Style and practicality RoverPC S7
In the segment of low-cost PDA with navigation capabilities occurred completion. The company Rover Computers from April begins sales of the communicator RoverPC S7 with a recommended price of 12,990 rubles. With such a value it has a standard set of features without any special advantages, but without serious gaps. Communicator must be to the soul of those users who do not want to support third-generation networks and the most top-end options for other characteristics. Unlike many low cost and some inexpensive models of the middle class, RoverPC S7 supports both cellular standard EDGE, and wireless Wi-Fi, which in Russia is much more important opportunity to work in networks of 3G. In other specifications are fairly standard for low-cost model - 2.8-inch display with QVGA, processor Texas Instruments OMAP 850 CPU at 200 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM internal memory, support for the three frequency ranges networks GSM, 2-MP camera, slot for memory cards microSD, GPS-module based on the chipset SiRFstar III, the operating system Windows Mobile 6 Professional.
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One of the main highlights of the device, which emphasizes Rover Computers in the press materials, this focus on the management of your fingers, without using the stylus. This functionality was achieved by both software and hardware. Firstly, the display device does not have skirting, resulting in the edges of the screen is not formed in the corners that are difficult to get a finger without a French manicure. Secondly, the software interface has been modified for greater comfort besstilusnogo management. While it is difficult to tell how far gone Rover in the reconstruction of the interface information in a press release about the software is no different detail. Will the interface is really easy to use and how much it differs from the standard, tests show. In any case, the Russian producer tries to follow global trends, increased levels of its products, which can not but rejoice.
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Pretty much emphasis in RoverPC S7 made to the design. It may be noted a pleasant appearance, of moderate size and very light weight. Envisaged a rather interesting trend - manufacturers communicators of the middle class are beginning to pay more attention to certain image parameters and ease of use. In appearance model is quite common with the HTC recent average - communicator P3470 (platform HTC Pharos). RoverPC S7 bit thinner, but slightly longer than the HTC P3470. By weight, they differ very much. If the model is from HTC weighs about 120 grams, the RoverPC S7 on the stated specifications - only 90, and with the battery. As the functionality can not be said that the Russian device is inferior Taiwan, each has its pluses and minuses. On the side of the HTC P3470, a larger amount of internal memory (64 MB of RAM vs. 128 MB of RAM), interface support Bluetooth 2.0 instead of Bluetooth 1.2, a great application life from one battery charge, as well as excellent proven brand. Among the valued benefits RoverPC S7 - wireless support Wi-Fi networks and lower expected value. Recommended price for HTC P3470 for the European market is 449 Euro, that is, more than 16 thousand rubles.
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The nearest competitors RoverPC S7 can be called Communicator ASUS P320, previously codenamed ASUS Galaxy Mini, with an expected price of about $ 460. The portfolio Rover, novelty can be considered as an alternative RoverPC N7 for those users who are principled support for Wi-Fi and do not care about megahertz processor.
Thin and light Samsung i780
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. continues to expand its portfolio of devices based on Windows Mobile. Communicator Samsung i780 was first shown to the public last fall, however, goes on sale announced just now. At first glance, Samsung i780 is quite common, but it has several striking features that distinguish it from the crowd. Candybar with QWERTY-keyboard is already fairly well mastered by many companies, not just the ancestors - RIM Blackberry and smartphones from Palm c communicators Treo. Samsung itself before the release i780 uses a form factor for smartphones based on Windows Mobile without a touch screen. Samsung i780 can rightly be considered the flagship of this line from the Korean manufacturer. Unlike many other smartphones in a similar form factor, the novelty from Samsung uses a display resolution of 320x320 pixels, not 240x240 or 240x320 pixels. Historically communicators with such a resolution releasing Palm, Treo and when there were based on Windows Mobile, they had a more modest 240x240 pixels, as the Operating System from Microsoft itself does not allow permission to all users familiar communicators with Palm OS. Such an opportunity came with the release of Windows Mobile 6 last year, but Palm has not yet had time to enjoy the fruits of collaboration with Microsoft, and the first Windows Mobile smartphone with a display resolution of 320x320 pixels can be considered namely Samsung i780. At the recent CeBIT exhibition was presented a second device with a similar feature - ASUS M536.
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In size and weight of the Samsung i780 is quite comparable with smartphones in a similar form factor and weight gains in many of them. On the background of communicators, it also looks pretty positive.
For comparison: - Samsung i780: 115,9 x61, 3x12, 9 mm mm, 120 grams
- Samsung i600 (Ultra Messaging): 113x59x13 mm, 99 grams
- HTC S630 (Cavalier): 111x62x13 mm, 119 grams
- Palm Treo 750: 111x58x22 mm, 154 grams
- ASUS M536: 117x63x14 mm
- HP iPAQ 914s: 13x64x16 mm, 146 grams
- i-Mate 8502 Ultimate: 116x55x15 mm, 140 grams
- And Symbian-smartphone Nokia E61i: 117x70x14 mm, 150 grams
It should be noted that the display device does not have skirting, and accordingly will be convenient to control the fingers. The second brightest feature of the Samsung i780 - a control that is located below the display on the site joystick. The manufacturer calls it "optical joystick", but essentially it's just a small touchpad. Leading his finger to move the cursor on the screen, or use as a 4-way scroll key for menu navigation. Will it be convenient, tests show, but in any case, the unusual control takes some getting used to him. Something like that used in Pocket PC HP iPAQ hx4700, but there was a touchpad is noticeably larger and possibly more convenient.
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It is evident that the development of Samsung i780 producer to focus on performance, speed and variety of communications functions. Communicator absorbed communication capabilities to the maximum, of third-generation networks with standard HSDPA, providing speed of 3.6 Mbps to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. Marvell processor with a clock frequency of 520 MHz is also classifies the device to discharge one of the most productive Windows Mobile devices. Support for GPS-functions completes the picture. Parameters of the camera focus unaffected - a 2 megapixel main camera and VGA for video calls, it emphasizes once again the emphasis on communications and business objectives, rather than entertainment. Finally it is worth noting that the unusual resolution could lead to incorrect operation of some applications, especially games. The device definitely find its fans, but is unlikely to become widespread.
ASUS P750: and all such VGA!
The story of the ASUS P750 smartphone developed to everyone's satisfaction. Night Vigil Russian hackers and enthusiasts have led to victory over the machinery of bourgeois. They still managed to overcome all obstacles and get to work device with a resolution of VGA. Recall all started with how curious users found that the display device used to technically support the resolution of VGA. However, ASUSTek limited to more modest QVGA with the release of the model on sale. As reported by the company, VGA can not be used as "screen resolution sewn. Substantive discussion of the problem was conducted online resource Asus Mobile Club Russia, participants in the forum under the nicknames Sorg and GreateVK just and made the "impossible". At the moment, no patches, and firmware that are suitable for installation ASUS P750, craftsmen have not yet posted in the public domain. As proof that the problem is still resolved, offers photos ASUS P750 with VGA-enabled mode. As explained by Sorg, this is just getting started, because it is necessary to correct a number of utilities from ASUS to work correctly with the new resolution. The photograph shows that the mode is VGA 96 DPI ("RealVGA"), and as a result - small icons, and other service information, but this was done only for clarity of VGA-opportunities. In the final version of the firmware is expected to VGA mode 192 DPI, familiar to users of most PDAs and smartphones with honest VGA-display, in this case the size of icons, toolbars and the like are identical in physical size with counterparts on a QVGA-display. Is now being refined and polished, with luck, the world will see the firmware to fix the permission for the week. It is planned that the firmware will be closest to the one that produces ASUS, with the majority of utilities. Issue correct permissions as a separate patch is not possible. As the skilled craftsmen, working with a resolution of VGA, of course, affects the power consumption of the device, but not much.
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I wonder how a company responds ASUSTek, when the unofficial firmware for the ASUS P750 with VGA resolution will be published. It remains only to warn that the installation of unofficial software is related to a certain kind of risk, about which we must remember before you decide to experiment.
Give Samsung DuoS based on Windows Mobile!
It seems that in the foreseeable future will be widely available model of Windows Mobile smart phone with support for Dual-SIM. Over the last year has increased markedly offer mobile phones that support the work with two SIM-cards, but manufacturers of smartphones and communicators while only promise. The authors of the resource Smape.com talked with the director of the Russian telecommunications company Samsung, Yunsu Kim (Yoonsoo Kim). It turns out that Samsung is not going to restrict the release of a model dvuhsimochnogo phone in May, will be followed by Samsung DuoS D880 will be released over budget phone - Samsung DuoS P240. The recommended price for the phone will be 9,999 rubles. For the money the buyer will receive a model of the middle class (2-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, media player, slot microSD) but with the ability to receive calls directly on two issues.
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| Samsung P240 |
Representative of the Korean manufacturer has told about the longer-term plans to develop line DuoS. First, the canceled production of the model P720, which was presented at one of the presentations in the Ukraine, held late last year. The phone was a continuation of a fashion P520 (Armani) with a touch screen. The reason of this step indicated a desire to maintain the quality of implementation Samsung Dual-SIM at the proper level. Several features of P720 is not possible to achieve this, a role played by the initial orientation of the Asian market, the need for touch-typing. Secondly, this year Samsung plans to introduce a model DuoS platform from Microsoft, targeted business audience. It is also possible the emergence of Symbian-based smartphones, but concrete plans on his account there and will not release until next year. Interestingly, the phone line DuoS focused on the CIS region and Russia in particular, and therefore mysterious smartphone communicator for two SIM-cards will appear in the first place in our market.
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Flight of fancy HTC and Apple
At the completion of the review the highlights of the week, we give a couple of interesting concepts. The first concept was found in one of the patents of HTC. It offers a strange slider with two keyboards - QWERTY for typing and standard digital. As can be seen in the figures, either one or the other keyboard will be visible all the time. If you move the display module in one direction, hidden numeric keypad, but it appears QWERTY, but if you move the display in a different direction, then lost starting QWERTY keyboard. It is obvious that this approach loses one of the main advantages of the slider - reduced size devices without losing functionality. The idea dvuhklaviaturnyh devices is not new to HTC. Same Smartphone HTC S710 (Vox) under the display has a fixed number pad, and can be pulled to the side QWERTY. In comparison with the HTC S710 new concept looks too complicated. It is strange to see such developments in the company, which once made a widely used form factor side-slider with QWERTY for Windows Mobile smartphones.
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The second concept has been patented by Apple. Perhaps based on this concept sometime in the future will be created iPhone 2.0, iPhone 3.0 or iPhone nano. In fact, this new view on the phone with a flip. The development suggests that the touchscreen will not only display the phone, but flip. Moreover, the flip is a transparent plate, touch-sensitive on both sides. As a result, when closed, it protects the screen, but allows you to perform simple actions such as dialing or control of the player, and in the open state increases the area of the touch surface and the phone receives the flap touch-sensitive keyboard. On the basis of this form factor Apple will be able to create a revolutionary new interface. It is a pity that this is not the immediate future.
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The authors, translation:
K. Nemo
