For a limited time, Rhinoskin is offering the Palm V Aluminum Molded Case for $30. Also all aluminum or titanium cases came with a free ClipPak. -Ed

In the current issue of the Palm Tipsheet, they share techniques for supercharging your Launcher and highlight 3rd party shareware and freeware launcher replacements. In the Tipsheet Interview, they talk with Israeli Palm user Hagay Giller about his Palm use and the popularity of Palm handhelds in Israel. -Mike Rohde

When Sony announced the N710C, the best operating system available was Palm OS 3.5. Not too long after its release, though, Palm came out with OS 4. Sony has now released a handheld that is essentially the N710C with OS 4.1. The PEG-N760C offers a 320 by 320 screen that can display 65 thousand colors, a built-in MP3 player, and much more. News Editor Ed Hardy brings us this review.

Palm has developed a Bluetooth Software Development Kit (SDK) to allow application developers and hardware manufactures to incorporate this short-range wireless standard into their products. The company recently got certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group for a Bluetooth 1.1 compatible stack.

Palm's Bluetooth SDK includes add-on software for OS 4 to allow handhelds running it to use Bluetooth and the tools developers need to make products. It is not yet available.

In a few weeks, Ohfish Communications will be will be making its first appearance with the M3, its tri-band GSM/GPRS wireless modem for Palm handhelds with the Universal Connector. As a tri-band device, it can be used in over 120 countries in Asia, Europe, as well as the United States. It allows users to surf the Web at up to 115kps and has voice capabilities so it can be used as a mobile phone. A price has not yet been revealed but a company spokesperson said the device will be out by December.

Last month, Palm announced that it would be delaying the release of its new wireless handheld because it believes economic conditions aren't right for it to be a success. Critics accused the company of lying to cover up that the device wasn't finished yet.

Yesterday, Omnisky and Research in Motion made announcements that lent weight Palm's statement that the wireless market is still struggling.

Palm Inc. has announced that the PalmSource developer conference has been rescheduled to February 5 through 8. It will still be held at the San Jose Convention Center. It will give additional information on the new Palm OS subsidiary, OS 5, and show off new handhelds from licencees.

Last month, Palm postponed the conference in the wake of the September terrorist attacks.

iambic Software has released iambic Office, a suite of software that includes TinySheet, FastWriter, and iambic Mail. With their combined strength, users can transfer Web pages, text files, Palm Doc files, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and more onto a palmtop. It even allows users to download and view e-mail attachments. It is available now for $40.

IDC has changed several of its predictions about handheld sales for this year, according to Cnet. Previously, the market research firm had predicted that the number of handhelds sold in the U.S. in 2001 would be as much as 20% above 2000. Since the slowing of the U.S. economy, IDC has lowered that forcast to somewhere between a 15% increase to no growth at all. The wide range is an indication that IDG finds today's market to be very uncertain.

IDC also now says that Pocket PC will not take away as much of Palm's share of the U.S. market as it had previously thought. It sees Microsoft's handheld OS with 15% to 25% of the market by the end of the year.

Handspring has launched a promotion called Module Madness. Ten developers are offering a 20% instant rebate on 23 different Springboard modules on PalmGear. The promotion will last until November 6.

Included is the Xircom 802.11b wireless Ethernet module and modems from Xircom and CardAccess. The MiniJam MP3 Player is also on the list.

Raynet Technologies has unveiled the world's first body massager Springboard module. The Raycom Personal Massager converts the Visor into a massaging device. It provides Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) through two gel pads that are attached to selected areas on the body. It is available now for $100.

Fictionwise has launched a new section on its website featuring award-winning and top quality eBooks for under one dollar. -Scott Pendergrast

Palm is offering a selection of reconditioned handhelds on its webstore. These come with a 90-day warranty. -Ed