10Meters News Service

Oct. 8, 2001 Microsoft is looking to its vast array of partners to help push its new Pocket PC 2002 into the hands of corporate users.

With high-profile software and hardware vendors waiting in the wings to demo new Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC solutions, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer last week took the stage at the San Francisco Concourse to introduce Pocket PC 2002, the company's operating system for handheld computers.

Companies unveiling news devices that run on the Pocket PC 2002 include Compaq, rolling out two new iPAQs handhelds, and Casio, debuting its Cassiopeia E-200 high-end PDA. In all, Microsoft said that 22 vendors, including Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, NEC and Mitsubishi Electric, had pledged to support the new OS.

"Pocket PC 2002 makes a great mobile platform even better," Ballmer said. "With a stylish new interface and exciting new features, Pocket PC 2002 offers users more ways to communicate with friends and co-workers and really makes the Pocket PC an essential business tool."

Ballmer also demonstrated new technology for wirelessly enabling Pocket PC-based devices. With this release, Microsoft is providing customers with a range of wireless connectivity options, from local area networks (802.11b) and personal area networks (Bluetooth) to wide area networks (via CDPD, CDMA, GSM or through two-body solutions utilizing today's operator networks).

Microsoft also said it is developing telephony software and working with industry partners to bring integrated wireless devices to market. In Europe, integrated wireless Pocket PCs are already available from Mitsubishi Electronic Group and SAGEM.

Microsoft also introduced its new Server ActiveSync technology that enables direct server synchronization of e-mail and calendar and contact information between Pocket PC 2002-based devices and Exchange 2000 Servers. Server ActiveSync will ship as a component of Microsoft Mobile Information 2002 Server and is designed to work over wireless or wired connections.