Pocket PC Films has signed a new contract with nREACH to distribute feature films and other programming through nREACH=92s patent-pending Mobile Content Kiosk, powered by Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Media, the .NET Framework, and Visual Studio .NET. Kiosks will be in U.S. airports, retailers, malls, and public “hot spots” by Fall 2002, the two companies said. Under the terms of the agreement, nREACH kiosks will include Pocket PC Films=92 entertainment product from their library of more than 25,000 titles, including titles from the recent distribution deal signed with Lions Gate Entertainment. To download programming from an nREACH kiosk, PDA users will simply insert their preferred media card or disc into a corresponding slot. After a financial transaction, the film or other programming will then transfer directly onto the card with download speeds under 3 minutes. Pocket PC Films currently distributes video programming, via CD-ROM at retail, for use on Pocket PC and Palm OS devices.

David Nagel, chief executive officer of PalmSource, Inc., told educators at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) to expect broader choices in mobile products for education as innovative Palm OS platform licensees, such as AlphaSmart, bring new products to market. PalmSource is the Palm OS subsidiary of Palm, Inc. Available this summer, Dana will be sold via the AlphaSmart Web site for $399 (U.S.). Bundled with education-specific software, Dana will be available to schools at an education discount, beginning at $369 (U.S.).

AlphaSmart announced Dana, a Palm OS-based device designed to be an alternative to the laptop. It combines the affordability of a handheld with the ergonomic benefits of a notebook computer. Dana includes a full-size keyboard and a screen that’s 3.5 times wider than the typical handheld screen. You can type or enter data using the keyboard or by writing with the Dana stylus directly onto the screen. All Palm OS applications are said to be compatible with Dana. With Dana, you can: print directly to your USB or IrDA-enabled printer; add MultiMediaCard or SD (Secure Digital) cards; and exchange files with PC applications like Microsoft Word and Excel.

Palm Digital Media announced that AlphaSmart has licensed the Palm Reader eBook application to include with Dana from AlphaSmart, a Palm OS based portable computing solution for education.

At the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Antonio, Cutting Edge Software, Inc. announced Quickoffice for AlphaSmart

Hands High Software announced the ThoughtManager Outline Contest. When you enter, you get a chance to win a new AlphaSmart Dana, Palm m505, prizes from PalmGear, Lifestylus, Handango, and more. To enter, use ThoughtManager to make a field guide, quick reference, event planner, picture album, or other useful document and email it to Hands High Software.

Paragon Software (SHDD) announced the release of a new 4.09 version of SlovoEd dictionary engine for Palm OS based devices. This release is to provide customers with multi-language dictionary core with almost all features one can need to work with a dictionary on a Palm OS PDA device. SlovoEd engine has data compression technology and ability to look for translation of selected words from within other applications.

CNET News.com has an article on how Palm is reaching out to the enterprise market by investing money in building products and software that will appeal to businesses.

Fortune has an article on Handspring’s new Treo 90 and Treo 270. According to the article, Sprint plans to release the Treo 300, a slightly thicker version of the Treo 270 that promises data rates superior to the 56K dial-up modems used by most PC owners today.

Qvadis has been shortlisted for the Innovative Technology Achievement Award by the Digital Literature Institute, organizer of the 2002 Independent e-Book Awards. The Awards were founded to recognize the year’s outstanding ebooks in fiction and non-fiction. Achievement Awards were introduced this year to recognize body of work and commitment to the field of digital literature. Qvadis’ nomination is for Innovative Technology Achievement, presented for the development of software, hardware or technical information that benefits the field of digital literature.