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Microsoft preps new handheld OS

configure   on 12 June 2003 - 12:19 · 11 comments & 1853 views

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Thanks xStainDx Microsoft later this month will unveil the next version of its handheld operating system, as hardware partners new and old line up with devices using the OS.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant will debut Pocket PC 2003--code-named Ozone--on June 23, according to sources close to the company. The operating system is not expected to be a major revision of Pocket PC 2002, but it will include new features such as built-in support for wireless technologies Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The OS overhaul will occur in the next version of the operating system, code-named Magneto, due out next year.

Microsoft representatives declined to comment.

Hewlett-Packard and Gateway are both expected to announce new products using Pocket PC 2003. Gateway, a newcomer to the handheld market, confirmed that it will release a midrange device using the OS on June 23.

Meanwhile, HP is expected to release this month a handful of new iPaq devices--recently approved by the Federal Communications Commission--that likely will use Microsoft's new OS, sources close to HP say. Two of the devices, to be called the iPaq h1930 and the iPaq h1940, will be added to the low-end 1900 series and will come with a built-in Bluetooth chip. The FCC also approved iPaq h2200 devices that come with an Intel XScale PXA255 processor for handhelds and a built-in Bluetooth chip. The sources say HP also will announce two high-end devices for its iPaq h5500 series, both of which will come with Bluetooth. HP declined to comment on the devices.

News source: CNET News - Microsoft preps new handheld OS


Microsoft has been increasing its share in the handheld OS market, recently signing on major manufacturers such as Dell Computer as hardware partners. More than 30 manufacturers currently use various versions of the Pocket PC operating system in handhelds. The software giant remains the No. 2 player in the market, behind Palm.

The handheld market has seen shipments slide over the last couple of quarters, partly as a result of major player Handspring shifting its focus from handhelds to combination organizer-cell phone devices. But other big names such as Dell and Toshiba, which both use the Pocket PC OS in their devices, are slowly filling the void, according to data from research firm IDC.

In the first quarter, Dell shot up to the No. 4 spot, with 6.5 percent of worldwide shipments, from No. 11, and Toshiba picked up 3.6 percent of the market. Toshiba managed to increase shipments 306 percent in the first quarter from the same period a year ago. Handspring fell in the No. 7 spot, with 2.9 percent.

Magneto, the next version of Microsoft's Pocket PC OS, is expected to include improved phone features, such as more intuitive dialing capabilities, and will likely be more flexible so that it can be used in a wider variety of devices such as appliances.

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#1 dismuter on 12 Jun 2003 - 13:26
I've been waiting for this. I wanted to buy a Pocket PC but then I thought it wouldn't be wise with PPC2003 due out soon.

I can't beleive Palm is still ahead. It must have been that wave of movies where every actor had his "Palm", great marketing, reminds me of Zip drives and Macs in movies.
I don't think the Palm domination will last too long though. The PPC is technologically much superior and has powerful backing.
(2 replies) #2 SHoTTa35 on 12 Jun 2003 - 14:41
it just has a fanbase... it's hard to convert diehard fans even if something else is better, *cough* linux *cough* They'll stick to what they have and support that because in their minds it's still better at onething or 2
#2.1 nacs on 12 Jun 2003 - 16:25
Yeah you almost had a valid point in there.

1) Every OS has fanbase not just Linux.
2) People who are 'diehard fans' are probably diehard for a reason. If they don't feel the need to switch then there isn't a need to.
3) They'll stick to what they have and support that because in their minds it's still better at onething or 2 << Pretty much everyone in the world makes a decision based on what 'their mind thinks is better' so I don't see your point once again.

People aren't sticking to Palm or Linux just because they're old diehard fans. They stick to it because it works for them.
#2.2 JaggedFlame on 12 Jun 2003 - 17:59
He was talking about diehard PocketPC fans not converting to Linux, not diehard Palm/Linux fans, and yes, the point still holds true for them.
(2 replies) #3 skywalker on 12 Jun 2003 - 15:09
Have a look at the new Palm Tungsten C. This will change your mind forever ;-)


Last edited by 4344 on 12 Jun 2003 - 16:06
#3.1 Foo Fighter on 12 Jun 2003 - 16:12
I'm anxious for the new Tungsten T2 to arrive! Yeah baby!
#3.2 mr_da3m0n on 12 Jun 2003 - 21:11
Not really. I love the screen tho.

I still like my iPaq better~
(1 reply) #4 mr_da3m0n on 12 Jun 2003 - 21:11
Any word on if this thing is going to be available as an update?
#4.1 Foo Fighter on 12 Jun 2003 - 21:14
That is up to Pocket PC vendors like HP, Dell, and Toshiba. From what I've heard, Dell and HP will offer upgrades for existing users, but it may not be a free download. Not sure about Toshiba or Viewsonic.
(1 reply) #5 Flae_qui on 13 Jun 2003 - 02:43
since when is palm ahead OMG i had a handspring visor is was ok but i got my PPC and it night and day. 1 like to see a plam do handwriting noooo have to write like it wants to. the screen sucks on a plam games sucks ummm just bout all the good networking equiment is for PPC. do i really need to go on?
#5.1 Foo Fighter on 13 Jun 2003 - 03:46
Well for starters a lot has changed since your Visor. PalmOS devices now have higher resolution displays than Pocket PC. 320x240 vs. 320x320 and 320 x480 on Sony Clies. Palm devices now have built-in wireless, multimedia, VPN support, and have moved to ARM processors.

And Palm devices can have handwriting recognition by downloading Caligrapher. They've had that capability since the days of your Visor.

Games suck? Uh...Sega and Sony now make games for PalmOS. I suppose you're going to say they suck too? Get with the times. Apparently PalmOS advanced while you were living under a rock.

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