NewtNews-131-25Feb97

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



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:



 + 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>



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

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



 + VITAMIN A MENU EDITOR - Stand Alone has released it's custom and caret

   menu editor and creator! - Demo at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>



 + 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>



 + 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, 17Feb96 thru 23Feb97

 8. INNOVATION, 03FEB97

 9. Dear Newton Developer

10. Other Sources of Information

11. News Agent Summary

12. Advertising Notes

13. Product and Service Information

14. Guest Opinions

15. Comments from the Editor

16. Administrivia





Top News

--------



** MP2K AND EMATE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED **



Apple officially announced at MacWorld Tokyo 1997 that the MessagePad

2000 and the eMate 300 will be shipping in the United States in March

1997.  The MP2K will ship in Europe, Japan, and Australia in April 1997.



A single eMate will cost US$759, or they can be purchased in packages of

8 for US$699 per unit.  A MP2K without a keyboard and software bundle

will sell for under US$1000, and a 'bundled' MP2K will retail for under

US$1100.



[EDITOR: Monday, 24Mar97 is the expected MP2K availability date.]



** NEW PROJECT MANAGER FOR NEWTON **



Sine of the Times has announced that they are now shipping their US$69.95

BluePrint 1.2 -- a project management solution for Newton 2.0 with the

following features:



    - multiple projects

    - task outlining

    - start & finish date relations

    - completion bars, priorities, notes

    - automatic time scheduling

    - printing & faxing



For more information check out: <http://www.sineware.com> or send an

email to: <sales@sineware.com> or call: 888.SineWare or 519.725.6520.



** NEW NEWTON WEB SITE **



Jeff Wright <wrightad@airmail.net> reports the creation of a new Newton

specific Web site that he hopes will become a favorite place to visit for

NewtNews readers.  You can check out the site via the following URL:

<http://www.fw3.com/newtworld>.





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

  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

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



** SHORT REPORT FROM HIMSS'97 CONFERENCE **



Joseph Wagner <jwagner@mich.com> was kind enough to forward to NewtNews

his thoughts on what was interesting at the recent HIMSS '97 conference

held in San Diego, California.  Apple did have a small booth at the

conference, but it was nearly totally focused on the Newton (MP130, MP2K,

and eMate 300).  The booth was staffed with representatives of companies

who are building medical solutions for the Newton along with several

Newton evangelists.  PocketDoc by Physix was one of the solutions being

shown on the MP2K along with a version on a Windows CE device, and a

Win95 enabled Fujitsu PC tablet computer.  Joseph (as a MP120 user) was

extremely impressed with his 'test drive' of the MP2K, and also found the

form factor to be better than his MP120.



** WHAT IS UP IN THE STYLUS WORLD? **



Paul Schiller <panache@li.net> reported some "PDA Panache 97" news to

NewtNews.  Here is a short summary of Newton related news: a MessagePad

2000 stylus alternative is in the works, and they some new stylus inserts

for Cross and for Mont Blanc pens.  These new inserts feature a 'safety'

retractable tip that gets 'engaged' if you press to hard.  It should also

be noted that PDA Panache has: Pilot, Windows CE, and 'generic' styluses

also available.



** REVIEW OF CLUBPDA SPECIALS **



ClubPDA List <clubpdalist@list.pacbus.com> runs specials on a weekly

basis.  In the past they have had 'software deals' on PelicanWare's

QuickFigure Pro, Ascribe's Newt Tools; Balcones' Leverage 2.0; and

LandWare's proCALC.  ClubPDA has also announced a major price reduction

on their current stock of MP120s from their list price of US$439 to

US$299.  The product number for the is deal is: #A102-1214.  For more

information about how to get in on these deals and for general

information about ClubPDA check out: <http://www.clubpda.com> or send an

email to: Chris Parker <Chrisp2@pacbus.com>.



** FOLLOW UP TO ANIMAL TRACKING STORY **



Last issue NewtNews relayed a story about a research project using

Newtons to help track animals in the Karoo Desert in South Africa. It

turns out that this Newton application was completely written in NS BASIC,

and was the 3rd place winner in the NS BASIC's recent programming contest.



** OTHER NS BASIC CONTEST WINNERS **



George Henne <gh@nsbasic.com> reports that the 1st and 2nd place winners

of the NS BASIC Programing contest are:



    - Courtney Teska's "Biology Field Research: Water

      Temperature in Cup Plants"

    - Jonathan 'Kip' Knight's "ARM Disassembler"



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



** MORE CDW MP2K INFORMATION **



Bruce Modell <BRUCMOD@cdw.com> reports strong demand for pre-orders for

the MessagePad 2000.  He also reports that the CDW price for the MP2K

without the Keyboard has been adjusted down to US$940.  For more

information about pre-ordering your Newton from CDW contact Bruce by

phone at: 800-400-4239 x.8219 or send email to: <BRUCMOD@cdw.com>.



** EUROPEAN NEWTON DATABASE **



Anthony Matthews <businet@pacificnet.net> reports that Laurent Ruben the

European Product Assistant in the Newton System Group is trying to build

a database of Newton software and hardware accessories solutions.  Please

send the following pieces of information -- Name of the product; Trade

mark of the product; Name of the distributor; Distributor's country;

Phone number; Email; Web link; and Average price -- to the following

email address: <L.ruben@euro.apple.com>.



** SOME JAPANESE NEWTON INFORMATION **



Michael Ruttley <100015.3557@compuserve.com> reports that you should be

able to find the Japanese system patch for Newton 2.0 units via this URL:

<http://www2.apple.co.jp/FTP-database/reference/MessagePad130-2.0-J.HTML>.



Robert Kawaratani <bobk@gol.com> reports that the Newton Shop in Tokyo

was taking reservations for the Japanese capable version of the MP2K at

MacWorld Tokyo Expo 1997 last week.



** SMALL KEYBOARD POINTER **



A while back NewtNews had a reference article about a new small keyboard

created by MIT's David Levy.  You can get more information about this Sub

Miniature Ergonomic Keyboard via the following URL:

<http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/org/i/invent/www/levy.html>.



[EDITOR: If anyone has more information about this device or other

devices that Levy is working on, please forward the information to me.

Thanks!]



** ANOTHER SOURCE FOR COMMENTS AND FOR ORDERS **



Ray George <digsol@ovnet.com> reports that you can also send comments

about why the Newton is important technology to Apple's management via:

<leadership@apple.com>.  Ray would also like to let NewtNews readers know

that his company Digital Solutions is also taking backorders for the

MessagePad 2000 via: 800.272.8552 or you can send email to:

<digsol@ovnet.com>.  The 'pure' MP2K is listed as US$949, and the

'spreadsheet, keyboard, case' version of MP2K is US$1099.



** ANOTHER NEW SITE AND NEW NEWTON REFERENCE BOOK **



Chris <jfrost@hiwaay.net> reports that he has posted a new book to a new

site about the Newton.  The book is a complete list of Newton errors that

you might encounter along with a description.   The site can be found at:

<http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jfrost>.



** MORE RUSSIAN NEWTON NEWS **



Alex <fuzeev@maccentre.ru> reports that Paragraph's FreeStyle is now

available from his company MacCentre Company for Russian users.  If you

purchase a Newton from MacCentre you will get a free pre-installed

version of Cyrillic Freestyle on your Newton.  For more information check

out: <http://www.newton.ru>.



** UPDATE ON NEWTON USER GROUPS **



Christoph Haas <2haas@informatik.uni-hamburg.de> reports the creation of

a new German Usergroup with a 'German-only' savvy World Wide Web page at:

<http://ww.ap-connect.com/newton>.



NWNUG (NorthWest Newton User Group) is the "Suburban Chicago land" Newton

User Group (NUG).  The group meets every 1st Tuesday of every month and

currently has a 25 member base.  You can get more information by

contacting Steve Kramer at: <stevenkr99@aol.com>.



Jeff Fabijanic <jeff@spdcc.com> reports that their have been several

changes to the The Boston PDA Users Group and to Newton Programmers

Collective (NPC).  The Boston PDA Users Group meets in at MIT (Cambridge,

MA) in RM 3-1333 at 7p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  The NPC meets

in the same room on the 4th Tuesday of each month.  You can get more

information by sending email to Jeff or by calling: 617.983.3056.



** SOLAR POWERED NEWTON ADD-ON **



Keep It Simple Systems <darrel@wildwestweb.com> has announced that they

are now shipping their US$99 Luna II solar charging unit for the Newton.

This device is a highly efficient polycrystalline solar panel, integrated

into a stand-alone carrying case that is compact, and lightweight.  The

Luna II provides 1.8 watts of solar energy (160 mA at 7.5 volts - equal

to the output of Apple's AC Adapter for the Newton), the Luna II augments

the power of the internal battery when the MessagePad is running, and as

a battery charger when the Newton is turned off.  When assisting the

internal battery, the panel will extend the users runtime from 100% to

700% (depending on power consumption of the MessagePad, and other,

environmental considerations).  This allows a user of a MessagePad and a

LUNA II to attain nearly unlimited runtime from their Newton, no matter

how far they are from an AC outlet.  For more information call: 406.442.3434

or 800.327.6882; or fax: 406.457.0460.



** NEWTON CONNECTIVITY TO LOTUS NOTES **



Rob Colver <rcolver@commontime.com> reports that his company CommonTime

has announced a new Newton connectivity solution, called Cadenza, that

enables a mobile Newton user to interact with Lotus Notes.  Release 1 of

Cadenza is expected by the end of Q1'97.  The software will initially

support: access to Notes, searching Notes views, and downloading select

files.  The next iteration of Cadenza is expected to support: Notes forms

to Newton stationary translation.  For more information please check out:

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



** NEWTON VT100 EMULATOR IN BETA TESTING **



Sanjay S Vakil <sanj@mit.edu> has announced the v0.95b release of "PT100"

for Newton 2.0 -- a VT100 emulator for the Newton that supports modem and

serial sessions.  PT100 will retail for US$25 and you can get more

information by checking out at: <http://www.scrawlsoft.com> or sending

email to: <help@scrawlsoft.com>.



** ADDING DRAM TO THE MP2K **



The rumor mill is stirring up the potential news that Newer Technology

maybe offering DRAM upgrades for the MessagePad 2000 -- making it

possible to have an MP2K with more than 9-MBs of internal storage on the

MP2K.



** ALL HIGHWAYS AVAILABLE WITH TELETYPE GPS **



TeleType GPS has announced the release of their "Highway Navigator"

feature for their Newton and Windows CE GPS software/hardware bundles.

Using new data overlay package with TeleType GPS moving map software lets

you gain access to all the U.S. Interstate highways as you use your GPS

receiver.  Pricing starts at US$549 and upgrades are available for

current customers.  For more information check out the following URL:

<http://www.teletype.com/gps/gpspr.html>; call: 888.TELETYPE or

617.734.9700; or FAX: 617.734.3974.



** WORKOUT UTILITY RELEASED **



Waverley Software Design has announced a new completely customizable

training journal called Workout Log for Newton 2.0.  The software lets

you track, graph, and summarize personal workout data including templates

for running, swimming, cycling and weight lifting.  The retail price for

this product is going to be US$59.  For more information contact Matt

Brown by email at: <WaverleySD@aol.com> or by phone at: 415.322.5356.



** NEW DEVELOPER TOOL **



Serg Koren <archimag@netaxs.com> has announced an open-beta of a new

US$35 shareware visual application development environment for Newton 2.0

called "VisualNewt."  The core feature of this product is to let you

design and draw a user interface with checkboxes, pickers, gaugues, etc.

... and then add the "guts of your application" by generating

NewtonScript that you can edit and modify.  VisualNewt can also interact

with Steve Weyer's Newt Development Environment (NDE).  This interaction

lets you create completely standalone Newton packages directly on your

Newton.  For more information please check out the following URL:

<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.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 World Wide Web

        at: <http://www.1stopsoft.com>?  AMIGO is available for

        US$24.95 and it comes with a full year of upgrades. For more

        information contact ACCSYS by email at: <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

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



** JOBS WANTS NEWTON OUT OF APPLE **



Rich Simons <richs1@tiac.net> reported on the USENET newsgroup

comp.sys.newton.misc that the recent issue of FORTUNE magazine has a

not-so-nice Newton mention on page 108 -- "[Steve] Jobs suggested that

Amelio dump the Newton hand-held computer, a John Sculley favorite."



** FTP UTILITY ANNOUNCED **



ceMis based in Brisbane, Australia has announced newtFTP -- a NIE savvy

FTP client released for the Newton MessagePad that lets you easily browse

packages and documents before creating a selected transferring session.

The software is expected to ship by Q2'97 and you can get more

information by check out: <http://www.cemis.com.au>.



** NEW NEWTON FTP SITE **



J. Leko <leko@ix.netcom.com> reports that the Tennessee Valley Newton

User Group has created a new anonymous FTP sites for Newton 1.x & 2.0

shareware and freeware via: <http://newton.uah.edu>.  For more info send

email to: <newton@newton.uah.edu>.



** FORM TOOL RELEASED **



Chris Heimark <CHeSSy@webleap.com> reports that FormIt for Newton and

Macintosh has been released.  This tool works with Notes Stationery and

with Newton Works that ships with Newton 2.1.  It is ideal for the

'non-programmer' to great form based solutions, and to upload collected

data to desktop systems.  A Windows hosted version will ship in May97.  A

30-day trail version has been posted to: <http://www.webleap.com>.  You can

also get more information by calling: 610.296.0549.



** NEW NEWS FROM SILVERWARE **



SilverWARE <info@silverware.com> recently made two announcements:



    - German version of MoreInfo 4.0

    - for US$49.95 users of other Newton contact

      managers can upgrade to MoreInfo 4.0 until

      31Mar97



SilverWARE is also the author of several other Newton products:



    - PowerNames: utility which provides instant

      access to your frequently used names

    - FlightRecorder: allows Newton users to record

      their plane flights within the Newton's built-in

      Date Book

    - AffiliatePlus: extends the built-in affiliate

      function in the Name File.



For more information check out: <http://www.silverware.com> or send an

email message to: <info@silverware.com>.  You can also reach SilverWARE

by phone at: 508.521.5262.



** INTERNET APPS UPDATED **



Serg Koren <archimag@netaxs.com> has posted a host of fixes to

Newt'sPaper (Newton USENET newsreader) and Newt'sWeather (Internet

weather information tracker) on 16Feb97.  For more information check out:

<http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/>.



** SITE POINTER FOR THE NEWTON BOOK OF NEWTNEWS **



Mark Richard Heringer <HeringerMR@pobox.com> reminds NewtNews readers

that you can download the Newton Book version of NewtNews from the

following site: <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/9987/>.



** NS BASIC NEEDS EXPERIENCED TESTERS **



George Henne at NS BASIC is looking for experienced NS BASIC testers who

will run their formal test suite on a host of systems.  You should have

at least the following qualifications:



    - An MP120 2.0, MP130, MP2K or eMate

    - Already using NS BASIC

    - Ability to describe what went wrong

    - A sharp eye

    - Lots of patience



before you consider sending email to: <gh@nsbasic.com> for more info.



** MULTIMEDIA ON YOUR NEWTON **



Lee Moon <leemoon@aol.com> has announced a Mac OS utility called PALMEDIA

Media Transfer 2.0 that allows you to send images (PICT & JPEG), movies

(QuickTime), and small System 7 sound files to the Newton. The software

users Steve Weyer's Slurpee (on the Newton) and HyperCard 2.x on the Mac

to complete the process.  PALMEDIA Media Transfer (Mac OS) is freeware.

PALMEDIA Player (Newton) has a $10 shareware fee.  For more information:

<http://members.aol.com/LeeMoon/>.



** SCREEN SNAPSHOT ON THE NEWTON **



Brian Hall <brian_hall@markspace.com> the developer of PageNOW! for the

Newton reports great success using Landware's X-Port to take screen

snapshots of his PageNOW! product.  To see the pictures checkout:

<http://www.markspace.com/pagenow_newton.html>.



** DIGITAL MAPS ON HANDHELDS **



There has been an interesting thread about "Urban Street Atlas" on USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.newton.misc.  If you are interested in this subject you

should check out HotBot <http://www.hotbot.com> or your favorite search

engine.



** NEWTON INTERNET ENABLER 1.1 POSTED **



Apple's Newton Internet Enabler (NIE) Version 1.1 for Newton 2.0 with

the following new TCP/IP capabilities:



    - Support for TCP and UDP protocols over PPP and SLIP

    - A domain name resolver

    - A dialer with scripting capability

    - Support for PAP and CHAP authentication



can be downloaded from the following site:



    - <http://devworld.apple.com/dev/newton/tools/nie.html>



** SOME UPDATED NEWTON LINKS **



A host of Newton sites have been updated lately.  Browse the following

links and learn a great deal about the Newton:



    - Newton Products and Solutions listed:

      <http://www.newton.apple.com/newton/newton.html>

    - The Newton Solutions Guide

      <http://www.jointsolutions.com/newton_3/>

    - Newton Reference

     <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>

    - NewtonCentral: <http://newton.theonly.com/>

    - Newton Modem list:

      <http://devworld.apple.com/dev/newton/commsoln/modsetup.html>

    - Win2Go [WinLinx in Germany]: <http://www.pica.de/winlinx/>

    - Filez search engine: <http://www.filez.com>

    - Newton Classifieds <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton/index.cgi>

    - Newton Doctor <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton/doctor/index.cgi>

    - Newton FAQ <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton/faq/>



[EDITOR: Information collected from posts to USENET newsgroups by Andrew

Plumb <Tekmage@io.com>, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Alan Yacavone

<yacavone@worldnet.att.net>, John Catlin <john@theonly.com>, and Smittie

<smittie@enfour.com>]



** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **



    - Wireless LAN Alliance: <http://www.wlana.com>

    - Konexx: <http://www.konexx.com>

    - TeleAdapt: <http://www.teleadapt.com>

    - Inmarsat: <http://www.inmarsat.org>

    - JFAX: <http://www.jfax.com>

    - CitySearch: <http://www.citysearch.com>

    - Lycos' Maps: <http://www.lycos.com/roadmap.html>

    - Yahoo's Maps: <http://maps.yahoo.com>

    - Vicinity: <http://www.mapblast.com>

    - Geosystems: <http://www.mapquest.com>

    - VISA Maps: <http://www.infonow.net/powersearch.html>

    - U.S. State Department Warnings:

      <http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html>

    - ParaSoft RunTimes: <http://www.parasoft.com/newsltr/janfeb97.htm>

    - RSAEuro: <http://www.sourcery.demon.co.uk/RSAEuro.htm>

    - Apple Library for Object Embedding (ALOE) DR1:

      <http://opendoc.apple.com/dev/ALOE/aloemain.html>





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

$ 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 continues to restructure executives and

      organizations.  Offers a host of new products.



** MAJOR TRENDS **



    - LDAP support: Netscape, Novell prep new products

    - Plastic Fiber: fast, flexible, and cost effective

    - Internet 'Push Technology' coming from all corners



** MINOR TRENDS **



    - Netscape and Microsoft seem to be compromising on

      some of the latest 'open standards'

    - eXtranet: business-to-business linking over the

      Internet, U.S. sales to boom from US$569.3 million

      to US$2.2 billion



** NOISE **



    - Death of ISDN? Telecos hint less support?

    - Death of the Browser?  Will it be 'Pushed' out?



** 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

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



** SAVE THE NEWTON, SELL THE NEWTON **



Henry Norr <henry@norr.com> has an article called "All we are saying is

give Newton a chance: Sell it!" on page 18 of MacWeek published on

17Feb97.  To read the complete article online check out the following

URL: <http://205.181.112.110/mw_1107/op_decade.html> or start at the top

of: <http://www.macweek.com> and work your way to Henry's column archive.



There is also a short mention of the Newton being on the "chopping block"

in an review article of the recent Apple reorganizations on page 10 of

InfoWorld published on 10Feb97.



** MP2K WIRELESS MENTION **



Merman Hehling has a MessagePad 2000 mention in the 17Feb97 edition of

Computer Reseller News on page 67.  The article is entitled "Wireless

Helps You Plug In: Remotely, of course, and with a vengeance and is

focused on the new growing trend for wireless connectivity in the

business environment with more emphasis on Internet/intranet access.

Some companies working on making this happen include: AT&T, RAM Mobile

Data, Apple, Metricom, and Pacific Communications Sciences, Inc. (PCSI).

The only 'handheld computer' mentioned in the article as being Web savvy

(email, HTML, GIF) is the new MessagePad 2000.  The article also has

details on: AT&T's CDPD service; Metricom's Ricochet wireless Internet

service; and PCSI's Personal Access Link (PAL).



** NEW PILOTS ON THE WAY **



U.S. Robotics is just about ready to announce two new Pilot based PDAs --

$299 PalmPilot Personal Edition, and $399 Professional Edition PalmPilot.

The differences are based on built-in software features.  The

Professional will offer TCP/IP and email functionality.  These new units

are also expected to support an 'external modem and Network HotSync

software.' [Mark Moore, PC Week, 10Feb97, page 6]



Jim Balderston had a quick review of DEMO 97 with similar news about the

new Pilot devices on page 3 of InfoWorld published on 10Feb97.  The

article also had a short mention of a WyndMail's new wireless email

software for Windows CE <http://www.wynd.com>.



** CLIP-ON PILOT MODEM FINDS NEW HOME **



Nikean Wireless Devices had previously announced a 'snap-on' wireless

modem called 'Minstreal' for the Pilot PDA, but has run into funding

problems.  So, NovAtel Wireless has picked up the product and expects to

have this CDPD savvy device available by Jul97. [Mark Moore, PC Week,

10Feb97, page 6]



** WINDOWS CE MOBILEPRO MENTION **



Short blurb on page 44 of Computer Reseller News published on 10Feb97 has

some details about NEC's Windows CE HPC called the MobilePro 200 (2-MB

RAM, US$499) and the MobilePro 400 (4-MB RAM, US$649).



** SYMANTEC's PCANYWHERE OF WINDOWS CE **



Symantec (800.441.7234) was showing off their pcAnyWhere CE software

product at the recent DEMO 97 conference held in Indian Wells,

California.  This 'remote-access' software for Windows CE should make it

easier for HPC users to access via remote links their office based

servers and applications the same way that desktop and laptop PC users

can.  Other features include: remote-control, and text-transfer.

Symantec is also considering porting their ezZoom and ezScroll products

to Windows CE.  The 'solution' will require a client and a server

application and will retail for US$80.  A client-only version will cost

US$40.



** OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST **



    - "Smart Phones Get Smarter: Handhelds due this

       year from major vendors will integrate digital

       cellular voice with advanced data capabilities" by

       Mark Moore, PC Week, 10Feb97, page 18

    - "Acorn's Modular Galileo OS Due for Network

       Computers" by Lisa DiCarlo, PC Week, 10Feb97, page

       44

    - "REVIEW: SkyTel SkyWriter Two-Way Pager Is Much

       Improved" by Matt Kramer, PC Week, 10Feb97, page

       78

    - "NetPCs ease cost woes: new features help with

       centralized management" by Jeff Bliss, Computer

       Reseller News, 10Feb97, page 7

    - "Handheld market gets storage muscle" (SanDisk,

       Philips, Iomega) by Kelly Spang, Computer Reseller

       News, 10Feb97, page 125

    - "Cellular callers to dial up Internet using PDA

       features: Mobile Web access on the way" by Ilan

       Greenberg, InfoWorld, 10Feb97, page TW/1

    - "Smart-Card Readers: Latest smart cards get

       friendlier with PCs" by Chris Jones, InfoWorld,

       17Feb97, page 8





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

   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 **



Daniel Griffiths <dpg100@york.ac.uk> has posted Addbit v2.00 for the

Psion which allows for multiple bitmaps to .pic files via the following

site: <http://www.york.ac.uk/~dpg100/silicon/addbit.htm>.



PSynn83165 <psynn83165@aol.com> has posted version 1.4a of the conversion

utility conver3a.  For more info: <http://members.aol.com/psynn83165>.



Jim Pollock <jpollock@ix.netcom.com> has a new DOS based IR file transfer

solution called IRSEND fore the Siena/3c.  To download the software check

out: <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/3947/>.



Martin Dunstan <mnd@dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk> has released a Psion savvy

family tree program called Geni 1.20.  The software is GEDCOM friendly.

For more info: <http://www-theory.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~mnd/export/geni/>.



Andy Clarkson <Andrew.Clarkson@Smallworld.co.uk> has posted Plan 4.2 for

the Psion via: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/andyc>.  This

new iteration supports: task details, resource details, dependencies,

calculation of task end dates, Gantt & PERT charts, and cost estimating.



Alan Roberts <alanr@rd.bbc.co.uk> has posted a demo of his UK$10 Bell

Ringing program (version 2.30) for the Psion 3a/3c via the USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.psion.binaries.



Al <alanrichey@aol.com> has announced the v1.9 release of his personal

accounts suite called S3ABANK for the Psion.  This version has over 40

enhancements over v1.8, and can be downloaded via the following URL:

<http://members.aol.com/alanrichey>.



Ian Penson <ianpenson@enterprise.net> has created a Psion 3A and Windows

solution to aid designers of Public Address installations by calculating

sound pressure levels and line losses for a range of speakers and cable

sizes stored in updateable databases.  The software is called PATools and

can be downloaded via: <http://homepages.enterprise.net/ianpenson>.



Ronald Queloz <qlz@siemens.ch> has put the finishing touches on v1.3.10

of his vacation/leave tracking tool called VacTrac for the Psion.  You can

get it via: <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/3591/>.



** PILOT **



Iain Barclay <isb@pobox.com> has posted version 0.5 of his Pilot savvy

SimpleTerm utility via: <http://www.pobox.com/~isb/pilot.htm>.  Iain is

still working on VT100 support, but has added support for a host of baud

rates in this version.



Olivier Meirhaeghe <olivier.meirhaeghe@smartcode.fr> reports that

Smartcode Software <http://www.smartcodesoft.com> has released their

Internet-savvy email package called HandStamp 2.0 for the U.S. Robotics's

Pilot PDAs.  This new version is a free upgrade to v1.0 customers and

should be available for download by 24Feb97.



On the rumor mill side of things, the Pilot Pen Company is 'reportedly'

in the lawsuit mode with a major trademark infringement suit in the works

against U.S. Robotics for the Pilot trademark.  Not sure what the legal

merits of the case are but some 'developers' have been referring to the

U.S. Robotics' Pilot as the "The Device Formally Known As A Word That Also

Describes A Person Flying An Airplane" or 'TDFKAAWTADAPFAA' for short.



Palmeta Software is now shipping their Pilot email savvy solution called

Palmeta Mail v1.5.  You can download a 30-day demo via the following URL:

<http://www.palmeta.com/>.  The retail price of Palmeta Mail is under

US$40.  For more information send an email to: <lelija@palmeta.com>.



** WINDOWS CE **



NEC has started to heavily advertise their MobilePro HPC with their 2MB

product retailing for US$499.  This HPC is powered by the NEC VR 4101

processor.  For more information call: 888.306.4636.



Philips has also started their major ad campaign for their 'small' HPC

called the Velo 1.  This unit includes a built-in modem and weighs less

than a pound.  For more info: 888-FOR-VELO or <http://www.velo1.com>.



Looking for Windows CE handwriting recognition software?  Many folks are

reporting the CIC's Jot <http://www.cic.com> does a very good general

letter-by-letter recognition.  There are also at least two other products

on the horizon -- one called SmartWriter (shipping) and the other

Calligrapher (in beta testing).



Microsoft has posted a host of Windows CE 'Power Toys' to the following

site: <http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/hpc/software/default.htm>.  You

also might be able to find some interesting things posted to this other

site: <http://www.windowsce.com>.



Nigel Ballard <pelham123@pobox.com> recently posted several tidbits of

information worth a mention -- expect a European specific mention

regarding Windows CE at CeBIT, and the folks responsible for the cursive

handwriting recognition engine for the Newton, Paragraph, have a Windows

CE HWR solution coming soon.  For a ton of good info check out Nigel's

WWW page at: <http://www.pobox.com/~pelham123>.



** MAGIC CAP **



Brenda Holloway <brendah@CYBERGAL.COM> recently reported making some

changes to her Magic Cap stuff posted to the World Wide Web via:

<http://www.mbay.net/~brendah/articles/>.



Dean Yu <dean@genmagic.com> recently responded to a question on USENET

newsgroup comp.os.magic-cap about the possibility of Magic Cap 1.x

applications running on Rosemary (codename for the next iteration of

Magic Cap).  In summary, it appears that since Rosemary runs on a

different CPU, that Magic Cap 1.x applications are not binary compatible

and will need to be 'ported' to Rosemary.



** OTHER **



Presentations magazine published in Feb97 has a small article about the

new Ricoh G-1200S 4.4 pound tablet PC powered by an Intel 486DX2/50-MHz

CPU.  For more information check out: <http://www.ricoh.com>.



Randolph Wicks <wicks@commedia.smsu.edu> suggests that those interested

in running Linux on a PDA check out the HP200LX and the following links:

    - <http://www.linux.org.uk/Linux8086.html

    - <ftp://ftp.linux.org.uk/pub/linux/8086

    - <ftp://shadow.cabi.net/pub/ELKS



Amanda Walker <amanda@intercon.com> has an interesting IBM PC-110 WWW page

at: <http://walker.reston.va.us:8080/pc110/>.



Chris Mumford <cmumford@airmail.net> has posted the US$5 shareware

application called hp48 Explorer 1.1 -- a utility for transferring files

between Windows 95/NT and HP48 Series calculator.  To download

<ftp://ftp.paradigmsim.com/pub/outgoing/hp48>.



Seamus Waldron<seamus_waldron@cix.compulink.co.uk> has converted the

following built-in PC-110 modules: ToDo list, Address Book, and Scheduler

to English from Japanese.  For more information about this project check

out: <http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~seamus-waldron/pc110_misc.html#pw>.



An interesting thread with some potential was started recently on USENET

newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops by <fao@moore.uk.sun.com>.  The Subject: for

these posts contains "PDA_WAR CHAPTER" with the Chapters 1 and 2 posted

recently.  For more info do a search via HotBot <http://www.hotbot.com>

or use your own favorite search engine.



Harold Goldner <hgoldner@concentric.net> reports that those folks

interested in a Sharp Zaurus SDK check out the CompuServe's Zaurus Forum

for a product called "Pili".



Simon 'Gadget Man' Coulthurst <gman@globalnet.co.uk> aka 'Gadget Man'

answered a question recently on USENET newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops with

details about some of the 'weaknesses' he found in the Nokia 9000 -- no

global search, no search in Diary/Organizer, and no delete/archive in

Diary (all deleting has to be manual).



Here are two 'recently updated' PDA/Handheld savvy sites:

    - The Palmtop Network: <http://www.palmtop.net/~craig/>

    - PDA Central: <http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin/pda>





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

  K2 consultants, Inc. has the best Medical titles for Newton. Just out is

  Dr. Ferri's popular book for internists with special offers! Get the hit

  references like Lexi-Comp Drug Handbook, 5 Min. Clin Consult, Archimedes

  Programmable Calculator, etc.  KJV Bible, Ole spanish translator & more,

  all working with our renowned ART engine. See ART make a big splash at

  <http://www.skyscape.com/k2> or <http://www.1stopsoft.com> for info/sales.

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





Edupage, 17Feb96 thru 23Feb97

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



** SPEEDING UP OF HTTP PROTOCOL **



The World Wide Web Consortium in Cambridge, Mass., an industry

standards-setting group, says that a redesign of the http protocol that

has been the basis of the Web since 1990 will speed up downloads by two

to eight times.  Browsers supporting the new H.T.T.P./1.1 protocol will

be available in the spring.  (New York Times 17 Feb 97)



** COMPANIES NOT RUSHING TO THE INTERNET **



A Deloitte & Touche survey of almost 1,500 companies around the world

found that the overwhelming majority have no plans to use the Internet

for business transactions, and only one in 20 companies polled conduct

business via the Internet.  (Toronto Globe & Mail 18 Feb 97)



** EXPERIMENT SHOWS STUDENTS DO BETTER ONLINE **



A sociology professor at California State University at Northridge

conducted his own experiment to test online learning, randomly dividing

his statistics class in half, and teaching one half by lecture and the

other half by Web assignments, online discussion groups and e-mail.  The

students who'd been banned from the physical classroom scored an average

of 20% higher than those who'd attended in-person.  "The motivation for

doing this was to provide some hard, experimental evidence that didn't

seem to exist anywhere," says the prof, who plans to expand his research

to determine whether the online students performed better because they

spent more time collaborating with their classmates, or because of the

online format of the class.  (Chronicle of Higher Education 21 Feb 97)



** TELEDESIC LOOKS AT SCALING BACK **



Teledesic Corp., the high-profile, $9-billion satellite communications

project backed by cellular magnate Craig McCaw and computer mogul Bill

Gates, is exploring options to scale back its 840-satellite system,

beginning initially with just 288 "birds." The satellites will occupy a

low-Earth orbit, 400-700 miles above the Earth, circling in 12 orbital

planes or "rings," with 24 satellites in each ring. A spokesman for

Teledesic says the company "has not altered" its original plan, but may

start off with a more modest arrangement.  (Wall Street Journal 19 Feb

97)



** SOFTWARE PIRACY ESTIMATED AT $4 BILLION **



According to provisional data released Feb. 13 by the Business Software

Alliance and the Software Publishers Association, software company losses

due to international piracy totaled around $4 billion last year.  The

data shows China ranking number one in illegal copying of programs,

followed by Brazil, Russia, Italy and Canada. (BNA Daily Report for

Executives 14 Feb 97)



** HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS **



Israel-based New Media Communications has licensed its high-speed

wireless modems to CellularVision Technology & Telecommunications, which

plans a commercial rollout of its wireless communications service in

Manhattan in about six months.  The modems, which are linked to little

6-inch-by-6-inch antennas, can download at speeds up to 54 megabits per

second, although users won't be able to take advantage of those speeds

right away.  Most of today's PCs can handle only about 10 megabits per

second, but as technology improves, the higher capacity will come in

handy, say CellularVision execs. The modems use local multipoint

distribution service technology to provide connectivity.  (Business Week

24 Feb 97)



** PASSWORD-SHARING THWARTS WEB REVENUES **



Web entrepreneurs who charge subscription fees for accessing their Web

sites are finding their customers are passing along their passwords to

friends, relatives, etc., thus diminishing Web operators' potential for

making their venture pay off.  "Everybody on the Internet who sell

subscriptions has this problem to one degree or another," says a producer

for SportsZone.  A technical fix is possible, but Web site operators are

reluctant to make things more difficult for legitimate subscribers to log

on.  Meanwhile, Internet Billing offers software that allows Web sites to

limit how many times the same password may be used each day -- a solution

that would probably keep some of the piracy down, but runs the risk of

alienating paying customers who just want to log on a lot.  (Wall Street

Journal 21 Feb 97)





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

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

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





INNOVATION, 03FEB97

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



** TRENDS: MANAGING THE CUSTOMER ASSET **



The CEO of Vantive Corp., which makes software that integrates

information from marketing, help desks and field services to provide

accurate and up-to-date customer profiles, says successful customer asset

management will separate the winners from the losers in the coming years:

 "The problem that we see in business today is that there are two trends

taking place.  One is that the cost of acquiring new customers is

increasing.  At the same time, the Harvard Business Review tells us that

over the next five years the average corporation will lose half its

customers.  That's a prescription for disaster.  What we think is the

fundamental transition that's taken place over the last four years is

that business relationships are transaction-based.  You call up an 800

number and you speak to somebody and they treat you as the 92nd

transaction.  In contrast, some companies, like Lands' End... manage

their customer asset.  If you call them up, and you've done business with

them before, you don't even have to give them a customer number.  They

know who you are by your phone number.  They can answer the phone and say

your name.  They also have available to them all the information about

you... including your clothing size.  Companies are beginning to use

technology now to re-establish a relationship with customers.  And we

think that is going to be the foundation of the competitive company in

the future.  Because if you have a relationship with a company, you'll

buy again from that firm."  (Investor's Business Daily 12 Feb 97)



** STRATEGIES: "NONTRADITIONAL" MARKETING -- DEADHEAD STYLE **



In the traditional approach to the marketing of music, it's the

recordings that represent the profit center, and live concerts are

primarily intended simply to drive up record sales.  But the rock group

The Grateful Dead turned tradition upside down, and made studio

recordings just an afterthought of its primary focus:  live concerts,

always exciting and always different.  The result of this nontraditional

marketing strategy? The Dead were able to maintain long-time affectionate

relationships with their audiences, which became a close-knit "family."

Harvard Business School marketing professor Benson P. Shapiro says that

the group was able to retain the cachet of its brand name by NOT making

records:  "What the Dead did is make sure they didn't let records or CDs

cheapen their image or make it pedestrian."  Their real "product" is not

the music itself, but the community of people who share an interest in it

-- a club in which members can say of non-members:  "I'm in, you're out."

 The same kind of spirit has developed around brands such as Nike,

Harley-Davidson, BMW, and others. (Glenn Rifkin, "Lessons From The

Grateful Dead,"  Strategy & Business Issue 6 1Q 1997)



** INNOVATIONS: THE INTERNET CHANNEL **



WorldGate Communications is planning commercial introduction of a service

that offers Internet access via a cable TV station for a projected $4.95

a month.  The service requires WorldGate software, which is included in

current set-top boxes from General Instrument or Scientific Atlanta, but

no extra hardware:  "This is something unique for the cable operators to

do -- universal access without the consumer laying out a dime for the

hardware," says WorldGate's chairman.  Meanwhile, Oracle and Thomson

Consumer Electronics plan to announce a March launch of their NetChannel

service, which will offer Internet access for $19.95 a month.  NetChannel

will use intelligent agent software to customize caching of viewers'

favorite Web sites for speedier access.  "Speed is very important, and

consumers need to have a rich and entertaining experience," says

NetChannel's president. "It's not really about accessing the Internet;

it's about expanding the television experience."  (Broadcasting & Cable

27 Jan 97)



** 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.

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





Dear Newton Developer

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



** TEXT EMOTICONS PALETTE **



This was in the last issue of NewtNews:



    Steve Deyo and his Newton at: <sdeyo@aol.com>

    would like a popup palette that would let him have

    access to text emoticons [ :-), ;-), ;-(, etc.]

    where ever he wished.



This request generated several potential solutions including:



    - Landware's KwikMenu & KwikText

    - Landware's Merlin/WordSleuth

    - Stand Alone Software's Vitamin A

    - Namba One Systems' CaretPro



[EDITOR: Thanks to Don Modesto <modesto@gol.com>, and Ruben

<ruben@mailmac.macbbs.com.br> for their help in answering this request!]





Other Sources of Information

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



** SPRINT NEWS **



Sprint is offering a new service in Las Vegas that will provide customers

with access to local news stories, movie listings, stock quotes, sports

scores, even hotel and casino performance schedules available at the

touch of a button.  The service is being launched with help from

Connecticut-based ISP SmartServ and uses Sprint's PowerTouch 350

screenphone.



Sprint is now showing a new 30-second TV commercial in the San Francisco

area heralding their new Sprint Internet Passport (SM) service.  The

service is available 7/24, and includes over 200 local Internet access

points in the United States.



Sprint <http://www.sprint.com> has declared a dividend of $0.25 per

common share and $0.375 per share on both the 1st & 2nd series

convertible preferred stock.



Sprint Healthcare Systems has announced a new project underway for the

California Medical Association (CMA).  Sprint will be offering a

customized version of their Sprint Internet Passport(SM) service to CMA's

34,000 members, and will get the CMA's World Wide Web site up and running

on the Internet.



** NEWTON IS A WEAPON FOR ROAD WARRIORS **



Black Enterprise magazine published on 01Feb97 has an article with a

Newton mention called "Weapons for the road warrior: mobile technology

that will make business trips easier" written by Muhammad Tariq.  The

article focuses on select technology what would "make the difference

between making the sale or losing an account."  Here are the technologies

evaluated in this article: Winbox FX; Apple PowerBook 1400; Sharp

WideNote Notebook Computer; Citizen PN 50 (Black-and-White Portable

Printer); Apple Newton MessagePad 2000 (MP2K); and Sharp Zaurus

ZR-5800FX.  The MP2K is 'billed' as a laptop alternative that offers

Internet and office-ready capabilities.  Along with strong desktop

connectivity, accurate handwriting recognition, multitasking, and

extensive PIM functionality.



** POSTAL SERVICE CHANGES WIRELESS PLANS **



The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently requested proposals on providing

a nearly US$1 billion wireless system, but has decided to re-evaluate

their needs and requirements.  The system would have needed to support

over 300,000 units, but the costs associated with having a single vendor

provide not only the equipment but also the wireless services was

identified as one of the largest stumbling blocks.  USPS still has plans

to build a large wireless system, but will instead focus on building it

using more commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, software, and

wireless services from multiple vendors. [Colleen O'Hara, Federal

Computer Week, 17Feb97, page 3]



** NEWTON IDEAL FOR EXPENSE TRACKING **



Ann Monroe has a Newton mention in an article entitled "Manage your

expenses" in Home Office published on 01Feb97.  The article is focused on

'three easy steps to speed up payment of your out-of-pocket costs' by:



    - Step 1: Gathering Proof of Payment

    - Step 2: Expense Entry

    - Step 3: Streamline Invoicing



The Newton mention comes under the Step 2 topic -- use a MP130 running

Pocket Quicken to "tally your expenses immediately" and then export this

data later to your desktop Quicken.



[EDITOR: This is a 'great' Newton mention and probably one of the reasons

that Apple went after Intuit to develop their Quicken Newton product in

the first place.  Unfortunately, Intuit is 'reportedly' not continuing

development, so it should be noted that there are other 3rd Party

products that are also ideal to use in this situation: Catamount's Pocket

Money, MAR Software's Bills To Pay Pro, True North's Out of Pocket and

WalletWare's Expense Plus.]



** INFORMATION WEEK INFO **



The latest Information Week <http://www.informationweek.com> published on

17Feb97 has several tidbits of information NewtNews might find

interesting:



    - Information Week editors picked Microsoft's

      Windows CE as part of their choice for a contender

      in the 'Thin Client' OS arena on page 14.

    - Bob Francis has an article with a picture of the

      new HP 200LX Windows CE HPC and a short mention of

      the Philips' Velo 1.  It should be noted that IDC

      estimates 301,000 Windows CE HPC will be sold in

      the U.S. this year, and that by year 2000 some

      876,000 will be sold.



** WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS **



AT&T Wireless Services (800.552.3373) is now offering PocketNet service

that offers analog cellular and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) in a

single phone.  For US$40 you get basic cellular service and 500-Kb of

data transmission -- anything over the 500-Kb limit will be billed at

$0.08 a single Kb.  The device will support handheld device mobile

language (HDML).  [Denise Pappalardo, Network World, 17Feb97, page 8]



** INDEPTH CDMA ANALYSIS **



George Glider <gtg@gilder.com> has an indepth analysis and history review

of CDMA with a great deal of technology information in an article called

"Over the Paradigm Cliff" on page 29 - 35 of Forbes ASAP published on

24Feb97.



** WIRED, MAR97 **



Short blurb by Jessie Scanlon on page 55 about the new Geoworks enabled

Nokia 9000 communicator -- a wireless smart phone with complete Net

access.  In related news, according to the same page, smart phones are

'WIRED' and two-way pagers are 'TIRED.'



By the end of Mar97, Sony plans to have a 'developer' version of their

Playstation (all black) available for purchase.  This $750 device will

come with Metrowerk's Codewarrior C compilers/debuggers for Mac/Windows

so you can easily 'hack' the next great Playstation game.  In related

news, Sega is suppose to be on the same path of making development for

their Saturn systems easier -- they will soon be offering a BASIC SDK.

[page 56]



Tim Barkows' Fetish has the US$299 Uniden America's AXIS (a cordless Web

phone - more info: 888.777.2947) on page 69; Philip's "Newton killer" the

Windows CE HPC Velo 1 (US$599 -- more info: 888.367.8356) on page 72; and

Acorn's NewsPAD (more info: <http://www.acorn.co.uk>).  For more info

check out: <http://www.wired.com>



The stock portfolio tracking column on page 100 finally dumped Apple

stock and has a Newton slam "After the 'failure' of the Newton..."

followed by a major inaccuracy "... Newton 2000 has many 'WAD' features,

though it can't receive faxes yet."



The Hype List by Steve Steinberg <hypelist@wired.com> has tagged "Smart

Pagers" as 'mass-media meme' last month, and this month has retagged smart

pagers as "about to die from overexposure' on page 172.



** COOL TOOLS **



Theresa Riley has several 'Cool Tools' blurbs on page 37 of the Mar97

edition of Yahoo Internet Life <http://www.yil.com> with pictures by

Chris Rogers.  You can learn more about:



    - EarthCam: $700 phone-savvy Web camera

    - Nokia 9000 Communicator: runs Geoworks

    - U.S. Robotics' Pilot 5000

    - Compaq's PC Companion Windows CE HPC

    - Logitech's Surfman controller





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

  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

  called NewtNews Pro at: <http://members.aol.com/nnpro/newton.html>.

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





News Agent Summary

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



For more information about Farcast check out: <http://www.farcast.com>

and for more information about iNews use: <http://www.individual.com>.



** HANDHELD **



Wynd Communications has announced WyndMail for Windows CE offering

nationwide wireless communication services starting at US$29.95 a month.

WyndMail will be bundled on HP's not-yet-released HP300LX and 320LX

systems. [Farcast & iNews]



River Run Software Group has announced that their email solution called

Mail on the Run! which has been already announced for Windows CE will be

available for HP's 300LX and 320LX Windows CE palmtops. [Farcast & iNews]



SanDisk has announced that HP's 320LX system will be using SanDisk's

CompactFlash storage cards in the 320LX's built-in slot. [Farcast & iNews]



Ardis has also announced support for the HP300LX and 320LX palmtop PCs,

and will offer bundled solutions with HP and other software developers.

[Farcast & iNews]



Odyssey Computing has announced that by Mar97 that they will have their

Windows CE savvy version of Pocket On-Schedule available for HP's 300LX

and 320LX HPCs. [iNews]



Nikkei English News is reporting that Citizen Watch has a new pen-input

PDA in the works called Pensquare C112P that will retail for Yen$35,000

and should be shipping by 15Mar97.  The HWR software will allow for the

input of Japanese and English numbers and characters. [iNews]



Dauphin Technologies has announced plans to turn R.M. Schultz & Associates

into a wholly-owned subsidiary for manufacturing of their Dauphin handheld

PC systems. [Farcast]



** MOBILE **



Aether Technologies is now offering a complete 'investment communicator'

called the AirBroker which offers "unlimited, interactive, real-time

market information, headline news, and a cellular voice connection."

[iNews]



Business Wire had several articles circulating details and highlights

from Demo 97 including: Java based systems, Windows CE handhelds, and

touch screen phones with Internet access. [iNews]



Geoworks has announced plans to acquire the UK's Eden Group to 'extend'

their underlying communications system software resources as they 'emerge

as leaders' in building smart phone solutions. [iNews]



AMD has announced that they are now shipping in volume their new flash

memory cards that support the Miniature Card standard." [Farcast]



Pocket Communications has awarded Mitsubishi Wireless with a contract

worth US$129 million to build GSM phones for their future wireless

networks. [Farcast]



** WIRELESS **



Motorola has a new FLEX chip called the 68175 that is shipping in volume,

and they have a new 'Wireless Message Gateway' terminal that can handle

200 FLEX pages per second. [iNews]



Motorola recently won a US$16 million contract to supply GSM network

equipment to China Unicom for a digital cellular phone network in the

Jiangsu province of China.  In related news, Motorola also signed a

similar agreement in the United Arab Emirates, and in Ireland. [iNews]



Bell Atlantic NYNEX is now offering Caller ID and Message Waiting

Indicator for Voice Mail to their cellular phone service customers in

Connecticut and western Massachusetts. [Farcast]



The digital phone service Eesti Mobiiltelefon based in Estonia has

announced that Ericsson has been awarded a US$20 million contract to

prototype of GSM 1800 network in Tallinn, Estonia.



** APPLE **



Apple CEO Gilbert Amelio was reported last week in Reuters as saying that

the recent restructuring is aimed at cutting costs by US$400 million a

year.  In related news, Amelio also acknowledged that between Jan-Mar'97

(Apple's fiscal Q1'97) will most likely be a net loss quarter. [iNews]



Apple has announced that their product development, market, sales,

support and operations effects in regards to information systems are

going to be sharply focused and streamlined using NEXTSTEP technology.

[iNews]



At a recent multimedia fair called 'MILIA', Apple officials were quoted

as saying the "have not yet decided" what they plan to do with their

Pippin multimedia and game station.  Apple was also showing a DVD-ROM

based Macintosh prototype, and reiterated their plans to standardize

their complete line of systems with DVD-ROM savvy players. [iNews]



Apple has announced that the executive in charge of software developer

relations -- Heidi Roizen -- has decided to resign to spend more time

with her family. [Farcast & iNews]



Apple has reportedly finished their acquisition of NeXT software after

securing regulatory approval. [iNews]



Apple Japan is reportedly planning to team with several large retailers

to open 12 specialized Macintosh computer outlets by the end of May97.

[iNews]



Apple has recently purchased an enterprise license for Seagate Software's

Holos data-warehousing software <http://www.holossys.com>. [iNews]



The Miami Herald recently ran a story that Apple's actual computer sales

and market share are actually on the rise in nearly all the Latin

American markets. [iNews]



California Public Employees' Retirement System recently, with much press

attention, released a list of their 'financial laggards'.  Top of the

list included Apple and Reebok. [iNews]



** MACINTOSH **



Apple has announced, at MacWorld Tokyo 1997, a host of new products

including 240-MHz PowerBook 3400, several new PowerPC enable desktop

systems, several education market specific PowerPC systems, a new digital

camera the QuickTake 200, and the MP2K & eMate 300.  Several of the

desktop system will be Iomega Zip enabled, and the new PowerBook systems

will be bundled with ForeFront's WebWhacker 2.0 offline browser

technology. [iNews]



Motorola has dropped prices across their complete line of Mac OS StarMax

systems and announced that since mid-Nov96 they shipped 56,000 units.

PowerComputing, APS, and UMAX have also recently lowered prices -- thus

creating 'the first real' Mac OS hardware pricing war.  Motorola also

recently announced that future StarMax systems will be bundled with Be

Inc.'s BE operating system. [iNews]



Apple has announced a new promotion to bundle RunShare server

acceleration software with all Workgroup Server solutions.  Apple has

also pledged free upgrades to AppleShare IP and Mac OS 7.6 support.

[Farcast & iNews]



Apple is now shipping the Indian Language Kit for Mac OS and their

33.6-Kbps GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit. [Farcast & iNews]



** OTHER **



Microsoft has announced that they are not planning to support or continue

to develop Windows NT for PowerPC systems. [iNews]



NEC is reportedly working on a 'low-priced' Express 5800 PC server system

that offers two 200-MHz Pentium Pro processors and 256-MBs of RAM.

[iNews]





Advertising Notes

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



K2 Consultants <http://www.skyscape.com/k2> are now an advertiser in

NewtNews.



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

heard about their product in NewtNews.





Product and Service Information

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



* STAND ALONE offers a variety of Newton applications for Newton 2.0:

   - PACKAGE POPUP: instant access to all your packages, launch

      with a tap, automatically thaw and re-freeze. $15.

   - SECURE-A-NEWT: Password protect folders in your NotePad, Names,

      and Extras Drawer. Protect your info from prying eyes. $20.

   - KEYMAN: Adds function keys, a multi-function calculator, and a

      new keyboard designed for one-fingered typing. $20.

   - NOTEMAN: Instant access to the NotePad from any package. $10.

   - BACKGAMMON: The classic board game, brought to Newton. $20.

   - SUPER SORTER: Fast, Usable list management, featuring fully

      expandable and customizable list creation and editing. $20

For information about any of these or other Stand Alone products,

contact us at: <info@standalone.com>, or (312) 262-5150. Also check

out our Web site at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>.



* 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>.



* 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 3.5.5 Rated 5 out of 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. 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 Development Environment: develop object-oriented applications in

NewtonScript on the Newton (shareware: $49.50; tools, examples, support).

* Newt's Cape: create Newton books with text, graphics, tables, links,

and forms from HTML (via web browsing or Notepad) (shareware: $38.50;

tools, examples, support). For details, software, 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>



* MoreInfo 4.0 - This new version adds even more useful features to this

already essential product.  Version 4.0 now allows you to link together

any number of names, meetings, events, to dos, notes or calls all

through a single screen.  A powerful new "At a Glance" screen makes

managing your schedule effortless.  From SilverWARE at $69.95+S&H.  For

more info: <info@silverware.com> <http://www.silverware.com> 508.521.5262



* SOLUTIONS FROM LANDWARE. All work in the Newton 2.0 OS.

  - PROCALC EX: Programmable calc. w/ SAN & RPN, includes: proCALC 12c.

  - QUICKNAMES PRO: Rapid access to names and much more.

  - X-PORT: The 2.0 connection utility. Send/receive notes, contacts...

  - KWIKMENU: the Newton dashboard, includes GestureLaunch Lite.

  - NEWTPAINT: "MacPaint" on your Newton, w/zoom-in and screen shot.

  - SYNC+: Dates to Schedule+ 1.0 or 7.0

LandWare, 201-347-0031, <sales@landware.com>, <http://www.landware.com>



* Frustrated by the amount of time required to input long notes?  Looking

for a faster method?  GESTURE MOSAIC is a hybrid keyboard/recognition

system which enables the rapid (30-40+wpm) pen-based entry of text.  Now

updated for OS2.0, you can use it to quickly input text anywhere in your

Newton. FREEWARE versions are available at: <http://www.amtelcom.com/Mosaic>

For more information contact: <amtelmit@aol.com> or call: 800-696-6724.



* ChessPad 2.0 turns the Newton into a digital chess book and a portable

chess set. It contains 28 fully-annotated games played by the greatest

players of all time, 100 brilliant winning combinations by Morphy, Tal,

Fischer, and Kasparov, and 100 chess problems.  ChessPad can also import

games in Portable Game Notation format. Only $39.95. Clear Lake Research

713.663.7513 <DavidL62@aol.com> <http://members.aol.com/clrsch/chesspad.html>





Guest Opinions

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



** NEWTON MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE **



Jerry McMurry <mcmurry@nosc.mil> sums up his thoughts about his Newton

and the experiences he has had with it with:



    I love my Newton.  I am never without it.  I love

    to pull it out at the doctors' office or hardware

    store and have everyone crane over to see what I

    am doing and go "Uuuu!" and "Aaaaah!"



    I explain, "Well, it's just a computer.  It does

    what any computer can do, just depending what

    software is in it.  The could always make small

    computers, but you can't stand on a street corner

    and type on a regular keyboard.  So that's why we

    enter the data this way [as I wave the pen]!"



    This always [seems to] makes sense to them, [and]

    they nod with understanding.  They see it is not

    just a toy but related to something they know, the

    computer.



** NEWTON MAKES AN EVEN BIGGER DIFFERENCE **



Jon Wright <jon@UNS.com.au> writes:



    In my case I bought a Newton after a head injury

    which affected my memory.  It was a constant

    companion during my recovery and I cannot imagine

    being without it.  At the time it was the only

    Apple product I had ever purchased, and I have

    been working in the computer industry for nearly

    15 years.



    Because of my experience with the Newton, I have

    since bought two Macs and I am an "Apple convert".

    There is no way I would ever have even considered

    Apple as an option if it had not been for the

    introduction via the Newton.



    BTW ... Apple should push the Newton/eMate as the

    primary way of reaching NEW markets - i.e. Wintel

    and non-computer users.





Comments from the Editor

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



** SORRY FOR LIST WOES **



First off, myself and Bob are very sorry with the recent corrupted

versions of NewtNews and the Supplement.  We 'promise' to do better in

the future.  The one good thing to mention is that the machine at io.com

that sends out NewtNews has been upgraded, and is much faster.  So, you

should be able to get NewtNews faster.  Thank you for your support.



** THANKS FOR ALL THE KIND COMMENTS **



Over the last couple of weeks, I have gotten some very nice pieces of

email about how much many of you enjoy NewtNews. I really appreciate

hearing these kinds of comments.  Thanks!  I also like constructive

criticism, but definitely not as much.



** SOUR GRAPES?!? **



I have been getting a lot of email lately from folks asking me how I like

the MessagePad 2000.  I 'think' it is a fine PDA, but to be totally

honest, even though Apple seems to be making a big deal to developers

about seeding members of the press with the MP2K and the eMate, I have

not been blessed, for whatever reason, with the opportunity of being

seeded with a MP2K.



It is not that I haven't asked, I have, but for whatever reason, no luck.

I think from Apple's perspective that they think 'why should we seed an

evangelist over someone who could become an evangelist?!?'  Plus ... my

readers is mostly Newton users, so maybe Apple is thinking it won't make

much of a difference because NewtNews readers already 'get it.'  Seems

weird, but who really knows how Apple thinks and why it acts one way or

another anyway?!?



So ... from the times I have used an MP2K -- over dinner one evening in

San Diego, at the Newton Developer Conference in Nov'96, and at MacWorld

SF 1997 -- I have to say I was very impressed.  But until I get my own

MP2K (I'm waiting in line just like all of you) I'll have to defer

detailed analysis and opinion until then.



P.S. I have had no problems whatsoever being offered Pilot and Windows CE

devices to test.  Hmmm ...





Administrivia

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



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

Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if full

credit is given.  Others please contact me.  NewtNews doesn't guarantee

accuracy of articles.  NewtNews does not express or imply any

endorsement of any businesses participating in this publication.  My

personal comments may be included in articles NewtNews reports by

highlighting them as -- [SDH: Comments].  Official NewtNews Editor's

comments are highlighted as -- [Editor: Comments].  Publication,

product, and company names may be registered trademarks of their

companies.  All trademarks used in this publication are for

informational purposes only and to the benefit of the trademark owner,

with no intention of infringing on that trademark.



Send contributions and comments to Steve Holden, Editor and Publisher

at: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Other important NewtNews players include:



    - Reviews Editor: Bob Torres <btorres@io.com>

    - Newton Book: Mark Heringer <4535904@mcimail.com>

    - NewtNews Pro: Dave Hina <daverh@aol.com>

    - FTP site & email list admin: Bob Torres <btorres@io.com>

    - NewtNews Travel Guide: Andrew Wong <swong@email.sdsu.edu>



      SUBSCRIPTIONS: email <majordomo@tristero.io.com> with

                     'subscribe newt_news' as the body of your

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        UNSUBSCRIBE: email <majordomo@tristero.io.com> with

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                WWW: <http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/NewtNews/>

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                FTP: <ftp://ftp.io.com/pub/usr/btorres/NewtNews>

                     <ftp://members.aol.com/NewtNews1>

                     <ftp://ftp.amug.org/pub/newton/news/newt-news>

                     <ftp://ftp.scamedia.com.au/pub/newtnews/>

   NEWTON REFERENCE: <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>

 NEWTON CLASSIFIEDS: <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton>



This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: Valentines Day

dinner at Ruth's Cris Steak House; celebrating Lynn's B-Day at the Belly

Up; and Clint Eastwood's new movie 'Absolute Power'.



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

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