CNET News.com reports that Palm has said that it will give away an entry-level Palm m105 handheld to those who buy a Palm m500 handheld. According to the article, “the monthlong promotion gives those who buy a $299 m500 a mail-in coupon good for a free m105.”

TealPoint Software announced the release of TealDoc version 5.00 for Palm OS handhelds. The new release adds TealDoc Maker, a flexible Windows converter program that creates Palm OS-readable documents from text files, html files, clipboard text, and even previously-created Palm OS-format documents. Other additions to the new release include antialiased fonts, document notes, and bookmark support for documents on external storage cards.

MobiMate announced that it has changed the name for its Address Book replacement, PhoneMate, to Contacts Pro. Contacts Pro adds critical functionality to the standard address books available for Palm OS. It provides an search pad that enables fast searches of contacts by last, first, and company name. Contacts Pro is also optimized for one-finger operation (stylus-free) and can communicate with mobile phones.

In an effort to help more moms and dads get organized for the summer, Palm, Inc. kicked off a special promotion: Customers who buy a Palm m500 handheld will get a Palm m105 handheld for free via a mail-in coupon. In addition, Palm customers can now download Palm DualDate, a free application developed by WeSync that allows friends and family to share their calendars with other DualDate users and view two calendars at the same time on their handheld.

Keyspan is set to debut its new Mini Port Replicator on June 26, 2002. It will combine a USB serial adapter, USB parallel printer adapter, and 2-port USB hub into one compact laptop accessory. It’s set to retail at $79.

There’s a new piece of software out called PDA Sommelier, a comprehensive wine guide for Palm OS devices. A free 14 -day trial version is available.

Cutting Edge Software announced version 6.0 of Quickoffice for Palm OS. Updates include: all new, redesigned Quickoffice Desktop, including direct links to example worksheets, Gutenberg ebooks, and MemoWare.com; VFS support in both Quicksheet and Quickword for files to be saved to- and opened and edited from expansion cards; new and improved FontConvertor application (Windows only) to convert TrueType fonts for use within Quickword with support of the FontBucket font management utility (a product of HandsHigh Software); a new ZoomView capability in Quickword especially valuable for finding just the right size for viewing ebooks or word processing documents on high resolution devices (up to ELEVEN levels of “zoom” are supported if corresponding FontBucket font sizes are available); more speed enhancements in Quickword; numerous minor bug fixes in Quickword and Quicksheet; and Sony NR series 320×480 high resolution displays are supported, including the use of the soft Grafitti area for display.

Palm Infocenter reports Vaja Cases has begun selling three new cases for Sony’s NR series. According to the article, the I-VOLUTION Dyna is a flip-case with leather on the outside and inside, but an ABS plastic insert strengthens it for extra handheld protection. It has access ports for the headphones and Jog Dial and comes in a wide variety of colors. It sells for $120.

Thales Navigation, a global provider of Magellan consumer and Ashtech professional GPS solutions, announced the availability of the Magellan GPS Companion for Palm m500 series handhelds. It features Rand McNally StreetFinder Deluxe Travel Navigation Software and Magellan NAV Companion software, which provides traditional GPS navigation information.

Palm, Inc. announced it expects more than 5,000 Palm handheld computers to be purchased for a three-year grant program designed by the New York State Council of School Superintendents, the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), and the State Education Department (SED). The program was developed to help education leaders throughout New York state begin to explore technology as a catalyst for organizational growth and student achievement.

Called “Technology, Achievement, Leadership, Knowledge and Skills” (NYTALKS), the program will give superintendents and principals access to quality leadership and technology training. NYTALKS is the result of a $7.5 million State Challenge Grant for Leadership Development awarded jointly to the three organizations by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Terms of the grant require the program to use a digital tool. The Magellan Foundation, a foundation formed by SAANYS to develop leadership skills for educators and students, will administer the program.