WIRELESS WORLD: Security well in hand - PalmSource and Microsoft are fortifying their handheld OSes with VPNs, encryption features, and more.(Palm OS 5 and Microsoft Pocket PC 2002)

THE TWO MAJOR handheld OS vendors, Microsoft and PalmSource, have been going out of their way to make handhelds more secure.

"We've been hearing from our enterprise partners, as well as those in the smart phone space, an increasing sensitivity to security issues," said Steve Sakoman, chief product officer at PalmSource.

It follows that the Palm handheld and Palm OS 5 -- as well as its related SDK (Software Development Kit) that ships in early summer -- will include a plethora of security features. A client-based VPN from an unnamed supplier will be an included option. A developer seeking to license the VPN software must deal directly with the owner. Look for …