Pocket PC for Not Yet Techies

Pocket PC is a Microsoft handheld computer with an amazing amount of applications. Although most computers continue to be relatively large CPUs that sit on our desktops, many of us want or need some computer power while we're away from our desktops. Pocket PC is no doubt only the beginning of this process of moving computers from our desktops into our daily lives.

Pocket PC is targeted primarily to the business market, however, since the obvious applications do apply more for businesses, at least until prices come down a lot. You can wait until you get home to read your personal email, but your company wants you to immediately know that your next meeting has been cancelled by the client, so you can work on that overdue report or maybe spend some time cold calling.

Pocket PC runs the Windows CE operating system and contains small versions of Win apps -- Pocket Office with Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. Make some appointments while attending those business meetings on the road? Input that to Pocket Outlook immediately -- when you return to your office you use ActiveSync Partnership Wizard to update the Outlook program on your desktop pc.

You can also use Pocket PC to create databases and store contact or other information, perhaps about your clients. Have time to work on your personal finances? Use Pocket Money to keep track of your on the road expenses.

Use Notes to jot down ideas or information - using the hand writing mode which you can later convert to text or type text yourself.

When you have a moment to relax, use Windows Media Player to listen to MP3 or WMA formatted music files.

Although there are technical differences in all those terms, what they add up to is that computers are becoming ever more present in our lives. Some we won't even think about, such as those in our automobile engines. We won't know about the cameras recording our excessive driving speed until we get the ticket in the mail.

Pocket PC is one more step toward connecting us all.

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