Interview with Doug Dedo, Lead Product Manager for the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft

Microsoft recently released the Handheld PC 2000, which includes the Windows CE 3.0 operating system and a suite of built-in productivity applications. The H/PC 2000 is the latest upgrade of the Handheld platform Microsoft initially introduced in 1996.

The Handheld PC 2000 uses Windows CE 3.0 as its operating system. What changes were made to the new version of the operating system and whom will they benefit?

Windows CE v3.0 is the same core operating system found in the Pocket PC. However, the user interface of Windows Powered Handheld PCs is optimized to look and function more like the UI of a Windows desktop or notebook PC. For the most part, H/PC 2000s are clamshell devices with keyboards, looking similar to small notebook PCs. The feedback we receive is that the desktop PC look and feel is a plus, making it easier to use the Handheld PC in the following typical usage scenarios:

• Thin client - accessing and using full desktop applications from the H/PC 2000 via a Windows 2000 Terminal Server.
• Web browsing - using the H/PC 2000 and the Internet Explorer v4 compatible browser.
• Using forms-based applications - built with embedded Visual Basic, C++, or third-party development tools like NS Basic (www.nsbasic.com) or Syware's Visual CE (www.syware.com).