Several new accessories for the Visor line have been released lately, including an emergency charger and a case that allows access to the Springboard slot.

Tech Center Labs has just come out with an emergency charger for the Visor line. Rather than depending on removable batteries like most emergency chargers, this is a Springboard module with a built-in NiMH battery. This charges while it's in the Springboard slot and the Visor is charging in a cradle. It's available now for $50.

Texas Instruments has announced that it will release the Innovator Development Kit for its OMAP processor platform in the third quarter of this year. It will help developers create wireless apps that will run on handhelds that are powered by TI's OMAP processors. This includes the handhelds Palm Inc. will start releasing near the end of this summer, which run Palm OS 5.

InnoPocket is close to releasing a version of its InnoStation for the Palm m500 series. This device, designed mainly for travelers, combines a battery recharger, PS2 keyboard adapter, and HotSync cradle. It will be available soon for $50.

Handspring has selected AirPrime's Helium 1X embedded module platform for the future CDMA version of the Treo. Handspring has been working with Sprint to develop a version of its smartphone that will operate on Sprint's high-speed wireless network, and the Helium 1X will be the heart of it. Together, these will give this version of the Treo a theoretical maximum data speed of 153.6 kbps.

Softick has released SyncLive! 1.04, which lets users immediately add entries to the built-in Palm applications from a Windows PC. These are saved directly to the Palm and a full HotSync isn't necessary. The app can add appointments, tasks, memos, and contact information. SyncLive! can also immediately install .prc and .pdb files. It is available now for $32.

Sega is launching a new division, Sega Mobile, to create wireless games for handhelds and mobile phones in the U.S. market. Its first games are expected this summer and it eventually plans to port games like Monkey Ball, Pengo, Flicky, Puyo Puyo, and Monaco GP. -PR

Gethightech.com has a limited supply of refurbished Visor Neo handhelds for $120. -PR

During the first quarter of this year, Palm Inc. maintained its lead in handhelds shipped in the United States with a 47.5% share, up 1.6% from the fourth quarter of 2001, according to figures from IDC. Handspring was in second place with 14.6%. For the first time, Sony has moved up into third place with 10.8% of the market. Compaq was fourth with 8.6% and Research In Motion rounded out the top five with 5%.

Last year, a group of scientists took an expedition to the Arctic, armed with Palm IIIc handhelds that had been specially modified for the very cold climate. Last's year's trip was so successful, they are getting ready for a second one. As they did last year, the scientists are looking to the editors of Palmtop-Pro magazine for advice on which hardware and software to bring on the trip. They, in turn, are looking for companies willing to sponsor the trip by donating software.

Mergic is in the process of developing the Mergic VPN for Palm OS, a VPN client which allows users to securely access a private network, such as a corporate LAN, from their handhelds. This will allow other apps which require network access, like PC remote control apps and network HotSyncing, to connect to the servers they need to. It supports the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), the method supported by the widest number of VPNs. A public beta is available now for download.

Since its release, some users have complained of problems with the digitizer on the m125. Palm has released a software patch for this model which has been designed to clear up any problems. According to user reports, it will also improve the handheld's Graffiti recognition. This patch is only for the m125.

CompUSA's webstore has the Sony NR70V listed for pre-order at $600 with a free 64MB memory stick and free shipping. -Moosecat

Amazon.com is offering a $150 mail-in rebate on the Handspring Treo, bringing the price down to $250, with a VoiceStream service activation. -akur