Because the Handheld PC (H/PC) is designed to be a companion to a Windows-based desktop computer, the shell and core applications for the H/PC look like their counterparts on Windows-based desktop platforms. This similarity provides a solid base of potential customers when a new H/PC application is introduced.
On the OS for the H/PC, users recognize elements made familiar by Windows desktop platforms: a desktop and a taskbar, windows and dialog boxes, menus and controls. These and other elements allow the user to control the H/PC environment.
When designing an H/PC application, all of the principles of good user interface design discussed in the previous chapter apply.