PalmSource, Inc. and Spontaneous Technology, Inc. (SponTec) announced a collaboration to develop, with intent to co-market, software that enables Palm OS users to connect to corporate computing networks wirelessly. SponTec’s Virtual Private Network (sVPN) software will be integrated with HotSync, the Palm OS software that communicates between a handheld and a desktop computer. This combination will give enterprise customers access to corporate applications and enterprise data behind the firewall from any wireless Palm OS device anywhere at any time through a mobile operator’s 2.5G/3G wide area data network.

QUALCOMM Incorporated and PalmSource, Inc. announced at CTIA Wireless 2003 that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which the companies will work together to enable over-the-air downloads of Palm OS applications to Palm OS devices via QUALCOMM’s BREW Distribution System (BDS).

Palm, Inc. announced that 1,500 Palm handheld computers and keyboards have been purchased for Michigan school administrators participating in LEADing the Future, a program dedicated to professional development in which technology is transparently integrated as a natural part of leadership.

On March 23, the 75th Annual Academy Awards will be held. This year’s presenters’ gift bag, valued at more than $20,000, will include two software programs from developer neohand, inc., Amy Reiley’s Pocket Vineyard and Amy Reiley’s Pocket Gourmet.

Computer Conversions, Inc. (CCI) announced that it will begin offering flash media data recovery in addition to its tape media recovery and conversion services. They are able to recover pictures from digital camera cards and charge $100 for recovery of pictures from flash media cards under a gigabyte. If no pictures can be recovered, there is no charge. At present, recovery of non-picture data from flash media–handheld planner databases, MP3

Techneos Systems has released a new version of its Entryware Professional software that is integrated with the SPSS MR Dimensions Platform. Merging these technologies has created a Mobile Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (MCAPI) tool that is versatile and scalable. The software is designed to allow market researchers to more effectively utilize mobile data collection in situations where it is the most suitable method, and to include it in multi-mode interviewing systems.

Sort Once, an email hosting service, announced support for the Palm VersaMail email program. The Sort Once service is able to consolidate desktop messages and folders with Palm OS messages and folders. The service is aimed at supporting the needs of mobile professionals who use a variety of devices including desktops, laptops, and handhelds to access email from the office and while on the go.

Cingular Wireless and Handspring, Inc. announced the availability of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for Treo users on Cingular’s 1900 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. The GPRS software upgrade provides Cingular customers access to their corporate or Internet email inbox as well as the ability to seamlessly move between voice and data applications, without having to disconnect from the network.

Proporta released ProBackup, an all in one companion to any Palm handheld taking an MMC card. It comes on a 16MB memory card and with one tap of a button copies the entire content of your handheld.

The RealOne Player Mobile for the Palm Tungsten T handheld is now available. RealOne Mobile Player enables RealAudio and MP3 support for the Tungsten T handheld. An SD expansion card (sold separately) is required to store and play RealAudio and MP3 format files on the Tungsten T handheld.