SAN DIEGO – Today at DEMOmobile 2001, Microsoft Corp. demonstrated publicly for the first time Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Software, the software that will power the next generation of Pocket PCs. After redefining the standard for PDAs with its first Pocket PC release, Microsoft has made a great mobile platform even better with Pocket PC 2002, delivering a stylish new interface, new features to benefit business users and corporations, and more ways to communicate with friends and co-workers. Microsoft confirmed that in just a few weeks, Pocket PC 2002-based devices will be available in retail outlets from a range of hardware vendors. Microsoft and its industry partners will formally launch the product on Oct. 4, 2001, with simultaneous events in San Francisco and London.
“Pocket PC has set the technology standard for PDAs. Now Microsoft is
raising the bar once again to bring even more value to customers,” said
Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft. “With
unrivaled business and consumer applications, Pocket PC 2002 is the most
capable device on the market.”
- A better Pocket PC. Pocket PC 2002 was developed with customer feedback in mind and introduces enhancements to make the software more powerful, stylish and customizable. In addition to a sleek new look that includes
the ability for users to personalize Today Screens “skins,” Microsoft
improved existing applications, added auto-configuration options and
made interoperability with Palm operating system-based devices easier.
Microsoft also is providing updated features such as a new Windows
Media(TM) Player 8 with support for the latest Windows Media Video and
Audio 8 technology, including streaming and new, improved electronic
reading possibilities via the new version of Microsoft Reader. - The best device for the enterprise. Pocket PC 2002 delivers new
functionality targeted to business users and corporations interested in
deploying the most secure, reliable and robust mobile solutions. For
example, Pocket PC 2002 includes the new Terminal Services application
that allows users to access their Windows(R) operating system-based
server through their device, supports strong passwords, and introduces
the ability to connect to corporate information via a virtual private
network (VPN).
- The most connected PDA. Pocket PC 2002 offers many ways to keep
customers connected like never before and gives them the ability to
access and store more information on the device while on the go. The
new software is ready for a range of wireless connectivity options from
local area networks (802.11b) and personal area networks (Bluetooth) to
wide area networks (via CDPD and GSM or through two-body solutions
utilizing today’s operator networks). Once users are connected, the new
software offers them more ways to communicate easily and quickly with
co-workers and friends, including MSN Messenger Service, which has a
new feature called My Text that lets users preprogram often-used
responses. Pocket PC 2002 also supports ActiveSync(R) 3.5 technology,
the latest version of Microsoft’s synchronization software that
includes improved USB connectivity and enhanced remote synchronization
capabilities. In addition, ActiveSync 3.5 enables users to synchronize
their e-mail inbox subfolders, giving them a new level of control over
the information they take with them.
Pocket PC 2002 delivers value with new features and improvements targeted in three areas:
“When Pocket PC launched in April 2000, it redefined what was possible
with a handheld device,” said Alex Slawsby at IDC. “With Pocket PC 2002, we
expect Microsoft and its partners to continue to set the bar for the
enterprise-focused, high-end PDA category.”
Availability
Working closely with its industry partners, Microsoft will make Pocket PC
2002 widely available in retail outlets on Oct. 4, 2001. The companies plan to
celebrate the launch with events in San Francisco and London for the media and
customers. Current Pocket PC customers should check with
their hardware manufacturer regarding Pocket PC upgrades to the new software.
Some users will be able to upgrade their devices to the Pocket PC 2002
software if their device uses Flash ROM memory.
About Microsoft Pocket PC
Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from
Microsoft and industry partners, offer customers the best way to connect to
their most essential information while away from their desk, yet are versatile
enough to satisfy the personal needs of today’s busy mobile consumer. Pocket
PCs already include a broad range of native business, personal productivity
and entertainment applications, yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each
customer’s changing needs through a continually growing number of
industry-standard hardware and software options.
