- April
- Everex announces the Freestyle 540 handheld computer, with color LCD screen and Windows CE operating system. [1559]
- Handheld computer operating system market share: Windows CE 8%. [1185.20]
- (month unknown)
- Hitachi introduces the HPW-200EC handheld computer. It features Windows CE 2.0, 100 MHz SH3 processor, 16 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps modem, and 8.1-inch diagonal 640x240 resolution LCD display. Size is 10 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches; weight is 2 pounds; price is US$699. Operational time on battery power is about 8 hours. [1184.84]
- May 5
- IBM unveils the IBM WorkPad z50 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 64,000-color 8.2-inch LCD screen, NEC MIPS 133 MHz processor, 20 MB ROM, 16 MB RAM, keyboard, 33 kbps modem, 8-hour battery life. Weight is 2.6 pounds; price is US$999. [1559]
- May
- In New York City, Palm Computing introduces the Palm VII Connected Organizer handheld computer. It features 2 MB RAM, and modem. Price is US$599; size is 5.25 x 3.25 x 0.75 inches; weight is 6.7 ounces. Two AAA batteries power the unit for 2-3 weeks. Connectivity via Palm for email and Internet access costs US$9.99 for 50 kB transferred per month, or US$24.99 for 150 kB. [1072.52] [1096.26,40] [1559]
- (month unknown)
- Casio introduces the Cassiopeia E106 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 65,536 color display, stereo sound port, 131 MHz NEC processor, 3 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, optional 56 kbps modem. Price is US$600. [1184.11]
- Sony Electronics introduces the Sony VAIO C1 PictureBook handheld computer. It features digital video camera, 266 MHz MMX Pentium, 4.3 GB hard drive, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98, Zoomed Video PC Card slot, USB port, V.90 modem, 8.9 inch TFT 1024x480 display, Microsoft Works, Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition, Intuit Quicken, Microsoft Money 98. Weight is 2.4 pounds; size is 1.5 x 9.5 x 5.5 inches; price is US$2299. Battery life is about 1.3 hours. Optional external 16x CD-ROM drive costs US$299. [1096.58]
- NEC Computer Systems introduces the NEC MobilePro 770 handheld computer. It features 131 MHz NEC VR4121 processor, 32 MB RAM, 24 MB ROM, 8.1 inch 640x240 16,000 color LCD display, V.90 modem, VGA (800x600 to external monitor), PC Card and CompactFlash slots, Windows CE Handheld PC Professional v3.0. Weight is 1.7 pounds; size is 1.1 x 9.6 x 5.2 inches; price is US$799. Lithium-ion battery life is about 10 hours. [1096.59]
- Casio releases the Cassiopeia E-100 handheld computer. It features131 MHz NEC VR4121 processor, 16 MB RAM, one Type II CompactFlash slot, Windows CE 2.11, 3.1 x 2.4 inch active-matrix TFT 65536-color backlit display, infrared port, microphone, speaker, serial port. Price is about US$500; size is 5.1 x 3.3 x 0.8 inches; weight is 9 ounces. Lithium ion battery powers the unit for 6-8 hours. [1194.43]
- July 19
- Palm Computing introduces the Palm IIIe handheld computer. It features 2 MB RAM, Palm OS 3.1, and reverse backlit LCD touchscreen. Size is 4.6 x 3.8 x 0.8 inches; weight is 5.8 ounces, and it uses two AAA batteries. Price is US$229. [1825.66] [1026.44] [1185.85] [1559]
- (month unknown)
- VTech Information releases the VTech Helio PDA. It features 4 MB RAM, VT-OS 1.1 operating system, microphone, 75 MHz 32-bit RISC processor, 16-shade grayscale display. Price is US$199. [1194.42]
- September 14
- Handspring releases the Handspring Visor Deluxe handheld computer. It features 16 MHz Motorola Dragonball EZ processor, 8 MB RAM, 2 MB ROM, Springboard expansion slot, Palm OS 3.1, 2.1 x 2.1 inch passive matrix 16-shade grayscale backlit display, infrared port, microphone, USB port. Two AAA alkaline batteries power the unit for about two months. Price is about US$250; size is 4.8 x 3.0 x 0.6 inches; weight is 6 ounces. [1194.41] [1249.76] [1236.44] [1826.57]
- September 17
- Compaq Computer unveils the Aero 1530 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 16MB RAM, 14-hour battery life, MP3 audio player, PC Card Type I slot. Weight is five ounces; price is US$299. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- Psion introduces the Psion Revo personal digital assistant. It features 8 MB RAM, 36 MHz ARM 710T RISC processor, 53-key keyboard, 1.5 x 4.5 inch monochrome 480x160 pixel touchscreen, 8 MB ROM, Symbian EPOC32 v5.0 operating system, 19.2 kbps modem. The system operates for about 14 hours on nickel hydride batteries. Size is 0.8 x 6 x 3 inches; weight is 7.8 ounces. [1104.49]
- Psion introduces the Psion Series 7 handheld computer. It features 7.7-inch diagonal touch-screen VGA color display, keyboard, 132.71 MHz Intel StrongARM 1100 processor, 16 MB RAM, Compact Flash Type II slot, Type II PC Card slot, serial port, infrared port, Symbian EPOC32 ER5 operating system. The rechargeable lithium ion battery gives power for about 8.5 hours. Size is 1.5 x 9.2 x 7.1 inches; weight is 2.5 pounds, price is about US$900. [1249.53]
- Compaq Computer introduces the Aero 1500 handheld computer. It features 16 MB RAM, 240x320 resolution 16-grayscale display, Windows CE, Compact Flash Card slot. Power lasts 12-14 hours on a lithium-ion battery. Price is US$349. [1112.119]
- October 4
- Palm Computing launches the Palm VII handheld computer with wireless support in 260 cities throughout the US. The Palm.net network costs start at US$9.99 for 80 transactions, with access to email, Internet messaging, and over 100 content providers. [1559]
- Palm Computing introduces the Palm Vx handheld computer. It is based on the Palm V design, expanding memory from 2 to 8 MB. [1559]
- October 9
- Philips Electronics announces it is discontinuing its line of Nino 200 and 500 handheld computers. [1559]
- October 15
- Handspring begins shipping the Handspring Visor Deluxe handheld computer. [1249.76] (April 2000 [1464.100])
- November 15
- Everex announces it has abandoned plans for the Freestyle 540 handheld computer, and discontinuing its monochrome palm-size computer. [1559]
- November
- Sony announces the Clie PEG S300 handheld computer. It features the Palm OS. [1559]
- Year
- Market share of handheld computers in Europe: Palm 59%, Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer (combined) 18%. [1559]
- Unit shipments of handheld computers during the year: about 5 million. [1827.20] [1840.74]
2000
- January 19
- Transmeta announces a new processor family, code-named Crusoe, compatible with the Intel x86 design, for low-power use in portable computers. The first processor is the 700 MHz TM3120. [1168.146] [1412.137] [1416.62] [1464.94] [1468.46] [1746.102]
- February 22
- Palm Computer introduces the Palm IIIc handheld computer. It features Palm OS 3.5, 8 MB RAM, 20 MHz Motorola Dragonball EZ processor, 256-color active-matrix TFT 160x160 pixel 2.5x2.5-inch screen, docking station. The rechargeable lithium ion battery gives power for about two weeks. Price is US$449; weight is 7.6 ounces. [1258.40] [1416.66] [1559] [1718.42]
- Palm Computer introduces the Palm IIIxe handheld computer, like the Palm IIIx but with 8 MB RAM, for US$249. [1416.66] [1559] [1718.42]
- March 16
- Palm announces it has created a Japanese company to market its handheld computers and operating system in that market. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- Palm Canada introduces the Palm IIIc handheld computer in Canada. Features include color active matrix thin film transistor display, 8 MB memory, Palm OS 3.5, for about CDN$679. [1031.31]
- April 11
- Research in Motion of Canada releases the RIM 957 Wireless Handheld computer. It features Intel 386 processor, 5 MB Flash RAM, built-in keyboard, wireless modem, monochrome screen. Weight is 5.3 ounces; price is US$499. [1231.98] [1559]
- April
- Handspring releases the Handspring Visor Deluxe handheld computer. Price is US$199. [1559]
- April 19
- In New York City's Grand Central Station, Microsoft launches the Pocket PC, a specification for handheld computers. The Pocket PC runs Microsoft Windows CE 3.0, and includes several applications: music player, word processor, Internet browser, and more. [1055.12] [1179.76] [1829.32] [1559] [1897.132]
- Compaq Computer introduces the iPAQ Pocket PC handheld computer. It features 2.25 x 3 inch color screen, USB port, 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, 32 MB RAM, Windows CE 3.0. Expansion packs offer access to PC Cards, flash memory cards, email, music file playing, digital camera, modem, bar code scanner, etc. Basic unit price is $699. [1091.34] [1170.40] [1559]
- Casio introduces the Casio Cassiopeia E-115 handheld computer. It features 131 MHz 64-bit NEC VR4121 processor, 32 MB RAM, 64,000-color 2.3 x 3.0-inch 240x320-pixel display, Type II CompactFlash slot, infrared and serial ports, speaker, microphone, stylus, Pocket PC operating system. The lithium ion battery powers the unit for about six hours. Price is US$599; weight is 9.2 ounces; size is 5.1 x 3.3 x 0.8 inches. [1829.34] [1559] [1637.88]
- Hewlett-Packard releases the HP Jornada 545 handheld computer. It features Windows CE 3.0, 4096-color 240x320 pixel passive matrix display, 16 MB RAM. Size is 5.2 x 3.1 x 0.6 inches; price is US$499. The HP Jornada 548 comes with 32 MB RAM for US$600. [1232.19] [1424.36] [1559]
- (month unknown)
- NEC Computers releases the NEC MobilePro 780 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 640x240 color display, 32 MB RAM, 56 kbps V.90 modem, external monitor port, stylus, and keyboard. Batery life is about eight hours. Price is US$799; size is 9.6 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches; weight is 1.7 pounds. [1637.88]
- May 30
- Palm grants a license to 3Com for the Palm handheld operating system. [1559]
- June 15
- Microsoft releases Windows CE 3.0. It includes better real-time and multimedia capabilities, supports more languages, and is more easily broken up for use in pieces. [1559] [1897.132] (April [1236.44])
- (month unknown)
- Compaq Computer releases the iPaq H3650 Pocket PC handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 32 MB RAM, 206 MHz Intel StrongARM 32-bit RISC processor, 4096-color touch screen display, cradle with USB port, 16 MB ROM. Weight is 6.3-ounces; price is about US$500. [1231.98]
- July
- Market share of handheld computers: Palm 72%, Handspring 25.8%. [1464.100]
- (month unknown)
- Casio introduces the Cassiopeia EM-500 handheld computer. It features 150 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, MultiMediaCard slot, 65,000-color 240x320 pixel TFT LCD display, various Microsoft software. The battery powers the system for about six hours. The case is available in five colors. Price is US$499. [1829.98]
- August 1
- Palm and Claudia Schiffer launch the Palm Vx Claudia Schiffer Edition handheld computer. The device features a blue brushed-metal case, some special software, and will only be sold through the model's Web site. [1559]
- August 7
- Palm introduces the Palm m100 handheld computer. It features 16 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, 2 MB RAM, 2 MB ROM, 2x2-inch monochrome LCD display, and Palm OS 3.5 operating system. Price is US$149. [1179.40] [1412.100] [1559] [1722]
- Palm introduces the Palm VIIx handheld computer. It features 8 MB RAM, Palm OS 3.5. Price is US$449. [1179.40] [1559] [1830.89]
- Palm unveils the Palm Vx Limited Edition handheld computer, a special version of the Palm V, with 8 MB RAM, available in Millenium Blue or Champagne color, for US$399 sold only through the Palm Web site. [1559]
- August 23
- Intel announces the XScale processor for future handheld computers, and demonstrates a processor running at 1 GHz. [1559]
- August
- The first Trojan horse program for a Palm handheld computer is released. [1559]
- August 29
- Sony unveils the Clie handheld computer in New York. It features Palm OS, monochrome display, Memory Stick slot, 8 MB RAM, 8 MB Memory Stick. Price is US$399; weight is 4 ounces. "Clie" stands for Communication Link Information Entertainment. [1559]
- September 21
- McAfee.com and F-Secure researchers discover the first handheld computer virus "Phage", which targets the Palm OS. [1260.198] [1559]
- October 3
- Handspring begins selling its handheld computers in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. [1559]
- October 10
- Diamond Multimedia Systems announces its first handheld computer, the Diamond Mako. It features 16 MB RAM, 36 MHz ARM processor, monochrome display, Epoc OS, optional 56 kbps modem. The computer is based on Psion's Revo Plus hardware and software. Price is US$399. [1559]
- October 16
- Handspring unbeils the Handspring Visor Prism handheld computer. It features a Motorola 33 MHz DragonBall VZ processor, Palm OS 3.5.2H, 16-bit color 160x160 pixel 3.1-inch diagonal screen, and rechargeable lithium ion batteries giving about two weeks use. Price is about US$450, size is 4.8 x 3.0 x 0.8 inches; weight is 7.2 ounces. [1168.50] [1559]
- Handspring unveils the Handspring Visor Platinum handheld computer. It features a Motorola 33 MHz DragonBall VZ processor, Palm OS 3.5.2H, 16 gray shades 160x160 pixel 3.1-inch diagonal screen, and two AAA batteries giving about 4-6 weeks use. Price is US$299, size is 4.8 x 3.0 x 0.7 inches; weight is 5.8 ounces. [1168.50] [1559]
- Year
- Unit shipments of handheld computers during the year: about 9-12 million. [1827.20] [1831.20] [1832.10] [1559] [1840.74]
- Unit shipments of handheld computers in the U.S. during the year: 3.6 million. [1559]
- Market share of handheld computer shipments in the U.S. during the year: Palm 71%, Handspring 14%, Hewlett-Packard 3%, Compaq Computer 2%, Sony under 1%. [1559]
- Market share of handheld computers in Europe: Palm 55%, Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer (combined) 31%. [1559]
- Market share of handheld computer operating systems: Windows CE 16.5%. [1833.44]
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