MICROSOFT: Microsoft unveils Internet Explorer for the Pocket PC at CeBIT:
Pocket Internet Explorer brings unparalleled Internet capabilities to handheld
computing
FEB 25, 2000, M2 Communications - HANOVER, Germany -- At CeBIT today
Microsoft Corp. previewed Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Pocket
PC, the most full-functioning Web browser software available for
handheld devices to date. Pocket Internet Explorer creates the
foundation for a rich Internet experience on Pocket PCs, enabling
customers to easily access any Web site any time, anywhere - whether
they are connected to the Internet or viewing content offline. Pocket
PCs were first previewed by Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software
Architect Bill Gates at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and
are expected to ship in the first half of this year from hardware
manufacturers that include Casio Computer Company Ltd., Compaq Computer
Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Siemens Communications Devices, and Symbol
Technologies Inc.
Pocket Internet Explorer brings to Pocket PCs unprecedented
innovations in Internet technology focused on maximizing the ease of
use and browsing experience offered by personal digital assistants
(PDAs). Enhancements include Shrink-to-Fit capability, which
dynamically resizes a Web site to maximize viewing on the smaller,
vertically oriented screens of PDAs; Smart Address Bar, which enables
customers to easily type in a Web address by anticipating Web site
locations; and Auto-state, which automatically determines if the device
is connected to the Internet and, if not, seamlessly diverts the
browser to a cached version of the Web page. For the corporate
customer, Pocket Internet Explorer also supports the key technology
XML, which will enable customers to more easily deploy business
Internet applications to the Pocket PC.
"Our goal for the Pocket PC Internet experience was to enable
customers to access all the Web sites they want, any time, anywhere -
not just snippets of preselected and limited Web content," said Rogers
Weed, director of marketing for the Mobile Devices Division at
Microsoft. "Internet access on the Pocket PC will provide customers
with the key functionality they have come to expect browsing the Web on
a standard PC, including photo-quality screens that display the rich
images and graphics the way the Web designer intended."
The Pocket PC Internet Experience Microsoft's goal for delivering the
richest Internet experience possible on Pocket PCs is accomplished
through three primary strategies:
Fullest offline experience.
The offline capabilities of Pocket Internet Explorer enable customers
to easily take information from their favorite Web sites with them
wherever they go, giving them immediate, in-depth access to the content
while disconnected. Business customers can earmark intranet sites and
securely access their corporate data offline. And because of the Pocket
PC's continuous, no-button synchronization, customers' personalized
Internet and intranet information is always up to date.
Specialized content.
Pocket Internet Explorer includes integrated AvantGo software,
providing seamless, free access to the AvantGo.com interactive Internet
service through the browser. AvantGo.com enables customers to choose
from hundreds of optimized content channels - including MapQuest.com,
FOXSports.com, FedEx Express, The Wall Street Journal Interactive
Edition and hollywood.com - many of which are specifically designed to
take advantage of the color support provided by Pocket PCs. Integration
with AvantGo requires no separate client software and no extra
download, making it easy to take advantage of the free AvantGo.com
service out of the box.
Traditional online browsing.
While connected to the Internet, Pocket Internet Explorer enables
full online browsing to any Web site, not limiting customers to a
subset of Internet content or "clipped" data.
To enable this unlimited Web access, Pocket Internet Explorer has
implemented key Internet technology standards:
HTML 3.2; secure sockets layer (SSL), for secure transactions,
enabling online banking and e-commerce;
JScript development software and ActiveX technologies, for
flexibility, compatibility and control; and
frames, for formatting.
Easy and Flexible Connectivity
Pocket Internet Explorer takes advantage of the Pocket PC
communications architecture to provide unmatched connection options as
well as the highest connectivity speeds available. Customers can
connect to the Internet to enable online Internet access with a variety
of methods: LAN. Customers can connect to the Internet anywhere a LAN
connection is available by using a CompactFlash LAN adapter to plug
directly into a net port with no device cradle needed.
With built-in proxy support, Pocket Internet Explorer is immediately
ready to browse. Customers can also simultaneously synchronize their
Pocket PC back to their desktop.
56K modem.
The versatile CompactFlash slot will also accept any number of
high-speed 56K land-line modems, so access to the Internet is as easy
as finding a standard phone line to dial into an ISP or corporate
network.
Multiple wireless options.
Pocket PCs are designed to be wireless-ready, providing customers
with the option to choose the wireless network that best serves their
needs. Solutions include the integration of Pocket PCs with data
capable cellular phones, clip-on wireless modems, and devices with
integrated wireless radios. Also at CeBIT, Casio and Siemens
demonstrated prototype next-generation Pocket PC hardware that
integrates a GSM radio into a device, enabling wireless connectivity
and voice capabilities integrated into the Pocket PC. In addition,
Symbol demonstrated the first available GSM-integrated Palm-size PC.
The full suite of Pocket PC software is expected to become available
on a range of new Pocket PC devices in the first half of this year,
putting the power of the PC into a small device and providing customers
with the freedom to better manage their work and their life anywhere,
any time.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide
range of products and services designed to empower people through great
software - any time, any place and on any device.
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