Palm, Inc. and Handspring today announced that the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act for Palm's proposed acquisition of Handspring has expired. The acquisition is expected to close in the fall, subject to certain conditions, including approval from both companies' stockholders.

SplashPhoto v4.0
SplashData has announced SplashPhoto 4.0. The new version includes a desktop catalog feature with two-way synchronization, all images are stored as JPG files and images can be transferred via Bluetooth, infrared or e-mail between different types of devices, support for built-in cameras and the Palm Photos file format and a new Pan and Zoom feature. SplashPhoto 4.0 is available for $19.95. Registered owners of previous versions of SplashPhoto can upgrade to SplashPhoto 4.0 for $5.00.

Samsung Electronics and Sony Corporation today announced that Samsung is now licensed by Sony to manufacture and sell Memory Stick media. Samsung will begin production and sales of Memory Stick media in the third quarter of 2003.

PalmSource and M-Systems, a flash-based data storage products company, today announced plans to enhance the memory solution for Palm OS handhelds and smartphones. Joining the Palm OS Ready Program, M-Systems' NAND flash-based memory storage technologies will be made available to Palm OS licensees.

Sony has just announced the Clie Car cradle. The new automobile accessory has a built in GPS receiver for maps and directions, can read email and your schedule out loud, charge your handheld and play mp3's over your car stereo system.

NVidia today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MediaQ, the a provider of graphics and multimedia technology for wireless mobile devices. Media Q is a member of the Palm OS Ready program and had recently announced a new multimedia centric ARM processor.

A BestBuy employee has found three new entries from Palm listed in the company's inventory system with a possible October 1st release date. The models may be a next generation Tungsten and a mid range or entry level Zire handheld.

updated Sony has lowered prices on the SJ33, SJ22 and SJ20 Clie handhelds. The SJ33 was lowered to $219 and the SJ20 can now be had for $99 after rebate. In addition, Sony has posted a Bluetooth driver update for the NZ90 and TG50.

Screen captures from the Tapwave Zodiac have been posted to PDArcade. The screen shots are from the developers simulator of the device. The images show a new custom launcher, virtual graffiti area and a landscape portrait control.

The Treo 600 is nearing release. Due sometime in the fall, the highly anticipated Smartphone will come in both GSM and CDMA flavors. The FCC has recently granted both devices approval, marking an important milestone towards release. Read on for further information and an inside look at the Treo 600.

Today's Fridays quickies include a bunch of interesting reviews, including the Tungsten C and the Decuma input system. In addition, a number of new and updated programs have recently been released. Read on for more.