NEW YORK - April 19, 2000 - Today at the Pocket PC launch event in New York's Grand Central Station, Microsoft Corp. introduced Pocket PC Expansion Packs, which use industry-standard CompactFlash (CF) cards and software to easily extend the capabilities of Pocket PC devices. Two initial Pocket Packs are available today, with dozens of additional CompactFlash solutions for memory, networking, digital cameras and more already available. The Fun Pocket PC Expansion Pack will be available for free to customers who buy a Pocket PC this year and includes more than 20 applications, including Pac-Man for Pocket PC, which looks, sounds and plays just like the original arcade game. The E-mail Pocket PC Expansion Pack from Pretec Electronics Corp. facilitates sending and receiving e-mail while on the go.

"Microsoft has always designed Windows^®-powered mobile devices to grow with users needs, through both software and industry-standard CompactFlash hardware," said Rogers Weed, director of marketing in the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft. "Pocket PCs continue this tradition. Pocket Packs, which will be available from Microsoft as well as from software and hardware partners, are designed to simply let customers take full advantage of the expandability of the Pocket PC."

Packed Full of Fun

The Fun Pack has an estimated retail price of more than $75* and is available for free to customers who purchase a Pocket PC this year. The Fun Pack includes a 4MB CF card and a CD-ROM with more than 20 games and applications including the new colorful and fun Pac-Man for Pocket PC game; the Primer PDF Viewer from Ansyr Technologies; Pocket Artist LE from Conduits Technologies so users can draw, edit and view photos and images; and CoolCalc from Applian Technologies, which includes three advanced calculators including a scientific calculator. Customers can order the Fun Pack at http://www.pocketpc.com/ using the product key located in the Resource Guide that comes in every Pocket PC box.

Companies contributing content to the Fun Pack include Ansyr Technology Corp., AnyWerx, Applian Technologies Inc., Audible.com, BSQUARE Corp., Conduits Technologies Inc., Developer One Inc., FieldSoftware Products, The Five Points Band, Ilium Software, Laridian Inc., oppsdreams software inc., Pretec Electronics Corp. and Zio Interactive Inc.

Keeping in Touch Was Never Easier

The E-mail Pack from Pretec includes a 56K Type I CompactFlash modem. By purchasing the E-mail Pack, customers can easily dial up to access the Internet or their corporate and personal e-mail when away from their desks from any standard telephone line. The E-mail Pack will be priced at an introductory rate of $99* (while supplies last) and can be purchased at the Pocket PC eStore at http://estore.beyond.com/pocketpc/ and at retailers including CompUSA Inc., Circuit City Stores and MobilePlanet Inc.

CompactFlash is an industry standard that has been used in Microsoft^® Windows-powered mobile devices since their initial introduction in January 1998. CompactFlash is a versatile expansion standard that can function both as a storage medium and an input/output card for add-ons such as digital cameras, fax/modem, GPS module and barcode scanners. More information on CompactFlash solutions for the Pocket PC can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsCE/Products/Tips/cfproducts.asp.

Windows-powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and industry partners, 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 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.