It's kind off a slow news week so here are some quickies to hold you over....
ZDNet has an article titled "Is your cell phone killing you?" PC World has a few software reviews to get the most from your Palm device. The Register is reporting on the latest PDA market share numbers. Palm dominated the market with 77.9% with Casio coming in a distant second with 9.5%. And News.com is comparing the cell phone "Wireless Web" to the early days (5 years ago) of the net.

The latest Palm VII e-commerce app is out in time for Christmas from Barnes and Noble.com. The app enables users to Purchase books, music, find store locations, see reviews, check order status and send e-cards wirelessly. You can download the PQA and read more here.

Microsoft is re-branding it's former CE line under the new name "Windows Powered" according to this CNet article. Analysts are skeptical about the changes stating MS is making promises they can't live up to as they aim for convergence with the CE line. The Gartner Group commented on the announcement: "It makes it look like an act of desperation, and I don't think they needed to do it. What they needed to do is talk about what they're going to do with the palm-size PC. They've had the crap beat out of them in all areas. They know it, and I'm not the first guy to say it."

Take a look at this quick review by Richard Kettner. He explains the pros and cons of this simple clock application with "The Matrix" movie theme.

Productivity, efficiency, and planning with your Palm OS device are the focus of a new Web site and training video, both from PalmPlanning.com.

The site (http://www.PalmPlanning.com) allows a forum for Palm users to contribute and benefit from others' insights regarding Palm use as a productivity tool. The "Productivity" section has ideas for making your Palm device a more efficient tool, goal and time management ideas, and Palm news related to productivity. More...

Softava Company announces the commercial release of the Silkyboard - a new keyboard for Palms that fits on the Graffiti writing area and also serves as a screen protector. With Silkyboard you can write Graffiti strokes while using the keyboard and enter up to 40 words per minute. The promotional price of $25.95 will only be available to you at this site until December 10. More...

I called OmniSky today to change my shipping address. The Customer Service Rep told me the company had made the decision to delay shipping the OmniSky Wireless Modem for the Palm V until the middle of December.

(Robert Zach wrote in with his experiences dealing with HandSpring. I'm sure there are many more HS horror stories out there as well. It seems as if they will not fulfill the demand anytime soon and some problems still haven't been resolved. Click the Read Story button for the full article. -@)

I hope that everyone is not having the same experience I am. I have lost ALL faith in Handspring!

I was very excited about the Visor and ordered it two hours after the phone number was posted in the web site back in September...

Check out the new PalmDock V by Solvepoint for the Palm V™ and Palm Vx™. The PalmDock has been specially designed to adapt your Palm V or Vx to the Palm III and Palm VII accessories. With the PalmDock, migrating to the Palm V or Vx no longer means replacing your GoType!® keyboard, travel HotSync® and other valuable Palm III accessories. Now you can use your old palm III modem and cradle or any other accessory on your Palm V or Vx.

A cashier in a NY city Bloomingdale's allegedly used a credit card reader attached to her Palm Pilot to steal credit card numbers. The scam was discovered when a tourist noticed his card was swiped twice when he purchased sunglasses, once on in the register and again in her Palm. Read more on the story at CNN. A trial is pending and the defendant could face up to 7 years in jail if convicted. Also, the Palm Pilot was recently the topic of this Dilbert cartoon.

The PBS show "Computer Chronicles" did a show this week where they briefly reviewed a product called Ecrio that allows you to directly enter data from a paper notepad to your Palm device. The web site doesn't have any pictures or detailed description on how it works or how much it costs, but on the show they demo the product, saying that the info is transmitted to the palm, and it captures whatever is written as a graphic file and has a MSRP of $299.