Equip is reporting Bluetooth technology to be the fastest growing industry standard to date. The wireless communication technology very soon will be installed in mobile phones, PDAs, and some notebook computers, most likely inhabiting hundreds of millions of electronic devices by 2002.

ZDNet columnist John Dodge speculates EDS wireless electronic banking for the Palm VII could be the application that finally makes wireless technology popular with consumers. Whereas previous applications have not created mass market appeal, Dodge believes any piece of software that can simplify banking is a potential hit with consumers.

MobileVillage.com has conducted a two-month survey which shows 72% of companies planning mobile technology purchases in the next two years favor the Palm operating system. The survey also showed 59% favored Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system, suggesting many respondents planned on purchasing multiple types.

As workers become more mobile, their equipment options are also increasing as handheld devices take on more PC qualities and notebook computers acquire the wireless capabilities of handhelds. In this PC Week article, the various sources of these innovations are explored.

Palm, Inc. President Alan Kessler remains confident in the company’s future, despite Microsoft’s release of the Pocket PC. Kessler believes Palm will continue to thrive and grow, primarily because of the simplicity of the company’s devices. While Palm plans to increase their optional accessories and wireless features, they want to keep the machines easy to use.

Z-Tel Technologies announced the release of their Z-Line Companion. The new feature of Z-Line Home Edition service integrates the Palm VII and other compatible PDAs with a subscriber’s local and long distance telephone service. This allows subscribers to retrieve information about voice mail or email messages, place calls to and from any phone, and manage all of their Z-Line services through their PDAs.

BarPoint.com announced the planned Q3 2000 availability of their BarPoint Shopper application for Microsoft’s new Pocket PC platform. This application for handheld devices will expedite a user’s online research, product comparison, or purchasing via traditional retailers, e-retailers and auction sites.

ProxyMed announced that a handheld version of proxyMed.com, its physician office Web portal, will support the Pocket PC platform which includes Pocket Internet Explorer.

Microsoft and Think Outside announced the Stowaway keyboard for Microsoft’s new Pocket PC platform. Think Outside’s keyboards for Pocket PCs are due to be available in the third quarter of 2000. Targus Group International has worldwide distribution rights for the Stowaway keyboard for the Pocket PC line. Marketed under the brand Targus Stowaway, the keyboard will be priced $99.99.

Beyond.com announced that it will build, manage and merchandise a third party online developer store for the Windows-powered Pocket PC. The Pocket PC store, powered by Beyond.com, will be a source for software, peripherals and accessories for Pocket PC devices.