Weblicon Technologies AG and Mundwerk AG will work together in developing intelligent computer voice applications. The cooperation of the two technology suppliers turns the Weblicon Online Organizer into a personal assistant that reads out emails also on the go. For the data to be up to date, Weblicon offers the synchronisation of all data with mobile end devices through SyncML server technology, integrated into the Online Organizer and based on the international SyncML standard. This is how the users can synchronize their data with a Palm handheld.

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced the public beta availability of Acrobat Reader for Palm OS, version 2.0, a software application that allows mobile professionals and others the flexibility to view Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files on Palm Powered handheld computers.

AvantGo, Inc. announced that it is teaming with E.piphany, Inc. to provide the capabilities of E.piphany E.6 to Palm OS handheld devices. The AvantGo solution extends E.piphany’s existing mobile capabilities to deliver customers an even more advanced high-end wireless experience with improved application access and speed on handheld devices.

Egsa SoftWorks, a Palm OS game developer, has released Circuit Breaker SE for Palm OS. Armed with only your wits, your powers of observation, and your trusty DSI, you take on the roll of master Circuit Breaker building virtual circuits to crack the master computer. It is a game of skill, strategy, and observation over speed and reflexes.

Handspring and Sprint announced an agreement to work together on a new CDMA version of the Handspring Treo communicator that will operate on Sprint’s Third Generation Network, which is expected to launch nationwide mid-2002. The product will be co-branded and jointly marketed by Sprint and Handspring. The companies plan to sell the product initially through Sprint’s wireless distribution channels and on Handspring.com beginning this summer.

Palm, Inc. announced that Palm Digital Media has joined publishing house Simon & Schuster in bringing an excerpt of Stephen King’s latest collection of short stories to pedestrians on the streets of Manhattan. For the next several weeks, New Yorkers with a Palm OS handheld can get a free excerpt from King’s new book, “Everything’s Eventual,” by pointing their handheld at one of the 100 kiosks set up on the sidewalks of midtown Manhattan. Designed by interactive mobile media company Streetbeam, Inc., in partnership with Viacom Outdoor, the kiosks are set up to beam information quickly and easily to Palm OS handhelds using infrared signals.

Palm, Inc. announced the Palm Pays Back Promotion. Effective March 20 to May 20, 2002, in the United States only, this referral program rewards Palm customers who recommend Palm m130 and m515 color handhelds and Palm i705 wireless handhelds to friends, family, and business associates. When the referred friend purchases one of these handhelds, the Palm Champion receives “Palm Bucks” that can be redeemed for specially selected Palm merchandise via a secure online Palm catalog. The awards are: 45 Palm Bucks for each Palm i705 handheld purchased, 40 Palm Bucks for each Palm m515 handheld purchased, and 25 Palm Bucks for each Palm m130 handheld purchased. The maximum award is 500 Palm Bucks per person.

Palm, Inc. and Sony Ericsson announced a marketing alliance agreement to develop strategic Bluetooth programs for carriers and their customers. Palm and Sony Ericsson will collaborate to make Bluetooth communication solutions readily accessible and easy-to-use for mobile professionals across the country. Bluetooth is a short-range, wireless networking technology. It is optimal technology for handheld devices because of its low power consumption and its flexibility to allow devices to talk spontaneously.

Professionals on-the-go may experience the power of wireless Bluetooth technology to communicate, collaborate, and connect simply by using a small SD Card with their Palm handheld computers. Once the software is loaded and the card (slightly larger than a postage stamp) is inserted, an application walks users though a process to find and connect with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, printers, laptops, and other Palm handhelds within 10 meters, or about 30 feet, or connect to Bluetooth LAN access points within 100 meters, or about 300 feet. Palm, Inc. announced the U.S. availability of the Palm Bluetooth Card, which slides into the Palm Expansion Card Slot featured in the latest Palm handhelds. The Palm Bluetooth Card can now be purchased in the United States online at The Palm Store and at retailers worldwide for an estimated U.S. street price of $129.

Air2Web announced that its Mobile Internet Platform now supports the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) applications platform. Air2Web will be demonstrating wireless email developed on the BREW platform (Airmail) and support for several other applications on this platform at CTIA in Orlando, March 18-20, 2002.