The PalmReader has a piece on how to turn your Palm into a "red box" In phone phreak jargon, a "red box" is any device that tricks pay phones by using sounds to make the phone think you've entered money for the call. The 99 Fall issue of 2600 magazine details how to make Canadian phone-system "red box." Apparently all you need is the cbasPad BASIC interpreter and this chunk of code:
#autonum
new
for a = 1 to 5
sound 2200,33,64
sound 1,33,2
next a
run
Are there any Canadians out there willing to give this a try? Let us know how it turns out.

Sony and Palm Computing to Collaborate On the Joint Development of a Next Generation Palm Computing Platform. Sony plans to implement the Palm Computing platform into an entirely new line of handheld electronics products that will not be limited to electronic organizers but are expected to include a wide range of mobile wireless telecommunications-enabled AV/IT consumer electronics products. Palm will also enable the OS to support Sony's Memory Stick technology. Read the full press release here. Expect to see some really cool devices to come out of this deal.

OmniSky, formally OpenSky was launched today. The new service enables wireless access on a Palm V or Vx. For $299 you get a sleek Minstrel V 19.2 kbs wireless modem and unlimited service until March 31st. Check this map to see if there is coverage in your area.

The site Palm Colors is finally shipping it's line of color and clear cases for Palm III series units. PalmGear is also expected to be shipping their cases soon as well. Palm colors cases are going for $34.95 while PalmGear is charging $39.95.

We've speculated on this before, in our Linux/Be springboard article, and it looks as if palm OS devices will see Linux after all. PalmStation and /. are reporting that OSK inc. has developed a low-power consuming, Palm OS compatible linux kernel. The site has been down for quite some time due to the heavy load. Update: The site is back up but very slow. There is some talk that this may be a copyright violation of the uClinux project.

Now you can download the latest PalmaServ titles directly to your Palm via the 'PalmaServ: Mobile Edition'. The Mobile Edition provides you with access to all of PalmaServ & user-submitted titles, as well as to the Image Viewer Maps & other databases. ProxiWeb users can browse & download titles directly into their systems. AvantGo users have the ability to browse the listings & also to subscribe to the 'PalmaServ: Mobile Edition' channel.
Most of the files are zipped use PalmZip.

There's a good article called Cutting the Cord over at Brighthand on the state of current pda wireless net access options. The article covers everything from cell phones to add on devices and the Palm VII.

Check out our latest review of the Palm Weatherguide module from Precision Navigation systems. The Weatherguide is a clip on module for your Palm III and VII series device. It gives you real-time weather data and forecasts. Read the full review here.

PDA Props Corporation, a developer and distributor of Palm Computing accessories, announced its new product, the PDA PROP. This new accessory holds the Palm computer and has four positions to eliminate glare. The PDA PROP is a palm console that sets the palm of your hand free. It also gives an effortless view of the palm computer screen so there is no need to pickup and tilt or adjust to see the screen. It is available in Black, Wood Grain, and Aluminum and more colors and styles will be added soon.

A flaw in the Palm Hotsync Manager could open the machine to remote attacks and may even crash the system according to the security site SecuriTeam.com. "Hotsync DoS attack is not as sexy as breaking into networks via printers, but it still deserves some attention" Read more in this ZDNet article.

Just noticed this new product in the latest PalmReader, the BackFlip, from pocketmail. It's a device that clips on to the back of your Palm III series device and allows you to send/receive email from any phone by a 800 number. They also have a fixed $9.95 a month plan with unlimited use. There's no word yet on pricing or a shipping date but you can sign up for their mailing list.