DataViz has introduced Documents To Go 5.0, the first Palm OS application to allow users to create and edit PowerPoint compatible presentations on their handhelds. Like previous versions, it allows users to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, too. Other new features include a new handheld word processor and support for high-resolution screens. The application is available now and will also be compatible with future ARM-based devices running Palm OS 5.

Handspring has announced that debitel, Europe's largest network-independent telephone company and Germany's third largest mobile communication provider will begin marketing the Treo 270 throughout Germany. -PR

AcidImage 2.03 beta is now available. New features and enhancements to this image viewing app include support for more file types and thumbnail types, and overall speed and user interface improvements. -PR

Update: Kenny West has confirmed that PalmGear's new policy of de-emphasizing freeware has been reversed. Freeware is once again being listed on PalmGear's home page and on search results. The original article appears below only for discussion purposes.

When Palm Inc. was spun off from 3Com in 2000, the IRS said the deal was tax-free as long as neither Palm nor 3Com bought or sold more than 50% of Palm's stock for two years. This meant that if a company bought Palm, they would have to pay all the taxes for distributing Palm's shares to 3Com shareholders in 2000, about $7 billion. In short, the deal would have been prohibitively expensive. However, that two year window was over earlier this week, which means a potential buyout or merger is now possible.

Sena Cases recently launched a webstore offering leather cases for most Sony handhelds. These are made of cowhide and handcrafted one by one. All of the cases come with two Memory Stick slots and a card slot with a window, which can be used for a credit card, ID, business card, or the acrylic slide-in mirror that comes with the case. They also have a belt clip that can be removed.

PocketSensei has released SilverScreen 2.8, a new version of its application launcher. It now includes a pop-up image viewer that holds up to eight pictures in a slideshow. It is a free upgrade or can be purchased for $25. -PR

As a Back to School promotion, Sony is offering $40 towards select software titles from Handango with the purchase of a T615C, T665 or SL10. -Amy

SonyStyle is once again offering refurbished units, this time the T415 for $150 and the N760C for $250. The PalmStore also offers refurbished handhelds. -Terry Salmi

Electric Pocket has released Ringo 3.0, a new version of its ringtone manager for the Treo. It now lets users to assign photographs or graphical icons to each caller or group of callers.

Palm Inc. has released a new version of its desktop client for Windows PCs. Palm Desktop 4.1 offers a desktop client for the built-in Expense app which allows users to export info to Microsoft Excel or Word. It also has the ability to automatically remove all duplicate entries from the Address Book, Date Book, To Do's and Memos. This app has been released by Palm for Palm-branded handhelds, though it will work with some models from other manufacturers. The update is free.

Since Palm OS 5 was completed last month, anticipation over new handhelds that run it has reached a fever pitch. As part of that, there has been some debate over whether there will be a full price range of models running the new operating system. News Editor Ed Hardy weighs in with his opinion.

Sony Japan has posted on its support site a patch that seems to fix the problems some NR series handhelds have had with their Memory Stick slot. However, Sony has not officially acknowledged that the problem exists and the patch only says it is a bug fix for an unspecified read/write errors. Though Sony has only posted this fix on its Japanese site, it doesn't say anything about being only for Japanese versions of the handhelds.

Update: According to a third-party developer, this fix isn't for the Memory Stick disconnect problem at all.

A spokesperson for ThinkOutside has confirmed that her company will definitely release next month a version of the Stowaway folding keyboard for the T and NR series. The SL10, SJ20, and SJ30 should be able to use this keyboard as well. -Ed

LandWare is now offering the Money Magazine Tip Assistant for free. The user enters the check subtotal and this app calculates the tax, tip, and divides a bill evenly among a group of people. -PR