A small company named HandWatch has released IrSketch, which an easy way for two people to share a common "virtual" scrapbook via the Palm's built-in IrDA port. Once connected, both users can start drawing shapes on the scrapbook simultaneously.

A desktop image converter for Windows is included. IrSketch is $20 shareware.

DDH Software just released the HanDBase Desktop for Macintosh, a companion application to the Palm OS version that will allow users more flexibility to manage data between their Palm and Macintosh computers. It allows users to import HanDBase databases from Palm handhelds onto their Macintosh computers and manage the data using FileMaker, Excel, or AppleWorks. The Mac version works similarly to the Windows version released in late October 2000, and will also be available to registered HanDBase users for free.

vnunet is quoting Security consultants @stake who point out that Palm handhelds are vulnerable to having passwords stolen from them wirelessly. @stake has written an app that takes advantage of the Palm's ability to HotSync via its infrared port. Notsync tricks a Palm into thinking it is connected to its owner's PC, rather than a hacker's PDA. The hacker then downloads the target's password.

While this simple app doesn't try to grab any other information off the target Palm, it is a fact that many people use the same password for everything, including accessing secure corporate networks.

If you have been holding off buying the Palm VIIx at $450 because you were waiting for the first price drop, your wait is over; It is available now for $400. This is the first price drop for the 8 MB wireless Palm since it was released in mid-August.

This is sure to set off a round of speculation among Palm watchers. Is Palm reducing the price because interest in the VIIx is waning? Or are they preparing to introduce a new model at $450? Or is it simply that the VIIx is five months old so they can't justify a "premium" price anymore?

MDS Holdings, the sole Visor product line distributor for Central and Eastern Europe, has signed an agreement to order interface localization programs for all Handspring mobile computers for 12 European languages from Paragon Software. This will include FULL Handspring Visor interface translation so all menus, icons, and system alerts are translated to national language. The solutions will be based on new PiLoc 2.0 localization technologies with new features like Targus Portable Keyboard support and automatic start of the localization program after a system reset.

Alan Kessler, Palm's COO, will do the first keynote address for the Internet World Wireless 2001 on on Wednesday, February 21. The four-day conference will address wireless Internet technologies and business strategies, applications, market trends and projections, investment strategies, privacy concerns and other key issues. -Ed

Cognitive Root maker of Syncplicity (a utility for Palm users that allows importing of data to the Palm) has partnered with Coola to create Syncplicity 1.21 with new "send via Coola" functions. Now users can take text from any source and put it right in their Palms or send it to somebody else's Palm over the Internet. Syncplicity made the top 20 essential downloads at ZDNet, and is $10. -Nate

Data Backup...sounds simple right? But, who does it regularly? And, why not?...It's difficult, time consuming, and you're never sure you did it right...well not any more for your Palm device. Read on for our MemorySafe data backup review.

Firepad, Inc. has released FireProducer™, the only streaming video server for the Palm platform. Together with FireViewer™, it allows users to stream video to Internet-connected Palm OS handhelds. Depending on the Palm user’s connection speed, Firepad’s software can display color video at up to twenty-five frames per second.

The free desktop trial version supports one input stream and one output stream. The Lite version supports one input stream and multiple output streams and costs $150 while the Enterprise version costs at least $2000.

For most of the past year, Palm has been bedeviled by component shortages. They have struggled since before last Summer to get enough parts to meet demand for handhelds. One of the major causes of this was the explosion in mobile phones, which require the same flash memory Palm's handhelds do.

As this put a serious crimp into their bottom line, Palm is determined it won't happen again. Therefore, they took the unusual step of naming AMD its primary provider of flash memory through 2003.

Check out PDA Controls, a valuable service to handicapped disabled Palm/PC users. Nothing for sale, just FREE software and information on how to use it. -Drew Rossman

Joystick101.org has posted another review of current palm games. They plan to keep it a regular feature now, so check out the latest games for our favorite handheld. This week, they review Astraware Mahjongg 1.0, Acid Solitaire, Ask President Bush 1.1, Donkie Kung, and several more. -Joe C.

DDH Software, developers of the HanDBase relational database application, have new RunTime program to convert any HanDBase database into a free-standing Palm OS app. The cost for developing a RunTime solution is $299, plus a standard licensing fee that ranges from $2.50 to $5.00 per copy (based on volume).