Handheld Computing Stages Comeback

Windows CE Leads an Impressive Array of Mobile Computing Offerings at COMDEX

This year’s Fall COMDEX saw the introduction of a record number of new products, more than a handful targeted directly at the mobile computing market. However, most will likely remember the 1996 annual desert classic as the setting for Microsoft’s long-awaited foursquare entry into the handheld arena. Though Windows CE, Microsoft’s operating system for Handheld PCs (HPCs), was formally introduced back in September, the company waited for the high-profile annual Las Vegas gathering to launch the full blitz of media and consumer awareness.

The company selected no less than the spectacular Cirque du Soleil Theatre at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino to serve as the backdrop for the sixty minute product introduction. Over 2000 analysts, journalists, and other invited guests witnessed the multimedia presentation that at first featured Bill Gates explaining the rationale behind Windows CE, followed by a hands-on demonstration by Jon Magill, Microsoft director of marketing, consumer appliances group. The early part of the evening was capped off with a brilliant show by the Cirque du Soleil troupe, as they demonstrated super-human elegance and precision in dance, acrobatics, and artistry.

With Microsoft’s booth strategically placed at the main entrance to the Las Vegas Convention Center, few could miss the news of the launch. In fact, handheld and mobile computing seemed to be on the minds of many industry attendees and other show-goers, a scene strangely reminiscent of Fall COMDEX in 1992 when pen-based computing was the hot topic of the exhibition. Over the ensuing years, Microsoft has come full circle from their hasty, but nonetheless moderately successful Windows for Pen Computing effort, to a more calculated design that has spent the past few years evolving in the lab while other vendors faced the more glaring light of public scrutiny.

The Major Windows CE Players

While nearly 40 vendors were present at the Microsoft launch, most eyes focused on the six hardware vendors that have announced and, in a couple of cases, have actually started shipping products based on the platform. These vendors are: Casio, Compaq, Hitachi, NEC, Hewlett-Packard, Philips, and LG Electronics. Each has taken a relatively well-defined platform specification and has introduced some degree of differentiation, though perhaps not as much as some would like to see.

For example, no current product is equipped with a color screen, though the Philips chipset implementation is reported to be designed to drive a color LCD as a future option. Likewise, the communication capabilities of most of the current devices are limited, though the Philips Velo-1 offers a built-in 19.2 Kbps fax modem capability through the use of the company’s advanced TwoChipPIC chipset. The Velo-1 also distinguishes itself by offering a built-in voice capture capability that effectively turns your HPC into a digital recorder.

“Aside from the Philips design, perhaps the most innovative device was the only one that won’t be available until sometime around the middle of next year—the as-yet unnamed Hewlett-Packard HPC.”

Aside from the Philips design, perhaps the most innovative device was the only one that won’t be available until sometime around the middle of next year—the as-yet unnamed Hewlett-Packard HPC. This device features a slightly longer form factor which is used to house a larger keyboard and, more importantly, a wider screen. The screen, measuring 640 x 240 pixels instead of the current 480 x 240 pixel standard, has the important characteristic of being able to display the full width of a page of text without horizontal scrolling, something that many users may discover to be a time-consuming nuisance.

Rounding out the list of announced Windows CE devices is the Casio Cassiopeia, the Compaq PC Companion, the LG GP40M (who dreamed up this memorable name?), and the NEC MobilePro. In terms of processors, the early units split into two formidable camps: the Hitachi SuperH—adopted by Casio, Compaq, LG, and HP—and the MIPS architecture, which forms the core of the NEC-supplied VR4101 and Philips’ TwoChipPIC.

Both the Hitachi and the MIPS-based processors feature a RISC design, offering high-performance while consuming comparatively little power.

Pen Computing Sans Handwriting

While each of the Win CE devices include a plastic stylus, its role as currently defined by the built-in programs is relegated to launching and navigating through applications. Microsoft has decided that, following the early experiences of Apple with the Newton, it should stay clear of this most controversial of handheld technologies. Interestingly, in Japan, where accurate handwriting recognition is even more essential to the success of a product, Microsoft saw no choice but to include this feature in this important market.

Outside Japan, handwriting recognition is being left in the capable hands of third-party vendors such as ART, which was quick to port its smARTwriter recognition engine to Windows CE. Other vendors are likely to follow. Also worth noting is the fact that “ink processing” is absent from the first version of Windows CE. Earlier this year, Microsoft acquired Mountain View, California-based aha! software corp., makers of perhaps the most innovative piece of pen computing software ever—InkWriter.

As you may recall, InkWriter first came to life on the now-defunct PenPoint operating system created by GO Corp. After porting to Windows for Pen Computing and General Magic’s Magic Cap, the company was acquired by Microsoft and absorbed into the Redmond headquarters. This created quite a bit of speculation as to how Microsoft intended to utilize the software in an upcoming platform. Alas, we’ll have to remain in a holding pattern for a bit longer to see this technology implemented on a platform.

The Next Step in Removable Storage

Riding the wave following the success of its Zip and Jaz cartridge-based removable storage systems, Iomega took us in a rather surprising direction by previewing an upcoming technology called n•hand which should be available sometime around the middle of 1997. n•hand is a tiny removable disk storage system designed specifically for handheld devices including PDAs, digital cameras, smart phones, electronics games, and just about anything that could benefit from a fit-in-you-palm sized form factor.

At 2″ x 2″, n•hand will compete with the new generation of flash storage, including CompactFlash, Miniature Card, and others. And while each of these will likely still produce faster and more rugged storage systems, n•hand offers something that will be very difficult for other media to duplicate—an impressive 50 cents per megabyte of storage cost. Expected to be priced at roughly $10, each n•hand disk will initially store 20 megabytes of data, a number which is also likely to grow faster than solid state storage systems.

To help move data between desktop and handheld platforms, Iomega is exploring the option of making n•hand compatible with future versions of the company’s popular Zip drives, most likely through the use of a special caddy.

Sharp Introduces its Own Mobile PC Companion

Meanwhile, Sharp was prepared with its own answer to the Windows CE onslaught, releasing shortly before COMDEX a new member of its popular Zaurus family of keyboard-enhanced PDAs (K-PDAs). Dubbed the Zaurus ZR-3000, the diminutive handheld is bundled with synchronization software and a cable for connecting with a Windows 95-based desktop.

On the handheld, built-in applications include communication software, a Microsoft-compatible word processor and spreadsheet, and the usual complement of personal information management features. With sights clearly set on the same market as Windows CE, Sharp hopes to entice would-be HPC owners with a lower expected retail price of US $399.

Measuring 6.3 x 3.5 x 1-inches and weighing 10.88 ounces, the ZR-3000 is a bit smaller than its Zaurus siblings but features the same clamshell design that offers both keyboard entry and pen input of digital ink along with user interface navigation. The screen has 320 x 240 pixels and external communication is completed via either the IrDA/ASK compatible infrared port or through a 15-pin serial port that can lead to an optional fax modem.

The ZR-3000 comes with 1 MB of memory, of which 650 KB is available for user storage. Using two AA batteries, the device is capable of running for up to 70 hours. In addition, the bundled “Zaurus Application Partner for Windows 95/NT4.0” makes moving data back and forth as simple as drag and drop.

The software creates a Zaurus icon on the Windows desktop which automatically “opens” when the Zaurus is either in range of the infrared system or when a cabled link is completed with the handheld.