Pocket PC Information

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

They are different.

Windows CE is a base for all mobile operating systems from Microsoft. Over
it are built few platforms, which are not compatible with each other.
Now popular are:
- Handheld PC 2000 (based on Windows CE 3.0)
- Windows CE .NET (based on Windows CE 4.x - a succesor of Handheld PC 2000)
- Pocket PC 2000 (based on Win CE 3.0)
- Pocket PC 2002 (based on Win CE 3.0)
- Pocket PC 2003 (know as Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC) (based on
Windows CE 4.x)
- Smartphone 2002 (based on Win CE 3.0)
- Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone (based on Windows CE 4.x)


Handheld PC and Windows CE .NET look like regular PC windows. Devices
running this system have various screen sizes (resolutions) and some have
integrated keyboard. This two systems are almost fully compatible.

Pocket PC 2000, 2002 and 2003 are the most popular versions. The newest -
Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC is almost fully backwards compatible with
the previous versions. All of these devices have almost the same screen
sizes - about 3.5 - 4.0" and 240x320 resolution. But now Microsoft allowed
using hi-res screens - 480x640. For this platform there is plenty of apps
and peripherals.

Smartphone 2002 and WM 2003 for Smartphone is a special version of Windows
CE designed to run on mobile phones. These devices in comparison to the
mentions above use no touch screens, and have lower resolutions. This
systems are also compatible.

You'd better go for Pocket PC 2003 aka WM 2003 for Pocket PC.

One more thing - you mentioned Windows Embedded. You can call all Windows CE
platforms that way.

--

..: Jakub Kañczugowski
..: www.PDAclub.pl

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Good description, I have included some clarification on the newest 2003 SE.


Jakub Kanczugowski wrote:

> They are different.
>
> Windows CE is a base for all mobile operating systems from Microsoft. Over
> it are built few platforms, which are not compatible with each other.
> Now popular are:
> - Handheld PC 2000 (based on Windows CE 3.0)
> - Windows CE .NET (based on Windows CE 4.x - a succesor of Handheld PC 2000)
> - Pocket PC 2000 (based on Win CE 3.0)
> - Pocket PC 2002 (based on Win CE 3.0)
> - Pocket PC 2003 (know as Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC) (based on
> Windows CE 4.x)
> - Smartphone 2002 (based on Win CE 3.0)
> - Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone (based on Windows CE 4.x)
>
>
> Handheld PC and Windows CE .NET look like regular PC windows. Devices
> running this system have various screen sizes (resolutions) and some have
> integrated keyboard. This two systems are almost fully compatible.
>
> Pocket PC 2000, 2002 and 2003 are the most popular versions. The newest -
> Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC is almost fully backwards compatible with
> the previous versions. All of these devices have almost the same screen
> sizes - about 3.5 - 4.0" and 240x320 resolution.

The Mobile 2003 SE (Second addition) is fully backbard compatible if you
don't try and use the new features. It has a rotatable screen
capability and in landscape mode it can do some strange things to
existing apps. The OS attempts to support older apps by adding a
scrollbar to permit them to be viewed in the rotated screen. Only apps
specifically written for landscape mode can really take advantage of the
screen rotation.

The other difference in SE is support for more applications on the today
screen. There is support for programmers to use hardware buttons and add
their data to the today screen although ever on the older 2002/2003
there is ability to add an app to the today sreen there is not hardware
button support from the OS. Again, a software package has to be written
specifically to take advantage of this feauture.

There is also more .net support although no user visibile changes in
this area.

But now Microsoft allowed
> using hi-res screens - 480x640. For this platform there is plenty of apps
> and peripherals.

Also low resolution screens. The idea is to more closely integrate the
smartphone and pda functions. For PDA's Microsoft is encouraging a
240x240 mode that looks the same in either orientation and I expect that
phones will head for this mode in the future.


>
> Smartphone 2002 and WM 2003 for Smartphone is a special version of Windows
> CE designed to run on mobile phones. These devices in comparison to the
> mentions above use no touch screens, and have lower resolutions. This
> systems are also compatible.

Again smartphone and pda functionality are merging.
>
> You'd better go for Pocket PC 2003 aka WM 2003 for Pocket PC.
>
> One more thing - you mentioned Windows Embedded. You can call all Windows CE
> platforms that way.
>

Dale

--
_ _ Dale DePriest
/`) _ // http://users.cwnet.com/dalede
o/_/ (_(_X_(` For GPS and GPS/PDAs

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Jakub Kanczugowski wrote:
> One more thing - you mentioned Windows Embedded. You can call all Windows CE
> platforms that way.

It also runs on Xbox as far as I know, so it has its uses.

Marc