Compaq's second quarter financial report says the company shipped 450,000 iPAQ Pocket PCs during its second quarter. The company also announced $50 rebates for the iPAQ 3635 (which includes the CF Card sleeve), reducing the price to $549.99. In the report, Compaq claimed that it has "extended its leadership in next-generation Internet access devices."

The Toshiba Genio Pocket PC has made its debut in Japan. According to Toshiba's Genio website, at 3.1x4.95x0.7 inches the elegant 206MHz StrongARM-based Genio is a bit smaller than the iPAQ, has 32MB of Flash ROM and 32MB of SDRAM, a 64k color TFT, weighs 6.4 ounces, has both a CF Card Type II and a SD slot. In Japan, the Genio comes in two versions, the basic e550 and the e550/MD with a 1GB IBM Microdrive."

Portable Innovation Technology unveiled PiDirect, a new application to be used with MemPlug SpringBoard module that basically turns it into a Flash module, allowing Visor users to run applications directly off of SmartMedia or Compact Flash cards.

Palm introduces the Palm OS Ready Program through which key partners Intel, Motorola and Texas Instruments will build Palm OS-based ARM silicon solutions.

Aiming to be a web-based resource for Palm-toting Mac users, Precise Sales & Research introduces PalmOnMac.com as an interactive Palm/Mac users' community fueled by reader participation and contribution

-Steve Holden (sholden@pencomputing.com)