With better performance and security for wireless devices at the top of many peoples’ wish lists these days, software maker DATA
BECKER Corp. Monday drew the curtain on new tools that increase memory and security for devices that use the ubiquitous Palm
operating system as their platform.
The Needham Heights, Mass. firm’s “Compress IT” extends handheld memory by condensing, or “zipping” files up to 85 percent of their
original size, while “Conceal It” protects information on a personal digital assistant by first encrypting and then “ghosting”
files, or making it seem as though there are files present when they have actually been secured away.
Compress IT lets users “zip” or condense files to free PDA memory. This means that databases and text documents can be stored in a
smaller memory space through a one-click function. Conceal IT works with Palm OS applications by encrypting and then hiding personal
information such as bank account information, credit card numbers, and work documents. If a PDA is lost or stolen, any information
that has been concealed or encrypted remains hidden from view.
With Conceal IT, users are given a password to their data, which is encrypted and moved to the software app’s database. Even
during hot synchs, the information is transferred to the PC in an encrypted form. Any information on the host PC that was present
before the synch will remain on the PC and visible and any encrypted information synched from the PDA will remain encrypted and thus
unavailable on the PC.
While it should come as no surprise that security remains a concern for handheld users, particularly among those business travelers
who have access to myriad, Net-based company data, increasing memory for small PCs is nearly as valuable and desired.
Indeed, while many handhelds come equipped with a standard 8MB of memory, Handspring, manufacturer of the popular Visor line that
does battle with Palm Inc., Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard products in the mobile PC space, Monday rolled out a midrange PDA with 16MB of memory space; it’s
the $299 Visor Pro, which the company has priced directly between its low-end Neo and its high-end Visor Edge.
Conceal IT and Compress IT work with a number of PDAs, including the Palm M100, Palm M105, Palm VII, Palm Vx, Palm V, Palm IIIc,
Palm IIIxe, Palm IIIx, Palm III, IBM WorkPad, Handspring Visor, Sony Clie and TRGpro.
Retailing at $29.95 Compress IT and Conceal IT are available at the company’s Web site. The
software tools may also be purchased from such retail partners as AOL, buydirect.com or at retail outlets such as CompUSA, Staples,
Best Buy, Electronics Boutique and others. Each program is priced at $29.95.