NEW YORK - April 19, 2000 - Today in New York's Grand Central Station, Microsoft Corp. announced immediate availability of the Pocket PC and joined industry partners to herald in a new era of truly personal computing. Microsoft President and CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled new Pocket PC designs from hardware partners Casio Computer Company Ltd., Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Symbol Technologies Inc. while putting the devices to the test through demonstrations showcasing their wireless, enterprise and cutting-edge gaming and video capabilities. More than 60 companies showcased their Pocket PC solutions in the launch Partner Pavilion, and executives from TD Waterhouse Investor Services Inc. and SAP AG joined Ballmer on stage to announce how they are using the new Pocket PCs in customer scenarios.

"It's an amazing time in mobile computing, and we're just getting started," Ballmer said. "Technology is innovating at a rapid pace, and the Pocket PC is a great example of how, today, we are bringing the productivity, performance and power of a PC in a pocket-sized device to enable true any-time, anywhere access to information."

Pocket PCs - Available Now

Windows^®-powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and industry partners, are available today online and in consumer electronics and office superstores. Pocket PC prices are set by hardware manufacturers but are expected to range from $299 to $599*, similar to previous Windows-powered units.

Pocket PCs offer customers the best way to connect to their most essential information while away from their desk yet are versatile enough to satisfy the personal needs of those living today's busy mobile lifestyle. Pocket PCs already include a broad range of native business, personal productivity and entertainment applications yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each customer's changing needs through a continually growing number of industry-standard hardware and software expansion options.

"Gartner believes that a platform combination of PIM and business productivity functionality coupled with more entertainment-focused applications will be compelling for corporate customers who use handheld devices," said Michael Gartenberg, vice president and research area director for Gartner Group Inc.

Pocket PCs come with the following software:

• Pocket Outlook. Pocket PCs include a personal information manager (PIM) with calendar, contacts, inbox, tasks and notes and are an ideal companion to the Microsoft^® Outlook^® messaging and collaboration client. Outlook 2000 ships in the box of every Pocket PC sold.
• Pocket Internet Explorer. Pocket Internet Explorer provides the most full-functioning Web browser software available for handheld devices of this type to date.
• Pocket Word and Excel. Pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel provide the most functional and flexible office companion ever delivered on a PDA. Integration between e-mail and attachments enables customers to send and receive messages, manage their e-mail with access to server folders, view and modify attachments, and launch Web pages through embedded URLs.
• Windows Media Player. The Windows Media™ Player is the first portable media player that plays both Windows Media Format and MP3.
• Microsoft Reader. With Microsoft ClearType™ display technology, Microsoft Reader delivers an on-screen computer reading experience that for the first time approaches the convenience and quality of reading text printed on paper.
• Microsoft Money for Pocket PC. Microsoft Money for the Pocket PC acts as a standalone application and synchronizes with the desktop version of Money 2000 to help users keep on top of their finances while on the go.
• Pocket Streets. Pocket Streets lets you take maps with you and includes pushpins for marking favorite locations for easy access.

More information on the Pocket PC and the full range of solutions that are available can be found at http://www.pocketpc.com/.