Microsoft Updates Pocket PC

Microsoft last week took aim at IT execs with a new version of its Pocket PC operating system. Pocket PC 2002 includes Terminal Server capability, which lets IT managers wirelessly access and troubleshoot desktops and servers. "IT people will say, 'I'm not going to balk at supporting these devices,' because they'll be using them themselves," says Kevin Burden, an International Data Corp. analyst.

Pocket PC 2002 also is an attempt to lure customers away from Palm, which dominates the handheld market, Burden says. Microsoft has added support for applications built on the Palm operating system, such as the Graffiti application that lets users input text by handwriting it with a stylus.

The Pocket PC includes application programming interfaces for antivirus software, stronger password protection, and a Windows Media Player that supports streaming video, says Ed Suwanjindar, a Microsoft product manager for mobile devices. Pocket PC 2002 will be available Oct. 4.

Microsoft partners are already lining up to adopt and promote the new operating system. Hewlett-Packard is using the Pocket PC 2002 in its HP Jornada 565 and 568 PDAs. The new Jornadas will have 16-bit front-lit thin-film transistor reflective color screens and an Intel StrongARM 206-MHz processor.

HP's Jornada 565 PDA features 32 Mbytes of RAM and is expected to be priced at $599. The HP Jornada 568 PDA has 64 Mbytes of RAM and will be priced at about $649. Both will ship Oct. 4.