Phoenix FirstWare Assistant lets laptop users view e-mail without launching Windows HANOVER, GERMANY — Want to check your e-mail without waiting for your computer to boot up? Phoenix Technologies Ltd. has released an upgraded version of its Phoenix FirstWare Assistant software that includes support for e-mail.The latest version of Phoenix FirstWare Assistant will let users of laptops and tablets running Phoenix’s cME (core Managed Environment) software view their e-mail over Microsoft Corp.’s Outlook e-mail client, without launching the Windows operating system, the company said at the Cebit trade show being held in Hanover, Germany.By pressing a “hot button” the user will gain read-only access to e-mail and personal data, such as calendars, notes and contacts, effectively turning their laptop into a PDA (personal digital assistant), Phoenix said. The first version of FirstWare Assistant, released in September 2003, only gave access to personal information manager data from Outlook, including calendars and contacts, the company said.Phoenix’s cME software allows secure system management and restoration independent of the operating system, the company said. Technology IndustrySmall and Medium Business