News.com is reporting that Compaq will become the first major PC maker to release a palm-sized Windows CE device. The computer maker will unveil a palm-size PC based on the newest version of the CE operating system. Code named Wyvern, the device is due to be released this spring.

Sun Microsystems fianllly unveiled Jini, its Java-based software that lets devices automatically “announce” themselves and say what they can do when plugged into a network. Sun also announced 37 partners who have licensed Jini. Among them are Palm Computing, America Online, IBM, and Canon.

Paragon Software announced a limited-time, free of charge availability of its Palm Computing connected organizer software product called PiLoc. PiLoc is a full Russian localization of the Palm OS that provides a complete Russian interface for all system and built-in applications and Russian support for Graffiti power writing software.

San Diego Area Palm Pilot Users Group is starting up. This is a new user’s group for Palm OS users, developers and anyone interested in 3Com’s little wonders. Their website is still under construction , and they will be scheduling regular meetings as soon as they have a roster, and will stay networked via e-mail. If you’re interested, send an e-mail to: dane_terry@worldnet.att.net with “SDPUG” in the subject field.

Thanks to reader Chris Wong for sending in this item about a bicycle computer that is designed to run on Palm computers. VeloTrend BikeBrain is a bicycle computer that incorporates graphical displays, route directions, dynamic logging and smart features such as automatic wheel size calibration into a multi-use, hand-held and handlebar mounted computer.

w-Trade annouced that the w-Trade Wireless Internet Trading System now supports handheld wireless devices based on the Palm Computing platform and Research In Motion’s RIM Inter@ctive Pager 950. Investors and financial professionals now have the convenience of using 3Com PalmPilot and Palm III connected organizers and other Palm Computing platform devices with wireless modems, as well as RIM Inter@ctive Pagers, to track the financial markets and trade virtually anywhere there is CDPD network coverage or BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network coverage. If you would like to sign up for w-Trade wireless trading call 877-2WTRADE.

Power Media, Inc., introduces the Palm application that is a useful calculator and converter, providing quick solutions to everyday questions. Everyday Everywhere is an efficient: loan payment calculator, metric convertor, currency exchange convertor, date calculator, tip calculator, and area code provider.

Thanks to reader Chris Altvater for sending us this article from PC Magazine. The article is a review of the AirCard 300 from Sierra Wireless. The AirCard 300 is a wireless Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) modem that runs on Windows CE 2.0 handheld devices and Professional/Jupiter handheld PCs.

Class Action has recently released a new product that is for use if you plan on traveling between time zones with your Palm connected organizer. Just enter your itinerary and Teenee Time Traveler automatically synchronizes the system clock with the time zone you travel into, easily displays the time in both your home and destination time zones, and conveniently enters the travel itinerary into the Palm computer Date Book for you.

Thanks to all of our readers who sent in this article about the next device from Palm Computing. According to TechWeb, The Palm III X will debut Feb. 23, and has several new features, including a “cleaner” screen, Microsoft Outlook conduit, and 4 megabytes of RAM. This is expected to launch with the Palm V.