Nokia Open Studio: dashed any hope?
"Hottest" event of the week, no doubt, was the event Nokia Open Studio, which Nokia is held in New York. It is traditionally presented new smartphone models of the famous N-series. Since the release of the first models of the N-series, the company every six months, introduces three new unit, it has become a tradition. Each such event is awaited with impatience, wondering what Nokia will try to impress this time. Rumors, spy photos of new products expected and anticipated specifications appear long before the announcement. This time was no exception. A few days before the Open Studio, the network has "final" build of rumors regarding the three expected novelties. That's what it said briefly. Smartphone Nokia N81, made in monoblock form factor. According to rumors, it is equipped with 10 GB hard drive, 3.2-megapixel camera, supports cellular network UMTS, GSM / EDGE, as well as wireless Wi-Fi. N81 also allegedly received in stereo speakers, 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and can transmit stereo audio interface for Bluetooth (profile A2DP). Nokia N75 - slim clamshell. To "spy" photos of this smartphone was clearly visible to the keyboard in the style of a thin phone RAZR. It was expected that the model has a 2.4-inch display with QVGA (240x320 pixels), 2-megapixel camera, able to work in UMTS networks and standard EDGE.
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| Nokia N75 |
Nokia N95 - for the title of this model, the authors of the rumors do not come to an agreement and, in some earlier rumors, he appeared as the N83. Smartphone impressed Descriptions Support HSDPA, an unusual form factor (the so-called two-way slider that can move both up and down) and 5-megapixel camera with optics from Carl Zeiss. It was reported that the model is equipped with a large screen diagonal of 2.5 or 2.6-inch QVGA (240x320 pixels), 160 MB of internal memory and a slot for memory cards microSD, as well as poddezhivaet Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, uPnP, IrDA and USB. Earlier rumors were to be found and more impressive description of the N95/N83, for example, involve a built-in hard drive. As is usually the case, half of these rumors proved to be overly optimistic. At the New York Nokia Open Studio, in spite of the established practice, there were only two new N-Series - N75 and N95. It is also expected N81 was not available. Plus, the Nokia revealed several updated versions, as well as two simple phone. All new items have a clear focus on the music functions. This trend is gradually becoming a priority at Nokia, the laurels of the Walkman series phones from Sony Ericsson does not give them a rest, just like many other manufacturers. Smartphone Nokia N95 (N83 assumptions about the name not confirmed) is positioned as a new flagship and is consistent with this title. He gives the impression of a model designed for enthusiasts of new technologies. This versatile model has a remarkable property values in several parameters. For a number of parameters, this model was pioneered in general for Nokia. N95, as expected, is equipped with a GPS-receiver, 5-megapixel camera and large 2.6-inch display. Form factor is original, though not revolutionary - similar design, for example, used the phone by LG LP3900 for South Korea. The upper part of the slider can move up in the traditional way, opening up a digital keyboard, but it also can be shifted and down. In this case, will open a special control buttons to various multimedia content, and display goes to a horizontal display mode.
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| Nokia N95 |
Among other things, N95 supports high-speed data transfer standard HSDPA, it is the first Nokia model with similar capabilities. At the moment there are quite a few models of mobile phones, smart phones or communicators with such functionality. However, the number of operators offering services based on HSDPA small. However, by the time the N95 (the fourth quarter of 2006 for the U.S. market and the first quarter of next year for Europe) of its potential competitors in this area will increase. As the number of opportunities to use standard HSDPA.
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| Nokia N95 |
GPS-features new items are provided an integrated GPS-receiver. This feature is also provided by Nokia for the first time - until then navigate with Nokia smartphones was only possible when using an external module GPS - so do not expect too much from the N95 in this regard. According to journalists who attended the premiere, announced the company positioning accuracy is about 10 meters, which is not very acceptable to the city, especially considering that these figures are for ideal conditions. In this regard, a new smartphone, of course, can not compete with the latest specialized PDAs and smartphones with GPS-functions. However, here the company is trying to take others - complete with the Nokia N95 comes annex Maps, which includes maps for more than a hundred countries, which recorded around 15 million items, including hotels and restaurants. Usually, such software must be purchased for a fee. For additional features, such as city guides and navigation with voice will have to pay separately.
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| Nokia N95 |
Another innovation of products including Nokia - a camera with a resolution of 5 MP. Phone models with similar cameras still quite a bit. However, in contrast to the predecessor model, Nokia N93, though the novelty is used optics Carl Zeiss, does not provide an optical zoom. The specifications indicate a politically correct optical zoom. On the other hand, such an object would be problematic to implement in the slider - N93 clamshell, and the lens was built into the hinge between the halves of the body. Not snubbed and video - it is implemented at the level of Nokia N93, with VGA resolution at 30 frames per second, according to representatives of Nokia, DVD-like quality. With all of this slider phone is small compared with the same N93, so it simply baby - 99h53h21 mm and weighs 120 grams, vs. 118x55, 5x28 mm and 180 grams. It is worth noting also the richness of wireless capabilities - in addition to WCDMA and HSDPA, GSM and EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), are also provided Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g), UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), Bluetooth 2.0, IrDA . Music lovers will certainly delight 3,5-mm jack for headphones, stereo speakers and stereo FM-radio with Visual-effects. As mentioned earlier, the model has a large display - 2.6 diagonal inches, with a QVGA (240x320 pixels), which is capable of displaying 16M colors. There are up to 160 MB of dynamically shared memory and a slot for memory cards microSD.Perhaps the main and almost the only drawback of Nokia N95 is not too capacious battery - Li-Ion (BL-5F) capacity of 950 mAh that, given all the functions of the model can not provide a sufficiently long period of time working in active use. For comparison - in the same N93 battery lithium polymer, capacity of 1100 mAh To summarize, N95 - is now a new flagship, aimed at enthusiasts of new technologies. Called model-specific competition for him is difficult, very much an integrated company went to its creation. Of course, if we take the characteristics individually, the competition is definitely there, but overall, this smartphone looks quite attractive. Is that a little while a few crosses of the dignity of the apparatus. The second new product, announced at the Open Studio - a clamshell Nokia N75. It is positioned as a fine model. The first emphasizes its music capabilities. According to the company, this is the most compact unit in the model number of Nokia Nseries. The physical dimensions are 95h52h20, 2 mm, and weight - 123.5 grams. At first glance - not so little, but do not forget here that this model is the third generation, so even a smartphone. The main differences from its predecessor, Nokia N71 - the novelty has stereo speakers, an external display, you may receive information about the musical compositions, and there are also external buttons control music playback. The rest of Nokia N75 is not too protrudes from the range N-series.
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| Nokia N75 |
Here is a brief description of N75. 2-megapixel camera with 16 x digital zoom is equipped with a flash and can record video in MPEG4. The internal display has a diagonal of 2.4 inches, resolution QVGA (320x240 pixels) and supports the display of 16M colors. Clamshell also features a stereo FM-radio. At N75 is not so much built-in memory - up to 40 MB, shared dynamically, as well as a slot for memory cards SD (up to 2 GB). Ability to work in networks WCDMA (850/1900 MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), supports EDGE.
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| Nokia N75 |
Nokia N75 will be available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of this year, and in Europe - in the first quarter of next year. For those who are not fundamental features of a smartphone is a multimedia phone, or vice versa, is not important musical imprisoned for a smartphone to find an alternative is not difficult.
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| Nokia N75 |
Both new products are running Symbian OS, S60 3d Edition. In addition to the major hits of the N-series Nokia introduced three upgraded smartphone, dubbed the Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia N73 Music Edition and Nokia N91 8GB. The first two have not undergone significant changes - are the new black casing and delivery. Nokia N91 8GB has undergone far more dramatically changes - in addition to the black case and kit, smartphone received 8 GB hard drive instead of the previous 4 GB. This is a new approach for Nokia to create all sorts «Edition», which not only changes the software component, the appearance and delivery, but also the hardware model.
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| Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia N73 Music Edition and Nokia N91 8GB |
And the latest innovations - the simple but no less musical of the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic and Nokia 5200 and the updated smartphone Nokia 3250 XpressMusic. The difference between 5200 and 5300 lies in the fact that the first display with lower resolution (128x160 pixels vs. 320x240) and normal VGA-camera instead of the 1.3-megapixel model in 5300. Both phones have a slider form factor, capable of working in networks GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz and supports GPRS and EDGE. It is also worth noting that both phones are equipped with FM-receiver and a standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. Updated XpressMusic 3250 music smartphone has a slightly different appearance, as well as increase the maximum possible amount of memory cards microSD - up to 2 GB.
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| Nokia 3250 XpressMusic |
At the completion of the review of new products from Nokia Open Studio event remains only to note that contrary to expectations, was not a model of Nokia N81, which is now a new force began to wait for fans of the company and was not very clear that the model has been shown to "spy" photos allegedly Nokia N75, the differences in appearance are visible at a glance.
HP iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion - Pocket PC for navigation and entertainment
Hewlett-Packard Company today announced a new line of products, among which was represented by a series of handheld iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion, equipped with GPS-module. The main functions of series devices in the presentation are the property of navigation, entertainment (play music, videos and games) as well as work on the Internet. PDA made in the style recently introduced a series rx4000 Mobile Media Companion, sharpened mainly by working with multimedia content, but have a larger size (including display) and GPS-functionality. The form factor of these two series is quite original and nonstandard for HP, and even in principle for the PDA, since display mode "by default" for the display is not vertical and horizontal controls are located, respectively. This was done apparently for reasons of convenience when navigating, watching videos and work with the Internet, the main functions of these models. Thus, the company as it positions its product as a fundamentally new solution is more friendly to the above tasks. On the other hand, management in a vertical display mode will not be as familiar and therefore not as convenient.
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| HP iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion |
The main shortcoming of the model could be considered a display resolution - QVGA (320x240 pixels) at 3.5 inches diagonally. Such a relation of resolution and size is almost the standard for car navigation, but it might be better for this PDA, a category which includes iPAQ rx5000. We list the main characteristics. rx5000 running the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC, based on Samsung SC32442 processor with 400 MHz. Provides 64 MB of RAM, separately worth noting the possibility a large amount of ROM - up to 2 GB (depending on model). Wireless networks Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g) and the interface Bluetooth 2.0 EDR. Navigation capabilities provided by GPS-module SiRFstarIII. Provided in microphone, speaker, 3,5-mm jack for headphones, a USB interface and a slot for memory cards format SD.Meals made from lithium-ion battery capacity of 1700 mAh (it should be noted - a very good indicator.) Size is 120.5 h76h16 5 mm, and weight - 170 grams (with battery). On the model series preinstalled navigation software TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 and maps from Tele Atlas. On a version for North America rx5900 installed maps of U.S. and Canada. In Europe, will be released rx5700 with regional maps or rx5900 with maps of Western Europe. In the U.S. version of the rx5900 will appear in October. The recommended price is $ 599. Summary - the model is original and may be of interest due to form factor, and optionally a large amount of flash memory, but loses some modern GPS-PDA, for example, Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX N560-resolution display. Processor and memory - avg. As a result, models which can be viewed as competing a lot, especially considering the recommended price. Example - Mitac Mio P550.
Mobius 2006: New from Microsoft and 15 new products for future i-mate
Interesting event this week was also the Mobius 2006 conference USA in Boston, conducted by Microsoft. It was shown in particular pack AKU3 (Adaptation Kit Upgrade) for Windows Mobile, as well as applications Windows Mobile PowerToys and Windows Live Messenger Mobile BETA, At the moment most new devices based on Windows Mobile come with AKU2. The main changes in AKU3 could be considered multi-language support (for vendors to install multi-language support, which can be changed during the hard reset), a new utility Internet Sharing, simplifies connecting a PC to the Internet via a PDA, can navigate through folders with one hand, without using the stylus , extended support contacts on SIM / USIM cards and more.
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| Presentation Pack AKU3 (Adaptation Kit Upgrade) for Windows Mobile |
In the next photo shows two plug-in, members of the Power Toys - plug the dial on the photos for the Today screen plugin and view photos.
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| Two plug-ins included in the Power Toys |
But the pictures Messenger Windows Live Messenger BETA, which is not yet available publicly, even for testing.
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| Windows Live Messenger BETA |
Also at the conference made an interesting statement of Jim Morrison (Jim Morrison), founder and CEO of i-mate. According to him, the company intends to release 15 new devices based on Windows Mobile in the next 12 months. As noted by Morrison, the vast majority of new products will be assigned to Class PDA running Windows Mobile 5.0 P Pocket PC Phone Edition, but it will be a few smart phones based on Windows Mobile Smartphone. By the way, Morrison also said that cooperation with HTC has finally broken, but i-mate is now going to produce a model that will be available only at it.
Amoi E70: subtle oriental approach
The Chinese company Amoi announced a smartphone E70, running a Windows operating system Windows Mobile 5.0. The device is a slim candy bar. Design of new items similar to a thin phone Motorola SLVR from Motorola, especially for the keyboard. Those who closely followed the release of i-mate will recognize in the model was announced recently Smartphone i-mate SPL. Amoi E70 and i-mate SPL is clearly built on a single platform.
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| Amoi E70 |
Main technical characteristics, as well as the design of the same. The smartphone is designed to operate in GSM-networks with protocol support packet data GPRS. No support for EDGE, or Wi-Fi is not provided. E70 has a diagonal screen 2.2-inch with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. It is also worth noting the presence of a 2-megapixel camera, MP3-player slot for miniSD memory card interface and Bluetooth. And most importantly - the thickness of 12 mm.
Chicago is coming soon in Europe
Company Route 66, known for its navigation software for mobile devices that debuted on the market of portable navigation systems for automobiles. She presented four car GPS-navigator, united in a series of Chicago (the city, which begins the famous American highway Route 66). Series includes four models: 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000. The main difference between them is set and a set of proposed GPS-capabilities. Chicago model 6000 and 7000 are intended for regional use, respectively, are supplied with regional maps of Europe. Chicago 8000 and 9000 comes with maps of all Europe. In this case, Navigators Chicago 7000 and 9000 are additionally equipped with built-in RDS-TMC receivers.
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| Navigation Route 66 |
All 4 new items have touch screens with a diagonal of 4.3 inches, supports playback of MP3 and the average work 4.5 hours on one battery charge. Work is performed on a processor with a clock frequency of 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 64 MB of flash memory. GPS-module based on the chipset SiRF Star III. Has a slot for memory card formats, SD and MMC. Sales of all four navigators should begin in November this year.
Briefly about other events of the week
Operator O2 Asia officially presented XDA Stealth PDA for the Asian market. Communicator XDA Stealth placed on the platform of the company Gigabyte Communications. One of its main features is the design of a slider with a numeric keypad. Communicator is running Windows Mobile 5.0-based Intel XScale PXA272 processor with 416 MHz. Memory capacity is 192 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM. The display has a resolution of 240x320 pixels and can display up to 65K colors. In addition, XDA Stealth equipped modules Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11b / g) and supports networks GSM / GPRS (900/1800/1900 MHz). Case dimensions are 110h53x22 5 mm, and weight - 140 grams (without battery).
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| O2 XDA Stealth |
Adobe has released a preview release of new version of the Flash-player for devices based on Windows Mobile 5.0 - Adobe Flash Lite 2.1. The final release is planned later this year. This version is based on the standard Flash 7. Among the main features of Adobe Flash Lite 2.1 - support for working with data Dynamic XML, Action Script 2.0, based on the ECMA 262, extended work with text, and playback of compressed swf-files. Communicator Treo 750v will soon appear not only in Europe. Operator Vodafone announced the date of the start of European sales Treo 750v. This will happen on October 2. Also of Palm and the Asian operator MobileOne announced his own for the Asian market. As well as in Europe, Treo 750v is the first Treo model in Asia, which will operate on the basis of Windows Mobile 5.0. There was a new version of an alternative music player from the company Conduits Technologies.In the version of Pocket Player 3.0 adds support for video playback, the new engine libraries, managing accounts and playlists, supports skins, made for Windows Media Player, as well as a new option for the compounds, including downloading album art, podcast streaming and UPNP (Universal Plug- and-Play). Pocket Player supports MP3, WMA, WMV, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC and WAV, and protected WMA, A-Law, AU, and ADPCM WAV. The program works with Pocket PC and Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 and 5.0. Company Nyxbull Software update program NS Contacts Backup. It is intended for backup and restore your notebook mobile devices running Windows Mobile. In the version of NS Contacts Backup 1.1poyavilas ability to copy the photos assigned to contacts, supports all types of display resolutions, and also fixed some bugs. Only supported operating system Windows Mobile 2005 Pocket PC (WM 2003 and WM 2003 SE are currently not supported), for work required. NET Compact Framework 2.0. Company CyberMatrix has released version 2 of the application software Project Clock CE. This program helps to manage business projects on mobile devices running the Windows operating system Windows Mobile. In version 2.00 has appeared quite a lot of changes, including the operating system now supports Windows Mobile 5.0, the ability to filter records on clients, projects or tasks, in addition, customers, projects and tasks can now be added from the main window using the drop-down lists. Project Clock CE is working with Windows Mobile PocketPC and requires SQLite. Bluetooth Watch MBW-100 - a new accessory for mobile phones from Sony Ericsson. Wristwatches are connected to the phone using a wireless interface Bluetooth 2.0. They are equipped with a small OLED-display under the dial. With the help of icons you can find the source of the call, the battery charge level, to receive notification for incoming SMS-message. Also with the MBW-100 can control the MP3-player in the phone. Hours are sealed and can withstand immersion in water at a depth of 30 meters, although not specified how long they can stay there without harm to himself. One of the nice features themselves - clock signal will be served by going beyond the reach of Bluetooth-connection. That's not forget the phone will anywhere, and can even serve as a warning about the theft. The drawbacks of new items can be attributed, perhaps, only the weight - nearly 187.5 grams.
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| Bluetooth Watch MBW-100 |
GB SIM-ki may appear by the end of the year. Msystems company announced its capacious SIM-cards mSIM MegaSIM. At the moment, now available SIM-card MegaSIM 128 MB, 256 MB and 512 MB, and by the end of the year to be held commercial edition cards 1 GB. Features mSIM MegaSIM enable mobile operators to create new services, content and applications. For example, make it possible to store directly to the SIM-card data is downloaded, allowing operators to control the spread of DRM-based content unique ID number. The combination of large memory and high-security provides operators with the really big opportunities for new services. With the use of such cards to subscribers do not necessarily have a phone with a large amount of internal memory or an expansion slot, 1 GB is enough to store a decent amount of songs or pictures. It remains only to consider how much will cost to obtain a contract from the operator of such a SIM-ki. The company BenQ Mobile - bankrupt. Similar headlines are filled with news feeds on mobile topics. Statement of the company much more cautiously. Here's what she said: at a meeting of the board of directors of BenQ Corporation, it was decided to suspend financing subsidiary, BenQ Mobile, based in Germany. This step was preceded by a forecast of expected total revenues and income of German unit BenQ Mobile in the upcoming fourth quarter of this year.In connection with the suspension of compensation payments to the parent company, the German unit of BenQ Mobile is considering filing a court petition in bankruptcy. The procedure can affect the representation in Munich, Bocholt and Kamp-Lintfort (Germany). Units in Brazil and other countries currently evaluating its financial condition. In this case, BenQ emphasize that the events would not affect the company's plans for business development of mobile phones. BenQ Mobile will produce and sell mobile phones BenQ-Siemens-led Asian office which is located in Taipei, using existing design and manufacturing facilities in Asia. Concept mobile phone called The Black Box from the company BenQ has received the award at the competition iF Design Award China 2006. This design demonstrates a new approach to user interface - the front panel is touch-sensitive, it can be displayed on the menu, a numeric keypad, some other controls, as well as just the image, depending on the currently functions. Such a concept would significantly enhance the functionality of the phone without fear that users are completely confused in the interface - everything is simple and clear. Xun Chi 138 - the Chinese champion miniature touchscreen. At the height of the phone a little more penlight batteries. Management is primarily through the touch screen. Xun Chi 138 is equipped with an MP3-player, VGA-camera and 120 MB of available memory. The unit weighs 55 grams. The only thing you can not say with confidence - because that is what use such a phone is convenient.
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| Xun Chi 138 |
KingMax company introduced high-speed flash card format microSD 1 GB. According to representatives of the company's first card in this format on the basis of high technology SLC Flash. Reading speed with the new card is on the level of 10.5 mb / c, and the recording speed on it - about 8.9 MB / sec. At the Photokina 2006, the company Pretec Electronics and SanDisk simultaneously presented flash card formats CompactFlash 16 GB. At present it is the most capacious flash drives of this format. Pretec cards are made using flash memory SLC NAND. They are suitable for use in industry or the military. Speed data access is 80X (12 MB / s) or 133X (20 Mbps), depending on the specific model. Delivery of samples should begin in October, and mass production - during the fourth quarter. SanDisk has expanded card 16 GB series Extreme III CompactFlash, she also presented a map with 12 GB. Declared by the minimum speed of reading and writing them is 20 Mbps. Extreme III CompactFlash 12 GB and 16 GB will be available in December. Company Mvox Technologies Bluetooth-equipped headset speakerphone and introduced the world to a device called Mvox Duo Smart Communicator. Mvox Duo is a versatile system that can be used as a simple Bluetooth-headsets, portable car speakerphone, VoIP-sets, and so on. Device looks like a big enough by modern standards, Bluetooth-Headset and worn with traditional behind-fixing. In this case, Mvox Duo has two processors DSP, system noise and reduce the echo effect. Dimensions are 76h30h28 mm, and weight - 25.5 grams.
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| Mvox Duo Smart Communicator |
The authors, translation:
K. Nemo