by Kenji Maruo

On March 11, Microsoft announced the long-anticipated market release of its Japanese-language Windows CE 2.0 operating system (OS). On the same day, NEC, Hitachi, and Hewlett-Packard Japan announced their new-generation CE 2.0-based handheld personal computers. All three makers have introduced models featuring 256-color, 640x260-pixel STN LCD screens and finger-friendly kana/alphanumeric keyboards; the NEC and Hitachi handhelds include built-in 14.4K-bps faxing and 33.6K-bps modem capability. (Compaq Japan and Casio Computer also announced CE 2.0 handheld PCs, but model details were unavailable at press time.)

The announcement of CE version 2.0's release came nine months after Microsoft Japan's June 1997 release of Windows CE 1.0. Version 1.0 had little market success, however; hardware makers complained that the Japanese product was functionally inadequate, and only NEC and Casio released products running Japanese-language Windows CE 1.0. The newer version has many functionality enhancements, which made developing Windows CE 2.0 "much more difficult than the former version," says Bill Mitchell, director of Microsoft's mobile electronics products unit.

Hewlett-Packard and Hitachi have been selling Windows CE-based handheld PCs in the North American market since November 1996 and April 1997, respectively. Neither released a Japanese market CE handheld, however, because Japanese Windows CE 1.0 offered minimal functionality (gray-scale-only display and poor kanji font support) and was only partially compatible with desktop Windows systems.

While NEC did release some Japanese CE 1.0-based handheld models last year, an NEC spokesperson (who asked not be identified) admits that, "Due to poor performance, our Mobile Gear products with Windows CE 1.0 have not been selling well." NEC will continue to sell its CE 1.0 handheld products in addition to the new models, however, "because there are still many potential customers who want the former models just for mobile communications," says Yoichi Kataoka, executive manager of NEC's mobile systems.

Enhanced functionality
Unlike CE version 1.0, Japan's computer makers are generally positive about Windows CE 2.0. Support by Hitachi is an especially significant step. "Having another RISC processor maker, Hitachi, join our circle alongside NEC strongly reinforces our system. The presence of these manufacturers is a vote of confidence," says Makoto Naruke, president of Microsoft Japan.

The announced new models from Hitachi, HP, and NEC all come with Microsoft's Pocket versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet Explorer preinstalled. Thanks to the range of applications and the new color display and TrueType kanji font support of Windows CE 2.0, "the conformity between handheld PCs and Windows-based desktop computers is much improved," notes Takeshi Morishita, a senior manager in NEC's personal workstation division. Handheld PC users can now prepare a presentation with VGA output, display zoomed or divided windows of text or data, view websites in color, and easily transfer files or e-mail with embedded image and voice data.

Microsoft's ActiveSync, which is also preinstalled in the handhelds, enables mobile professionals to quickly synchronize data files (between one handheld and two Windows desktop PCs, or between several handheld PCs and one Windows-based desktop). ActiveSync supports serial, infrared (IrDA interface), Ethernet LAN, network dial-up RAS (remote access services), and direct dial-up (modem) connections.

NEC Mobile Gear II
The first Japanese Windows CE 2.0 handheld PCs to reach the market were NEC's MC-R500 and MC-R300 on March 20. Part of NEC's Mobile Gear II series, the former model has an 8.1-inch color display while the latter is a 7.3-inch monochrome display model. Both models are based on NEC's own 64-bit VR4111 RISC processor (200 MHz) and feature high-speed processing, low power consumption, a large-size keyboard (16.5 mm key- pitch), and one-touch e-mail.

The MC-R500 can operate for up to 8 hours (3.5 hours of continuous communication) with its rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The MC-R300 can operate for up to 3 hours (1.5 hours of continuous communication) on a pair of AA alkaline batteries.

The Mobile Gear II models have expanded communications capabilities. NEC's own MG Mail software ensures secure communication via a "callback function." When a Mobile Gear II user connects to a supported PC-LAN mail-linking office environment gateway -- including StarOffice, Lotus cc:Mail and Notes, and Microsoft Mail -- or NAS (Network Access Server), callback by the mail gateway or NAS confirms the identity of the Mobile Gear user. MG Mail also enables sending/receiving of multiple file attachments in MIME (Base 64) format as well as connection to multiple Internet service providers or intranets. Moreover, the Mobile Gear II newly features an MG Voice Recorder for transmitting voice data files with MG Mail. NEC will market handheld PCs as an important element of corporate information systems, according to Kataoka.

The Mobile Gear II MC-R500 is priced at \120,000, while the MC-R300 sells for \94,000.

Hitachi Persona
Hitachi was scheduled to launch its Persona (HPW-200JC) color handheld PC on April 20. Priced at \138,000, it features an 8.1-inch color screen and large keyboard (16.5 mm keypitch) for efficient input. Based on Hitachi's 32-bit SH-3 RISC processor (100 MHz), the Persona offers "speed, viewability, and keyboard-friendliness," according to Hitachi's PR office. A Quick Start key enables a program or PIM (personal information manager) to be started with a single stroke -- a definite plus for mobile users who need to frequently check specific data or appointments.

The Persona is equipped with a PDC (personal digital cellular phone)/PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) data communications interface and 33.6K-bps modem as standard. Performing remote data exchange is as simple and quick as connecting a cable to a phone. E-mail capability extends to Lotus cc:Mail and Groupmail (part of Hitachi's Groupmax integrated groupware). Unfortunately, the Persona does not support ISDN connections, even though ISDN public telephones are so common throughout Japan. The Persona can also be employed as a commercial-use terminal by utilizing Hitachi's system-integrative sale capabilities.

Hewlett Packard HP 620LX
Palo Alto-based Hewlett Packard has long experience in developing and marketing programmable calculators and DOS-based palmtops. Its HP 300 series holds the largest share (33%) of global Windows CE-based unit sales, according to Dataquest. HP's Japanese subsidiary will introduce the color handheld HP 620LX (Japanese-language version) in late May, and the company expects to sell some 70 thousand units in the first year. Marketing of the HP 620LX stresses a "3C" concept: "Capture" (of multimedia information), "Companion" (bidirectional data exchange and synchronization with desktop PCs), and "Convenience" (ease of operation). Convenience is a key feature -- the new model weighs just 586 grams (including battery) and measures 198x104x36 mm, making it the lightest and smallest among the newly announced handheld PCs (including even NEC's monochrome display model). The HP 620LX features seven-hour battery life and quick performance for launching programs. It is particularly suited to developing commercial-use terminal applications by using such tools as Microsoft Visual C++ and Visual Basic, according to HP Japan's Akiko Kanayama, manager of the palmtop business, personal systems group.

As of press time, the price of the HP 620LX had not been set.

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