James Niccolai

Microsoft Corp. has moved swiftly to develop a new version of its Pocket PC platform that integrates wireless telephony features into its software for handheld computers. The first gadgets based on the new platform, called Wireless Pocket PC, are expected to go on sale from partners including Hewlett-Packard Co. by the middle of the year, Microsoft officials here said.

Microsoft Corp. has moved swiftly to develop a new version of its Pocket PC platform that integrates wireless telephony features into its software for handheld computers. The first gadgets based on the new platform, called Wireless Pocket PC, are expected to go on sale from partners including Hewlett-Packard Co. by the middle of the year, Microsoft officials said.

BEA Systems Inc. Wednesday announced a partnership with Deloitte Consulting that could make it easier for some customers to roll out BEA's business software and help the vendor compete more effectively with rivals such as IBM Corp. and Oracle Corp., BEA officials said.

Microsoft Corp. chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates previewed new technologies for Windows XP Monday evening that transform the humble PC into a kind of digital control centre, allowing users to access their applications and digital content wirelessly from computer screens and other devices anywhere around the home or office.

Looking to boost its appeal among business customers, Palm Inc. said Wednesday it has agreed to acquire ThinAirApps Inc., a privately held New York company that develops software for providing wireless access to corporate e-mail and other data.

Oracle Corp. will boost support for wireless and voice applications in the upcoming version of its Oracle 9i Application Server, one of several enhancements highlighted by the vendor as it officially launched the product at Oracle OpenWorld last week.

Oracle will boost support for wireless and voice applications and will incorporate new Web portal-building capabilities in the upcoming version of its Oracle 9i Application Server, the company announced at Oracle OpenWorld this week.

Just as it does at this time every year, the focus of the world's technology industry turns to Las Vegas, home of the annual Comdex Fall show that is set to begin next week