Symbian has announced EPOC Release 5 for their developer community and licensees. This release is aimed at allowing licensees to rapidly develop "smart-phone" and "smart-communicator" devices. Some key features: "universal built-in messaging" (email, fax, SMS, contact database); JDK 1.1.4 with applet support built-in to the EPOC Web browser; improved PC connectivity and sync features; IrDA comms support to desktop PCs and other handheld devices; full support for large color displays; and architectural improvements to insure current/nearterm systems can upgrade to future platform improvements.

Concept Kitchen announced their new "public" strategic vision by sending out a detailed press release on 06Jul99. They will be focusing on the "building of comprehensive relationships" to bring more solutions (accessories, software, services, etc. ...) to mobile handheld users. Included in this effort will be continued enhancement of their handheld portal site called PDA Dash.

Experts-Exchange has announced the following new topic areas: PDAs, Palm Pilot, and Windows CE.

Infinity Softworks' FCPlus Professional financial calculator brings a host of calculation capabilities related to personal finance, retail operations, real-estate, and loans to Palm OS devices. It also creates an independent worksheet for each financial function, giving you an easy method to calculate annuities, loans, leases, and amortizations.

Excite@Home has announced a new online Personal Information Manager (PIM) solution called "Excite Planner" that will include desktop PC links to a wide variety of mobile handheld devices. Folks who sign up will be entered into a REX PC Companion give-a-way.[SOURCE: M2 Presswire, PR Newswire]

The next Stanford Newton User Group meeting will be held Tuesday (13Jul99) at Printers Inc. Bookstore cafe at 8 p.m.