Two Vendors Pick MS for Phones
By allNetDevices Staff
March 21, 2001
Two vendors announced Tuesday that they will use Microsoft technology for phone/handheld hybrid devices.
Mitsubishi, which previously had announced a device based on Microsoft's Stinger platform for hybrid handheld/phone devices, said it would extend its support for the Microsoft platform to two more wireless devices. Specifically, the company said it would use the Microsoft Mobile Explorer (MME) technology for its forthcoming Trium G520 and GT550 smart phones.
Those GSM phones are expected to be available in the U.S. in early 2002. MME is a browser-based technology that supports Wireless Application Protocol, i-mode and HTML.
Separately, Taiwanese OEM vendor High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) will use the Stinger platform for future smart phones. HTC designed and manufacturers Compaq's iPAQ Pocket PC handhelds. The company said expects to OEM the smart phones to other vendors and that the devices will be available to the public by the end of the year.
While MME provides browsing and related technology, Stinger is a more comprehensive platform designed specifically for so-called smart phones. It is based on Windows CE 3.0. Samsung and Sendo have previously announced they will develop Stinger-based products.
The announcements were made at the CTIA Wireless 2001 show in Las Vegas. At that show, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer emphasized the company's commitment to the wireless arena and demonstrated a pre-release version of the Windows Media Player on the Stinger platform.
