In the event of your phone being lost or stolen, you can simply send a specially formated SMS text message to the phone and the W.I.M.P (Where Is My Phone?) software will silently intercept it. W.I.M.P. will then send back a message containing the phone’s GPS location in a format which can be entered into any common mapping application. OK–so someone steals your phone. What is the first thing they’re going to do? Change the SIM card right? The W.I.M.P. application will automatically detect a change in the SIM card and send you a text message containing the new number. You can then use that number to track the device’s location or even ring the phone.

News.com is reporting on the recent announcement that the members of the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) have agreed to settle on microUSB as a common, industry-standard mobile phone connector. The consortium is comprised of both operators and handset manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and LG. These companies have agreed to bypass the current mini-USB standard in favor of its smaller successor, microUSB. Mini USB has been employed by numerous devices on the market over the past several years but was truly popularized by Motorola’s iconic RAZR V3 handset of 2004 yet has failed to approach industry-wide adoption. In addition, manufacturers such as Apple and Motorola have employed lock-out chips designed to cripple functionality from unlicensed or unofficial accessories.

On its own, the new Sony Reader Digital Book, which promises several improvements over the earlier Sony Reader, can carry the collected works of Stephen King with plenty of room left over. The Reader’s onboard storage is enough to keep about 160 eBook titles, on average, and capacity can be further boosted through memory cards. Avid readers can now take an entire stack of New York Times bestsellers on vacations or business trips without having to worry about overloading their suitcases, thanks to this week’s launch of the latest Reader Digital Book from Sony.

Solar power and alternative energy are hot issues, and now Earthtech Products is pushing Long Islanders and the world at large towards the mainstream use of many of their alternative energy ideas and products. Making this mission a bit easier is just how chic their current line truly is; Solar Backpacks, Solar Powered iPod and Cell Phone Chargers, Manual/Wind Up Power Products, and LED Lighting.

Microsoft has launched three new models of its Zune digital media player in an effort to compete with Apple’s iPod. The players–which come in 4GB, 8GB and 80GB models–have Wi-Fi so users can automatically download music, photos, and video from their computer.

Microsoft is also launching a social networking site dubbed Zune Social to allow users to display and share music.

The Samsung Beat–an affordable new music phone–will be available exclusively from T-Mobile. The Beat, a compact black flip phone, includes a host of the most-wanted, user-friendly mobile music features.

Out of the box the Samsung Beat comes with everything you need to enjoy a robust music experience, including a 1GB memory card with preloaded music, a wired stereo headset and a USB cable for side-loading music from a computer. The Beat’s enhanced music capabilities include dedicated external music controls, stereo speaker and stereo Bluetooth technology. The Samsung Beat is available for $99.99 with a two-year contract at select T-Mobile retail stores and online.

Verizon Wireless rolled out its broadband on a stick Sept. 27 with the introduction of the USB727 Modem. Developed by Novatel Wireless, Verizon Wireless claims the device is the world’s smallest EV-DO modem.

The USB modem is designed to work with any computing device equipped with a Type A USB port–including most desktops, notebooks and tablet PCs–and provides access to Verizon Wireless’ national wireless broadband network. The device also comes with storage space of up to 4 GB of files, photos or videos.

In addition, the modem includes an integrated dual-band diversity antennae system with flip-up antennae to improve data-speed performance and provide better network signal reception. Verizon Wireless claims average download speeds on its broadband network of 600K bps to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800K bps.

AT&T announced that it has agreed, through one of its subsidiaries, to acquire privately held Interwise, a leading global provider of voice, Web and video conferencing services to businesses. AT&T will pay approximately $121 million in cash for the company.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, strategically aligns Interwise’s innovative IP-based conferencing and collaboration solution with AT&T’s enterprise networking, communications and collaboration services, global MPLS-based IP network and its industry-leading conferencing portfolio of services.

Following the acquisition, the company will operate as a business unit within AT&T Global Business Services, which serves the largest enterprises around the world and is led by Group President Ronald E. Spears. AT&T expects to retain Interwise’s management team and its domestic and international operations, including its R&D center in Israel.

Research In Motion introduced the GPS-enabled BlackBerry Curve 8310–the smallest and lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone–to mobile users in Latin America.

The BlackBerry Curve 8310 with built-in GPS offers unrivalled email and messaging capabilities, together with premium phone features, fast Web browsing, advanced multimedia capabilities, and a 2 megapixel camera. It strikes a perfect balance of features for both work and leisure and makes it incredibly easy for customers to stay connected to the people and information that matter most.

Research In Motion introduced the BlackBerry Pearl 8130, the first BlackBerry Pearl smartphone to run on CDMA networks. The new model stays true to the highly acclaimed style and compact design of the BlackBerry Pearl and comes packed with new features including communications enhancements, a striking new software interface, rich multimedia capabilities, built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks.