A pocket PC is windows based handheld system that can retrieve, store and send email, manage contacts, appointments, tasks, play multimedia files, games, MSN messenger, browse the web and much more.

To be labeled as a Pocket PC the device must:

• Run Windows Microsoft Mobile
• Include a touch screen
• Include a touch pad or a directional pad
• Include a set of application hardware buttons
• Be based on an ARM version 4 compatible CPU

There are also many different versions of this pocket PC but Microsoft’s current release is Windows Mobile 5.0 also called Magneto, officially released on May 10, 2005. Based on Windows CE, different versions of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word have also been released. These two programs can also be found on the new pocket PC known as Excel Mobile and Word Mobile. Both of these programs have also gained many other functions such as tables and graphics in Word Mobile and charts in Excel Mobile. Along with these two programs, Power point Mobile has also been added to the windows based PC allowing users to view power point presentations on this device. Windows mobile 5.0 combines phone edition with professional windows edition into one phone that contains both phone and a PDA capabilities. This device is also compatible with Microsoft Smartphone operating system and running Smartphone applications. This hand held pocket PC serves to organize people’s lives in many ways by providing with a complete organizer and a faster way to get work done. PDAs basically are joined in with this device and often serve as day runners for many people whose lives are interwoven with this pocket PC. This new pocket PC is an ideal companion for many college students as it has many of the Windows based programs and can multitask very efficiently. This new Pocket PC has attracted many fans as some of the newer versions also include WiFi and allow an easy free access to the internet at any place any time. Along with this pocket PC, there are many similar Smart phones that work in a similar manner. One example of such phone is the Treo ; it is a small hand held phone which functions as an organizer and provides its users with similar functions. The palm Treo is unique as it combines the colored OS PDA with a regular sized mobile phone, making it easy to dial a number while doing other stuff, check email, and take pictures.

Pocket PC is a device that integrates Palm and Microsoft Office. While a Palm is an organizer, a Pocket PC is more like a computer and integrates well with Microsoft Office while providing its users with many other options as well.