Mobile Generation Software announced the release of Four.Zero v3.0, the student coursework tracking software for Palm handheld computers, including the new Palm m100. According to the press release, with Four.Zero (pronounced four-point-zero), students can access coursework due dates, class and instructor information, and current class grades.

CompanionLink Software, Inc. announced its new Sales and Distribution team at RetailVision Fall 2000. Katie Phillips, formerly Director of Sales for Concept Kitchen, has accepted the role of Vice President of Sales for CompanionLink Software. Her duties will include the execution of OEM sales for PDA accessory products at CompanionLink Software.

A new company called BiomedicalPDA Publishing has been established with the purpose of developing Palm applications for the biomedical sciences. The company’s goal is to enlist experts in various biomedical disciplines to contribute cutting-edge databases that can be downloaded onto handhelds that use the Palm OS.

PalmPower Contributing Editor Jason Perlow has acquired a Palm VIIx and will be checking in periodically with his initial reactions. Here are his first thoughts on the new device:

The unit has been completely re-designed; the case is completely black like the Palm IIIc and has a similar heft and feel. Buttons are dimpled like the Palm IIIxe’s, not like the Palm IIIc. The digitzer is a scratch-resistant plastic like the Palm m100’s. It’s got kind of a squeaky, rubbing feeling when you write on it; it doesn’t glide like on the glass digitizers. I’m not sure if this bad or good, just different I suppose. The plastic flexible antenna flips out toward you. The joint feels a little flimsy, but this could just be my paranoia setting in.

The OS, of course, is 3.5. There’s about 18 pre-loaded PQA’s including iMessenger, which replaces the Mail application. There’s no evidence of Multimail on this thing yet, though I haven’t tried the included CD which I understand includes AvantGo.

The general response time of the unit is great. It’s much better than the Palm IIIc. It has obviously got an updated processor in it (20 Mhz?).

The Gadgeteer has a review of the HP Jornada 548, saying the device is probably the most overlooked of the current crop of Pocket PC devices. The review cites the HP 548 as having a nice understated professional look.

Ectaco, Inc. announced the opening of its new corporate site. The site offers a wide range of pocket electronic dictionaries and software compatible with the Palm Os and Windows CE.

Synchrologic, Inc. announced the availability of iMobile Data Synchronization 3.0. It works across all major mobile platforms, such as the Palm OS and Pocket PC.

Mercury News has an interesting analysis of Palm’s motivation for the design of the Palm m100, saying it’s an attempt to convince more students, women, and middle-class professionals to join the Palm camp.

MSNBC has a report on the Palm m100, but it doesn’t seem to have all its facts straight, mistakingly citing the device as having 4MB of memory.

The Palm m100 report at CNET News makes the case that the new device is an attempt to compete more directly against Handspring’s Visor. It also says the Palm m100 is aimed primarily at the education market, which Palm has identified as a potential growth area.