Agere Systems and Ericsson announced plans to deliver technology designed to expand service providers’ ability to provide laptops and handheld devices with access to the Internet and corporate networks from public spaces. The two companies will provide complementary 802.11/Wi-Fi solutions that connect to service providers’ network hubs to enable user authentication and billing, a key step toward offering mobile users the freedom of roaming network access. The solution will use SIM (subscriber identification module) technology similar to what GSM phones use today.

Palm Infocenter reports a recent report out of Dataquest said that PDA shipments in Western Europe are up 15% compared with the same quarter last year. Shipments of all PDAs to the area totalled 496,000 units in the third quarter. This follows four quarters of successive year-on-year declines.

Infinity Softworks Inc. announced today a version of powerOne Finance for Microsoft Windows operating systems. The Windows version is fully compatible with Palm OS and Pocket PC versions, allowing users to synchronize financial calculations and templates between their desktop and handheld computers. powerOne Finance wraps financial and business analysis functions into easy-to-use templates. Users can also add calculation templates to customize powerOne Finance for their individual business and education needs.

A recent survey has found that although pharmaceutical sales representatives value the corporate information systems supplied by their companies, key information is not always accessible when they need it most. According to the survey, conducted by AvantGo, Inc., the leading provider of mobile enterprise software, despite the automation of many systems, sales representatives are still spending almost a day a week on administration.

Pumatech, Inc. announced the availability of Intellisync 5.1, which offers new functionality, including synchronization of email attachments, support for Microsoft Outlook Express software, and the ability to conduct live updates to Intellisync via the Web.

Metrowerks announced the next version of its CodeWarrior tools for the Palm OS platform will support application development for next generation Palm OS handhelds that contain processors from Motorola, Intel, and Texas Instruments based on ARM core technology. CodeWarrior Development Studio for Palm OS Platform, Version 9.0, will enable developers to build Palm OS 5 applications with support for 68K processors and ARM code development. The toolset will include ARMlet support with sample projects, C++ Object Library for Palm OS (POL), command line tools, application wizards, third party Palm OS utilities, and more.

iambic, Inc. announced it has released two versions of iambic Agendus for Windows–iambic Agendus for Windows Standard Edition and iambic Agendus for Windows Professional Edition. The program is designed to enhance Microsoft Outlook and Palm Desktop with a series of advanced views and capabilities designed to make managing schedules and address books easier. Agendus for Windows conveniently synchronizes with Agendus for Palm using the existing HotSync setup on the desktop, requiring no additional software.

Bachmann Software announced that its FilePoint Pro and PrintBoy Anywhere applications, as well as its InfraReady Adapter, are all now available at Palm, Inc.

NS Basic Corporatio announced the immediate availability of NS Basic/Palm 3.0, a development tool for all Palm OS devices. The new version features improved performance and new features and is ready for Palm OS 5.0. The new version also adds support for add-in memory cards. NS Basic/Palm 3.0 allows programmers to create applications with a true Palm OS “Look and Feel” by making full use of the Palm OS’s capabilities. This results in a compact runtime that is highly compatible with all Palm OS devices.

IDG News Service has an article on how PalmSource Inc. and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB will work together to ease setting up a Bluetooth wireless connection between devices running the Palm OS and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. According to the article, users should be able to easily connect their PDA to the Internet via a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) phone and automatically dial a phone number on the phone from their PDA address book.