Microsoft Rolls Out Pocket PC 2003

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)."

Comments

Ah... marketing

[awtbfb]

... rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it)

again

Why new name?

[Anime_Fan]

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*

Re:Why new name?

[tmark]

Let's see. You know that Microsoft is behind both products, and you believe Windows sucks. But at the same time, you would consider buying a product if the OS is called "PocketPC", but you wouldn't consider buying the SAME product if it was called "Windows Mobile".

Microsoft's marketing department is changing the product name precisely BECAUSE of people like you who are going to buy a product purely on name alone, its merits or lack of same notwithstanding. For more users than not, the Windows association is a *good* thing and the PocketPc nomenclature was probably confusing to many of them.

Interesting timing on this announcement

[bshroyer]

I imagine that it wasn't a wild coincidence that Microsoft launches this product on the same day that a big part of the computer world is waiting on pins and needles to hear what Apple has to say at the WWDC, which won't begin for another few hours.

Re:Interesting timing on this announcement

[TopShelf]

The "pins and needles" are because they've been sitting around so long waiting for the next epoch-changing move from Apple that their butts have fallen asleep!

Industry Name Identity Problem?

[peterdaly]

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

-Pete

obligatory theregister link

[spiny]

theres also a summary here:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/68/31369.ht ml

Who cares?

[CaptainZapp]

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..

Re:Who cares?

[bleh-of-the-huns]

I am not sure what the deal is with wifi/gsm debates. But I believe this has something to do with possibly putting high gain wifi antennas on cell towers, and making phones with wifi built in. This would make for cheaper (and hopefully unlimited bandwidth at a flat fee) data service, in conjunction with cell services. as the current 3g technology is a little flakey. I am supposed to be able to get 1.5 megs down, 256k up via my phone, but I rarely get more then 45k in any direction, and at 0.008 cents per k, after my initial 4 megs.. I can rack up quite a bill by the end of the month.

Re:Who cares?

[costas]

I agree; Microsoft cares. Here's my take: Microsoft is aware that every major computer (or any technology) platform has been replaced ultimately by a lower-tier, commodity replacement. Big iron by mainframes, then minicomputers, then workstations and PCs. Their entire future and fortune depends on their control of one commodity platform, the Wintel PC. However, there is a huge emergent platform out there, and that is mobile phones and devices that talk to them, not the PC.

I travel globally, mostly Europe and Asia; although PCs are common outside the US, mobiles are ubiquitious. Fifteen year olds SMS while waiting for a bus in Hong Kong and Paris and London, while they may just occasionally double-click on an IE icon on a desktop at home or a net cafe.

Most of the /. crowd extrapolates from the US life-style which is car- and PC-centric while most of the world is public-transport- and mobile-centric; mobiles are much more useful and much more attractive to an average user, because they have much higher network value: think of it like this: PCs became a killer app when they started talking to each other, either via common standard or common networks. Power law of network value and all that... well, how can you compete for network nodes with cells?

Microsoft is feeling the hit of an emerging, cost-competitive commodity platform and they want to hedge their bets. However, history is against them; Nokia makes much better phone UIs and they are riding GSM whereas MS has to deal with the fragmented and underdeveloped US cell market...

uh oh, an guaranteed success.

[Ubergrendle]

Damn, Microsoft has hit their "version 3" of pocket devices...this is going to be a sure thing.

1) Windows CE
2) Windows Pocket PC
3) Windows Pcoket PC 2003

Damn you Microsoft! Damn you to hell!!!!!!

Re:News for Nerds?

[OscarGunther]

(Yeah, it's a troll, but I'll answer anyway.)

Because the dislike for Microsoft largely isn't irrational. I use Windows at work and at home, and generally like the product. I don't mind Microsoft trying to be all things to all people, but I do mind the way it tries to shut everyone else out of the market. There's a fine line between responsible and irresponsible competition and Microsoft straddles that line.

That's one of the reasons I'd like to see Linux succeed: to act as a brake on Microsoft's behavior. (Another is that I think Linux is kinda cool and I like the ethics surrounding its development.)

Do some here have a knee-jerk response to all things Microsoft? Sure, but it's mostly born of experience.

Wow!

[zulux]

The NEW EXCITING Pocket PC 2003.NET - the best possible portable Bluescreen(tm) technology, now optomised for Intel Xscale for a 20% faster experience.

Since We've Slashdotted them..

[abcxyz]

According to Microsoft's Pocket PC 2003 Reviewer's Guide, the following new features and enhancements are contained in the newly announced 2003 version of the Pocket PC software platform . . .
Enhanced Connection Manager user interface (UI) -- A new and more intuitive Connection Manager wizard features enhanced tabs to give users more control over selecting networks and setting dialing preferences.

Zero Configuration connections -- Pocket PC 2003 has added Zero Configuration for Wi-Fi, designed to simplify connection with and authentication to 802.11 wireless networks. Zero Configuration is also supported when adding a dial-up modem or Ethernet network card.

Improved animated connectivity status icons -- When using the cellular phone features of the PPC, new connectivity icons have been merged onto the navigation bar to better illustrate radio signal strength and data flow.

Improved connectivity bubbles -- Connectivity message bubbles are clearer and less cluttered and more easily convey information about connection status, synchronization and signal strength.

Bluetooth partnership wizard -- New wizard pops up at (Settings | Bluetooth | Paired Device Tab | New), which turns on the radio, searches for available devices and asks users to set a PIN to pair with a device. This feature allows users to easily configure Bluetooth bonding.

Always-on Bluetooth discoverability -- The Bluetooth discoverable mode stays turned on after users activate it (until users manually changes the setting) to allow for easy Bluetooth bonding.

Use of Bluetooth modems -- Bluetooth phones may be used as a modem to connect the Pocket PC to the Internet. This feature represents Microsoft's commitment to serving OEMs and mobile operators and to supporting the growing popularity of the Bluetooth wireless connection standard.

Bluetooth beaming -- Users can now beam data such as Contact files using Bluetooth.

Auto-correct -- Common spelling errors are automatically corrected during typing. Auto-correct can easily be overridden. (Not available in East Asia.)

Auto-suggest -- Auto-suggest is extended to the email inbox, allowing users to type email more quickly.

Turn all radios off -- One-touch ability allows users to turn off all wireless radios (802.11x, Bluetooth, cell phone, etc.) to conserve device power when not on a network or allow other features to be used while traveling on an airplane when cell phones must be turned off.

802.1x support -- 802.1x Wi-Fi security is supported natively.

Certificate Management UI -- New control panel applet allows users to manage client and root certificates. This is useful when users have installed a bad certificate and have difficulty logging onto Wi-Fi networks.

IPSec/L2TP -- Windows CE provides the support for IPSec L2TP (the Microsoft VPN standard for connectivity).

Support for Multiple VPNs -- The new Connection Manager also supports multiple VPNs.

IPv6 support -- PPC now supports IPv6/v4 mixed environments.

New Today screen -- Today screen automatically shows users the next day's appointments immediately after the last current day appointment expires to better manage early morning meetings.

Smart Lookup in Contacts -- Pocket PC 2003 incorporates Smart Lookup, a feature that enables users to input the first few letters of the contact they want to open.

Windows CE 4.2 operating system -- With the new and improved operating system, Windows CE 4.2, users will experience improved performance and stability of applications built for Pocket PC 2003 devices. .NET Compact Framework -- The integrated .NET Compact Framework brings the power of new applications that simplify the overall development and integration of Web services on smart devices, enabling developers and enterprise end users to access a wealth of data from various sources such as back-end servers, intranets and the Internet.

Enhanced developer support

Only slightly offtopic

[boatboy]

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?

PocketPC devices just make me...

[Glock27]

WinCE.

After all, you're buying from a convicted criminal...

:-)

Sounds good to me.

[djdole]

I myself like that Microsoft renamed this version. With the name "Pocket PC" many people have abbreviated that even further to just PPC. When searching for software ventors, it's jsut a bit frustrating to be looking for Pocket PC software and keep getting Power PC related links. Both use PPC as their Acronym.

Now all I have to worry about is a bout of retardism making me type MSM, to get SMS...:-p

But anything MS does to improve their products is should be viewed as a welcome change.

One word

[SuperKendall]

J2ME.

That's only of course if you want to write apps that will work on an order of magnititude more devices...

Including the PocketPC, and many many cellphones.

Apple is the trailblazer

[visionsofmcskill]

Apple is commonly referred to as "R&D south" by the Redmond campus. This term is quite apt of how most big players look at apple.

essentialy apple is probably the greatest trend setter in consumer computers. The big boys don't use thier resources to explore new design concepts and tech use. Instead they watch apple roll out new products, and see whether or not they are succesfull and viable (iPOD + Itunes Music Store, iMac) or just a bad idea (cube).

Apple hsn't got market share, they've got style share, or should i say... they are trendy. If something works within the apple community, it is almost garenteed to work in the windows community. Thus Companies who watch apples endeavors closely, can get a good idea on what markets to tackle, and what to leave alone.

There are reasons why apple's brand and OS/hardware have a much higher user satisfaction, it's because they spend almost as much money (and more in some cases) on product development than the much larger players (MS, IBM, DELL, HP, etc...). They also can afford to do so... it's their identity, and what keeps them alive. Since apple has it's own market, it doesn't have to worry about it's dollars spent on reasearch vs dollars spent on market growth in comparison to other players in the same space.

That is, dell must keep a tight budget on it's spedning, because they've got to save money to fight off sony, toshiba, HP, and others in distribution and identity. Whereas apple's identity is secure and has no DIRECT competitors in it's market (albeit a much smaller market, though apple ships nearly as many machines as the big boys do individualy) so apple's main goal is to preserve their identity of being something appealing, different and very well made. Part of being very well made and different AND APPEALING is TONS of R&D.

I hear rumors that panther (OS X 10.3) will have native ActiveDirectory support along with a 970 at 2ghz (which should be on par with a P4 at 3.5ghz or so), Coupled with a 1ghz FSB along with a crapload of hardware goodies.... it looks like apple may be making a play for being more than trendy... but a horse-powered consumer product as well. If the next rumor is true... the implications are huge.

Panther supposedly has a fully featured multi-user environment built for wireless displays. As in you can have 6 people with all of their own wireless displays connected to the same computer in their house. Each one has a full user environment complete with aqua and everything. Eliminating the need for multiple machines, and providing one point of data storage and access. The implications are quite similar to what was expected to be thin client computing of our day (everyone has a dumb terminal that runs from a server somewhere)

but we shall see what happens. I personaly love the ideas of all these things, and think they would be great if implemented by apple (since apple does a stellar job on their projects)... but also find apple's releasal of products to be inconsistent, and often rumors are just that. Rumors.

First Pocket PC 2003 MS Knowledgebase article

[tf23]

And it starts:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb% 3Ben-us%3B820161