AU-System has begun to demo their Ericsson Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) v1.1 Browser that has been adapted to support Palm OS. Interested testers can down a demo version free from the AU-System Website. For more information on WAP check out WAP Forum and Ericsson WAP Developers' Zone.

Clarion's AutoPC is now compatible with SoDeog Technologies' SyncTalk (wireless communications utility that links AutoPCs to other handheld devices); and Sigma Designs has announced that their new REALmagic EM8400 DVD playback silicon will be incorporated into Clarion's next-generation Windows CE savvy AutoPC offerings.

Hitachi is announcing plans to begin boosting production of their 256MB flash memory chips to two million units per month by the end of the year 2000. Currently Hitachi is only producing 300,000 units a month.

Bill Machrone's "New Product Alert" from PC Magazine & ZDNet Reviews published for 17Jan00 has two articles of potential interest: #1.) A look at a couple of the latest small handheld scanners and #2.) A review of the online site DPWeb.

InSync Online has published pointers to two new Palm OS solutions -- #1.) Calibre's xConnect software and SyncMonitor application; and #2.) PayPal "digital beaming money" solution www.paypal.com.

BUSINESS NEWS -- #1.) BSQUARE has acquired mobile solutions developer BlueWater Systems; #2.) VTech Industries and MCI Worldcom's SkyTel have announced a new strategic business relationship to co-develop a future email appliance; #3.) Iridium lost over $114 million in record net losses for the month of November 1999; #4.) Audible has hired David Simpson as Director of Business Development, and Sal Giangrasso as Senior Director & Managing Editor; and #5.) Cutting Edge Software has announced a new headquarters location, a new logo, and a new Vice President of Business Development, Henry Rosen.

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