ESS Technology announced that it has signed an agreement with Xiamen Xiaxin Electronics Co. to promote a Windows CE based video-Internet-computers system servicing the consumer, communication, and computer markets in China. The new device will be based on the Windows CE ‘Venus’ operating system launched by Microsoft in Shenzhen, China earlier this month.

As Microsoft negotiates with the DOJ in its anitrust lawsuit, state attorneys general have said that they will ask Microsoft to give up control of the Windows operating system, possibly through an auction. Here’s an article that asks “What will happen to Windows CE?”

Here’s an article from Windows Magazine asking if the Windows CE platform can catch up to the Palm platform. Windows reports that Palm Computing ended the fourth quarter of 1998 with 69% of the handheld market.

News.com says that Qualcomm is developing a semiconductor that would allow cellular phones and handheld computers to be controlled by a single microprocessor. The chip uses code for CDMA and Windows CE. This will not affect the development of the pdQ Smartphone, Qualcomm’s cellular phone based on the Palm operating system.

In yesterday’s news we ran an item on a joint agreement between Pendragon Software and WaveWare Communications. We ran an incorrect URL with the story. The correct URL is http://www.pendragonsoftware.com. We apologize for any inconvenience

JP Systems announced the availability of its messaging software, BeamLink 2.0, for users of Palm III, Palm IIIx and Palm V connected organizers from Palm Computing. This software works with Glenayre’s AccessLink II two-way pager and the SkyTel nationwide paging network. Users compose messages on the Palm Computing organizer and then point or “beam” the information to the AccessLink II pager. These messages then are sent instantly from the two-way pager, over the SkyTel paging network, to any telephone, pager or Internet E-mail destination.

Thanks to reader for Jeff Bowen for sending in PC Week’s interview with Palm Computing president Robin Abrams. In the interview, Abrams talks about the release of the Palm VII and the future of Palm Computing.

CNN Interactive takes a look at Franklin Covey’s Franklin Planner Software for Palm computers. According to the article, the software reflects the concepts of Dr. Stephen Covey, the man responsible for “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Here’s an article from Windows Magazine asking if the Windows CE platform can catch up to the Palm platform. Windows reports that Palm Computing ended the fourth quarter of 1998 with 69% of the handheld market.

News.com has this story on Microsoft’s print campaign for Windows CE. The campaign will initially be directed at clearing the air around the PC Pro, Microsoft’s name for handhelds that are based on Windows CE and are about the size of mini notebooks.