Toshiba and ASUS Confirm Windows Mobile SE Updates for U.S.

Toshiba and ASUS have officially stated that they will release in the U.S. Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition updates for their Pocket PC models.

Toshiba

On the day Microsoft unveiled Windows Mobile SE, a French web site was told by Toshiba that it would soon release operating system updates for its current line of Pocket PCs. However, until now, there has been no confirmation of this from Toshiba here in the U.S.

A company spokesperson has sent the following message to Brighthand:

The updates will be free and available on Toshiba's website at www.toshiba.com. I'm not sure of the timing yet, but a notice should be posted on the website explaining more soon.

The French web site PocketPCParadise was told by Toshiba to expect a Windows Mobile SE update for the e805 in May. A version for the e405 is expected in June. It seems reasonable to expect these to be released in the U.S. at about the same times.

ASUS

According to Justin O'Dea from PROPortable, the largest retailer of ASUS handhelds in the U.S., there will be a Second Edition update released for the MyPal A716. Mr. O'Dea said this will probably be available in June.

ASUS has not yet made a decision about whether a Second Edition update will be available for the MyPal A620 models. The upcoming A730 will be released with the latest version of the operating system pre-installed.

Other Pocket PC Makers

None of the other Pocket PC licensees have committed to releasing Windows Mobile SE updates.

HP hasn't officially said anything yet about its plans, but an unconfirmed report said it will release updates for some, but not all, of its current handhelds.

Dell has announced that it won't release any updates for current models.

More information about other Pocket PC licensees' plans for Windows Mobile SE can be found in this article.

Related Links

• An Overview of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition