A new mystery fiction magazine called HandHeldCrime is making its debut. Its purpose is to bring handheld computer users some of the best crime fiction on the Web today. It will also offer non-fiction, such as reviews of current genre novels and a guide to crime fiction on the Internet. In partnership with a number of established Web publications, HandHeldCrime will deliver its content to handhelds via email, AvantGo, or by download from the homesite.

ZDNet has announced the winners of its annual ZDNet PDA Software Awards, honoring the year’s best Palm- and Windows CE-based software. Check it out to see if any of your favorites brought home a trophy.

Businessweek has an article on a cheaper way to get your hands on Palm stock. The secret is, buy 3Com stock, as 3Com has announced that on July 27, it will divest its 94.2% remaining ownership of Palm Computing to shareholders. Analysts believe each 3Com share will receive 1.5 shares of Palm Computing. At current prices, according to the article, that means each 3Com share buys just under $50 worth of Palm shares.

A new mystery fiction magazine called HandHeldCrime is making its debut. Its purpose is to bring handheld computer users some of the best crime fiction on the Web today. It will also offer non-fiction, such as reviews of current genre novels and a guide to crime fiction on the Internet. In partnership with a number of established Web publications, HandHeldCrime will deliver its content to handhelds via email, AvantGo, or by download from the homesite.

CNET has a story on the possibility of a new standards battle that may result due to the drive to make portable devices upgradeable and expandable. The article reports that nearly every new portable device offers expandability in the form of add-on cartridges for more storage or additional features, but most of these add-on devices are incompatible with other products. The case is made that such a situation hampers development.

PCWorld also reports two leaders in speech recognition, IBM and the Belgian company Lernout & Hauspie, have each built speech-enabled prototypes of handheld devices. The devices could be commercially available as early as next year. The devices should perform speech-to-text transcriptions, have voice-controlled personal digital assistants, and respond to questions with a computer-synthesized voice. IBM and L&H also plan to give the devices wireless connectivity.

PCWorld has an article suggesting wireless mail clients may be prime targets for the next generation of hackers as mobile messaging users are realizing they aren’t immune to viruses, worms, spam, and other mail-borne content threats.

CNET has a story on the possibility of a new standards battle that may result due to the drive to make portable devices upgradeable and expandable. The article reports that nearly every new portable device offers expandability in the form of add-on cartridges for more storage or additional features, but most of these add-on devices are incompatible with other products. The case is made that such a situation hampers development.

PCWorld also reports two leaders in speech recognition, IBM and the Belgian company Lernout & Hauspie, have each built speech-enabled prototypes of handheld devices. The devices could be commercially available as early as next year. The devices should perform speech-to-text transcriptions, have voice-controlled personal digital assistants, and respond to questions with a computer-synthesized voice. IBM and L&H also plan to give the devices wireless connectivity.

PCWorld has an article suggesting wireless mail clients may be prime targets for the next generation of hackers as mobile messaging users are realizing they aren’t immune to viruses, worms, spam, and other mail-borne content threats.