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PalmPilot News - 3rd November 1997 ---------------------------------- Introduction ------------ Welcome to the premiere issue of PalmPilot News. This newsletter will deliver the latest news, rumours and announcements surrounding the most successful handheld computer ever released. If there is anything that we can do to improve PalmPilot News, let us know. Similarly, if you have a new product, or spot PalmPilots in the news (or catch a juicy rumour), make sure you drop a note to PalmPilot News at the following address. feedback@bystander.net Finally, we wish to thank the sponsors who support PalmPilot News, make sure that you support them in turn, and let them know you saw them in PalmPilot News. News ---- - Late breaking story is the announcement of a combined paging/RAM card for the PalmPilot. Apparently designed to replace the standard memory board, and possibly the entire memory door cover, the one-way paging module includes 2Mb of RAM. Details at: http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/news/1027/30epalm.html - The biggest news in recent time was the announcement that first IBM, and then Symbol would be reselling the PalmPilot in a VAR capacity. The IBM model, renamed the IBM Workpad, is clearly aimed at penetrating IBM's huge top tier customer base and will be attractive to IT purchasers keen to minimise the number of vendors they deal with. The only differences with the Workpad is the jet black casing and red or grey power buttons. Symbol's offering, which is yet to be released, will offer a ruggedised version with inbuilt communications facilities and more memory. Based on Symbol's current product range, their new offering should appeal to vertical market segments such as stock control and mobile ordering applications. It is expected the this will increase PalmPilot use in key vertical markets. More info at: http://www.3com.com/palm/workpad.html http://www.3com.com/news/releases/oct1597a.html Sponsor's Message---------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, there is an easy way to do e-mail right from your PalmPilot Organizer. With PilotMail Online Service (http://www.pilotmail.net/ or 1-888-44PILOT), and a PalmPilot Modem, you can check and send e-mail from everywhere you are. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- - In a move causing high levels of debate over its significance, 3Com has droped the prices on both Professional and Personal PalmPilots. The Professional Edition has been reduced from $399 to $369, the Personal Edition from $299 to $249. It should be noted that price drops heralded the release of the last model upgrade, and that since the release of the IBM Workpad (see above) and competing products from Sharp and Texas Instruments (see PDA wrap up below) 3Com needs to differentiate itself in the market. - In related news, 3Com have launched a holiday season promotion which offers purchasers a choice of bonus gift, either an extra cradle, a belt clip case or a copy of QUE's PalmPilot Companion book. See: http://palmpilot.3com.com/palm/present/ Got some news? Mail us: submissions@bystander.net Sponsor's Message---------------------------------------------------------------- Rhinoskin, the creators of the Titanium Cockpit, the definitive ruggedized hardcase for the PalmPilot/Workpad, are proud to announce 3 new PalmPilot products, the RhinoPaks. Check out www.rhinoskin.com for more info on the Titanium Cockpit and the new RhinoPak line of cases for the PalmPilot/Workpad. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Rumours ------- - Hottest gossip at the moment is concerns the possibility of next generation PalmPilots and possible features. Consenus has yet to be reached, and there is no offical word, but mooted features include: - More Memory - Inbuilt (or add-on) paging (see first story) - IRDA infra red connectivity - PCMCIA support Spread your rumour anonymously by mailing: submissions@bystander.net Media Sightings --------------- - PalmPilots starred in the cover story of the Sydney Morning Herald's weekend computer supplement. The full story is at: http://www.smh.com.au/icon/content/971004/ - The Australian Financial Reveiw recommends the PalmPilot in its Road Warrior column: http://www.afr.com.au/content/971031/inform/inroad.html Dinky Pad, Pocket Chess, World Time and Launch Pad all get favourable mentions, as does Pilot Zone: http://www.pilotzone.com - Pen Computing Magazine is about to launch their own dedicated PalmPilot pages, see if they're available yet at: http://www.pencomputing.com/ - Nigel Ballard expands on why the PalmPilot is his PDA of choice in Mobilis. See: http://www.volksware.com/mobilis/october.97/ Send all your media sightings to: submissions@bystander.net Sponsor's Message---------------------------------------------------------------- If you're planning to deploy a corporate application using the PalmPilot platform, you need some way to connect all the handheld users to your data. See http://www.hotsync.com/ for a solution to multi-user synchronization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- New Products ------------ - The PalmPilots first graphical web browser has been released, for details see: http://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/pilot/wingman/ - James Lee has released Version 1 of Pyramid (card game) for the PalmPilot. Its freeware and can be downloaded at: http://www.engin.umd.umich.edu/~scubajl/ss/ss.html - Option have released a GSM compatible modem for the PalmPilot. Note that this will only work with GSM standard mobile phones, the standard common in the UK, Europe and Australia. Most popular handsets are supported. More info at: http://www.option.com Tell us about your new product by emailing: submissions@bystander.net Latest on the Web ----------------- - 3Com have released an update (2.04) to the German version of the Palm O/S. Get it at: http://www.3com.com/palm/custsupp/204rmgr.html - The Pilot Entertainment Zone (PEZ) has released a new collection of interactive fiction, compatible with Rick Bram's ZIP palyer, including some of the original Zork games. Also available are the latest comic strips, adult fiction, and Pilot Women pin ups. See: http://www.fidalgo.net/~ram - Calvin's PalmPilot FAQ has been updated, with new info on battery changes and cosmetic changes to the site. Still the best place to find the answers to all your questions: http://www.pilotfaq.com/index.htm - The latest issue of TapTrax, the magazine for your PalmPilot is availabe now, with the latest headline news, 15 movie reviews and 11 new video reviews. Get it at: http://www.jpsolutions.com/taptrax/ - Nigel Ballard expands on why the PalmPilot is his PDA of choice in Mobilis. See: http://www.volksware.com/mobilis/october.97/ - MemoWare has added a range of new documents to their site, including files for entertainment and reference, see it all at: http://www.memoware.com/ Send your web updates to: submissions@bystander.net Sponsor's Message---------------------------------------------------------------- PalmPilotGear H.Q. is the one-stop resource for all PalmPilot hardware, software and accessories. We carry a full-line of accessories for the PalmPilot, including custom cases, styluses, screen protectors and enhancements, and many other products that will make your PalmPilot easier to use. We also maintain on-line the most comprehensive database of PalmPilot software applications in the world, including commercial software and shareware. At PalmPilotGear H.Q. you can search for the software you need, download it and register it all in one convenient location. We even provide free email notification of new software available! You can purchase their software from us or contact the authors directly. If we don't have what you need, we will do our best to get it! And visit our web site at http://www.palmpilotgear.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- 3Com News --------- 3Com Corporation Names Foote Cone & Belding As New Global Advertising Agency: http://www.3com.com/news/releases/oct2797b.html Stock Price: Last Sale: 41 7/16 Volume: 7963700 http://www1.nasdaq.com/scripts/quote.dll?symbol=coms PDA Wrap Up ----------- - Texas Instruments have launched a PalmPilot competitor called the Avigo. From the specifications: "Product: Avigo 10 Memory: 1MB Flash memory (approx. 680KB available). Additional 1MB memory module is available separately. Display: 160 x 240 pixels, with Electroluminescent Backlight Power: 2 - AAA, 1 - CR 2025 batteries (included) Size: 0.75 x 3.25 x 5.50 in. (organizer) Weight: 7.0 oz. (including batteries) " Lotus Organiser and synching software is included, but no third party development kit is likely. More info at: http://www.ti.com/organizers/avigo/docs/index.html - The other contender is the Sharp SE-500: "Best of all, everything you need is included. You get the slim, 6.5 ounce Organizer, Synchronization software for your PC, built-in Internet e-mail software, Productivity software, Docking Station, Stylus Pen, Phone Cable, and a highly durable integrated Cover to protect the screen. The Sharp SE-500 is the total solution for anyone on the go." More info at: http://www.sharp-usa.com/main.asp?sect=1pageid=ZA - Sharp Mobilon SHARP ANNOUNCES WINDOWS® CE-BASED-HANDHELD PC LINE WITH COLOR SCREEN UNIT AND DIGITAL CAMERA CAPABILITIES http://www.sharp-usa.com/daa.asp?bname=1533 - Apple announces Newton Messagepad 2100 Includes extra heap memory and network support. http://www.newton.apple.com/ Postscript ---------- Thats all for this first week. If you haven't already done so, please visit: http://www.bystander.net/pilot/subscribe/ To subscribe for free and ensure you get your copy of PalmPilot News. If there is anything we can do to make this newsletter better, please drop us a line at: feedback@bystander.net Thanks for reading! The Bystander Team