On Friday, Cloud Engines launched a bigger, shinier version of its Pogoplug USB file-sharing device/service. This will let users share files, photos and videos directly from USB drives or memory sticks plugged into the Pogoplug device with friends or clients over the Internet. The device is accessible from smartphones and mobile computers. Pogoplug is made up of two components: an adapter that plugs into a router and accepts any USB 2.0 drive or memory stick, and the Pogoplug service.

Samsung is offering an Android-powered smartphone dubbed "Galaxy" in a number of markets, though not in North America. The device apparently runs an older version of the Android OS -- one that does not include access to Google's turn-by-turn navigation service.

Dell has officially jumped into the smartphone arena, announcing that it will debut an Android model, Mini 3, in China and Brazil, with launches in other markets to follow. Though it may seem that an Android army is lining up against the iPhone, the plethora of choices may actually work in Apple's favor. The iPhone has a distinct personality, suggested analyst Greg Sterling.

After months of rumors, Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) has confirmed its intention to become a major player in the smartphone sector, announcing partnerships with China Mobile and Brazil-based Claro, which is part of the America Movil network.

This is not a regional or emerging market strategy on the part of Dell. "We plan to announce agreements with carriers in other markets eventually," spokesperson Matt Parretta told LinuxInsider.

Dell and its carrier partners will be marketing the Mini 3 smartphone, built on the Android platform. Specs for the device will be announced as the phone is ready to be released, Parretta said. For China, that will be as soon as the end of the month; in Brazil, Claro expects the handset to reach the market by year end.

Dell and China Mobile have been working on product development for more than a year, Parretta added.

Brazil and China First

Dell has existing agreements with other global telecom providers, including Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) in Europe; AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon in the U.S.; M1 and Starhub in Singapore; and Maxis in Malaysia.

The company has longstanding ties with both China and Brazil in other IT areas, which may account for its decision to launch the Mini 3 in these huge emerging markets. Dell was among the first mobile PC manufacturers to incorporate China Mobile's 3G technology and services into its netbooks and has since become a top seller of netbooks in the country.

Its ties to Brazil may be even stronger: The country was home to Dell's first offshore software development center, established in March 2001. It now employs more than 500 people and is one of only four IT centers supporting applications and infrastructure for Dell globally, Jairo Avritchir, Brazil IT site director for Dell, said at an IT event in New York this week.

It seems like it was just yesterday that talking on a mobile phone made you cool. You were obviously important, walking around with the confidence that you could be reached at all times. Well, times have certainly changed. Roughly half the planet's population -- over 4.1 billion people -- now pay for what was once limited to a select few, according to a recent United Nations survey. However, the widespread adoption of mobile phones is just one way communications have changed in the last 10 years, fostered in large part by the dramatic growth of the Internet

After a flaw was uncovered in some of its handset chargers that could expose consumers to a shock hazard, Finnish mobile giant Nokia on Monday announced a recall program through which it is offering a free exchange. The problem affects a limited number of chargers of certain model types manufactured by Chinese third-party supplier BYD Electronic, Nokia said.

Cisco has introduced new technologies to its collaboration platform -- a product portfolio that encompasses its telepresence, unified communications and WebEx solutions. Among the additions are new hosted email offerings and integration with enterprise social software. The enhancements leverage real-time and asynchronous collaboration applications in both video and voice-based communications. The package as a whole is a significant leap forward for Cisco, said David Hsieh, the company's vice president of marketing for emerging technologies.

Firefighters and police responded to a reported shooting Friday at a high-rise building in Orlando, Florida.

Authorities received a report shortly before noon of a shooting on an upper floor of the office building, said John Tormos of the Orlando Fire Department.

CNN affiliate WESH reported that at least eight people were shot at the Gateway Center -- a 16-story building.

Read local coverage from CNN affiliate WESH

Read local coverage from CNN affiliate WFTV

Read local coverage from CNN affiliate WKMG

Police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the area, video showed. It also showed people fleeing.

A civilian police officer who shot the Fort Hood gunman four times during his bloody rampage stopped the attacker cold, a U.S. Army official said today. The officer, Kimberly Munley, was wounded during the gunfight.

Some people say that change is good....In my opinion, it is not good...To much work and not enough satisfaction.

The time change to fall back is November 1st,2009