New & Noteworthy: Apple to open retail stores!; PowerBook trade-up reinstated; Keyspan 4-port Serial Adapter

Apple Computer to open retail stores The ICSC.org web site reports: "Apple Computer is about to roll out a chain of stores that will sell its own brand of computer equipment. The company is keeping mum on the plan, but Apple stores are set to open in centers across the country, mall executives report. A 6,200-square-foot Apple store in Littleton, Colo. will open in November. Executives of one large New York City area mall say they are also close to signing a deal with Apple." (Thanks, Monty Solomon.)

PowerBook trade-up reinstated? Last summer, we reported on a trade-up program for PowerBook 190 and 5300 computers. The offer ended August 31. A MacFixIt reader was told by Apple Tech Support on Friday that a new trade-up will start today. The trade-up is to a PowerBook G3 FireWire 400MHz for $1599.

4-port Serial Adapter Keyspan is now shipping its new USB 4-port Serial Adapter for an MSRP of $149. It allows 4 serial devices to be connected to a single USB port. Each of its male DB9 ports allows connection to RS232 serial devices at data rates up to 960 Kbps. Support for Mac OS X will be available in the 3rd quarter.