During the exhibition, Computex 2007 (Taipei, Taiwan) HPC.ru correspondent visited the booth E-TEN Information Systems.
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| Glofiish X800: Award at Computex 2007 - Best Product Category: PDA GPS Navigation |
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| Glofiish X800 |
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| Glofiish X800 |
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| Glofiish X800 |
Top managers of the company have kindly agreed to give our online magazine exclusive interview. In an interview attended:
- Wayne Ma (Wayne Ma) - President E-TEN Information Systems
- Teresa Chow (Teresa Chou) - Director of Sales and Marketing E-TEN Information Systems
- Mikhail Fadeev - The head of the Russian representation of E-TEN Information Systems
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We bring to your attention the recording of the interview, which in our view was very interesting. HPC.ru: Are there any plans for a automotive equipment products Glofiish? For what? Theresa Cho: For different countries, we provide a variety of delivery depending on the requirements of national markets. At the moment we do not we complete our device car kit for several reasons. Car accessories can be purchased separately - good selection of them quite large. However, for plans to release new products we are considering the possibility of complete car kit. Most likely additional components to the standard we packed in separate boxes. Both packages, basic and additional will be wrapped in foil to get a single kit for sale. As for specific models Glofiish, equipment which should be expanded, in the case of Russia, we will begin with new items - Glofiish X800. HPC.ru: Can you name the release date and price models Glofiish X800, M900? Theresa Cho: On the suggested retail price Glofiish X800 final decision has yet been taken, we calculate the options. We can only say that it is likely in the area of 20000 rubles. The yield model to the Russian market can be expected in the third quarter of 2007. (Recall our readers that the X800 was announced at CeBIT 2007. This is the first device company with support for 3G-networks and a VGA-screen.) About Glofiish M900 no comment until we can not give.(Recall that the M900, judging by the rumors, the future modification of the X800, with only full-size keyboard, an analog Glofiish M700 c «stuffed» X800.) HPC.ru: Now, all products are built on the Glofiish processors Samsung. Will the company move to a more productive platform? Wayne Ma: Actually, no special problems with performance platform Samsung did not exist before. But with the recent our transition to a VGA screen (remember that recent E-TEN first in the market released besklaviaturny communicator with high resolution screens - 480 x 640 - Glofiish X500 +), which should show 4 times more pixels than QVGA screens problem of lack of performance on some applications really become manifest. However, if we replace the processor available today in another, such as Intel, he also Marvell, the problem is not solved - no fundamental difference in speed is not there - several orders of magnitude are the same. Apply a special video accelerator too hard. Modern Communicator is thin - it is a very tight construction with a minimum of space, place inside an extra chip or antenna - a big problem. By the way, precisely because of the large number of antennas - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GSM and others - has become virtually impossible to place a silo in any location other than the bottom-right corner, and this problem is common to all manufacturers. Graphics accelerator - a single chip, a serious complication of the motherboard, and therefore more expensive design. In addition, we may have to work together to solve the problem with the graphics accelerator components, as well as to completely change the mechanisms of output images at all, which may affect the operation of many programs (direct access to a map on the screen will become impossible). That is the technical complexity of the system to grow strongly, its reliability will decrease, according to our calculations is not justified in comparison with the obtained performance gain. In addition, the introduction of the graphics accelerator, of course, affect the price of the device, and we would not want to lose one of our competitive advantages - an optimal price for a complete set of telecommunications functions. However, out of this situation in the future there, and it's pretty unequivocal. The next generation of processors Samsung 6400 will cope with the forces exerted by the VGA device with a set of communication modules and navigation, as it will be built and the functionality of the graphics accelerator. HPC.ru: After the announcement of iPhone, a host of different programs, which should simplify the work with the communicator, and give the user the ability to work without a stylus. For example, HTC has already announced a similar interface for its new products, Microsoft recently announced that is developing a new interface - Shift. As far seem promising, such solutions company? Will be developing proprietary interface for products Glofiish? Wayne Ma: Let's look back to the beginning of the company E-TEN. Throughout the years of developing new models of smartphones our programmers working to develop our own tools and modules, designed to simplify the user experience with the device, making it more convenient and improve the performance of certain tasks. Including in the interface. An example of this approach was the program MDesk, we "stitches" in all our devices. From our point of view, the new trend to replace the interface by a vendor with the announcement of their own names, in many ways is taking the competition with the fashionable topic today. We believe that this approach is not entirely justified. Our problem we see is to assist, not replace it. We will try to assist the user in solving its problems through the widest possible opportunities for Windows Mobile, but does not replace the interface of Windows Mobile, recommended by Microsoft, to something more simple. Indeed, such a change could lead simply to the fact that the essence of Windows Mobile, its power and capabilities would remain unnoticed by the user. Mikhail Fadeev: I think that the new trend of entering an extremely simplified interface to the powerful class of PDA devices is largely due to the desire of manufacturers communicators "deeper" in a segment of conventional mobile phones. How justified this strategy - time will tell, the first experiments.But it must be clearly understood that the phone user and the user device - this is still different target groups. With different arguments for the purchase, with different goals and objectives they are trying to solve through your mobile device. Yes, and form factors of communicator and a simple mobile phone which was originally fundamentally different. Therefore, the issue of simplification of the complex to the level of a simple can really turn a shift in emphasis away from the actual key competitive advantages of the platform itself in the eyes of potential customers. Also do not forget that the market of conventional telephone other leaders, and other rules of the game. One interface "a la" there will not manage. iPhone - an example is not unique. Enough to analyze why people are buying iPod, despite the fact that he was almost alone of all MP3 players, which is physically no radio support (very simple function that is available in thousands of nameless Chinese models). HPC.ru: For a long time for PDAs and smartphones standard was considered to display 3.5. Now, most manufacturers of smartphones lets your device with a diagonal of 2.8 "and smaller. Nevertheless, many Russian users (in particular forum visitors HPC.ru) believe that the ideal device - a PDA with VGA display, 3.5 inches, enough performance ( not less than 400 MHz) with 128 MB of RAM memory, a large amount of internal memory ROM, c support for GSM / GPRS / EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-host, and a numeric keypad (maybe a slider). Do you think such a device actually on the market? possible occurrence of such a device under the brand Glofiish, given that all data except the display and memory capacity in new products is the Glofiish? Wayne Ma: Let's face it, the development of devices with similar characteristics does not present particular technical difficulties. The obstacle is the results of research showing that in a niche market that want to expand the PDA manufacturers, 3.5-inch displays, and hence size of the communicator, too large in the minds of users. First of all, for the perception of the communicator as a replacement for the phone to something more powerful and productive. That there is a problem here is not technical, but rather a marketing and social issues. However, if in Russia the situation is an unusual way, we will ask our Director of Marketing to reflect on this question:) Mikhail Fadeev: I think it is obvious that the communicator can not and should not be in principle be as small as a phone. But if the device is too large and cumbersome, the users would rather go with a regular phone, getting out of the bag / portfolio PDA only when needed, which was agreed to buy all-in-one. "superfluous confirmation correct strategy to "reduce screen space" is a widespread decline in sales of smartphones in the PDA form factor and the classic PDA (see, for example, the data SmartMarketing). Manufacturers are trying to get away from the similarity of their equipment to CPC and to find new and more successful combination of size, weight and functionality . I also want to see that all is good in moderation. And too little screen on your device, from our point of view, the same risk level all the benefits of all-in-one over traditional telephones, as well as too big. In particular, it is not clear how it will be convenient to work with VGA-screen size of less than 2.5, say, to use the device as a car navigator. 'll Either skip the big little spot on the map, or force the user to constantly "bend on the wheel" to see the details of the picture. Even if a clear and beautiful, which, in fact, designed VGA. HPC.ru: Recently, the Russian operators have received licenses for third generation networks. Probably in the near future, services will be available in test mode. From the E-TEN have been or will be carried out any activities in conjunction with Russian operators for network testing, equipment, tests the stability of the Glofiish devices and stuff? Teresa Chow: As you know, Glofiish X800 won at Computex 2007 "Best Product" category "Communicators with GPS navigation." This new device is already implemented support for 3G, and, of course, as they appear in Russia proper service, we will all possible tests on the stability of its work in just unfolding networks.HPC.ru: How do you see the potential purchaser of the product Glofiish? What guided the company with the release of new models? Theresa Cho: We try to focus on three categories of buyers. The first - a professional business users, for them, we try to improve reliability and to give our models the extra fraction of the external efficiency. The second group - enthusiasts, fans of mobile electronics, the so-called "geeks" - people who are well versed in the subject and wishing to use the latest technology for them, our model is always fitted with a full set of modules to support all possible interfaces. The third group - the so-called social users, who use their communicators rather utilitarian solutions to a limited range of tasks. For them, the device - it is less a work tool, and a differentiating social trait. The most important parameters for this group of consumers are the design and simplicity of the device. Mikhail Fadeev: From my point of view in Russia today it is the most numerous category of consumers ... Theresa Cho: Our new X800 model is aimed to some extent in all three groups of users, for example, M700 - mostly at business users, that is, the second group. HPC.ru: With regard to the Russian market: the popularity of products Glofiish in Russia is growing quite rapidly. According to analytical reports by the end of 2006, E-TEN has become the second largest supplier of devices sold in the Russian market of Windows Mobile. One of the key advantages is the combination of "all in one» (GPS / GSM / Wi-Fi / BT). Are there any specific features of the Russian market, can you tell me what helps you, or conversely hinder the work? Can have any planned actions / activities to increase the popularity of products Glofiish? Teresa Chow: In terms of advertising in Russia have to do very much. Competition in this market is growing. It accounts for more new players. Harder and harder to attract buyers only technical leadership and innovation. Definitely need to invest in promotion and advertising. We expect a very rapid growth in sales in Russia through retail chains, so basically intend to focus on advertising, specifically related to retail. We also expect to invest not only in advertising the brand, but also in the action associated with our partners in Russia, so to speak, in the advertising field. Mikhail Fadeev: The main problem of the Russian market, oddly enough, you can re-name it is too rapid growth. In contrast to the European market stagnated, which quite easily can build long-term forecasts and monitor their implementation, in the Russian market is almost impossible. There is no reliable historical statistical base on which to build assumptions and plans. Therefore, just never know what step to take is as follows. In order to operate successfully on the Russian market, you should take sometimes risky decisions. And to make fast: on a detailed analysis sometimes simply not enough time. Theresa Cho: We want a separate note, we consider the Russian market as very important for myself. Therefore, because of the constantly evolving challenges we are ready to respond flexibly to the needs of just the Russian market. This applies both to hardware changes in the models Glofiish, and issues the set and special offers. For examples of this approach is not far to seek. The latest model Glofiish X800 including the recommendations of our Russian partners was a more powerful processor - 500 MHz instead of the originally planned 400 MHz, as well as altered the selector switch (lever), which became a much better look and work. Mikhail Fadeev: Or take a new, just released Glofiish X500 +: VGA screen (480 x 640) - extremely high demand feature is among Russian users, and an elegant black body by 80% due to requests from Russia. In Europe, many find it too dark, but in Russia it is highly demanded. Starting from that device, there was some Russian equipment. First of all, we started to make their own centralized certification device in accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation.The set for Russia, we replaced the cover a la Handy "(European style), a convenient carrying case made of genuine leather with belt clip. HPC.ru: What can you say about the brand new, still not announced models? What awaits us in the near and distant future? In fact, of course, work on the new communicator is? Wayne Ma: Of course, we are working on developing the next generation of communicators. And, of course, can not yet speak in detail about them. HPC.ru: Thank you very much for the interview and good luck in the work on behalf of our readers and to HPC.ru. Note HPC.ru: In a private conversation, we were able to find some information about the latest updates from E-TEN. By the end of the year we expect the output of at least three models of one of them recently rumored, including on our pages. One more will not say anything, but the third could be very serious and a pleasant surprise for all fans of PDAs and smartphones. Internal name, which operate on staff E-TEN'a - "Killer" ("Killer"). Apparently assumed that by offering this device on the market, E-TEN to have little to press other manufacturers, including the current market leader - HTC. Of course, no public details about this novelty it is not to be expected - everything is kept in complete secrecy. Time will tell how mentioned expectations regarding the new model are correct, but it must be noted that in recent times "the number passed in the quality and quantity again" - the company really made a big leap, becoming a serious player in the market of communicators, smartphones and PDAs. New models of the company, exhibited at Computex 2007 in Taipei, where the self and this conversation took place, and in many respects show a high potential for a grocery company and good prospects. Of course, any manufacturer is based on the profits on the distribution network devices, and the correct choice of partners in each country depends very much. We are extremely pleased to congratulate the company MakTsentr called the company E-TEN one of the top three global partners. The authors, translation:
