PPCzone.net

“Microsoft today announced the availability of the latest update to its Windows CE .NET platform, version 4.1, which is expected to serve as the base for future handhelds using the Pocket PC platform. The update adds IPv6, Speech API (SAPI) 5.0, support for viewing popular file formats including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Adobe Acrobat, and performance improvements to web browsing as well as remote display protocol (RDP) and Windows Media technologies.

Among the most promiment additions to version 4.1 is support for IPv6, which sprung out of the Windows Embedded Academic Program, in which Microsoft gave Lancaster University researchers access to Windows CE .NET source code to share ideas and collaborate on projects. IPv6 increases the address space of today’s IPv4 system - which is what makes the Internet as we know it tick - from 32 bits to 128 bits, providing a virtually unlimited number of networks and systems. IPv6 also supports quality of service parameters for real-time audio and video streaming.

In devices based on CE .NET version 4.1, users will also be able to view popular document formats such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat, as well as graphics file formats such as GIF, BMP and JPG.

”

Don’t forget that PocketPC is based on Windows CE 3.0 . It will probably be early 2003 before we actually see a PocketPC device powered by Windows Ce.net

Source:Infosync

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Check out this post in our forums. It sounds like a very interesting program. Go on over to the Voicemp3 webpage and download the beta and post your opinions in the above thread.

“BCL VoiceMP3 turns your PocketPC into an MP3 player that allows you to control playback functions with your voice! It recognizes a complete set of music control verbal commands, allowing you to control all playback functions without ever looking at the screen.

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Michael Walker from Pocketmatrix has been busy and he now has 3 new reviews ready!!

1. Tombraider for the PocketPC

2. CEcrafts Igolf 2

3. Ziosofts Fifa 2002

Below is an extract from his tombraider review!!

“When I read the PocketGamer announcement from about 6 months ago saying there was going to be a Tomb Raider game for the Pocket PC, I knew I’d have to get it. 3D graphics, great gameplay, and Lara Croft together on a mobile device just seemed like a dream come true. Well, that dream HAS come true thanks to Eidos’ first attempt to sell to the Pocket PC market, a port of the first Tomb Raider game. But is this title a magical relic or does it deserve to be locked away in an ancient temple? Keep reading to find out… ”
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ENHANCEMENTS:

- ClearType legibility

- Temporary Backlight Off using the power button

- Improves Screen Calibration test

- Improves Virtual Memory utilization

- Battery run-time improvement for the Expansion Pack Plus accessories

- Adds support for Microsoft Server ActiveSync client

- All enhancements included in EUU1

FIXES:

- Adds support for specific SD formats to prevent unnecessary formating when

an SD card is inserted

- LED reminder to flash LED for more than 5 minutes

- Battery gauge to show proper reading after removing from AC power

- Lockup at the red and white screen during boot up

- Windows Media Player skip, jump to the next song, and no audio while

playing from an SD card

- The error message “Project1.vb requires Visual Basic for Windows

CE version 2.0 (\windows\pvbhost2.dll) which is not installed.” (French only)

- Completely remove cached deleted text from the inbox

- All fixes included within EUU1

Download:here
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According to a blog at Jeff Kirvin’s Writing On Your Palm Casio is discontinuing their E series Pocket PC in the United States. It is a shame too. Casio was so close to getting it right but just never developed that killer PDA. The E-115/125 was the ultimate in quality control, had a fantastic screen and built in Compact Flash but was simply too large to be considered pocketable by most people. The E-200 got the StrongARM processor and added Secure Digital to the package, but was plagued with quality control problems and its style was… uhm… unique. As a result, Casio has recently been lumped in the “other” category of most market share reports as its market share declined below numbers most industry watchers cared about.

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Pocket PC Magazine has a review of the Toshiba e740 Pocket PC by Dale Coffing.

Below is an extract from the review.

“Still, the strengths of the Toshiba e740 outweigh its weaknesses. It is sleek and slim, about the size and weight of an iPAQ sans Expansion Pack. But unlike the iPAQ, it has CF and SD card slots built into that small size. The battery is removable, and an optional high-capacity battery is in the works. Best of all, it has Wi-Fi capability built into it, making it very attractive to enterprise users with wireless LAN networks in their workplaces.

Overall, Toshiba did a great job. For the time being, the new Toshiba e740 is the new king of the Pocket PC hill! ”

You can read the full review here
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Phone Today is a Today Screen plugin which displays the status of your connected GSM phone.

Phone Today works with any GSM phone which is connected to your Pocket PC through a serial connection. It shows you the status of the phone information about your Telco provider, GPRS availability, signal strenght, new SMS messages and battery level, all easily viewable on the today screen. The beta version is currently available for download and expires on August 31st!!

Source:http://www.burroak.on.ca/ptoday.html

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MaximumPDA has a review of EA sports FIFA 2002 for the PocketPC which has been developed by ZIOsoft. Below is an extract from his review.

“If you are familiar with the FIFA product line from EA, the one thing you should be aware of is that this is not a 3D, highly detailed simulation of Soccer with lots of advanced statistics. It is a top-down, 2D Soccer game that is fun and easy to play. ZioSoft has once again brought one of the best loved gaming franchises to the PocketPC.”

Full review is available here

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Pocket PC Thoughts spotted a new upcoming Pocket PC called Alaska, to be released in Mexico this week. It is powered by Spanish Pocket PC 2002 OS, but is actually manufactured by FIC of Taiwan. The specifications include an Intel StrongARM 206 MHz processor, 32 MB RAM and a CF-II slot. The best thing about this device is that it is only $399 but other than that it’s not the most exciting device around!!

Source:PocketPC thoughts.com

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According to this Brighthand thread Hp have the following Ipaq device under development. These features really will make your mouth water!!!

2100 mAh battery

built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPRS?

64K colour back-lit screen

64 megs of Flash ROM, 128 megs of RAM with possible 256mb device at later stage

800 mhz to 1 Ghz CPU Possibly dual processor’s

320 x 480 screen resolution

And finally a possiblity of Biometric security.