Toshiba Launches New PDAs Powered By Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003

June 23, 2003 - Toshiba's Computer Systems Group (CSG) today announced the Pocket PC e750/755 Series and e350/e355 Series personal digital assistants (PDAs) powered by the new Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs delivering enhanced wireless connectivity and multimedia applications for business users and consumers.

The Pocket PC e350/e355 Series is now available for $299 and the wireless-enabled Pocket PC e750/e755 Series is available for $499.

With the Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs, Toshiba's new PDAs offer greater mobility and productivity with new media and entertainment applications including Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 for Windows Mobile 2003, improved e-mail synchronization and Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) wireless connectivity detection for convenient access to a wireless-enabled public hotspot1. Familiar productivity applications such as Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Outlook are also included.

"Toshiba continues to diversify its PDA offerings with features for the corporate and consumer environment including wireless connectivity, increased expansion capabilities and ample storage capacity," said Oscar Koenders, vice president of product marketing and worldwide product planning. "Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs enhances the PDA experience by incorporating better ways to connect wirelessly and deliver new multimedia applications for the mobile user."

"Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs is an exciting new platform designed to keep PDA users connected and allow them to enjoy new media applications, whether they're at the office or on the road," said Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "Toshiba has embraced the benefits of Windows Mobile 2003 software with its new handheld devices, allowing its customers to maximize the full potential of the PDA as a mobile productivity tool."

Pocket PC e750/e755 Series
Priced at only $499 and designed for the business user and professional consumer, the Pocket PC e750/e755 Series features integrated Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) wireless connectivity allowing users to check e-mail and view files from a public hotspot or other wireless locations1. Complementing Toshiba's drive to develop new voice and data applications with Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) wireless technology, the Pocket PC e750/e755 Series includes voice over IP (VoIP) capabilities through an optional hands-free headset via the integrated headphone/microphone jack (requires additional software, and Internet connectivity).

Maximizing storage management and expansion functionality, the Pocket PC e750/e755 Series offers 96MB of memory, 32MB of which is dedicated NAND flash memory. Files, critical applications or programs stored in the NAND flash memory will remain intact even if the battery of the device runs down or needs to be reset. Integrated CompactFlash II and Secure Digital(tm) (SD) expansion slots are also included for additional storage and data transfer capabilities.

Pocket PC e350/e355 Series
The Pocket PC e350/e355 Series allows users to do more than just simple calendar and address book functionality to manage their busy lifestyle. Combined with the Bluetooth native support of the Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software and the built-in SD expansion slot, users can exchange information wirelessly (via the optional Bluetooth SD card) with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Pocket PC e350/e355 Series customers can also conveniently transfer digital images, video and audio files from any SD-equipped device for added flexibility.

Priced at only $299, the Pocket PC e350/e355 Series is one of the thinnest PDAs in the industry and weighs a mere 5.2 ounces so mobility is never compromised. Adding style with productivity, the new PDA is packaged in an attractive premium graphite casing, designed for the active lifestyle.

Convenient Upgrade to Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Software for Pocket PCs
Toshiba Pocket PC e750/e755 Series customers can take advantage of the benefits of Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs via a technology upgrade program. Users who purchased a Pocket PC e750/755 Series device from May 23, 2003 - Sept 23, 2003 are eligible to upgrade to the new operating system for free plus $15.99 for shipping and handling. Customers who purchased the Pocket PC e750/e755 Series with the Pocket PC 2002 operating system before May 23, 2003 will be able to upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003 for $50.00 (shipping and handling included). Full program details can be found by visiting www.shoptoshiba.com.

SOURCE Toshiba