Handheldmed.com announced the release of Patient Tracker version 4.0, its newest application for the Windows PocketPC/CE devices. Designed for the busy physician and medical student, Patient Tracker 4.0 offers a solution for daily tracking of patient information.

News.com has this story on Ericsson’s plans to move into the PDA and Internet appliance markets. The article says that Ericsson will begin working with third-party manufacturers and software developers.

TRISIGNAL Communications announced the availability of its Phantom Embedded Modem reference design for Microsoft Windows CE 3.0. TRISIGNAL’s Phantom modem enables developers to build Internet access into products utilizing the Windows CE 3.0 platform. TRISIGNAL also announced its support for the Pocket PC and will be working closely with manufacturers of Pocket PCs to provide the communications facilities needed to connect the devices to the Internet.

Microsoft and Samsung Electronics are going to work together to create and market a new line of mobile “smart” phones. The new line of phones will be made by Samsung and use derivatives of Internet Explorer Web browser and the Windows CE operating system.

Gary Krakow at MSNBC discusses the rise in popularity of handheld devices. Noting that the future is wireless connectivity, he considers the various handhelds on the market to try to determine which is best to buy in this gift giving season.

Handspring announced it opened its Japanese headquarters, Handspring K.K., in Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo and will begin selling a Japanese language version of its Visor expandable handheld computer through its Web store and in retail stores across the country.

IBM announced that its development tool for embedded systems — VisualAge Micro Edition v 1.1 — now includes additional tools and components needed to develop applications that rely on the Palm operating system. The VisualAge Micro Edition Personal Package is available at no additional charge and includes a runtime license for unlimited use on IBM Workpad and Palm III, V and VII handheld devices.

PC Expo attendees can download PNBC’s Personal Event Planner and Palm OS platform application. Attendees can transfer their personal schedule information to their Palm OS platform based handheld computer through a download.

News.com has this story on Ericsson’s plans to move into the PDA and Internet appliance markets. The article says that Ericsson will begin working with third-party manufacturers and software developers.

Handspring and Symbol Technologies have entered into an agreement under which Symbol will license Handspring