From The Editor  

Rich Hall

New technology starts out as a relatively obscure and difficult-to-use solution to a problem. Adopted by visionaries, it proves itself in a few cases, is improved upon, gains wider acceptance, and finally becomes commonplace. Computers started out as complex and expensive arrays of vacuum tubes. They have evolved into inexpensive powerhouses that slip into your pocket. But between the vacuum tubes and PC Companions, the cycle of technology has played itself out again and again.

The original Windows CE H/PCs, introduced over two years ago, were relatively inexpensive and easy to operate. Because of that, and because similar devices had been on the market for years, Microsoft and the device manufacturers tried to market H/PCs directly to end users. They weren't as successful as they'd hoped. Many end users didn't know what to make of the H/PC. It looked like a notebook computer only much smaller. Yes, you could carry it with you easily, but using the keyboard was a challenge. True, it was a Windows machine, but you couldn't run desktop Windows applications on it. And it did have a lot of nice built-in applications, but they lacked needed features.

Microsoft looped back on the technology cycle to improve the operating system and built-in applications, and in conjunction with manufacturers introduced new devices such as the Palm-size PC and most recently the Handheld PC Pro. What I notice most about the newer devices is that they look very familiar. For example, the Nino 510 Palm-size PC looks and functions a lot like pen-entry Personal Information Managers, such as the 3COM Palm or Apple Newton. And most of the H/PC Pros look like small notebook computers. Take a look at the two H/PC Pros we review in this issue: The Compaq Aero 8000 and the IBM WorkPad z50. Both have big color screens; both have large, easy-to-use keyboards; and both include a pointing device instead of a touchscreen. They are both on the cover of this issue, and they both look like notebook PCs.

Both the Aero 8000 and WorkPad z50 also come with add-on software that makes it easy to integrate them into an enterprise setting. Compaq and IBM are happy to sell individual units, but they clearly want to capture the corporate high ground. The add-on software helps in both cases. And when you're talking to a corporate MIS executive about 1,000 H/PC Pros, familiarity has its advantages. For example, instead of trying to define a new category of computer, you can simply say that an H/PC Pro is "like a notebook computer, only it's smaller, faster, less expensive, has a better battery life, requires less maintenance, and has all the necessary applications built in."

I think a familiar form factor that is easy to integrate into the corporate environment will eventually benefit the end user. If large organizations adopt PC Companions, thousands of individuals become new Windows CE end users. As they learn to master their new devices, many become dedicated users of the device and end up purchasing Windows CE devices for themselves. As the user base grows, Microsoft and the manufacturers have the finances necessary to continue to improve the operating system, built-in applications, and hardware. The success also fuels the development of applications and hardware accessories from independent developers.