If you go to 3Com's site about their new information appliance, the Ergo Audrey, you don't learn much. It is just a simple 2-page, sign up sheet to be notified when the site is available. However, PalmStation has pointed out that while 3Com hasn't officially posted the info, their future site is accessible, at least temporarily. If you want to see it, take a look now before they close this loophole.

Yesterday, V-ONE announced the availability of the beta version of  their Virtual Private Network (VPN) client, SmartPass, for most versions of the Palm OS. SmartPass for Palm provides secure Wireless or Wireline data transmission capabilities and allows a user to use the public Internet to securely access their corporate networks and browse secured corporate web sites, along with transmit and receive secure email.

To apply for the Beta Program, visit http://www.v-one.com/palm/beta.

Palm has released an upgrade to the Palm Desktop to solve the HotSync problems many Windows 2000 users have complained about, especially the inability to sync via infrared. The upgrade also fixes a problem in which some Win2K computers may not undock properly if an older version of the HotSync manager is running and it corrects the problem in which the PC may lock up if the HotSync Manager is running and the cradle is connected to the computer.

If you install this upgrade, please share your experiences with the rest of us.

Palm admitted yesterday that they aren't going to be able to make nearly as many of their new Palm VIIx handhelds as they had planned, blaming this on its supplier who will not be able to deliver enough of two necessary chips.

However, Carl Yankowski, Palm CEO, reported strong sales of the m100. "Early market research indicates we've tapped into the student population in a very big way," he said.

Yesterday, Palm reported record sales with 1.5 million devices shipped during the last quarter, compared to 1.18 million units shipped in the prior quarter and 920,000 in same quarter last year. They also reported earnings well ahead of Wall Street estimates. Wall Street had expected the company to report operating income of 2 cents a share, while Palm earned $23.9 million, or 4 cents per share. Including acquisition- and spinoff-related charges, Palm these figures dropped to $17.3 million, or 3 cents per share, during the quarter. They had revenues of $401 million.

North Carolina
NEPA, Nash/Edgecombe Palm Addicts (Association For Those In Denial) will hold its first monthly meeting October 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Books-A-Million in Golden East Mall, Highway 301 By-Pass. The meetings will be scheduled for the third Monday of the month, unless a majority has a conflict. For more information visit the NEPA web site. -Bonnie L Vaughan

South Carolina
You heard it right...here in Columbia, SC, we're proud to announce the start-up of the Palmetto State Palm Users Group for the support of Palm enthusiasts in the deep south! Since were brand new, we'll need to get membership to a minimal level before we can schedule our first meeting-so hurry up and register! Whether you're new to the PDA craze, or hopelessly addicted, we invite you to join. Check us out at our site today! -John Campbell

Arkon Networks today announced their Parafone Cordless Telephone Springboard module for the Visor. Operating on the unlicensed 900MHz ISM band, the Parafone features call display on call waiting, a 50 entry speed dial, a 1000 entry call history with direct address book transfer, direct dialing from your address book, calling card support, three way conference, a Ni-MH battery, and handsfree headset support. Simply connect the base unit to your phone line and the module to your Visor and you are ready to make calls. While pricing isn't yet available, the Parafone should be available in December.

Attempting to understand ABC Monday Night Football's Dennis Miller is like calculating the mean value theorem with an abacus. It's like Sisyphus on roller skates. It's like cleaning Hubble's mirror with a chamois and some Turtle Wax. Translation: Trying to follow Mr. Miller is often an exercise in futility.

Shadowpack, a wireless solutions provider, aims to make Dennis Miller's obscure cultural, literary and historical references comprehensible to Monday Night Football (MNF) fans everywhere through "Dennis Miller Demystified," an exclusive-to-wireless enhanced mobile experience. The weekly event, which kicks off with the Monday, September 25 game, will run through the end of the NFL season.

Completing one of the most leaked product announcements lately, Handspring officially unveiled the VisorPhone today. In case you've missed all the hype, the VisorPhone is a Springboard module GSM cell phone. Talk time battery life is three hours and standby battery life is three days. It should be available in the U.S. before year's end for $299 when you buy a wireless service plan. A European version is coming in the first half of 2001.

Palm and Motorola have announced that they will collaborate in creating a tri-band GSM smartphone that will run the Palm OS. The companies say the device will contain a larger color screen than standard mobile phones, include Palm's HotSync and over-the-air synchronization using Motorola's Starfish TrueSync software, and feature General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) compatibility. It is expected to be the first in a series of smartphones from the two companies, and will be sold through Motorola in 2002.

InnoPocket Plus, the new version of the strong and attractive aluminium case for the Palm V series, is now available for just $33. It comes in black, titanium, silver, red, and blue and weighs only 60.4 grams but can support over 50 KG in weight without bending. It even has a slot at the top so you can use your IR port without taking it out of the case.