A biometric systems vendor has a pitch for CIOs nervous about company executives losing their mobile phones and risking the loss of confidential information. AuthenTec, a developer of biometric fingerprint technology, wants to address concerns handset manufacturers may have about adding advanced security features to their product by reducing the size, power consumption, and cost of its touch-powered sensors.

New technique threatens broadband Millions of broadband users are at risk for a new kind of attack called drive-by pharming, which targets password weaknesses in the victim’s router, researchers from Symantec Corp. and Indiana University warned Thursday. The threat is greatest for those who don’t change their default passwords after using them to bring the router online. According to an informal study by Indiana University, up to 50% of home broadband users fail to reset the password after installing their router.

HTC’s PDA and Smartphone devices have become more and more popular over the past 12 months. Recent releases have included some fantastic models such as the slim and sexy 3300 and the infamous TyTN which includes a full, slide out keyboard. Recognizing the popularity of the HTC devices, Proporta has bundled some of their popular HTC products together for you, all at a discounted price–saving you up to 20% off each individual item.

Palm announced the Treo 750 smartphone in Australia, the first Treo smartphone to take advantage of Telstra’s Next G network. The Treo 750 offers the world-class Palm experience on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 5.0 and includes High-Speed Downlink Packet Access capability.

Clickgamer.com, Europe’s leading Direct To Consumer portal for mobile games is exclusively delivering the world’s first augmented reality mobile game for the Palm Treo. The game, Arcade Reality, is published and developed by Szymon Ulatowski, the brainchild behind best selling mobile games such as Bike Or Die! and 3D Mines for the Palm handheld. Arcade Reality digitally blends live video imagery from the real world with computer generated graphics and gameplay creating a truly unique mobile gaming experience that surpasses any other games in its genre in the mobile industry. The game is currently available for the popular Treo 650, 680 and 700P devices.

The latest version of ActiveSync is here, and it includes some changes that may or may not prompt you to upgrade your existing installation of ActiveSync 4.2. Among the sea of bug fixes and enhancements, you can expect to find faster file transfer speed and photo sync via Outlook–only available for Windows Mobile 5.0 powered devices, among other things. Microsoft Outlook 2000 is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5.

Some of the first Windows Mobile 6.0 phones to hit the market will include Opera Software ASA’s mobile browser, in addition to Microsoft’s browser. Motorola’s Q as well as phones from High Tech Computer, Asus and Toshiba will include Opera Mobile, Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder and CEO of Opera, said at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.

Microsoft unveiled a digital rights management platform designed to protect a wide range of mobile content. Microsoft PlayReady, introduced at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona, can protect standard audio and video files, ringtones, pictures, games, wallpaper and other content that operators sell to mobile users. The technology aims to support operators that are working to meet the growing demand from end users for mobile content, Microsoft said.

Microsoft has released a version of its .Net programming framework for coding on embedded devices such as microwave ovens or remote controls. The .Net Micro Framework provides a platform for running programs using the C# language on small devices, the company announced Tuesday at Embedded World 2007 in Nuremberg, Germany. It also released a software development kit (SDK).

HP introduced the latest HP iPAQ device, a sleek and small smartphone that delivers a flexible wireless email experience for business customers through convenient voice control and hands-free operation. The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger features voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) capabilities, “push” email and the latest Windows Mobile 6 operating system. With up to six hours of continuous talk time on a fully charged battery, the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger also leads the competition in battery life. As the first in HP’s new smartphone lineup, the HP iPAQ 500 series helps highly mobile professionals stay connected wherever they are.