Ruggedized mobile notebook systems continue to be a growing solutions area--the following companies have new systems available: Itronix, Melard Technologies, and Dolch Computer Systems. [SOURCE: PC Week]

Xybernaut, which has been awarded a host of "wearable computing" patents in the United States since 1994, has just recently been awarded their first Japanese patent for "concepts and technology" related to wearable computing.

Bluestone Software is now shipping an XML-based application for the "enterprise interaction management" marketplace called "Bluestone XML-Contact for the Palm OS." The "source code" for this solution will also be posted for download and review, and a "calendar" and "expense report" application are expected to follow in the near term. [SOURCE: Inter@ctive Week]

Audible.com not only has a Windows CE player available but they are also making available some audio content in .mp3 format for download to the growing number of MP3 players. Audible.com claims to have over 6,000 titles of audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, and business information available for purchase.

Korea's Alpain Co. builds two mobile products of potential interest: a "portable alcohol detector" and a "leather cases for cellular phones" (in 16 colors). They are looking to expand their markets out of Asia and into the US and Europe.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)