Prior to ending development last year, the company offered its Microsoft Reader software for about a decade -- first on handheld devices using Windows CE and Windows Mobile and later on desktop Windows.

ENGADGET: Switched On: Competing by hook or by Nook

Net platform, which aims to fulfill a "software as a service" vision: namely, Windows-based cards powering mobile phones -- not considered a good fit for Windows CE -- and Pocket PCs that are connected to Exchange servers.

CNN: Microsoft pushes smart cards