微软升级手持机软件
作者：
责任编辑： 阚智
来源： 《电脑商情报》
时间： 2003-06-24 05:18
Microsoft Corp. is upgrading its software for hand-held computers, ratcheting up competition with features that include easier wireless communications.
The new software is Microsoft's third offering in three years for hand-held computers, which are made by partners that include Hewlett-Packard Co. and Toshiba Corp. Besides features to make such devices to easier use, Microsoft is betting that new branding, built-in wireless networking and lower pricing will help boost its share of the market. New devices based on Microsoft's Pocket PC software are expected to start at $299, compared with a $399 entry-level price for most past products that use Microsoft's technology.
In addition, Microsoft has signed on three new licensees: Gateway Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., maker of the Panasonic brand of consumer electronics, and Victor Company of Japan Ltd., a Matsushita affiliate. A Microsoft spokesman said the Redmond, Wash., company expects the new licensees to begin selling Pocket PCs later this year.
The release is Microsoft's latest tack in long battle with leading hand-held software maker, Palm Inc. Through steady improvements like the ones announced Monday, Microsoft has steadily eaten at Palm's dominant market share in recent years. In 2002, Palm's share of the market for hand-held operating systems dropped to 57.5% from near 67% in 2000 while Microsoft's share grew to 23.3% from 16.6% over the same period.
But the bigger worry for both players is shrinking of the hand-held computer market as cellphones with advanced functions like e-mail and scheduling grow in popularity. Research firm International Data Corp. estimates that just 12.32 million units of hand-held computers will be shipped in 2003, versus 12.38 million units in 2002.
Microsoft hopes the new software can help goose growth of the market. One cornerstone of the plan is to allow hand-held computer users to more easily connect to so-called Wi-Fi wireless networks, which have been spreading rapidly in coffee shops, airports and other public places.
At least two Pocket PC makers already offer Wi-Fi functions to their devices. But the popular networking technology is now expected to be built into all hand-held devices and be easier to operate, a Microsoft spokesman said.
The new software is Microsoft's third offering in three years for hand-held computers, which are made by partners that include Hewlett-Packard Co. and Toshiba Corp. Besides features to make such devices to easier use, Microsoft is betting that new branding, built-in wireless networking and lower pricing will help boost its share of the market. New devices based on Microsoft's Pocket PC software are expected to start at $299, compared with a $399 entry-level price for most past products that use Microsoft's technology.
In addition, Microsoft has signed on three new licensees: Gateway Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., maker of the Panasonic brand of consumer electronics, and Victor Company of Japan Ltd., a Matsushita affiliate. A Microsoft spokesman said the Redmond, Wash., company expects the new licensees to begin selling Pocket PCs later this year.
The release is Microsoft's latest tack in long battle with leading hand-held software maker, Palm Inc. Through steady improvements like the ones announced Monday, Microsoft has steadily eaten at Palm's dominant market share in recent years. In 2002, Palm's share of the market for hand-held operating systems dropped to 57.5% from near 67% in 2000 while Microsoft's share grew to 23.3% from 16.6% over the same period.
But the bigger worry for both players is shrinking of the hand-held computer market as cellphones with advanced functions like e-mail and scheduling grow in popularity. Research firm International Data Corp. estimates that just 12.32 million units of hand-held computers will be shipped in 2003, versus 12.38 million units in 2002.
Microsoft hopes the new software can help goose growth of the market. One cornerstone of the plan is to allow hand-held computer users to more easily connect to so-called Wi-Fi wireless networks, which have been spreading rapidly in coffee shops, airports and other public places.
At least two Pocket PC makers already offer Wi-Fi functions to their devices. But the popular networking technology is now expected to be built into all hand-held devices and be easier to operate, a Microsoft spokesman said.
