SlingMedia is now accepting public beta tester applications for the Palm OS client of the Slingplayer mobile. Interested users may fill out the application here. Applicants are required to own any model of the Slingbox hardware as well as the only 3g-enabled Palm OS Treo, the 700p. An unlimited data plan is also a mandatory requirement, obviously. The Treo 680, 650, and Palm TX (no mention of the LifeDrive) are also listed as acceptable secondary products for testing.

Being one of the most eagerly anticipated Palm software products in recent memory, Sling Media's Palm OS SlingPlayer is certain to be a popular product amongst its beta testers during the four week test period. Sling Media's website has also been updated and now lists "Palm OS" amongst its supported portable platforms.

Google has just released Google Maps for mobile for Windows Mobile devices, including the Palm Treo 750, 700wx and 700w smartphones. Palm and Google originally announced availability of this service on Palm OS-based Treo products in October 2006 and now it is expanding across Palm's entire U.S.-based Treo smartphone line. This version of Google Maps for mobile enables users to view interactive maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, get point-to-point driving directions, and view live traffic updates. The Windows Mobile 5.0 version of Google Maps for mobile is also GPS-enabled, allowing users whose mobile devices support GPS functionality to view their current location.

Palm has posted information regarding Windows Vista compatibility with its devices. The Palm Desktop software, used by Palm OS devices, will install and operate on Vista. Hotsyncing and PIM synchronization should work according to Palm's Vista Information page.

Some items are not currently compatible with Windows Vista. These include certain carrier provided Dial-up Networking (DUN) software, Palm Quick Install and the LifeDrive mobile manager software. Palm says to check back for future updates on these issues.

Kinoma has released a substantial update to their excellent Kinoma Player EX media player software. This new version brings the player up to version 4.1, replacing the previous 4.01 reviewed here.

Most notable amongst the improvements brought to the table in 4.1 is a major update of the Kinoma Media Guide. Kinoma claims that the guide has more than doubled the previous version's not-insubstantial amount of content.

Pictures of the disassembled circuitry of the inside of the Palm Treo 680 have been posted as part of the FCC approval process. Read on for the full Treo 680 guts image gallery.

Kent from PocketFactory has posted a nice piece called Reinventing the Palm OS: A How-To Guide. He takes up the issue of the Palm OS interface and how aspects of it have remained mostly unchanged since its introduction on the Pilot 1000 10 years ago. He writes, "Unlike other platforms that evolved over time, receiving various tweaks and improvements here and there as the user experience changed and technology improved, the Palm interface remained frozen it time since it began its days as an electronic organizer interface." Adding to his argument, Kent also provides a number of compelling modern UI mock ups that would look good on any system, let alone a mobile device today.

Palm and Vivo have launched the Palm Treo 700wx smartphone, the first Treo smartphone in Brazil that runs Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition. Now available on Vivo's 3G network, the Treo 700wx combines a great mobile phone, comprising the functionality and ease of use for which Treo smartphones are known, with the power and security of Windows Mobile favored by many businesses.

Nipping at the heels of McGraw Hill/Osborne Press’ How to Do Everything series of Palm books is a new contender from O’Reilly & author Scott MacHaffie entitled Palm & Treo Hacks. I was pleasantly surprised to see this little book on the shelf of my local Borders a few months ago. Despite the book bearing an October 2005 copyright date, I never even knew of its existence until I stumbled across it sitting right next to a similar book entitled PSP Hacks. I immediately purchased this book, as I was curious to see if this new entry into the Palm OS handbook field was going to be the eventual successor to the HtDE series. Read on for the full review.

Hobbyist Software has released Butler version 4.0. Butler is a feature rich Treo utility that gives you control over a number of options and adds a number of additional tools and utilities. It includes mp3 alarms, customized alerts, remote sms security lock and data wipe, button customization and volume key control, an expanded keyguard, LED control and many other features. The new version adds a built in mp3 player, customized alarm messages and actions, a new keygaurd display, custom fonts, a remote locking ability and much more.

Butler v4.0 comes with a free trial and costs $14.95 to register.

With the ever-widening waistlines and bottoms of the American populace, dieting and exercise are popular New Year’s resolutions. While yours truly is not yet in mortal danger, I had a more sedentary than usual 2006 due to a variety of factors (mostly family and work related). I made a vow to inaugurate 2007 by monitoring my caloric intake and eating more healthily while slowly transitioning into more regular exercise. Enter the CalorieKing software for Palm OS.

UPDATE: PalmInfocenter has received confirmation from Palm that the LifeDrive Mobile Manager has been officially discontinued.

The LifeDrive on Palm's website has gone from out of stock to "no longer available at the Palm Store." The LifeDrive has become increasingly scarce online and at retail stores this month.

The LifeDrive is the only current model still brandishing the old "PalmOne" logo since its introduction in May 2005. It features an internal 4gb MicroDrive, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in addition to a 320x480 screen and a voice recorder.