(2002-11-20) Wireless P D As

Ephraim Schwart thinks Microsoft's control of MsOffice file formats will lead to its "owning" the connected-PDA market. How far a step is it from an IT manager listening to vendors claim compatibility with MsOutlook, MsWord, and MsExcel to that manager taking the easy way out and just specifying the Pocket P C versions of those applications, rather than fiddling with third-party solutions?... Yes, one vendor, one solution is a danger. It stifles innovation and allows the winner to say, "My way or the highway." But I'm wondering what the consensus is in the real world. Where is the balance between "If it works, it's for me" and "I'd rather struggle a bit and keep things more open"?

On the other hand he notes that PalmOS is getting some partnership activity from IBM/BEA to help Palm be a Rich Client for enterprise applications, maybe via Web Services. I think Palm has always neglected the developer side of things. I wonder whether the Java MIDP is really viable?