Digitimes has posted a vague article that quotes Palm's vice president for Asia-Pacific as saying that Palm is likely to launch Linux-based smartphones while continuing to roll out mobile phones supporting its own Palm operating system.

Blue Nomad has released the new Nomad Security Suite, a comprehensive data security package, for Palm OS Powered handhelds and smartphones. The security suite includes RemoveIt, which allows users to identify programs taking up hidden space on their devices and provides an audit trail of files and preferences created by running programs, BackupBuddyVFS Professional which creates quick and secure device backups to external memory cards, and SwordFish for Palm OS which allows users to securely store personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and passwords.

LandWare has announced the immediate availability of their second generation Wine Enthusiast Guide for Palm OS handhelds & smartphones. The newly enhanced award-winning Wine Enthusiast Guide now offers instant access to the entire collection of Wine Enthusiast reviews, ratings and retail prices for over 34,000 wines worldwide, over three times the number included in previous years.

Tuscon PUG 12/6
The Tucson PUG December meeting will be held Tuesday dec 6, at 7pm. More details on the website.

AusPUG 12/7
Sydney chapter of Australian Palm OS Users Group is meeting at 6PM Wednesday 7th December. Full details on auspug.org.

Mar del Plata, Argentina 12/8
Mar del Plata, Argentina Palm User Group (MDQ-PUG) is meeting every second thursday of each month.

The Windows Mobile Palm Treo 700w has gained FCC approval. The FCC filling confirms the Treo 700w name and some other details. They have also published the full user manual as well as new pictures and screenshots of the device.

Do you run a PUG or a Palm/ PDA focused user group in your area? PalmInfocenter has not posted user group meetings for some time and I'd like to start that up again. So if you would like your PDA usergroups meeting dates posted on PIC please send them in with all the details to our news tips form.

Gemstar-TV Guide and Handmark today announced the immediate availability of TV Guide Mobile, a dynamic new television listings and content service designed for Palm OS handhelds and smartphones. Through a yearly or monthly subscription, TV Guide Mobile provides consumers with the content and personalized tools they need to get the most out of the world of television.

PalmInfocenter is giving away a brand new Palm Treo 650 smartphone fully loaded with the new Treo TripKit. To enter the giveaway, simply post your most unique PDA or smartphone related travel story. Read on for the full details.

Palm today posted a free software update for the Palm LifeDrive mobile manager. The update provides a number of improvements including improved Wi-Fi and better sound quality.

Astraware has announced a major update to Astraware Sudoku for Palm OS. The new Puzzle of the Day option offers a brand new Sudoku puzzle at each difficulty level downloadable 'over the air' each day. This unique feature also lets users submit their times directly from their device and see how they rank against other players worldwide for the same puzzle.

Palm in cooperation with CEC Telecom Co., a subsidiary of Qiao Xing Universal Telephone, Inc., a leading manufacturer of indoor phones and mobile phones and a go-to-market partner in China, today announced the launch of the Palm Treo 650 smartphone in China. With its full-featured GSM/GPRS/EDGE quad-band phone, a Palm OS organizer, messaging, email and web access capabilities in a compact design, the localized Chinese-language Treo 650 brings the Palm mobile-solutions experience to Chinese consumers and businesses.