COMDEX NEWS -- #1.) Dell will be releasing an OEM'd version of the BlackBerry wireless handheld device; #2.) Interactive Objects' new digital music devices will be "IBM 340-MB microdrive" savvy; #3.) Mainbrace Corporation is showing off a prototype of their Windows CE based Internet appliance; and #4.) BSQUARE has released a new version of bFax Pro for Windows CE, and has packaged up a new upgrade to their "BSQUARE bUseful Utilities Pak."

CNET.com via Yahoo Daily News is running an article entitled "Evidence mounts of exodus from Windows CE" that notes that after three years, Windows CE gadgets are not doing that well in the marketplace.

Symbian and Oracle have announced the creation of a new "joint development solutions lab" to bring Oracle's Portal-To-Go and Oracle8i Lite databases technology to Symbian's wireless savvy EPOC platforms.

PalmGear H.Q. has announced a new "partnership" with HandSpring to bring quality Palm OS based solutions and services to purchasers of new Visor handhelds via HandSpring's online Web storefront.

Bruce Schneier's "CRYPTO-GRAM for 15Nov99" notes that Windows CE devices that store Windows NT logon passwords only encrypt the passwords using an "XOR" algorithm. More information can be found via: www.cegadgets.com/artsusageP.htm.

Henri Spagnolo has announced the release of MenuS5 v1.5 for Psion/EPOC devices. MenuS5 is an "applications, documents, and folders launcher" that supports French and English languages.

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