Devices based on Windows CE for Smart Displays should not be confused with those built around Microsoft's Tablet PC, which the company plans to launch on 7 November. Tablet PCs are also portable screens with a pen and handwriting-recognition capabilities, but unlike Smart Display devices, a tablet PC is a fully functional computer. Rosoff sees tablet systems as the larger reason for Microsoft pushing back the release of Windows CE for Smart Displays. "They really want Tablet PC (devices) to be the 802.11b wireless walk-around-the-house device, but there's too much potential sales confusion with Mira," he said. "Tablet PC is more important to them, and they don't want to interfere with it." Fujitsu, NEC, Philips Electronics, TriGem Computer and ViewSonic are among the manufacturers working on Smart Display machines. More than 15 companies have committed to making such systems. The Smart Display devices are expected to sell in the range of $800 to $1,000, depending on whether an 802.11b wireless networking base station is bundled in, Kidd said.
Devices based on Windows CE for Smart Displays should not be confused with those built around Microsoft's Tablet PC, which the company plans to launch on 7 November. Tablet PCs are also portable screens with a pen and handwriting-recognition capabilities, but unlike Smart Display devices, a tablet PC is a fully functional computer. Rosoff sees tablet systems as the larger reason for Microsoft pushing back the release of Windows CE for Smart Displays. "They really want Tablet PC (devices) to be the 802.11b wireless walk-around-the-house device, but there's too much potential sales confusion with Mira," he said. "Tablet PC is more important to them, and they don't want to interfere with it." Fujitsu, NEC, Philips Electronics, TriGem Computer and ViewSonic are among the manufacturers working on Smart Display machines. More than 15 companies have committed to making such systems. The Smart Display devices are expected to sell in the range of $800 to $1,000, depending on whether an 802.11b wireless networking base station is bundled in, Kidd said.




