Wired is running an article entitled "MICROSOFT VS. PALMPILOT IN CHINA" that examines Microsoft's plans for a "specially outfitted" Chinese savvy Windows CE device that should be out in Dec98.

It appears that Sharp is going to take a "two PDA OS approach" in their handheld offerings for the near term. Nikkei English News is reporting that Sharp does indeed have plans for Windows CE devices to be available in the near future running Windows CE. At the same time, Sharp just announced, according to Reuters, the new Zaurus MI-310 PDA (US$750) with a "new improved screen" that will be shipping in Japan on 04Sep98.

Gerald Weissberg, the General Manager of ZD Journals, has announced a new monthly magazine entitled "The Hi-Tech Traveler" (US$99 for 12 issues).

Silicon Graphics has sold their "Paragraph Pen and Internet" division to Vadem, a "developer of mobile connected information appliances." ParaGraph's primary product, "CalliGrapher handwriting recognition software", will be marketed to the public, and also used extensively by Vadem for future products, according to the combined ParaGraph-Vadem management team.

The Fast Company published in Sep98 has three mobile related articles: #1. John Quain examines "How To Shop For A Palmtop" on page 198, #2. Heath Row quickly reviews Sony's new Vaio 505 SuperSlim Notebook on page 52, and #3. There is a short blurb about Canon's new BJC-80 BubbleJet printer (and scanner via extra cartridge) on page 70.

Actioneer has announced a new version of their Actioneer PalmPilot desktop solution (US$29.95 special sale price) that makes it possible to quickly download data items from desktop email and documents to your PalmPilot. You can download a 30-day demo from the afforementioned URL.

Green Mountain Software Corporation, based in Colchester, Vermont, has announced custom development services for organizations with a need to convert Newton-based applications to Windows CE and/or Palm Pilot platforms.

PelicanWare has announced the availability of a new tool for their PointPro slide presentation package for the Newton. The utility is called "SoundAdder 2.0" and it makes it possible to add narration, music, or other desired sounds to a PointPro slide presentation. A different sound can be linked to each slide, and plays automatically when the slide is displayed on the external monitor, TV, or projector. Sound Adder is a free extension available directly from PelicanWare's WWW site. PointPro is available directly from PelicanWare for US$29.95 (by email only) or from most Newton software resellers for a retail price of US$79.95.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)