HTC (High Tech Computers), the largest manufacturer of Pocket PC devices in the world, has never been one to be restrained by convention. Few thought the much-praised 8125 (aka T-mobile MDA, HTC Wizard) could be improved upon, but HTC has done just that with the 8525. Read on to find out what Senior Editor James Booth thinks of Cingular’s flagship PDA phone.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.

E-TEN Information Systems has released Windows Mobile 6 ROM updates for owners of its own-brand Glofiish X500 and M700 Pocket PC Phones. English, Russian, and French language-localized updates are available. The updates will be delivered via a free download from the Glofiish Web site showing the company’s commitment to delivering long-term value to its customers.

This optional upgrade is offered as a value-added service for Glofiish customers wanting to enjoy the latest mobile platform, E-TEN noted. Customers who do not wish to upgrade may continue to use the default software platform of their device. E-TEN highlighted that the benefits of Windows Mobile 6 include a new user-interface, optimizations to make better use of hardware resources, and updated software, including new versions of the Mobile Office suite.

HTC (High Tech Computer), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile smart handheld devices, announced that it has signed an acquisition agreement with Dopod International, one of the leading PDA Phone and smartphone distributors in Asia, to purchase the assets of nine Dopod subsidiaries.

Stampede Technologies announced its Stampede Application Acceleration Series–Mobile Edition, a family of solutions for accelerating and optimizing the performance of complex HTTP, SSL, AJAX and XML applications used by the growing population of mobile users. New features including Advanced Virtual Pipelining, Surge Protection and Persistent TCP Layer 5 Connections significantly accelerate performance and enhance usability for users of Windows Mobile and Linux based devices; from smartphones and PDAs to new application specific devices. Enterprises that deploy Stampede’s Application Acceleration Series–Mobile Edition can directly improve the response time of their Web-enabled applications, optimize the use of existing application servers, and significantly reduce bandwidth utilization to the mobile user.

A version of the increasingly popular Linux operating system Ubuntu will be developed for use on Net-enabled phones and devices.

The Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project aims to create the open source platform for initial release in October 2007.

The last time Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs took on major recording companies, he refused to budge on his 99-cent price for a song on iTunes.

As a new round of talks ramp up this month, however, Jobs has opened the door to higher prices–as long as music companies let Apple sell their songs without technology designed to stop unauthorized copying.

Proporta has released three new accessories for the O2 Xda Atom Life, their Alu-Leather Case in Flip style, the Silicon Case, and the Advanced Screen Protector.

VITO Technology has released VITO AudioNotes for Nokia Series 60–an MP3 and WAV recorder. VITO AudioNotes is good not only at recording your notes, lectures or private talks. It can also record phone calls. In playback mode you can fast forward or rewind your recordings and change volume.

Hewlett Packard will chime in on Intel’s Centrino Pro launch with greater manageability for laptops using the new mobile processor technology.

HP worked early on with Intel to allow IT administrators to secure and manage notebook PCs across a variety of wireless devices, according to Lee Bailey, manager in the client manageability solutions group at HP, in Nashville, Tenn.

The enhanced HP Change and Configuration Center console can now use Centrino Pro technology “to do out of band management over wireless,” he said.

Proporta is releasing their Advanced Screen Protector and Alu-Leather case for the upcoming i-mate JAQ3.