I do not know if this was true or a silly fantasy, but there are rumors that next to us there is another universe - a parallel to the board and we are still not fully understood. Personally, I believe at once, although on the face of the professor, from whose lips I heard this news, look for suspicious alcoholic puffiness. However, to develop the theme of other worlds, we will not, as aforesaid above professor, convinced me of the existence of other-worldly reality, he immediately began to argue heatedly (our discussion was held in the pub). My only comment is that life, in general, a strange thing, despite its apparent monotony ... What seems to be a new can happen in the industry of handheld computers? Tablet PC? The new Palm? 400 Mhz Pocket PC? But it was all there was. And no special joy awakens. Tablet PC is, but not for our honor (since Gizmo corporate, expensive and diskless incarnation not very friendly with the Russian language). The new Palm is not so good to change the Palm `y old (my opinion). A "rapid-fire" Pocket PC with a flaming "motor" inside is not as fast as assures cheerful advertising. And suddenly - like a bolt from the blue - a new family of handheld machines. I mean Skeye.pad webpanel from the firm Holt & Wessel Skeye Webpanel AG, if you remember our news. Well, maybe not quite a family, and even no family, but the machine is very, very original - that's for sure.
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What exactly is innovation? The computer took an intermediate niche between the "classic" Pocket PC and have just emerged Tablet PC. With this form-factor PC fits into the standard Tablet PC, and soft filling - a standard Pocket PC (more precisely - in the Standard Handheld PC 2000). This is the first. The second - the computer is equipped with everything necessary for connecting peripherals, ie, a complete set of "notebook" ports. The third - a computer module is equipped with GSM, converts trimmer into a complete platform for using the Internet. Finally, the Germans launched a new computer, seriously count on the Russian market. In my opinion, this is the first in the industry worldwide PDA. As for the parallel worlds, the magical appearance of the case could not be better Skeye.pad confirms the theory of a mad professor.
How it looks
Go tell - looks new Skeye.pad wonderful. Large touch screen diagonal of 8.4 inches - to modify the classic with a resolution of 640x480, as modified by SL with a resolution of 800x600 pixels. The dimensions of the computer itself is not too small - maybe a little less than the Tablet PC, but significantly more than the Pocket PC. Although the manufacturer calls its product "a unique PDA, but it's anything but a PDA (except for gulliverskogo pocket).
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Housing cars made of colored plastic. Control buttons are not visible, except the button in the upper left corner of the case - perhaps for the on-off computer. Expansion slots, and they have plenty of computer, made to the upper face of the housing. Communication slot, respectively, on the bottom. True, the body is stretched in width, not length, as in "classic" pocket computers. And the screen is oriented horizontally rather than vertically. The convenience and possible shortcomings of the big screen will talk later, but for now - specifications. They do not differ from the characteristics of the most popular Pocket PC. StrongArm SA1110 processor clock speed of 206 MHz. Memory in the machine 64 megabytes of (SDRAM) and 32 permanent. Pleased that the ROM is used as a rewritable flash memory (it will be possible without difficulty to upgrade the system software). The technology on which the manufactured liquid crystal matrix screen, it remains a mystery.In the release, only to say that you have installed "TFT-screen with bright backlighting, and what kind of light - reflective or can not be disabled - not specified. Given the size of the matrix (the area of the screen are four times more than the Pocket PC), the type of lighting is extremely important characteristic. How many live without the computer connected to the mains, when such and such appetites? We look at the characteristics of food. Rechargeable lithium battery with 3200 millliamper / h, which provides 5 hours of continuous battery life. Judging by emksti battery, computer and really hungry. That is clearly highlighting can not be disabled - as in laptops. Well, okay ... expansion slots and built-in ports. A lot of things. Slot PC card (looks like Type II - one for the portable and is not necessary), close to Compact Flash Type II and infrared (in the form of three round windows) - all in a row on the upper face of the body. Immediately and the slot for the stylus.
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Evaluate the possibility of expanding Skeye.pad can look at the list of optional equipment. Moreover, the manufacturer is not only promises, but also suggests that the chronic "hunger" for owners of PDA various peripherals can not be overestimated. What is it offered? Flexible full-size keyboard (included in basic kit), a Bluetooth module for PC card slot, gigabyte memory card - for CF.
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That's not all. With your computer you can order the second base-holder (similar to "crib" for the CPC, also included), wired headset (built into the computer module GSM, so it can be used as a phone and PDA), power supply and much more. And in advertising flash animation is viewed and photo module, which is in the list of accessories unavailable. So that the machine "packed" to the very top. Skeye.pad than the owner will keep him occupied. Complete a cursory inspection of the new computer can be multimedia features. In clipper built a pair of speakers. Consequently, her shoulder-in stereo sound reproduction. A sort of vociferous pipsqueak. Additional aksessurah, which can be fitted to the machine, described in detail in the relevant section on the Russian site Skeye.pad.
New programs
A new program - I mean the system software - just not. This is the main difference Skeye.pad of Tablet PC. No to a new computer all there, "magazines" and other maykrosoftovskih innovations. Only industry standard software for the keyboard of computers running Windows CE 3.0. That is, the computer can be called "re-Pocket" and "under-tablet" in a single person. Curious? Interesting. But it may be very convenient. Before the practical test any shortcomings of the new computer, you can only guess. And God forbid that my fears were groundless - I sincerely wish success to producers Skeye.pad, because the machine is indeed good. What causes fear? And that's what you know ... A lot of programs for the Pocket PC, designed for screen resolution of VGA? And for SVGA? That will run on your computer in full resolution and will look like the popular applications optimized for 240x320 pixels on the screen with a resolution of 800x600 pixels? I noticed a photograph of a computer presentation. In the open browser, web-page looks like something weird, occupying two-thirds of the screen and leaving a third of the screen ... Not for nothing is free. I would not want to perfect makings of a computer graphics are still potential. Raises some doubts and a basic set of programs. New titles simply do not have - a normal set for each CCP.How these programs are optimized for screen resolution of your computer? Wait - see for yourself ... As for the manufacturer of the proposed equipment options Skeye.pad operating system Windows CE.NET, then horseradish radish is not sweeter. NET programs under long enough. In any case, an order of magnitude smaller than under the "old" Windows CE 3.0.
Obvious and probable
In the obvious advantages Skeye.pad - physical size. In the likely negative - they are the same. The computer comes with popular programs - Map of Moscow - PalmGIS GPS (if you order it with the machine). Running it on a PDA, all the time sorry about the microscopic size of the screen. Map of a miracle as well, but very very difficult really something to see. Equipped with the same module, GPS Skeye.pad will be an excellent navigator - auto or manual. Choose a module for the new computer does not make much of a problem - even in a variant CF, although PC card.
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But how to represent the journey with this "poluplanshetom, say, a trip or just from home to work. To get (in the subway?) From the portfolio wow gizmo, runs the "reading room" or chess ... Yes, a specific machine. And far from universal. While that means - universal? There is no purpose computers, how would that be desirable ... uncertainty surrounding Skeye.pad abound. GSM / GPRS module is integrated or connected through a slot? (The summary characteristics of states that built, but only one word stingy). Through a port is synchronization with the PC? In the release, vaguely referred to a COM port (ouch!) and no mention of USB. But the point is no laughing - who needs the old as the hairy Neanderthal, asynchronous serial port? Little, very little information. But it is interesting just to impossibility.
Skeye.pad in Russia
Upset price of the computer. The cheapest version with VGA screen and without the GSM module pulls on nearly 1400 euro. Cheaper than a Tablet PC, but as a personal toy expensive. Even more so - for Russia, it is accepted by millions of litter, but to save hundreds of ...
But how many applications you can find this Skeye.pad! All that is accounted for Pocket PC, plus almost all accounted for Tablet PC. Sometimes the middle, and in fact may be golden. The authors, translation:
Nikolai Yakovlev
