Resco Software has released a major new version of its popular Explorer file manager for Palm OS devices. Explorer is a powerful and feature rich file system browser, image viewer, launcher, zipper, backup utility and FTP/LAN browser with an impressive range of features and customizable options. New features in this version include folder synchronization, a improved zipper with zip file verification and support for more formats (.tar/.tar.gz/.taz/.tgz/.bz2), an improved built in text editor that can now process larger files, image viewer improvements, extended ftp support and a number of other interface and program updates.

Resco Explorer 2009 v5.01 is compatible with Palm OS 5 and above. It comes with a free trial period and costs $29.95.

OtterBox has just announced two new highly ruggedized cases for the Palm Centro and Treo 800w smartphones. Part of the sleek Defender Series line, the OtterBox 1923 offers three layers of maximum protection with minimal bulk. A thin, clear layer which provides scratch and dust protection for the screen and keyboard while the second layer is a hard Polycarbonate shell that offers protection against bumps and drops. The final layer is a high-quality Silicone skin which is designed to absorb shock. All of the buttons, ports and functions are usable right through the case.

Both cases weight around 2 ounces (56g). The Centro case is available in black, while the 800w version comes in black and yellow. Both cases are available now and retail for $49.95.

Palm Inc. has just begun send out invitations to a press event to be held during CES 2009. The vaguely worded announcement email invites recipients to "Come to CES to see all that Palm New-ness you've been waiting for." The full invite is posted after the break.

The invitation only event will be held at 11:00 a.m. Pacific at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show. While nothing is certain at this point, it is quite reasonable to assume this event could be the first public unveiling of Palm's long awaited new operating system.

Google has just added the Google Maps Street View functionality to its Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 mobile clients. The new feature brings scrollable street level imagery to Google Maps Mobile application. The feature was previously only available in the Android, iPhone and BlackBerry versions. At this time there is no word whether it will be added to the Palm OS version.

Google Maps Mobile v2.3 can be freely downloaded from google.com/gmm.

MetaViewSoft has released a new utility for Palm OS devices. OperaFrontEnd is a helper application that works to better integrate the Opera Mini web browser with the Palm OS environment. The program facilitates making Opera Mini behave as the default browser on a Treo or Centro so you can have it open links from other programs. It will also allow you to use the built in onscreen keyboard and access the system clipboard from within Opera Mini.

OperaFrontEnd v1.0 is available now for $5.00. It is currently on sale for an interoductory discount of $2.95.

The PalmInfocenter Software store is kicking off another massive Palm OS software sale. Starting today and running through this weekend, we are offering 25 of the best-selling Palm OS apps all for 50% off each for 5 days only. That equals up to an average savings of $10 with some discounts as high as $20. Now is your chance to pick up some of the best titles for your Centro or Treo at ridiculously reduced prices.

Titles include... TouchLauncher ($6.99 now $3.50), CallRec ($19.99 $10.00 ), USB Modem ($24.95 $12.48), Quick Memos ($9.95 $4.98), SafeGuard ($19.95 $9.98), 4cast ($9.95 $4.98), RingCare ($24.95 $12.48), Softick Audio Gateway ($19.95 $9.98), UltimatePhone ($9.95 $4.98) and many more.

CoreCodec has released a new update to its CorePlayer Mobile multimedia software for Palm OS and Windows Mobile. CorePlayer v1.3 brings a number all around improvements and better support for YouTube streaming. The Core crew says they have double the number of supported streaming formats from YouTube and have also added support for YouTube HD videos. In addition the changelog reports improved CoreUI interface speed (especially on Palm/Symbian), additional language support and enhanced DivX/Xvid support.

CorePlayer Mobile for Palm OS v1.3 is available now for $29.95. It is a free update for current customers. You can read our review of an earlier version here. It is also available for Windows Mobile Professional and Smartphone.

A somewhat unique and unidentified mobile computing device making the rounds in the blogosphere today bears a possible subtle resemblance to Palm device, which of course is leading to a lot of speculation. Some are even speculating it could be a possible Nova powered prototype. The device in question was first spotted in a Korean article about the failings of UMPC devices. It has since made the rounds by way of a post on engadget. The original photo appears to have been taken around early June, possibly during the Computex Taipei conference.

What is linking the device to Palm is the curiously similar thumboard. If you look closely the unidentified device thumboard, it matches up key for key with the thumboard on a Palm Centro or Treo (see the pic after the break). Even the arrangement of all of the various function keys, such as the @, #, brightness, find and other shortcuts are exactly the same.

Palm's online store has just introduced a couple of new promotions. Throughout the holiday season, the store is offering a free 7" digital photo frame with any order totaling $200 to $299. For orders of $300 or more, Palm is tossing in a free Delphi SKYFi3 XM satellite radio receiver a $199 value.

The special offers above are both valid through December 24th. They are also only valid for orders placed in the US. Palm also continues to offer free shipping on all orders over $49 through the end of the year.

Beiks has released version 6 of its German-English Dictionary for Palm OS. Their comprehensive German to English dictionary, is an excellent choice for German travelers visiting English speaking countries or German students learning English. The full dictionary version provides English translations to over 36,000 German headwords and is expandable with the many other Beiks dictionaries. The app also features dictionary browsing with dynamic workd postioning, adjustable font sizes, horizonal and vertical views and a word of the day feature. The new version also adds support for audio pronunciations in dictionary lexicons.

BEIKS German-English Dictionary for Palm OS v6.0 is available now for $12.00. It is compatible with Palm OS 5 and above and comes with a free trial period.

Gartner has just published their latest quarterly report on the worldwide smartphone market. The company says in the third quarter of 2008, the global smartphone market reported its weakest year-on-year growth since they began tracking the industry. Worldwide smartphone sales to end-users totalled 36.5 million units in Q3 2008, an 11.5% increase from the same period in 2007. In addition, Apple overtook Microsoft to become the number 3 smartphone OS vendor with the iPhone surpassing sales of Windows Mobile devices.

"The current economic climate is negatively impacting sales of higher end devices," said Roberta Cozza, principal analyst at Gartner. "Going forward, we should expect the smartphone device market to continue to grow but at a slower pace. Although leading mobile operators are subsidising more smartphones, to reach lower prices they tie the device to two year contracts with monthly data plan rates which remain too expensive for the mainstream user."