07-24-2003, 09:00 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Microsoft Opens Pocket PCs To New Designs
Right around the launch of Pocket PC 2003, Microsoft quietly relaxed the design constraints on Pocket PC devices -- precisely to spur more innovative handheld designs, like the Hitachi Pocket PC Phone with integrated keyboard.
"Chris Hill, product development manager for Pocket PC with Microsoft said the company had possibly made PPC too much of a walled garden in previous editions, stifling innovation, and hopes to rectify that situation with the new release. 'Looking back we created a very tight definition of Pocket PC. Today our OEMs say they're really comfortable where we are but they want to make their own [idea of a] Pocket PC with the ability to customize and differentiate,' he said. As part of this strategy, Microsoft has decided to free up some of the previous design constraints for PPC devices. These include the freedom, for the first time, to support much smaller displays than was previously possible, with 2.8 inch quarter VGA now possible."
I'd love to see other form factors, and I know I'm not the only one. This article makes it clear that this is now in the OEM's courts, not Microsoft's, to pull it off. We also know that OEMs are thinking about it; remember that HP concept iPAQ with an integrated keyboard? Come on guys, let's see it happen! :way to go:
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07-24-2003, 09:36 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,768
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ok guys... let's give Sony some design competition !!
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07-24-2003, 09:41 AM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,004
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Right now what we need is a PPC with the form factor of the Sharp SL 5600 linux PDA.
That is, of course, if HP doesn't have a fit of madness and decide to actually build that Ipaq concept design :drool: (finally get to use that drool icon!)
Goldtee
__________________
...waiting for the arrival of my Axim x50v...But I still love my Newtons!
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07-24-2003, 10:08 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 301
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Did you notice the end of that article:
Quote:
Hill said the new developments in PPC 2003 could help lower the price of low-end devices to as little as $80, should OEMs choose to become more aggressive on pricing. Vendors such as Dell have already dramatically slashed the cost of PC PDAs from a minimum of around $500 to nearer $200.
Source: Computerwire
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Whoa, that'd be cool.
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07-24-2003, 10:17 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2
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Objects of desire.
Well, if anybody would like hire an Industrial designer such as me to design for them some cool new PDA designs, I'd be glad to.
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07-24-2003, 11:41 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 44
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Two words - Jog Wheel !!!!
I smell another 'what is your ideal PocketPC thread coming on 
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07-24-2003, 11:42 AM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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:twak: Please let them do something original for a change! :twak:
A Keyboard built into a device would be wonderfull!
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07-24-2003, 11:45 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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Re: Microsoft Opens Pocket PCs To New Designs
What us, customers want is :
- better screen resolutions: >=200 dpi on screen sizes as Toshiba Genio E550
- Clear tyPe of excellent quality
this IS possible at better prices as devices are now! See Sony !
Serge ETIENNE, switzerland
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07-24-2003, 11:46 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 18
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Hm. Nothing in the source article about whether or not these relaxed restrictions extend to non-alphanumeric input, external storage options, or processor type. I'd like it if an OEM could drop the microphone, run USB host drivers natively, and go back to the MIPS processor.
On one hand, this change of heart takes Pocket PC back to the original spirit of Windows CE, which was supposed to be very portable and easy to customize. Lots of different people have different needs, and relaxing the Pocket PC standards can only help manufacturers meet those needs. And if the .NET framework is as much like Java as its detractors say, then variations in input type or screen size won't affect the operability of CE 4.2 applications in the future (for true 'write once, run anywhere' functionality.)
On the other hand, we could end up with dozens of devices so different from each other that only an OEM will be able to publish software for its own Pocket PC. Microsoft thought that having to publish ARM, MIPS and SH-X software all at the same time was a pain... I can't imagine what they'll think when software has to be further subdivided by device type, screen size, batch number, or astrological symbol. This may end up being a step further backwards than they intended.
-KKC, who should know better than to bring up the subject of MIPS processors around here...
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07-24-2003, 12:33 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 899
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Yeah I'm thinking the relaxed constraints won't extend to changes that will break existing app compatibility? So 2.8" screen might be allowed, but must still be 240x320... And built-in keyboard would work too I think as apps can be used w/ different SIPs to begin with.
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