SemperAptus.com - AOL becomes Pocket PC compatible again! (Newstream)

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AOL becomes Pocket PC compatible again!
by Custos, the SemperAptus.com spy

In 2001, America Online made quite the stir by dropping the nearly completed AOL v2.0 for Pocket PC. This feature packed version included mail with file attachments, instant messaging and full TCP/IP functionality for web browsing. According to sources inside AOL that contacted us, the last build in testing was a "release candidate," meaning it was fully tested for bugs and ready to be provided to the public.

This month, AOL has re-released the test version for the Hewlett-Packard Jornada 560 series. Because the new Jornada line switched processors and has a considerable number of new features in Pocket PC 2002, AOL is retesting the product for a future release.

NOT EVERYTHING AT AOL IS POCKET PC FRIENDLY

Obviously our biggest question is whether AOL will support the new Compaq and Casio Pocket PC 2002 lines. There is no mention of either platform in the testing but moreover, our source also reported that the previous test version included support for the HPC 2000 ARM based units, like the Jornada 720 (currently AOL Mail 1.0 does not work on any of the HPC 2000 units). And what about the first generation Pocket PCs? As an additional nail in the coffin for PDAs, our source added that the company is redesigning the popular AOL.com site using technologies which will not work on any PDA based browser. AOL has known for over a year that their current AOL.com site does not work well with PDAs either.

To explain this anti-PDA sentiment, our source pointed the finger at Lisa Hook, who became President of the AOL Anywhere group in 2001. Reportedly at her urging, AOL seems to be focusing on mobile services in which they get a cut of the profits, such as deals reached with Cellular providers, AOL Mobile Communicator, and OmniSky, and perhaps abandoning support for PDA users in order to try to force them to these pay services.

Obviously that tactic hasn't worked that well, since they're now preparing the latest version of the software for the HP Jornada.

Do you have Arcanum Indicium (secret information)?

Send an E-mail to custos@semperaptus.com. He'll keep your identity private and hold the information until the date and time you request.

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