Microsoft Corp. introduced its third-generation software platform for handheld personal computer products, called the Windows CE Handheld PC Professional Edition, or H/PC Pro.
The platform, based on Windows CE 2.11, improves remote access and connectivity to corporate data while retaining the familiar user interface of Windows, the company said.
“We’ve focused on making the H/PC Pro an excellent specific-use mobile computing tool by improving the remote access e-mail, Internet access and synchronization back to the office,” said Craig Mundie, senior vice president of Microsoft’s consumer platforms division.
Microsoft has shipped the platform to about 12 original equipment manufacturers of handheld PC products, such as NEC Corp.’s computer systems division, Casio Computer Co. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Samsung Electronics.
Additionally, some 55 add-on software and hardware suppliers have announced their support for the platform, including AdvantGo Inc., Infowave Wireless Messaging Inc. and Odyessy Software.
Widespread availability of the platform on devices is expected by the first quarter of next year. Additionally, Microsoft said it intends to make some major wireless-related announcements this week at the Wireless IT show in Las Vegas.
