BrainDock.com announced that it had partnered with 21Store, the Internet retailer, to provide online software sales for the company. By registering on the BrainDock network, 21Store now offers downloadable software sales for customers at its North American Web site. The BrainDock solution allows 21Store to immmediately offer customers a full range of software running on the Symbian EPOC, Palm OS and Windows CE platforms.

Novatel Wireless announced that it has partnered with OpenSky to provide custom-developed wireless IP modem cradles to OpenSky for use with handheld devices. These form-fitted modems will enable wireless access to the Internet, intranets and email using CDPD technology. OpenSky was formed in June of this year by industry leaders with initial funding from 3Com and Aether Technologies. OpenSky will provide Internet, intranet, and other mission-critical data to a wide range of existing and future IP-enabled wireless devices, including Palm computing devices, Windows CE devices, pagers and WAP-enabled phones.

Puma Technology, Aether Systems, Attachmate Corporation, AvantGo, Certicom, Globalware Computing, Inc., The Windward Group and ePocrates today announced the establishment of the Mobile Application Link Forum, an independent organization dedicated to standardizing the manner in which network-based applications communicate with Palm Computing platform, Windows CE operating system and other mobile computing devices. The Mobile Application Link Forum promotes an open, secure communications protocol linking networked applications for handheld computers.

AvantGo announced that it is partnering with OpenSky, a next-generation wireless communications service provider. When OpenSky’s service becomes available, subscribers will have the Web in the palm of their hand.

Logix Inc. announced that it has been named a charter member of Microsoft’s just-launched third-party development-tool partnering program for the embedded systems market. According to Microsoft, the new “Embedded Tools Partner Program” will bring together a wide range of vendors in the embedded systems market with the aim of providing developers with highly functional, integrated embedded system development-tool suites for Windows CE, as well as Smart Cards, and Windows NT Embedded.

Handheldmed.com announced the release of PatientCalc, its newest application for the Windows CE Palm-sized PC. It’s a programmable calculator that includes 30 of the most frequently used equations for medicine. It allows users to customize the calculator by adding equations that they use on a daily basis.

Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Oracle, Palm Computing and Symbian are joining forces in the GPRS Applications Alliance (GAA), a cross-industry initiative designed to serve as a catalyst in the advancement of applications based on the new mobile packet switching technology, GPRS. GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) introduces packet data to mobile networks and is a step for GSM and TDMA operators in the evolution to third generation mobile networks, enabling a range of new and enhanced services in a mobile environment.

Riverbed Technologies announced that it has entered into an OEM and development agreement with Palm Computing, in which Palm Computing will use Riverbed’s ScoutSync Server as the enabling technology behind the new Palm HotSync Server. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will also work together to develop new technologies that will further enable the large-scale deployment of handheld devices.

Palm Computing announced that it has expanded its enterprise service and support offerings. The new service and support offerings include the Palm Help Desk Training Program, resources for troubleshooting via phone and the Internet, access to the secured Palm Enterprise Support Web site, on-site service exchange (“hot-swap”) units and an extended hardware warranty program. The new services are available for U.S. and Canadian customers through Palm’s traditional service and support channels. Palm intends to broaden this offering to include more international support packages, with programs scheduled to be rolled out by region beginning early next year.

ZDNet has this preview of PalmSource ’99, which starts tomorrow in Santa Clara, California. The article also takes a look at Palm Computing’s new partnerships.