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This site is no longer maintained.
My current weblog.
Wednesday, April 17, 2002.NET CF Follow-up
One of the interesting bits of knowledge to come out of today's .NET CF announcement is that CE.NET is not a requirement to deploy .NET applications. According to the .NET Compact Framkework and Smart Device Extensions FAQ, the beta release supports:
Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, and embedded devices based on the upcoming update to Windows CE .NET, version 4.1, codenamed "Jameson".
This implies that PPC developers will be able to distribute the .NET CLR and CF with their applications. Customers will not have to wait for the PDA manufacturers to release an updated OS. Sweet.
UPS puts faith in Windows CE for driver's handhelds [via PDABuzz.com]
The article and PDABuzz blurb note that it's Windows CE, not Pocket PC. Makes perfect sense to me. UPS is building an embedded system that will likely do just a few things: check packages in and out of the truck, capture signatures for deliveries, and upload reporting data. Pocket PC is just a collection of applications (ie: Pocket Word), services (ie: ActiveSync), and related APIs (ie: POOM) that turn a Windows CE device into a useful PDA. For an embedded system, they are unnecessary.
Microsoft .NET Compact Framework
"Today at the Microsoft Mobility Developer Conference, Microsoft Corp. announced the beta release of the Microsoft® .NET Compact Framework, extending the .NET strategy to smart handheld devices and delivering on its mission to enable rich computing on any device. The .NET Compact Framework is Microsoft’s mobile application platform technology that harnesses the power of XML Web services on mobile devices." [via PocketPCHow2 Log]
Making my day, oh yeah! More information, including how to obtain the beta.
Update: It's not an open beta, one must apply and be accepted. Bah! If anybody out there knows anybody, put in a good word for me 
Toshiba debuts Pocket PC [IDG InfoWorld]
The e310 is not yet listed on the Toshiba PDA web site. According to InfoWorld, it will have the standard Pocket PC specs with 32MB RAM and an SD socket, and a street price of $441.
Updates: Frank McPherson has some comments. Official Toshiba page, specs include 1000mAh battery, 140g, 125x80x12.4mm. Contrast this with the Palm m515 at 129g, 114x79x13mm, and we can clearly see where Toshiba is aiming. The $399 price tag mentioned by several other sources is further proof (InfoWorld probably meant EUR441).
It's not quite the Palm Vx dimensions that I am longing for, but damned close.
Look out, Palm, the Pocket PCs are coming to get you!
More Power
The Alegna PowerLink 572 is as big as a PDA, and weighs 12oz, but it packs a whopping 5000mAh of power. $200.
How did I miss blogging the new NEC MobilePro 300E / Packard Bell PocketGear 2060? At 146 grams it will be the lightest Pocket PC available (30g lighter than the Maestro, and a bit thinner). SD built-in, CF and PC Card via expansion packs, replaceable battery, no Bluetooth. The styling is a little bit funky, but there's nothing wrong with that.
Nothing to indicate plans for a US release.
And speaking of NEC, I received an email from Robert Scoble today, who has landed at NEC's Mobile Solutions group.
