PDAExpertos caught a glimpse of a preview version of the ACCESS Linux Platform at 3GSM. They have published an article on ALP and got a picture of the ALP Palm OS emulator running on a smartphone. The phone is a Haier N60 phone that is sold in China and normally uses a version of Linux. What is not shown in the photos is the new MAX user interface, which is the main UI and features a new look and features.

We've been hearing for ages that Palm and PalmSource have been working with RIM on bringing BlackBerry Connect software to the Palm OS. Yet after years of press releases from both companies, we have never actually seen an actual working version. Adrew from Treonauts just caught a glimpse of BlackBerry Connect running on a Treo 650 at 3GSM. Apparently, it works as a plug-in to Palm's VersaMail application, and messages are pushed to the device in the usual BlackBerry style. Palm has previously stated they would be offering the service in early 2006.

Nova Media has updated its mobile connection wizard software to version 5.3.3, introducing support for more mobile phones and network operators. Mobile High Speed makes pairing bluetooth mobile phones simple and supports many models and networks that are not even included in the standard process.

Seagate Technology has announced the Seagate ST1.3 Series 12GB 1-inch hard drive for mobile devices. With a footprint 23% smaller, 50% more storage capacity, and 30% less power consumption than Seagate's current 1-inch hard drive, the ST1.3 Series also offers a new drop sensor feature.

Palm and Frost & Sullivan today released the results of a smartphone end-user survey declaring that the Palm Treo smartphone is the smartphone of choice for businesses. According to the report, mobile professionals are choosing Treo smartphones for the platform's abundant business-ready applications, high degree of flexibility, choice of operating systems, and power and convenience.

Worldwide personal digital assistant (PDA) shipments totaled a record 14.9 million units in 2005, a 19 percent increase from 2004, according to Gartner, Inc. The 2005 results topped the previous record of 13.2 million PDAs shipped worldwide in 2001.

ACCESS and PalmSource, today announced the ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP), the latest evolution of Palm OS for Linux. The ACCESS Linux Platform is designed to be an integrated, open and flexible Linux-based platform tailored for smartphones and mobile devices. The platform combines Palm OS for Linux with the NetFront browser and open source linux components.

ACCESS today announced some details about the next version of thier NetFront Browser at the 3GSM Conference. NetFront v3.4 is moving from a browser technology to a "Versatile Service Platform," where multiple applications can seamlessly combine online and offline content. This new version adds support for AJAX technologies, and plug-ins that will enable office documents and video content to be displayed within the browser.

VEMoDe is a free program that gives you a quick and easy way to turn your digital videos and movies into portable videos. It will convert from many formats and includes optimized settings for several mobile devices.

It's that time again, the PalmInfocenter software store is running another special. You can now take 15% off your entire order on all software when the total is greater than $10. This offer applies to all Palm OS and Windows Mobile software, even on already reduced specials. Enter the coupon code PALMINFO at checkout to take advantage of this discount. The PIC Software store accepts Paypal and payments in a large number of currencies worldwide. This code is valid through March 1st.

Palm today announced that its board of directors has approved a 2-for-1 split of its common stock, which will be effected in the form of a stock dividend. Today, Palm has approximately 51 million shares outstanding. The split, which will bring the number of shares outstanding to more than 100 million, will help the company align its capital structure to that of companies with comparable revenue.