Beginning of the year are traditionally ornate as interesting announcements, and on a variety of rumors. Producers lay the groundwork for the whole year, showing users what to expect and what to hope for the top of the year. The most interesting news of the week can be divided into three categories: the echoes of the past CES 2008, announcements from the MacWorld Expo 2008 and the preparations for the February Mobile World Congress 2008.
Newton II: never received
From the perspective of fans of smart handheld devices, the main impression of the MacWorld Expo 2008 can be formulated quite succinctly: "Do not have waited." All the rumors of possible announcement of a new iteration of the Newton handheld computer were only rumors, distracting from the main sensation of the Apple MacWorld Expo 2008 - hyperfine laptop MacBook Air.
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With regard to announcements took place, they touched the smartphone segment kommunikatornogo very arbitrary: it was given confirmation of the February release of an SDK for the iPhone and mobile phone player iPod touch, and also released a software update for them. The upcoming release of SDK (software development kit) finally spozitsioniruet these two devices as a true communicator and PDA. At the moment, they can be ranked in these categories is very conditional, because you can not legally install software from third-party developers. Meanwhile SDK does not appear, Apple itself diversifies opportunities iPhone and iPod touch. The new iPhone firmware appeared long awaited features such as multi-configurable desktop, add custom widgets based on the viewed Web-site, location on Google Maps based on data from GSM base stations and access points, W-Fi, a video player chapters, languages and subtitles in media player - lyrics, and the possibility of a distressed since the release of iPhone, - sending SMS to multiple recipients. Firmware iPod touch has almost all the ins updates iPhone (minus the sensitive phone functions), and adds five new applications to the player. Initially, all these applications were available for the iPhone, but lacking in the iPod touch. Now the new iPod touch will come with applications Mail, Maps, Stocks, Weather, and Notes, but users have already sold vehicles have to pay almost 20 dollars for the upgrade.
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Milan announces Toshiba
Milan division of Toshiba quietly and almost imperceptibly gave a presentation device and the Toshiba Portege G910 Smartphone Toshiba Portege G710. New items continue to work conquest of Europe, which began last year. Toshiba fairly long ignored segment of Windows Mobile devices on the European market, and last year loudly declared himself, firing two eye-catching models - PDA Toshiba Portege G900 Smartphone and G500. Toshiba Portege G910 communicator fully retained the main advantage of the predecessor - a widescreen display with a resolution of WVGA (800x480) and 3 inch. The main differences are the form factor, increased to 256 the amount of ROM-RAM and a built GPS-module. Communicator G900 was designed as a slider with QWERTY-keyboard, the new model also represents the so-called horizontal clamshell. In the folded form of a user is given a small displeychik with service information and the main buttons for calling. When you open the device user gets access to a large display and keyboard. It is only natural that the company is positioning novelty as a "mini-notebook." Dimensions match - 117h64h19, 8mm, nobody can not be called impressive. The device should definitely find its niche as direct competitors Portege G910 not. As potential competitors Portege G910 can be called unless i-Mate 7150 Ultimate, never made it to the shelves in spite of the announcement in February last year, but a distant star in 2005 HTC Universal. Toshiba wins Communicator uniquely on the quality of the display (WVGA vs. VGA) and the possibility of GPS-navigation. Released last year, HTC Advantage X7500 is already belongs to another class thanks to a huge 5-inch diagonal display and HTC TyTN II has a much more modest 2.8-inch diagonal display with a resolution of QVGA. As a potential competitor can be called a smartphone Nokia E90 c internal display on 800h352 pixels, but it's not quite correct, since it operates on a fundamentally different platform. One of the closest competitors Portege G910 is a smartphone Glofiish M800, also played in the display (VGA with a diagonal of 2.8 inches).
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| Toshiba Portege G910 |
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| Toshiba Portege G910 |
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| Toshiba Portege G910 |
Portege G710 smartphone based on Windows Mobile 6 Standard, has no analogue in the portfolio of Toshiba, but it is quite familiar for those interested in smartphones in general. This is a monoblock with QWERTY-keyboard below the screen, form factor is familiar to smartphone Blackberry, Motorola Q, Samsung Ultra Messaging i600 and HTC S620 (Excalibur). The model is not designed to surprise and did not have a long specification, is striking. It is designed for networks of GSM / GPRS / EDGE, does not endorse any third-generation networks, or Wi-Fi. CPU, memory, display settings - all without distracting from the total weight of such decisions. The main highlight of distinguishing Portege G710 from its competitors is the integrated GPS-receiver. Smartphones in a similar form factor with support for GPS-navigation is still very small. Complementing the picture trackball instead of a joystick, a decision that showed itself in the new BlackBerry.
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| Toshiba Portege G710 |
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| Toshiba Portege G710 |
| Issue of January 14-18, "width =" 400 "height =" 300 "/> |
| Toshiba Portege G710 |
After such a quiet announcement we certainly expects a lot of hype around the Toshiba Portege G710 and Portege G910 at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona. This is the first GPS-line devices, Toshiba, until the end of the year is expected a few more models with the GPS-capabilities. The yield of new products in Europe is scheduled for first quarter, the recommended price is 300 euros (about $ 440) for Smartphone and 600 euros (about 880 dollars) for the device.
Samsung will put a cross on the iPhone?
Judging by the published Italian resource Cellularmania this, Samsung is preparing a Windows Mobile device claims to the title of "killer iPhone". Unlike Apple phone, he will draw attention not only to fans of ergonomics and user interfaces, but also lovers of long specifications with beautiful names of parameters. The first attempt at Korean companies in this direction was the Samsung F490 phone interface Croix (translated means "cross") and i900 eliminates two major drawbacks F490 - lack of support for wireless Wi-Fi networks and the possibility of installing applications. Positioning the Samsung i900 is clear almost agree: "as the iPhone, but much cooler." Judge for yourself: the novelty Samsung will be implemented the principal parameters, failing which the iPhone gadzhetomany blames Apple. This support high-speed third-generation networks (up to 7,2 Mbit / c), 5-megapixel autofocus camera, GPS-module, FM-radio, a slot for memory cards microSD. Display size is the same as the iPhone 3.5 inches diagonal, but loses a little resolution: 240x400 pixels against 320x480 pixels. It is also noted control "optical mouse", apparently, like the touchpad on your device Samsung SGH-i780. This touchpad can be seen in the picture below the display on the site where the iPhone is the only key. Relatively Samsung i900 is still a lot of controversial and not clarified things. It is not known what processor will be used, as well as the specific amount of internal memory. Translated from the Italian phrase of the memory in the specification rather ambiguous, the most accurate translation, in my opinion sounds like "more than 8 GB of expandable via microSD memory cards. According to some sources, the device will be installed 1 GB of memory plus the possibility of using the cards. It is unclear how close to the Croix will be implemented Finger friendly, picture, published Cellularmania, do not give any idea about this, besides, it looks more like a work of the novice enthusiast Photoshop, designed to show the approximate design of new items. Samsung i900 will work on the new Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, perhaps, a manufacturer of analog Croix will create for this platform.
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Know the official details, confirming or refuting rumors that we can in February at Mobile World Congress.
GPS-heir of HTC Gene
HTC is certainly prepared for the Mobile World Congress 2008 some interesting novelties. In the past year were presented to 4 products, among which lost budget communicator HTC P3400 (Gene). Information about the heir HTC Gene became known thanks to the Portuguese resource PCdebolso. At one time, the communicator HTC Gene became the first true budget application submitted under its own HTC brand. He combined the compactness and lightness of wallet-friendly user price. Most HTC Gene briefly be described as "thinner Qtek s200 without Wi-Fi-module and an IR port. HTC Pharos (tentative marking P3470) has the same parameters, but also has two significant differences from its predecessor. Firstly, he has a GPS-module, and secondly, the increased amount of ROM-RAM to 256 MB RAM-memory to 128 MB. Plus to this - a change in software platform, is already used by Windows Mobile 6 Professional.
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| HTC Pharos |
You can list several obscure points, is not clarified by the source. Unknown standard memory cards in HTC Gene the old format used by SD, not microSD, if tradition continues, adding support for Wi-Fi without any problems. Apparently, the model does not come into the family of HTC Touch, although the source does not exclude completely the possibility. Firstly, on the submitted photos can be seen the familiar features of the Today screen design like the HTC TyTN II, and secondly there are two hardware keys to control software, which is not characteristic of a series of Touch. Also unknown approximate price model. Hopefully, the HTC Pharos inherit more than reasonable price HTC Gene. In this case, the novelty will be competitive with the representatives of the segment "cheap and with GPS" as RoverPC N7. If you believe PCdebolso, issue of the budget communicator will take place in March.
ASUS M930: updated specifications or announcement behind closed doors
How "cool" will "rival Nokia E90" from ASUS is still not clear to the end. Rumors about the smartphone ASUS M930 differ stunning diversity. Initially, spoke of him as a communicator on Windows Mobile 6 Professional, then as a smartphone without a touchscreen with Windows Mobile 6 Standard. No less remarkable were metamarfozam information about the processor, internal memory and a camera. Last week the company ASUSTeK Computer held a closed presentation, which managed to get French media resource Mobinaute. According to the latest version of the specification smartphone equipped with a processor from Texas Instruments TI2431 450 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM internal memory, a 2-megapixel camera with autofocus. At least one stable this we have - the form factor of the horizontal clamshell with a QWERTY-keyboard. And here it seems, ASUS admits a serious mistake. In disclosing the device we will see a small display with a diagonal of 2,6 inches with a resolution of WQVGA (400x240 pixels), which leaves a huge untapped area on the side panel. On one side of the display is too small for this form factor, but on the other - non-standard resolution threatens trouble with the software.
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On the official website ASUSTeK currently no information about the ASUS M930. "Public announcement" is expected smartphone at CeBIT 2008, which will be held in March in Hannover. If we believe the description Mobinaute, it can compete with smartphones HTC S710 (Vox) and HTC S730 (Wings), losing to them in size, but winning on the quality of the display. HTC S710 to S730 are executed in a slightly different form factor, but close in spirit to the novelty ASUS, as well as provide access to the QWERTY-keyboard with a horizontal display mode and a simple numeric keypad with a display in vertical mode. ASUS M930 noticeably larger developments HTC, its dimensions are 113h54h18, 7 mm vs 102 x 50 x 19 mm. Make conclusions too early, you must first wait for the official publication of the complete specifications.
Computer in the palm, two SIM-ki of the device and photo Glofiish V900
How to make a computer with x86-architecture in a handheld size? Ask VIA Technologies and research organization STAG - they invented a way. Computer called Mtube has dimensions 85h85h20 mm and features comparable to modern UMPC. In his arsenal - Processor VIA C7-M processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz, 8 GB of flash memory, 2.8-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 640x480 pixels. The communication capabilities of the design may give odds to the average CPC - in addition to Wi-Fi support is provided the opportunity to work in networks of WiMAX, as well as the networks CDMA (this is optional). Work is performed under the operating system family Linux, and operating time on one battery charge up to 4 hours.
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This miracle has been demonstrated at the event, Lunch @ Piero 2008. Overestimate the potential of such devices is difficult. Suppose to the commercial release is still far, Mtube now shows the possibilities for miniaturization of computers and build capacity of communicators and smartphones. Mtube fits within the concept of "personal Internet", which actively promotes Intel, which means that in the near future we can see the older brothers Mtube Platform Intel.
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If a simple mobile phones with the ability to use two SIM-cards at the same time can be found without much difficulty, among the Windows Mobile there is a serious deficiency. The idea of the device with two SIM-kami, popularized in the past year, the brand power of Samsung, is reflected in the new Communicator from Haier. Model Haier HG-N99 is a variant of a simple device for users who need access to two phone numbers simultaneously. Pretty simple characteristics of budget combined with the opportunity to call on two numbers at any time. Communicator will undoubtedly find a buyer, because he has virtually no competitors. Of the features include GSM / GPRS / EDGE, a 2-megapixel camera, slot for microSD, interface Bluetooth, no 3G support and Wi-Fi.
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| Haier HG-N99 |
Glofiish V900 promises to be one of the most interesting novelties Mobile World Congress 2008. Judging from published photographs, the communicator uses maloknopochny, rounded design sverhuspeshnogo HTC Touch. Scheduled at least two color embodiment of the housing. The fashionable design Glofiish V900 offers impressive performance. Support for broadcast standards DVB-T, DVB-H, T-DMB and DAB announced officially, but informed sources have said with certainty about the display with a resolution VGA, 128 MB RAM-memory. Most likely that will be used Samsung processor clocked at 667 MHz and video accelerator.
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| Glofiish V900 |
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| Glofiish V900 |
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| Glofiish V900 |
The main impression from the last week can be formulated as follows: "We are waiting for a lot of surprises at Mobile World Congress 2008". Stay tuned. The authors, translation: