New platform for Pocket PCs appears, offering VGA support, screen rotation and other surprises; Motorola first up with MPx featuring new OS.
Microsoft have made a number of announcements today at DevCon, the most important of which is the unveiling of their Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, which is expected to appear first in the Motorola MPx, reported at CeBIT and due for availability around July 2004.
The new operating system adds a range of new functionality, the majority of which centre around the display. Specifically, Windows Mobile will now support square screens and VGA-resolution screens in addition to the standard QVGA used by almost all previous Pocket PCs, with the exception of the Toshiba E800. This new functionality is supplemented by OS-level support for portrait and landscape orientations, switched dynamically. Of course, existing applications should work fine.
Other additions include an improved Start Menu, which will remember recently-used applications, more control over font sizes, improved screen wrapping in Internet Explorer, WPA support for Wi-Fi and improvements for the Phone Edition variant, including voice tags.
The update will affect both Pocket PCs and Smartphones. Further improvements include the ability of Pocket PCs to dial from the Today Screen, while Smartphones will gain QVGA resolution support, a native MMS client and customization of the Home Screen soft keys. Improvements to both platforms follow in the areas of voice dialling, speed dialling and ring tone support, along with easier customization of the devices by mobile operators.
Further details were unavailable at the time of writing, and it is unknown which manufacturers are to release upgrades to the new OS. It is expected that Toshiba's E800 will be the first to get the upgrade, as its VGA screen will see the most immediate benefit.
However, the first device expected to ship with the OS pre-installed is Motorola's MPx, a tri-band GSM/GPRS handheld boasting built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth wireless technology, and infrared support, with a 2.8 inch, 16-bit color display running at QVGA resolution. The handheld can run both Java and existing Windows Mobile software, according to Motorola.
The Motorola MPx boasts up to 1GB of expandable memory, an integrated 1.2 megapixel camera with flash, and Java technology. Excitingly, the MPx is equipped with a dual-hinge mechanism, allowing it to open in both portrait and landscaspe modes, with a touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard available for input.
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