Palm has announced five agreements with technology companies for voice over IP (VoIP), Wi-Fi, and authentication software based on protocol developed by Cisco. These agreements make wirelessly using the Internet or corporate network more accessible, versatile and secure for professionals using the Palm(TM) Tungsten(TM) C handheld while away from their desks or out of the office(1). VLI, Linksys, Wayport, WiFinder and Meetinghouse Data Communications introduced products, services and special offers that capitalize on the integrated Wi-Fi of the Tungsten C handheld for Wi-Fi campus networkers and small office or home office (SOHO) professionals.

The first Palm handheld computer to ship with integrated Wi-Fi, the Tungsten C handheld is the most powerful Palm branded device, with 400MHz of ARM processing power; 64MB(2) of memory to manage data-intensive applications; a built-in keyboard; and a 320 x 320 transflective TFT display, Palm's sharpest screen to date, for indoor and outdoor viewing.

"Given the expansion of Wi-Fi networks in homes, in enterprises, and in public hotspots, it is becoming increasingly important for handheld device vendors to offer compelling Wi-Fi solutions," said Alex Slawsby, analyst, Smart Handheld Devices, at IDC. "As use of VoIP expands through the enterprise and secure wireless corporate data access becomes a necessity, it's not enough to simply deliver a device -- handheld device vendors must partner to offer a compelling solution story."