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EXideas has released the MessagEaseST keyboard overlay for Palm OS handhelds, entering a market that has been the domain of NOVASIB, LLC. and its line of Silkyboard keyboard overlays, of which the Silkyboard v3.0 software update has been recently released.

Like the Silkyboard, EXideas’ MessagEaseST transforms a Palm OS device's Graffiti area into a keyboard. The company said it enables users to enter full text, including digits, punctuation marks, and all special characters. MessagEaseST’s keyboard sports a novel letter arrangement based on frequency data and includes editing features.

The Graffiti overlay showing the new keyboard is available in different sizes to fit different Palm OS PDAs. The users can also choose between right-handed or left-handed keyboards. The keyboard appears virtually on the Graffiti area of PDAs with virtual Graffiti.

According to the company, MessagEaseST stamp users gets access to important editing functions (Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Select All, Page Up/Down, etc.) right from the keyboard with a single drag of the stylus. In addition, about 200 clipboards are incorporated in MessagEaseST. The user can also store a mixture of texts, commands, shortcuts, or system calls for execution upon recall. For those who need to frequently enter special or accented characters, EXideas said a majority of the keyboard locations are made programmable; the users can store any character at any of these locations and then recall them with a drag of the stylus.

The software for MessgaeEaseST normally costs $29.50, but the company is offering a special introductory offer of $19.50. The stamp overlays usally sell for $10.50, but are available now for $6.50. When users order the overlay, that's when they specify which type of Palm OS device they own.