Apple released the Newton in 1993. Palm released the Pilot in March 1996. WinCE/PocketPC was released in November 1996.

Microsoft didn't throw the first party and they didn't throw the party that mattered.

But they were so uncool nobody came, and too proud to go to apple and google's party until quite recently.

They only had a small market share some ten or fifteen years ago. Most people were on Palm and Psion (and Sidekick in the US). They still only have a small share, it's mainly the competition who has changed.

Maybe "touch party" would been a better choice. I know, I used to build MSMQ apps for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile. My GPS app from the early 2000's (1) makes me cringe today and yet still leaves me with fond memories.

(1) https://www.wittenburg.co.uk/Entry.aspx?id=5d4b7d53-a77b-4fa...