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Microsoft Rolls Out Pocket PC 2003

Posted by Hemos on from the brand-new dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Monday, June 23 was a big day for Microsoft's mobile devices software strategy. The company: (1) rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it); (2) unveiled a new "Windows Mobile" branding strategy; and (3) launched a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers to provide easier access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi wireless "hot spots" by Windows-powered PDAs throughout the US. All this (and more) is covered in this "special report" at WindowsForDevices.com (including a detailed list of enhancements in Pocket PC 2003)."

4 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Why new name? by Anime_Fan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I see that the Pocket PC will be named Windows Mobile. It seems they want to use another brand, possibly to increase the wide-spread usage of the word 'Windows', but why?
    I for one have always thought PocketPC as something that is LESS Microsoft, which is a Good Thing (TM). I would never buy a copy of Windows XP while I could consider buying a PocketPC (but not a Windows Mobile)...

    I don't know what to do *Cries in horror*

  2. Industry Name Identity Problem? by peterdaly · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is it just me, or do you think cell-phone company when you read "Windows Mobile"?

    -Pete

    --
    Soccer Goal Plans
  3. Who cares? by CaptainZapp · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Ok, apologies for seemingly being a luddite, but who actually cares?

    WiFi might be nice to give you added flexibility, but frankly do I really frantically want to search a hot spot every hour in order to download my 7 mails from which usually 7 are spam? I don't think so.

    Granted, it might be nice to pass your time by browsing the web when you wait for a train. But I can do that just fine with a newspaper.

    Methinks this is a rather desperate attempt to (finally) get a foot into the mobile, wireless world and Microsofts attempt to lure (GSM-)manufacturers/network providers in can only be described as a spectacular failure up to now.

    Also, WiFi is not the GSM killer; a notion which seems popular in the US, but it's just plain wrong. Those are two very, very different technologies with very different objectives..

    --
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    mit taschenrechner in der hand

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  4. Only slightly offtopic by boatboy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We've just begun a project developing an app for .NET Compact Framework, and I have to say, I'm impressed. RAD for a wide range of CE & Pocket PC devices using C# and VB.NET is quite inticing. The framework is fairly light, considering, but is similar enough to the full framework that it's esentially identical to programming for a full PC. Debuging is cool too: you can debug on an emulated or real-live device.

    That said: what are /.'s alternatives for rapidly developing mobile business apps?