Reuters is reporting via Wired that IBM has announced that they have developed a new, cheaper way to product silicon germanium: a superconductor that can speed up standard processing by 50 times. IBM has plans to use this technology to not only build cheaper, faster chips, but also to build smaller chips to be used in future mobile technologies.

ZDNET has announced that Microsoft has revealed plans to get into the "small form-factor and footprint" browser market that is being dominated by companies like Qualcomm, Spyglass, Motorola, and Unwired Planet.

Compaq has announced plans to license Citrix Systems' Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) technology to be used in future handheld PC products. Compaq has also announced that they have cut the price of their Compaq C-Series 2010c and 2015c devices from US$799 to US$699, and the price of their Compaq C-Series 810 device from US$499 to US$425.

SAP North America is holding a conference called SAPPHIRE '98 in Los Angeles, California in the near future. The conference will highlight a prototype wireless SAP access system being built by BAPI and Intermec Technologies.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported on 14Oct98 that Iomega is getting ready to launch their new "Clik!" storage media and reader devices by the end of 1998, but hasn't announced a release date or given out evaluation copies to industry analysts and reviewers. The article is entitled "Iomega Enters New Era For Handheld Computing; Computer firm says Clik! will revolutionize digital photography"

Audible has created a new "automated subscription services" that allows users of their MobilePlayer devices "to purchase and deliver their favorite audio programs" via their favorite Web browser.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)