazon.com.

Every Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry user should know certain basic techniques–BlackBerry hard and soft resets, data back up processes, memory management and optimization, for example–and how to wipe a BlackBerry and restore it to default settings surely also belongs on that list. Whether your organization is upgrading your current device and you need to exchange that old 7130 for a shiny new BlackBerry Bold, or you’ve decided to switch devices on your own and you’re handing down an old BlackBerry to a friend, it’s smart to wipe any and all sensitive information from your smartphone before passing it off, to ensure that your personal data remains private.

Resco, a supplier of advanced developer tools and components for mobile devices, announced the availability of Resco CustomKeyboard for .NET CF Beta. This professional control allows developers to design their own keyboard layouts and ship them together with their applications.

The layout can be defined by a collection of keys with simple graphical representation or by a skin which allows the use of advanced graphic capabilities. Thus the control can be used to design simple numeric or text layouts as well as advanced layouts containing a combination of various texts and images which can be used in very specific scenarios.

Spb Software, leading maker of Windows Mobile software, has released Spb Online to mobile network operators. Spb Online is a set of premium online services for 3G networks that stimulates subscriber uptake of mobile entertainment. Spb Online makes Mobile TV, Online Radio, News, Weather, Online Games, On-device Catalog services easily accessible from handsets.

iPhone Life magazine hits the newsstands on September 9, chock full of news, reviews, and tips for both consumers and enterprise users. Published by Thaddeus Computing, publisher of Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, iPhone Life is riding the wave of the extraordinary popularity of this innovative and easy-to-use phone.

“People are excited about the iPhone and iPod touch for good reason,” says publisher Hal Goldstein. “The iPhone’s vibrant screen, its fun intuitive interface, powerful Safari browser, automatic updates, and app store brilliantly solve many of the problems inherent in handheld computing. The iPhone is changing the way people use their phones, and we’re here to help them get the most out of it.”

Business travelers are losing more than 12,000 laptops per week at U.S. airports. Only one-third of those are reclaimed, according to a study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by Dell. At the same time, more than 53 percent of polled business travelers say their laptops contain confidential or sensitive information, and 65 percent of these travelers admit they do not take steps to protect or secure the information contained on their laptop.

Companies are dependent on a mobile workforce with access to information no matter where they travel. This mobility, however, is putting companies at risk of having a data breach if a laptop containing sensitive information is lost or stolen. To gather more information about this concern, the Ponemon Institute conducted field research at 106 major airports in 46 states and surveyed 864 business travelers in an airport environment.

First, an iPhone price cut left early buyers feeling foolish, and then came reports that some iPods were spitting sparks. Now, the new iPhone 3G has been marred by bugs, spotty service, disappearing programs for the device and a veil of secrecy over software developers trying to broaden its appeal.

Such a string of mishaps and missteps might throw another electronics company into crisis. But of course, Apple isn’t just another electronics company. Even as iPhone griping rages online, it looks like Apple’s sterling reputation will emerge untarnished.

Concrete Software announced the launch of Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: War of Two Cities for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices. Originally created and published by Oasys Mobile, Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: War of Two Cities is a mobile strategy game based on 2K Games’ popular franchise, Sid Meier’s Civilization. Currently, this title is available for consumer purchase through multiple wireless carrier services.

For over fifteen years, the Civilization series has been a long-time favorite of the gaming community, delighting and entertaining players by providing a compelling, strategic challenge as they grow their civilization from the dawn of man to the space age and beyond.

Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: War of Two Cities takes classic aspects of Civilization and pulls them into a new strategic game, allowing players to engage in world domination via their mobile phone. Using technology development, army building and combat, players will nurture and expand an empire while progressing from the birth of civilization to modern times. Within this casual format, players will advance through the game revealing new features and strategies.

Windows has the Blue Screen of Death. Xbox 360 has the Red Ring of Death. Apple, meet Microsoft. Some iPhone users are reporting not one, not two but three different screens of death.

How do good iPhone 3Gs die? In black, white or logo. Or so say forum posters whose iPhones stopped at one of the screens.

Is there irony here? For years, Mac users have poked fun at Windows users for the Blue Screen of Death. How strange then that Apple’s iPhone has three different screens of death. Can you say payback?

Phatware announced the availability of CalliGrapher 8.7, the newversion of their handwriting recognition software for Windows Mobile based devices. The new version of CalliGrapher has been optimized to support the latest Windows Mobile devices, includes an improved handwriting recognition engine, and addresses a few compatibility issues reported since the previous CalliGrapher release. CalliGrapher 8.7 is a free upgrade for all registered users of CalliGrapher 8.x. Registered users of any older version of CalliGrapher can purchase the upgrade at a reduced price.

The best news is that you can get CalliGrapher 8.7 FREE with your purchase of PhatWare’s PhatNotes or PhatPad as the part of ##their Back to School offer## which expires on September 15, 2008. Alternatively, during this period of time, you can purchase a stand-alone copy of CalliGrapher with a $15 discount for only $24.95. Additionally, they’re offering discounts on other PhatWare products, including PhatSpell and PenOffice.