The final, official release of DateBk4 version 4.0e is quite near. The latest beta preview is available for those who are interested. -Dennis Esler

Brando will soon be offering a Clié USB HotSync + Charger Cable. It will work with all Sony models. Pre-orders are being accepted now at US $36, and shipment starts at the beginning of August. -Brando

The MPCpro (Mobile Productivity Center Pro) is now available. This mobile docking station allows drivers to access their Palm while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. It houses both a Palm V/Vx and an Ericsson R280/1228 mobile phone. The MPCpro’s speech recognition and text-to-speech system allows users to interact with their Palm using voice commands. Users can also use the onboard text-to-speech system to have stored data read to them. The system is $350, which doesn't include the Palm or the phone.

Electric Pocket will release BugMe! Messenger 2.0 today. This new version adds a conduit that will automatically send BugMe! messages upon synchronization with the users' desktop PCs with the PC's Internet connection. BugMe! notes can be sent to any email address, where they can be read without additional software. The BugMe! note appears as a small graphic in the message. The conduit also delivers incoming messages.

Qvadis has released Qvadis Express Reader GT 2.10. This replaces the line-by-line scrolling with a smooth autoscroll with adjustable speed, introduces new linespace options for ease of viewing, brings in new color buttons, streamlines the preference menus, and optimizes tap routines to minimize the number of taps users need to get to particular functions. The update is free for registered users of GT. -Qvadis

Cutting Edge Software is offering an upgrade promotion for users of the Palm m500 and m505 to encourage them to switch from the document viewing software which came bundled with the devices to the Quickoffice suite. For a limited time, users of Palm m500 series handhelds will be able to upgrade to Quickoffice for only $30, a savings of 25%. -Kevin

CIC's Sign-On for Palm has long allowed users to make their handheld accessible only to someone whose signature matches the owner's. Today they released Sign-On for Windows, which allows files on a Windows PC to be locked and opened by a signature written on a Palm.

Individual files or groups of files can be selected and locked or unlocked by with a signature on the handheld located in the cradle.

Update: Michael Mace, Palm's Chief Competitive Officer, talked to the analyst at the Gartner Group and was told these figures are true only immediately after the purchase of the Palm. As time passes, a higher percentage of users install third-party applications.

I think this study is invalid and I apologize for publicizing it. I considered withdrawing this whole article but I think the comments from readers posted below are worthwhile enough to keep the article alive. -Ed

A securities class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of everyone who acquired Palm, Inc. common stock between March 1, 2000 and December 6, 2000. The suit alleges that Palm executives and the companies that did underwriting for Palm's IPO conspired together to artificially drive up the price of Palm's shares.

When I purchased my Palm m505 and gave away my IIIx, one of the things I never really considered was how convenient it was to be able to swap out dead batteries for fresh ones when I was on the go. If I wanted to take my Palm with me for a weekend campout, I just brought along some extra batteries... it's amazing how quickly you can burn through batteries when you use your PDA as an eBook!

A method of changing Palm's Memory Backup Card into a regular SD Expansion Card has been circulating through e-mail this week. It involves editing the application on the Backup Card so that it no longer automatically launches whenever the card is inserted. This allows the Backup Card to be used as a regular 16 MB expansion card, saving about $10.

In the July edition of the Palm Tipsheet, guest writer Jake Jacobs reveals the significant advantages a Palm handheld holds over paper planners. In the Tipsheet Interview, Christian Hess shares his Palm handheld experiences and impressions of the Palm's popularity in Costa Rica. -Mike Rohde

Metricom, a pioneer in providing wireless Internet access, filed for bankruptcy protection this week but intends to keep its 41 thousand Ricochet subscribers online. -MadMax

One of the most sought-after peripherals for the m500 series is a travel charger. Palm has been promising one almost since the m500 series was released but it has yet to materialize. However, an online retailer named Tech Center Labs, which makes a wide array of Palm-related products, is offering an Emergency 9V Charger for m500/m505. It costs $29.