Microsoft will launch the Pocket PC with a "Pocket PC Seeing
is Believing Tour" where Microsoft product managers will meet
with user groups nationwide to promote the newly-launched Pocket PC.
Microsoft actually lost market share in the handheld arena last year
and realizes that they have to actively promote the new Windows
Powered Pocket PC to give it a chance. The tour is their way of taking
their case about the benefits and strengths of the Pocket PC directly
to the end user.
The companies will preview the new Pocket PC to user groups in over
20 U.S. cities, including: Baton Rouge, LA; Bethesda, MD; Boston, MA;
Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Dayton, OH;
Denver, CO; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Los
Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; Oklahoma
City, OK; Philadelphia, PA; Raleigh, NC; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio,
TX; Syracuse, NY; Troy, MI; and Tucson, AZ. The tour schedule,
including dates and meeting places is available at www.microsoft.com/pocketpc/tour/home.asp.
Note: By the time you read this some of the dates will have
already passed.
Although they haven't formally announced anything, Microsoft has
been showing off a device they're calling the "MiPad," a
high-speed, wireless, Web-enabled, voice-activated device, to be based
on a future version of Windows CE. According to industry sources, the
MiPad will include the functionality found in the new Pocket PC,
including Calendar, Contacts, Inbox, and other "Pocket"
applications. MiPad is a prototype, intended to display the
functionality of a small Pocket device with integrated high-speed
wireless connectivity and voice recognition capabilities. Presumably,
it would allow you to access information via voice commands, do some
form of speech-to-text translation, and even use the MiPad as a mobile
communicator. Microsoft is certainly not minimizing its commitment to
the further development of Windows CE devices.
Windows Media Player is built into the new Pocket PC, letting users listen to MP3 and Windows Media recordings wherever they are. Microsoft is making a version of this program available to Palm-size PC users, free of charge. Download it at www.microsoft.com/windowsce/products/highlights/wmedia.asp
Paravant (www.paravant.com/f_rug.html)
announced that it has developed an ultra-rugged "Palm Top (RPT)
handheld computer" based on the Windows CE operating system, for
military use. The RPT is powered by a 200 MHz CPU and includes a color
sunlight readable LCD display. According to Paravant, they are
currently testing the product with two organizations. One of the
customers will use the RPT for fire control missions, and the other
would use it for secure data transmission. The two-pound device is
small enough to fit into the pants pocket of a soldier's BDU's and can
withstand the rigors of a military mission. The RPT can be integrated
with a satellite communications module, a military accurate GPS, and a
digital laser rangefinding binocular.
Itronix Corporation (www.itronix.com)
is a designer and manufacturer of rugged, wireless mobile computing
solutions, including the Windows CE-based T-5200 Handheld PC Pro. They
recently announced that they have acquired another H/PC Pro
manufacturer, WPI Husky (www.husky.co.uk).
Itronix will gain Husky's international distribution network and will
offer Husky products to U.S. distributors. Husky and Itronix will
integrate their product development and sales forces.
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