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`Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With WindowsCE - Stories
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`November 19, 1996|
`
`LAS VEGAS, Nov. 18, 1996 — Heralding a new era in personal computing,
`Microsoft Corp. today announced broadretail availability of the first handheld
`PCs, the new category of mobile companion devices for Microsoft® Windows ®
`based PCs based on the Microsoft WindowsCE operating system platform. As
`part of the broadly supported launch of the new product category, handheld PC
`manufacturers Casio Computer Co., Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard
`Co., Hitachi Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., NEC Corp. and Philips Electronics joined
`Microsoft in demonstrating handheld PCs and Windows CE-based software and
`communications products at COMDEX/Fall in Las Vegas. Microsoft also
`announced that more than 90 independent software and hardware vendors plan
`to have Windows CE-based commercial applications, hardware peripherals or
`communications solutions available for the handheld PC by or near the end of
`the first quarter of 1997.
`
`The handheld PCis the inaugural product category based on WindowsCE,
`Microsoft's new open, scalable Windows operating system platform designed for
`a broad range of communications, entertainment and mobile computing devices.
`“The introduction of the handheld PC with WindowsCE is a critical milestone in
`Microsoft's continuing strategy to bring the popularity and ease of use of
`Windowsto new categories of information devices,”
`said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
`“The broad support and enthusiasm for Windows CE weare receiving from the
`computer and consumer-electronics industries provides the firm foundation on
`which wewill build future product categories.”
`
`The handheld PC, with WindowsCE, is designed to provide the millions of mobile
`professionals using Windows-based personal computers with an affordable,
`easy-to-use mobile PC companion to keep their most important information up-
`to-date and close at hand.
`“The handheld PC with WindowsCE allows users of Windowsto take the
`productivity of their desktop with them whereverthey go,”
`said Craig Mundie, senior vice president, consumerplatformsdivision at
`Microsoft.
`
`“With its easy-to-learn user interface, familiar companion applications, automatic
`desktop synchronization, broad communications capabilities and numerous
`third-party solutions, the handheld PCis well on its way to becoming the next
`essential business tool for mobile professionals.”
`
`Easy to Learn and Use
`
`https://news.microsoft.com/1996/11/19/microsoft-announces-broad-availability-of-handheld-pcs-with-windows-ce/
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`10/14/2020
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`Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With WindowsCE - Stories
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`The familiar Windows CE user interface and customer-driven hardware design
`make the handheld PC easy to learn and operate, so users of Windowscan pickit
`up and know howto useit instantly. The Windows CE userinterface is designed
`to be immediately recognizable to users of Windows 95 and includes such
`standard features as the trademark Start button, a Taskbar and an Explorer
`interface.
`
`Microsoft worked closely with manufacturers of handheld PCs to help ensure that
`they are convenient, easily accessible devices that users feel comfortable taking
`everywhere. Weighing less than 16 ounces, handheld PCs are
`“pocketable”
`— they fit comfortably in a jacket pocket or purse. Handheld PCsalso offer the
`flexibility of keyboard-based or touch stylus input and, under normal conditions,
`run for weeks on two AAbatteries. To spare users the frustration of waiting for
`their machines to boot up to access applications, handheld PCs come with the
`convenienceof Instant On.
`
`Familiar Companion Applications
`
`Handheld PCs with Windows CE come equipped with companions to familiar
`desktop applications that help users get organized, productive and connected.
`Becausethese applications support and retain the look of many commonly used
`features found in their desktop counterparts, users can begin to work
`immediately.
`
`e
`
`Information Manager. Handheld PCs with WindowsCE includea full-featured
`suite of personal information management(PIM) software with Calendar,
`Address Book and Tasks that seamlessly and automatically integrates with
`Microsoft Schedule+ version 7.0a on the desktop.
`
`e Microsoft Pocket Word. With Pocket Word, users can take notes, compose
`memosor review files while out of the office or away from their desk. Pocket
`Word exchangesfiles with its desktop version.
`
`e Microsoft Pocket Excel. Pocket Excel allows users to create reports and
`managedata while away from their desks, crunch numbers while on the road,
`or take budgets and forecasts with them to a meeting. Pocket Excel also
`sharesfiles with Microsoft Excel on the desktop.
`
`e Pocket Internet Explorer. Handheld PCs include a version of Microsoft's
`popular Web browser for remotely accessing unlimited sources of news and
`information on the World Wide Web or product information on the local
`companyintranet.
`
`e
`
`Inbox. This electronic mail client allows users to send and receive e-mail
`remotely using a dial-up network connection, an Internet service provider or a
`third-party wireless service. Inbox works as a companion to Microsoft
`Exchange Server, allowing for transfer of inbound and outbound messages
`between the handheld PC and the desktop.
`
`Rich Communications
`
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`10/14/2020
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`Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With WindowsCE - Stories
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`WindowsCE provides a rich communications architecture that enables a wide
`variety of both wired and wireless communications capabilities. TCP/IP and PPP
`protocols are built in, as are familiar Windows-based communications APIs,
`enabling handheld PCs to access the Internet and connect to remote access
`servers. PC Card support allows users to take advantage of a wealth of existing
`PCMCIA wired or wireless modemsaswell as faxing or paging communications
`products and solutions. The universal inbox e-mail application supports SMTP
`and POP3protocols and has an openAPIthat enables third parties to extend it
`to work with most e-mail environments. Built-in IrDA-compatible infrared
`support enablesinfrared transfer of information between handheld PC devices.
`
`PC Compatibility and Synchronization
`
`WindowsCE desktop compatibility enables simple information synchronization
`between the handheld PC and Windows-based PCs, allowing users to keep
`important information up-to-date and close at hand. Handheld PCsship with
`HPC Explorer, a Microsoft desktop application that automatically detects when a
`handheld PC is docked with a Windows-based PC and initiates manual or
`automatic replication and synchronization of PIM data between the handheld PC
`and Microsoft Schedule+ 7.0a on the desktop. HPC Explorer also provides a
`WindowsExplorer-like view of the hierarchy of programs, files and folders on the
`handheld PC and enables simple drag-and-drop moving and copying offiles
`between the handheld PC and the desktop. HPC Explorer can also be used to
`easily back up all handheld PC programs,files, databases and other data to the
`desktop to provide security and easy restoration of the system in case of
`damage,loss ortheft.
`
`“With the handheld PC and WindowsCE, Microsoft and its OEM affiliates have
`successfully built the mobile PC companion that can take handheld computers
`out of niche status and into the business mainstream,”
`said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies Inc., a computer consulting firm
`in San Jose, Calif.
`“WindowsCE finally delivers on the promise of handheld computing with its ease
`of use, companion applications and no-brainer desktop synchronization. The
`handheld PC will easily becomean indispensable desktop companion for mobile
`professionals.”
`
`Broadly Supported Platform
`
`The open, broadly supported WindowsCE platform provides consumers and
`businesses with a choice of affordable hardware options and ensures wide
`availability of third-party applications. While handheld PCs share certain basic
`characteristics, the various computer and consumer-electronics OEMs
`manufacturing handheld PCs are expected to differentiate their offerings with a
`variety of display, form factor, peripheral and packaged software options,
`allowing users to choosethe configuration best suited to their individual needs.
`
`https://news.microsoft.com/1996/11/19/microsoft-announces-broad-availability-of-handheld-pcs-with-windows-ce/
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`10/14/2020
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`Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With WindowsCE - Stories
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`The robust development environment for Windows CE guarantees the broad
`availability of aftermarket companion applications and custom business
`solutions. The Windows CE-based development environment has been designed
`to take advantage of the expertise that thousands of software developers already
`have with Windows-based programminginterfaces and tools. Familiar off-the-
`shelf tools, including the Microsoft Visual C++® development system and a
`comprehensive subset of Win32® APIs, mean developers use their existing skills
`and programming knowledgeto create applications and custom solutions for the
`WindowsCE platform. To date, more than 600 developers have enrolled in the
`WindowsCE Technical Beta Program, and more than 90 companieshave already
`announced products for the platform. In addition, individual users and businesses
`can take advantage of Microsoft's network of trained VARs, Solution Providers
`and system integrators to support their investment in handheld PCs.
`
`Availability and Pricing
`
`Thefirst handheld PCs are available today in leading consumer-electronics and
`computer stores nationwide. Handheld PC devices from additional OEMs are
`expected to roll out over the coming months with international versions expected
`before the second half of 1997.
`
`Handheld PCsoffer a high price-value relationship compared to personal digital
`assistants (PDAs), palmtop devices, and other handheld computers and come
`packaged with Microsoft productivity and connectivity applications. In addition,
`the desktop HPC Explorer application and all necessary PC connectivity hardware
`come packaged with the handheld PC. While there is no suggestedretail price for
`the handheld PC with WindowsCE, street prices for base configurations are
`expected to start around $500.
`
`Base Product Specifications
`
`e WindowsCE operating system
`
`e “Pocketable”
`clamshell form factor
`
`© QWERTYkeyboard
`
`e 480 x 240 x 2 bit-per-pixel LCD touch screen with stylus
`
`e 4 MB upgradable ROM (minimum)
`
`e 2 MB expandable RAM (minimum)
`
`e
`
`Input/Output: IrDA-standard infrared, serial port, PCMCIA typeII slot, .wav
`sound, LED notification
`
`e Hitachi SH-3 and MIPS R4000 series microprocessors
`
`e Optional docking cradle for synchronization
`
`e Win32 API subset including TCP/IP stack, PPP protocol, WinSock 2.0, RAS, DCC,
`TAPI
`
`e
`
`Individual OEM devices maydiffer.
`
`https://news.microsoft.com/1996/11/19/microsoft-announces-broad-availability-of-handheld-pcs-with-windows-ce/
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`

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`10/14/2020
`
`Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With WindowsCE - Stories
`
`Minimum Desktop Requirements for HPC Explorer
`
`e Personal computer with a 486/33DX or higher processor (Pentium P90
`recommended)
`
`Microsoft Windows95 operating system (support for the Windows NT®
`operating system is expected in the first quarter of 1997)
`
`8 MB of memory (12 MB recommended)
`
`10 to 20 MB ofavailable hard disk space (actual requirements will vary based
`on selection of features and user's current system configuration)
`
`Available 9 or 25 pin communications port
`
`One CD-ROM drive (3.5-inch high-density disks provided on request)
`
`VGA or higher-resolution graphics card (Super VGA 256-color recommended)
`
`Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device Options
`
`Audio card and speakers for sound
`
`Microsoft Office 95 (Office 97 support is expected in the first quarter of 1997.)
`
`Microsoft's corporate information pages.
`
`Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
`“MSFT”
`) is the worldwide leaderin software for personal computers. The companyoffers
`a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each
`designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to
`take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
`
`Microsoft, Windows, Visual C++, Win32 and WindowsNTare either registered
`trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
`countries.
`
`For online product information:
`
`Visit the Windows CE homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/
`(Awindowsce/default.asp)
`
`Noteto editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
`Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web pageat
`http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ (/en-us/news/default.aspx) on
`
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