The U.S. Army battle lab in Colorado is reportedly working on a new Windows CE based ruggedized handheld solution that bundles a "wired-soldier" with GPS and satellite communications capabilities. The program is called Joint Expeditionary Digital Information (JEDI) and is packaged in a "vest" form factor. The current cost of a single prototype unit is US$30,000, and "live" testing should be happening at Fort Polk, Louisiana in Sep00. [SOURCE: Richard Stenger, CNN Interactive]

Some of the new features being highlighted by Microsoft in regards to PocketPC vs. past Windows CE solutions: better desktop synchronization with Outlook on the desktop; a more intuitive GUI; improved Pocket Internet Explorer; integration of ClearType text rendering; built-in Pac-Man game; and the ability to play MP3 files. [SOURCE: Internet Week]

Mark/Space Softworks has announced the following: #1.) Online v1.4 for Palm OS (serial communications & telnet application); #2.) TRG demoing PageNow! 2.0 for Palm OS at CEBIT Germany using Siemens S-25 phone; and #3.) News that Handspring has reportedly posted an online upgrade to Palm Desktop v2.6 for Mac OS users of Handspring Visor devices.

Illium Software has released nine Windows CE applications that are Pocket PC compatible. You can learn more via the following press release posted to Yahoo.

iGo.com and Pocketmail (works with AOL or ISP email via calling 1-800-POCKETM) have teamed up to offer the PocketMail BackFlip for Palm OS users (US$99). If you are a Palm V/Vx form factor owner, you can get a Dock V Pro adapter from Solvepoint to use the Backflip. [SOURCE: InSync Online]

Vindigo -- the developer of Palm OS based "personal navigators" -- has announced US$9 million in venture funding from General Atlantic Partners and Flatiron Partners.

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