Posted-Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 12:45:50 -0800 (PST)
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 12:47:18 -0700
To: newt_news@io.com
From: Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>
Subject: NewtNews-127-14Jan97

NewtNews-127-14Jan97
====================

by Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>.  This is a weekly freeware
newsletter that focuses on the Apple Newton and related technologies.
NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.  See the
Administrivia at end for details and FAQ info.

This issue of NewtNews is sponsored in part by:

 + PowerMedia presents 'Arcade Game Pack' - Birds With Lances, Rocks
   In Space, Frogs vs. Cars - US$29.95 - <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>

 + X-Port, KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - Newton 2.0
   solutions - <sales@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.com>

 + PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions - ORDERS:
   800.270.7196 - FAX: 516.467.6329 - <http://www.pdapanache.com>

 + WinSlurp from Rare White Tiger Creations - Available via WWW at:
   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.

 + PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - Putting Technology in the Palm of Your Hand!
   800-279-4PDA 219-882-5228 [F]:219-845-0578 <http://www.pdadirect.com>

 + TeleType GPS and moving map for the Newton - Never get lost again -
   <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> - <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>

 + INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON - Custom Electronic Forms Integrated With
   Your Desktop - Shana Corp - <info@shana.com> - <http://www.shana.com>

 + RidgeNet - ARA, SLIP, PPP access to the Internet from Ridgecrest, CA.
   <http://owens.ridgecrest.ca.us/RidgeNET/RidgeNETWelcome.html>


Table of Contents
-----------------

 1. Top News
 2. Information from Email
 3. Information from the Internet
 4. Review of Top Weekly Magazine Headlines
 5. Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
 6. Other PDA News
 7. Edupage, 06Jan96 thru 12Jan97
 8. INNOVATION, 06Jan97
 9. Other Sources of Information
10. News Agent Summary
11. Advertising Notes
12. Product and Service Information
13. MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report
14. Comments from the Editor
15. Administrivia


Top News
--------

** GOOD NEWTON NEWS FROM MACWORLD **

The Newton -- specifically Apple's new Newton hardware the eMate 300 and
the MessagePad 2000 --- got excellent exposure at MacWorld San Francisco
1997.  Mostly in part because the Newton System Group got a very good
location, right near the front, in the Apple Pavilion area.  It was
nearly impossible to miss the large screen demo areas for both the eMate
300 and the MP2000.  There was also two more personal demo areas for both
units, and a 'try them out' section with one of each unit available.  The
area appeared to be constantly full, and interest for the new units was
very high.  When the MessagePad 2000 ships, Apple should sell a ton of
them.  Apple is also going to have to figure out how to get the eMate 300
into the consumer market. Because demand for the eMate 300 was as high or
higher than for the MessagePad 2000.

Digital Ocean <http://www.digitalocean.com> should also get high marks
for having a very open and accessible booth which highlighted their great
suite of Newton solutions -- Seahorse; Tarpon; StarFish II Wireless
Access Point; Manta Ethernet Station; Grouper LocalTalk Station; Grouper
100MPS; and the Grouper 100MPS+.

PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT's booth was typically always busy and seemed to be
selling a good deal of software and hardware.  Newton developers reported
extremely peaked interested in Newton solutions, and eagerly gave demos
of their latest stuff.  PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT has also reportedly started
a list of those interested in buying a MessagePad 2000.  For more info:
<http://www.pdadirect.com>.

** BAD NEWTON NEWS FROM MACWORLD **

The U.S. Robotics's Palm Computing Pilot was selling very well at the
show.  A lot of people were buying the units, especially when Now
Software began to sell them for US$279 bundled with Now Up-To-Date, Now
Contact, and Now Synchronize for Pilot when it ships 15Mar97.  [This
price also included a US$25 rebate offered by U.S. Robotics.]  By the end
of the show, finding a Pilot to buy from a vendor was getting hard, and
it was nearly impossible to find any accessories.

[EDITOR:  Apple must, either using their own scarce resources or via a
third-party, build a small form factor line of Newton handhelds.]

Many of the Newton developers report very lackluster software sales since
Apple pre-announced the MP2000 and the eMate 300.  Many are struggling to
survive financially.  The Newton Source was also hurt pretty badly by the
pre-announcement, because they were scheduled to have a booth but didn't
at the last minute, reportedly because of cash-flow problems.  Other
sources have also reportedly that Newton Source has layed off staff at
their stores, and are in short supply of Newton hardware and software.

[EDITOR: Some developers did report that strong software sales in Europe
and Japan have, in many ways, made up for the loss of sales in the United
States.  It is just very unfortunate that things had to work out this way.]

** OTHER NEWTON STUFF AT MACWORLD **

For a complete review of all the Newton vendors and information please
read the "MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report" near the end of this issue.

** NOTETHING 2.0 RELEASED **

Marc White <coredump@omnilinx.net> reports the release of NoteThing 2.0
for Mac OS and Newton 2.0.  This version supports Notes Checklists and
Outlines, and also works with Serial or AppleTalk connections.  Core Dump
Software is also busy working on a Windows compatible version and it
should be available before the end of Jan97.  For more information check
out: <http://www.omnilinx.net/~coredump/main.html>.

** NEW POP-UP MENU UTILITY **

Ben Gottlieb <gottlb@standalone.com> reports the release of Vitamin A --
a new utility that lets you modify the pop-up menu editor.  Vitamin A
also lets you build other buttons and attach them to the four corners of
the screen or to the silk screen buttons.  Vitamin A comes with 40
different actions and supports a plug-in architecture so other developers
can build more actions.  A 30-day demo can be downloaded from:
<http://www.standalone.com/newton>.  The list price is US$44.95.

** NEW NEWTON NEWS SOURCE **

Rik Ahlberg <rik@aie.com> has announced the beta opening of a new Newton
news and resource page called Newton Today: <http://www.newtontoday.com>.

** EUDORA FOR NEWTON WINS AWARD! **

Qualcomm's Eudora Pro email software for the Newton has been awarded an
'Innovations Award' at the 1997 International Winter Consumer Electronics
show held last week in Las Vegas, Nevada. [iNews]


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  The New WriteRight Screen Enhancements protect your screen from
  scratches, reduce glare and improve your handwriting recognition by
  simulating the feel of writing on paper. WriteRights are available for
  all Newtons in packs of: 4-for $11.95, 8-for $18.95, and 12-for $24.95.
  Mention NewtNews and receive 10% off our 12-pack. For more info:
  415-929-1002 <Info@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  AvailWorks 3.0 - New version adds a text layer with spell-check, find
  and replace, and support for multiple page documents.  AvailWorks
  integrates text processing, powerful tables, dynamic business charts
  and graphs, and drawing and page layout tools into one convenient package
  for the Newton.  From PelicanWare at $79.95+S&H.  For more info:
  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Information from Email
----------------------

** NEW NEWTON COMPUSERVE CLIENT **

MacCentral is reporting that Apple has posted a new version of their
"CompuServe Mail for Newton 2.0" version 1.0.2 via the following URL:
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0197/jan08.shtml#compuserve>.  Version
1.02 fixes the following problems:

    - The login process hangs when using access
      numbers in Australia and Hong Kong.
    - If your mail font is large, you are unable to
      view the last part of large messages in the inbox.

You should be able to download the software from Apple's FTP site at:

    -
<ftp://ftp2.info.apple.com/Apple.Support.Area/Apple.Software.Updates/US/Newton/>

** NEW MAC AND NEWTON MAGAZINE **

Peter Gersmann <editor@macplanet.dk> reported via Guy Kawasaki's MacWay
listserver that there is a new 'independent source' for Macintosh and
Newton information via MacPlanet at: <http://www.macplanet.dk/>.

** NEWTNEWS GETS RECOGNITION **

Phil Margolis <pmarg@sandybay.com> reports that the NewtNews WWW site has
been selected to be included in PC Webopaedia family of computer
technology sites at: <http://www.sandybay.com/pc-web>.

** ULTIMATE NEWTON SITE UPDATED **

Rob Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> reports that there have been many recent
updates to the Ultimate Newton site at: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce>.

** DVORAK LIKES MESSAGEPAD 2000 **

Julian Kim <julian.kim@lw.com> and Bob <varipapa@dca.net> report that
John Dvorak has a MessagePad 2000 mention in his latest column in PC
Magazine (21Jan97).  Dvorak was reportedly "quite impressed" with voice
recording and mention a retail list price of US$899.

** GOOD WIRLESS INTERNET SERVICE **

Andrew Diller <dillera@dillernet.com> reports that he has been very happy
using Metricom Ricochet wireless modem services in the Washington, D.C.
area with his Cassiopeia, Newton, PowerBook and Win95 laptop.   Andrew is
impressed with the speed and has "never been loss connectivity" but the
best thing is that Ricochet offers unlimited Internet access at wireless
28.8 baud modem speeds for US$30 per month.  For more information check
out: <http://www.ricochet.net>.

** NEW VERSION OF NEWTHACK **

Christopher Dopp <cdopp@flashpt.com> reports the v1.1 release of NewtHack
-- a new hack and slash adventure game for Newtons 2.0 devices.  NewtHack
lets you "traipse around randomly generated dungeon levels, explore rooms
and find creatures and treasure within (similar to desktop games like
Rogue and NetHack)."

Version 1.1 improves the speed of the game and allows registered users to
save and restore games.  There are additional magical items and all of
the known bugs in version 1.0 have been fixed.  This software runs just
fine on the eMate 3000 and the MessagePad 2000.  For more information
please check out: <http://www.pobox.com/~newthack>.

** UPDATE ON NETHERLAND NEWTON USER GROUP **

Bart Keijzer <ngn@luna.nl> reports that the first meeting of the Newton
Gebruikersgroep Nederland (NGN) will be held at Saturday 25Jan97 in The
Hague, starting 2:00pm.  The meeting location will be posted at:
<http://ngn.luna.nl>.  An eMate 300 and a MessagePad 2000 will be present
at the meeting.

** NEW NEWTON GAME **

Brian Torvik <brian@torcom.com> has released A-Zoo Evasion -- "an
original game for the Newton which features animated biomorphic
artificial life forms of nearly infinte variety, bred as the game
progresses from a gene space of well over one million."  Your job in this
game is harvest minerals without getting eaten by hostile species found
on Earth Colony Alpha-312.  This game is for Newton 2.0, has a suggested
retail price of US$19.95, and a demo can be downloaded from:
<http://www.torcom.com/tunes>.

** URL ERROR **

Felix Hagno <hgus6@hgus.gu.se> reports that in the issue 123 of NewtNews
published on 10Dec96 there is an incorrect pointer to their new
QuickPress Newton solution.  The correct URL is:

    - <http://lthmtek.msek.lth.se/~cim93hf4/avanti.html>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  GET AMIGO NOW!  Did you know you can order AMIGO the premier 8000+ word
  English/Spanish Dictionary Reference Tool and Translation program for
  the Newton over the Web at: <http://www.unboxed.com>?   Did you know
  that the price online is $5 less than the snail mail price and it comes
  with a full year of upgrades?  Don't delay, this Fall there will be a
  new version and a price increase.  More info: ACCSYS <rkaplan@well.com>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  TeleType GPS is software for the Newton which displays your location
  while driving or flying. The software includes a moving map which shows
  you where you are in relation to cities and towns. It is controlled by
  the Garmin 30 TracPack, a powerful yet small Global Positioning System
  (GPS) antenna.  Never get lost again. Email: <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>
  or WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> for more information.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Information from the Internet
-----------------------------

** COMP.SYS.NEWTON.ANNOUNCE NEEDS A NEW MODERATOR **

Mike Nowak <mnowak@umich.edu> the 'great' moderator of the USENET
newsgroup comp.sys.newton.announce has announced his retirement and is
looking for a replacement (single moderator or co-moderators is OK) who:

    - owns and uses a NewtonOS device,
    - know how to moderate a newsgroup with their own
      server and software,
    - not be affiliated with a Newton software,
      hardware, or service provider, if possible.

Please send your name, email address, and a description of your ability
to fulfill these requirements by the end of 29Jan97.  Mike will let you
know and announce the new moderator on 31Jan97 whose duties will begin on
01Fe97.  Mike will need to retire on this day, new moderator or not, so
if you want the job please send him email ASAP.

** MEDICAL SOFTWARE NEWS **

Jack Starmer <jack@simplemed.com> reports that Morgan Creek Medical has
posted a demo of their 'care patient management' software called Medicus
via: <http://www.simplemed.com/>.  The demo will only hold 5 patients,
requires Newton 2.0, and has a smaller drug list database.

** CHAT CLIENT NEARS BETA **

Robert Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> has announced that Tactile Systems is
in the process of trying to find a 'limited number of users' to test out
their new NIE savvy Internet Relay Chat Client.  For more information
send an email to: <chat_buddy@tactile.com>.  In the email message, please
list what type of Newton you have and what other NIE applications you use
(you must use at least one).

** NEW CHESS GAME FOR THE NEWTON **

Jorj Bauer <jorj@red.seas.upenn.edu> has announced a public beta of his
Newton 2.0 chess pad solution called DeepNewt.  This software is
currently being released as freeware, and can be downloaded from:
<http://binky.seas.upenn.edu/~jorj/newton.html>.

** NEWTOPOLIS WEB SITE **

Hayes Haugen <hayes@eskimo.com> has announced a new Newton ideas page
that he is calling: <http://www.eskimo.com/~hayes/newtopolis.html>.

** CHINESE NEWTON SITE **

Chun-Hsien Lin <jslin@cc.unalis.com.tw> has created a Chinese Newton
Central on the WWW at: <http://www.at-taiwan.com/~vir00194>.  This site
will not only include information about using Chinese on a Newton but
also some related programming information.

** ANOTHER NEWTON SURVEY UNDERWAY **

Jeff Wright <wrightad@airmail.net> posted a request of "Newton Marketing
Data Needed" to the USENET newsgroup cop.sys.newton.misc.  The post
included 4 questions that Jeff would like answers to.  The questions
center around using the MessagePad 2000 in outside operating
environments.  Please try and track down the post and answer the
questions first using HotBot <http://www.hotbot.com> (or your favorite
search engine).  If you can't find the questions, then send Jeff email
and he should send you the questions.  For more information on what Jeff
is up to check out: <http://www.fw3.com>.

** NEW NEWTON ONLINE BOOK STORE **

Steve Sande <steve@pdantic.com> reports that pdantic.com Online Bookstore
has teamed up with Amazon.com to create an easy way to browse through
books dealing with Newton, Magic Cap, HPCs, and mobile computing in
general.  If you find an interesting book, you can quickly order the book
through Amazon.com.  For more information check out the following link:
<http://www.pdantic.com>.

** HOW FAST ARE THE NEW NEWTONS?!? **

How fast is the eMate 300 and the MessagePad 2000?  Well, according to
some tests run by George Henne <gh@nsbasic.com> at NS BASIC both machines
are definitely faster than current hardware.  In summary of the NS BASIC
Tech Note #30 (31Oct96):

    Unit        MP110   MP130   eMate300   MP2000
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    NSB Rev      2.52    3.60       3.60     3.60
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    CPU          7177    1781       1146      309
    Screen        965     655        614      265
    Soup         3122    2117        971      631
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    Overall     20861    7546       5464     2128

For more information, send email to: <support@nsbasic.com> or check out:
<http://www.nsbasic.com>

** ANOTHER MEDICAL APP UPDATED **

Robert Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> also reports a new free update to
version 1.50 of their Transcriptionist package for their registered
users.  Transcriptionist helps a Newton user in automated data collection
and text generation needs.  It is especially useful in medical settings.
For more info: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce/tactile/medical/>.  If you
are interested in a competitive upgrade program from another medical
software package, please send email to: <info@tactile.com>.

** NEW VERSION OF WRITEHERE **

Adam Tow <atow@leland.stanford.edu> has announced that Foundation Systems
has release the Beta #4 of WriteHere via: <http://www.tow.com>.  This new
version was posted on 06Jan97 and offers the following improvements:

    - Revised the code for inserting text into views.
      WriteHere now works properly in Dates.
    - Styles now works as expected. Selected text's
      styles show up properly in the style menu. Style
      menu now sticks, allowing you to add or subtract
      styles with ease.
    - Register view now scrolls as you write, sending
      one word to the key view instead of the entire
      register content.
    - Minor bug fixes.

** MP2000 U.S. TOUR **

Jeff Wright <wrightad@airmail.net> forwarded to NewtNews details about
the "Newton Handheld Computing for Professionals On-The-Go Tour" that
Apple and Forms Express are hosting.  Here are the locations and dates.

    Reston, DC        21Jan97     Dallas, TX         22Jan97
    Chicago, IL       23Jan97     Atlanta, GA        29Jan97
    Philadelphia, PA  30Jan97     New York City, NY  04Feb97
    Boston, MA        05Feb97     Seattle, WA        11Feb97
    Santa Monica, CA  13Feb97

The seminars will run from 1:30 p.m. through 4:30 p.m.  To register you
can call: 800.284.8338 Ext. 100 or check out the following WWW site at:
<http://www.seminars.apple.com>.

** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **

    - RAIDstack [Storage]: <http://www.aiwa.com>
    - EtherPeek [Network Analysis]: <http://www.aggroup.com>
    - CERT [Virus Info]: <http://www.cert.org>
    - Star Wars [Movie]: <http://www.starwars.com>
    - PhoneMaker [Telephony]: <http://www.micromat.com/mmcs>
    - Yahoo! Internet Life [WWW]: <http://www.yil.com>
    - IP Spoofing Doc: <http://www.cs.princeton.edu/sip/pub/spoofing.html>
    - Emulation on the Mac: <http://www.komkon.org/~stiles/emulation>
    - Netcraft [WWW]: <http://www.netcraft.com/survey>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
$ NS BASIC  $ The latest implementation of this cool programming tool has an
$   3.6     $ easy to use graphic screen layout function, plus indexed file
$   with    $ communications, graphics and more!  Program directly on Newton
$  Visual   $ or with a PC or Mac.  Create packages in the Extras drawer and
$ Designer! $ much more. 260 pg handbook. Cost is $99+5 S&H for all Newtons.
$           $ <info@nsbasic.com>,  <http://www.nsbasic.com>,  416.264.5999
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - December96 Specials - Cool Stuff for your Newton!
   - Apple MessagePad 130 $689 (#22003) Free Win2Go Software with Purchase
   - Type II PCMCIA Flash Memory for all Apple MPs - Mfg Lifetime Guarantee
     4MB $128 (#41071)  8MB $224 (#41073)  10MB $274 (#41074)
   - Revelar Connection Utilities $53.95 - Windows (#10070) Mac OS (#10071)
   - King James Bible for Newton $34.95 (#10260) Archimedes $39.95 (#62030)
   - FreeStyle Handwriting Recognition $39.95 (#10151)
   - MessagePad Wireless Communications Case $73.95 (#31150)
  To receive special pricing please mention source code [#151]
  To order call 800-279-4732 or 219-882-5228 or fax 219-845-0578
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Review of Top Weekly Magazine Headlines
---------------------------------------

** JUST NEWS **

    - Apple's 'FutureWare' brings IP services to AppleShare

** MAJOR TRENDS **

    - E-Commerce solutions continue to pop-up from big players like
      Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Sun, and Netscape
    - Apple and NeXT merger mania: MacOS and NEXTSTEP to become one

** MINOR TRENDS **

    - Intel's MMX chip claims 60% speed-up when used in native mode
    - Internet Push, Encryption, and Public Key Certificates begin
      to catch on.  Expect more and more solutions in 1997.
    - Windows 97 rumors begin to flow

** NOISE **

    - ADSL Modems: speed-up is less than anticipated
    - Java vs. ActiveX wars

** WEB POINTERS **

    - Web Week: <http://www.webweek.com>
    - MacWeek: <http://www.macweek.com>
    - InfoWorld: <http://www.infoworld.com>
    - Computer Reseller News: <http://www.crn.com>
    - PC Week: <http://www.pcweek.com>


Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
---------------------------------------

** THE FUTURE OF THE EMATE?!? **

Nicholas Petreley <nicholas_petreley@infoworld.com> has a host of Apple,
Newton, and eMate mentions in his "Down to the Wire" column on page 82 of
InfoWorld published on 06Jan97.  The article is a 'humorous' look into
the future -- Nicholas shares his thoughts on future technology from 1997
through 2004 -- including:

    - Pentium Pro powered Newton eMate in 1997
    - in 1998 the eMate gets a 13" color display and
      bigger keyboard
    - the eMate gets a detachable keyboard and
      mouse in the year 2000
    - in 2002 the eMate gets 'hardware component'
      technology and is marketed as an alternative
      to Network Computers

** NEW VERSIONS OF MEETING MAKER **

On Technology <http://www.on.com> has released version 4.0 of Meeting
Maker.  The primary servers software runs on Windows NT and costs
US$4995.  Most of the clients (Windows, Macintosh, Psion, Casio, Boss,
Sharp Wizard, and Apple Newton) start at US$95.  Major features: 32-bit
support for Windows 95 and NT users; Master Schedule tool; Print Layout
Designer; and Server Logging.  [Amy Doan, InfoWorld, 06Jan97, page 37]

** ON TAP FOR CE SHOW **

Philips Home Services  will be showing off their new Internet savvy P200
phone that features: 16-by-40 line LCD; 32-bit RISC CPU; 2-MBs of memory;
14.4-Kbps modem; and keypad with on-screen buttons.  The unit will ship
in Q1'97 amd will come with Internet applications including email
services. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 3]

Hitachi will be demonstrating their future US$499 Windows CE HPC unit
that will ship sometime in 1997. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 3]

Franklin Electronic Publishers will also have a "demo prototype" of their
electronic PIM that will fit into a "shirt pocket."  The unit will cost
under US$300 and is expected to ship by the Summer'97. [PC Week, 06Jan97,
page 3]

** WIRELESS NEWS **

Cirrus Logic <http://www.cirrus.com> has sold for US$23 million PCSI's
Wireless Infrastructure Equipment group to ADC Telecommunications. [PC
Week, 06Jan97, page 99]

General Wireless <http://www.generalwireless.com> has awarded Lucent
Technologies <http://www.lucent.com> a contract worth US$400 million for
CDMA infrastructure equipment. [PC Week, 06Jan97, page 99]

** NEWTON MENTION IN MACWEEK REVIEW OF 1996 **

The MacWeek staff has a review of 1996 news starting on page 33 of
MacWeek published on 06Jan97.  There are several Newton mentions in the
article, but nothing really new is mentioned.  There is a small picture
of the eMate though included with the article.

In the same issue of MacWeek, Ric Ford has a series of recommendations to
Apple for 1997 on page 73, including the following Newton mention:

    "Strong advances in Newton-based platforms, bring
     back the advantages of the Mac's original
     simplicity and pacing the industry in pen-based
     interfaces."

[EDITOR: Ric Ford is responsible for this great Macintosh resource page
that I read on a daily basis: <http://www.macintouch.com>.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   WinSlurp! - Rare White Tiger Creations provides Newton Book publishing
   services and is NOW offering WinSlurp. A windows front-end to Slurpee
   which supports transferring notes back and forth between the Newton
   notepad and the PC desktop.  Available for downloading from this URL:
   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   PowerMedia is your source for all the latest cutting edge Newton apps:
     + Super NotePad: Quick access arrows, encryption, tags, filters, etc.
     + DateMan 3.0: Complete agenda and contact management.
     + Stationary Construction Kit: Build your very own custom stationary.
   Commercially available at your favorite Newton retailer.  Or check out
   online demos via the following site: <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Other PDA News
--------------

[EDITOR: News collected via snail mail, major publications, USENET
newsgroups, email, and the WWW.]

** PSION **

Lloyd Wasser <WIDGETCAN@aol.com> reports that the following pieces of
Psion software & hardware can be purchased via his Canadian store Widget
Software: Psion SCRABBLE, Psion MONOPOLY, 3c/Siena cables, PsiWin 1.1
Upgrade Software/Manual, Agenda Synchronizer Software, NOTEPAD DELUXE for
the 3a/3c, and Widget Car Stand.  For more information call: 416.449.2331
or check out: <http://www.widget.co.uk/canada/>.

It appears that Psion Software is currently trying to recruit more staff
at all levels including: communications engineering; systems engineering;
Windows programming; process management; project management; graphic
design; and product licensing.  For more information check out the
following URL: <http://www.software.psion.com/jobs.html>.

** ZAURUS **

Scott Adams <sadams@mail.flash.net> had an interesting post to
comp.sys.palmtops that outlines his thoughts on "A Perspective on PDA
Development" last week.  Scott has found that he likes working on a
Zaurus more than a Pilot, but as he gets deeper into the Zaurus the more
he thinks that a Windows CE device like Philips Velo-1 may be a better
device.  To read the complete post check out search engine HotBot at:
<http://www.hotbot.com>.

Looking for more information about the recently announced Sharp Zaurus
3500X?  Then check out Rupp Technology's site at: <http://www.rupp.com>.
[Suggested by George Czajkowski <georgec@cyberus.ca> on the USENET
newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops.]

Geroge Czajkowski <georgec@cyberus.ca> also recently wrote up and posted
a very good review of "Z-Em@il for SHARP Zaurus".  If you are interested
in reading this piece, you should be able to find it via HotBot
<http://www.hotbot.com> in the USENET newsgroups comp.sys.palmtops or
comp.sys.handhelds.

Michael Malley <msmalley@paonline.com> is looking to find someone to
adopt the disbanded 'Ultimate Zaurus Page' from him.  Michael is now
doing 'The Ultimate Win CE Page' at: <http://www.paonline.com/msmalley>.

** PILOT **

First Virtual Holdings is offering some special offers to their
VirtualPIN holders: USRobotics Pilot for US$259.97; VoiceIt voice
recorder for US$14.97; and Timex DataLink watch for US$99.97.  For more
information check out: <http://www.1virtualplace.com/special-offer/>.

Now Software <http://www.nowsoft.com> has announced plans to develope a
desktop  synchronization software called Now Synchronize for U.S.
Robotics' recently released Pilot Connected Organizer for Mac OS.   Now
Synchronize for Pilot will let Pilot users seamless synchronize with their
Mac OS Now Contact and Up-To-Date applications.

Dave Stevens <dstevens@roaddog.com> reports that the following site has a
good list of pointers to U.S. Robotics' Pilot freeware and shareware
software at: <http://www.inforamp.net/~adam/pilot/>.

Ron Nicholson <rhn@nicholson.com> reportedly hosts some good info about
the U.S. Robotics' Pilot at: <http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/pilot.html>.

Looking for a spreadsheet for your U.S. Robotics' Pilot?  Then check out
<http://www.cesinc.com>.

Kenny West <kenw@flash.net> reports that the author of the Pilot
Application Launcher (PAL) -- Matt Peterson -- has moved his WWW site to
the following location: <http://www.xmission.com/~dovcom/>.

Creative Digital <http://www.cdpubs.com> has a new utility for the Pilot
that will calculate the current time and date for nearly 250 countries,
cities, and time zones.

** WINDOWS CE **

Bob Metcalfe <metcalfe@infoworld.com> has a passing Windows CE mention in
his 'visions for 1997' column on page 34 of InfoWorld published on
06Jan97.  The mention is related to his opinion that if Bill Gates
finally agrees with you (i.e., handhelds like Windows CE are good) then
you better look out because he will do whatever it takes to dominate such
a market.

Andrew Diller <dillera@dillernet.com> reports that the Windows CE
listserver that he started up back in Nov96 now has over 200 subscribers.
Andrew thinks it is kinda funny that the listserver for this list is an
Macintosh IIci with an '040 Daystar accellerator running Fog City's
LetterRip software.  To subscribe to the list send email to:
<majordomo@dillernet.com> with either the subject line or the _body_ of
your message set to: "subscribe wince your_name".  For more information
check out: <http://www.dillernet.com/wince.html>.

Riley McArdle <rmcardle@www.atech.tec.clark.nv.us> reports that a
'WebRing' has been formed for Windows CE.  For more info about WebRings
check out: <http://www.webring.org/>.  For more info about the Windows CE
WebRing try: <http://www.atech.tec.clark.nv.us/~rmcardle/cering/>.

Word on the street is that Philips will be introducing their Windows CE
HPC called the Velo-1 at the Mar96 CeBIT being held in Hannover, Germany.
This unit is expected to support more languages than just English.

Robert Wilson <rgw@voyager.co.nz> has posted more details about using the
new Piiceon PC Card modem with Casio Cassiopeia Windows CE HPC via:
<http://www.mobilepda.co.nz/page2.htm>.

** MAGIC CAP **

General Magic was on the list of 'Worst Performers' in a recent [06Jan97]
Computer Reseller News (CRN) stock report by Eric Hausman published on
page 1.  On 29Dec95 General Magic stock was at 10.63 and on 31Dec96 the
stock was at 2.31 (a -78.24% change).  Winners included: Data Systems
Network, Pomeroy Computers, National Tech Team, Western Digital, and Dell
Computer. Other losers included: Paramount Financial, Global Village,
Interleaf, and Pinnacle Micro. [EDITOR: You can find more information
about good and bad 1996 stocks by searching on 'STOCKS' on the Web Week
site at: <http://www.webweek.com/search>.]

Steve Wolfson <wolfson@ucs.com> correctly points out that the main Sony
WWW site is very slow, so if you are interested in Sony Magic Cap
information you should check out: <http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/Magic>
and <http://www.sonysoft.com/>.  If you are interested in pointers to
Magic Cap freeware and shareware software you should check out:
<http://www.spies.com/MagicCap>.

Steve Wolfson <wolfson@ucs.com> also forwarded to NewtNews a post to
USENET News entitled "Magic Cap Workbench Summary" by General Magic's
Luke Derossi <lderossi@ComCAT.COM>.  This document has some detailed
information about what General Magic's next iteration of Magic Cap offers
to users and developers.  If you are interested in seeing this article,
please use the HotBot USENET newsgroup search engine at:
<http://www.hotbot.com>.

** OTHER **

For about US$1980 you can get the 'VHS tape' size (210x115x34mm) Toshiba
Libretto 50 in Japan.  This 'palmtop' is a full fledged PC which
includes: 75-MHz Pentium processor; SoundBlaster; VGA out; parallel
ports; Type II PC Card slot; and a 6.1 inch 640x480, 16 million colors
TFT display. Battery life is suppose to run 1.5 to 2 hours.  The units
come with Windows 95/Japan. For more information you might want to check
out: <http://www2.toshiba.co.jp/pc/catalog/libretto/lib50/lib50_1.htm>.
[Information from a post on the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops by
William Ofosu-Amaah <XI6W-OFSA@asahi-net.or.jp>.]

Looking for DOS applications for your Hewlett-Packard (HP) 200LX?  Then
check out:
    - <http://www.palmtop.net/super.html>
    - <http://www.waysoft.com/pdahome.shtml>
    - <http://feustel.mixi.net>
[Suggestions from Vivek Venugopalan <vivek@mcs.net>, Dave Feustel
<feustel@netcom.com>, and Jeff Goodman <jeff@waysoft.com> on USENET
newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops.]


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   This space for rent.  For more info: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Thanks.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Edupage, 06Jan96 thru 12Jan97
-----------------------------

** EN TECHNOLOGY DISHES UP DATA AT CYBERCAFE **

New Hampshire-based En Technology has received FCC clearance to embed
data in video airing on more than 100 PBS stations featuring The Internet
Cafe show.  A trial of the process has been operational at six PBS
stations since October.  The data transferred during the show is ported
directly to PCs equipped with an external antenna or special cable
hookup, and involves software related to a topic in this show.  PC users
who wish to receive En's transmissions must install a $150 TV modem card
in their computers.  "We don't bring TV to the PC," says En's technology
director.  "We get much better throughput by blasting data through the
video." (Broadcasting & Cable 30 Dec 96 p50)

** APPLE'S CORE WAXES RHAPSODIC **

Apple Computer says that for the next few years it will pursue a "dual
operating system" strategy, offering machines that run both its existing
Macintosh System 7 operating system and its new Next-based system,
code-named Rhapsody. Chief Technology Officer Ellen Hancock promised
existing Mac users that support for System 7 will continue for the next
several years.  (Wall Street Journal 7 Jan 97 B6)  The new line of
machines is necessary because the Next-based system won't run on any of
the existing Macs, including those using the popular Motorola 680x0 line
of chips.  It will, however, run on Intel-based computers now using
Windows 95 and Windows NT.  (Tampa Tribune 7 Jan 97 B&F8)

** MICROSOFT'S SPENDING SPREE **

Microsoft invested in or purchased outright 20 companies in 1996,
spending somewhere around $750 million, according to company executives.
The volume of the transactions has pushed Microsoft into the top tier of
all corporate investors:  "I see no other company in this industry that
is moving as aggressively and with as single a purpose," says Broadview
Associates' chairman.  Most of the company's acquisitions contribute to
Microsoft's strategy to be tops in Internet-related activities.
(Business Week 13 Jan 97 p34)

** MICROSOFT TO BEEF UP MAC SOFTWARE PRODUCTION **

Microsoft has announced its plans to set up a 100-person unit to write
applications software for Apple Macintosh computers.  In exchange, Apple
has agreed to package Microsoft's Explorer browser software in addition
to Netscape Navigator with its machines.  Some observers suggest
Microsoft's move is motivated at least in part by its desire to avoid
more antitrust scrutiny, but company officials deny the latest effort has
anything to do with its Justice Dept. worries.  (Wall Street Journal 8
Jan 97 B8) Clarification to Edupage, 7 Jan 97:  Apple's new Next-based
operating system *will* work with the Macintosh machines currently being
sold -- it will not, however, be compatible with Macs based on the
Motorola 680x0 line of chips used up until 1994.

** ZENITH JOINS NC BANDWAGON **

Zenith Electronics is developing a network computer (NC) called Net
Vision, to be introduced later this year for $500 or less;  the system
will connect to a TV set and phone line to deliver World Wide Web pages,
handle e-mail, and run Java application programs or "applets" from the
Net at 33.6 kilobits per second.  (San Jose Mercury News Center 9 Jan 97)

** PLOT UNRAVELS FOR WEB SOAP OPERA **

Unless new investors come to the rescue, it will soon be curtains for the
Web soap opera called "The Spot," which offered surfers an invitation to
"Immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and secret journals of five
twentysomethings living under one roof."  Media analyst Gary Arlen says
the show's cancellation would be a signal that investors are becoming
increasingly dissatisfied with opportunities for making money from the
Web. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 9 Jan 97 C7)

** BEEPER MADNESS **

A technical glitch on Thursday caused the SkyTel paging network to send
erroneous call-me-back messages to more than 100,000 customers.  The
problem was exacerbated when some diligent subscribers returned the call
and left their phone numbers so that whoever had beeped them could call
back.  The result was a 26-minute major phone traffic jam as thousands of
other SkyTel customers then called those numbers.  Apparently, the whole
mess started when a customer desiring a new PIN (personal identification
number) was mistakenly assigned one linked to a secret code that the
company uses to beam Dow Jones News Service information out to 100,000
customers.  The PIN, a seven-digit number that looked like a phone
number, was zapped to the Dow Jones subscribers, many of whom then tried
to dial it as a local call. Others recognized it as a PIN, and called
SkyTel to retrieve the "caller's" number, jamming the lines there.  "One
frequency of our one-way nationwide network experienced an anomaly in the
database that caused customers to be paged erroneously," says a spokesman
for SkyTel's parent company, MTel, which has apologized for the snafu.
(Wall Street Journal 10 Jan 97 A1)

** FCC DESIGNATES WIRELESS SPECTRUM FOR SCHOOLS, OTHERS **

The Federal Communications Commission has set aside 300 megahertz of
spectrum for free, unlicensed, short-range wireless communications by
individuals, schools, hospitals and libraries.  Metricom's Ricochet
network already provides its subscribers with wireless data
communications and Internet access using an unlicensed portion of the
radio spectrum.  The FCC anticipates similar services proliferating, as
well as educational and medical applications, such as teachers using the
designated airwaves to call up student background records and grades from
the schools central database using handheld machines or doctors calling
up X-rays from a hospital database and ordering drugs from the pharmacy.
(Investor's Business Daily 10 Jan 97 A21)


INNOVATION, 06Jan97
-------------------

** TRENDS: OUTSOURCING YOUR HEADACHES **

Instead of just selling a one-size-fits-all product, companies are
finding that customizing that product increasingly gives them a
competitive edge, particularly in the dog-eat-dog world of outsourcing
services. San Jose-based Cadence Design Systems has found that selling
its chip and circuit board design services is proving far more profitable
than just selling the software that allows other companies to do it on
their own. Before instituting its new strategy, if customers weren't
using Cadence software effectively, the company would step in and show
them how to do it. Now, instead of just selling the software, they sell
the labor and expertise it takes to run it as well.  This level of
service allows Cadence customers to shift some of the risk, capital needs
and just plain headaches to an outside firm, often in exchange for a cut
of the profits generated as a result of more efficiency.  "If Cadence's
strategy takes off, it will be another step in the evolution of the
virtual corporation -- a business that farms out most of its functions to
outside contractors.  An entrepreneur with an idea could get his chip
design done by Cadence in return for a royalty, have the silicon
fabrication done in the Far East and sell the product over the Internet."
 (Rita Koselka, "My Customer, My Partner," Forbes 30 Dec 96 p142)

** STRATEGIES: HOW IS YOUR CUSTOMER DIFFERENT FROM "AVERAGE"? **

Think about how the word "market" has changed over time.  Once the
marketplace was "a gathering of people for the sale and purchase of goods
at a fixed time and place";  then, with mass production, it changed to an
unknown aggregation of potential customers that manufacturers would hope
to please by producing the right products.  But now the concept of
markets is changing again as "mass customization" allows producers to use
information technology and flexible work processes to customize goods or
services for customers in high volumes and relatively low cost.  There
are four distinct kinds of mass customization:  collaborative, adaptive,
cosmetic and transparent.  Collaborative customization tends to take
place at the design stage, where the customer collaborates with the
seller on the design of a particular product (such as eyeglasses, shoes,
etc.).  Adaptive customization gives customers flexible products that can
be programmed to adjust after purchase to changing circumstances (such as
a lighting system that reconfigures the lighting design to accommodate
lively parties, business meetings, etc.).  Cosmetic customization
presents a standard product in a customized package (such as Hertz's #1
Club Gold Program that customizes standard rent-a-car services by
repackaging them for recognized, individual customers).  And transparent
customization works without the customer's awareness;  transparent
customizers observe customers' behavior without direct interaction and
then inconspicuously customize their offerings within a standard package
(such as the delivery of just the right mixture and right amount of
industrial-strength soap for car washes).  The challenge for customizers
is to understand that *all* mass-produced products or services create
"customer sacrifice" groups:  the difference between a company's offering
and what each customer truly desires.  So you need to figure out what
those sacrifice gaps are and use that knowledge to drive your individual
approach to customization.  (James H. Gilmore & B. Joseph Pine II, "The
Four Faces Of Mass Customization,"  Harvard Business Review Jan/Feb 97 p91)

** INNOVATIONS: WRISTWATCH ORGANIZER **

The new Timex Data Link Watch, a collaboration between Microsoft and
Timex, is designed to keep you on schedule using Microsoft's Schedule +
software. After recording all appointments, tasks and phone numbers on
the software, you designate what items you want to export to the watch
(up to 70), and then press a special button on the watch (activating an
electronic "eye") and hold the watch up to the screen.  The screen then
goes blank and a series of fluctuating horizontal lines appears.  In
seconds the data has been transferred, and you're on your way.  (Tampa
Tribune 30 Dec 96 B&F5)

** MORE INFO ON INNOVATION **

Innovation is published weekly, with individual subscriptions available
at $15 a year. Topics are organized under the following headers:
TRENDS, STRATEGIES, and INNOVATIONS.  For a six-week free trial
subscription to Innovation, please send an email message to
<innovation-trial@newsscan.com> and in the subject line type the word:
'subscribe'.  You can also use the trial registration form on their Web
site at: <http://www.newsscan.com>.  For more info, send email to:
<gehl@newsscan.com> or <douglas@newsscan.com>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  NEED A NEWTON PROGRAMMER? NewtNews has a list of over 40 Internet based
  Newton programmers who are interested in working on vertical or
  horizontal market solutions.  Please send email to: <newtnews@pobox.com>
  if you would like the list or would like to be added to the list.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Other Sources of Information
----------------------------

** WIRELESS LAN GROWTH **

The Yankee Group is reported that they expect the United States Wireless
LAN industry to grow by 'sixfold' by the year 2000 with revenues over
US$1 billion.  The majority of hardware money spent on wireless LANs will
come from, according to the Yankee Group, desktop based LAN cards for
desktop systems, and PC Cards for notebooks and other devices.  The
biggest problem though is the lack of 'true' standards and the lack of
interoperability between vendor equipment. [Kim Borg, Computer Technology
Review, Dec96, page 1]

** INTERNET FAXING WILL SAVE MONEY **

A recent survey by the Gallop Poll reports that the average Fortune 500
company spends nearly 41% of their phone bill ($15 million a year) on
faxing.  Some of the new Internet hardware based faxing solutions could
save companies a great deal of money. [Dave Trowbridge, Computer
Technology Review, Dec96, page 1]

** MOBILE STORAGE **

There is a 'New Media Alert' in New Media published on 06Jan97 that has a
short blurb about the recently announced Iomega's n*hand discs based on
Toshiba's Solid State Floppy Disk (SSFD) flash card technology.  This
technology competes against similar announced solutions from SanDisk
<http://www.sandisk.com> and the Minature Card Implementor's Forum
(Intel) <http://www.mcif.org>.  For more information about n*hand check
out: <http://www.iomega.com> and <http://www.toshiba.com>.

** EMATE BLURB **

Becky Waring has a short review blurb about Apple's eMate 300 on page 36
of New Media published on 06Jan97.  Becky does mention that this device
will also compete with other Network Computing devices for school
dollars.  The key feature that will make the eMate more attractive is
that it offers mobility.

** WIRELESS CLASS **

Motorola and Data On Air are hosting a series of introductory courses
called "A Practical Introduction to Wireless Data" in San Diego,
California on 27-28Jan97; Chicago, Illinois on 04-05Feb97; and San
Francisco, California on 06-07Mar97.  The cost is US$695.  For more
information call: 800.771.2012 or check out: <http://www.dataonair.com>.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
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  make you want to puke?  Then maybe you should check out NewtNews-Savvy.
  For $20 you get 52 issues of just lean and mean Newton/PDA/Wireless
  information directly to your inbox of choice.  Send an email message
  with the subject containing 'NewtNews-Savvy' to <newtnews@pobox.com>
  and you'll get a sample issue and an order form.  Thanks for reading!
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  If you are too cheap to pay $20 for weekly Newton/PDA/Wireless info,
  then check out the freeware-monthly-Acrobat-savvy-version of NewtNews
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$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


News Agent Summary
------------------

For more info about [Farcast] check out: <http://www.farcast.com>.
For more info about [iNews] contact INDIVIDUAL, Inc. at 800.414.1000.

** HANDHELD **

Toshiba has a new family of 8-bit microcontrollers (TLCS-870) that are
ideal of handheld battery operation (less than 1.8 volts). [iNews]

All Pen Software has released AllPen Mobile Forms Database for
Microsoft's Windows CE HPCs. [iNews]

Microsoft was demoing their Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows CE
systems at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show being held in Las
Vegas, Nevada.  The pack with include "ten great games." [iNews]

The latest version of WyndMail (wireless email) for the Apple's
MessagePads and PowerBooks now supports "Message Header Preview." [iNews]

Sharp has introduced on 09Jan97 in the United States their new Zaurus
based ZR-3500X -- which offers: built-in 14.4/9.6-kbps data/fax modem;
Internet applications; Windows 95 synchronization; PC link cable;
backlighting; and 1-MB RAM with a 1-MB FLASH PC Card.  The list price is
expected to be US$499.  [iNews & Farcast]

** MOBILE **

Qualcomm has signed a licensed agreement with Unwired Planet giving them
the ability to incorporate Unwired Planet's UP.link technology (email and
other Internet applications) into future Qualcomm wireless products.

Motorola will be the first wireless data network provider in Indonesia.
Most of the work will be done for P. T. Elektrindo Nusantara, and will use
Motorola's DataTAC 5000 systems. [iNews]

Pele-Phone Communication based in Israel has announced that they have
launched a trail of CDMA services using Motorola technology. [iNews]

Motorola has begun the process of launching Iridium satellites.   The $5
billion mobile telephone service will use 66 satellites to cover the
world with communication capabilities. [iNews]

** APPLE **

Apple is has reportedly publically stated that in their first fiscal
quarter ending on 27Dec96 that they will more than likely post a loss
between US$100-and-150 million.  The loss is related to weak Performa
sales and a continued backlog for PowerBooks.  Apple's stock took a huge
hit on the news. [iNews]

Apple remains committed to providing Webmasters, Workgroups, Individuals
with easy-to-use Internet Server Solutions.  Apple first major step in
this direction is the public beta of their new version of AppleShare
(called AppleShare IP 5.0)that support a wide range of AppleTalk and
TCP/IP services. [iNews]

Apple is going to be supporting two operating systems for at least the
next two years.  The company expects to release at least four more
iterations of Mac OS System 7.x, and at the same time migrate core System
7.x and 'Copland' technologies into OpenStep.  The first iteration of
this OS is codename "Rhapsody" and it will contain Mac OS Compatibility
through an 'emulator.' [iNews]

Apple has released a new free utility for PowerBook systems called Apple
Location Manager. [iNews]

Symantec has release new versions of Visual Cafe and Visual Page for the
Mac OS. [iNews]

Asante Technologies has announced that their NetDoubler (network
acceleration tool) does support Apple's AppleShare IP 5.0 server. [iNews]

Microsoft has announce the release of a new version (4.2.1) of their
Microsoft Office for the Macintosh.  This version will have new tools
that should make life easier for small business owners. [iNews]

Apple will be in charge of webcasting, for the 2nd year in a row, the 39th
Annual GRAMMY Awards at: <http://grammy.apple.com/>. [iNews]

Allegiant Technologies plans to incorporate QuickTime 2.5 Windows support
in their current suite of multimedia and web-authoring tools. [iNews]

Metrowerks has signed an agreement with Apple to port CodeWarrior tools
to the "Rhapsody' operating system.  In related news, Metrowerks has also
signed an agreement with Philips to provide Trimedia processor support in
future versions of CodeWarrior. [iNews]

Apple is now shipping their Apple VideoPhone Kit for LANS and 28.8 modem
access. [iNews]

Live Picture and Apple have announced collaborative development plans to
add Live Picture's FlashPix image file format to Apple's QuickTime Media
Layer (QTML) for Mac OS and Windows. [iNews]

Fujitsu has announced a new family of 1200-dpi workgroup laser printers
that support the Mac OS. [iNews]

Nissan Motor Company in Japan has announced that their mixture of 8,000
PCs and Apple Mac OS machines will be switched over to Windows-based PCs.
Nissan reportedly had 3,500 Macintosh systems.  [Farcast via Mainichi
Shimbun]

Apple Computer India is reportedly in the process of upgrading their
Banalore service warehouse and increasing support to the more than 40
MacService Associates centers in India. [Farcast]

** INTERNET **

Microsoft has joined The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) "giving interoperable
geographic information systems a quantum leap forward."  [Farcast]


Advertising Notes
-----------------

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that support this effort, and we appreciate their support.

When you purchase products from NewtNews vendors please mention that you
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-------------------------------

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* SOLUTIONS FROM LANDWARE. All work in the Newton 2.0 OS.
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CD-ROM from AMUG CD, Inc. contains over 1800 packages, and 590 megs in
Mac and PC format. 2.0 & 1.x Packages can be downloaded directly from the
CD to your MessagePad. Maximize your Newton experience! $29 + S/H. Call
AMUG 602.497-2244, or email <sales@amug.org> to order! See our Newton CD
web page at <http://cdrom.amug.org/>.

* BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY PACKAGES FROM PELICANWARE
   All packages for Newton 2.0 OS - Upgrades also available.
 - QUICKFIGURE PRO 3.0: Spreadsheet application  $59.95
 - NEWTCASE 3.0: The Ultimate Utility Suite  $49.95
 - NOTION 1.5: High Performance List Manager  $59.95
 - AVAILWORKS 2.0: Text, spreadsheets, drawing, and graphing $79.95.
All from PELICANWARE.  For more details email: <info@pelicanware.com>,
vox: 503-221-1148, fax: 503-221-8709, or <http://www.pelicanware.com>.

* Create Newton books with text, graphics, tables, links and forms from
HTML with Newt's Cape. Browse web pages via NIE or email. Customize
with embedded NewtonScript. View GIF graphics on your Newton or convert
on desktop (Mac/Win). Save books as packages on your Newton. For
software and info: <http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/newtscape.html>
<weyer@netaxs.com> or <grs124@psu.edu>. Shareware: $35.

* CATAMOUNT SOFTWARE offers the following:
   - POCKETMONEY assists you in balancing your checking, savings,
       credit card and loan accounts. Export and import transactions
       to Quicken, MYM and other desktop based program.
   - NAMIGATOR gives rapid access to Names. I know, I have over 3000.
   - MPG helps you keep your vehicle records in order. Track fuel
       economy, record mileage for tax purposes, schedule repeating
       vehicle maintenance items for multiple vehicles.
   - SILK makes your MP130 GLOW. Floating silk screen palette so
       the built-in buttons can be seen in the dark.
For more information call 802-863-5256, email <info@catamount.com>, or
visit our web site <http://www.catamount.com>.

* NEW BILLS TO PAY PRO 3.5 Rated 4.5 by Gecko Magazine! Now available
in German! For NOS 2.0. Includes support for stationery, enhanced
overview, and new printing options! Easily track bills and expenses;
create budget projections; and set alarms to remind you of bills coming
due. Send bill info to Pocket Quicken or Pocket Money. $39.95+S&H
MAR Software at: <info@marsoftware.com> or <http://www.marsoftware.com>.

* Newt. Learn object-oriented programming with NewtonScript, develop
applications and save packages directly on your Newton with the Newt
Development Environment. Registered users receive support, tutorials,
beta versions, 200+ source examples, tools, plug-ins, 80+ pp. manual.
Shareware: $49.50. For software, FAQ and registration info:
<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.html> or <weyer@netaxs.com>

* PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions. Our stylus
upgrades for your MessagePad are the ultimate in writing comfort and
control. Screen-safe writing tip guaranteed for life.
 - Telescoping styli for all Newtons in Black-Chrome, Gold & Sterling.
 - The "Duo" multi-function stylus/ball pen or pencil combo. With
   "EasyView" orange tip.
 - The "Beacon" LED lighted-tip stylus. Functional, slim and  elegant.
 - Low-cost Stick Styli. Custom Stylus Solutions for VARs/OEMs.
More info or Visa/MasterCard orders at: 800.270.7196, FAX: 516.467.6329,
Int'l: 516.467.4042, or visit our Web site: <http://www.pdapanache.com>

* INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON is your mobile data collection solution for
Inspection forms, Health Care forms ... in fact, for any forms you use!
Design custom forms on your Macintosh with Informed Designer (included).
Then, fill out your forms on the Newton quickly and accurately using
automatic defaults, choice lists, calculations and signatures.  Finally,
send completed forms directly to Informed Manager on your desktop for
further processing.  For a limited time when you mention this ad, you'll
receive both Informed Filler for Newton AND Informed Manager (for
desktop integration) for $99US (SRP $390US).  Contact Shana Corp. at:
800.386.7244, email: <info@shana.com> or WWW: <http://www.shana.com>


MacWorld San Francisco 1997 Report
----------------------------------

** SOME INTERESTING DETAILS **

Eric Basham <eric_basham@om.cv.hp.com> reported the following interesting
tidbits from his MacWorld experiences of stopping by the Apple Newton
Demo and NTK booths:

    - MessagePad 2000 is commonly called the 'MP2K'
    - release date is late Mar97
    - cost will be under US$1000
    - slightly less heap available on the MP2K then
      the MessagePad 130
    - the built-in word processor in the MP2K and
      the eMate 300 appears to have more features
      then Windows CE's Word Lite
    - MP2K uses a 9-volt power supply
    - handwriting recognition (HWR) is much better
      on the MP2K: mostly faster and able to
      recognized connected letters
    - the silk-screen bar is customizable

** HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEWTON RELATED BOOTHS **

PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT <http://www.pdadirect.com> had a good deal of
Newton stuff for sale.  The other cool thing about their booth is that
they 'sub-contract' out space to developers so that they can show off
their stuff and try and generate interest in their products.  This model
seems to work pretty well.

PowerMedia <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi> was showing off their suite
of Newton solutions including: Back Drop Plus; Control Panel; Super
NotePad; DateMan 3.0:; Stationary Construction Kit; FAX Cover Creator;
Order From; Speed; Arcade Pack; and Vitamin A.

Balcones Software <http://www.balconessoftware.com> was showing off the
latest shipping version of Leverage 2.0.  They are also reportedly busy
putting the finishing touches on version 3.0.  Leverage can 'easily'
synchronize with FileMaker Pro on the Mac OS and with Microsoft Access on
Windows.

Keep It Simple Systems (KISS) <http://wildwestweb.com> had their Luna
Solar System on display for the Newton.  This device can run, with very
little direct sunlight, a non-backlit Newton all day long without using
any battery power.  KISS also has solar panels for PowerBooks and for
camcorders.

Digital Gourmet for the Newton was being sold by TeleTypsetting for US$19
(some US$30 off retail price).  TeleTypsetting was also showing off their
Newton GPS solutions.  For more info check out: <http://www.teletype.com>.

PowerBox <http://www.powerbox.fr> from France was also at the show.  They
were giving demos of their database solution that links 4th Dimension to
the Newton.

Newer Technologies <http://www.newertech.com> have a 33.6-Kbps serial
fax/modem that can run off a Mac's ADB port or a battery pack to be used
with a Newton or Duo.  The actual units are built by 3JTech and you can
get more information about them by checking out: <http://www.a3j.com.tw>.

Tenba <http://www.tenba.com> has several Newton carrying cases, including
several for older units.  The latest design -- C30 Tenba Newton Hand Pak
(US$100) -- lets you use your Newton while it held in padded protection.

DataPath Systems <datapath@earthlink.com> was showing their bar code
reader solutions: InPath MobileWand 400 Bar Code Reader and the MS-400
MobileScan Hand Held Laser for Newtons.

NewtNews did get to see a demo of Production Magic's Shot Logger for the
Newton.  This wireless system uses a Newton and a Timecode receiver card
to communicate and log film and video footage from a Timecode transceiver
attached to a camera.  After shooting in the field, a film editing staff
can then upload the data collected from the Newton to their nonlinear
editing system.  This functionality saves a production a great deal of
time and money.  For more info check out: <http://www.productionmagic.com>.

ARDIS <http://www.ardis.com> is now offering two-way wireless messaging
using the Motorola PM-100D wireless modem and your Newton.  Pricing
starts at US$19.95 a month for 20-KB of data usage and goes up to
US$189.95 for 750-KB of data usage.  Each KB over is charged US$0.54.
There is a US$500 charge for the Motorola modem, and US$99 per unit
one-time activation fee.  It should noted that there are no long distance
or roaming charges in the US.

Klear Screen <http://www.klearscreen.com> was demoing their 'anti-static
formula' for PowerBook and Newton screens.  Klear Screen is suppose to
reduce "surface abrasion, resists fingerprints, and dramatically extends
LCD screen life."

RoadRunner Tracks was also demoing their "Barrier" membrane for the
MessagePad line.  There is a 'new' barrier for the MessagePad 130 that
installs 'even easier' and has a 'better' feel then previous Barriers.
For more information check out: <http://www.losalamos.com/roadrunner>.

** OTHER TIDBITS **

The color handout ads for the eMate 300 are very good.  Apple will more
than likely sell a ton of these units in the schools.  An even bigger
demand could come from the consumer markets though.  There was also one
of the eMate demo units in the Apple Pavilion that was clear plastic.

PORT <http://www.portinc.com> have a host of mobile products including
some unique security locking devices; phone travel connection packs;
portable presentation devices; and batteries.

AlphaSmart Pro <http://www.alphasmart.com> has a unique portable device
that you enter and edit text on, and it saves your text data in 8 storage
files (up to 128-Kbytes total).  It comes with a small 4-line by
40-character LCD display, weighs 2.0 lbs, and will run for 200 hours
using 2 AA batteries.

Richochet <http://www.ricochet.net> wireless service areas have expanded
a great deal in the last year.  They now have services (which the Newton
can use) in the Washington D.C Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the
Seattle Area.

There were two Newton conference sessions at the show.  NewtNews missed
the first one because of scheduling conflicts, but the second one, hosted
by MacWeek journalist Andy Gore, was very good.  Andy had Newton System
Group engineers demo the eMate 300 and the MessagePad 2000.  It was very
informative, and it was interesting to see the designers and engineers of
a product show off their product.


Comments from the Editor
------------------------

** SOME MUCH BETTER ADVERTISING NEWS **

Not many handheld ads to be found of late in the major technology
magazines except surpisingly from Apple.  Apple has their 'MP130 with
Win2Go' ad in InfoWorld published on 06Jan97 and in Information Week
published on 06Jan97; and their 'MP130 -- Go through life with less
baggage' in MacWeek published on 06Jan97.  There are also MP130 ads in
the latest MacUser and MacWorld!

While the above is great, Apple also needs to spend some money getting
ads in those airline magazines.  These are notoriously full of handheld
solutions ads.  I get at least three emails a week from NewtNews readers
who fly often who report never seeing Newton ads in these magazines.

It should be noted though that Casio has a Cassiopeia ad, and Fujitsu has
a Stylistic ad in Information Week published on 06Jan97.  Still it is
pretty impressive when Apple runs ads in a host of weekly/monthly
technology magazines during the same week.

** NASTY COLD **

I am under the weather at the moment.  I must have caught a nasty cold
virus in San Francisco last week.  Hope to be feeling better by the next
published issue scheduled for: 28Jan97 (#128).  Next week expect an
updated Supplement issue.


Administrivia
-------------

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.
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This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: Mac World San
Francisco 1997; Hayley, Rachel, and Marty's house warming party; and
great AFC and NFC championship games.  BTW ... if you live in Detroit and
are a Lion's fan ... FYI ... you just got a great football coach.

Disclaimer:  I am doing this on my own time, and on my own hardware
***********  and software not the government's or my employer's.
