June 26, 1999

·        I’m giving away three copies of my new book, “Personal Computer Secrets” today during every show for the next few weeks. In addition, I’m very pleased to announce that I will be doing a live remote and book signing on Saturday, July 24 at the new Barnes & Noble bookstore in San Mateo, right near the Hillsdale mall. Mark your calendars and look for more information about the event on my web site. In relate news, I’m also relieved to finally announce that the first round of 200 book orders have been shipped out, so thanks to all of you for your patience. It will be rewarded either in today’s mail, or sometime early next week.

·        The PC Expo show was held in New York this week and, as you would expect, there were lots of interesting new product introductions. I wasn’t able to go this year, but from what I can tell, it looks like the big news at the show was portable computers and yet more handheld devices and related accessories. One interesting product that will probably be nothing more than a brief footnote a few years from now was the iMac-like PC from Korean manufacturer Future Power. The machine looks extremely similar to an iMac, but is a Windows-based computer that features a 400 MHz Celeron processor, 64 MB of RAM, 40X CD-ROM, 15” built-in monitor and a built-in floppy drive—all for $799. The system is expected to debut in five different translucent colors—sound familiar?—this September.

·        On the handheld computer front, Psion introduced their new Series 5MX, which is expected to retail for around $549 when it ships next month. The new 5MX improves upon predecessor by offering an ARM processor that’s twice as fast, as well as 16 MB of RAM, which is twice as much as before. In addition, the 5MX is unique in that it incorporates the ability to run Java applications. Unfortunately, the clam-shaped device doesn’t come with a built-in web browser, nor does it have a color screen. It does, however, feature a full page width 640 x 240-pixel backlit screen, support for infrared connections and battery life of up to 30 hours on two AA’s.

·        Over in the Windows CE part of the world, Microsoft announced a partnership with Socket Communications that will let existing Windows CE handhelds and palmtops get wireless access to data—a la the Palm VII—as of this fall. Basically, the deal involves bundling a new Socket Digital Phone Card with the necessary software so that you can get a wireless data connection for only $100. Unfortunately, it’s not stand-alone. You need to have and use it conjunction with specific types of digital cell phones, but still it’s a reasonably priced option.

·        Several other companies used PC Expo to introduce completely wireless modem cards and related devices for notebooks and handheld computers. The AirCard 300 from Sierra Wireless, for example, is an expensive solution at $599, but it provides a network-like always on connection for notebooks running Windows 95, 98 or NT. A previous version for $499 only worked with Windows CE devices. In both cases, the device—which comes in the PC Card Type II format—uses the CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) format, which provides a somewhat pokey 19.2 Kbps connection rate. Still, because CDPD service is available in most parts of the country and because the system can give you Internet and e-mail access anywhere, it could be a good option for those folks who need it.

·        An even better sounding option, however, is the upcoming Novatel Wireless Merlin card. When it’s released in August, the $279 Merlin will provide the same capabilities as the more expensive AirCard for both notebooks and Windows CE-based handhelds—at least those with a Type II PC Card slot, which is the format it also comes in. The difference with the Merlin is that while it also uses CDPD and offers a connection rate of 19.2 Kbps, the connection is not always on. Instead, you have to make a dial-up connection every time you want to go online, a la a traditional modem. For most people, however, that won’t be enough of a problem to justify the large price difference between the two devices.

·        News for Palm PC owners is that AOL and 3Com reached an agreement in which 3Com will be providing free software that enables people to use their AOL accounts with either the wireless Palm VII connection, or the existing wired connections available for other Palm units. So, if you’ve got a Pilot and use AOL, you’ll finally be able to bridge the two. 3Com will be providing the software via their web site and versions of the Palm Pilot sold this fall will have it already included in the system.

·        Speaking of wireless connections, the DirecPC satellite service was in the news this week as the result of a $1.5 billion dollar investment by AOL into Hughes Electronics, makers of both DirecPC and the DirecTV satellite TV receivers. DirecPC, which has been available for quite a while now, offers a 400 Kbps downstream Internet connection for $30 to $50/month and, best of all, you can use from virtually anywhere. That should be good news to those of you who still aren’t able to get either a cable modem or DSL connection into your home and are sick of waiting for it. The problem with DirecPC is that it still requires a regular analog modem and ISP connection, although the monthly rates I quoted included both the analog modem connection and the satellite connection. If you want to find out more, check out www.direcpc.com.

·        Speaking of DSL, the G.Lite standard for DSL was formally approved this week. G.Lite is referred to as a “splitterless” version of ADSL because it doesn’t require the installation of a splitter in your home—which is just another box that sits next to your phone wiring box—nor does it require someone to come out an install it for you. With G.Lite and the appropriate type of phone line, you can just buy a modem from anyone of several manufacturers and plug it in, just as you do today with an analog modem. Unlike analog modems, however, G.Lite promises download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps and uploads of up to 384 or even 512 Kbps. Right now, however, Pac Bell is not using the G.Lite version of DSL here in the Bay Area, although they may start supporting it later this year. When that happens, getting hooked up with a DSL line will be something that you can do on your own, which will speed up the process tremendously.

·        Diamond Multimedia, who this week was purchased by graphics chip maker S3, announced a new version of their popular Rio MP3 digital audio player at PC Expo. The PMP300 features 64 MB of RAM standard—twice the older version—and comes in a translucent blue case. In addition, the company is apparently working on Mac-compatible PMP500 for release in August.