Apple has released their new "iMac-like designed" laptop called the iBook with an estimated street price under US$1600 and an expected shipping date of Sep99. The unit is: powered by a 300-MHz PowerPC G3 processor; maximum RAM is 160-MBs; 3.2-GB IDE hard drive; 24x CDROM, 12.1-inch TFT SVGA active-matrix display (640x480, 800x600); and built-in 2D/3D 4-MB SDRAM ATI RAGE Mobility graphics controller. The iBook also has the following built-in ports: USB, 10/100 Ethernet, 56-Kbps V.90 modem, and sound in/out. The iBook also supports an optional Lucent wireless connectivity architecture that Apple is calling "AirPort" (11-Mbps IEEE 802.11 DSSS compliant).

FedEx has announced Palm OS and Windows CE "package tracking solutions" using AvantGo software. Go to www.fedex.com/us/tracking, select "Tracking in the palm of your hand," and download the AvantGo software.

World Cyberlinks has released ConXemDock (US$400) -- a 4-port multi-unit docking cradle for Palm OS devices that will enable multiple devices to "access and share concurrent information." The docking cradles can also reportedly be daisy-chained to support up to 128 units.

In June 1999, Government Computer News rated palmtops and handhelds. Here are their summarized findings in the palmtop category: Palm V (B+); Palm IIIx (B, "Most Band For Buck"); Compaq Aero 2130 (B); and HP Jornada 420 (A, "Reviewer's Choice"). In the handheld category: Compaq C-Series (B); HP Jornada 820 (C+); and NEC MobilePro 770 (A, "Reviewer's Choice").

Vadem's ParaGraph has announced the release of their "natural handwriting recognition software package" called Calligrapher v5.3 for Windows CE devices.

NuvoMedia is reporting the "addition" of 41 new publishing partners which bring their total now to 56. NuvoMedia has also "slashed" the price of their Rocket eBook to US$349, and have reported that sales in-turn have jumped by 50%. [SOURCE: TipWorld ]

George Henne reports that longtime Newton developer NS Basic is still actively supporting and selling copies of NS Basic/Newton and NewtCard. George notes that "sales are still good enough to keep us in the business, and we still think that the Newton is a great machine."