Looking from the side like an peeled banana the Psion Reva is the latest in the pocket sized computer range 157 x 79 x 18mm in size with the equivalent power to the Psion 5mx. It still has a 480 x 160 pixel mono display, but this time the batteries (2 x 700mAh AAA sized NiMH) are built in. But it support a web browser with HTML 3.2 support, JPEGs, GIFs, Frames, and Cookies on the built in ROM. It also has a bookmark list and a history list. The usual jotter, spreadsheet, wordprocessor, database and diary functions the same as the rest of the psions. Infra-red or a 56K GSM modem will connect you while on the move as an option. They have also launched a portal called www.psion.net.
The USA Government is removing the restrictions on exporting software encryption, except for seven terrorist states including Libya and Iraq. Exporters of software must apply for a licence to export encryption products with keys over 64bits long. This is an increase from 56bits. The initial date for the changes is 15th December 1999.
HomePNA Home Networking Alliance is looking at home wiring to give you a network at home for games, internet access and peripherals control, (such as TV's). Supported by Compaq,AMD,AT&T,HP,IBM and Rockwell.BT is said to be announcing a system such as this early next year. Actiontec has boards already for it using TMLC to create a 1Mbps LAN using a frequency of 5.5Mhz-9.5Mhz up to 500ft apart. It also has Dynasygate software to act as a server to the internet over the same phone line. This means you can save money each month by sharing Internet access, one printer, one scanner, one camera and whatever else you want to hook-up. The system includes 56k modem, pci cards and requires a Pentium computer.
ADS Technologys has come to the rescue of older pre USB notebook users. They can provide a Type II PCMCIA card with two USB ports on it for connecting up new high speed USB peripherials. The USB system allows for the connection of up to 127 devices at speeds of up to 1.2Mbps. Most of the Available controllers have been PCI cards at £30 to fit in desktops and manufacturers have assumed notebook users will buy new notebooks instead of upgrading them. The ADS PCMCIA card has all the USB controller on and can be imported for a cost of £62.55 inc DHL delivery from http://www.provantage.com along with other useful items (it is an on-line shop). In the UK it is available from Action Supplies at £76.51 Inc VAT and postal delivery
Nokia says it wil have a third generation 11mbps lan card for notebooks available this year to IEEE802.11 standard, but says it is too expensive to build in complete compatabilty between USA and European standards.It also anounced an upgrade to nokia networks to include Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) which provides text only verions on email and web access at the telecoms 99 show at Geneva, Switzerland. The 7110 handsets and WAP server will be used by Germany's Deusche Bank in offering services to it's customers.
There are two shows in London of interest to notebook users over the 26th-28th October 1999 at the Grand Hall at Olympia (NT 99) and Olympia 2 (Mobile Business Show) from 10:30-1700hrs. We hope to have report in the November Issue.
BT and Microsoft have signed development agreements with France-based Sagem SA and Samsung Electronics Company Ltd to supply web browser enabled phones. They intend to launch a trial program of wireless Internet access to 1,000 users in the UK and Norway. The Credit Suisse First Boston, KPMG LLP, and Nortel Network and the BBC will provide the customers and Telenor Mobil the access in Norway. Providing Microsoft exchange Email, and portal access to the web via the companys Intranet. This means no direct access to the Web as everything is controlled by the companies Internet server.
In October 3Com and Microsoft announced a 10Mb LAN over phone wiring.They will take advantage of new features of the Windows98 operating and Microsoft's Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) initative. It will be compatible with HomePNA standards Version 2 and will provide 10Mbps performance. A 10/100 LAN PCMCIA Type II Card with detachable coupler equipped with 2 RJ-11for the Homelink will be available from Linksys in the USA.(www.linksys.com) HomeNetworking Organsiation is incorporated, non-profit industry associationon (http://www.homepna.org). Products are all USA based.
Sony aims to back the DVD+RW standard with Sony, Philips, and HP. Sony also announced a DVD+RW drive package (internal drive plus applications software), which will read and write DVD (Digital Video format Disks) as well as Re-Writable CD-ROM's. Sony Europes Clemens Schuette says final test on the new 3.0 Gb drive and will assemblies will mean a retail package will be available by the end of the year. The DVD standard has been held up by disagreements between manufacturers as to whether to have a 2.5Gb (single sided disk) or a 4.5Gb unformatted (double sided disk).
A 1996 study commissioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration looked at thousands of flight records and failed to find a single instance in which equipment was affected by a wireless phone. Boeing has also done tests to aircraft with cellnet frequencys and found no problems says a ZDNet report."The airlines are misleading the travelling public,"
says John Sheehan, who headed the RTCA study. They just want to control the telephone access from the plane and make money.
Sandisk has announced a contract to supply US Army forces with an Electronic Dog Tag called a PIC (Personal Information Carrier). The size of a matchbox and weighing two grams it will contain the medical history of the subject with a unique ID, password protected and encrypted. The whole chip can be accessed via a built in serial port or via PCMCIA card to compact flash adapter. The firm supplying the device Kaneb Service Inc says the contract could worth two million PIC's over 5 years. The Informatech subsidiary's PIC itself features an onboard controller, 8-32Mb of memory and will be updated every time the subject goes to the doctor.
In October the numbers for Mobiles is changing to parrallel running and other numbers in London,xxx,xxx,xx. Mobiles will start with 07xxxxxxx. In April 2000, this dual running will be turned off, leaving notebook users to use the new number. A Web site has been set up to detail all the changes which will effect every telephone user, home and abroad.
Xircom Uk has introduced it's PortStation. It provides a direct connection to the network via the USB port for access to 56bps modem, 10Mbps Ethernet, cable modems and home phoneline networking. It allows the user to pick which modules to install and relies on Windows and the USB only, not on the type of machine connected. Notebook News expects to see these more common in the next few months with manufacturers exclusive docking stations being replaced by these universal offerings.
