Pocket View

Every second month since the Fall of 1985, we've published an enthusiast magazine for users of a particular mobile computing platform. We began with the first DOS laptop—the HP Portable Plus. Then in the 90's we migrated to the HP 200LX Palmtop. Since 1997 we have written about Microsoft's mobile operating system and its Handheld PC, Pocket PC, and Smartphone formats. Now we move to the iPhone. 


The same magazine for 24 years!


From my perspective, although computer platforms have changed, the fundamentals of the magazine have stayed the same. We write about the power, usefulness, and fun of having a small computer available to use anywhere. For many of us, there is a personal, almost intimate aspect to these small machines. We get attached to them—they become extensions of ourselves. In each issue, we explore ways individuals and institutions use these devices to bring more success and joy. 


A magazine like ours is important to a platform. Its articles uncover the tremendous possibilities that these pocket-sized computers provide for increased productivity and entertainment. The magazine encourages third-party development, as it reports on software and accessory solutions.


The magazine industry has changed quite a bit in 24 years. In particular, the Internet has emerged, bringing with it immediacy and interactivity. However, magazines remain important and have a broad appeal. Magazines contain engaging, graphically compelling, and well-researched content. Space limitations mean that only the best content gets published. Many of us enjoy picking up, highlighting, and dog-earing a paper magazine. We read it in bed, in comfortable chairs, on planes and trains, in bath tubs, and in waiting rooms. Many of us simply prefer paging through a print magazine over on screen reading.


The ebb and flow of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine


This is the 76th issue covering devices based on Microsoft's mobile operating system. We initially built our circulation with the cooperation of Hewlett Packard and later other Pocket PC vendors, who included our free issue offer in their packaging. Once we lost that opportunity and pocket computers became smartphones, we found it much more difficult to reach those whom we could potentially serve with the magazine, and our circulation began to decrease. Our strong newsstand sales and popular Web site helped, but each year we had fewer subscribers even though the Windows Mobile platform grew. The phone companies showed no interest in offering their customers a copy of our magazine.


Our hope was that Microsoft and ideally phone companies and OEMs would actively partner with us, offering free issues to their customers, purchasing subscriptions for employees and partners, and sponsoring the magazine and our software awards. Microsoft did work with us in some significant ways through the years. However, it was hit and miss, nothing sustained, nothing we could count on. Those Microsoft folks in the field who dealt with customers or needed to educate partners loved us. Unfortunately, those in Redmond didn't value us enough to carry on a sustained dialog about mutually beneficial ways we could work together. 


However, of course, the success of our magazine is solely our responsibility. All I can say is that we gave our best creating each issue and attempting to run a profitable magazine business. I am proud of our contribution to the Windows Mobile community these past 11 years.