Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition & Other News

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/mar04/03-24FutureOpportunitiesPR.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/...rtunitiesPR.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"Today, Microsoft showcased Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, the newest version of the Windows Mobile software platform, which offers new functionality and fosters device and application innovation. The Windows Mobile platform adds support for dynamic screen switching between landscape and portrait modes and square screen resolution support that enables smaller devices with keyboards -- both of which are platform firsts. Additional features include VGA and QVGA that support high-resolution displays for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs and Smartphones, respectively.<br /><br />"The Motorola MPx with a unique, compact dual-hinge design is one of the first devices that take advantage of key capabilities enabled by Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software," said Michael Tatelman, vice president and general manager of the MOTOPro group, Motorola Mobile Handset Business. "Microsoft's continued commitment to drive innovation and engage with the developer community is beneficial in providing our customers with a robust set of applications and solutions that, when combined with the MOTOPro Innovation Platform, deliver a powerful wireless experience."<br /><br />With this release, Microsoft is focused on enabling hardware diversity while preserving platform consistency. Hardware diversity facilitates creation of exciting new form factors by device makers to address specific market needs. Platform consistency enables developers to reach a large addressable market with a single code base. Also benefiting developers is Microsoft's updated Windows Mobile Developer Resource Kit, which allows developers to easily create new applications and services based on the new software and thus benefit directly from the new functionality expected, such as higher-resolution screens and new form factors."

[entropy1980]

Can you still not talk Jason? NDA expire yet!?

[jeremyweisser]

Check out these screen shots!!!
http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/

[Jason Dunn]

Can you still not talk Jason? NDA expire yet!?

I can talk now, but I know less than you think I do. ;-) The truth is, Microsoft hasn't shared much info with MVPs about this release, so I'll do my best to answer any questions, but I don't know all that much. The longer I'm an MVP, the less insider information I know - kind of strange. :?

I didn't add any comments because I wanted to get it up immediately. :D

[Howard2k]

Hmm... Doesn't look like a significant upgrade at all... Any idea if it will be a chargable item?

[Mojo Jojo]

First thought...

Woohoo! This is cool.

Second thought...

Where is the Hardware?

I imagine that it will be coming shortly, but I am going through the rough period where my previous PDA is dead (hence previous) and am waiting on this new OS and tied in hardware. It still strikes me odd the PDA's haven't moved closer to the PC market where an OS is semi-independent of hardware. Especially as a lot of hardware from previous OS updates have been reused in new models (processor type, memory requirements, display).

Anyways, don't get me wrong. Just impatient. :D

[Jeff Rutledge]

See I jumped straight to "Where is the Hardware?" :)

Who's taking orders? I'll take one for the 2215. :lol:

[webagogue]

I saw in one of the screenshots that there is a text size adjustment tab. Does this affect all native PPC apps? I am sooooooo tired of the huge font used in Tasks (which partially drove me to investigate AF).

Thanks

[alex_kac]

It only affects fonts where it makes sense to do so. For example apps like PI and AF will continue to have their own font size mechanisms.

[alex_kac]

BTW, we are about to announce our *FULL* support for PI 5.02 on VGA/landscape devices.

But here are some teaser pics:

http://www.pocketinformant.com/p_pocketinformant.php?tab=2

[moaske]

All the landscape 'n VGA stuff is nice, but my most burning question about the SE is this: have the bloody@#%& bugs like the notificationDB build-up and the inconsistant alarms finally been fixed with this upgrade ? :D
I really hope so, and it better be a free upgrade then... :mrgreen: :devilboy:

Landscape is nice for Excel however, but i don't think i'll trade in my tiny 4150 for a much bigger VGA device. It fits my pocket just too wel :D

[Constant Caffeine]

I’m definitely interested in the landscape feature. I use Excel almost everyday and it will come in handy. I don’t think I will be able to use my HP foldable keyboard anymore. Anyone have glasses that turn your work 90 degrees? :?

[moaske]

I don’t think I will be able to use my HP foldable keyboard anymore. Anyone have glasses that turn your work 90 degrees? :?
Hmmm, that's a huge problem that you've just put your finger on... :( Maybe HP can mod our devices with a sync-connector on the side for that :mrgreen:

[ctmagnus]

Things that intrigue me:

New-look keyboard here (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/actu_2004/wm2003_vga_icones.gif)

"Improved" Transcriber here (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/actu_2004/wm2003_transcriber.jpg) and here (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/actu_2004/wm2003_vga_transcriber.gif)

Text-size settings (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/actu_2004/wm2003se_ajuster_polices.gif)

Modified Start menu (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/actu_2004/wm2003_today.jpg)

(All shown linked from here (http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/).)

[V I P E R X]

Is Windows Mobile 2003 SE going to be available to the hp 1900 series? I got a 1935, and I just got it for Christmas...and it's really gonna suck if the OS isn't available to it (especially considering it has the improved Internet Explorer and I just got a new Socket WiFi card and WiFi network in my house).

[delfuhd]

ok.. dumb question time maybe...

I have a 2215. How do I upgrade?

is hp offering this upgrade? when? Any news at all, because all I'm hearing is that they announced it.

But people are getting their ipaqs flashed with SE? hmmm... :confused totally:

[Janak Parekh]

I have a 2215. How do I upgrade?
We don't know, and we'll have to wait and see what HP announces. ;) The flashes are beta builds that are not for public consumption.

--janak

[delfuhd]

We don't know, and we'll have to wait and see what HP announces. ;) The flashes are beta builds that are not for public consumption.

--janak

i see...

[iant54]

Is there any news emerging as to which manufacturers are going to provide upgrades from Windows Mobile 2003 to WM2003SE? Alex on the WebIS forums said that there was one who wasn't - any suspicions as to who that might be?

[Janak Parekh]

Is there any news emerging as to which manufacturers are going to provide upgrades from Windows Mobile 2003 to WM2003SE? Alex on the WebIS forums said that there was one who wasn't - any suspicions as to who that might be?
Yep - news is slowly coming out - keep watching our site over the next few days...

--janak

[Wiggster]

Me, last year:
"I'll buy a HP 1935. It's cheap and specifically designed so it won't be upgradable. It'll be a nice, inexpensive investment, and it will last me as long as I need it to."

Me, now:
"Man, I sure hope HP releases WM 2k3 SE upgrade for the 1935 soon. They released the 1940 series, and there isn't much difference with the 1935... surely they'll do it soon!"

Well, here's hoping. Otherwise I'll have to wait 'til my better half says I have enough money to buy a new PPC with 2k3 SE already installed :wink:

[V I P E R X]

^^^That's me all the way. I really hope they offer it to 1935 models, but I got a bad feeling since they were discontinued in January...If they don't , I'm just gonna wait to Windows Mobile 2005 comes out and get the top of the line PPC then. Bottom line now though, they better release it for the 1935!!!!

[V I P E R X]

http://ipaqabilities.com/reviews_articles/articles/0304-windows_mobile_2003_se.php
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How do I get it on my iPAQ?
My contact at HP has informed me that HP will be releasing a ROM update for current iPAQ Pocket PC's from the H2200 series and up (H2200, H4100, H4300, H5100, and H5500 series). Even though I asked, there was no timeline given to me as to when we can expect the ROM updates to become available at HP's Support website.

Yes, that means the H1900, H3600, H3700, H3800, H3900, and H5400 series are being left out since these are not current models. This will quite potentially upset owners of those iPAQ's, especially the one's looking forward to these enhancements provided by Microsoft. Even though the H193x and H194x are current models, they are being left out because of memory limitations on its ROM.

Furthermore, future iPAQ Pocket PC's that will get released by HP will ship with Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition pre-installed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...This just busted my bubble. Oh well. I kinda figured it.

[dylanbj]

Even though the H193x and H194x are current models, they are being left out because of memory limitations on its ROM

Don't the 1940 and the 2210 both have 32 megs of rom?

[Chrashing]

A number of manufactures may choose not to offer SE (Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition) updates for current PDAs.

See the article at Brighthand on petitions offered:
http://www.brighthand.com/article/Users_Petition_for_Win_Mobile_SE_Updates

Please everyone, even if your getting the update to SE, sign the petitions. More and more of these manufactures are taking advantage of the customers and not offering updates. Your PDA may be next. Don't let the HP, Dell, and the others force you to purchase new hardware because software features your current PDA is capable of supporting simply are not offered.

You've paid for the flash ROM in the device that allows these updates, the manufactures are not supporting their customers. It only saves them money, at the consumer's expense.

At least make a note of manufactures like HP and Dell who are not committing to support the capabilities of the devices so your PDA is not left off the list of updated devices next time.

__________________
Regards
Chrashing
HP IS NOT SUPPORTING THEIR PRODUCTS. No SE update to a current, full featued and expensive product like the h1940 PPC PDA reflects a high disregard for customers. HP also blew off their H3760 customers as well.

[the_rapture]

Am I missing a thread, is there any word from HP when they plan to release an update that is almost out of date? It's been months and they and Microsoft should have timed their releases better. The PDA market usually has a 6 month maybe a little more now, life span.

Come on HP