Wireless access to corporate data was the theme at this year's DEMOmobile show in Pasadena, Calif., with hardware announcements mostly taking a backseat.
The exception was Microsoft Corp., which introduced the Handheld PC (HPC) 2000 as part of its revamped mobile computing strategy. Also at the event, Hewlett-Packard Co., MainStreet Networks, and NEC Corp.announced plans to ship handheld PCs based on Windows CE 3.0.
HPC 2000 users will be able to take advantage of an integrated client for Windows 2000 Terminal Services, in addition to Windows CE 3.0 features such as the Windows Media Player, an Internet Explorer 4.0-compatible browser, and Pocket versions of Office applications. Microsoft will aim handheld PCs primarily at vertical markets, said Rebecca Thompson, a product manager at Microsoft.
Handheld PCs are but one facet of Microsoft's mobile strategy, which in turn is a key piece of its .NET initiative to make Windows software available as a service. Microsoft is also targeting cell phones with Windows CE. A "smart phone" dubbed Stinger, which combines the functionality of an Internet-connected PDA (personal digital assistant) with a cell phone on an optimized version of Windows CE, is due to enter trial testing in early 2001 and should be available in the second half of next year, Thompson said. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will manufacture them, and Microsoft is lining up other makers, she said.
On the mobile data front, IBM Corp. unveiled its Voice In, WAP Out technology that will ship in the second quarter next year. Using WebSphere Voice server, companies will be able to put a voice front end on data access. At the demonstration, company officials used a cell phone to call in inventory queries. Prompted by the speech-enabled WebSphere server, the demonstrator requested a report, which was sent back as a text message to the cell phone in under 10 seconds.
Text messaging was also the main thrust of Cambridge, Mass.-based Lotus Development Corp.'s Mobile Notes announcement. Although there are third-party applications currently allowing access to Notes-based e-mail, Lotus has to date not fully supported a wireless deployment of its applications for handheld devices. In the first half of 2001, Lotus will support full Notes functionality on Palm devices, with Microsoft WinCE and Symbian Ltd.'s Epoch 32 operating systems to follow.
Atlanta-based Synchrologic Inc. officially launched ReadySyncGo, its free Web-based service for data synchronization, which will be available in the fourth quarter as will an enterprise edition release.
The service will store most PIM-type information, including calendar, address book, and to-do lists, on a Synchrologic server allowing users to synchronize data between their cell phones, PDAs, and more traditional devices.