HAND-HELD PC maker Psion says its latest product outperforms the Microsoft
software that connects competing computers to machines running Windows 95.
In November last year, Microsoft unveiled Windows CE, a cut-down version of
its popular Windows 95 operating system software that fits on hand-held PCs.
Hardware heavyweights Casio, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, LG Electronics
(formerly Goldstar), NEC and Philips have all pledged support for Windows CE.
But last week, British company Psion launched its Series 5 range of hand-held
PCs, claiming they exploit a feature of Windows which CE misses. A CE hand-held
computer is unable to use the Windows Explorer software that comes with Windows
95. This lets a user move files around the PC by using the mouse to drag the
icon that represents it from one storage location to another.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 a bizarre irony,鈥� says Charles Davis, Psion鈥檚 group development
director. 鈥淏ut Windows CE is incompatible with Windows 95.鈥� Instead of using
Windows Explorer to look at the files on a CE hand-held computer, a user must
load additional software called H/PC Explorer.
The Psion Series 5 uses its own operating system called EPOC. This does not
mimic Windows 95, but can still use the drag-and-drop file copying facility.
Psion developed the software using information published by Microsoft to help
software developers write programs that work with Windows 95.
When the Series 5 is connected to a computer running Windows 95, either by
infrared link or serial cable, the PC displays an icon called My Psion alongside
the My Desktop icon. Clicking on My Psion displays the files on the Series 5.
Psion believes the reason Windows Explorer is missing from the CE package is
due to timing. 鈥淐E had to be ready for PC designers before Windows 95 was
finished,鈥� says Charles Davis. 鈥淲e came late but it has turned out to be an
补诲惫补苍迟补驳别.鈥�
Psion is already undercutting the CE camp on price. Hewlett-Packard charges
拢634.50, including VAT, for a CE hand-held computer with 4 megabytes of
memory. Psion鈥檚 Series 5, with 8 megabytes of memory, costs just under
拢500.
