How long do you want to wait for the latest Windows CE device? Unfortunately, one reader is fed up with the delay. In this installment of our Letters to the Editor column, our reader criticizes the recent "How Windows CE devices are designed and built" article by Chris De Herrera. We also include a response by De Herrera that helps put the issue into perspective.

I am waiting for an order for the Cassiopeia E-100 and E-105. The E-100 was announced on February 2, 1999, and the retailer is now expecting shipment end of June! The E-105 is not even on the map.

What you describe is the normal and everyday process to develop these products and Casio must have done this thousands of times before. They know the complexity and can plan additional time for this.

My opinion is that Casio came out with a product they did not have (vaporware) to attempt to stall some customers from going for the latest Palm device models.

You won't see tears from me for the difficulties Casio (or any other manufacturer) has making their product. You should be writing articles criticizing manufacturers for their inexcusable delay rather than make a feeble attempt at "poor guys - look what they have to go through...".

David Hausmann

Chris De Herrera replies
I'm sorry you are disappointed. My article was about all the Windows CE devices and the announcement dates as well as ship dates, not Casio or any other specific OEM.

The manufacturers are compelled to introduce their products at the same time Microsoft announces the new product category, regardless of when they are expected to ship. The announcement of the E-100 (on Feb 1, 1999, available at http://www.casio.com/corporate/pressdetail.cfm?ID=60) was done for this exact reason. Also, the announcement did not indicate the ship date nor did it say it was available yet. Casio did not announce a ship date for the E-100. The press did, yet you did not mention them as a problem. The decision about the announcement date of the E-105 was up to Casio. I suspect it was delayed to allow for the first shipments to go to Japan as the E-507.

Your problem with your retailer is one of where they are in the supply chain. CompUSA and Best Buy had the first units last week.

As for the timing and complexity of the devices -- this truly does cause problems. Not all OEMs are experts at manufacturing-- they outsource that and have problems from time to time. Do you believe that all things that are done for the first time come so easy?

I will send your comments about Casio to them. They should know what their customers think.

I hope this helps clarify what went on with Casio.

Chris De Herrera