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Microsoft unleashes Merlin

Like the Arthurian wizard, except on a PDA...

By Ben King

Published: 4 October 2001 11:15 BST

Microsoft has launched the latest version of its operating system for handheld computers, codenamed Merlin.

Pocket PC 2002, as it is officially known, is an upgraded version of the operating system used by many popular high-end handheld computers, including Compaq's highly successful iPaq.

Merlin ships today, with devices from iPaq and HP already announced. Toshiba is also entering the handheld market for the first time with two handhelds based around the Pocket PC.

Today, Microsoft will also unveil a range of telephony solutions designed enable the new handhelds to use new telecommunication networks seamlessly.

Merlin includes a virtual telephone dialling pad, which lets users with voice-enabled PDAs to dial numbers straight from their address book and use some other advanced telephony services.

A smart connection manager will choose the most appropriate of the available connections automatically, be it GPRS, GSM, or a wireless local area network.

Merlin includes built-in drivers for 802.11b wireless LAN cards, but not Bluetooth, though Bluetooth devices can be attached.

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