Since Jot will be included in ROM, users of the Palm PC will realize the benefits of Jot without affecting the amount of memory available for applications and data. CIC also plans to offer customers an upgrade of Jot that will provide handwriting recognition transparently on the entire screen, freeing up the bottom quarter of the screen which is needed by any SIP. This upgrade of Jot will also include a trainer and macro editor. The trainer will allow users to enable or disable various character options. The macro editor will allow the user to assign up to 1,024 characters to a gesture and recall the string whenever the pre-defined gesture is written. The upgrade version of Jot will be made available through CIC's website.

The TwoChipPIC Plus consists of Philips' PR31700, UCB 1200 and V.34 softmodem, as well as Windows CE device drivers. The chipset offer end users improved performance (72 MIPS), color LCD support, and integrated touch, phone and audio functions for handheld computers.

The softmodem provides communication capabilities through faster modem speeds, up to 33.6 Kbps. Handheld computers based on the TwoChipPIC Plus offer end users increased bandwidth without sacrificing the color quality of the user interface.

Cost of the chipset, combined with the softmodem fax/modem, is US$35 in 100,000-unit quantities. For pricing, ordering and availability outside the United States, contact your local Philips Semiconductors Sales Office or Authorized Philips Distributor. For more information call 650/335-2684.

IMO the added functionality of the Palm PCs could easily outweigh the starkness of the Pilot. I tried several Palm PCs (at CES) and can say that using them was pretty simple. The items on the screen generally make the unit easier to use--not harder. There was (much) better online help than on the Pilot. For instance, when entering unistroke characters, help is immediately available that shows you how to write the letter by _actually stroking the letter_ for you (repeating it until you stop it--so you get a good idea exactly how the thing wants the letter stroked). That made it pretty easy to handle the hard to handle characters. I just picked the thing up and started using it.

I've been a Pilot user since they came out, but these Palm PCs are looking real attractive. I was concerned they'd be too big and heavy--they're not. I put a few side by side photos on my web page that I shot at CES to give an idea how big they are compared to the Pilot. I think 3Com is making a mistake with what I've heard of the new Pilot with PalmOS 3.0 (not many enhancements). Sure they'll hang on to (some) of their loyal following, but after seeing the Palm PCs, I frankly don't see how a new buyer would choose the Pilot over a Palm PC. If the Palm PC was out first, and then the Pilot, the Pilot would probably not get a second glance. And I say this as someone who has always been _very_ happy with the Pilot. But time waits for no one--and 3Com had plenty of time to combat the Palm PC with something a heck of a lot better than PalmOS 3.0.

Just my opinion...