Business on the Go Just Got Better: Pocket PC 2002

SAN DIEGO SEPT. 11, 2001 — Today at CTIA Wireless I.T. and Internet 2001, Juha Christensen, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp., described the business value of truly “smart” clients in a wireless corporate environment and highlighted Microsoft®
Pocket PC 2002 software, the next version of the company’s successful PDA platform, as the epitome of the type of functionality businesses have come to expect from mobile devices. During his keynote address, Christensen emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to providing business users with mobile solutions that meet their needs and give them an edge in productivity. Pocket PC 2002 introduces a new level of enterprise functionality with features such as Virtual Private Network support, a Terminal Server client, enhanced Web technology, anti-virus hooks for developers and strong password support, while keeping seamless wireless connectivity to wide, local and personal area networks such as Bluetooth a key design requirement.

“Devices in the enterprise need to be manageable and provide secure, reliable access to business data,” Christensen said. “Pocket PC 2002 is the most enterprise-capable PDA device ever delivered. With high-speed wireless networks like 802.11b proliferating, business users can more easily stay productive on the go, and we expect the Pocket PC to be the device that keeps them connected to their most valuable data.”

“Over the next 12 months, Gartner anticipates that the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 will take a commanding position in the enterprise category because of its strategic focus on integrating features and functionality for corporate applications and the ability of these applications to leverage the power of ARM-based processors,” said Todd Kort, principal analyst at Dataquest Inc., a unit of Gartner Group Inc. “Software and hardware manufacturers should note that tailoring mobile device offerings for the enterprise category is a critical success factor, as it is expected to outpace the growth of consumer- and organizer-focused PDAs. By the end of 2001, we expect to see 50 percent growth in the number of software products created for Pocket PC as developers come to realize the platform’s enterprise advantages.”

Some of the new features in Pocket PC 2002 that have been developed with the enterprise customer in mind include the following:

  • Virtual Private Network (VPN) support offers users secure access to their corporate networks via the public Internet using the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).

  • Terminal Server Client enables IT managers and end users to remotely access standard corporate applications, including administrative functions, from their device to both Windows®
    2000 and Windows XP-based servers.

  • Strong passwords offer more secure corporate application and data protection, including encrypted password storage, ensuring that users feel secure in case the device is lost or stolen.

  • Anti-Virus API has been added to the platform to enable third-party software vendors to develop strong virus protection software for the devices to prevent infected files from reaching a corporate network.

  • Pocket Internet Explorer enables users to access their important Web and corporate data in HTML, XML and WML (WAP) formats, while also supporting enterprise Web-based applications. Enhanced Web technology also includes a Web server in the Software Development Kit for stand-alone Web-based applications.

  • Upgradeable ROM means that businesses and end users can upgrade or update their Pocket PCs with new versions or point updates of the Pocket PC software by inserting changes into the device’s read-only memory (ROM).

  • File Explorer enables users to access shared files on their corporate network.

  • Office applications in Pocket format on Pocket PCs enable users to bring their important corporate data — from Microsoft Word to Excel to the Outlook®
    messaging and collaboration client — with them for viewing and editing. Enhancements include an integrated spell checker.

  • MSN
    ®

    Messenger
    enables direct, real-time communication among colleagues using MSN clients connected to the Internet or intranets.

  • Familiar tools make it easy for developers to write applications for the Pocket PC as well as ensure a close tie between the corporate infrastructure and devices.

  • Connection to the corporate network can be made through landline modems, wireless modems and 802.11b PC and CompactFlash cards.

Availability

Working closely with its industry partners, Microsoft will make Pocket PC 2002 widely available in retail outlets on Oct. 4, 2001. The companies plan to celebrate the launch with events in San Francisco and London for the media and customers. Current Pocket PC hardware partners expected to continue their support with Pocket PC 2002 include Casio Computer Corp., Cesscom, Compal Electronics Inc., Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., HTC, HTW, Intermec Technologies Corp., Legend, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Sagem, Symbol Technologies and Toshiba Corp. Current Pocket PC customers should check with their hardware manufacturer regarding Pocket PC upgrades to the new software. Some users will be able to upgrade their devices to the Pocket PC 2002 software if their device uses Flash ROM memory.

About Microsoft Pocket PC

Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and industry partners, offer customers the best way to connect to their most essential information while away from their desk, yet are versatile enough to satisfy the personal needs of today’s busy mobile consumer. Pocket PCs already include a broad range of native business,

personal productivity and entertainment applications, yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each customer’s changing needs through a continually growing number of industry-standard hardware and software options.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, Windows, Outlook and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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