PalmSource made news at its European Developer Conference in Munich, German today with the introduction (re-introduction) of Palm OS Cobalt 6.1, its latest platform for smartphones. At the same event, the company and its partners released a number of other Palm related news, including a new Web browser, developer suite, online tools and more.

Here are some of the highlights:

Palm OS Developer Suite
Palm OS Developer Suite 1.0 lets developers create next generation multimedia and wireless applications for ARM- and 68K-based Palm devices. It includes an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) based on Eclipse, originally developed by IBM.

Eclipse is a commercial-quality, IDE with several hundred plug-in tools that support major software languages including C, C++, Java, and COBOL. The introduction of Palm OS Developer Suite lets developers create mobile applications that run natively on ARM-based smartphones and mobile devices running Palm OS Cobalt. It is free to all PalmSource registered developers.

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PalmSource Web Browser
Not surprisingly, the PalmSource Web Browser 3.0 is optimized for smartphones and wireless mobile devices. The browser lets Palm OS licensees and mobile operators customize its interface based on the needs of their customers. Licensees and mobile operators can update the default home page, pre-provision bookmarks, customize settings specific to each operator's service and add navigation functions tailored to different mobile devices.

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Built on the ACCESS NetFront, the browser offers enhanced graphics rendering and navigation capability for the wireless delivery of information and streaming media. It uses technologies such as page zooming, scalable fonts and 'squeeze' rendering, allowing users to eliminate horizontal scrolling for easier navigation. The browser supports latest W3C standard specifications, including WAP 2.0, HTML and XHTML. This lets mobile device users browse operator portals or traditional Web content.

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PalmSource Installer
PalmSource Installer is new application installation technology to streamline the online and over-the-air (OTA) download and install process of software to Palm handheld and smartphones. PalmSource claims the Installer can minimize the complexities commonly associated with loading software by providing one-touch software download and install functionality.

It is automatically downloaded whenever an end-user downloads a PalmSource Installer-enabled application package. In addition, PalmSource Installer intelligently detecs a user's device requirements, including memory, screen resolution and default languages to automatically install the appropriate files tailored to the device.

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Online Tools for User Groups
In addition to lauchning the official Palm OS User Group website, PalmSource has released three new tools; an online calendar, searchable database of worldwide Palm OS User Groups, and a discussion forum to help Palm OS User Group leaders manage and promote their user group meetings and connect with other Palm OS User Group leaders. Palm OS User Groups bring together Palm users from around the world and help members discover new features, get user-to-user support, view software and hardware demonstrations and gather information on the Palm community.

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BlackBerry E-mail API for Palm Developers
PalmSource is making the e-mail API that will be released with the first version of the PalmSource Mail client for BlackBerry Connect available to Palm OS developers (see PalmSource, RIM Connect Mobile Platforms). The e-mail API is designed to let developers leverage the secure BlackBerry e-mail transport to create mobile data applications such as customer relationship management, sales force automation, supply chain management and mobile field services for the enterprise environment on Palm-based products.

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Handango InHand with Palm
Mobile software retailer Handango has released a version of its InHand download client for the Palm OS. InHand is an intelligent, device-resident client that aims to help mobile operators drive data revenues, grow sales of applications and digital media and increase customer loyalty. It features a wide variety of mobile applications and content, including games, productivity applications, ringtones and more.

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SplashData's SplashWallet Suite
SplashData has released localized (French, German, Italian and Spanish) versions of its popular SplashWallet applications for Palm handhelds and smarpthones. The individual applications, which can be purchased separately or collectively as part of the SplashWallet suite, include SplashID, SplashMoney, SplashPhoto and SplashShopper.

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PalmSource Signs Up ODMs
GSPDA, Inventec Appliances, and Portable Innovation Technology have licensed the Palm OS to design and develop Palm-based PDAs and smarpthones. As original deisgn manufacturer (ODM) partners, the goal is for the three companies to provide Palm OS original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licensees with a one-stop solution for bringing Palm-based mobile products to market faster and more efficiently.

PalmSource's ODM program offers ODM partners access to the Palm OS Product Development Kit , enabling the research, design and development of Palm smartphones and wireless devices running either Palm OS Cobalt or Palm OS Garnet. By working with ODM partners, PalmSource said OEM licensees free up technical resources.

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