Microsoft on Monday unveiled the latest version of its handheld operating system, as well as a new brand name for its software for mobile devices.

The new Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC features built-in support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, improved e-mail synchronization, a new imaging application and better video playback. The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant said devices using the software would be available soon from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, ViewSonic and Toshiba, and that Gateway and JVC would launch their first Pocket PCs later this year.

The new umbrella brand -- Windows Mobile -- encompasses Pocket PCs and Smartphones. Microsoft will continue to use the Pocket PC and Smartphone monikers to describe the actual devices, but will now refer to the operating systems for both as Windows Mobile software.

"The goal was to develop a clearly identifiable brand that would speak to the familiar software experience that people would have on these devices," said Ed Suwanjindar, lead marketing manager for the company's mobile devices division. "Overwhelmingly the Windows brand really resonated with them."

Suwanjindar said that in updating the Pocket PC operating system, Microsoft focused on three key technology trends: wireless, e-mail synchronization and multimedia.

Recognizing the proliferation of hotspots and the increasing number of Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled devices, Microsoft leveraged the underlying Windows CE .NET 4.2 operating system to allow easier access to wireless local area networks (WLAN) and personal area networks (PAN). Devices using the new OS will be able to automatically detect and easily connect to Wi-Fi networks.

Suwanjindar said Microsoft was aiming to duplicate the "zero-configuration" WLAN approach of Windows XP. "We have the devices that support Wi-Fi and the networks are there," he said. "The software experience was one area we knew we could improve."

In addition, Microsoft has teamed up with T-Mobile HotSpots, Boingo Wireless and Wayport in an effort to kickstart the use of the devices on Wi-Fi networks. The wireless service providers will offer a 30-day free trial to anyone who purchases a new Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC in the next two months.

To improve the e-mail experience on the Pocket PC, Microsoft added support for over-the-air synchronization of e-mail, calendar and contacts with the upcoming Exchange Server 2003 software. Suwanjindar said that users can choose to have e-mail pushed to the device as messages are received or at scheduled times.