Palm Computing has announced the color Palm IIIc (US$449, uses Palm OS 3.5) and the low-cost Palm IIIxe (US$249, uses Palm OS 3.5). They have also announced: #1.) A new "unlimited wireless service access" option for Palm.Net users (US$45 a month); and #2.) A new portable keyboard peripheral (US$99) for Palm III and another for Palm V devices. See our review in the Palm Section

Announced Palm OS 3.5 features according to Palm Computing include: "#1.) Support for color displays; #2.) Agenda view: which allows users to see their appointments and their To Do items for the day together in one screen; #3.) Access to menu views by simply tapping at the top of the screen; #4.) Context-sensitive command stroke options at the bottom of each screen in an icon form; #5.) Security that allows users to 'mask' and password-protect private & personal entries; #6.) Quick duplication of their address records; #7.) Faster HotSync speeds; #8.) Support for infrared HotSync function; and #9.) A more convenient alarm snooze button."

Simon Quinn has announced EBook v1.0 for EPOC with support for Aportis DOC formatted documents used by Palm OS devices, and standard text documents (txt and html). This release is compatible with "Revo/S5/S5mx/S7/Netbook" devices.

Micro Logic has announced a "free-form text database program" called Info Select (US$70) for Palm OS that can work in standalone mode or injunction with Info Select for Windows (US$100). [SOURCE: Marge Brown, PC Magazine]

Aptus Technologies has announced a new release of "praestoGRADE" for Windows CE and Palm OS devices (US$60). This package has been designed for teachers to use for recording, processing, and reporting of student grading data for both classroom and lab situations. A site-licensed version is priced at US$275, and the software is distributed via: Learning Services.

Visto.com has announced plans to offer users wireless access capabilities by the end of March 2000 to a wide range of services they currently provide online users who want to synchronize data between their personal computer devices and the Internet.

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