Mobile storage provider Toshiba Storage Device Division launched a new line of 2.5-inch USB 2.0 portable external hard drives in 100GB, 120GB and 160GB capacities with automated backup capability. Toshiba’s new HDDs feature automatic power-on and save capabilities for backup of photo, video, music and data files and are aimed at users in the digital home and home office.

Each year, in the weeks leading to Apple Computer’s Macworld Expo in San Francisco, the rumors and speculation begin circulating about what CEO Steve Jobs and his team will unveil during the major keynote address. This year is no exception. Many industry watchers predict that Jobs will dedicate a large portion of his Jan. 9 keynote address to describing in greater detail the so-called iTV device, which he previewed in September. Also, Jobs is expected to give the audience an update on the status of the soon-to-be released Mac OS 10.5, called Leopard.

What is Mobile TV and why do we care? In this absolutely fascinating analysis, Monte Silver takes you behind the scenes of the mobile market to help you understand how the motivations of the handset vendors might impact your mobile phone experience.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.

Surround sound speaker systems have been considered the ultimate in gaming sound reproduction for years–but the cost, wiring clutter, and unwillingness of family and neighbors to participate in the auditory experience has always been a problem. Today, Turtle Beach has released a new solution to this problem with its latest surround sound headphones, the Ear Force X-52, which feature a front, center, surround and subwoofer speaker driver in each ear cup. Unlike most headphones, the X-52 can be easily folded into a compact size for convenient storage or for transport to gaming competitions or LAN parties. The eight total speakers (four in each ear cup) provide a true surround sound experience, without disturbing friends, family or neighbors whether gaming, listening to music or watching movies. The X-52 also have a redesigned speaker array to give the listener an even more positionally accurate audio experience. The rear speakers have been enlarged to 40 mm to match the size of the front speakers, increasing the dynamic range and frequency response of audio designed to be heard “behind” the head of the listener.

Magellan will debut its new Magellan CrossoverGPS at the London Boat Show, presenting the world’s first rugged, IPX-4 waterproof device designed to provide navigation for both driving and outdoor adventures. Available in January, the traffic-ready Magellan CrossoverGPS will combine car navigation features, as experienced with the Magellan RoadMate series, and Magellan state-of-the-art outdoor handheld GPS receiver functionalities. Preloaded with both street maps and topographic contour maps, the Magellan CrossoverGPS guides users from door-to-door in a car–and from point-to-point where the road ends–so they can enjoy driving, off-roading, hiking, geocaching, boating, fishing and more, all with one GPS device.

Research In Motion has signed a licensing agreement with wireless-networking specialist Kodiak Networks that will allow the smart-phone manufacturer to support push-to-talk features on its devices. Cingular Wireless is the first mobile-phone operator to support push-to-talk service on RIM’s BlackBerry Pearl, but deals with other carriers should be announced shortly, according to Tim Hall, vice president of strategic alliance for Kodiak Networks. Kodiak’s PTT client will also be offered on other BlackBerry devices, he said.

ATP Electronics will be showcasing its SD Trio Professional Plus along with its other flash products such as the ToughDrive and Petito USB drives at the 2007 International CES in Las Vegas, January 8-11. The SD Trio Professional Plus is an SD flash card product which offers complete compatibility with all SD format (microSD, miniSD, SD) devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, GPS devices, and digital cameras. The product also features a USB reader device which can be used to transfer files directly to desktops and laptops.

Lexar announced that it has upgraded its JumpDrive Mercury USB flash drive with features that include enhanced performance, as well as the advanced PowerToGo mobile computing software platform. The speed-rated JumpDrive Mercury also features a convenient built-in capacity meter that lets the user know how much memory is available even when power is removed. Available in 1GB and 2GB versions, JumpDrive Mercury is Lexar’s first product to feature the innovative capacity meter.

Hollywood studios have approved a new technology and licensing arrangement that should remove a major obstacle consumers now face with burning movies they buy digitally over the Internet onto a DVD that will play everywhere. Sonic Solutions is introducing on Thursday the Qflix system for adding a standard digital lock to DVDs burned in a computer or a retail kiosk. The lock, known as “content scrambling system,” or CSS, is backed by the studios, TV networks and other content creators and comes standard on prerecorded DVDs today. All DVD players come equipped with a key that fits the lock and allows for playback.

French mobile game developer In-Fusio has sued Microsoft, accusing the company of breach of contract over the mobile version of Halo. In-Fusio announced at the 2005 CTIA IT Wireless and Entertainment trade show that it would bring the blockbuster sci-fi shooter franchise to mobile phones as part of an exclusive three-year deal with Microsoft. More than a year after the initial agreement and with no Halo game available for mobile phones, In-Fusio filed suit against Microsoft in U.S. District Court in Seattle last month, charging the company with refusing to approve game designs while still demanding payment for an exclusive license.