From The Editor

Microsoft launched the Pocket PC over two months ago. Hewlett-Packard and Casio were the first to have Pocket PCs available to the consumer, but by the time you read this, Compaq should have its innovative new iPAQ available. In fact, you can see an in-depth review of it in this issue.

In this second issue of Pocket PC magazine we continue to focus on the roll out of the new Pocket PCs. A lot was added to the Pocket PC and it will take a few issues just to cover the basics. This issue includes Chris De Herrera’s report on the Pocket PC launch, his “under the hood” look at Windows CE 3.0, Ed Zabrek’s review of the iPAQ Pocket PC, and Frank McPherson’s in-depth look at Pocket Word on the Pocket PC.

We promised subscribers using the Handheld PC that we wouldn’t forget them, and we haven’t. Our New Products section is chock full of products for the Handheld PC, as well as Palm-size and Pocket PC. Many of the articles in this issue deal directly or indirectly with Handhelds. We review NEC’s new H/PC Pro, the MobilePro 880; we take a look at eReaders for Handheld and Palm-size PCs; we review Pocket PowerPoint Editor for the Handheld PC; and our two user profiles focus on the use of Handheld PCs. In addition, the reviews of the Pocket Power suite and Image Expert CE look at products that are also available for Handheld PC users. Finally, our two enterprise articles describe solutions that can be applied to Handheld and Pocket PCs.

Some of the most interesting information in this issue is contained in the Inbox and newsBYTES. A Palm-size PC user wants to know where he can download Pocket Word and Excel. A Pocket PC user wonders if Pocket Access for the Pocket PC is a possibility. And I’ve received many letters asking about external keyboards. News revolves around wireless solutions, Internet-capable automobiles and more.

One of the criticisms leveled at Windows CE devices is that they try to do too much. One of the main impressions I have from reading the Inbox letters is the users want their Handheld, Palm-size and Pocket PCs to do even more. Developers are supporting this “more is better” direction with new interesting device prototypes, wireless solutions, development tools and more. Enterprise demand is high and independent vendors are offering support services for the implementation and maintenance of Windows CE in business organizations. And not only are there new Windows CE Auto PC solutions, but the Pocket PC is being used as an in-car information center.

If “more is better” then it better be an easy-to-use and well-integrated “more.” In the past, Windows CE devices have received criticism in these areas. Windows CE 3.0 and the new Pocket PCs go a long way towards burying that criticism, but there is never a finish line in this race. The nature of life is to expand and the finish line keeps moving towards the horizon. Competing PDAs will make sure that it does! Microsoft, device manufacturers, and independent software and accessories developers have to keep pushing the envelope. Do more, but make it so easy, it seems like you’re doing less.