KARACHI, Feb 20: At the 3GSM World Congress 2002, Microsoft Corp and Intel Corp announced that they have formed an initiative to develop reference designs for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smart phones.

The reference designs, based on the Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC and Smartphone 2002 software platforms and the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA), will promote the rapid development of next-generation wireless applications and services for consumer and enterprise market segments, says a press release.

In addition, this collaboration will enable wireless device and software companies to expedite the market availability of their respective mobile solutions.

As part of the initiative, Microsoft also announced its support for Intel PCA, a development blueprint for building wireless handheld communications devices that combine voice communications and Internet access capabilities.