Interested in where 3Com's Palm Computing is preparing to go with their Palm OS and new hardware devices in 1999? Then you should check out a ZDNET online article from PC Week that is focused on "expansion, expansion, expansion".

The printed Dec98 edition of Wired has their annual "The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide" that starts on page 96 and continues until page 165. There are a host of handheld products highlighted and recommended.

Trimble has announced a new system called "CrossCheck XR/GSM" that integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) with Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications into a "single intelligent mobile unit." [SOURCE: Steve Gold, Newsbytes, 17Nov98]

Thomas Sullivan examines "Database Vendors (Oracle, Sybase, Synchrologic, Raima, & Microsoft) Aim to Bring Handhelds (PalmPilot, Windows CE, & Psion) to the Next Level" on page 48 of the 04Nov98 edition of Enterprise Magazine.

Inet has announced a new Type II PC Card CDPD modem for Windows CE 2.0 devices called "Spider II." In related news, Casio has announced plans to bundle the Spider II with their Cassiopeia PA-2400 device as a complete wireless solution. Pricing was not available for either offering.

The Information Week published for 16Nov98 has a major Windows CE specific article that runs from pages 127-140. The main "Labs" article is written by Andy Feibus and is entitled "WinCE: Your Next OS? The latest version of Microsoft's scaled-down operating system expands its abilities and its reach."

PalmMate--the authors of the popular WorldMate package for the PalmPilot--have announced DateMate for the PalmPilot. This new package lets you manage "birthdays, anniversaries, and any other occasions" from a single application. For more information about DateMate send email to DateMate@palmmate.com.

The Stanford Newton Users Group (SNUG) will meet on 24Nov98 (Tuesday) at the Printers Ink around 7pm (PST). The next SNUG meeting will be held Tuesday, 08Dec98, but SNUG has announced that they will not meet on 22Dec98 due to the Christmas Holidays.

Softwarebuero Mueller has announced the release of Secret Names 1.0.4 for the Newton. This extension makes it possible to encrypt (DES or Triple DES) "Cardfile" data. The software costs US$15 and supports English and German.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)