NewsGator 1.3, a new version of the news aggregator for Microsoft Outlook, was announced today by NewsGator Technologies. NewsGator retrieves news from news sites, weblogs, and other information sources that support the RSS syndication format, and automatically integrates the news items into Microsoft Outlook folders. In addition to RSS feeds, NewsGator 1.3 adds the ability to subscribe to NNTP (Usenet) newsgroups.

PC Magazine has this review of the Hitachi SH-G1000 smartphone with service provided by Sprint PCS. The SH-G1000 is a fully powered Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition PDA with a built in CDMA/1xRTT single-band phone, an integrated QWERTY keyboard, a 640-by-480 resolution digital camera, and an SD slot. Users with PCS Business Connection Enterprise Edition software can push Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook email and PIM data directly to the phone for access both in and out of coverage areas.

Sprint and Samsung announced that the Samsung SPH-i500, a full-color Palm Powered PCS Phone in a clamshell form factor, is now available nationwide in Sprint Stores for a suggested retail price of $599.99. It includes a CD-ROM with Palm OS 4.1 Desktop Software, PocketMirror Standard from Chapura for synchronizing with Microsoft Outlook, Weblink to PCS Business Connection for real-time wireless email, trial Palm OS applications provided by Handango, a Palm Game Pack and a user’s guide.

Novell acquired Ximian Inc., one of the major drivers behind the GNOME project to create a Linux-based desktop, and Mono, software that allows applications developed under Microsoft’s .Net to run on Linux and Unix. Computerworld reports that the company’s Ximian Evolution software integrates email, calendaring, contact management and task lists that are all part of one package. The product is compatible with Microsoft’s Exchange server and Sun Microsystems’ Open Net Environment, and sometime this year will support Novell’s GroupWise product.

Icode announced the general availability of Everest Advanced Edition 2.0. Based on a Microsoft SQL database, Icode’s Everest Advanced Edition 2.0 includes accounting, inventory, e-commerce, purchasing, shipping, receiving, sales force automation, marketing management, contact management, returned merchandise authorization, point-of-sale, and U.S. payroll.

Windows & .NET Magazine has this article about protecting your Storage Area Networks. Microsoft and HP have been actively promoting the use of SANs in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server. If Microsoft and HP are successful in selling Exchange on SANs, the number of potential SAN security breaches will increase.

Groove Networks announced a Web-based collaborative sales system called Virtual Sales Office (VSO). According to CRN, the online selling system, developed by training ISV SalesConference.net and delivered through Groove’s VSO Web site, features six customized Groove workspaces including an opportunity management system, training content and a team calendar, which is integrated with Microsoft Outlook.

TechNewsWorld reports that an email worm posing as a system administrator message was rapidly spreading over the Internet as workers returned to the office. The MiMail worm indicates to receivers that their email account will soon expire and tricks users into opening an attachment that contains malicious software. The MiMail message requests users to read an attachment to find out about the expiration of their email account. The attachment contains an HTML file, which users typically assume is safe.

Microsoft has laid plans for a server version of Longhorn, the next release of Windows. According to News.com, it remains unclear what the software will include and when it will debut.

Extended Systems unveiled OneBridge Mobile Groupware software based on its Live Connect technology. OneBridge Mobile Groupware replaces Extended Systems’ existing XTNDConnect Server product. CRN says the new product is a wireless email solution that works on a host of devices and networks such as Pocket PC and Palm, and multiple wireless networks including 2.5G, WLAN and Bluetooth. The OneBridge software solution also supports Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes.