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To: Prognosticator who wrote (6477)	10/13/1999 4:20:00 PM
From: pat pasquale	Respond to of 10309

TELECOMS-Microsoft defends Windows CE Reuters Story - October 13, 1999 13:58 GENEVA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Microsoft on Wednesday defended its Windows CE operating system after news of a major cooperation between 3Com's Palm Computing and Psion-led Symbian that will challenge Microsoft for software supremacy in the burgeoning wireless Internet world. Microsoft said it was getting smarter in software for mobile devices and though its Windows CE was coming from behind in terms of market share, it sees its strengths in its potential to support the increasingly advanced functions of the future. "We are gaining greater expertise in this space," Jonathan Roberts, general manager for Windows CE market development, told Reuters at the Geneva telecoms trade fair. He was reacting after British palmtop computer company Psion Plc said Symbian Ltd -- in which it is the biggest shareholder and which is developing an operating system to let mobile phones and other wireless devices browse the Internet -- would discuss cross-licensing with Palm Computing of the U.S. As a first step, Symbian member Nokia , the world's biggest mobile phone maker said it would develop pen-based, mobile computer-phones using the interface which made Palm the biggest "palmtop" maker. Beneath the familiar Palm-based look will be the Epoc operating system which Psion originated and Symbian has developed to allow wireless devices to access the Internet. The link for Symbian with Palm was seen as a setback for Microsoft which has developed Windows CE as its own operating system for smaller computing devices and it is used by several major manufacturers like Hewlett Packard. Symbian's other members are world-leading mobile handset producers Motorola of the U.S., Sweden's Ericsson and Japan's Matsushita . Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has also recently shifted away from the strategic mission of putting a personal computer "on every desk" to "any device, anywhere." Roberts cited positive reviews in the computing press for CE and said claims that the system was too cumbersome -- because it is based on the complex needs of a PC rather than a simpler portable device -- were factually inaccurate. He noted that Microsoft is involved in a large-scale end-user trial with British Telecommunications plc which meant "we're talking about customers using the solution with the device in-hand," to help deliver a tailored product for the dawning era of data and video mobility. "As you get to a richer set of services, we become more interesting," he added. Microsoft would continue to invest and partner in the area, he added. Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved