CNET.com is reporting a rumor that Palm Computing will be offering color Palm OS devices early next year. Earlier rumors pegged release for new Palm OS devices from Palm Computing in late Q1'2000 or early Q2'2000.

CIC and MiddleSoft have announced a new partnership to bring handwriting recognition and electronic signatures to Linux OS. Specifically, CIC's Jot handwriting recognition system and e-signature software development kit called InkTools.

Ramel Levin at PalmMate.com has announced a new "fun" freeware solution for Palm OS devices called FanMate.

Richard Northcott has announced an "Enfour musical Christmas card for all EPOC users" that can be downloaded for the REVO via FTP and all other EPOC devices via: FTP.

DETAILS IN THE NUMBERS! -- #1.) Go2 Systems has announced more than 300 topic-specific Web sites are now available from any Web-enabled mobile phone using their services; #2.) GoPDA.com notes a recent study by International Data Corporation (IDC) that their are over 8 million worldwide handheld users today, and that number will grow to 32 million worldwide handheld users by 2003 (according to IDC); and #3.) 3Com's 2nd quarter profits were up (beating estimates) because of strong sales of Palm OS devices.

Panasonic, SanDisk, and Toshiba will reportedly make a significant announcement regarding the Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card and consumer electronics products at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on 06Jan2000. For more information send email to: Bob Goligoski.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com) eFax: 978-246-3067