Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition to launch next week

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Spotted this at CNet News:

Microsoft is expected next week to announce an update to its Windows Mobile operating system, which powers cell phones and handhelds, CNET News.com has learned.

The update, to be known as Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, is based on a Windows CE .Net core, but adds a variety of improvements, according to a source familiar with the situation. The new OS is expected to improve support for larger, VGA screens and screen rotation, among other features, according to developer comments posted in a Microsoft forum and cited by handheld enthusiast site PocketPCTools.

Microsoft declined to comment on any changes to the OS.

Hewlett-Packard is among the hardware makers expected to support the revamp with new products, according to a source familiar with the company's plans. Toshiba is not expected to have any new models immediately, but will allow current customers to upgrade to the new OS for free, the Japanese company said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese manufacturer Asus this week showed off a Windows 2003-based handheld with a VGA screen at the CeBit trade show in Germany. It was not immediately clear whether that device is running the new operating system.

Microsoft introduced the initial version of Windows Mobile 2003 last July. The software is used in handhelds by companies including Dell, HP, Toshiba and ViewSonic as well as in smart phones from Motorola and others.

Mobile software developers, who would work with any update to the operating system, are set to gather in San Francisco next week for a Microsoft conference. Chairman Bill Gates is scheduled to give a keynote speech at the conference on Wednesday.

Separately, NEC plans to announce next week an update to its MobilePro line of clamshell-style handhelds. The 900c will use the Windows CE .Net 4.1 operating system, an upgrade from the Windows CE 3.0 OS used in prior versions of the MobilePro.

While many Microsoft-based handhelds use Windows Mobile, Microsoft has a dual OS strategy in which it also licenses the Windows CE core to hardware makers that want more flexibility to customize the devices.

No specific mention of Smartphone in this article, however an update to Pocket PC without a corresponding Smartphone update seems unlikely.

P

[Guest Crispy]

Isen't this also the version which the Mpx is going to ship with?

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Since screen rotation is listed as one of the key features, it seems likely...

P

[Guest [email protected]]

Then maybe my dream-phone, MPx220, will have QVGA!

Giddy with excitement. :)

[Guest Coucou]

Why isn't this Windows Mobile 2004? Haven't they turned over their calendars yet? :roll:

[Guest Richie M]

Why isn't this Windows Mobile 2004? Haven't they turned over their calendars yet? :roll:

because its just enchancements to the OS, same as Windows 98 and 98 SE

[Guest midnight]

yeh, all thats added really is screen rotation and screen resolution, and of course the usual small bug fixes here and there.

[Guest [email protected]]

Personally I think the new rez alone validates a namechange. I can't think of a more vital improvement of the platform.

[Guest midnight]

but the basic os remains the same, they changed the name to 2003 from 2002 because the whole thing has changed to .net, a res/screen rotation addition does not warrant a whole new os.

[Guest Belgarath Krall]

I came so close to posting this and have an actual news item to my name but *sniff* it seems you got there first by mere minutes...oh well =P

[Guest bosshogg2003]

Maybe this is why Orange has delayed the E200 update!!! LOL

[Guest davo141]

so can people with e200 upgrade to the updated OS?

[Guest squall]

EDIT - sorry assuming things from rumours - guess we will find out next week

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Says who Squall?

P

[Guest Pagemakers]

I wonder where we will get the update from.

Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest [email protected]]

Midnight: Yeah I know, I'm exaggerating. I'm just really antsy about the new rez. Any ideas on what could cause the next namechange?

[Guest Toyota-F1.com]

Do people with an Orange SPV E200 upgrade, just like they do with the ROM update?

[Guest teddyen66]

I was just wondering.... "should I update wm2003SE first, or the Orange Update"...that is when I actually get the wm2003se ;-)

Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest Pagemakers]

Who knows if you will ever be able to put WM2003SE on the E200.

I hope you can. I wonder if the MPX100 will now ship with the new OS?

[Guest midnight]

Who knows if you will ever be able to put WM2003SE on the E200.  

I hope you can.  I wonder if the MPX100 will now ship with the new OS?

dont quote me on this, but i think the mpx100 will be wm2k3se because of the 1.3mp camera

[Guest Pagemakers]

I really hope you are right Midnight.

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Why would that be the case mid?

P

[Guest drblow]

What's being meant by screen rotation here? Are we talking portrait/landscape? Or physical rotation (obviously I can't update my e200 to do that!! :shock: )?

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Screen Rotation will only apply to the Pocket PC devices at a guess!

P

Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest squall]

check out the mpx video - See here