News.com has this story about what’s happening with WebTV. The article says there is the possibility of combining MSN and WebTV into one content portal.

Thanks to our readers for sending in this item from News.com. Nintendo says that it will upgrade its Gameboy device with Internet capabilities, which will allow users to download software and retrieve email.

It looks like Windows CE has some new competition. Be announced this week that it will expand its BeOS to Internet appliances and embedded devices.

The EE Times reports that Microsoft and Thomson Multimedia will team up to form a joint venture called TAK. TAK will be an interactive television platform.

Earlier this week, Microsoft rolled out the Microsoft Reader, a new PC application which is supposed to improve the quality of on-screen text. According to News.com, Microsoft Reader is scheduled to be available for Windows-based PCs and laptops early next year.

Thanks to our readers for sending in this item from News.com. Nintendo says that it will upgrade its Gameboy device with Internet capabilities, which will allow users to download software and retrieve email.

Thanks to reader Derek Meyer for sending in this article written by Handspring founder Jeff Hawkins. The article addresses what’s wrong with the computer industry and who’s to blame for it. He also offers solutions to improve the industry.

Thanks to our readers for pointing us to this item from ZDNet. It appears that OpenSky, which is backed by 3Com and Aether Technologies, will offer wireless service for Palm III and Palm V devices. OpenSky will compete with the Palm VII and 3Com’s Palm.net.

The Edmonton Journal has this article which explains why the mobile phone/PDA combination will not work. The writer says that sometimes it’s easier to use two devices than to have everything on one device.

The New York Times has this article on teenagers who not only use handheld devices, but also write programs for them. Registration is required to access this article.