LinkUp Systems Corporation announced an integrated system-on-a-chip solution for the new emerging Internet appliance market. Code named L7200, the chip is optimized to run on a variety of software platforms including Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system. The L7200 will be fabricated by LG Semicon on a 0.35 micron process and will be available in August 1999.

InfoWorld is reporting that Windows CE will undergo an major transformation. According to the article, Microsoft is already telling key partners that in the fourth quarter they should expect to see a total rewrite of Windows CE, code-named Rapier.

Here’s a preview of Microsoft’s Windows CE Developers Conference. Key topics at this year’s conference are universal plug and play and wireless communications architecture.

News.com is reporting that Umax will release a handheld computer that can wirelessly receive stock quotes and then conduct online stock transactions via a cell phone bridge.

WebTV Networks introduced the second-generation Microsoft WebTV Networks Classic and Plus products. In addition, the company announced that it will deliver a network service upgrade providing a new set of features that allow subscribers to shop online with more confidence, build a personal Web page and find topics of interest on the Internet organized with a new redesign of the WebTV Web Home page.

On The Go Software introduced ExpensAble.com, an Internet subscription service that allows small- and mid-sized organizations to deploy an automated T&E expense management system, on the web. ExpensAble.com allows road warriors to create and submit expense reports, online and offline. Expenses can be captured in the field using mobile devices, including Windows CE or Palm Computing handhelds.

Thanks to reader Michael Murray for sending in this item from Macintouch. According to Macintouch, ON Technology’s Christine Malik says the company is looking for Mac beta testers for an upcoming release of Meeting Maker, its group-scheduling application which includes Mac to Palm synchronization.

ZDnet has takes a look at new cellular phones that are also PDAs. The article says that Qualcomm’s PDQ Smartphone, which runs on the Palm operating system, is scheduled to be released at the end of June.

News.com is reporting that Umax will release a handheld computer that can wirelessly receive stock quotes and then conduct online stock transactions via a cell phone bridge.

A rumor concerning the U.S. Postal Service is being circulated on Internet e-mail. The e-mail message claims that a “Congressman Schnell” has introduced “Bill 602P” to allow the federal government to impose a 5-cent surcharge on each e-mail message delivered over the Internet. Here’s the U.S. Postal Service’s response to this.