Here and waited - Palm OS 5.0 and the first computers based on the new operating system became a reality. Official presentation of Palm Tungsten T and Tungsten W had to hard for us, citizens of Russia, today. That's why the news a few themselves scarce, receded into the background ... Hopefully, we have experienced a nightmare will never happen again. And the news of the release of new computers will again be the main key ... the emergence of new Palm `s long-awaited and eagerly. Palm OS 5.0 originally was going to live down the list of "computer" events of the year ... Actually, on the balance of power on the PDA market fifth version of the Palm OS has affected even before its release (which, incidentally, and confirmed the significance of the event). On sale was a whole line of PDAs from Sony at very attractive prices. And recently we saw and the first family of cheap computers Pocket PC. Competitors are clearly preparing for the release of Tungsten. On the PDA market has become very crowded. However, the sensation, if any, expected with the advent of "home" machines based on Palm OS 5.0, has not happened. On the contrary, there is even some disappointment, because one of the new Palm `s - Tungsten W, which will be discussed in this review - running a modified Palm OS 4.1.1. What is it? Operating system so the cheese that programmers simply do not have time to finish patching holes? Or is it a conscious move - "otest" piece of cake at his Handspring communicators Treo, and then the vacated space to release a flock of new communicators under the brand name Palm? In any case - is unclear ...
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New Palm `s family Tungsten - are computers with color screens, high resolution 320x320 pixels which have already become standard for the handheld Sony. The backlight turns off a reflective, data entry, touch. In the older Tungsten T models use a new processor family of ARM processor with a clock frequency of 144 megahertz (expected seems to be 175). In proprietary specifications indicated processor model - Texas Instruments OMAP 1510. Innovations, and hardware and software, pretty much. To equip the Palm is getting closer to the family of computers Pocket PC. This means that the handheld machines are becoming a universal tool for "all occasions" and become completely previously unknown qualities, such as wireless LAN terminal. For older iPaq models with integrated Bluetooth module is no longer news. But that just like that, en masse, claiming to be the industry standard - it should agree that something ... soon, very soon, Bluetooth (and, presumably, competing with wireless adapters) will become mandatory membership of any PDA - if producers wish to commercial success their computers. It also is about the massive family handheld machines, rather than the rare exotics. Bluetooth module integrated into both new models Tungsten, as, indeed, and infrared communications port and Universal Connector (for connecting different peripherals and synchronization cable), and a slot for flash memory cards SD / MMC. And in a model of T (improved by the application of the new operating system), and in the model W in some way to change the organization of internal memory and Palm `. The amount of memory declared in 16 megabytes, but there comes a clause that user data is allocated only 14 MB. I wonder ... And it's not all. The presence of all computers built-in microphone and headphone jacks mean multimedia orientation of new Palm `s. The fact that we waited so long, it becomes a reality - Palm `s learned to" sing "(alas, is fully valid only for the Tungsten T). As well as recording sound and serve as a digital voice recorder. Very interesting design of the case seemed to me Palm Tungsten T. The first and most significant - the case folding. The lower part is shifted vertically in the closed position concealing the region Graffiti. This reduces the "hiking" the size of a computer due to under-utilized in the normal conditions of the machine. As a result, Tungsten T can be called one of the most compact handheld computers from all presently released.
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| Senior Model Tungsten T |
Another innovation - the application instead of the usual five-way navigation keys large navigation buttons. Approximately the same button-joystick is used in computers and Pocket PC, it should be noted, fully justified. With regard to software innovations, it is, above all, the operating system itself in the Tungsten T. Evaluate all of its dignity, we still have. In the meantime, I note that the main indicators Palm OS 5.0 is much closer to its predecessor, Palm OS 4.1, than for Windows CE. That is, no special multimedia heights wait still do not have to - is unlikely we will get something more than we have been in the Pocket PC (all the same processor at the Tungsten T is not so hot what a rocket). Another thing - what we generally expect from Palm OS 5.0? CPU power, enough for trouble-free decoding MPEG4 - but this still is not known. Effective work with MP3, so with the help of Palm `and you can listen to music - it can and typewriter Sony, working with the previous version of the operating system. Functions of the wireless communicator ... Here maker Palm, and really made a real breakthrough. From now on any computer Tungsten can be paired with a cell phone having a built-in or externally attached module Bluetooth. It seems that the scope of the CCP is expanding. Small machine has outgrown the stage of an optional digital toys.
The second player - Tungsten W
Palm Tungsten T - is a "large caliber" because it is the model T is designed to attract the attention of potential buyers, enacting agony of choosing between Sony multimedia computers and typewriters conservative handheld Palm. It is clear that many interested users tend toward the Palm `but at least because the original looks like any respectable, even the most perfect, but - repeat ... It kinda purpose of the second model Tungsten W, presented almost simultaneously with the model T.
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| Wireless Tungsten W |
At first glance at this little masterpiece arises sudden thought - we see a color Treo! Computers competitors are very similar not only in appearance but also in many respects. They, in particular, used a modification (a Tungsten W, of course, newer), the previous version of Palm OS. And it is very strange - all waiting for Palm's new models with the new operating system. There is even some confusion - the same name, model, Tungsten, a very similar look and feel of your furnishing, and suddenly a different program filling.
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| This Treo 270: Spot the difference! |
True, the situation with the Tungsten W is still unclear. The company about the operating system that is installed in the model W, silent. Kin-Palm `the site has information about what this machine is released for a special (telephone?) Edition of the old Palm OS - version 4.1.1. But as there was no certainty and no. Have to wait several days - until any official information or the first practical reviews of new computers. What attracts you to the Tungsten W in the first place? Very neat and even handsome building device. All previous models of Palm special design refinements do not shine. Well, except that the Palm m500 was isolated from the total mass of an elegant metal body with a thin, razor-silhouette ... Tungsten W stands. And how stands out! Circular antenna (for anything not hooked), rounded shape.The screen seems small, but this impression may be misleading. Below the screen is located button keypad. It is designed for typing in "hiking" conditions and replaces the system of handwriting Graffiti. Good or not such replacement - is unknown. But for the communicator, and yes even at work when connected to the Internet mode, a fast guaranteed correct typing more important than a leisurely convenience handwriting. Keypad buttons are made flat. If we compare with the Sony CLIE NR-70, in which the keypad buttons have a deeper, does not look so convincing - buttons not to press the stylus. But, again, a final assessment can be given only after practical tests. All is not gold that glitters ... With the older model Tungsten T to W moved buttons running basic applications (their shape altered) and the Five-way navigation button joystick. In this case, the joystick is placed at the edge of the shell, and this, in our experience the use of certain computers Pocket PC, not very convenient - when you press the button, the communicator will try to slip out of hands (tight hold on the typewriter ... the driver). Most controversially, in my opinion, the solution - transfer slots for flash cards Secure Digital memory on the right side face of the housing. The model T slot installed on the upper side - next to the pen and the infrared window. In the model of W, in which the upper edge is even and a jack for a headset and antenna location for the slot was not found.
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Slot on the side of the hull is not very handy thing. Know this from experience with the Palm m125. Card memory clings to the edge of the cover, trying to jump out of the nest when the machine is in the pocket. And the finger when machine to rest in his hands, falls exactly on the card - that and look casually nazhmesh (memory card is retained in the slot inside the latch). In the Tungsten W, while holding his right hand, the slot will have the base of the thumb. To press the memory card and, thus, lose it, will require considerable flexibility in the hand ... But anyway - better to be at the top of the card as a series of typewriters 5xx. Tungsten W technical specifications are almost identical to the specifications of the Model T, with one very significant difference - a device installed an old Motorola Dragonball VZ processor clock speed of 33 megahertz. And that means ... goodbye video and MP3. Well, except that the module will release the external (a new external keyboard is presented in conjunction with computers). In the device nominally integrated Bluetooth and tri-band GSM. The most "sweet" - supports the protocol GPRS. That is, in Russia (in any case - in Moscow) Tungsten W is guaranteed to work as a cell phone, and as a device for data transfer. With such a device can be safely transferred to him all e-mail (if its not too much). And the web to leave a "big brother" - a personal computer.
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Finally - about nutrition. As always, Palm is for this part of the champion. Manufacturer claimed 10 hours of work and 250 hours standby time from svezhezaryazhennogo battery. Agree, very nice figure, even by the standards of cost-effective mobile phones, which typically do not trigger a toy, do not read books, do not write letters ...
A few words after
What can be seen in press releases and the first still timid and careful review of the new Palm `s, I tried to discern. I know for sure - even the controversial decisions that are applied to computers, family Tungsten, will soon become the accepted standard. Yet Palm has been and remains a trendsetter in the field of PDAs. Another question - how long it will last. When we wait for Tungsten T and W, we have in Russia? I think in the very near future.Tungsten W will be distributed through mobile operators, is tentatively priced at $ 549. However, none of the operators does not offer a machine, even on reservations. The prices for our sellers, of course, initially will be considerable, but the situation today, when the Palm at the same time produces a whole line of cheap, moderately expensive and very expensive computers - namely, Zire, PC series m1xx, m5xx and these Tungsten - is unique. We can choose any model of their own wallets and requests. It seems that such freemen users Palm `s not yet been ... The authors, translation:
Nikolai Yakovlev