Sun Microsystems has announced plans to unveil a new family of computer chips that will "eventually power media-rich consumer devices such as video game machines, handheld computers, and screen phones." [SOURCE: Reuters via Yahoo]

Richard Northcott notes that Enfour has announced a new free Mac OS based utility that will convert databases exported out of FileMaker into EPOC "Data" databases. This new utility is called "FM Cleaner" (source is released open-source), and works with the Psion "MacConnect" package. For more information check out: .

NS BASIC Corporation is reporting the release of NS Basic/CE v2.1 (US$99.95) with more that three dozen feature enhancements, changes, and fixes. NS Basic/CE v2.1 is a complete BASIC development environment that runs completely on a Windows CE device. It features: a Visual Designer; serial, file, & web I/O; financial and scientific functions; and a 200-page handbook with sample code. The upgrade is free to licensed users of NS Basic/CE v2.0. Users of NS Basic/CE v1.x can upgrade for just US$39.95.

USAR Systems -- an input device and power management electronics company -- has announced that their USAR Juno HPC companion Integrated Circuit (IC) is being used in the new Compaq Areo 8000 Windows CE savvy Handheld PC Professional (HPCP). This IC controls "input devices, power management and other system-related functions"; and interested system integrators can access USAR System's "programmable control" interfaces by purchasing a US$300 evaluation developer kit.

ZDNET's Anchordesk has announced a new collection of "Killer Palm OS Downloads" via: www.anchordesk.com/a/ad1tlt0729kd/3666; and published a new in-depth article that examines the Casio Cassiopeia E-105 (Windows CE palmtop, plays video clips and MP3 files).

Heather Van Swearingen still has "Newton compatible Flash storage PC Cards" from the company that built the "Smithsonian Museums" Newton solution -- 51 are M-Systems 16-MBs (US$70 + S&H), and 3 are Simple Technology 20-MBs (highest bid). Payment methods accepted are checks and money orders only - no credit cards unfortunately. Contact Heather for more information via the email address above.