Posted-Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 12:45:50 -0800 (PST)

Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 12:47:18 -0700

To: newt_news@io.com

From: Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>

Subject: NewtNews-127-14Jan97



NewtNews-127-14Jan97

====================



by Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>.  This is a weekly freeware

newsletter that focuses on the Apple Newton and related technologies.

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.  See the

Administrivia at end for details and FAQ info.



This issue of NewtNews is sponsored in part by:



 + PowerMedia presents 'Arcade Game Pack' - Birds With Lances, Rocks

   In Space, Frogs vs. Cars - US$29.95 - <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>



 + X-Port, KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - Newton 2.0

   solutions - <sales@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.com>



 + PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions - ORDERS:

   800.270.7196 - FAX: 516.467.6329 - <http://www.pdapanache.com>



 + WinSlurp from Rare White Tiger Creations - Available via WWW at:

   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.



 + PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - Putting Technology in the Palm of Your Hand!

   800-279-4PDA 219-882-5228 [F]:219-845-0578 <http://www.pdadirect.com>



 + TeleType GPS and moving map for the Newton - Never get lost again -

   <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> - <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>



 + INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON - Custom Electronic Forms Integrated With

   Your Desktop - Shana Corp - <info@shana.com> - <http://www.shana.com>



 + RidgeNet - ARA, SLIP, PPP access to the Internet from Ridgecrest, CA.

   <http://owens.ridgecrest.ca.us/RidgeNET/RidgeNETWelcome.html>





Table of Contents

-----------------



 1. Top News

 2. Information from Email

 3. Information from the Internet

 4. Review of Top Weekly Magazine Headlines

 5. Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest

 6. Other PDA News

 7. Edupage, 06Jan96 thru 12Jan97

 8. INNOVATION, 06Jan97

 9. Other Sources of Information

10. News Agent Summary

11. Advertising Notes

12. Product and Service Information

13. MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report

14. Comments from the Editor

15. Administrivia





Top News

--------



** GOOD NEWTON NEWS FROM MACWORLD **



The Newton -- specifically Apple's new Newton hardware the eMate 300 and

the MessagePad 2000 --- got excellent exposure at MacWorld San Francisco

1997.  Mostly in part because the Newton System Group got a very good

location, right near the front, in the Apple Pavilion area.  It was

nearly impossible to miss the large screen demo areas for both the eMate

300 and the MP2000.  There was also two more personal demo areas for both

units, and a 'try them out' section with one of each unit available.  The

area appeared to be constantly full, and interest for the new units was

very high.  When the MessagePad 2000 ships, Apple should sell a ton of

them.  Apple is also going to have to figure out how to get the eMate 300

into the consumer market. Because demand for the eMate 300 was as high or

higher than for the MessagePad 2000.



Digital Ocean <http://www.digitalocean.com> should also get high marks

for having a very open and accessible booth which highlighted their great

suite of Newton solutions -- Seahorse; Tarpon; StarFish II Wireless

Access Point; Manta Ethernet Station; Grouper LocalTalk Station; Grouper

100MPS; and the Grouper 100MPS+.



PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT's booth was typically always busy and seemed to be

selling a good deal of software and hardware.  Newton developers reported

extremely peaked interested in Newton solutions, and eagerly gave demos

of their latest stuff.  PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT has also reportedly started

a list of those interested in buying a MessagePad 2000.  For more info:

<http://www.pdadirect.com>.



** BAD NEWTON NEWS FROM MACWORLD **



The U.S. Robotics's Palm Computing Pilot was selling very well at the

show.  A lot of people were buying the units, especially when Now

Software began to sell them for US$279 bundled with Now Up-To-Date, Now

Contact, and Now Synchronize for Pilot when it ships 15Mar97.  [This

price also included a US$25 rebate offered by U.S. Robotics.]  By the end

of the show, finding a Pilot to buy from a vendor was getting hard, and

it was nearly impossible to find any accessories.



[EDITOR:  Apple must, either using their own scarce resources or via a

third-party, build a small form factor line of Newton handhelds.]



Many of the Newton developers report very lackluster software sales since

Apple pre-announced the MP2000 and the eMate 300.  Many are struggling to

survive financially.  The Newton Source was also hurt pretty badly by the

pre-announcement, because they were scheduled to have a booth but didn't

at the last minute, reportedly because of cash-flow problems.  Other

sources have also reportedly that Newton Source has layed off staff at

their stores, and are in short supply of Newton hardware and software.



[EDITOR: Some developers did report that strong software sales in Europe

and Japan have, in many ways, made up for the loss of sales in the United

States.  It is just very unfortunate that things had to work out this way.]



** OTHER NEWTON STUFF AT MACWORLD **



For a complete review of all the Newton vendors and information please

read the "MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report" near the end of this issue.



** NOTETHING 2.0 RELEASED **



Marc White <coredump@omnilinx.net> reports the release of NoteThing 2.0

for Mac OS and Newton 2.0.  This version supports Notes Checklists and

Outlines, and also works with Serial or AppleTalk connections.  Core Dump

Software is also busy working on a Windows compatible version and it

should be available before the end of Jan97.  For more information check

out: <http://www.omnilinx.net/~coredump/main.html>.



** NEW POP-UP MENU UTILITY **



Ben Gottlieb <gottlb@standalone.com> reports the release of Vitamin A --

a new utility that lets you modify the pop-up menu editor.  Vitamin A

also lets you build other buttons and attach them to the four corners of

the screen or to the silk screen buttons.  Vitamin A comes with 40

different actions and supports a plug-in architecture so other developers

can build more actions.  A 30-day demo can be downloaded from:

<http://www.standalone.com/newton>.  The list price is US$44.95.



** NEW NEWTON NEWS SOURCE **



Rik Ahlberg <rik@aie.com> has announced the beta opening of a new Newton

news and resource page called Newton Today: <http://www.newtontoday.com>.



** EUDORA FOR NEWTON WINS AWARD! **



Qualcomm's Eudora Pro email software for the Newton has been awarded an

'Innovations Award' at the 1997 International Winter Consumer Electronics

show held last week in Las Vegas, Nevada. [iNews]





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  The New WriteRight Screen Enhancements protect your screen from

  scratches, reduce glare and improve your handwriting recognition by

  simulating the feel of writing on paper. WriteRights are available for

  all Newtons in packs of: 4-for $11.95, 8-for $18.95, and 12-for $24.95.

  Mention NewtNews and receive 10% off our 12-pack. For more info:

  415-929-1002 <Info@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  AvailWorks 3.0 - New version adds a text layer with spell-check, find

  and replace, and support for multiple page documents.  AvailWorks

  integrates text processing, powerful tables, dynamic business charts

  and graphs, and drawing and page layout tools into one convenient package

  for the Newton.  From PelicanWare at $79.95+S&H.  For more info:

  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Information from Email

----------------------



** NEW NEWTON COMPUSERVE CLIENT **



MacCentral is reporting that Apple has posted a new version of their

"CompuServe Mail for Newton 2.0" version 1.0.2 via the following URL:

<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0197/jan08.shtml#compuserve>.  Version

1.02 fixes the following problems:



    - The login process hangs when using access

      numbers in Australia and Hong Kong.

    - If your mail font is large, you are unable to

      view the last part of large messages in the inbox.



You should be able to download the software from Apple's FTP site at:



    -

<ftp://ftp2.info.apple.com/Apple.Support.Area/Apple.Software.Updates/US/Newton/>



** NEW MAC AND NEWTON MAGAZINE **



Peter Gersmann <editor@macplanet.dk> reported via Guy Kawasaki's MacWay

listserver that there is a new 'independent source' for Macintosh and

Newton information via MacPlanet at: <http://www.macplanet.dk/>.



** NEWTNEWS GETS RECOGNITION **



Phil Margolis <pmarg@sandybay.com> reports that the NewtNews WWW site has

been selected to be included in PC Webopaedia family of computer

technology sites at: <http://www.sandybay.com/pc-web>.



** ULTIMATE NEWTON SITE UPDATED **



Rob Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> reports that there have been many recent

updates to the Ultimate Newton site at: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce>.



** DVORAK LIKES MESSAGEPAD 2000 **



Julian Kim <julian.kim@lw.com> and Bob <varipapa@dca.net> report that

John Dvorak has a MessagePad 2000 mention in his latest column in PC

Magazine (21Jan97).  Dvorak was reportedly "quite impressed" with voice

recording and mention a retail list price of US$899.



** GOOD WIRLESS INTERNET SERVICE **



Andrew Diller <dillera@dillernet.com> reports that he has been very happy

using Metricom Ricochet wireless modem services in the Washington, D.C.

area with his Cassiopeia, Newton, PowerBook and Win95 laptop.   Andrew is

impressed with the speed and has "never been loss connectivity" but the

best thing is that Ricochet offers unlimited Internet access at wireless

28.8 baud modem speeds for US$30 per month.  For more information check

out: <http://www.ricochet.net>.



** NEW VERSION OF NEWTHACK **



Christopher Dopp <cdopp@flashpt.com> reports the v1.1 release of NewtHack

-- a new hack and slash adventure game for Newtons 2.0 devices.  NewtHack

lets you "traipse around randomly generated dungeon levels, explore rooms

and find creatures and treasure within (similar to desktop games like

Rogue and NetHack)."



Version 1.1 improves the speed of the game and allows registered users to

save and restore games.  There are additional magical items and all of

the known bugs in version 1.0 have been fixed.  This software runs just

fine on the eMate 3000 and the MessagePad 2000.  For more information

please check out: <http://www.pobox.com/~newthack>.



** UPDATE ON NETHERLAND NEWTON USER GROUP **



Bart Keijzer <ngn@luna.nl> reports that the first meeting of the Newton

Gebruikersgroep Nederland (NGN) will be held at Saturday 25Jan97 in The

Hague, starting 2:00pm.  The meeting location will be posted at:

<http://ngn.luna.nl>.  An eMate 300 and a MessagePad 2000 will be present

at the meeting.



** NEW NEWTON GAME **



Brian Torvik <brian@torcom.com> has released A-Zoo Evasion -- "an

original game for the Newton which features animated biomorphic

artificial life forms of nearly infinte variety, bred as the game

progresses from a gene space of well over one million."  Your job in this

game is harvest minerals without getting eaten by hostile species found

on Earth Colony Alpha-312.  This game is for Newton 2.0, has a suggested

retail price of US$19.95, and a demo can be downloaded from:

<http://www.torcom.com/tunes>.



** URL ERROR **



Felix Hagno <hgus6@hgus.gu.se> reports that in the issue 123 of NewtNews

published on 10Dec96 there is an incorrect pointer to their new

QuickPress Newton solution.  The correct URL is:



    - <http://lthmtek.msek.lth.se/~cim93hf4/avanti.html>





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  GET AMIGO NOW!  Did you know you can order AMIGO the premier 8000+ word

  English/Spanish Dictionary Reference Tool and Translation program for

  the Newton over the Web at: <http://www.unboxed.com>?   Did you know

  that the price online is $5 less than the snail mail price and it comes

  with a full year of upgrades?  Don't delay, this Fall there will be a

  new version and a price increase.  More info: ACCSYS <rkaplan@well.com>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  TeleType GPS is software for the Newton which displays your location

  while driving or flying. The software includes a moving map which shows

  you where you are in relation to cities and towns. It is controlled by

  the Garmin 30 TracPack, a powerful yet small Global Positioning System

  (GPS) antenna.  Never get lost again. Email: <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>

  or WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> for more information.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Information from the Internet

-----------------------------



** COMP.SYS.NEWTON.ANNOUNCE NEEDS A NEW MODERATOR **



Mike Nowak <mnowak@umich.edu> the 'great' moderator of the USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.newton.announce has announced his retirement and is

looking for a replacement (single moderator or co-moderators is OK) who:



    - owns and uses a NewtonOS device,

    - know how to moderate a newsgroup with their own

      server and software,

    - not be affiliated with a Newton software,

      hardware, or service provider, if possible.



Please send your name, email address, and a description of your ability

to fulfill these requirements by the end of 29Jan97.  Mike will let you

know and announce the new moderator on 31Jan97 whose duties will begin on

01Fe97.  Mike will need to retire on this day, new moderator or not, so

if you want the job please send him email ASAP.



** MEDICAL SOFTWARE NEWS **



Jack Starmer <jack@simplemed.com> reports that Morgan Creek Medical has

posted a demo of their 'care patient management' software called Medicus

via: <http://www.simplemed.com/>.  The demo will only hold 5 patients,

requires Newton 2.0, and has a smaller drug list database.



** CHAT CLIENT NEARS BETA **



Robert Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> has announced that Tactile Systems is

in the process of trying to find a 'limited number of users' to test out

their new NIE savvy Internet Relay Chat Client.  For more information

send an email to: <chat_buddy@tactile.com>.  In the email message, please

list what type of Newton you have and what other NIE applications you use

(you must use at least one).



** NEW CHESS GAME FOR THE NEWTON **



Jorj Bauer <jorj@red.seas.upenn.edu> has announced a public beta of his

Newton 2.0 chess pad solution called DeepNewt.  This software is

currently being released as freeware, and can be downloaded from:

<http://binky.seas.upenn.edu/~jorj/newton.html>.



** NEWTOPOLIS WEB SITE **



Hayes Haugen <hayes@eskimo.com> has announced a new Newton ideas page

that he is calling: <http://www.eskimo.com/~hayes/newtopolis.html>.



** CHINESE NEWTON SITE **



Chun-Hsien Lin <jslin@cc.unalis.com.tw> has created a Chinese Newton

Central on the WWW at: <http://www.at-taiwan.com/~vir00194>.  This site

will not only include information about using Chinese on a Newton but

also some related programming information.



** ANOTHER NEWTON SURVEY UNDERWAY **



Jeff Wright <wrightad@airmail.net> posted a request of "Newton Marketing

Data Needed" to the USENET newsgroup cop.sys.newton.misc.  The post

included 4 questions that Jeff would like answers to.  The questions

center around using the MessagePad 2000 in outside operating

environments.  Please try and track down the post and answer the

questions first using HotBot <http://www.hotbot.com> (or your favorite

search engine).  If you can't find the questions, then send Jeff email

and he should send you the questions.  For more information on what Jeff

is up to check out: <http://www.fw3.com>.



** NEW NEWTON ONLINE BOOK STORE **



Steve Sande <steve@pdantic.com> reports that pdantic.com Online Bookstore

has teamed up with Amazon.com to create an easy way to browse through

books dealing with Newton, Magic Cap, HPCs, and mobile computing in

general.  If you find an interesting book, you can quickly order the book

through Amazon.com.  For more information check out the following link:

<http://www.pdantic.com>.



** HOW FAST ARE THE NEW NEWTONS?!? **



How fast is the eMate 300 and the MessagePad 2000?  Well, according to

some tests run by George Henne <gh@nsbasic.com> at NS BASIC both machines

are definitely faster than current hardware.  In summary of the NS BASIC

Tech Note #30 (31Oct96):



    Unit        MP110   MP130   eMate300   MP2000

    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

    NSB Rev      2.52    3.60       3.60     3.60

    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

    CPU          7177    1781       1146      309

    Screen        965     655        614      265

    Soup         3122    2117        971      631

    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

    Overall     20861    7546       5464     2128



For more information, send email to: <support@nsbasic.com> or check out:

<http://www.nsbasic.com>



** ANOTHER MEDICAL APP UPDATED **



Robert Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> also reports a new free update to

version 1.50 of their Transcriptionist package for their registered

users.  Transcriptionist helps a Newton user in automated data collection

and text generation needs.  It is especially useful in medical settings.

For more info: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce/tactile/medical/>.  If you

are interested in a competitive upgrade program from another medical

software package, please send email to: <info@tactile.com>.



** NEW VERSION OF WRITEHERE **



Adam Tow <atow@leland.stanford.edu> has announced that Foundation Systems

has release the Beta #4 of WriteHere via: <http://www.tow.com>.  This new

version was posted on 06Jan97 and offers the following improvements:



    - Revised the code for inserting text into views.

      WriteHere now works properly in Dates.

    - Styles now works as expected. Selected text's

      styles show up properly in the style menu. Style

      menu now sticks, allowing you to add or subtract

      styles with ease.

    - Register view now scrolls as you write, sending

      one word to the key view instead of the entire

      register content.

    - Minor bug fixes.



** MP2000 U.S. TOUR **



Jeff Wright <wrightad@airmail.net> forwarded to NewtNews details about

the "Newton Handheld Computing for Professionals On-The-Go Tour" that

Apple and Forms Express are hosting.  Here are the locations and dates.



    Reston, DC        21Jan97     Dallas, TX         22Jan97

    Chicago, IL       23Jan97     Atlanta, GA        29Jan97

    Philadelphia, PA  30Jan97     New York City, NY  04Feb97

    Boston, MA        05Feb97     Seattle, WA        11Feb97

    Santa Monica, CA  13Feb97



The seminars will run from 1:30 p.m. through 4:30 p.m.  To register you

can call: 800.284.8338 Ext. 100 or check out the following WWW site at:

<http://www.seminars.apple.com>.



** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **



    - RAIDstack [Storage]: <http://www.aiwa.com>

    - EtherPeek [Network Analysis]: <http://www.aggroup.com>

    - CERT [Virus Info]: <http://www.cert.org>

    - Star Wars [Movie]: <http://www.starwars.com>

    - PhoneMaker [Telephony]: <http://www.micromat.com/mmcs>

    - Yahoo! Internet Life [WWW]: <http://www.yil.com>

    - IP Spoofing Doc: <http://www.cs.princeton.edu/sip/pub/spoofing.html>

    - Emulation on the Mac: <http://www.komkon.org/~stiles/emulation>

    - Netcraft [WWW]: <http://www.netcraft.com/survey>





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$ NS BASIC  $ The latest implementation of this cool programming tool has an

$   3.6     $ easy to use graphic screen layout function, plus indexed file

$   with    $ communications, graphics and more!  Program directly on Newton

$  Visual   $ or with a PC or Mac.  Create packages in the Extras drawer and

$ Designer! $ much more. 260 pg handbook. Cost is $99+5 S&H for all Newtons.

$           $ <info@nsbasic.com>,  <http://www.nsbasic.com>,  416.264.5999

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - December96 Specials - Cool Stuff for your Newton!

   - Apple MessagePad 130 $689 (#22003) Free Win2Go Software with Purchase

   - Type II PCMCIA Flash Memory for all Apple MPs - Mfg Lifetime Guarantee

     4MB $128 (#41071)  8MB $224 (#41073)  10MB $274 (#41074)

   - Revelar Connection Utilities $53.95 - Windows (#10070) Mac OS (#10071)

   - King James Bible for Newton $34.95 (#10260) Archimedes $39.95 (#62030)

   - FreeStyle Handwriting Recognition $39.95 (#10151)

   - MessagePad Wireless Communications Case $73.95 (#31150)

  To receive special pricing please mention source code [#151]

  To order call 800-279-4732 or 219-882-5228 or fax 219-845-0578

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Review of Top Weekly Magazine Headlines

---------------------------------------



** JUST NEWS **



    - Apple's 'FutureWare' brings IP services to AppleShare



** MAJOR TRENDS **



    - E-Commerce solutions continue to pop-up from big players like

      Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Sun, and Netscape

    - Apple and NeXT merger mania: MacOS and NEXTSTEP to become one



** MINOR TRENDS **



    - Intel's MMX chip claims 60% speed-up when used in native mode

    - Internet Push, Encryption, and Public Key Certificates begin

      to catch on.  Expect more and more solutions in 1997.

    - Windows 97 rumors begin to flow



** NOISE **



    - ADSL Modems: speed-up is less than anticipated

    - Java vs. ActiveX wars



** WEB POINTERS **



    - Web Week: <http://www.webweek.com>

    - MacWeek: <http://www.macweek.com>

    - InfoWorld: <http://www.infoworld.com>

    - Computer Reseller News: <http://www.crn.com>

    - PC Week: <http://www.pcweek.com>





Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest

---------------------------------------



** THE FUTURE OF THE EMATE?!? **



Nicholas Petreley <nicholas_petreley@infoworld.com> has a host of Apple,

Newton, and eMate mentions in his "Down to the Wire" column on page 82 of

InfoWorld published on 06Jan97.  The article is a 'humorous' look into

the future -- Nicholas shares his thoughts on future technology from 1997

through 2004 -- including:



    - Pentium Pro powered Newton eMate in 1997

    - in 1998 the eMate gets a 13" color display and

      bigger keyboard

    - the eMate gets a detachable keyboard and

      mouse in the year 2000

    - in 2002 the eMate gets 'hardware component'

      technology and is marketed as an alternative

      to Network Computers



** NEW VERSIONS OF MEETING MAKER **



On Technology <http://www.on.com> has released version 4.0 of Meeting

Maker.  The primary servers software runs on Windows NT and costs

US$4995.  Most of the clients (Windows, Macintosh, Psion, Casio, Boss,

Sharp Wizard, and Apple Newton) start at US$95.  Major features: 32-bit

support for Windows 95 and NT users; Master Schedule tool; Print Layout

Designer; and Server Logging.  [Amy Doan, InfoWorld, 06Jan97, page 37]



** ON TAP FOR CE SHOW **



Philips Home Services  will be showing off their new Internet savvy P200

phone that features: 16-by-40 line LCD; 32-bit RISC CPU; 2-MBs of memory;

14.4-Kbps modem; and keypad with on-screen buttons.  The unit will ship

in Q1'97 amd will come with Internet applications including email

services. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 3]



Hitachi will be demonstrating their future US$499 Windows CE HPC unit

that will ship sometime in 1997. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 3]



Franklin Electronic Publishers will also have a "demo prototype" of their

electronic PIM that will fit into a "shirt pocket."  The unit will cost

under US$300 and is expected to ship by the Summer'97. [PC Week, 06Jan97,

page 3]



** WIRELESS NEWS **



Cirrus Logic <http://www.cirrus.com> has sold for US$23 million PCSI's

Wireless Infrastructure Equipment group to ADC Telecommunications. [PC

Week, 06Jan97, page 99]



General Wireless <http://www.generalwireless.com> has awarded Lucent

Technologies <http://www.lucent.com> a contract worth US$400 million for

CDMA infrastructure equipment. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 99]



** NEWTON MENTION IN MACWEEK REVIEW OF 1996 **



The MacWeek staff has a review of 1996 news starting on page 33 of

MacWeek published on 06Jan97.  There are several Newton mentions in the

article, but nothing really new is mentioned.  There is a small picture

of the eMate though included with the article.



In the same issue of MacWeek, Ric Ford has a series of recommendations to

Apple for 1997 on page 73, including the following Newton mention:



    "Strong advances in Newton-based platforms, bring

     back the advantages of the Mac's original

     simplicity and pacing the industry in pen-based

     interfaces."



[EDITOR: Ric Ford is responsible for this great Macintosh resource page

that I read on a daily basis: <http://www.macintouch.com>.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   WinSlurp! - Rare White Tiger Creations provides Newton Book publishing

   services and is NOW offering WinSlurp. A windows front-end to Slurpee

   which supports transferring notes back and forth between the Newton

   notepad and the PC desktop.  Available for downloading from this URL:

   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   PowerMedia is your source for all the latest cutting edge Newton apps:

     + Super NotePad: Quick access arrows, encryption, tags, filters, etc.

     + DateMan 3.0: Complete agenda and contact management.

     + Stationary Construction Kit: Build your very own custom stationary.

   Commercially available at your favorite Newton retailer.  Or check out

   online demos via the following site: <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Other PDA News

--------------



[EDITOR: News collected via snail mail, major publications, USENET

newsgroups, email, and the WWW.]



** PSION **



Lloyd Wasser <WIDGETCAN@aol.com> reports that the following pieces of

Psion software & hardware can be purchased via his Canadian store Widget

Software: Psion SCRABBLE, Psion MONOPOLY, 3c/Siena cables, PsiWin 1.1

Upgrade Software/Manual, Agenda Synchronizer Software, NOTEPAD DELUXE for

the 3a/3c, and Widget Car Stand.  For more information call: 416.449.2331

or check out: <http://www.widget.co.uk/canada/>.



It appears that Psion Software is currently trying to recruit more staff

at all levels including: communications engineering; systems engineering;

Windows programming; process management; project management; graphic

design; and product licensing.  For more information check out the

following URL: <http://www.software.psion.com/jobs.html>.



** ZAURUS **



Scott Adams <sadams@mail.flash.net> had an interesting post to

comp.sys.palmtops that outlines his thoughts on "A Perspective on PDA

Development" last week.  Scott has found that he likes working on a

Zaurus more than a Pilot, but as he gets deeper into the Zaurus the more

he thinks that a Windows CE device like Philips Velo-1 may be a better

device.  To read the complete post check out search engine HotBot at:

<http://www.hotbot.com>.



Looking for more information about the recently announced Sharp Zaurus

3500X?  Then check out Rupp Technology's site at: <http://www.rupp.com>.

[Suggested by George Czajkowski <georgec@cyberus.ca> on the USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops.]



Geroge Czajkowski <georgec@cyberus.ca> also recently wrote up and posted

a very good review of "Z-Em@il for SHARP Zaurus".  If you are interested

in reading this piece, you should be able to find it via HotBot

<http://www.hotbot.com> in the USENET newsgroups comp.sys.palmtops or

comp.sys.handhelds.



Michael Malley <msmalley@paonline.com> is looking to find someone to

adopt the disbanded 'Ultimate Zaurus Page' from him.  Michael is now

doing 'The Ultimate Win CE Page' at: <http://www.paonline.com/msmalley>.



** PILOT **



First Virtual Holdings is offering some special offers to their

VirtualPIN holders: USRobotics Pilot for US$259.97; VoiceIt voice

recorder for US$14.97; and Timex DataLink watch for US$99.97.  For more

information check out: <http://www.1virtualplace.com/special-offer/>.



Now Software <http://www.nowsoft.com> has announced plans to develope a

desktop  synchronization software called Now Synchronize for U.S.

Robotics' recently released Pilot Connected Organizer for Mac OS.   Now

Synchronize for Pilot will let Pilot users seamless synchronize with their

Mac OS Now Contact and Up-To-Date applications.



Dave Stevens <dstevens@roaddog.com> reports that the following site has a

good list of pointers to U.S. Robotics' Pilot freeware and shareware

software at: <http://www.inforamp.net/~adam/pilot/>.



Ron Nicholson <rhn@nicholson.com> reportedly hosts some good info about

the U.S. Robotics' Pilot at: <http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/pilot.html>.



Looking for a spreadsheet for your U.S. Robotics' Pilot?  Then check out

<http://www.cesinc.com>.



Kenny West <kenw@flash.net> reports that the author of the Pilot

Application Launcher (PAL) -- Matt Peterson -- has moved his WWW site to

the following location: <http://www.xmission.com/~dovcom/>.



Creative Digital <http://www.cdpubs.com> has a new utility for the Pilot

that will calculate the current time and date for nearly 250 countries,

cities, and time zones.



** WINDOWS CE **



Bob Metcalfe <metcalfe@infoworld.com> has a passing Windows CE mention in

his 'visions for 1997' column on page 34 of InfoWorld published on

06Jan97.  The mention is related to his opinion that if Bill Gates

finally agrees with you (i.e., handhelds like Windows CE are good) then

you better look out because he will do whatever it takes to dominate such

a market.



Andrew Diller <dillera@dillernet.com> reports that the Windows CE

listserver that he started up back in Nov96 now has over 200 subscribers.

Andrew thinks it is kinda funny that the listserver for this list is an

Macintosh IIci with an '040 Daystar accellerator running Fog City's

LetterRip software.  To subscribe to the list send email to:

<majordomo@dillernet.com> with either the subject line or the _body_ of

your message set to: "subscribe wince your_name".  For more information

check out: <http://www.dillernet.com/wince.html>.



Riley McArdle <rmcardle@www.atech.tec.clark.nv.us> reports that a

'WebRing' has been formed for Windows CE.  For more info about WebRings

check out: <http://www.webring.org/>.  For more info about the Windows CE

WebRing try: <http://www.atech.tec.clark.nv.us/~rmcardle/cering/>.



Word on the street is that Philips will be introducing their Windows CE

HPC called the Velo-1 at the Mar96 CeBIT being held in Hannover, Germany.

This unit is expected to support more languages than just English.



Robert Wilson <rgw@voyager.co.nz> has posted more details about using the

new Piiceon PC Card modem with Casio Cassiopeia Windows CE HPC via:

<http://www.mobilepda.co.nz/page2.htm>.



** MAGIC CAP **



General Magic was on the list of 'Worst Performers' in a recent [06Jan97]

Computer Reseller News (CRN) stock report by Eric Hausman published on

page 1.  On 29Dec95 General Magic stock was at 10.63 and on 31Dec96 the

stock was at 2.31 (a -78.24% change).  Winners included: Data Systems

Network, Pomeroy Computers, National Tech Team, Western Digital, and Dell

Computer. Other losers included: Paramount Financial, Global Village,

Interleaf, and Pinnacle Micro. [EDITOR: You can find more information

about good and bad 1996 stocks by searching on 'STOCKS' on the Web Week

site at: <http://www.webweek.com/search>.]



Steve Wolfson <wolfson@ucs.com> correctly points out that the main Sony

WWW site is very slow, so if you are interested in Sony Magic Cap

information you should check out: <http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/Magic>

and <http://www.sonysoft.com/>.  If you are interested in pointers to

Magic Cap freeware and shareware software you should check out:

<http://www.spies.com/MagicCap>.



Steve Wolfson <wolfson@ucs.com> also forwarded to NewtNews a post to

USENET News entitled "Magic Cap Workbench Summary" by General Magic's

Luke Derossi <lderossi@ComCAT.COM>.  This document has some detailed

information about what General Magic's next iteration of Magic Cap offers

to users and developers.  If you are interested in seeing this article,

please use the HotBot USENET newsgroup search engine at:

<http://www.hotbot.com>.



** OTHER **



For about US$1980 you can get the 'VHS tape' size (210x115x34mm) Toshiba

Libretto 50 in Japan.  This 'palmtop' is a full fledged PC which

includes: 75-MHz Pentium processor; SoundBlaster; VGA out; parallel

ports; Type II PC Card slot; and a 6.1 inch 640x480, 16 million colors

TFT display. Battery life is suppose to run 1.5 to 2 hours.  The units

come with Windows 95/Japan. For more information you might want to check

out: <http://www2.toshiba.co.jp/pc/catalog/libretto/lib50/lib50_1.htm>.

[Information from a post on the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops by

William Ofosu-Amaah <XI6W-OFSA@asahi-net.or.jp>.]



Looking for DOS applications for your Hewlett-Packard (HP) 200LX?  Then

check out:

    - <http://www.palmtop.net/super.html>

    - <http://www.waysoft.com/pdahome.shtml>

    - <http://feustel.mixi.net>

[Suggestions from Vivek Venugopalan <vivek@mcs.net>, Dave Feustel

<feustel@netcom.com>, and Jeff Goodman <jeff@waysoft.com> on USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops.]





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   This space for rent.  For more info: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Thanks.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Edupage, 06Jan96 thru 12Jan97

-----------------------------



** EN TECHNOLOGY DISHES UP DATA AT CYBERCAFE **



New Hampshire-based En Technology has received FCC clearance to embed

data in video airing on more than 100 PBS stations featuring The Internet

Cafe show.  A trial of the process has been operational at six PBS

stations since October.  The data transferred during the show is ported

directly to PCs equipped with an external antenna or special cable

hookup, and involves software related to a topic in this show.  PC users

who wish to receive En's transmissions must install a $150 TV modem card

in their computers.  "We don't bring TV to the PC," says En's technology

director.  "We get much better throughput by blasting data through the

video." (Broadcasting & Cable 30 Dec 96 p50)



** APPLE'S CORE WAXES RHAPSODIC **



Apple Computer says that for the next few years it will pursue a "dual

operating system" strategy, offering machines that run both its existing

Macintosh System 7 operating system and its new Next-based system,

code-named Rhapsody. Chief Technology Officer Ellen Hancock promised

existing Mac users that support for System 7 will continue for the next

several years.  (Wall Street Journal 7 Jan 97 B6)  The new line of

machines is necessary because the Next-based system won't run on any of

the existing Macs, including those using the popular Motorola 680x0 line

of chips.  It will, however, run on Intel-based computers now using

Windows 95 and Windows NT.  (Tampa Tribune 7 Jan 97 B&F8)



** MICROSOFT'S SPENDING SPREE **



Microsoft invested in or purchased outright 20 companies in 1996,

spending somewhere around $750 million, according to company executives.

The volume of the transactions has pushed Microsoft into the top tier of

all corporate investors:  "I see no other company in this industry that

is moving as aggressively and with as single a purpose," says Broadview

Associates' chairman.  Most of the company's acquisitions contribute to

Microsoft's strategy to be tops in Internet-related activities.

(Business Week 13 Jan 97 p34)



** MICROSOFT TO BEEF UP MAC SOFTWARE PRODUCTION **



Microsoft has announced its plans to set up a 100-person unit to write

applications software for Apple Macintosh computers.  In exchange, Apple

has agreed to package Microsoft's Explorer browser software in addition

to Netscape Navigator with its machines.  Some observers suggest

Microsoft's move is motivated at least in part by its desire to avoid

more antitrust scrutiny, but company officials deny the latest effort has

anything to do with its Justice Dept. worries.  (Wall Street Journal 8

Jan 97 B8) Clarification to Edupage, 7 Jan 97:  Apple's new Next-based

operating system *will* work with the Macintosh machines currently being

sold -- it will not, however, be compatible with Macs based on the

Motorola 680x0 line of chips used up until 1994.



** ZENITH JOINS NC BANDWAGON **



Zenith Electronics is developing a network computer (NC) called Net

Vision, to be introduced later this year for $500 or less;  the system

will connect to a TV set and phone line to deliver World Wide Web pages,

handle e-mail, and run Java application programs or "applets" from the

Net at 33.6 kilobits per second.  (San Jose Mercury News Center 9 Jan 97)



** PLOT UNRAVELS FOR WEB SOAP OPERA **



Unless new investors come to the rescue, it will soon be curtains for the

Web soap opera called "The Spot," which offered surfers an invitation to

"Immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and secret journals of five

twentysomethings living under one roof."  Media analyst Gary Arlen says

the show's cancellation would be a signal that investors are becoming

increasingly dissatisfied with opportunities for making money from the

Web. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 9 Jan 97 C7)



** BEEPER MADNESS **



A technical glitch on Thursday caused the SkyTel paging network to send

erroneous call-me-back messages to more than 100,000 customers.  The

problem was exacerbated when some diligent subscribers returned the call

and left their phone numbers so that whoever had beeped them could call

back.  The result was a 26-minute major phone traffic jam as thousands of

other SkyTel customers then called those numbers.  Apparently, the whole

mess started when a customer desiring a new PIN (personal identification

number) was mistakenly assigned one linked to a secret code that the

company uses to beam Dow Jones News Service information out to 100,000

customers.  The PIN, a seven-digit number that looked like a phone

number, was zapped to the Dow Jones subscribers, many of whom then tried

to dial it as a local call. Others recognized it as a PIN, and called

SkyTel to retrieve the "caller's" number, jamming the lines there.  "One

frequency of our one-way nationwide network experienced an anomaly in the

database that caused customers to be paged erroneously," says a spokesman

for SkyTel's parent company, MTel, which has apologized for the snafu.

(Wall Street Journal 10 Jan 97 A1)



** FCC DESIGNATES WIRELESS SPECTRUM FOR SCHOOLS, OTHERS **



The Federal Communications Commission has set aside 300 megahertz of

spectrum for free, unlicensed, short-range wireless communications by

individuals, schools, hospitals and libraries.  Metricom's Ricochet

network already provides its subscribers with wireless data

communications and Internet access using an unlicensed portion of the

radio spectrum.  The FCC anticipates similar services proliferating, as

well as educational and medical applications, such as teachers using the

designated airwaves to call up student background records and grades from

the schools central database using handheld machines or doctors calling

up X-rays from a hospital database and ordering drugs from the pharmacy.

(Investor's Business Daily 10 Jan 97 A21)





INNOVATION, 06Jan97

-------------------



** TRENDS: OUTSOURCING YOUR HEADACHES **



Instead of just selling a one-size-fits-all product, companies are

finding that customizing that product increasingly gives them a

competitive edge, particularly in the dog-eat-dog world of outsourcing

services. San Jose-based Cadence Design Systems has found that selling

its chip and circuit board design services is proving far more profitable

than just selling the software that allows other companies to do it on

their own. Before instituting its new strategy, if customers weren't

using Cadence software effectively, the company would step in and show

them how to do it. Now, instead of just selling the software, they sell

the labor and expertise it takes to run it as well.  This level of

service allows Cadence customers to shift some of the risk, capital needs

and just plain headaches to an outside firm, often in exchange for a cut

of the profits generated as a result of more efficiency.  "If Cadence's

strategy takes off, it will be another step in the evolution of the

virtual corporation -- a business that farms out most of its functions to

outside contractors.  An entrepreneur with an idea could get his chip

design done by Cadence in return for a royalty, have the silicon

fabrication done in the Far East and sell the product over the Internet."

 (Rita Koselka, "My Customer, My Partner," Forbes 30 Dec 96 p142)



** STRATEGIES: HOW IS YOUR CUSTOMER DIFFERENT FROM "AVERAGE"? **



Think about how the word "market" has changed over time.  Once the

marketplace was "a gathering of people for the sale and purchase of goods

at a fixed time and place";  then, with mass production, it changed to an

unknown aggregation of potential customers that manufacturers would hope

to please by producing the right products.  But now the concept of

markets is changing again as "mass customization" allows producers to use

information technology and flexible work processes to customize goods or

services for customers in high volumes and relatively low cost.  There

are four distinct kinds of mass customization:  collaborative, adaptive,

cosmetic and transparent.  Collaborative customization tends to take

place at the design stage, where the customer collaborates with the

seller on the design of a particular product (such as eyeglasses, shoes,

etc.).  Adaptive customization gives customers flexible products that can

be programmed to adjust after purchase to changing circumstances (such as

a lighting system that reconfigures the lighting design to accommodate

lively parties, business meetings, etc.).  Cosmetic customization

presents a standard product in a customized package (such as Hertz's #1

Club Gold Program that customizes standard rent-a-car services by

repackaging them for recognized, individual customers).  And transparent

customization works without the customer's awareness;  transparent

customizers observe customers' behavior without direct interaction and

then inconspicuously customize their offerings within a standard package

(such as the delivery of just the right mixture and right amount of

industrial-strength soap for car washes).  The challenge for customizers

is to understand that *all* mass-produced products or services create

"customer sacrifice" groups:  the difference between a company's offering

and what each customer truly desires.  So you need to figure out what

those sacrifice gaps are and use that knowledge to drive your individual

approach to customization.  (James H. Gilmore & B. Joseph Pine II, "The

Four Faces Of Mass Customization,"  Harvard Business Review Jan/Feb 97 p91)



** INNOVATIONS: WRISTWATCH ORGANIZER **



The new Timex Data Link Watch, a collaboration between Microsoft and

Timex, is designed to keep you on schedule using Microsoft's Schedule +

software. After recording all appointments, tasks and phone numbers on

the software, you designate what items you want to export to the watch

(up to 70), and then press a special button on the watch (activating an

electronic "eye") and hold the watch up to the screen.  The screen then

goes blank and a series of fluctuating horizontal lines appears.  In

seconds the data has been transferred, and you're on your way.  (Tampa

Tribune 30 Dec 96 B&F5)



** MORE INFO ON INNOVATION **



Innovation is published weekly, with individual subscriptions available

at $15 a year. Topics are organized under the following headers:

TRENDS, STRATEGIES, and INNOVATIONS.  For a six-week free trial

subscription to Innovation, please send an email message to

<innovation-trial@newsscan.com> and in the subject line type the word:

'subscribe'.  You can also use the trial registration form on their Web

site at: <http://www.newsscan.com>.  For more info, send email to:

<gehl@newsscan.com> or <douglas@newsscan.com>





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  NEED A NEWTON PROGRAMMER? NewtNews has a list of over 40 Internet based

  Newton programmers who are interested in working on vertical or

  horizontal market solutions.  Please send email to: <newtnews@pobox.com>

  if you would like the list or would like to be added to the list.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Other Sources of Information

----------------------------



** WIRELESS LAN GROWTH **



The Yankee Group is reported that they expect the United States Wireless

LAN industry to grow by 'sixfold' by the year 2000 with revenues over

US$1 billion.  The majority of hardware money spent on wireless LANs will

come from, according to the Yankee Group, desktop based LAN cards for

desktop systems, and PC Cards for notebooks and other devices.  The

biggest problem though is the lack of 'true' standards and the lack of

interoperability between vendor equipment. [Kim Borg, Computer Technology

Review, Dec96, page 1]



** INTERNET FAXING WILL SAVE MONEY **



A recent survey by the Gallop Poll reports that the average Fortune 500

company spends nearly 41% of their phone bill ($15 million a year) on

faxing.  Some of the new Internet hardware based faxing solutions could

save companies a great deal of money. [Dave Trowbridge, Computer

Technology Review, Dec96, page 1]



** MOBILE STORAGE **



There is a 'New Media Alert' in New Media published on 06Jan97 that has a

short blurb about the recently announced Iomega's n*hand discs based on

Toshiba's Solid State Floppy Disk (SSFD) flash card technology.  This

technology competes against similar announced solutions from SanDisk

<http://www.sandisk.com> and the Minature Card Implementor's Forum

(Intel) <http://www.mcif.org>.  For more information about n*hand check

out: <http://www.iomega.com> and <http://www.toshiba.com>.



** EMATE BLURB **



Becky Waring has a short review blurb about Apple's eMate 300 on page 36

of New Media published on 06Jan97.  Becky does mention that this device

will also compete with other Network Computing devices for school

dollars.  The key feature that will make the eMate more attractive is

that it offers mobility.



** WIRELESS CLASS **



Motorola and Data On Air are hosting a series of introductory courses

called "A Practical Introduction to Wireless Data" in San Diego,

California on 27-28Jan97; Chicago, Illinois on 04-05Feb97; and San

Francisco, California on 06-07Mar97.  The cost is US$695.  For more

information call: 800.771.2012 or check out: <http://www.dataonair.com>.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  To much info in NewtNews for you?  Does all the Macintosh information

  make you want to puke?  Then maybe you should check out NewtNews-Savvy.

  For $20 you get 52 issues of just lean and mean Newton/PDA/Wireless

  information directly to your inbox of choice.  Send an email message

  with the subject containing 'NewtNews-Savvy' to <newtnews@pobox.com>

  and you'll get a sample issue and an order form.  Thanks for reading!

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  If you are too cheap to pay $20 for weekly Newton/PDA/Wireless info,

  then check out the freeware-monthly-Acrobat-savvy-version of NewtNews

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$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





News Agent Summary

------------------



For more info about [Farcast] check out: <http://www.farcast.com>.

For more info about [iNews] contact INDIVIDUAL, Inc. at 800.414.1000.



** HANDHELD **



Toshiba has a new family of 8-bit microcontrollers (TLCS-870) that are

ideal of handheld battery operation (less than 1.8 volts). [iNews]



All Pen Software has released AllPen Mobile Forms Database for

Microsoft's Windows CE HPCs. [iNews]



Microsoft was demoing their Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows CE

systems at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show being held in Las

Vegas, Nevada.  The pack with include "ten great games." [iNews]



The latest version of WyndMail (wireless email) for the Apple's

MessagePads and PowerBooks now supports "Message Header Preview." [iNews]



Sharp has introduced on 09Jan97 in the United States their new Zaurus

based ZR-3500X -- which offers: built-in 14.4/9.6-kbps data/fax modem;

Internet applications; Windows 95 synchronization; PC link cable;

backlighting; and 1-MB RAM with a 1-MB FLASH PC Card.  The list price is

expected to be US$499.  [iNews & Farcast]



** MOBILE **



Qualcomm has signed a licensed agreement with Unwired Planet giving them

the ability to incorporate Unwired Planet's UP.link technology (email and

other Internet applications) into future Qualcomm wireless products.



Motorola will be the first wireless data network provider in Indonesia.

Most of the work will be done for P. T. Elektrindo Nusantara, and will use

Motorola's DataTAC 5000 systems. [iNews]



Pele-Phone Communication based in Israel has announced that they have

launched a trail of CDMA services using Motorola technology. [iNews]



Motorola has begun the process of launching Iridium satellites.   The $5

billion mobile telephone service will use 66 satellites to cover the

world with communication capabilities. [iNews]



** APPLE **



Apple is has reportedly publically stated that in their first fiscal

quarter ending on 27Dec96 that they will more than likely post a loss

between US$100-and-150 million.  The loss is related to weak Performa

sales and a continued backlog for PowerBooks.  Apple's stock took a huge

hit on the news. [iNews]



Apple remains committed to providing Webmasters, Workgroups, Individuals

with easy-to-use Internet Server Solutions.  Apple first major step in

this direction is the public beta of their new version of AppleShare

(called AppleShare IP 5.0)that support a wide range of AppleTalk and

TCP/IP services. [iNews]



Apple is going to be supporting two operating systems for at least the

next two years.  The company expects to release at least four more

iterations of Mac OS System 7.x, and at the same time migrate core System

7.x and 'Copland' technologies into OpenStep.  The first iteration of

this OS is codename "Rhapsody" and it will contain Mac OS Compatibility

through an 'emulator.' [iNews]



Apple has released a new free utility for PowerBook systems called Apple

Location Manager. [iNews]



Symantec has release new versions of Visual Cafe and Visual Page for the

Mac OS. [iNews]



Asante Technologies has announced that their NetDoubler (network

acceleration tool) does support Apple's AppleShare IP 5.0 server. [iNews]



Microsoft has announce the release of a new version (4.2.1) of their

Microsoft Office for the Macintosh.  This version will have new tools

that should make life easier for small business owners. [iNews]



Apple will be in charge of webcasting, for the 2nd year in a row, the 39th

Annual GRAMMY Awards at: <http://grammy.apple.com/>. [iNews]



Allegiant Technologies plans to incorporate QuickTime 2.5 Windows support

in their current suite of multimedia and web-authoring tools. [iNews]



Metrowerks has signed an agreement with Apple to port CodeWarrior tools

to the "Rhapsody' operating system.  In related news, Metrowerks has also

signed an agreement with Philips to provide Trimedia processor support in

future versions of CodeWarrior. [iNews]



Apple is now shipping their Apple VideoPhone Kit for LANS and 28.8 modem

access. [iNews]



Live Picture and Apple have announced collaborative development plans to

add Live Picture's FlashPix image file format to Apple's QuickTime Media

Layer (QTML) for Mac OS and Windows. [iNews]



Fujitsu has announced a new family of 1200-dpi workgroup laser printers

that support the Mac OS. [iNews]



Nissan Motor Company in Japan has announced that their mixture of 8,000

PCs and Apple Mac OS machines will be switched over to Windows-based PCs.

Nissan reportedly had 3,500 Macintosh systems.  [Farcast via Mainichi

Shimbun]



Apple Computer India is reportedly in the process of upgrading their

Banalore service warehouse and increasing support to the more than 40

MacService Associates centers in India. [Farcast]



** INTERNET **



Microsoft has joined The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) "giving interoperable

geographic information systems a quantum leap forward."  [Farcast]





Advertising Notes

-----------------



If you are interested in advertising in NewtNews please send email to:

<newtnews@pobox.com>.  NewtNews is freeware because of the advertisers

that support this effort, and we appreciate their support.



When you purchase products from NewtNews vendors please mention that you

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-------------------------------



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  - SYNC+: Dates to Schedule+ 1.0 or 7.0

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* NEW! 7th Volume of the Totally Incomplete PDA CD-ROM for Newton! This

CD-ROM from AMUG CD, Inc. contains over 1800 packages, and 590 megs in

Mac and PC format. 2.0 & 1.x Packages can be downloaded directly from the

CD to your MessagePad. Maximize your Newton experience! $29 + S/H. Call

AMUG 602.497-2244, or email <sales@amug.org> to order! See our Newton CD

web page at <http://cdrom.amug.org/>.



* BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY PACKAGES FROM PELICANWARE

   All packages for Newton 2.0 OS - Upgrades also available.

 - QUICKFIGURE PRO 3.0: Spreadsheet application  $59.95

 - NEWTCASE 3.0: The Ultimate Utility Suite  $49.95

 - NOTION 1.5: High Performance List Manager  $59.95

 - AVAILWORKS 2.0: Text, spreadsheets, drawing, and graphing $79.95.

All from PELICANWARE.  For more details email: <info@pelicanware.com>,

vox: 503-221-1148, fax: 503-221-8709, or <http://www.pelicanware.com>.



* Create Newton books with text, graphics, tables, links and forms from

HTML with Newt's Cape. Browse web pages via NIE or email. Customize

with embedded NewtonScript. View GIF graphics on your Newton or convert

on desktop (Mac/Win). Save books as packages on your Newton. For

software and info: <http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/newtscape.html>

<weyer@netaxs.com> or <grs124@psu.edu>. Shareware: $35.



* CATAMOUNT SOFTWARE offers the following:

   - POCKETMONEY assists you in balancing your checking, savings,

       credit card and loan accounts. Export and import transactions

       to Quicken, MYM and other desktop based program.

   - NAMIGATOR gives rapid access to Names. I know, I have over 3000.

   - MPG helps you keep your vehicle records in order. Track fuel

       economy, record mileage for tax purposes, schedule repeating

       vehicle maintenance items for multiple vehicles.

   - SILK makes your MP130 GLOW. Floating silk screen palette so

       the built-in buttons can be seen in the dark.

For more information call 802-863-5256, email <info@catamount.com>, or

visit our web site <http://www.catamount.com>.



* NEW BILLS TO PAY PRO 3.5 Rated 4.5 by Gecko Magazine! Now available

in German! For NOS 2.0. Includes support for stationery, enhanced

overview, and new printing options! Easily track bills and expenses;

create budget projections; and set alarms to remind you of bills coming

due. Send bill info to Pocket Quicken or Pocket Money. $39.95+S&H

MAR Software at: <info@marsoftware.com> or <http://www.marsoftware.com>.



* Newt. Learn object-oriented programming with NewtonScript, develop

applications and save packages directly on your Newton with the Newt

Development Environment. Registered users receive support, tutorials,

beta versions, 200+ source examples, tools, plug-ins, 80+ pp. manual.

Shareware: $49.50. For software, FAQ and registration info:

<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.html> or <weyer@netaxs.com>



* PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions. Our stylus

upgrades for your MessagePad are the ultimate in writing comfort and

control. Screen-safe writing tip guaranteed for life.

 - Telescoping styli for all Newtons in Black-Chrome, Gold & Sterling.

 - The "Duo" multi-function stylus/ball pen or pencil combo. With

   "EasyView" orange tip.

 - The "Beacon" LED lighted-tip stylus. Functional, slim and  elegant.

 - Low-cost Stick Styli. Custom Stylus Solutions for VARs/OEMs.

More info or Visa/MasterCard orders at: 800.270.7196, FAX: 516.467.6329,

Int'l: 516.467.4042, or visit our Web site: <http://www.pdapanache.com>



* INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON is your mobile data collection solution for

Inspection forms, Health Care forms ... in fact, for any forms you use!

Design custom forms on your Macintosh with Informed Designer (included).

Then, fill out your forms on the Newton quickly and accurately using

automatic defaults, choice lists, calculations and signatures.  Finally,

send completed forms directly to Informed Manager on your desktop for

further processing.  For a limited time when you mention this ad, you'll

receive both Informed Filler for Newton AND Informed Manager (for

desktop integration) for $99US (SRP $390US).  Contact Shana Corp. at:

800.386.7244, email: <info@shana.com> or WWW: <http://www.shana.com>





MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report

----------------------------------



** SOME INTERESTING DETAILS **



Eric Basham <eric_basham@om.cv.hp.com> reported the following interesting

tidbits from his MacWorld experiences of stopping by the Apple Newton

Demo and NTK booths:



    - MessagePad 2000 is commonly called the 'MP2K'

    - release date is late Mar97

    - cost will be under US$1000

    - slightly less heap available on the MP2K then

      the MessagePad 130

    - the built-in word processor in the MP2K and

      the eMate 300 appears to have more features

      then Windows CE's Word Lite

    - MP2K uses a 9-volt power supply

    - handwriting recognition (HWR) is much better

      on the MP2K: mostly faster and able to

      recognized connected letters

    - the silk-screen bar is customizable



** HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEWTON RELATED BOOTHS **



PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT <http://www.pdadirect.com> had a good deal of

Newton stuff for sale.  The other cool thing about their booth is that

they 'sub-contract' out space to developers so that they can show off

their stuff and try and generate interest in their products.  This model

seems to work pretty well.



PowerMedia <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi> was showing off their suite

of Newton solutions including: Back Drop Plus; Control Panel; Super

NotePad; DateMan 3.0:; Stationary Construction Kit; FAX Cover Creator;

Order From; Speed; Arcade Pack; and Vitamin A.



Balcones Software <http://www.balconessoftware.com> was showing off the

latest shipping version of Leverage 2.0.  They are also reportedly busy

putting the finishing touches on version 3.0.  Leverage can 'easily'

synchronize with FileMaker Pro on the Mac OS and with Microsoft Access on

Windows.



Keep It Simple Systems (KISS) <http://wildwestweb.com> had their Luna

Solar System on display for the Newton.  This device can run, with very

little direct sunlight, a non-backlit Newton all day long without using

any battery power.  KISS also has solar panels for PowerBooks and for

camcorders.



Digital Gourmet for the Newton was being sold by TeleTypsetting for US$19

(some US$30 off retail price).  TeleTypsetting was also showing off their

Newton GPS solutions.  For more info check out: <http://www.teletype.com>.



PowerBox <http://www.powerbox.fr> from France was also at the show.  They

were giving demos of their database solution that links 4th Dimension to

the Newton.



Newer Technologies <http://www.newertech.com> have a 33.6-Kbps serial

fax/modem that can run off a Mac's ADB port or a battery pack to be used

with a Newton or Duo.  The actual units are built by 3JTech and you can

get more information about them by checking out: <http://www.a3j.com.tw>.



Tenba <http://www.tenba.com> has several Newton carrying cases, including

several for older units.  The latest design -- C30 Tenba Newton Hand Pak

(US$100) -- lets you use your Newton while it held in padded protection.



DataPath Systems <datapath@earthlink.com> was showing their bar code

reader solutions: InPath MobileWand 400 Bar Code Reader and the MS-400

MobileScan Hand Held Laser for Newtons.



NewtNews did get to see a demo of Production Magic's Shot Logger for the

Newton.  This wireless system uses a Newton and a Timecode receiver card

to communicate and log film and video footage from a Timecode transceiver

attached to a camera.  After shooting in the field, a film editing staff

can then upload the data collected from the Newton to their nonlinear

editing system.  This functionality saves a production a great deal of

time and money.  For more info check out: <http://www.productionmagic.com>.



ARDIS <http://www.ardis.com> is now offering two-way wireless messaging

using the Motorola PM-100D wireless modem and your Newton.  Pricing

starts at US$19.95 a month for 20-KB of data usage and goes up to

US$189.95 for 750-KB of data usage.  Each KB over is charged US$0.54.

There is a US$500 charge for the Motorola modem, and US$99 per unit

one-time activation fee.  It should noted that there are no long distance

or roaming charges in the US.



Klear Screen <http://www.klearscreen.com> was demoing their 'anti-static

formula' for PowerBook and Newton screens.  Klear Screen is suppose to

reduce "surface abrasion, resists fingerprints, and dramatically extends

LCD screen life."



RoadRunner Tracks was also demoing their "Barrier" membrane for the

MessagePad line.  There is a 'new' barrier for the MessagePad 130 that

installs 'even easier' and has a 'better' feel then previous Barriers.

For more information check out: <http://www.losalamos.com/roadrunner>.



** OTHER TIDBITS **



The color handout ads for the eMate 300 are very good.  Apple will more

than likely sell a ton of these units in the schools.  An even bigger

demand could come from the consumer markets though.  There was also one

of the eMate demo units in the Apple Pavilion that was clear plastic.



PORT <http://www.portinc.com> have a host of mobile products including

some unique security locking devices; phone travel connection packs;

portable presentation devices; and batteries.



AlphaSmart Pro <http://www.alphasmart.com> has a unique portable device

that you enter and edit text on, and it saves your text data in 8 storage

files (up to 128-Kbytes total).  It comes with a small 4-line by

40-character LCD display, weighs 2.0 lbs, and will run for 200 hours

using 2 AA batteries.



Richochet <http://www.ricochet.net> wireless service areas have expanded

a great deal in the last year.  They now have services (which the Newton

can use) in the Washington D.C Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the

Seattle Area.



There were two Newton conference sessions at the show.  NewtNews missed

the first one because of scheduling conflicts, but the second one, hosted

by MacWeek journalist Andy Gore, was very good.  Andy had Newton System

Group engineers demo the eMate 300 and the MessagePad 2000.  It was very

informative, and it was interesting to see the designers and engineers of

a product show off their product.





Comments from the Editor

------------------------



** SOME MUCH BETTER ADVERTISING NEWS **



Not many handheld ads to be found of late in the major technology

magazines except surpisingly from Apple.  Apple has their 'MP130 with

Win2Go' ad in InfoWorld published on 06Jan97 and in Information Week

published on 06Jan97; and their 'MP130 -- Go through life with less

baggage' in MacWeek published on 06Jan97.  There are also MP130 ads in

the latest MacUser and MacWorld!



While the above is great, Apple also needs to spend some money getting

ads in those airline magazines.  These are notoriously full of handheld

solutions ads.  I get at least three emails a week from NewtNews readers

who fly often who report never seeing Newton ads in these magazines.



It should be noted though that Casio has a Cassiopeia ad, and Fujitsu has

a Stylistic ad in Information Week published on 06Jan97.  Still it is

pretty impressive when Apple runs ads in a host of weekly/monthly

technology magazines during the same week.



** NASTY COLD **



I am under the weather at the moment.  I must have caught a nasty cold

virus in San Francisco last week.  Hope to be feeling better by the next

published issue scheduled for: 28Jan97 (#128).  Next week expect an

updated Supplement issue.





Administrivia

-------------



NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.

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This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: Mac World San

Francisco 1997; Hayley, Rachel, and Marty's house warming party; and

great AFC and NFC championship games.  BTW ... if you live in Detroit and

are a Lion's fan ... FYI ... you just got a great football coach.



Disclaimer:  I am doing this on my own time, and on my own hardware

***********  and software not the government's or my employer's.