Sun and IBM have announced the release of "JavaOS for Business -- a lightweight client/server operating system based entirely on Java." The OS is designed to be used on NCs (network computers) and other non-PC desktop type devices including handhelds (from companies like Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Telxon). You can learn more via ZDNET's PC Week site.

Telxon has announced a new project (codename "CREOSOTE") to build Windows CE devices that have the built-in capability to wireless connect to voice and data local area networks (LANs). The voice integration would use two voice standards over IP (VoIP) and H.323 (video conferencing).

Telxon has also recently released a host of press releases that report wide usage of their handheld technology. Specifically the following companies are using Telxon handhelds to "dramatically effect" their businesses: Chrysler's Detroit Jefferson North Plant (Jeep Grand Cherokee); UK's Henri-Lloyd (clothing manufacturer and supplier); and Lufthansa Cargo AG (automated global cargo tracking system).

Motorola has announced two add-on packages for their two-way pager the "PageWriter 2000". The first is a "Productivity Software Suite" and the second a "Entertainment Pack." In related news, V-ONE has announced plans to "jointly engineer" their security software suite called "Air SmartGate" with Motorola's FLEX paging protocols.

Inter@ctive Week published on 03Aug98 has a "handheld mindshare" article entitled "THE WHOLE WORLD IN YOUR HAND?"

Scott Andress has posted some new "concept images" of some "iBooks" (aka eBooks) to his Digital Concepts site.

System Support Products Inc. (SSPI) has announced the release of Stock Calculator v1.1 for Newton OS 1.x or 2.x devices. Stock Calculator (US$15) is a profit/loss and share price calculator application. A 30-day free trail version is available via SSPI's WWW site.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)