SMART PHONES' ON THE HORIZON - The combination of mobile phones with handheld computers was recently announced by Palm and Motorola. These next- generation phones feature large displays, the capability of - surfing the Internet, using word processing, maintaining an address book and more. Palm and Motorola expect to produce their first phone in early 2002. It will run on three frequencies and be useable in both the US and in Europe. The announcement will increase competition in this fast-growing sector. (Financial Times, 25 Sept 00)

SPEAK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE - Several startups and major tech corporations are entering the market for telephone-based Internet access, or voice portals. The technology is improving and booming, say industry analysts, who predict the annual worth of the voice-portal market could be $12 billion by 2005. Users call a voice portal and request news or information. Voice- recognition software analyzes the request and then sends it to the main computer to be processed. Analysts expect voice portals to succeed because most people have access to a phone, whereas many people still do not have Internet access; but critics wonder whether voice portals will be fast enough to please customers. Several corporations, including America Online and Sprint, have recently bought or acquired stakes in voice-recognition software firms, leading analysts to believe they are preparing their own voice portals. (Wall Street Journal 18 Sept 00 - Edupage 18 Sept 00)