This isn't just an arbitrary decision on the part of a manufacturer. When the software is provided by Microsoft to the manufacturers it's not ready for prime time; there are portions of Windows CE that are actually written by the OEMs. Therefore, it is not a simple matter of just burning new ROMs (i.e., Read Only Memory chips) with the latest software, a manufacturer must also determine if selling the upgrade will cover the cost of developing, distributing, and managing the physical aspects of the upgrade. For example, Philips decided they wouldn't provide a version 2.11 upgrade for the Velo 500, presumably because it wasn't cost effective or there were technical hurdles that got in the way.

So, the hard truth is you can't purchase Windows CE directly from Microsoft. The fact that Microsoft creates an upgrade doesn't guarantee that one will be available for your actual device. As stated earlier, that decision is up to the manufacturer of your device. The upside of this for users is that most manufacturers who do provide upgrades also tend to provide more than just the Microsoft software. Some will include additional RAM with the upgrade, while others will include software from other companies.

Modularity breeds flexibility
We have already seen that there are at least two companies involved with your device. There are, in fact, several different components to what we commonly refer as Windows CE. I've already described the hardware and the Windows CE operating system (consisting of the user interface, some times referred to as the shell, and the kernel, which controls the hardware). The user interface and kernel are modular and can be separated from each other. This enables the kernel to work with different interfaces, such as those of the handheld and palm-sized PCs, or even an audible interface such as that found in the Auto PC.

Pocket applications
So far, I've made no mention of the application software that runs on your device. That's because the Pocket Outlook applications and Pocket Office applications are separate elements from the operating system itself. It's entirely possible for Microsoft to provide Windows CE without any of these applications. You'll find this most evident with the Palm-sized PCs that don't have the Pocket Office applications. A frequently asked question in the newsgroups is, "Where is Pocket Word on my Casio E-11?" The answer is that Pocket Word, or any other of the Pocket Office applications, are not available on the Palm-sized PCs.

Sync or swim
Another key component to Window CE is the communications software that runs on your desktop computer (not your Windows CE device). This software was first called the Handheld PC Explorer, and has been renamed Windows CE Services. You use this software to exchange data between your device and either Microsoft Schedule Plus or Outlook. With this software you can also back up your device, install software and browse the contents of your device. By far the most common problem users have with their device is getting it to communicate with their desktop computer. We'll talk more about this in upcoming articles.