Sprint Debuts Windows Mobile Handheld

NewsFactor Network writes about my latest want-to-have cell phone, Sprint's new Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC phone, the PPC-6700, aka the HTC Apache, that is being targeted at the enterprise as an alternative to the Blackberry and Treo. The Wi-fi and EV-DO enabled device is being distributed by UT Starcom Personal Communications.

Kevin Burden of IDC said, "This is a significant development for Microsoft, which has made available for the first time the next iteration of its Windows Mobile platform. Microsoft has taken Pocket PC and smartphone technologies to the next level and is doing all it can to introduce the new platform in as many form factors as possible,."

"This product from HTC is targeted squarely at RIM and the BlackBerry along with other data-centric products," Burden added. He also noted that Sprint has an opportunity to draw more enterprise customers with the device because "Sprint understands that Microsoft can dominate a market once it gains some momentum."

Yankee Group analyst John Jackson thought the PPC-6700 was "a credible alternative to the BlackBerry" and said, "It's encouraging to see the progress of the Windows Mobile platform, and Microsoft now has the client and server sides coming together."

Decisions, decisions. Do I go with the HTC Apache and its larger form factor and keyboard or wait for something smaller, like the HTC Tornado, in hopes that more enlightened carriers will offer Wi-Fi enabled devices......