SyncML, the initiative sponsored by mobile technology industry leaders Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Psion, Palm, Inc. and Starfish Software, announced SyncML Version 1.0 Alpha, a release candidate, is now available to SyncML Supporters in addition to new updates to the SyncML Reference Toolkit which was made available to Supporters in May. Delivered ahead of schedule, the Version 1.0 Alpha Specifications and the updated Reference Toolkit source code will be made available on August 31 in the Supporters area of the SyncML Web site.

AS400 Network has an article saying the WebSphere and Domino bundle is nothing more than a 31 percent price break because, though the products will be bundled together, they won’t be integrated yet. However, buyers can receive future quarterly maintenance releases that will include integrated features such as a single sign-on. The article also notes that IBM

Network World has an article on Lotus’ alliance with Sprint that allows companies running Domino to use the Mobile Notes Client on Sprint PCS phones to access email, calendar, and corporate directory information.

Information Week has an article saying Napster-style computing is going corporate as it has brought new attention to peer-to-peer technology. According to the article, peer-to-peer networking is a way to harness the dormant processing power in desktop PCs. Ray Ozzie, Notes creator and CEO of Groove Networks Inc. is quoted as saying, "This has big implications for supply-change management. Partners in different companies will be able to work together very closely and define what they want each other to see."

SearchDomino has an article on IT Factory saying the company is betting that its recent additions of Jeff Papows to its board of directors and Tim Halvorsen to its advisory board will provide the company with enough of a boost for it to become a leader in the groupware market.

SoftQuest Corporation announced the availability of the next maintenance release of InstallPump 2.1.9. The new release contains features and enhancements suggested by current customers. InstallPump allows the packaging of Lotus Notes applications and automated roll-out of the Notes client software.

InfoWorld has an article on Centrinity’s FirstClass Intranet Server, contending it very well could be a viable fourth option for providing low-cost groupware services on a smaller scale behind Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise, and Microsoft Exchange.

SearchDomino has an interview with Lotus CEO Al Zollar. In the interview, Zollar hopes he

Computerworld has an article on Lotus’ partnering with Sprint PCS. According to a quote from Amy Reuss Caton, senior brand marketing manager for Notes, this week’s announcement of wireless access to Notes through Sprint PCS is expanding on Lotus’ forte.

Sprint introduced Sprint PCS Wireless Web for Business, a full suite of wireless data products and services offering wireless access to enterprise content and applications, including corporate email, intranets, corporate directories, and sales and service eBusiness tools via Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones. To develop and jointly deliver the new services, Sprint PCS has formed alliances with application providers and systems integrators, including Lotus, Wireless Knowledge, Siebel Systems, Sabre Holdings Corporation, and PeopleSoft.