Microsoft Ports its Software to CDMA Handsets

Microsoft and Hitachi have jointly unveiled the CDMA based Hitachi Multimedia Communicator Pocket PC, Hitachi's first Windows Powered device. Based on the new Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC Phone Edition software for CDMA networks, the Multimedia Communicator is expected to be available in the first half of 2003 only from the USA based CDMA network, SprintPCS.

"The new Hitachi Pocket PC device is planned to not only deliver Sprint customers high-speed, wireless access to corporate data and the Internet, but provide the necessary built-in tools and device features -- such as a keyboard and camera -- to quickly and easily take action. A smart device, such as the Hitachi Pocket PC device, is just one tool in the suite of solutions offered through the PCS Clear Wireless Workplace that helps ensure that mobile professionals who use Sprint service are more productive and given an advantage in the ever-increasingly competitive world of business," said John Garcia, senior vice president of sales and distribution for the PCS division of Sprint.

Hitachi is working closely with mobile operators toward not only retail availability but also enterprise availability of the Hitachi Multimedia Communicator in the United States. The Multimedia Communicator is planned to offer Microsoft Pocket PC Phone Edition software that includes Pocket Outlook (contacts, calendar, inbox), pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer browser software, Windows Media Player, phone dialer and more such as an XScale 400MHz processor, full-color TFT screen, camera, QWERTY keyboard and a replaceable battery."

Posted to the site on 7th January 2003