HANOVER, Germany, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)
announced today that more than 10 new types of Handheld PCs (H/PCs) and other
PC companion products powered by Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE 2.0 would be
shipped by its manufacturing partners to the European market this spring,
including a newly designed device that fits in one hand.
    The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that will ship products to the
European market include Casio Computer Ltd., Ericsson, FIC Group (Everex),
Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics Inc., NEC, Philips Electronics, and Sharp
Corp.
    "The European market will embrace this latest generation of PC companions
because they bring the benefits of desktop information, synchronization,
Internet connectivity and support for wireless communication into a device
that fits in your hand," said Michel Lacombe, President of Microsoft Europe at
the Cebit computer trade fair.  "Powered by the Windows CE platform and
supported by the huge Windows developer community, these great products will
clearly meet the growing needs of today's mobile professional."
    Windows CE was designed and built from the ground up as an embedded
platform to empower the development of a new range of emerging computer
appliances, including H/PCs and PC companions, game consoles, smart phones, TV
set-top boxes, DVD players, and home appliances.  Additionally, Windows CE is
quickly becoming the software engine behind everyday embedded applications
such as process monitoring and control, instrumentation data collection,
computer peripherals, office equipment, point-of-sale devices and
telecommunications.
    At the Cebit fair, more than a dozen companies are showing Windows CE
running on different hardware architectures, underscoring the broad utility of
this operating system.  These include Digital (StrongARM processor), Dr. Keil
(Motorola PPC), FS Forth (AMD processor), LP Electronic (AMD processor),
Micromedia (AMD processor), Phoenix (StrongARM processor), Philips (MIPS
processor), and Toshiba (MIPS).
    The Windows CE-based handheld PCs and other PC companions arriving on the
European market will also offer a wide range of choice and functionality for
busy mobile executives to stay connected to their office and synchronize their
data.  These devices will be available in international English, French,
German, and Italian, with other languages to be added later this year.
    "Philips offers mobile professionals a range of powerful mobile computing
solutions with extensive communications functionalities.  The Windows CE
platform provides a familiar user interface and a maximum of interconnectivity
with the desktop," said Amir Shademan, Regional Manager of the Mobile
Computing Group of Philips Electronics.  "Velo and Nino, our PC companions
powered by Windows CE , clearly demonstrate our commitment and leadership in
this field."
    Microsoft executives from the U.S. and Europe will provide more details
about the company's strategy for the Windows platform in Europe during a
"Windows Strategy Day" briefing for the media and business partners in Paris
on May 13th; a major Windows CE-based product launch is also planned that day.
    Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers.  The company offers a wide range of products
and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.

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