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Microsoft Mobile and Embedded DevCon 2005—May 9-12

Microsoft will be hosting their next Mobile and Embedded Developer Conference May 9 through 12 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This is the premier event for developers of Microsoft Mobile and Embedded technologies. Attendees receive in-depth technical content and training for building devices and applications on the Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded platforms. See how the Windows Mobile and Embedded platforms can help you build your next generation of smart, connected, small-footprint devices, applications, services and solutions. Learn how you can bring them to market faster with lower development costs, and how these technologies can be used to scale to a broad range of devices.

To register or learn more about the event, visit the DevCon 2005 Web page (http://www.medc2005.com).

Dell issues system updates for Axim X50

Dell has released system updates for the Axim X50 (QVGA screen) and X50v (VGA screen):

The X50 QVGA System Update can be applied to either the 520 MHz or the 416 MHz version of the X50. It includes the following fixes and enhancements:

· Improves SD and CF read performance.

· Updates wireless button usage to avoid enabling/disabling wireless accidentally.

· Allows the WLAN auto power-off feature to be enabled/disabled in the WLAN utility.

· Adds a feature in the power applet to change the color of the battery power bar to reflect the battery capacity.

· Associates DBK files with the Data Backup program.

The X50v VGA System Update can only be applied to the 624 MHz X50v unit. In addition to the above includes the following fixes and enhancements:

· Improve GAPI performance.

· Improve touch panel performance and sensitivity.

· Makes the video driver more robust.

Dell Axim owners can download these updates for free from Dell's online support Web page: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads

Hewlett Packard CEO and Chairman Carly Fiorina Steps Down

The board of directors of Hewlett-Packard today announced that Carly Fiorina has stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer. Robert P. Wayman, HP's chief financial officer, has been named chief executive officer on an interim basis and appointed to the board of directors. Patricia C. Dunn, an HP director since 1998, has been named non-executive chairman of the board. HP markets the popular iPAQ Windows Mobile Pocket PCs.

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2005/050209a.html

Symbol announces new rugged handheld for the enterprise market

Symbol Technologies has announced a new rugged handheld, the MC 3000, for the enterprise market. Two models for this handheld are available; one has a monochrome display while the other has a color display. The model with the monochrome display has an Intel XScale PXA270 312MHz processor, while the model with the color display has an Intel XScale PXA270 520MHz processor. Both models have built-in 802.11b/g, 320x320 screen resolution, and a built-in keyboard and use the Windows CE operating system.

http://www.symbol.com/products/mobile_computers/mc3000_kb_mobile_cmptr.html

Symbol's new MC3000 with barcode scanner card.

T-Mobile Germany announces clamshell Phone Edition device