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Microsoft introduced the most recent edition of its PDA/smartphone operating system, Windows Mobile 5.0, earlier this week. The new version of the software giant's handheld platform adds support for QWERTY-based keyboards, "push-to-talk" technology and non-volatile memory. There's also improved Office compatibility, a better browser and much more.

As soon as Bill Gates announced the operating system (OS) upgrade, a slew of companies chimed in with their support for the new platform. These vendors included Pocket PC giants Hewlett-Packard and Dell (see Gates Introduces Windows Mobile 5.0) as well as original device manufacturer (ODM) High Tech Computer (HTC) for the first officially announced Windows Mobile 5.0 handset, the Universal—also known as the T-Mobile MDA IV, Vodaphone VPA IV and Orange SPV 3G (see top image). And that's the tip of the iceberg.

The following vendors also announced Windows Mobile 5.0 support:

Intermec Technologies
Rugged handheld company Intermec plans to incorporate Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC into its CN30 and CK60 mobile computers. Both devices with the platform upgrade should be available in the third quarter.

CK60

CN30

The CK60 is the company's toughest handheld. It is designed specifically for the physically demanding requirements of the direct store delivery market. The CN30, on the other hand, is a modular device that lets users create the specific type of device they require. It features automated data capture capabilities and a 640 x 480 pixel (VGA) high-resolution display.

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Adesso Systems
Due in the fourth quarter, Adesso said the Windows Mobile 5.0 version of its Instant Mobility Platform for enterprises, systems integrators and ISV’s offers significant extensibility enhancements that enable the integration of external, standards-based plug-ins and Microsoft .NET components into Adesso-based applications. With the update, users can build better task-specific and dynamic applications that map to specific business processes.

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Openwave Systems
Openwave Systems Mobile Device Manager (MDM) for the communications industry is fully compatible and interoperable with the updated Microsoft platform. For example, MDM's handset configuration application can be used to set user preferences along with security and application settings on smartphones built on Windows Mobile 5.0. Users can also manage these handsets over-the-air without service disruptions or the need for a manual configuration.

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PhatWare
All of handheld software developer PhatWare's applications either already or will soon support the upgraded Windows Mobile OS for Pocket PCs, Pocket PC Phones and Smartphones. PhatPad and PhatNotes Professional Edition are immediately compatible, while others like CalliGrapher (handwriting recognition) will soon work with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.

PhatPad

CalliGrapher

PhatPad lets users draw pictures, jot text notes, combine pictures and text and create simple animation on a virtual scratch pad. It also offers a basic shape recognition engine. With PhatNotes you can write notes and organize them by type, subject, and creation and modification date. It includes text search, document security and e-mail capabilities.

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Visto
White label mobile wireless e-mail provider Visto will support Windows Mobile 5.0 in its Visto Mobile 5 with ConstantSync platform. The company sells push-based messaging solutions to operators who turn around and offer them as self-branded services to subscribers for many different types of handsets running a variety of mobile platforms.

Visto said it is keen on the Windows Mobile update because it enhances the end user experience because of support for such features as one-handed operation, enhanced QWERTY keyboard form factors, the elimination of data loss with persistent memory plus improved editing and viewing of attachments.

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Odyssey Software
The ViaXML2 and CFCOM mobile enterprise development tools from Odyssey will support Microsoft's new handheld platform. The products provide Visual Studio developers with data access and interop options when targeting Windows Mobile and Windows CE-based devices, including the Pocket PC and Smartphone form factors.

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NS Basic
NS Basic offers a Visual Basic-like development tool called NS Basic/CE. It allows you to create applications on a Windows desktop computer that will run on Microsoft-based mobile devices. A unique feature of NS Basic/CE is that it can also be used to develop on the device itself. Version 5.1 costs $149.95 for a single user. Enterprise licenses are also available. And yes, it will run on all Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Edition devices.

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Action Engine
Action Engine's Mobile Application Platform is a development tool that offers a browserless, client/server approach to accessing transaction-oriented online services from a PDA or smartphone. For operators who don't necessarily want to create their own mobile services, there is the Brand-n-Go mobile applications pack. Action Engine said this bundle could help carriers deliver self-branded services to subscribers quickly.

The advantage of browserless access to services is speed. Action Engine asserts its products work with 80 percent fewer keystrokes and 20x faster response times than browser-based technology. So a wireless subscriber using a device running the Windows Mobile update and Action Engine applications can find a restaurant, get driving directions to the restaurant, and e-mail the directions to a friend in only three minutes and with less than 15 keystrokes, for example.

Both the Mobile Application Platform and Brand-n-Go are due for Windows Mobile 5.0 support in July.

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Handmark
Top selling handheld software company Handmark announced Windows Mobile 5.0 compatibility with current titles and plans to do so with future applications as well. Pocket Express is one of the vendor's apps to support the platform upgrade right now.

It integrates news and information services (i.e. news, stocks, weather, sports, 411 directory search, movie details, maps and directions) for wireless devices using a non-browser channel format.

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...And More
Other vendors to announce Windows Mobile 5.0 support include Research In Motion competitor Good Technology for its GoodLink and GoodAccess wireless messaging and data access solutions; Intellisync, to deliver wireless e-mail and mobile enterprise applications through its Mobile Suite; Socket Communications for its Wi-Fi Companion and SocketScan bar code scanning and RFID applications; and BSQUARE for its SDIO Now! Version 2.x system software technology .

Windows Mobile 5.0 includes code licensed and adapted from the 2.0 version of SDIO Now! software. BSQUARE said SDIO Now! V2.x software offers enhanced functionality and high performance for MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Secure Digital In Out cards.

Related Links:

Gates Introduces Windows Mobile 5.0

Philips Will Help Push Windows Mobile 5.0

Windows Mobile 5.0 Unveiling Expected Today

Dell Promises Windows Mobile Upgrade

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