Handspring, Inc. announced a holiday offer for its Treo 180 communicators for $99 after mail in rebate. For a limited time, and only while supplies last, customers who purchase a Treo 180 or 180g with a GPRS service contract from T-Mobile will be eligible to receive $150 through a mail-in rebate. A GSM service contract from T-Mobile that includes a 10MB or higher GPRS data plan (recommended for Treo customers) is required to qualify for the rebate.

Here’s an important safety tip: don’t move your office in the middle of a freak snowstorm. Yes, ZATZ is moving offices and as a result, we’ve been going a bit bonkers (OK, more bonkers than usual). Don’t worry though, everything will be normal (at least by our standards, which is pretty far afield for some folks!) eventually.

So, if you’ve been wondering what’s up with us, why the servers seem wonky, why news didn’t happen last week, and all the other myriad of questions, well, blame the winter and the phone company. Yes, our high-speed broadband for the new digs was supposed to be in before Thanksgiving. Now, the phone company is promising that the T-1 will “probably” be in before Christmas. In the meantime, we’re publishing essential services, patching together systems to keep the information flowing, and occassionally mouthing words our mamas would want to discourage.

Here’s something to look forward to: we’re also working on launching a bunch of new publications. Stay tune in early 2003 for news of some really fabulous resources

Ah, it just keeps getting better! The implementation guy at the phone company now claims January 6 for our new T-1. I called the sales guy who says, “no way, we’ll get it in sooner.” Ugh. We have to just wait and see. This last mile crap is one of the most critical failure points on the Internet infrastructure. We’ve got to decentralize how feeds are delivered

Saunders announced the introduction of the new RhinoSkin Aspect Case at Comdex Fall 2002 in Las Vegas, NV. The Aspect hardcase features the patented new WhisperGlide silent opening system that allows the cover to fold behind the bottom of the device for single-handed use.

On Hand Software announced it has gift ideas for under $20. These include My Photo Album, Brain Games, Chess, and Complete Finance.

Handspring, Inc. released a GPRS software upgrade for Treo customers using T-Mobile wireless service in the United States. This user-installable software upgrade is designed to enhance applications like email and Web with faster, persistent connections to high-speed data networks. The upgrade also includes improvements to the phone and SMS applications as well. In addition to enabling the Treo 180 and 270 to take advantage of high-speed data networks, Handspring’s GPRS upgrade includes a number of software enhancements. With the upgrade, Treo automatically becomes configured for data access–there is no need for manual configurations or an Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the SMS application, Web pages can be launched, phone numbers dialed, and emails addressed by tapping the corresponding information (URL, phone number, or email address) that arrives in a text message. There is also a new Mute button as well as keyboard hints built into the phone application.

CNET News.com has an article on Handspring’s release of a software upgrade designed to improve the email and Web capabilities on its Treo devices.

On Saturday, November 16, 2002, DreamQuest Software conducted the world’s first-ever wireless card game tournament. Entrants competed against each other in either DreamQuest Software

Softtrends has announced immediate availability of tApCalc Finance, a mobile Financial tape calculator program for Palm OS devices. tApCalc Finance has 25 most commonly used Financial keys for calculating Time Value of Money, Discounted cash flow, Depreciation, and Bond Price/Yield. It also has other operator and memory keys normally available with a standard electronic calculator.

Fictionwise.com has released Michael Crichton’s Prey with a 50% Micropay rebate when paying by credit card. You can get this book for $9.97 after rebate. Rebates are added to the members Micropay account, which they can then use to buy more ebooks. The ebook version also includes special “extras” not available in print.