References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 April 22.

1972-1992

1993-1996

1997-1998

1999-2000

2001

2002

2003-end

1997 January Apple Computer CEO Gilbert Amelio says Apple may drop the Newton line of handheld computers. [1593.32] January 31 Hewlett-Packard announces the HP 200LX handheld computer, with 4 MB RAM, priced at US$599. [1559] February 17 Apple Computer unveils the eMate handheld computer. Weight is 4 pounds. [1559] Apple Computer introduces the Newton MessagePad 2000. It features 32-bit StrongARM 162 MHz processor and 5 MB RAM. [1000.45] [1559] (month unknown) Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP 300LX handheld computer. It features 640x240 screen, Windows CE, 2 MB RAM, Type II PC Card slot, stylus, and keyboard. It is 7.2 inches wide. Price is US$499. [1077.47] Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP 320LX handheld computer. It features 640x240 screen, Windows CE, 4 MB RAM, Type II PC Card slot, stylus, and keyboard. It is 7.2 inches wide. Price is US$699. [1077.47] April 7 NEC Electronics announces the 66 MHz 64-bit VR4102 processor for Windows CE devices. It features 4 kB instruction cache, 1 kB data cache, modem emulation, advanced power management, support for many peripherals. Price will be about US$25 in 10,000-unit quantities when shipping in volume in July. [1559] (month unknown) Apple Computer releases the Apple eMate 300. It features 25 MHz ARM 710a processor, 3 MB RAM, 480x320 pixel backlit grayscale screen, Newton 2.1 operating system. Price is US$799. [1134.34] May 19 Hewlett-Packard begins shipping the HP 300LX and 320LX handheld computers. [1559] May 22 Apple Computer announces that it will make its Newton Systems Group a subsidiary company. [739.40] [1206.28] [1559] June 30 Shipments of handheld computers in the US during January to June: 1.4 million. [1559] (month unknown) Xerox files a lawsuit against Palm, claiming that Palm's Graffiti handwriting-recognition technology infringes the Xerox Unistrokes technology. (Palm settles in 2006, paying US$22.5 million.) [2191.12] September 9 Apple Computer announces it will not spin off its Newton Systems Group as it had announced in May. [739.40] [1559] September 23 IBM announces the IBM WorkPad handheld computer. It features 1 MB RAM. Weight is 6 ounces; price is US$399. [1559] September 29 At the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, California, Microsoft releases the Windows CE 2.0 operating system. It includes support for 32-bit color and 16-gray-scale displays, TrueType fonts, Ethernet connectivity, and support for more processors. Code-name during development was Jupiter. [168.55] [1559] (October [1158.102]) (November [1648.53] [1897.131]) (month unknown) Texas Instruments releases the TI Avigo 10 handheld computer. It features stylus, seven buttons, 2 MB flash ROM, 1 MB RAM, Avigo operating system, 3.3 x 2.2 inch 160x240 pixel backlit PCD display, serial and infrared ports. Price is US$199; size is 5.5 x 3.3 x 0.8 inches; weight is 7 ounces. It operates for about 14 hours on two AAA batteries. [1130.68] [1158.124] [1195.202] Nokia introduces the Nokia 9000i Communicator, combining handheld computer, digital cell phone, and fax. It features 4.5 x 1.4 inch LCD screen, QWERTY keyboard, GeoWorks operating system, Intel 24 MHz 386 procesor, and 8 MB RAM. Price is US$850-1000 plus monthly cell phone charge; weight is 14 ounces; size is 6.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches. [1158.116] Psion introduces the Psion Series 5 handheld computer. It features EPOC32 operating system, 5.25 x 2.0 inch 640 x 240 16-shade grayscale LCD display, 8 MB RAM, stylus, keyboard, CompactFlash slot. Two AA batteries power the unit for about 35 hours use. Size is 6.7 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches; weight is 12.5 ounces; price is US$699. [1173.56] [1158.120] 3Com introduces the 3Com PalmPilot Professional handheld computer. It features six buttons and LCD display, stylus, 1 MB RAM, and two AAA batteries giving about ten weeks use. Price is about US$370; weight is 5.7 ounces. [1158.120] Geofox introduces the Geofox-One Professional handheld computer. It features Psion EPOC32 operating system, 33.6 kbps PC Card modem, one Type II PC Card slot, about 25 hour battery life, 6.8-inch diagonal 640x320 monochrome LCD display. Weight is 13.7 ounces; size is 7.4 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches. [1158.114] November 10 Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP 360LX handheld computer. It features Windows CE 2.0, 8 MB RAM, 10 MB ROM, Hitachi 60 MHz SH-3 processor, 640x240 pixel grayscale display. Price is US$699. [1173.57] [1559] November Casio introduces the Cassiopeia A-11 Plus handheld computer. It features Windows CE 1.0, 4.6 x 2.4 inch 480x240 pixel 4-shade grayscale LCD display, 6 MB RAM, stylus, keyboard, PC Card slot, and it runs on two AA batteries. Size is 6.9 x 3.6 x 1.0 inches; weight is 13.4 ounces; price is US$399.95. [1173.56] [1559] At the Fall Comdex show, Philips Mobile Computing Group introduces the Philips Velo 500 handheld computer. It features 16 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, 75 MHz 3.3-volt 32-bit MIPS-based Philips PR31700 RISC processor, two AA batteries or a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack (lasting about 12-15 hours), 6.25-inch diagonal 640x240 pixel 16-shade monochrome LCD display, two Miniature Card slots, 61-key keyboard, 28.8 kbps modem, and Windows CE 2.0. Weight is 15.3 ounces; size is 6.75 x 3.75 x 1 inches; price is about US$640. [1124.56] [1158.112] [1186.60] At Fall Comdex, NEC Computer Systems Division of Packard Bell NEC announces the NEC MobilePro 700 handheld computers. It features 4-gray-scale backlit 7-inch diagonal 640x240 pixel display, Windows CE 2.0; 8 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps fax/modem, two AA batteries lasting about 30 hours, and keyboard. Size is 9.6 x 4.8 x 1.2 inches; weight is 24 ounces; price is US$699. [1158.112] [1173.56] At Fall Comdex, NEC Computer Systems announces the NEC MobilePro 750C handheld computers. It features color 7-inch diagonal 640x240 pixel display, Windows CE 2.0; 8 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps fax/modem, lithium ion battery pack lasting about 11 hours, and keyboard. Weight is 28.8 ounces; width is 9.6 inches; price is about US$1000. [1158.112] At the Fall Comdex, Sharp Electronics announces the Sharp Mobilon HC-4500C handheld computer. It features 6.5-inch 640x240 pixel 256-color LCD touch screen display, 16 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps fax/modem, one Type II PC Card slot, lithium ion battery pack, keyboard, and Windows CE 2.0. Price is about US$1000. [1158.112] [1559] At the Fall Comdex, Sharp Electronics announces the Sharp Mobilon HC-4000 handheld computer. It features 4 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps fax/modem, one Type II PC Card slot, runs on two AA batteries for about 25 hours, keyboard, and Windows CE 2.0. Price is about US$600. [1158.112] At the Fall Comdex, Sharp Electronics announces the Sharp Mobilon HC-4100 handheld computer. It features 12 MB RAM, 33.6 kbps fax/modem, one Type II PC Card slot, runs on two AA batteries for about 25 hours, keyboard, and Windows CE 2.0. Price is about US$700. [1158.112] (month unknown) Apple Computer introduces the MessagePad 2100 handheld computer. It features Newton 2.1 operating system, 4.9 x 3.3 inch 480x320 pixel 16-shade grayscale LCD display, 4 MB RAM, stylus, two Type-II PC Card slots, four AA batteries. Size is 8.3 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches; weight is 1.4 pounds; price is US$999. [1173.56] Palm Computing introduces the PalmPilot professional handheld computer. It features Palm OS 2.0, 3.25 x 2.5 inch 160x160 pixel monochrome LCD display, 1 MB RAM, stylus, two AAA batteries. Size is 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches; weight is 6 ounces; price is US$369. [1173.56] Philips Mobile Computing Group introduces the Velo 1 handheld computer. It features Windows CE 1.0, 4.5 x 2.75 inch 480x240 pixel 4-shade grayscale LCD display, 4 MB RAM, stylus, keyboard, DRAM slot, Flashcard slot, ROM socket slot, 19.2 kbps modem, two AA batteries, rechargeable battery pack. Size is 6.25 x 3.75 x 1.0 inches; weight is 14.8 ounces; price is US$399.99. [1173.57] Sharp Electronics introduces the ZR-3500X handheld computer. It features Synergy operating system, 2.25 x 3.5 inch 320x240 monochrome LCD display, 2 MB RAM, stylus, keyboard, 14.4 kbps modem, two AA batteries. Size is 6.3 x 3.5 x 1.0 inches; weight is 11.8 ounces; price is US$399. [1173.57] Apple Computer introduces the Apple MessagePad 2100 handheld computer. It features Newton 2.1 OS, 8 MB ROM with various applications, 4 MB DRAM, 4 MB flash RAM, optional 2-4 MB flash PC Cards, two Type II PC Card slots, 16-shade 4.9 x 3.3 inch display, four AA batteries, and a stylus. Weight is 22.4 ounces; size is 1.1 x 4.7 x 8.3 inches; price is about US$1150. [1158.103] Casio introduces the Casio Cassiopeia A-20 handheld computer. It features Windows CE 2.0, 8 MB RAM, 8 MB ROM, 6.2-inch wide 640x240 pixel 4-gray-scale display, keyboard, serial port, Type II PC Card slot, Compact Flash card slot, and two AA batteries or litium ion battery pack. Price is about US$600; weight is 15.2 ounces. [1158.108] Year Shipments of handheld computers in the US for the year: 2.4 million. [792.28] [890.9] [1814.28] [1643.28] (3.1 million [839.28]) (2.6 million [945.232]) Market share of handheld computers in the US during the year: PalmPilot 41%. [1643.28] Worldwide shipments of handheld computers for the year: 5.5 million. [945.232] Shipments of Windows CE devices during the year: 430,000. [1428.146] Worldwide shipments of PalmPilot handheld computers for the year: about 350,000. [890.9] (1 million [1559]) Market share of handheld computers in the world during the year: Philips Electronics 2.9%. [1559] 1998 January At the Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft announces the Palm PC handheld computer, running Windows CE 2.0. Code-name during development was Gryphon. [1158.28] (month unknown) To date, about 500,000 Windows CE devices have been shipped. [1444.46] February Sony announces it will introduce a PDA in Japan by the end of the year. It will feature: ARM7T 32-bit RISC processor, 2 kB SRAM, 128 kB Flash RAM on PlayStation memory card, 32x32 dot monochrome LCD display, 4-bit PCM sound, five button controls, infrared communications. Price will be about US$20-30. [1540.26] Apple Computer ceases development of its Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products. [768.6] [1886.71] (month unknown) 3Com introduces the Palm III handheld computer. It features Palm OS 3.0, 2 MB RAM, 2 MB ROM, infrared port, 2.4 x 2.4 inch 160 x 160 pixel backlit LCD monochrome touch-screen display, serial port, stylus, six buttons. Size is 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches; weight is 5.7 ounces; price is US$399. [1815.61] [1816.50] [1195.202] March Handheld computer market share: 3Com (Palm) 59%, Sharp 17%, HP 13%. [839.28] January-March Handheld operating system market share from January to March: Palm OS 67%, Windows CE 18%. [1444.147] (month unknown) Everex Systems releases the Everex Freestyle Executive A-20 handheld computer. It features stylus, four front and nine side buttons, 8 MB RAM, 8 MB ROM, Windows CE, 3.1 x 2.4 inch 320x240 pixel backlit LCD display, microphone, serial and infrared ports, one CompactFlash slot, 33.6 kbps modem. Price is US$499; size is 4.7 x 3.1 x 0.6 inches; weight is 5.9 ounces. It operates for about 10 hours on AAA rechargeable batteries. [1195.202] Philips Mobile Computing Group releases the Philips Nino 300 handheld computer. It features stylus, six side buttons, 4 MB ROM, 4 MB RAM, Windows CE, 3.0 x 2.2 inch 320x240 pixel backlit LCD display, microphone, speaker, serial and infrared ports, 19.2 kbps modem, one CompactFlash slot. Price is US$399; size is 5.5 x 3.4 x 0.8 inches; weight is 7.3 ounces. It operates for about ten hours on two rechargeable batteries. [1195.202] Casio releases the Cassiopeia E-10 handheld computer. It features stylus, four front and three side buttons, 8 MB ROM, 4 MB RAM, NEC VR4111 MIPS RISC processor, Compact Flash slot, Windows CE 2.0, grayscale 3.1 x 2.4 inch 320 x 240 pixel backlit LCD touchscreen display, microphone, speaker, serial and infrared ports, one CompactFlash slot. Price is US$399; size is 4.8 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches; weight is 6.6 ounces. Two AAA batteries power the unit for 10-25 hours. [1816.48] [1195.202] [1817.79] [1427.80] Hewlett-Packard releases the HP 660LX handheld computer. It features Windows CE 2.0, 32 MB RAM, 56 kbps PC Card modem, 640x240 pixel 6.4-inch diagonal 256-color display, docking station75 MHz RISC processor, 10 MB ROM, CompactFlash slot, Type II PC Card slot. The lithium-ion battery powers the unit for 5-6 hours. Price is about US$1000, weight is 21.2 ounces, size is 1.4 x 7.8 x 4.1 inches. [1639.56] 3Com begins shipping the Palm III handheld computer. The Palm III features 2 MB RAM, two AAA batteries allowing use for 6-8 weeks. Weight is about 6 ounces. Price is US$399. [942.76] [1110.56] Sharp Electronics releases the Mobilon HC-4500 handheld computer. It features 640x240 pixel 256-color 6.5-inch diagonal screen; 75 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, 33.6 kbps modem, NiMH rechargeable battery, PC Card slot, Windows CE 2.0. Size is 3.8 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches; weight is 17.6 ounces. [1186.59] Compaq Computer releases the C-Series 2015C handheld computer. It features 6.5-inch diagonal 256-color 640x240 pixel screen, 65 MHz processor, 20 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, 33 kbps modem, PC Card slot, NiMH battery, Windows CE 2.0. Size is 3.93 x 7.32 x 1.61 inches; weight is 15.2 ounces; price is US$900. [1186.59] LG Electronics releases the Phenom Ultra handheld computer. It features 8.25-inch 256-color 640x240 pixel screen, 100 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, 12 MB ROM, 33.6 kbps modem, Lithium Ion battery, PC Card slot, Compact Flash slot. Size is 10 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches; weight is 1.87 pounds; price is US$900. [1186.60] NEC Computer Systems releases the MobilePro 750C handheld computer. It features Windows CE 2.0, 8-inch 256-color 640x240 pixel touch screen, keyboard, 33.6 kbps modem, PC Card slot, Compact Flash card slot, 78 MHz processor, 16 MB ROM, and 16 MB RAM. The system operates for about eight hours on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Size is 5.4 x 9.6 x 1.2 inches; weight is 1.8 pounds; price is US$899. [1096.59] [173.76] [1186.59] [1818.25] Psion releases the Psion Series 5mx handheld computer. It features EPOC operating system, 36 MHz ARM 710T RISC processor, 16 MB RAM, CompactFlash card slot, infrared port, keyboard. Price is about US$500. [1194.64] Everex releases the Freestyle Manager A-15 handheld computer. It features 8 MB RAM, 4-shade grayscale display, Windows CE. Price is about US$400. [1816.49] Philips releases the Nino 312 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 4-shade grayscale backlit display, 8 MB RAM, docking station, CompactFlash slot, rechargeable battery. Price is about US$460. [1816.49] Sharp Electronics releases the SE-300 handheld computer. It features 1 MB Flash memory, one AA battery. Price is about US$180. [1816.50] September 8 Franklin introduces the Rex Pro handheld computer. It features 512 kB RAM, LCD screen, six navigation buttons, docking station, case, nd can plug into a PC Card slot to transfer data. It weighs 1.4 ounces, fits in a wallet, and is priced at US$229.95. The unit was jointly developed by Citizen and Motorola. [1559] October 2 Casio introduces the Cassiopeia E-11 handheld computer. It features backlit LCD display, 8 MB memory, 4 MB ROM, serial port, Windows CE 2.0, microphone, speaker, and docking cradle. Price is US$399. [1559] October 8 Microsoft announces Windows CE Handheld PC Professional Edition 3.0 hardware reference design, based on Windows CE 2.11. Code-name during development was Jupiter. [890.41] [1559] [1819.171] November Worldwide personal electronic companion market share: 3Com Palm Computing 72%. [1185.22] (month unknown) Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP Jornada 820 Handheld PC. It features a StrongARM SA-1100 processor, 8.2-inch diagonal 256-color LCD display, 16 MB RAM, V.90 modem, VGA port, USB port, keyboard, and Windows CE. Weight is 2.6 pounds; price is about US$1000; size is 9.5 (wide) x 1.3 (thick) inches. [1169.149] LG Electronics introduces the LG Phenom Express handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 7709R processor, 8.2-inch LCD touch screen, 32 MB RAM, V.90 model, keyboard, and Windows CE. Weight is 1.9 pounds; price is about US$900. [1169.152] Sharp introduces the Sharp Mobillon Pro PV-5000 handheld computer. It features a MIPS 3922 processor, 8.2-inch LC touch screen, 16 MB RAM, keyboard, Type II PC Card slot, IrDA port, and Windows CE. Weight is 2.7 pounds; price is about US$900. [1169.157] Nadem introduces the Vadem Clio handheld computer. It features a NEC VR4 III MIPS 4000 processor, 9.4-inch LCD touch screen, 16 MB RAM, keyboard, stylus, Windows CE, IrDA port, PC Card slot, CompactFlash slot. Weight is 3.2 pounds; price is about US$1000; size is 11.3 x 8.8 x 1 inches. [1169.157] Royal Consumer Business Products introduces the Royal daVinci PDA. It features 256 kB RAM. Size is 5 x 3 inches; price is about US$100. [1169.60] December Palm Computing announces the Palm VII handheld computer. [938.137] [1559] [1703.53] October-December Handheld operating system market share from October to December: Palm OS 69%, Windows CE 20%. [1444.147] Best-selling handheld computer in the US during October to December: 3Com Palm III. [1444.147] Year Handheld computer operating system market share for the year: Palm OS 41%, Windows CE 25%, EPOC 13%. [1185.22] [1559] Market share of US mobile computers for the year: 3Com Palm 40%. [1820.29] [1559] Worldwide shipments of handheld computers for the year: 3.988 million. [1814.28] [1821.18] [1822.7] Installed base (worldwide) of handheld computers: 8.2 million. [1821.18] Market share of handheld computers in the world during the year: Palm Computing 40%, Philips Electronics 4.4%. [1559]