Hardware vendors roll out Pocket PC devices.(Product Announcement)

MICROSOFT'S LAUNCH of its third version of Windows CE for handhelds, dubbed Pocket PC, went off as planned last week at Grand Central Station in New York. Although fewer hardware vendors than usual were there to support the operating system with products, those that did participate are confident that Microsoft has righted its WinCE ship.

Microsoft President and CEO Steve Ballmer kicked off the launch party, recognizing the early shortcomings of the operating system right off the bat.

"We've had some success, but certainly have not had the ability to inspire and excite consumers," Ballmer said. "We think [Pocket PC] is a quantum leap forward."

At …