This Buyer’s Guide describes Windows Mobile devices currently available in the U.S. These small, full-featured computing devices and personal organizers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a variety of features.
“Windows Mobile” is the brand name Microsoft uses for the operating system and software it developed for handheld devices. (Windows Mobile sits on top of the Windows CE core embedded operating system.) Most of the devices described in this magazine come with a version of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system (OS) and a suite of Windows Mobile productivity and multimedia applications built-in and ready to use. The Windows Mobile OS and applications are “embedded” programs, which means that Microsoft licenses them to the companies that manufacture the handhelds (known as “original equipment manufacturers” or “OEMs”), and they build them into the devices and the 2003 second Edition devices will be available soon. With the exception of system-wide upgrades offered by some OEMs, the Windows Mobile software cannot be installed or deleted by the user of the handheld.
In most cases, when a company, such as Dell, Toshiba, or Hewlett-Packard markets a Windows Mobile device, they include “bonus” software with the handheld, in addition to the OS and applications provided by Microsoft.
Windows Mobile handhelds
In this article we look at the following Windows Mobile devices:
The Pocket PC: a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that fits in the palm of your hand and is powered by a rechargeable battery that allows you to use the device for at least a full day (in most situations) before recharging. Information is entered into the Pocket PC with a small pen-like “stylus” which is used with the color “touch screen.” The Pocket PC was originally introduced in April of 2000. The most recent version of the software was released in March of 2004. This version is formally known as “Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Pocket PC.” The majority of the devices found in the retail channel use this latest software and we focus on them. All 2003 Second Edition Pocket PCs have the ability to switch between portrait and landscape displays.
Asus A730, a Pocket PC with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability.
The Pocket PC Phone Edition: a Pocket PC with a mobile phone built into it that allows the user to make phone calls and connect to wireless data services. In addition to the standard Pocket PC applications, the built-in software includes a dialer application that supports the mobile phone capability. The latest version of the Microsoft software built into these devices is the “Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC Phone Edition.” (However, some Phone Edition devices with the 2002 version of this software are still available.)
Sierra Wireless Voq Smartphone.
The Smartphone: a mobile phone with built in PDA functions. The Phone Edition device described in the previous paragraph looks like a Pocket PC, but has a mobile phone built into it. The Smartphone looks and functions like a mobile phone, but includes PDA functionality similar to the Pocket PC but optimized for the Smartphone format.
The latest version of the Microsoft software built into these devices is the “Windows Mobile 2003 software for Smartphone.” (Smartphones with the 2002 version of this software are still available.)
iRiver PMC-100 Portable Media Center.
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