Metrowerks is coming out with a new toolset for the Palm software development community, which will enable new applications for Palm's next generation handheld devices hitting the market.

Metrowerks new CodeWarrior Development Studio for the Palm OS Platform, Version 9.0, will be available on December 20, and utilize a built-in ARM compiler, which is expected to improve the pace of encrypting data and rendering fonts, as well as creating more sophisticated applications.

The Metrowerks toolset also includes a new drag and drop feature, which will allow users to easily design and manipulate user interfaces in real-time on their screens.

The Object Library for Palm OS, a C++ class library, is also included in Metrowerks toolset, along with an "application wizard" to assist developers to create applications for Palm's next generation devices.

Metrowerks CodeWarrior Development Studio for Palm OS Platform, Version 9.0, and will have a suggested retail price of $399 per license, a $100 price cut for Version 8.0.

Palm has been slow to release its next generation handheld computer, and has recently begun shipping the Tungsten T, which includes a high-resolution display with its 65,000-color reflective thin film transistors, ARM microprocessor and 32-bit operating system, differentiating it from Microsoft's PocketPC operating system.

The Tungsten T has begun shipping and costs around $499 with 16MB of RAM and a variety of features, including Bluetooth radio. The new Palm device also utilizes the Palm 5 operating system. The Tungsten T uses an ARM-based Texas Instruments OMAP1510 processor, a departure from Motorola's DragonBall architecture, utilized on previous Palm devices.