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Microsoft is upgrading and renaming its Pocket PC operating system, and a handful of PDA vendors are ready with new models that take advantage of the software's enhanced security and multimedia functions.

Microsoft's operating system for personal digital assistants is now dubbed Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs. The new Windows Mobile brand will also be used for Microsoft's handset OS, which will be known as Windows Mobile software for Smartphones.

Hands on the New OS

Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs, the successor to the Pocket PC 2002 OS, is by no means a must-have upgrade, but it does deliver assorted tweaks and may also be available as an easy download for some Pocket PC 2002 devices.

PCWorld.com tried out Windows Mobile 2003 software on Hewlett-Packard's new IPaq H2210, as well as on a wireless-enabled Toshiba E755 with its OS upgraded.

In addition to HP and Toshiba, Microsoft says new Pocket PCs running the new OS are coming from Asustek, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC), and ViewSonic. Two other vendors--Gateway and JVC--will offer their first Pocket PCs by the end of the year, and Panasonic and China's Legend Group are also developing Pocket PCs based on Windows Mobile software in the same time frame, Microsoft says.

In using the E755, it was easier to set up a Wi-Fi connection with Windows Mobile than with Pocket PC 2002, though the process still wasn't quite as simple as on Palm's Tungsten C. Pocket Internet Explorer adds support for XHTML, CSS, HTML 4.0, Jscript 5.5, and other Web standards, which lets you access more Web content. The upgrade easily rendered popular Web sites legibly on the Toshiba's small screen.

With the $399 IPaq H2210, HP launches both the new OS and a compact new design. This moderately priced PDA is slightly smaller than the company's popular IPaq 5450 but larger than the slim, entry-level IPaq 1910. It has a Secure Digital card slot as well as a CompactFlash slot and a removable, rechargeable battery. One complaint: When you handle the device, you frequently end up muffling the speaker on the back.

Other New Features

Enterprises will appreciate Windows Mobile 2003's data security improvements, including a virtual private network client.

For multimedia buffs, Windows Mobile 2003 adds support for Windows Media Player 9 and some features of the Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition for Windows XP. For example, it can automatically synchronize WMA music files or display movies created out of still photos. All users will benefit from minor datebook and calendar tweaks, such as improved search and time-zone handling.

There was no immediate word on which Pocket PC 2002 vendors would offer firmware upgrades to the new OS, or how much they would charge. Microsoft did, however, announce a Wi-Fi promotion for people who buy new Pocket PCs with Windows Mobile 2003 in the next two months: They will be able to get 30 days of free Wi-Fi hot spot access from either T-Mobile, Wayport, or Boingo.

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