Microsoft Firms Up Pocket PC Plans

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=7845' target='_blank'>http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=7845</a><br /><br /></div>"A WEB SITE SPECIALISING in the Pocket PC suggests that Microsoft is on the verge of releasing a new OS for the devices in March or April. The site, Pocket PC Thoughts, is obviously under some non disclosure agreement from Microsoft, but reading between the lines, comments seem to suggest a new OS is go-go. Refusing to confirm or deny any speculation by readers of the site, nevertheless it appears as though that if you compare the release date beween Pocket PC and Pocket PC 2002, that would suggest a spring debut for a fresh refresh of the OS."<br /><br />I wanted to clarify that none of our comments should be taken to mean that a new Pocket PC OS will be out in March or April. There have been enough murmurings for everyone to know that there's a new OS coming this year, but please don't expect it next month. The Inquirer was reading between the lines <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=79832">in this thread</a>, but I didn't mean to imply it was a mathmatical certaintly that they release a new OS every 18 months on the nose. :wink: It will come when it comes, and in the meantime we'll have fun with what we have. Good? Good.

[bdegroodt]

As a part time journalist myself, I can't believe this site actually "went to press" with this story and with the headline they used no less. What was that the other day about blogs and data sources? Oh well, bad press or good, it's always nice to be mentioned I suppose. You've been crystal clear on your information Jason. I for one understand the NDA (And more importantly, relationship in general) you share with MSFT. We'll get what we get when we get it. :D

[Bob Anderson]

Cool... PPC Thoughts is getting more visibility!

Microsoft should can it's PocketPC site and just ask you to take over it :D

[Foo Fighter]

"... Refusing to confirm or deny any speculation by readers of the site,"

Geez....I wonder why? :roll:

[Michel]

Hmmmm..... given the fact that I very recently decided to go for the Axim Advanced (which I'm still waiting for by the way) as my first PPC, the question arises immediately: will I be able to upgrade my Axim with the new OS??

Michel.P

[Foo Fighter]

...will I be able to upgrade my Axim with the new OS??


No way of knowing at this point. It is entirely possible your Axim will not be upgradeable. If that possibility is a problem for you, I suggest waiting until further information becomes available. Otherwise just get what suits your needs for today.

[Jonathan1]

It will come when it comes, and in the meantime we'll have fun with what we have. Good? Good.


But I want instant gratification!!! NOW! :D :wink:

[Gator5000e]

Why wouldn't the Axim 400 not be upgradable? Isn't that why it has the 48MB Flash ROM? I sure hope so anyway, as I will be very upset if I can not upgrade to the new OS.

[Michel]

...I suggest waiting until further information becomes available.

Thing is, it's already ordered and paid for.
Oh well, there's nothing that can be done at this point, I'll just enjoy my Axim in the meantime, which I expect to be very happy with. :)

Truth is I wouldn't have waited for the new OS even if I had known about this a couple of weeks ago (unless it had been confirmed that its arrival was imminent), I really need a PDA now!

[ledowning]

Thanks for the clarification of any OS upgrade??? Still using an HP Jornada 568 and I hope that this unit can be upgraded if and when the time comes with my 32 MB of ROM.

It is nice though, to read the posts on this site several times a day and know that you are getting pretty reliable information on all sorts of PocketPC topics. Keep up the good work.

[JonnoB]

supposedly..... the new OS will still fit in 24MB of ROM space leaving those with 32MB ROM that includes a writable storage area the same capabilities.

[PetiteFlower]

I'm not too worried about upgrading. I don't rush out and upgrade my PC every time a new OS comes out, why should I do that on my handheld? Unless the cost of an upgrade is reasonable, there's no way I would shell out any more $$ for it anyway. I'm happy with the performance, there would have to be some SERIOUS improvements for me to even considering bothering with an upgrade anyway.

[Jason Dunn]

Why wouldn't the Axim 400 not be upgradable? Isn't that why it has the 48MB Flash ROM? I sure hope so anyway, as I will be very upset if I can not upgrade to the new OS.

Please read my new post - I hope it explains it to you. :D

[dbman]

Actually, I purchased my Axim because it does what I need now, not because it was upgradable or because of what Microsoft might do in the future. At around $300, the Axim becomes almost disposable anyway. If and when something new comes, I will judge then just how much I "need" it and decide what to do with the Axim. Until then, I use my Axim every day and have no regrets over what might be. Technology changes too fast to put off buying something for fear that it will become obsolete. The joke is that it is obsolete before you get it!

[possmann]

Well I'm looking forward to whatever is coming up next - I have a iPAQ 3600 series - upgraded to 2002 - waiting to replace it with either a LOOX or something else... Want to drop the phone so I'm looking at the HTC, but don't like the things I lose with purchasing that device at this time...

Summer looks like it will be new PPC time... but which one and when will the latest os be availible......

hmmm

[Janak Parekh]

As a part time journalist myself, I can't believe this site actually "went to press" with this story and with the headline they used no less. What was that the other day about blogs and data sources?
bdegroodt, The Inquirer was founded by the same guy who founded The Register -- these are the "gossip" mags of the computer industry. They reference a lot of rumors, with the explicit idea that there's no guarantee on this stuff.

--janak

[bdegroodt]

As a part time journalist myself, I can't believe this site actually "went to press" with this story and with the headline they used no less. What was that the other day about blogs and data sources?
bdegroodt, The Inquirer was founded by the same guy who founded The Register -- these are the "gossip" mags of the computer industry. They reference a lot of rumors, with the explicit idea that there's no guarantee on this stuff.

--janak

Thanks Janak. I knew they were no cNet, but I was a bit shocked to see a "news" site quote a forum posting as confirmation about a coming event. That explains it...somewhat.

[AZMark]

New Tosh out next month.

Tosh=MS Partner=NDA=they aint comming out with a new product 1 or 2 months before a new OS.

[steddyman]

I can't believe that information on the availability of the next release of the PPC OS is NDA. Its publicly stated on the Microsoft site:-

http://www.mobilitydevcon.com/international/overview.asp?uid=125656,37668.643651388891

The new PPC and Smartphone platforms are to be announced at the Microsoft Mobility Developer Conference as stated above. Availability should follow about two months later.

Steddy

[FredMurphy]

The new PPC and Smartphone platforms are to be announced at the Microsoft Mobility Developer Conference as stated above. Availability should follow about two months later.
Not quite:

Be the first to learn about the next-generation Pocket PC and Smartphone development platforms.
This means Visual Studio.NET 2003 not PocketPC 2003.

[T-Will]

Why wouldn't the Axim 400 not be upgradable? Isn't that why it has the 48MB Flash ROM? I sure hope so anyway, as I will be very upset if I can not upgrade to the new OS.

Please read my new post - I hope it explains it to you. :D

Anyone know if my Casio Pocket Viewer PV-250X would be able to upgrade to the next version of Pocket PC?

[brntcrsp]

Sure! They'll probably ship the CD with a crowbar to make sure the install goes just right.

[Foo Fighter]

Sure! They'll probably ship the CD with a crowbar to make sure the install goes just right.

Exactly. From what I've heard, Casio will ship an upgrade kit to all PV owners that will include a screwdriver, 320x240 color TFT display, motherboard, audio chipset + headphone jack, SD slot, enhanced battery, and an assortment plastic parts with instructions. It will retail for $400. :P

[bdegroodt]

Sure! They'll probably ship the CD with a crowbar to make sure the install goes just right.

Exactly. From what I've heard, Casio will ship an upgrade kit to all PV owners that will include a screwdriver, 320x240 color TFT display, motherboard, audio chipset + headphone jack, SD slot, enhanced battery, and an assortment plastic parts with instructions. It will retail for $400. :P

You forgot the free leather case. :P

[oldan]

Why wouldn't the Axim 400 not be upgradable? Isn't that why it has the 48MB Flash ROM? I sure hope so anyway, as I will be very upset if I can not upgrade to the new OS.

And that is one of the reasons I bought an Axim, the fact that DELL has consistently published upgrade bios for laptops and desktops. I'm betting that Dell will also provide an OS upgrade... I hope.

Oldan

[T-Will]

If you guys are joking, then this is a bunch of BS! I bought the Pocket Viewer thinking that Casio would allow infinite upgrades to the latest and greatest OS/Processor/Memory/Battery/Motherboard/Screen/Case...what gives?!?!

[jizmo]

I'm not too worried about upgrading. I don't rush out and upgrade my PC every time a new OS comes out, why should I do that on my handheld? Unless the cost of an upgrade is reasonable, there's no way I would shell out any more $$ for it anyway. I'm happy with the performance, there would have to be some SERIOUS improvements for me to even considering bothering with an upgrade anyway.

Same thing here. In fact, I was a bit dissappointed when I upgraded to PPC2002. It was (and still is) a considerably slower in screen update and didn't bring any additional value to me.

Let's hope that m$ has put a little thought on the speed issue too, so that we don't have a new OS on our hands that slows down our poor PDAs even further. :roll:

/jizmo

[Foo Fighter]

...so that we don't have a new OS on our hands that slows down our poor PDAs even further. :roll:

Ha, yeah especially where PIE performance is concerned. Funny story; last week one of my buddies was sitting next to me as I was browsing through PIE. He actually thought my Axim was wireless because web pages and graphics load so slowly, just like a 56k dial-up connection. :oops:

[Kurt Hunciker]

Jenneth's blog has a link to a Samsung web site about the Samsung NEXIO S160, which appears to be larger than a handheld PC but smaller than a tablet PC. (It has a form factor similar to a handheld PC.)

The device ships with "Microsoft Windows CE .NET (4.1)," and there are pictures of the various applications (Pocket Word, etc.) in the online User Guide at the site. Possibly a preview of elements of the upcoming operating system:?:

The link is:

http://www.samsungelectronics.com.hk/pda/s160.html