• The fourth generation of Handheld PCs will arrive in fall 2000. The Handheld PC has never found a mass market, but it has a niche in mobile data entry applications. The upcoming Handheld PC 2000 offers a built-in Windows Terminal Services client (previously available separately), enabling users to access standard Windows programs, such as Office, running on a server. The new devices run Windows CE 3.0, including the Microsoft Message Queue and DCOM protocols (see "Windows CE 3.0 Leads New Charge Into Embedded Systems" on page 8 of the Sept. 2000 Update). The devices also include an IE 4.0-compatible browser and Windows Media Player. Some models have Smart Card reader slots; as in previous versions, Compact Flash and PC Card slots can connect wired and wireless network cards and modems. Hewlett-Packard, MainStreet Networks (formerly a unit of Vadem), and NEC will offer the devices for around US$1,000. For further information, see www.microsoft.com/mobile/hpc. An SDK is at http://msdn.microsoft.com/code/sample.asp?url=/msdn-files/027/001/448/msdncompositedoc.xml. Information on the Handheld PC's form factor and capabilities is in "Handheld PC Professional ('Jupiter') Announced" on page 18 of the Nov. 1998 Update.