UPI's "Cyber Briefs" published on 09Oct98 notes that "Seiko Instruments offers new Quicktionary Reading Pen." This new "handheld battery-powered scanner" could significantly help those who are learning to read or have limited reading skills. Scanned text can be uploaded to a desktop PC for computer aided read-back. The unit will weigh three ounces and should cost under US$300.

Actioneer has announced the release of version 2.0 of their unique "information capture" solution called "Actioneer for Palm OS 2.0." For a limited time they are offering this version for US$10 instead of US$20, and they have posted a 30-day trail to their WWW site.

The InfoWorld Electric published on Monday, 12Oct98 has coverage of the news that Hewlett-Packard has a new "brand" of handheld devices in the works based on Intel's StrongARM CPU, and coverage of Microsoft's release of Windows CE v2.11 operating system for handheld devices (Palm-size, HPC, and Professional HPC).

Puma Technology has announced plans to show off their Intellisync Anywhere synchronization solutions using Novatel Wireless' Minstrel Plus Wireless IP modems and 3Com PalmPilot devices at the upcoming Wireless IT Convention that will be held at Bally's in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Newsbytes is reporting that Samsung Electronics is now shipping in Seoul, Korea a new Windows CE 2.11 handheld computer (HPC) device.

Michael Pohl brings readers news of an update to his "low-hassle gas mileage tracker": "Geek Gas v1.1." This new version has "geekier calculations," tripometer, reminders, and a "more responsive number picker." You can download your freeware copy via www.newtopia.com.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)