According to CNET News.com, Microsoft will announce new programs aimed at helping manufacturers create appliances and devices–such as handheld computers, Internet-enabled refrigerators, and gas pumps–based on Windows CE and the embedded version of Windows NT. This came out at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif.

Qsent announced the launch of its first product, iQradio, an interactive radio station directory designed to help users locate stations that broadcast their favorite music, talk shows, sports teams and network programming from Internet-ready phones, Palm devices, and PCs.

ZDNet also has an article on the Phage virus, capable of disabling programs on the Palm device and forcing them to be deleted.

CNET News.com reports the first virus targeting Palm device users has been discovered by antivirus software makers, raising new questions about the security of handheld computers and wireless devices.

PalmPlanning announced they will kickoff their public Palm device seminars in Tampa on Thursday, October 12.

FileMaker, Inc. demonstrated publicly for the first time FileMaker Mobile for the Palm OS platform. FileMaker unveiled the new software at Go Mobile, a mobile computing conference for IT professionals which FileMaker is co-sponsoring.

CNET News.com also has an article on Motorola and Palm’s development of a smart phone.

ZDNet has an article from the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition on Palm and Motorola’s agreement to co-develop and co-brand a new line of smart mobile phones.

Palm has issued another press release announcing the company is collaborating with Motorola to meet the growing demand for full-service mobile wireless devices by creating a new smart phone that blends the functionality of a Palm handheld computer with the simplicity and compact form factor of today’s mobile phone. According to the press release, the cooperation will initially produce a tri-band GSM wireless smart phone, expected to be available early in 2002.

Palm and RealVision announced plans to provide the equipment that adds Web-enabled cellular phone capabilities to the Palm V series handhelds in Europe and Asia. According to the press release, the communications snap-on product will provide dual-band GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) connectivity to Palm V series handhelds, and an earphone jack to enable voice communications through a headset. The product is expected to be available in early 2001 for less than U.S. $299 when purchased in conjunction with a 1-year wireless service plan.