Pocket PCs
No mere PDA or media player
A pocket PC is a variety of handheld computer that runs a version of Windows CE/Windows Mobile. Windows CE is a stripped-down version of Windows PC users are already familiar with, making the Pocket PC the perfect match for mobile users already fully acclimated to the Windows operating system.
These mobile computing devices can run a variety of applications that are designed for the Windows CE platform just like a desktop computer's applications are designed to run on the desktop PC's operating system. The device can be connected to a desktop PC via a docking station that will allow users to synchronize necessary files for use on the go with a mobile rendition of an application such as Mobile Word.
Pockets PCs generally share the following traits
- Microsoft's Windows CE or Mobile operating system
- Interfaces with a touch screen
- A directional or mouse pad
- A limited set of dedicated application buttons
Mobile computing has been growing since 2000 with the first version of Windows CE for the Pocket PC. Since that the time the power and utilities available for the Pocket PCs have grown with demands and technology, just as they have for desktop or notebook PCs. Where the early pocket PCs were rather limited in scope, today's Pocket PCs have powerful applications that ride on the new Windows Mobile 2003 SE and Windows Mobile 5.0. The latest platform for pocket PCs is Windows Mobile 5.0, which truly takes mobile computing to the next level.
Released on May 10, 2005 Windows Mobile 5.0 introduces enhanced graphics power with Direct3D Mobile. The devices can now be conveniently mounted via USB as a mass storage device allowing users the option of bypassing the operating system's Active Sync utility. Integrated into Windows Mobile 5.0 is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, giving the pocket PC an unprecedented level of connectivity.
The Mobile Office Suite is the new name for the family of applications formerly called Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. Now the new Mobile Word and Mobile Excel have added feature sets including graphical content and spreadsheet support, and the new member of the Office Suite family is Mobile PowerPoint, which support the ability to edit PowerPoint presentations on a Pocket PC.
Windows Mobile 5.0 has added the much-anticipated phone application built right into the operating system that is fully compatible with Window's Smart Phone operating system. And the addition of Window's Media Player 10 Mobile turns the Pocket PC into a mobile entertainment system. Digital music, video and recorded TV shows synchronized from your PC put the world of entertainment world at your fingertips.