Microsoft Relaxes Pocket PC Hardware Restrictions

Ed Hardy · 07-24-2003, 02:14 PM

People can expect to see Pocket PCs in the future with radical new designs -- including integrated keyboards -- now that Microsoft has eased the hardware requirements its licensees have to follow.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/MS...e_Restrictions

ctitanic · 07-24-2003, 02:53 PM

This is why I always say that the HandHelds are not dead. The HPC2000 is dead but not the hardware design used in HPCs such as the Jornada 72x, NEC MobilePro, etc.

One of the point why the HPC were not acepted as well as Pocket PCs was because of the price. I?m sure that many buyers thought why to buy this small laptop if with the same price and can buy a big laptop with a real windows OS.

byancey · 07-24-2003, 03:57 PM

I'd love to see a Pocket PC device with the old Casio E-125/EM 500 key layout.

In fact, I always thought the EM500 had a great overall design. I think that form-factor could easily compete today if it was upgraded to include a newer ARM processor and Transreflective Screen (which are finally getting to the same quality level as the EM500s HAST TFT screen indoors while still having superiour outdoor viewability). Heck, with just an SD card, they could probably slim down the thinkness a tad (or add a CF slot).

Wonder if the one-time-king of WinCE devices, Casio, has any interest in getting back into Pocket PC's.

--
Bryce

rob · 07-24-2003, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by byancey

Wonder if the one-time-king of WinCE devices, Casio, has any interest in getting back into Pocket PC's.

--
Bryce

I believe they still have several different devices in Japan. Does no good if you're not there, but I don't think they ever abandonded the Pocket PC platform

rob · 07-24-2003, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctitanic
This is why I always say that the HandHelds are not dead. The HPC2000 is dead but not the hardware design used in HPCs such as the Jornada 72x, NEC MobilePro, etc.

One of the point why the HPC were not acepted as well as Pocket PCs was because of the price. I?m sure that many buyers thought why to buy this small laptop if with the same price and can buy a big laptop with a real windows OS.

That and the size, at least for me.

If they shrunk it a bit, to the size of a pocket PC I'd be more interested. Basically, if you lay a pocket pc on its side, thats about the size I'd like (when it's closed), you'd have a landscaped screen, and the lower half of the clamshell would have enough room for a decent thumb sized keypad - much like the new Clies.

The HPC's are just a bit too large for me to put in my pockets, unless I'm wearing one of my old Army coats

epall · 07-24-2003, 11:03 PM

Isn't this what palm has done from the start? Good to see palm leading on something. Maybe they will survive after all...

Vispi · 07-24-2003, 11:24 PM

from the start? you mean the 160 by 160 bit?

epall · 07-25-2003, 11:37 AM

Well, they started out having lower screen res, so what. Look at what sony has done. Has any PPC company come up with as many different designs?

Vispi · 07-25-2003, 12:06 PM

clamshell with keyboard? isn't that what winCE1/2 was all about? Now I have to agree UX is interesting, but let's not confuse style with being the first to come up with it.

SLC760 is the first, and Psion has first successfull clamshell, followed by CE.

gfunkmagic · 07-26-2003, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vispi
from the start? you mean the 160 by 160 bit?

Well, the screen resolution has changed since then hasn't it? Hopefullly, the relaxation of hardware restrictions will mean more interesting and imaginative PPC designs. Also, according to the article:

Quote:

Microsoft has decided to free up some of the previous design constraints for PPC devices. These include the freedom, for the first time, to support much smaller displays than was previously possible, with 2.8 inch quarter VGA now possible.

No where does it specifically say that this will extend to support other screen resolutions/orientations?! I imagine we'll see more PPC's with thumboards, smaller screens but with same resolutions...