Last year, Casio has released three new handhelds: Pocket Viewer, Cassiopeia BE-300 Cassiopeia E-200. This is clearly assigned to their products by segment, as new items are each player in his weight class. Two lower-end models have to compete with Palm OS PDA in light and medium weight, elder - E-200 - is a full Pocket PC and acts as a heavy weight.
Pocket superintendent
Pocket Viewer 450S is the youngest model in the new line of Casio and is located in the lower price category. In Moscow you can buy less than one hundred and fifty dollars. She continues Casio launched in 1998, the line Pocket Viewer, which originally consisted of electronic notebooks with touchscreens (model PV-100 PV-200, then the PV-400), and later upgraded notebooks, the architecture had a handheld computer (model PV -250 and PV-450), but still remained in effect only advanced phonebooks. Last summer there were finally a model PV-250S and PV-450S, characterized by the amount of installed RAM (2 and 4 MB respectively). Own Then there were the first not very flattering review of our site dedicated to this device. In Russia, by the way, comes only PV-450S. CCP clearly aimed at the same market niche as the Palm m100. At a similar price, they have (in theory) similar features, but still close comparison shows that the 'keeper pocket "in all respects loses m100.
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Its advantages over the Palm (pictured) are in slightly larger monochrome screen (albeit of inferior quality, besides, he has no shades of gray) with the same resolution of 160x160 pixels, the presence of wheel-type joystick, Sony Jog-Dial and Flash-Memory instead of RAM. The last advantage is doubtful, because, although the use of flash memory instead of the usual and ensures data integrity, but also significantly affects the speed and power consumption, which in 450S and so not up to par due to inefficiently implemented illumination. She, on the one hand, it is good enough, even though energy intensity (at the m100 uses less voracious inverted light with the ability to change it to normal), but on the other hand are automatically switched off after fifteen sekun. This is very inconvenient when reading in the dark. Keeping the same data in a nonvolatile memory in the long run makes sense only for those users who are denied access to a desktop computer that will agree to provide hard (except that travelers who do not have laptop, will appreciate this feature). The device is powered by two AA batteries AAA. Enter the text in the Pocket Viewer is only possible with the help of the onscreen keyboard, which is rather inconvenient, for example, on public transport. Handwriting (such as in older models) is not implemented, while on the Palm, you can use the onscreen keyboard in addition to graffiti. In terms of software at the device from Casio at first glance, things are better than the competitor. In addition to standard applications is there a program for working with spreadsheets (Pocket Word in 450S, unfortunately, not) and a currency converter, but it is only at first glance. The fact that the Pocket Viewer is an organizer with an extremely small number of available external applications, and m100 is available for more than 10,000 different programs, from free to commercial, including word processors, spreadsheets, Internet browsers, dictionaries and more. It turns out that the only application of 4-m megabytes of memory 450S is storing electronic books. In fact, a little less than a megabyte takes for their needs the operating system and embedded software. Thus, for the user's files is more than three megabytes.
Russification
The operating system used in the Pocket Viewer PV OS 1.02, which was originally localized and has the support of the Russian language, however, in the opinion of users, not the most ergonomic. For Palm are several commercial and free localization, and MakTsentr, for example, they are sold already pre-localization, and localization. Unfortunately, PV 450S has no means of communication with external devices, not counting the possibility of a cable connection with other such devices, and some advanced models of notebooks Casio - younger "pocket caretakers. Along with him comes at a desktop PC Sync, which allows you to have a copy of the data on the PDA "big" computer. Synchronization occurs through the cradle via the PC serial port. Files spreadsheet if you wish, you can synchronize with MS Excel, and a calendar, diary and contacts database - with MS Outlook.
Pocket Manager
Cassiopeia BE-300, which we have previously mentioned, is a pretty attractive model of mid-range - in Moscow you can buy for $ 250-280. As well as Pocket Viewer, BE-300 must compete with devices on the Palm OS, though we have in mind is the older model. This is not the Pocket PC, but not Pocket Viewer. Sasio calls it a hybrid or a handheld Pocket Manager manager.
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The company did not license it from Microsoft Pocket PC. The device runs under Windows operating system Windows CE 3.0, and, unlike older models that do not have an interface on the Pocket PC and familiar applications Pocket Word, Excel, Explorer, etc. Instead of them comes with the device's own software Casio. In addition to standard PDA applications (contacts, tasks, notepad, diary), are pre-mailer (understood HTML and attachments up to 1 MB), an Internet browser program for viewing pictures (not the best, but you can remove it and install another one) . Of the system applications it is worth noting the backup software, file manager, player audio and video files. As mentioned above, the standard for the Pocket PC OS Applications Pocket Word and Pocket Excel are not installed, instead they have viewer Word DOC, Excel XLS and PowerPoint PPT. Editing these files using standard impossible. The interface device changed from earlier models in the direction of simplification. Because of space lacks some standard libraries PPC 2002, so that programs written under the CCP on this platform can not run. In general, applications written for the Pocket PC must earn at BE-300, the assurances of Casio, after recompiling the source. Over time the web appear more and more third-party programs, rewritten specifically for the BE-300, including games, codec and player MPEG4, file manager, spreadsheet, etc. Pocket Manager runs on the processor NEC VR4131 166 MHz, and the hardware is not much different from other Cassiopeia. CPU does its job reasonably well, although at times apparent that retarding device. Cassiopeia is equipped with 16 MB RAM and 16 MB of flash memory. Approximately 5 MB of flash memory can be used by the owner to store its own data. Additional space can be obtained by removing unnecessary programs that come standard. BE-300 has a slot CompactFlash II, which allows you to connect to it a lot of common peripherals from IBM MicroDrive hard drives to network cards and modems. Of all the standards of the expansion is the cheapest memory is CF, so in that sense any problems with the owners of the Cassiopeia should arise. Separately, you can buy worn module PC Card, which makes it possible to use PCMCIA-periphery. Pretty bright screen "Pocket Administrator can display 32,000 colors and has a resolution of 320x240 pixels. He is slightly less than the usual display on handheld Pocket PC.Because of this device has a rather modest size 121h76h18 mm and weighs only 167, the passive matrix, that is, it takes time to warm up to the standard brightness (5-15 seconds) and some inertial.
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Putting the information by using the onscreen keyboard or handwriting recognition. Recognition system has an interesting feature. The user has the opportunity to set their own mark of any character that should help those who can not get used to the standard face. On the front panel below the screen is multi-purpose joystick. Synchronize with your desktop computer by using the cradle can be connected to the USB port and the supplied software - PC Connect. Unfortunately, the data exchange between the planner and contact database can only be done with Microsoft Outlook. There is no built-in organizer, not to support any other applications such as Outlook Express or Lotus Organizer. Hopefully, this is a temporary problem. As the batteries used lithium-ion batteries, which should, according to the manufacturer, to support the device during the week. In fact, the average load of batteries sit for two to four days. A full charge takes 2.5-3 hours.
Russification
Operating System Cassiopeia BE-300 was not originally located, but just recently released their first high-quality crack RussKey BE. His department released a mobile development company MakTsentr with the assistance of the Moscow office CASIO COMPUTER CO. The first version of the product provides a basic Russification, which lets you create and work with documents and e-mail in Russian, as well as synchronize with your desktop computer. In future versions of the program is expected to achieve full containment Pocket Manager. Thus, the Russian users can not worry about the possibility of normal operation with the "pocket administrator.
Pocket Director
E-200 Pocket PC - the latest version of the popular line of Cassiopeia. With the help of Casio wants to catch up with rivals in the face of Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, have already released their handhelds based on Pocket PC 2002. Prospective purchasers of the product - the business users that do not require compromises. This is a player in the heavyweight division and in the appropriate price range. In Moscow, E-200 can now be purchased for $ 650.
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Unlike previous Cassiopeia, who worked on the MIPS processor from NEC, E-200 is equipped with 32-bit CPU, Intel StrongARM SA-1100 at 206 MHz. It has a 64 MB RAM and 32 MB of flash memory, of which 5.5 MB is available to the user. The device supports major expansion slots and can work with maps of the form factor CompactFlash I / II and SecureDigital / MultiMediaCard. In addition, you can purchase a separate module PC Card, providing an opportunity to work with PCMCIA-equipped peripherals and another USB-host. This novelty, which so far no one has any of the competitors. USB-Host in the cradle, allowing you to connect (of course if the drivers) any USB-peripherals: keyboard, mouse, CD-ROM, etc. The company NEC, for example, its future model MobilePro P300 promises to equip the same USB-host. In the E-200 is installed reflective TFT-dislocation, which supports 65,000 colors.He works in the resolution of 320x240 and has a size of 3.5 ', like a PDA from HP. At Compaq, this screen is more than 0.3 '. In previous displays used proprietary technology HAST (Hyper Amorphous Silicon TFT), proclaiming an excellent, deep color. From this technology Casio refused for the sake of easy reading screen indoors and outdoors (with the problems of HAST), and in order to increase battery life. However, the first week of sales in the E-200 MakTsentr showed that the device has a serious design flaws that reduce its reliability. To date, about a quarter of units sold after a short operation in 1-2 days received for service on account of the identified defect - a failure of the electronic unit, which provides backlight. Read more about this here. But back to the review. From the previous Cassiopeia (eg, Cassiopeia EM-500 on the photo below) new design is different also. First, is the weight. With the overall 13h8, 20X1, 72 cm device weighs 200 grams, which is in itself very little. So little that some buyers complain that "there is no sense of the device in hand (I must say that similar claims were put forward to the new Sony Clie). A color scale E-200 though, and found its admirers, but it has caused, including feedback such as "the most disgusting-looking handheld of all time", than once again proved the saying "every man to his own taste."
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| Casio Cassiopeia EM-500 (Left) and Casio Cassiopeia E-200 (right) |
Built-in speaker is not enough for anything like an acceptable music, so for this purpose need to use headphones. But otherwise the multimedia and gaming capabilities of the new Cassiopeia out of competition. According to user feedback, the playback video in MPEG4 format and play with great graphics, such as Pocket Quake does not twitch, and show the movement smoothly, without jerks. Type information as in all the PDA platforms Pocket PC 2002: With the on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition system. Has not been forgotten and corporate dial-joystick. Cassiopeia is powered by a lithium-ion battery 950 mAh, which is enough for 6-8 hours. Battery capacity is reduced to relieve the unit. In previous series handhelds E-1xx used batteries 1400 mAh.
Russification
Russification E-200 is still in its infancy. Is already possible to work with documents and e-mail in Russian, you can normally sync with a desktop computer and surf. A more complete localization of the interface will be implemented later.
Summary
Releasing this range, Casio sought to please all potential users of handheld computers. So, summary. Buying a younger model, Pocket Viewer 450S, justified in the case, if you couple the low demands, needing only to quality electronic notebook. In any other version of this amount is to buy Palm m100. Sasio Cassiopeia BE-300 is quite suitable to buyers who are unwilling to lay out $ 600-700 for the expensive models of Pocket PC, but it does not meet the opportunities and Pocket Viewer, for whatever reason do not wish to consider a similar device on the Palm OS. With the release of localization buying BE-300 was quite reasonable, although the lack of a "mobile office" word processor looks strange. However, there is hope that, like the spreadsheet, word processor will be released by third parties. The older model Cassiopeia E-200 is a modern hi-end Pocket PC-based Pocket PC, nothing special, however, does not stand out among its competitors. USB-Host in the cradle and the PC Card module has a novelty. But in the handheld computers to Siemens and NEC, which should come this spring, will be implemented, these and many other innovations.Thus, buying now Cassiopeia E-200, you get Mighty hi-end product. The authors, translation:
Vladimir Speransky
