|
|
|
By Jim Forbes
Click Here to see a 31.7 KB bitmap image of artwork which goes with this article, entitled:
New Hand Held OS
Get ready for another operating system from Microsoft. This one, code-named Pegasus, has some of the functionality of Windows 95 but is actually designed for a new generation of hand-held computers that use RISC microprocessors, fit into pockets and sport battery lives measured in weeks.
Sources say at least four hardware companies--Casio, Goldstar, Hewlett-Packard and NEC--will announce new machines at Fall Comdex in Las Vegas. Compaq and Philips may also be ready to join the pack. All four companies, or their OEM partners, are expected to show machines that conform to a general hardware specification established earlier this year by Microsoft.
The initial releases are bare-bones machines that execute applications stored in ROM, and can communicate with and synchronize files maintained on desktop or notebook PCs. They come with large amounts of ROM as well as RISC processors such as those designed by Hitachi, Mips and other companies. The units also sport at least 2MB of RAM, an infrared transceiver, serial port, miniature keyboard, one hybrid Type II PCMCIA slot and a stylus for navigating. As is the case with network computers, the new machines will probably have a price tag in the $500 range.
Of course, given the numerous existing entries in this arena, Microsoft's control of hardware and software standards is key. For example, the keyboards used on several prototypes, while cramped, are similar to Windows 95 keys that allow users to access a fixed menu and toolbar on screen. The Pegasus OS and Microsoft-provided applications are stored in read-only memory; some devices could have as much as 8MB of ROM.
With the new releases, the basic design goal is a hand-held personal digital assistant weighing less than one pound and based on a clamshell design. The prototype has a 2-bit monochrome touch screen with dimensions of at least 480x260 pixels, although some manufacturers are exploring larger screens to eliminate horizontal scrolling. That's similar to the HP 200LX and some devices manufactured by Psion.
On the software side, Microsoft will supply scaled-down versions of several of its best-selling applications with the Pegasus machines. These will likely include Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Mail and, of course, Pocket Solitaire. There should also be a scaled-down version of Internet Explorer. Also expect support for electronic "inking," the technology developed by Aha Software, which Microsoft has acquired.
Third-party developers, meanwhile, have received an SDK including software that speeds up the conversion of applications built around the Win32 API and designed to run on machines equipped with x86 processors.
OEMs are said to be all set to go into production with these units. While the machines are being built to a reference specification, the manufacturers will also likely offer upscale versions with, say, sockets for custom ROM-based applications, additional memory, better communications capabilities and cradle-based synchronization-a feature pioneered by U.S. Robotics with its Palm Pilot hand-held.
|
|
|