From The Editor 

Rich Hall

Windows CE is growing by leaps and bounds.

Released last November, the new version 2.0 has given rise to a new raft of handheld PCs with more features, better connectivity, bigger screens, color displays, and a host of new products from independent vendors.

In this issue we take a closer look at Windows CE 2.0 in the form of the Hewlett-Packard 620LX, one of the new color-screen handheld PCs. If you are considering upgrading to any of the new H/PCs, you'll want to take a look at this review.

Another big change in the Windows CE market was announced this January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Microsoft, along with a host of computer manufacturers and independent developers, introduced two new platforms for Windows CE 2.0: the Palm PC and Auto PC.

The Palm PC is a pen entry device that is small enough to slip into your shirt pocket. It comes with Pocket Outlook's Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Inbox applications and built-in handwriting recognition capability. The Palm PC easily synchronizes with your desktop and is already being supported by over 60 independent developers. If the H/PC is too big and too powerful for your needs, you'll want to check out our Palm PC section.

The Auto PC is the other new Windows CE device we look at in this issue. It's about the size of a car AM/FM radio and fits in the AM/FM's dashboard slot. You don't type on a keyboard, or write on a screen - you talk to it and it talks back. With both hands on the wheel you can tune your radio, listen to your email, look up an address, get turn-by-turn directions to that address, and more. Find out more about the Auto PC inside.

One of the common limitations all three Windows CE platforms have is internal file storage memory. All three have a way around that limitation, in the form of PC storage cards. Mark Scardina explains these cards in detail and gives some specific advice on which type you should select.

Windows CE 2.0 devices automatically synchronize with the Windows 95 version of Outlook. If you use another desktop PIM, you'll want to take a look at David Shier's quick review of synchronization software for Windows CE. If you yearn to know more about how synchronization works, see Mike Blanchette's in-depth explanation of the process.

Our regular columnists explore issues important to individual and organizational users. Andrew Seybold reports on the Portable Computer and Communications Association (PCCA) and its efforts to develop the standards necessary for reliable wireless communications. John Jerney reports on technology that will aid text and data entry on Windows CE devices by completing words after a few keystrokes. Carl Merkle delves more into the mysteries of successfully deploying handhelds to a corporate workforce.

Take a fast-paced look at a day in the life of a real estate attorney; make your H/PC more useful, easy to use, and fun with Quick Tips; find the latest Windows CE web sites; and more.

In the final analysis, you are the experts! What's good about Windows CE? What needs to be improved? What do you want to see more (or less) of in this magazine? We welcome any and all feedback and appreciate tips, profiles, and other insights that you want to share with your fellow users. E-mail me at rich_hall@thaddeus.com, or Hal Goldstein at hal_goldstein@thaddeus.com .