Last week, the latest version of the Coola app was released. The original version allowed information found on the Internet to be copied onto a Palm at the next HotSync and added to any of the built-in applications. Coola 2.0 includes a MobileSend API which lets third party developers add the ability to transfer their application's files from handheld to handheld during HotSyncs. Applications which are being updated to use this ability include Address+, WordSmith, PocketPhoto, JFile, and more.

dseifert software has announced AdminPass 1.0, which addresses the problem of forgotten passwords by allowing an Administrator to replace the password in case of a lock-out without compromising the security of the device. It costs $10 per licence. -Daniel Seifert

As of April 18, the channels feature of 3Com's Audrey no longer functions. 3Com has offered Audrey owners who purchased their units directly from 3Com a full refund, regardless of purchase date. Just call 3Com for an RMA number, and all the details will be sent by email. Customers who purchased their Audrey's through other retail channels must contact the retailer directly regarding any possible refunds.

Reports are continuing to trickle in from readers across the country that they have either seen or already purchased an m500 in an Office Depot. We've also had reports from Staples stores who say they will have them on sale sometime next week.

Update Some Staples stores are reporting that they will have the m500 and the m505 in stock on May 1.

In a related story, one of our readers, Fred Schwartz, called Novatel Wireless and asked them when the Novatel Wireless modem for the m500 series would be available. The Customer Service Representative replied, "We are working on the device right now and it should be on the shelves in June."

The long awaited information on the new HandEra 330 is finally available. In some ways it is similar to current models from other licensees. For example, it has 8MB of RAM, 2 MB Flash memory, and runs the 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ. It uses a version of OS 3.5 that has been tweaked for it, though HandEra is promising to offer OS 4.0 when it becomes available.

However, it is also boasts numerous new features. The HandEra 330's most impressive innovation is a soft Graffiti area giving it a 320x240 screen (with the Graffiti area off). Current Palm apps can either run in a 160x160 window or be stretched to fit in the new space. An interesting feature of the 16 grey-scale screen is that it offers landscape mode.

In addition to the Compact Flash slot its predecessor had, the 330 sports an SD/MMC slot. It also has a built-in microphone and an amplified speaker to do voice recording. It can record directly to RAM or CompactFlash or Secure Digital card.

HandEra plans to offer it for $350 by the end of June, first at Sam's Club and then HandEra's Web site, Office Depot, and other resellers. pdaMD is taking preorders now.

It is beginning to look like the new HandEra device will be revealed in the next few days. The HandEra website, which has shown just a "Coming Soon" message for months, is starting to change. In a unique way of rolling out the new device, HandEra has begun to roll back the "Coming Soon" message, revealing their new site underneath.

We can begin to make a few deductions about the new device. It appears to be monochrome and have a metallic case. It also seems to have new sound capabilities. The corner of a large speaker can be seen and a bit of an application that might be named "Voice Recorder". In one corner of the Graffiti area in what looks like a volume control.

Flexis Corp., a Korean company, is developing a new flexible keyboard that will work with several handhelds, including ones from Palm and Sony. The FX100 will have a key spacing of .55 inches and key travel of 1.5 mm. Most full-sized keyboards have a key spacing of .75 inches and a key travel of 3 mm. It weighs only 2.8 ounces and gets its power from the handheld. It will come in purple, yellow, white, pearl, and four shades of black. It is expected to be available in July. A final price hasn't been set yet but will be in the $30 to $40 range.

PalmGear and pdaOrder have announced plans to offer pdaOrder’s one-of-a-kind Build to Order service on the PalmGear site. This allows a customer to order a handheld and software and receive a complete unit that is ready-to-use as soon as the box is opened. Customers simply pick a handheld and select exactly the software they want. The Build to Order service checks for software dependencies and conflicts, pre-installs the software, and completes the registration process.

One of the most useful features of PrintBoy Documents is its ability to print files in WordSmith format, including bold, italics, underlines, multiple font sizes, etc. However, when WordSmith released their latest version, they changed the format enough that PrintBoy Documents could no longer print its rich text files. Bachmann Software & Services has introduced an updated version of PrintBoy Documents that translates the rich-text formatting (RTF) of WordSmith directly to any printer. PrintBoy Documents, which typically retails for $20, is available for a limited time at $15. -Kevin Doel

neohand and Weissmann Travel Reports have added 36 new cities in the Weissmann City Profiles series of electronic guides. These new additions to the 91 existing Weissmann City Profiles currently available bring the total to 118 cities around the world. Written without commercial sponsorship and designed specifically for the business traveler, each city profile is $13. -Dave Horwich

Last month, when Palm announced that they expected their next financial quarter to be a rocky one, they said they would be laying off about 250 employees and contractors, or 10% to 15% of their total workforce. Palm began handing out the pink slips this morning. A company spokesperson would not say if any departments are being hit particularly hard and said both regular employees and and contractors are being hit. "Every part of Palm has been looked at."

Rumors are starting to come in that the m500 series might be available in stores sooner than many had expected. Dennis Esler sent in an e-mail he had received from Alan Kessler, Palm's General Manager, Platform Solutions Group, who said in part, "We, like you, are very enthusiastic about our new products. Clearly we are not satisfied with the slope of the ramp. The good news is we have started production and have just started shipping."

PalmStation is running a letter from a user who was told by a Palm Representative that Palm is expecting its first shipment of 5 thousand m505's by the end of this week and that they should be going out to customers a week after.

Bachmann Software & Services, developer of PrintBoy, has introduced the InfraReady Adapter, a pocket-sized device that lets users convert any printer to accept infrared beaming of documents from Palm Powered handhelds. Together with PrintBoy, users can wirelessly “beam” their documents to a printer. It is available now for $56.