Motorola today announced its iDEN plus series handsets released beginning in 1999 will have the ability to be upgraded via the Internet. Motorola has also introduced a software developer kit (SDK) to assist software developers to provide applications that can interface with an iDEN handset for connectivity to personal computers, Palm connected organizers and Windows CE devices.

Sony Online Entertainment and AvantGo announced Jeopardy! 2001 Online as a free interactive game to be delivered via the Internet to users of Palm OS and Windows CE handheld devices. This partnership will provide consumers with the ability to download and synchronize Jeopardy! 2001 Online trivia questions from the Internet to handheld devices.

SRI International announced that it will join with Center for Innovative Learning Technologies member The Concord Consortium, as well as with Palm Computing, the Exploratorium, Handspring, Puma Technology and others to sponsor a contest to develop educational software applications for handheld computing devices. The goal of the contest is to foster the collaboration of educators and engineers to stimulate development of educational software applications for use by the K-12 educational community.

On the heels of the announcement that Palm Computing will operate as an independent company, News.com asks if Palm can withstand the challenges from other companies. The article also tries to figure out if and how this announcement effects Windows CE.

On The Go Software announced it has begun shipping Pocket Quicken for Windows CE. Running on palmtop and handheld devices using the Windows CE operating system, Pocket Quicken for Windows CE was developed in cooperation with Intuit to be used in conjunction with Quicken Deluxe 99 and Quicken Deluxe 2000 to track finances.

Symbol Technologies announced it will incorporate Microsoft Corp.’s BizTalk Framework with its WaveWorks Integrated Development Environment (IDE). WaveWorks utilizes core Microsoft technologies such as Windows NT, SQL Server 7.0, Microsoft Internet Information Server and the Windows CE mobile computing platform for tools ranging from handheld personal devices to specialized industrial scanners.

The EE Times has this article on Motorola’s bid to compete with the AutoPC. Motorola is expected to team up with QNX Software Systems and IBM to work on the machine, called MobileGT.

ZDNet’s Jesse Berst has this article predicting what will happen in the handheld industry over the next year and beyond. He says that wireless devices will be expand and handhelds will have MP3 and instant messaging capabilities.

PC World reports that Microsoft plans to put its MSN Messenger service everywhere from Windows CE to WebTV. Microsoft will also offer the service for Macintosh computers.

News.com reports that Compaq will unveil the Aero 1530, a small Windows CE device designed to take market share from Palm Computing’s Palm V device. The Aero will come with 16MB of memory, a 14-hour replaceable battery, and software that supports MP3 digital audio.