Overall, I'm really pleased with the improvements that Microsoft has made in Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC. Browser improvements, networking improvements, and the overall operating system speed seems to be a lot snappier. Surprisingly, the e355 with the latest operating system has a perceptible speed increase over the e740 with Pocket PC 2002, despite the fact that the e740 is running at 400Mhz versus the e355's 300Mhz. It seems that the operating system has been optimized for XScale, and the improved PXA255's memory bus speed really makes it scream.

The jury is still out on the networking improvements. The interface may still frustrate networking guru types, but for generic home office users, the networking interface is a drastic improvement. I definitely like the networking connection icon on the top system tray, and I absolutely love the fact that it indicates whether network traffic is present.

Pocket IE 2003 brought my hopes up and then dashed them down slightly. I was totally stoked that it was able to run with my workplace's Outlook Web Access, and loved the fact that it could render pages faster and in a similar visual look to it's big brother (IE 6), but was very saddened that I couldn't access some SSL web sites. I was also surprised to find out that the Mozilla identification string still identifies it as a Pocket Internet Explorer variant, so some sites will either dump you to a WAP version, or a Pocket PC specific one (if it has one).

Windows Media Player didn't disappoint. It handled every .MP3 and .WMV video file that I could throw at it. I even converted some MPEG's into a Windows Media Player 9.0 only format, copied it to the Pocket PC, and played it with zero problems.

The new inbox improvements are fascinating yet unfulfilling. The auto-configuration wizard was nice - providing you have a "generic" email address that conforms to standards. I can't really see the need for the Motorola style quick messages. Until there is a Blackberry-like service available for the Pocket PC, the quick messages are really useless.

I'm most disappointed with the lack of improvements in the Pocket Word and Pocket Excel applications. There has been absolutely zero changes to the core application since the clamshell Handheld PC's running Windows CE 3.0, with only minor improvements like spell check added in recent variants. I don't know why Microsoft insists on converting files and losing the formatting. It's been proven that you can convert a Word or Excel file and not lose the formatting. Microsoft should be able to do the same thing.

There has been questions that have come up about whether or not an upgrade from Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC is necessary. Frankly, I'd say no. I'm actually able to do more with Pocket PC 2002 and some basic "must have" third party applications, like NetFront's browser, CheckPoint VPN for Pocket PC, and VxUtil.

I've had a chance to directly compare Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC on the same platform. Admittedly, I somehow toasted the ROM on an e755. This happened while loading software onto the file store area of the unit using ActiveSync 3.7, and I had to take it back to the retail store I purchased it from. I ended up with an e755 that had Pocket PC 2002 loaded on it. (Note: I since found out that I had to update the USB drivers on the host PC and create the partnership using ActiveSync 3.5 first, then upgrade to 3.7. It's a good thing that I archive ActiveSync versions. The bad thing is that I could have still had an e755 with Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC if I knew about it earlier.)

Disappointed, but willing to try it out (knowing that I'd get a free upgrade from Toshiba), I loaded my standard applications onto the e755 and was just as happy with the speed and snappiness of the e755 on Pocket PC 2002. Admittedly, the memory bus speed increase on the PXA255 may have something to do with it, but there is only a minor perceptible difference in using the same core applications between the two operating systems.

I'm also not surprised that some applications won't work properly in transitioning from Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003. It stands to reason that this will occur - the base level code in the new operating system is derived from Windows CE.NET. Application vendors will have to go through a verification process to make sure that their programs work with it. Many have either done so already or have started to.

If you are purchasing a new Pocket PC, go ahead and get one that has Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003. For the average user, the improvements will more than make up for any of the existing shortcomings.

If you are an existing user of Pocket PC 2002, it's up to you to decide if you want the latest and greatest in operating systems. Just be aware that the improvements may not be up to your expectations, and that the major differences in the OS jump may mean longer than normal delays in the upgrade availability - so be patient.