TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apple Plans Newton for Corporate Users: The company will unveil a more powerful version of its Newton hand-held computer for corporate customers in the next few months, an Apple Computer Inc. official said at the Consumer Electronics Industry show in Las Vegas. Apple’s Gaston Bastiaens said about 50 companies are already testing the Newton. The Newton, introduced in 1993, is a portable, pen-based device that offers a variety of scheduling and communications functions. Handwriting recognition technology is one of its key features. The new product will be more expensive than the current Newton, whose prices start at about $700. Bastiaens said Apple will be looking to market the Newton in the brokerage, medical and insurance fields for mobile sales forces.