Microsoft Unveils High-Speed Internet Access for Pocket PC Users

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft Corp. and its industry partners showcased the superiority of the Pocket PC platform by demonstrating its ability to provide high-speed internet access, streaming Windows Media video and audio, at the COMDEX/Fall 2000 conference in Las Vegas. The company announced partnerships with several industry leaders to offer wireless solutions, including GoAmerica Communications Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Metricom Inc., OmniSky Corp., and Sierra Wireless Inc. These partnerships aim to provide users with more choice, speed, and access to the internet.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pocket PC customers can utilize traditional wide-area wireless options, including CDPD, GSM, CDMA, and PHS, as well as wireless local area networking (802.11) and personal area network (Bluetooth) capabilities.
  • Pocket PC owners can access the highest-speed mobile access via the Ricochet 128Kbps network, providing third-generation (3G) network speeds today.
  • The Pocket PC supports 802.11 wireless local area networking, providing speeds of 11 Mbps, the fastest wireless network available.
  • Customers with in-house wireless local area networking can access all the Internet with the built-in Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer browser software.
  • The new technology preview version of Windows Media Player for Pocket PC enables streaming Windows Media audio and video for the first time using a high-speed wireless connection.
  • Industry partners, including GoAmerica Communications Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Metricom Inc., OmniSky Corp., and Sierra Wireless Inc., are offering wireless-related Pocket PC news and demonstrations in Microsoft's booth at COMDEX.
  • The HP Jornada 540 Series Color Pocket PC, the Novatel Minstrel 540 wireless modem, and wireless Internet service from Hewlett-Packard Co. provide broad access to the Internet and deliver mobile e-services.
  • Metricom's 128Kbps Ricochet network will deliver the fastest wireless mobile access available today to the Microsoft booth at COMDEX.
  • OmniSky's wireless Internet and e-mail service is now available for the HP Jornada Pocket PC and will be available for the Compaq iPAQ through a beta program starting in January.
  • Sierra Wireless' AirCard 400 for Ricochet delivers a high-speed wireless connection for iPAQ users and provides Pocket PC users with reliable high-speed access to mail, data, corporate applications, and the Internet.
  • Socket will publicly demonstrate its Bluetooth Personal Network Card and the Mobile Email PocketPak, which enables connecting a Pocket PC to a mobile phone, allowing the phone to function as a wireless modem.

Statistics:

  • The Pocket PC provides wireless access to the internet at speeds of up to 11 Mbps through 802.11 wireless local area networking.
  • The Ricochet 128Kbps network provides third-generation (3G) network speeds today.
  • The new technology preview version of Windows Media Player for Pocket PC enables streaming Windows Media audio and video for the first time using a high-speed wireless connection.
  • 50 Pocket PCs are available for hands-on testing in Microsoft's booth at COMDEX.
  • Metricom's Ricochet network will deliver the fastest wireless mobile access available today to the Microsoft booth at COMDEX.
  • The beta program for OmniSky's wireless Internet and e-mail service for the Compaq iPAQ is expected to start in January.

Sources:

  • Microsoft Corp., PRNewswire, Nov. 13, 2000
  • GoAmerica Communications Corp., press release
  • Hewlett-Packard Co., press release
  • Metricom Inc., press release
  • OmniSky Corp., press release
  • Sierra Wireless Inc., press release
  • Socket Communications Inc., press release