Mobile & Wireless UPDATE—brought to you by the Windows & .NET Magazine Network
http://www.winnetmag.com
THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY
Wireless Technologies Survey
http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?ID=C1YJGJE04CPQ&PIN=440T7CF15M4V
SPONSOR: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES SURVEY
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES!
Take our short, confidential survey on wireless technologies and you could win an HP 1.3 megapixel digital camera worth $300. Click here!
http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?ID=C1YJGJE04CPQ&PIN=440T7CF15M4V
January 9, 2003—In this issue:
1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES
- Pocket PC and Windows Smartphone
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Give Us Your Feedback and You Could Win a Digital Camera
- The Microsoft Mobility Tour Is Coming Soon to a City Near You!
3. INSTANT POLL
- Results of Previous Poll: Combination PDA and Cell Phone
- New Instant Poll: Combination Device vs. Multiple Devices
4. RESOURCES
- Event Highlight: allNet Devices: The Digital Ubiquity Forum
5. NEW AND IMPROVED
- Let Multiple Users Connect to AOL Through One Internet Connection
- Connect Tablet PCs to Legacy Devices
6. CONTACT US
- See this section for a list of ways to contact us.
1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES
(contributed by Steve Milroy, [email protected])
Microsoft's Mobile Devices division, one of seven Microsoft business units, has developed the Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition, and Windows Powered Smartphone OSs. These platforms, based on the Windows CE OS, specifically target small-form-factor devices. The OSs are licensed to the OEM, which builds the hardware and produces the final devices. Many OEMs have signed up to build devices based on Mobile Devices OSs. However, this group has obvious competition from PalmSource (licensee of the Palm OS) and Symbian (licensee of the EPOC OS), and the jury is still out regarding which OS will rise to prominence in the next couple of years. Considering recent announcements from Redmond, Microsoft seems to be making a charge.
Pocket PC PDAs have been available for years from many OEMs. In 2002, a couple of OEMs released devices based on the Pocket PC Phone Edition, an OS that adds telephony integration to the Pocket PC. T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless Services currently offer these devices. A few months ago, I reported on the first Windows Smartphone device to hit the market: the Orange SPV, which HTC developed and released in the United Kingdom. The problem in the United States is that existing devices work only with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks, thereby limiting their adoption in the United States.
Two press releases recently caught my attention. First, Microsoft announced the forthcoming release of several new Pocket PC Phone Edition and Windows Smartphone devices. These new devices, which will be based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, are the Samsung i700 and Hitachi Mobile Communicator—both on the brink of release in the United States.
Second, HTC announced that it will release an SPV-like device in the US market on the T-Mobile network. As with the SPV, this device will be GSM/GPRS-compatible, so we'll finally see a Windows Smartphone available in the United States.
Clearly, Microsoft has been working diligently to produce these new OSs and align with OEMs to release devices to the market. Time will tell whether Microsoft's Mobile Devices group will hit the mark with these new devices, but signs are looking good.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
(brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)
Take our very brief, confidential survey on wireless technologies and you could win a digital camera. Click here!
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?C1YJGJE04CPQ440T7CF15M4V
This outstanding seven-city event will help support your growing mobile workforce. Industry guru Paul Thurrott discusses the coolest mobility hardware solutions around, demonstrates how to increase the productivity of your "road warriors" with the unique features of Windows XP and Office XP, and much more. You could also win an HP iPAQ Pocket PC. There is no charge for these live events, but space is limited so register today! Sponsored by Microsoft, HP, and Toshiba.
http://www.winnetmag.com/seminars/mobility
3. INSTANT POLL
The voting has closed in Windows & .NET Magazine's Mobile & Wireless Solutions nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "Might you consider a combination PDA and cell phone in 2003?" Here are the results from the 65 votes:
- 77% Yes
- 23% No
The next Instant Poll question is, "Would you prefer to have one device that consolidates wireless functionality or several devices that perform different functions?" Go to the Mobile & Wireless Solutions Web site and submit your vote for a) I want one convenient combination device, or b) I prefer the multiple-device strategy.
http://www.mobile-and-wireless.com
4. RESOURCE
February 10 through 11, 2003
San Jose, California
The allNet Devices forum is designed to educate technology and business professionals about emerging trends to help vendors identify and evaluate new business initiatives and revenue-generating opportunities. Program topics include the next-generation home network, the role of multiple devices, interconnectivity, and the mobility bridge that exists between the home and office. For information about this event, go to the following URL.
http://www.jupiterevents.com/allnet/spring03/index.html
For other upcoming events, check out the Windows & .NET Magazine Event Calendar.
http://www.winnetmag.com/events/calendar
5. NEW AND IMPROVED
(contributed by Carolyn Mader, [email protected])
Actiontec Electronics announced that its Dual Mode Wireless-Ready Cable/DSL Router lets multiple users who are using only one Internet connection log on to AOL at the same time. The router can handle two PCs through a wired connection and as many as 32 more by using an 802.11b-compliant PC Card. The router's automated wizard, Connection 1-2-3, detects and verifies network settings and TCP/IP readiness for each PC. Pricing is $99.99. Contact Actiontec Electronics at 408-752-7700.
http://www.actiontec.com
Keyspan announced USB connectivity products that let you connect your Tablet PC to legacy devices. The USB Serial Adapter connects a serial device to a USB port. The USB Parallel Printer Adapter connects a parallel printer to a USB port. The Mini Port Replicator combines the USB serial adapter, USB parallel printer adapter, and the two-port USB hub. For pricing, contact Keyspan at 510-222-0131 or [email protected].
http://www.keyspan.com
6. CONTACT US
Here's how to reach us with your comments and questions:
- ABOUT MOBILE AND WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES — [email protected]
- ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER IN GENERAL — [email protected]
(please mention the newsletter name in the subject line)
- TECHNICAL QUESTIONS — http://www.winnetmag.net/forums
- PRODUCT NEWS — [email protected]
- QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MOBILE & WIRELESS UPDATE SUBSCRIPTION?
Customer Support — mobile_&[email protected]
- WANT TO SPONSOR MOBILE & WIRELESS UPDATE?
[email protected]
This biweekly email newsletter is brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine, the leading publication for Windows professionals who want to learn more and perform better. Subscribe today.
http://www.winnetmag.com/sub.cfm?code=wswi201x1z
Receive the latest information about the Windows and .NET topics of your choice. Subscribe to our other FREE email newsletters.
http://www.winnetmag.net/email
