Symbian demos three Epoc prototypes at CeBIT

NEWS Symbian announced the first of three prototype wireless information devices (WID) which will woo hardware manufacturers into standardising on the Epoc operating system. Unveiled at CeBIT in Hanover today, the project - code-named Quartz - will be a pen-based communicator. It will be followed by other Epoc devices - a smartphone and a keyboard based communicator. The alliance claimed that the communicator would navigate between applications like jotter, contacts, email, fax, SMS and phone. Clearly alliance members - such as Nokia, Ericsson and Psion - will take up the offering, but the reference devices are aimed at those that remain undecided between CE, Palm and Epoc. Tellingly the emulation was demonstrated on a Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook, with touch screen technology. Fujitsu Siemens has been notably absent from this market so far, on the grounds that there is not enough market demand. Robert Hoog, president of research and development at Fujitsu Siemens, admitted there was an "ISV-type relationship" with Symbian, but that he was "reviewing" Siemens' position in the market and "looking at Epoc". Hoog said: "With the relationship between the phone manufacturers, Siemens AG, and Fujitsu Siemens who already have pen operated laptops, we could be in a strong position." He then added: "There may be an announcement later in 2000."