Philips Announces Worldwide Support for Windows CE 2.0 for Handheld PCs
September 8, 1997 — The Philips Mobile Computing Group, a division of Philips Electronics North America Corporation, today announced its continued support for Microsoft Windows CE 2.0, the operating system for Handheld PCs. To protect the investment of its Velo 1 customers, Philips will offer a free Windows CE 2.0 ROM Miniature Card upgrade after the operating system is available from Microsoft. This program is for all customers, worldwide, who purchase a Velo 1 between September 2, 1997 and December 31, 1997. For all current Velo 1 owners, Philips will offer a Windows CE 2.0 Miniature Card upgrade for US$ 99.99.
With the industry exclusive Velo 1 dual expansion slots, a Velo user can install the Windows CE 2.0 ROM Miniature Card upgrade and add additional DRAM system memory for greater performance and usability for all applications. Philips has the only Handheld PC that is able to provide this type of capability.
"By providing a free user-installable upgrade, we have solved a difficult problem for customers who want to purchase a Handheld PC today, but would like the enhanced features of Microsoft Windows CE 2.0," said Alan Soucy, general manager of the Philips Mobile Computing Group. "Velo's superior Miniature Card technology allows us to make this program possible for new Velo customers worldwide."
"The ability of Philips to add more system memory along with the Windows CE 2.0 ROM upgrade means that Velo 1 users can benefit from Windows CE 2.0's increased functionality, as well as additional storage, without investing in a new H/PC. The program that Philips is announcing today makes purchasing a 4MB Velo 1 a great value today and in the future for customers," said Harel Kodesh, general manager of Microsoft's Consumer Appliance Group.
Pricing and Availability
Philips Electronics has just announced at IFA the availability of its award-winning Handheld PC, Velo 1, in key European markets in the Fall. The estimated street price of the 4MB Velo 1 will be around 1.800 DM. The free Windows CE 2.0 ROM Miniature Card upgrade will be available from Philips when Microsoft announces Windows CE 2.0 availability. For more information on Philips free upgrade offer visit the Velo 1 website at http://www.velo1.com
The Velo 1
The Velo 1 Handheld PC provides users with a lightweight, portable and familiar solution for mobile computing, communications and information management. It offers the best performance, most highly integrated communications, and superior expandability of all the Handheld PCs based on Windows CE. All Velo bundles come complete with a Velo Dock, AC adapter, and built-in, low power software modem. The Philips Velo 1 has been recognized as the premier Handheld PC. In head-to-head reviews with competitors, the Velo 1 stands out with the most integrated communications, superior expandability, and fastest performance. PC Magazine has declared the Velo 1 the 'Editor's Choice' for Handheld PCs; C/NET considers it the 'recommended,' 'must buy' product; and Windows Magazine has placed Velo 1 on their 'WinList'. Velo 1 has won the Innovations award at the 1997 Winter Consumer Electronics Show, BYTE Magazine's Best of Show award at Fall Comdex 1996, and is a 1997 Industrial Design Society Award winner.
The Company
The Philips Mobile Computing Group is the developer and distributor of the award- winning Philips Velo 1 Handheld PC. With headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, the Mobile Computing Group is one of the first new initiatives in digital convergence from Philips Electronics. Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) is one of the world's largest consumer electronics companies with annual sales of US$ 40 billion. Its products include: consumer electronics; lighting; components; semiconductors; communication systems; multimedia systems and software; domestic appliances; professional solutions; medical systems and personal care products. Philips Mobile Computing Group can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.velo1.com
Note: Velo is either a registered trademark or trademark of Philips Electronics in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trade names are either registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
Nanda Huizing, Philips Electronics
Tel: +31 40 273 36 34
e-mail: [email protected]