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Microsoft OS updates power both types of convergence devices, challenging Palm and Symbian.
Microsoft is teaming with hardware partners to introduce at the GSM World Conference in Cannes, France, a raft of handhelds that combine functions of cell phones and personal digital assistants, running new versions of Microsoft operating systems.
The devices will first appear in Europe, but Microsoft spokesperson Ed Suwanjindar says "we have every intention to bring them to the United States by the end of this year." The convergence devices include PDAs running the Pocket PC Phone Edition OS, which adds mobile phone capabilities to Pocket PC devices; and SmartPhone devices, which are primarily mobile phones with some PDA functions.
These so-called convergence devices, combining functions of PDA and cell phone plus Internet access, are still a small portion of all handhelds sold, says Randy Giusto, an IDC wireless and mobile device analyst. But they are gaining popularity and attention, especially with the rollout of faster wireless networks that promise to...