Microsoft says that the next generation of smart phones, tablet personal computers, wireless monitors and personal digital assistants (PDAs) it is backing should be available later this year.
Senior director of business management Steve Guggenheimer said the software to drive the devices was close to being completed and should be shipped to hardware manufacturers in time to get products into shops by autumn.
The devices include the Windows-powered Smartphone 2002 and a new Pocket-PC hand-held computer. Both devices offer mobile-phone service, Internet access and organiser features but one is billed as a phone that works as a PDA, while the other is billed as a PDA that can be used as a phone.
International strategy director for the mobile device division Roberto Cazzaro said beyond physical design and size, the devices were almost the same. The main difference would be whether people wanted to carry a PDA or a phone.
Microsoft has an agreement with Samsung and several smaller firms to produce the Smartphones while 26 manufacturers use the Pocket-PC software.
Tablet PCs are being designed in a number of varieties by companies including Acer and Compaq Computer. The devices are about the size of a thick clipboard and the main interface will be handwriting recognition.