E550G Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 upgrade

On June 23rd, 2003 Microsoft Corporation announced the release of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, a new OS and application suite for Pocket PC handheld computing devices. Nearly all Pocket PC manufacturers, HP, Dell, Toshiba, Asustek, Fujitsu Legend, and Viewsonic have all announced upgrades for their older devices. Unfortunately, Toshiba Corporation and its US distributors Audiovox and CompUSA have neglected to offer Windows Mobile OS upgrades for the Genio e550G Pocket PC. The e550G is a high-end Pocket PC 2002 computing device priced at the top-end of the Pocket PC 2002 device range. Why should Genio e550G Pocket PC computers be upgraded to Windows Mobile? Microsoft sums up the benefits of Windows Mobile upgrades on their web site:

Why upgrade your Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC?
Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC builds on Microsofts thought leadership for mobile devices, ushering in a new operating systems that improves the wireless experience, enables great messaging and extends the media experience. Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC enhances your ability to communicate and to send, receive and manage data while mobile. With additional security, an improved Pocket Internet Explorer, a new picture-viewing application, a new version of Windows Media Player and enhancements to the core personal information management functionality, this new version of Pocket PC offers a rich and powerful user experience.

Microsoft then goes on to discuss what Pocket PC 2002 devices are upgradeable to Windows Mobile technology.

Technically, all Pocket PC 2002 devices are capable of supporting the new Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC.

So it is correct to say that Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 offers significant benefit to the user and is capable on running on older Pocket PC 2002 devices via a software upgrade.

Without upgrades from Toshiba and support from Audiovox and CompUSA, users are relegated to purchasing brand new Windows Mobile for Pocket PC devices at great expense. Unfortunately the unique features of the Genio e550G are not available in any other Pocket PC device on the market today, making such a replacement impossible. As such, we users of Genio e550G computing devices are requesting that Toshiba, Audiovox, and CompUSA offer a reasonable commercial Windows Mobile for Pocket PC upgrade service or software package for the Genio e550G handheld computer.