Sprint and Alcatel-Lucent have announced that they've developed a comprehensive laptop security service called SprintSecure Laptop Guardian. This new service protects laptops via a special Mobile Broadband Connection Card called the OmniAccess 3500 which allows remote monitoring, tracking, and locking.

The OmniAccess 3500 has its own CPU, memory, SD Slot, and power supply that keeps it working even when the laptop is off. When inserted, it hijacks the TCP/IP stack and controls what information users can download. It then works with a gateway appliance which contains management software that IT administrators use to manage the system.

The card acts as a two-factor authentication key which is said to completely secure the laptop. To gain access to the data in the laptop, users will have to have the card inserted into its PCMCIA slot. If the laptop is stolen, it can be remotely controlled by an enterprise IT administrator via the card.

Here's a list of all the features of the SprintSecure Laptop Guardian:

• Access to laptop status regardless of the laptop’s power or online state
• Status of operating system, applications, policy enforcement and usage
• GPS-based capability (within the mobile broadband connection card) for laptop location
• Remote wipe or locking of data, if laptop is compromised
• Enforcement of policies for compliance
• Over-the-air software distribution

If you plan on picking up this product, expect the OmniAccess 3500 cards to be sold for around US$ 350. The extra security features has been tentatively priced at about US$ 10 to US$ 12 per month. If your laptops contain sensitive data you might want to consider this service as a way of protecting your information.

People who are always doing business on the go should check out Verizon's new product, the UM150 wireless USB Modem for Verizon Wireless. Compatible with most computing devices - desktops, notebooks, tablets, etc. - this small, wireless modem lets you get connected to Verizon Wireless high-speed broadband. The UM150 wireless modem is optimized for Verizon Wireless to ensure higher performance compared to the usual DSL connections.

When used with Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network, the UM150 has average download speeds of 600 kbps and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. The small wireless modem also features a retractable antenna as well as a Y-shaped extension cable for more flexibility.

The UM150 is priced at US$ 79.99 after a US$ 50 mail-in rebate, and comes with a two-year agreement with Verizon Wireless. It's certainly not free like Sony and T-Mobile's joint offer for the PSP, but still is a great deal.

When it comes to predicting how Earth would look like hundreds of years from now, there are two schools of thought dominating the field of science. First are the conservatives who believe global warming, exhaustion of fuel cells, and destruction of the environment will ultimately lead to our extinction. The second group is the liberals, who think that Homo Sapiens are far too advanced to let these things end their existence - they maintain that we'll be able to come up with scientific methods to clear pollution, produce alternatives for energy, or if all else fails, create a colony of our own outer space.

We're neither fans of human extinction nor are we narcissistic fools, but this latest technological wonder from Netherlands can further fan the flames of that debate.

The folks over at the Delft University of Technology has come up with a solar-powered mouse (not live ones silly, we're talking about computer peripherals here). According to the press release they issued, Sole Mio was designed to be used by anyone with access to sunlight, or even artificial light. The technology behind this product enables it to charge power from sources of light, making it available for the owner's usage. Here's a text from the press release:

With solar energy, under ideal circumstances charging can occur a factor of five times quicker than in the current situation. Over time it is estimated that several hundred million batteries could be saved annually on a global scale. The net environmental benefit is still restricted by the high energy content of current PV cells. However the introduction of new types of cheap and energy-extensive PV cells, on which TU Delft and partners are working, would eventually yield an even higher environmental gain.

So they're looking into making this more environment friendly in the long run. Is this then the first step towards what the liberal wing in science believes as the next stage of man's evolution? Can humans actually create ways to destroy the planet and save itself at the same time?

Wake me up from cryostasis when a solar-powered race is in charge of the planet.

In order to further promote the Guild Wars MMORPG, NCSoft Europe will be joining forces with gaming peripherals maker Razer to produce a special Guild Wars edition of the Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse.

"This joint venture will create great opportunities for both NCsoft and Razer, and will give Guild Wars players a real competitive edge in the game" said Max Brown, Sales and Operations Director for NCsoft Europe. "We're very excited about this great new product, and look forward to growing our relationship with Razer."

Razer will also be the official partner for NCSoft Europe's upcoming competitive play events. NCSoft Europe will also be supporting Razer through a variety of marketing activities and special promos.

For those who are sick and tired of looking at grainy pictures whenever they're engaged in video conferencing, Logitech has the solution for you: the new Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks.

Logitech, one of the forefronts in computing peripheral technology, pulled all the stops in creating two of the advanced online video devices to date, even incorporating the Carl Zeiss lens technology into its products. Logitech is proud of its latest achievement to date. Gina Clark, Logitech's general manager of Internet Communications said:

People will be amazed by the outstanding image quality of these webcameras. Logitech’s goal with our webcams has always been to better connect people from around the world. With Carl Zeiss, the company that essentially invented the science of camera optics, we are closer to making video communications nearly indistinguishable from having a conversation in the same room.

Carl Zeiss, whose optical technology has been around for 160 years, made sure that the image quality in these new webcams will provide utmost image clarity. Also powered with a premium autofocus system, the webcams automatically compensate for any change in image sharpness so users don't need to adjust the cams.

The cameras are also packed with nifty 2-megapixel sensors that enable the camera to capture 8-megapixel photos, and are integrated with RightSound and RightLight2 technologies that enhance not only the picture quality but audio as well. The ability to record video with a 30 frames per second rate will also make for high-resolution video capture.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks work seamlessly with standard online messaging programs, such as Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and AIM. For enhanced video messaging experience, Logitech provides Logitech Video Effects for use with their webcams, providing users with avatars, face accessories, and Fun Filters to add more color to the same old drab video conference. The Logitech Video Effects are free to download at the company's site, logitech.com/videoeffects.

If you're crazy about Harry Potter and you can't wait to see the movie and get a hand on the merchandise, there's something out there that has Harry Potter that you don't want. A new worm has hopped aboard the bandwagon and is annoying users everywhere.

There's still no lead on the origin of the worm and what to do about it. All that's known at this point is that the worm, called W32/Hairy-A, can be transmitted like regular malware and through removable drives.

If a USB drive is inserted to a port on an infected PC, the worm copies itself to the device, then copies itself to a new host PC and does weird and annoying things to your computer.

Symptoms include starting up to find new user accounts in Windows named after the book's characters, a text document that says Harry Potter is dead, a change in your browser's home page, and a greeting that tells you to repent from your sins because the end is near.

According to IT experts, the code does no big harm, but the act of tampering with a system is against the law. They also say that whoever wrote the code is not after financial gain but is just out there to make a statement.

People who are on the road a lot lugging around their laptops will probably appreciate these new products from Sony Europe. The company's IT Peripherals division has announced the addition of two new plug and play USB mice to its PC accessories products page.

The first is the SMU-C3, which you can check out up top, is a two-colour optical USB desktop mouse that features a wide scroll-wheel and integrated wire storage, making it easier to pack during trips. The SMU-C3 comes in four colors - pink, green, white and black – and is slightly smaller than your garden-variety desktop mouse.

  

Alternatively, the SMU-M10 has a slimmer, more compact design. While it doesn't have a retractable cord, it does have a built-in groove that allows users to wrap the mouse's USB cable around it for easier transport. The SMU-M10 is 1.5 cm deep and has an anti-scratch UV paint coating. It comes in blue, black and white.

Both products are Vista compatible and include an 800 dpi sensor for precision control.

If you're an anime fan, chances are you know what NERV is. Yeah, the one from Neon Genesis Evangelion (okay, fine, Shin Seiki Evangelion. Happy now, fanboy?). Well, if you have US$ 32 just collecting dust in your FLCL wallet (I'm trying to keep a Gainax vibe going on here), you might want to check out the NERV-inspired mouse.

No, it doesn't work only with the Magi, and no, you don't have to wear a plugsuit to use it - although if you're into that stuff, then more power to you. It's actually just a standard USB mouse that just so happens to come with the NERV logo on it. The white and red design certainly appeals to me, but I'd personally prefer one emblazoned with Maya's image.

Props to the first commenter (if anybody bothers to comment, that is) who mentions Gendo's blue-haired, um, slave doll. You all know who I mean.

Why would anyone want to transform (or incorporate an HDTV) in his laptop? We may not be obsessed with visual devices, but AutumnWave's OnAir GT will definitely raise our eyebrows. If you own a laptop, and would want to watch TV on high-def but won't spare a grand for buying an HDTV (and you won't be able able to carry it with you, anyway), an HD tuner will do your laptop a whole world of good.

The GT is actually like your rabbit antenna that receives on-air broadcasts from a couple dozen network stations. At $179, you won't need to buy another HDTV just to enjoy watching high-def shows on your laptop. You equip it with a USB 2.0 port, and then connect it to HDTV cable box. It also allows you to record shows on the hard drive.

The real purpose of the GT tuner is to get you to watch great stuff even without a Web connection or a tube. Thing is, you'd have to test it in various locations to see if the reception is good. We've read reports that you're likely not going to find uniform signals, as some areas obstruct them and cause choppiness. It pays to really test the product to know if it works for you.

For those laptop and ultra-portable PC owners who are currently using or thinking about using EV-DO, the Kyocera KR-1 EV-DO router is a suitable solution that will keep you connected to the Internet even away from hotspots.

The price of outfitting your KR-1, along with the appropriate wireless card for your machine and the carrier you selected, usually runs somewhere above $300. You insert the wireless card into the back of the KR-1 and it becomes an instant WiFi Hotspot and router for your LAN. For the entire month of September Kyocera will be selling the KR-1 EV-DO router with a $50 mail in rebate.

This little price reduction makes justifying the purchase of EV-DO service and equipment a little easier. Plus, you can add the $50 you saved on the cost of the router on the monthly service fees you'll be charged for the service. As a current EV-DO subscriber, and KR-1 user I can attest to the convenience it provides when traveling.

If you are a student or currently in a job that requires you to bring a computer with you into the field, a solution like the KR-1 provides unrivaled freedom, and the $50 rebate only sweetens the pot!