The two most common processor types for devices are the SH3 and MIPS. Many software archives such as CE Monster (at http://www.cemonster.com) provide links for the different processor types. Most software comes with installation programs that automatically detect which processor your device has and installs the correct version, but if for some reason you install a program and it does not run, verify that you are installing the version that's for the processor in your device. Incidentally, some programs have Handheld and Palm-sized PC version, so be sure you download the version for the type of device you have.

The shortage of software for the HP Jornada 820 was caused by the fact that while Microsoft provided beta versions of the development tools that supported the StrongArm, there were restrictions prohibiting the developer from selling software written using that version. Once the final versions of those tools became available, the software vendors were able to recompile their programs for the StrongArm and make them available to users. To date, the Jornada 820 is the only Windows CE device that has the StrongArm processor.

Yet more upgrades
Some manufacturers of version 2.0 devices are providing upgrades for their devices. I have information about which manufacturers have upgrades on my Web site at http://www.fmcpherson.com/knowce/where/where2.htm.

This bring us to the newest model of Windows CE devices. In the last few months, Microsoft and the hardware manufacturers introduced the Wyvern class of the Palm-sized PC. The significant addition with Wyvern is the support of color. The HP Jornada 420 is the first device out the door and available for consumers. Aside from the color screens, these devices came with no changes to the pocket applications, which are still at version 2 for these devices. The core operating system is version 2.11.

Figuring it all out
After reading all of this, you may conclude that the Windows CE devices are a little like automobiles. It seems that every fall a new model is introduced and with online auction sites and classified ads, there's even a market for used devices, just like there are used cars. Therefore even when Windows CE 3 (the real one, the core services 3.0) is released, we'll see version 1 devices. Table A summarizes all of the different versions of Windows CE.

Microsoft is currently working on upgrades for both Windows CE Services and Windows CE. The upgrade to Windows CE Services has the original code name of Xena and promises to significantly improve the communications between your device and desktop computer. An upgrade to Windows CE for the Palm-sized PC is known as Rapier and there have been reports that this version will simplify the user interface for these devices. We don't know what the version number of Rapier will be since Windows CE version 3.0 itself has been most commonly referred to with the code name Cedar. As more public information for these upgrades becomes available we'll provide them here in Windows CE Power Magazine.