Jiji Press English News is reporting that Seiko Epson will be releasing a new "personal digital assistant" device on 09Jun99 in Japan. This new handheld is dubbed "Locatio" (290 grams) and it will be able to "pinpoint the user's position on a map via a liquid crystal display within several meters" using the latest global positioning system (GPS) technology. The device will also be "personal handy phone system" savvy for wireless email access, and will be bundled with an "integratable" digital camera. Pricing has yet to be announced.

The "online auction company" eBay has teamed with SkyTel Network to enable future wireless online trading options for eBay's trading communities wanting such capabilities.

ZDNET's PalmPilot Express (a weekly newsletter) has been posted to ZDNET's PalmPilotSoftware.com . The "Editor's Picks" includes a pointer article to "the latest and greatest hacks," and a more in-depth article that examines "scheduling solutions." This issue also contains references to the following "Hot Files": GoBar, Swipe!, PalmJournal Desktop Companion, 4th Line, and TealPhone.

Lucent Technologies has announced plans to use Netscape Communications to build future wireless savvy Internet portals for Lucent's wireless device customers (handhelds, pagers, smart phones, etc.).

Royal Philips Electronics (Netherlands) has announced plans to acquire 50% of LG Electronics' (Korea) Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) business. The deal is valued at approximately US$1.6 billion.

Extended Systems has announced plans to enable Toshiba to bundle Extended Systems' IrDA LAN solutions with current mobile Toshiba products, and with their new "tablet" Windows CE devices being marketed under the "TEC Product Line." Extended Systems has similar agreements with Sharp, Okidata, 3COM, Motorola, Lotus, and AnyDay.com.

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)