Mobile panorama, the first decade of January. Life outside the CES 2008

Ended the year was a fever for the purchase of gifts for the holidays, and producers began to make efforts to direct the attention of potential buyers in the future. Detach from the meditative scrutiny gifts are not so simple, so that the PR-department of manufacturers must try to bring fans of the New Year's slumber. The mass of new products with an eye at the beginning of the year was presented at CES 2008, information can be found in a separate article in the "Library". But the activity of producers and journalists are not limited to the exhibition, is CES, there was also a lot of interesting events.

Windows Mobile 7: What is it and who benefits?

Very interesting information leakage will look at the future of mobile operating system, Windows Mobile. Blog InsideMicrosoft published a fairly detailed description of the main features of Windows Mobile with serial number 7, also known under the code name NEXT. In the description of Windows Mobile 7 may be noted two global innovation: new user interface with the orientation of the fingers, rather than a stylus, and management technology through various movements. When you look at screenshots submitted by "Finger" interface simply can not be an association with the revolutionary mobile news in 2007, and in the very article the word "iPhone" found almost no more than "Windows Mobile". Directly to design iPhone, of course, will not be copied, the main theme, you can probably compare with Windows Vista. Also, in any case can not be argued that Microsoft just copies the development of Apple. It only moves in the same direction as other handset manufacturers, including Nokia and HTC, following market trends popularized iPhone. Microsoft offers a number of interesting decisions in their implementation of the interface and it can not be overlooked. User of the device with Windows Mobile 7 will use touch of a finger and a combination of touch to scroll vertically or horizontally, access problems and the menu, clicking on the controls that work with lists, drag and drop and run applications on the icon. In this plan you can manage with one hand, that is, the thumb of a hand holding the device, but does not exclude the use of technology and multi-touch. Some applications, however, will require using the stylus. In ibezhanie random errors when entering the finger "is not there," suggested such a system: When you click the screen icon element increases, giving the user an opportunity to better orient and decide if the items are too small. Such a system will be used for the keyboard (an increase down the letters) when editing text (selected portion of text appears in a larger size in the tooltip over the line), a Web-browser when you click on the link (in the prompt, a list of options to choose from) and similar situations. Scrollbar in Windows Mobile 7 will not be a permanent feature pages, it will appear only when needed, ie when the user scrolls the page.

Life outside the CES 2008 "title =" Mobile view, the first ten days of January. Life outside the CES 2008 "width =" 370 "height =" 485 "/>

For motion control functions decided to abandon the special sensors. Unlike the iPhone to Windows Mobile this feature is implemented using a mobile camera unit. Everything is logical, since Apple itself decides which sensors, and sensors will be embedded in its mobile phone and Windows Mobile is designed for different hardware platforms, which are engaged in the development of independent power producers. The obvious negative of this approach - for gesture control is necessary to keep the camera turned on permanently, which can not affect the duration of the battery. Interestingly, this control method is already used by Sony Ericsson in some recent updates. With the help of movements can be controlled phone when the screen is locked, for example, to answer the call. Also provides a change of orientation of the image on the screen when tilting the phone. Slope can be browse collections of photos, zoom in and control the playback of music, and shaking - "mix" composition. Special mention deserves Management Web-browser to view the different sites. When you angle you can browse the sites presented in the form of small thumbnails. Also interesting option to automatically lock the phone and even an increase in signal volume when the device is placed in a pocket or purse - the camera responds to changes in illumination. The beauty of this control is questionable, but at least in some cases, this function will be very useful. For Microsoft, such a leak can turn into a real tragedy, because in February it will provide the public updated Windows Mobile 6.1, which will probably be positioned as the newest and modern solution. Now the reputation of "innovation" 6.1 badly stained and will not be accepted with the enthusiasm that might be, is not leaked information about Windows Mobile 7 in the network. Version 7 is expected only by 2009, but now it is not perceived as innovative. If you believe InsideMicrosoft, then Microsoft will be in an awkward position as it will spend more than a year to recreate the solutions offered by some companies now. Perhaps, InsideMicrosoft, intentionally or accidentally mentioned, not all but only some of the features of the future OS, without naming a less provocative innovations. Whoever caused the leak, he planted the Microsoft hefty pig, position the company as "twine a tail and spoiled selling Windows Mobile 6.1. However, the giant from Redmond is still time to prepare fans of Windows Mobile is a real surprise. Take advantage of it this time or not, we will see next year.

Spies in the camp Vodafone: Windows Mobile and Symbian news

Barely finished celebrating the New Year, resource Boy Genius Report published material came into his plans of Vodafone for the production of mobile devices in 2008. Roadmap gave much food for thought, and showed some interesting models of smartphones and communicators, which can be expected. Particularly worthy of mention four new models based on Windows Mobile and a couple of Symbian-smartphones. According to materials of Vodafone, from Hewlett Packard in this year should wait at least two new products, smartphone and PDA based on Windows Mobile 6 Standard and Professional. HP Oak Communicator for integrated approach. The developers have not stinted on the two keyboards, the maximum possible at the moment speed HSDPA (7,2 Mbit / c), support for GPS. Nevertheless, the form factor rather controversial, the amateur. Used as a numeric keypad below the screen and slide-out side QWERTY. This design is used in several models of Japanese communicators, but did not receive wide distribution due to a number of obvious drawbacks. If a smartphone is still justified, for devices with a touch screen seems superfluous. As can be seen in the image on the numeric keypad additionally implemented interface Smart Touch, first used in 2007 model HP iPAQ 614. Unfortunately, the paper left out many important details, and some cause mistrust. For example, says about the battery capacity 1010mAch that, to put it mildly, modest in comparison with existing products of HP. HP Silver Smartphone also supports HSDPA speeds of up to 7,2 Mbit / c, GPS-navigation and wireless Wi-Fi. The main feature of this model is a hybrid keyboard similar to SureType, used in some smartphones BlackBerry. As a result, smartphone, on the one hand, will not create competition with traditional communicators HP QWERTY-keyboard, but on the other - much more comfortable for typing than the HP iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger with a simple numeric keypad. If we believe the documentation, the sale of new items will appear in the September and July, at a price of 260 and 250 pounds, respectively (510 and 490 U.S. dollars). We should also note that the models look slim and stylish. The company will continue to develop the direction of Palm and Windows Mobile offers Smartphone and PDA based on the new Windows Mobile 6.1. Smartphone Palm Wanda looks like an extension of the representation in the past year, Treo 500v. Smartphone in the same design has got a much more solid filling with the support of third-generation networks and features GPS-navigation. How will the device Palm Drucker, still unknown, but the possibility of an impression. The combination of 3,5 G, Wi-Fi and GPS - is unexpectedly strong for the Palm course. Let's hope that this year is really Palm (at last), in ignoring the need for models with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. The display will be made with a classic for the Treo smartphones on the Palm OS resolution - 320x320 pixels instead of 240x240, which has been used in previous models of Treo with Windows Mobile. It is interesting that there will not be a pioneer Palm, Windows Mobile device with a resolution of 320x320 pixels has already presented the company Samsung. It is not difficult to guess, Palm Drucker - is a successor to Palm Treo 750v, over which had some serious work on the bugs. It is hoped that the company has not made it too late, because the release of Palm Drucker is planned only in July this year. It is expected that its price is 270 pounds sterling (530 dollars). Expected date of issue Palm Wanda - September, and the price - 180 pounds, that is $ 350. I would like to say something optimistic about the prospects of Palm, but I fear that the company was delayed to fix bugs.

Life outside the CES 2008 "width =" 500 "height =" 375 "/>

From Symbian-smartphones have become known details about a pair of relatively long-awaited business innovations Nokia. Model, codenamed Nokia Dora is a successor to the slider Nokia E65, obzavedshegosya GPS-functionality and an improved 3.2-megapixel camera. Looks somewhat doubtful about the display with a resolution of 320x320 vs. 240x320 pixels earlier. Smartphone Nokia Liam, also known as Nokia E71, seems to combine the form factor model E61 with the functionality of the current flagship E-Series - Nokia E90. When a candybar with QWERTY-keyboard will be equipped with 3.2-megapixel camera, integrated GPS-receiver, to maintain cellular networks GSM / EDGE and UMTS / HSDPA, as well as Wi-Fi. Plus, the documentation in the Vodafone network there is a real picture of this smartphone. As we can see, Nokia continues to do its business portfolio is increasingly able to work with multimedia content. You can also note that the GPS-module is gradually becoming the rule rather than exception among Finnish manufacturer of smartphones.

E-TEN: Prepare the announcement in advance

Company E-TEN Information Systems has all chances to qualify for the first announcement of Windows Mobile among the manufacturers with an eye to the Mobile World Congerss. This show, formerly known as 3GSM Congress kicks off February 11 in Barcelona. Sly Taiwanese have used the relaxed competition ended after CES and put on its website a teaser about a new model Glofiish V900. Desire to draw maximum attention to the communicator is quite understandable, since it debut E-TEN in the segment of mobile TV. Until now, E-TEN specializing in GPS-segment, and apparently decided to give fans time to get used to a new direction in a series of Glofiish. In reklamke reported that the new product will support the reception of broadcast standards DVB-T, DVB-H, T-DMB and DAB. Did not specify whether these standards are maintained at the same time or vary from region to region registration Glofiish V900. Unofficial sources also report such details as the Samsung processor clocked at 667 MHz and an integrated video accelerator, an increased amount of up to 128 MB of RAM-memory. This information is semi-formal nature, as briefly mentioned in the November presentation, E-TEN in Moscow without specifying the specifics. As reported then the company, one of the novelties will get marked with the letter "V", which completely confirmed the current announcement. It is quite possible that the Glofiish V900 will not only model that E-TEN will present at the Mobile World Congerss. We will wait with impatience!

Will fight if Neonode Apple?

Finally I want to note the impending sensation of Neonode. It seems that the Swedish manufacturer has decided to revise the concept of their smartphones and release a model that could at least theoretically compete with the iPhone.Recall that the original Neonode launches miniature Smartphone with a proprietary interface Neno, based on the platform Windows CE. The company at one time one of the first proposed interface-oriented management of the fingers through the touch screen, but could not on its own to bring this concept to the masses. Release of last year, Apple's iPhone has become for Neonode real shock. The company even issued a press release with obvious hints that Apple stole the idea. However, the iPhone, Neonode treated fundamentally different classes and they can not be regarded as genuine competitors. Neonode smartphone with its small screen does not provide for any comfortable viewing of video, Internet browsing and texts. In fact, it was just a pretty phone "to call" with an unusual interface and the ability to install applications. Now the Swedes are preparing model Neonode Earth, is directly focused on competing with iPhone. According to Thomas Erickson (Thomas Eriksson), one of the founders of the company Neonode, it has already been confirmed for production. While not much is known, but the main thing is already clear. Neonode Earth Tools 2.9-inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio. Novelty has definitely would not be so small as precursors, Get a replacement screen virtual QWERTY-keyboard and a set of small widget-like piktogrammok on the main screen. One gets the impression that with the release Neonode Earth products company will lose the lion's share of individuality, becoming just one of the followers of the concept of iPhone. One of the strengths of the Neonode Earth can be regarded as support for high-standard mobile HSPA, so far overlooked in the cult mobile phone Apple. It is possible that the announcement will take place in February - a year since the last generation of Neonode. The authors, translation:

Mobile panorama of the week. Issue of January 14-18

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. 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.

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).

Toshiba Portege G910

Toshiba Portege G910

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.

Toshiba Portege G710

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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Glofiish V900

Issue of January 14-18 "title =" Mobile panorama of the week. Issue of January 14-18, "width =" 400 "height =" 300 "/>

Glofiish V900

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:

Mobile panorama of the week. Release 21-25 January

Handheld Classics Today and Tomorrow

The first smartphone from the company Palm has finally entered the fair free market, without reference to the operator. Released last fall, the operator Vodafone, Treo 500 was the first palm on Palm based on the Windows Mobile platform for smartphones, that is, without a touch screen. Until the end of 2007 the operator had the exclusive right to sell the smartphone, and now the European division of Palm released officially "unlocked" version. In most European countries, Palm Treo 500 will cost about 399 euros, while in the UK - 269 pounds, that is about $ 530. According to a not too merciful price smartphone, Palm will have to face many competitors, ranging from the Samsung Ultra Messaging i600 and ending HTC S620 (Excalibur) with MOTO Q q9. Recall that the Treo 500 is classic for Palm candybar with QWERTY-keyboard. According to their tactical and technical parameters it does not have any appreciable advantage over competing devices. Despite positioning as a compact model, Smartphone Palm rests on the same level as competitors. Moreover, eye-catching such serious shortcomings as lack of support for wireless networking Wi-Fi and high-speed mobile standard HSDPA. Summarizing it may be noted that Palm is too late with the release of such a device at this price. The network has information about a pair of Palm PDA with an eye to the future. First, it became known details about the new device based on Windows Mobile codenamed Treo 800w. WMExperts has appeared on the resource description models for networks with support for CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A, but all indications are that similar features will have and GSM / HSDPA version of the future new products, code-named Drucker. The very long-awaited smartphone Palm, finally received the support of an integrated GPS and Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g), will be on sale in April. He will come with a Windows Mobile 6, but will be compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1 and Service Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, when there will be an update. The device differs subtlety, with a thickness of about Palm Centro. At the bottom there is a connector mini-USB, especially the source of the lack of 3.5-mm headphone jack, that is to connect will have to either use an adapter mini-USB, or use wireless headphones via Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. In addition to the classic button to activate / deactivate the call will be the appropriate hardware key to enable / disable the module Wi-Fi. Besides the fact that this is the first Treo smartphone with GPS and Wi-Fi, the device will be the first Treo based on Windows Mobile touch screen resolution of 320x320 pixels. Earlier Treo based on Windows Mobile models lost on Palm OS in terms of display resolution. Built-in memory also promises to be improved. The description specifies 256 MB of internal memory, apparently, is meant only ROM-memory. The rest of the communicator is unlikely to stand out from the crowd, referred to a 2-megapixel camera, slot for memory cards microSD. Thus remain unknown to the nuances of such as CPU and screen diagonal. Perhaps at the upcoming February exhibition will be announced official details. Secondly, in a European online stores appeared a separate page for the GSM-version of Communicator Palm Centro. Special marks reports that the model will soon be on sale. At the moment, Palm Centro just released in a version for the CDMA network and is sold in the U.S. operator Sprint. Fans of the classic Palm PDA is definitely please the news about the imminent release of a model that is applicable in our GSM-networks.Palm Centro is represented as the smallest of all smartphones Palm. He is running the operating system Palm OS 5.4, equipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera, 64 MB of internal RAM-memory card slot format microSD, supports GSM networks GSM / GPRS (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and Bluetooth 1.2. All this at a price of 279 euros, that is about $ 410, unless of course believe the online store PDAshop.nl.

GSmart-intrigue

Manufacturers of Windows Mobile devices continue to prepare for the Mobile World Congerss, which runs from February 11 to 14 in Barcelona. At this time the company has intrigued fans Gigabyte Communications. On the teaser image, sent out a press, you can observe three communicator, one for each direction of the portfolio GSmart. One of them, with an emphasis on the ability of television viewing is likely to be "well-forgotten old" model, GSmart t600. Recall that this model Gigabyte introduced at last year's 3GSM World Congress, it was one of the first PDA with a display with a resolution of VGA. We also can not exclude the possibility that, at Mobile World Congerss we will show an updated model that retained the design GSmart t600 and get new features. Two other communicator GSmart expanding range of Gigabyte in the segments of GPS and HSDPA. Do not be surprised that HSDPA is allocated in a separate direction. For a long time, Gigabyte released a device only for GSM networks, and last year unveiled the first model to support high-speed mobile standard HSDPA. The debutant was sharpened by mobile communications, including text messages, this device was equipped with a QWERTY-keyboard. However, a full-fledged debut did not work, GSmart q60 has not reached the shelves. In contrast, GSmart q60, model shown in the picture, designed as a classic candy bar, no QWERTY-excesses are observed. GPS-novelty in the style similar to the GSmart i350, which will be functional differences as long as it is not clear. In describing the model separately mentioned function GeoTag, which continues the tradition of Gigabyte equip communicators software with great features, benefits apart from the competition.

Samsung against the iPhone in September

Mysterious smartphone Samsung i900 really worked in the bowels of the Korean telefonostroitelya. The representative of the French subsidiary Samsung said in confidence to journalists that the new flagship line of Windows Mobile will be presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​but the commercial edition will be held in September. It realize the dream of everyone who is not satisfied with the length and beauty of the specification mobile phone from Apple. The ability to install third party applications (fair chance, without hacking), 5-megapixel camera, GPS-module, FM-radio, extra memory cards via microSD, support UMTS / HSDPA and the like. Nevertheless, all statements that are "killer iPhone" pretty weird. And here's why. One nuance Samsung i900 lose now - display resolution. With a similar display size (diagonal of 3,5 inches) from the Samsung is not 320x480, and 240x400 pixels. Support for third-party applications for iPhone will appear in the very near future - in February will be released on the official SDK for software developers. In addition, until September, Apple enough time to carefully plan and carry out "anti-terrorist campaign."As practice shows, any attempts to "kill the iPod" ended in failure, and Apple maintains a strong leadership position in digital music players. In the field of mobile phones until Apple newbie, but is rapidly gaining points in its favor. If we discard the wrong comparison to the iPhone, the Samsung i900 is a pretty interesting device, which will definitely find its customers. He demonstrates an integrated approach to the concept of a mobile device, though not "re-invents the telephone, as did Apple last year. The illustration shows a possible design of the model, how it will look like in reality, we will know closer to the February show.

Touching GPS, all in white

In the line of HTC Touch is now represented by three devices - a miniature candy bar for HTC Touch GSM-networks, the slider HTC Touch Dual for third generation networks and GPS-model of the HTC Touch Cruise. According to recent data, since the release of the first communicator Touch series in mid-summer last year, the Taiwanese company has sold more than two million units, a similar success with the HTC was not. There is no doubt that a successful series will be expanded further. One of these "extensions" will soon be the American operator Verizon Wireless. Externally from repeating the first model in the series, but there are many internal differences. In the CDMA-version of the HTC Touch supports standard, high-speed EV-DO, but this is not the main difference from the classic version of HTC Touch. In the model XV6900 Touch has an integrated GPS-receiver, making him the envy of many fans of the HTC Touch, using communication services in standard GSM. All the same, only until the GPS-model in the series, HTC Touch Cruise, is significantly different in design from sverhuspeshnogo HTC Touch, which alone has sold millions of copies all over the summer and autumn of last year. Interestingly, the CDMA-version of the HTC Touch for other U.S. carriers such as Sprint, do not include GPS-functionality. It is not excluded that after a while history may repeat itself, and in the GSM-world appears older brother HTC Touch with GPS-talents. Otherwise, XV6900 Touch is no different from counterparts: a 2-megapixel camera, TouchFLO Finger friendly, and the operating system Windows Mobile 6 Professional.

Virtual keyboard without a touchscreen

Original solution to the problem of virtual keyboards invented company Nokia. Developers of many mobile devices are fighting to create a truly user-friendly keyboard, not sold in hardware and software. Suggested solutions until a virtual keyboard on touch screens are far from ideal and does not provide a text input method, any comparable in convenience to the hardware QWERTY. Nokia decides to go even further and come up with a virtual keyboard for devices without a touchscreen, the benefit of Symbian-smartphones with touch capabilities will appear in the Finnish manufacturer is not soon. The development, described in another patent application proposes to use for entering text literally any surface. The smartphone is located so that the camera was zoomed to the selected surface, and the device's screen is painted keyboard. The result is drumming his fingers on the table, the camera tracks the movement of the keyboard on the screen draws the touch of a finger "button and the microphone reproduces the sounds of taps. Thus, the user gets the opportunity to fairly easy text input without increasing the dimensions of your smartphone from a hardware QWERTY-keyboard, and without the need for a separate keyboard hook. It is worth noting that this development has not solved the main problem of virtual keyboards - the impossibility of typing in the blind.Will it be just a little more comfortable than the standard input using the number keys are also not yet clear.

Ultra future Inventec

A new class of devices, which through a couple of years, will replace PDAs and communicators, continues its development. UMPC 7-A and 5-D, developed by Inventec, have won prestigious awards IF Product Design Award 2008 for design. Inventec UMPC 7-A is a slider with QWERTY-keyboard. A highlight here is a rounded slider mechanism, through which the display is raised at an angle above the surface when the keyboard is advanced, making it easier to work at the table. In Inventec UMPC 5-D using the modular principle, moreover, included will be interesting to go docking station. This approach allows us to provide easily scalable functionality in a single model.

Inventec UMPC 7-A

As can be seen in the illustrations, both devices are running the operating system Windows Vista. From the tactical and technical characteristics known so far not much. Intel Menlow platform with the processor Silverthone, manufactured on 45 nm process, with a clock frequency of 800 - 1,33 GHz, chipset, Poulsbo US15, 1 to 2 GB of RAM, hard drive capacity of 30-60 GB. Models with these parameters appear in this year's abundant, it is quite possible that new items Inventec will be issued under the various well-known brands.

Inventec UMPC 5-D

Folding smartphone for originals

Device using electronic paper are gradually shifting from the category of fiction simply exotic. Has already produced several models of electronic books using displays based on e-paper, and by mid-year will be the first phone with a folding screen. Last year, Polymer Vision showed a prototype device Readius, and now has announced the imminent passage of the project into a commercial stage. In the collapsed state of the gadget is quite traditional for the phone size and weight - 115x57x21 mm, 115 grams. However, the display had, by the standards of the phone is huge - a diagonal of 5 inches. If necessary, the display is expanded to its full width, and when it is not needed, compactly formed. While the device is severely limited in the work with the content - affects specificity of electronic paper. The screen can display only 16 shades of gray, no support for working with video. Recall that the main advantage of "electronic paper" that energy is expended only for rendering the image, rather than maintain it. That is, if the display will show one picture, and tighter, the energy use will be minimized. When working with video, this immediately turns into a plus minus - must draw a picture too often. Nevertheless, some companies continue to develop in the field of electronic paper and in five years Polymer Vision plans to release a phone with an 8-inch color screen and video support. It is assumed that the user Readius will see news, check email and read books in electronic form.As a phone Readius will support GSM and UMTS / HSDPA, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.0, in addition provides the functionality of MP3-player and card slot microSDHC. On which platform the company operates the device does not say directly, but in the specifications referred to ARM11 processor with 400 MHz and support for ActiveSync. It is not clear until the end, whether the user has the freedom to choose and install applications, or you have limited set offered by the manufacturer. There is a possibility that the entire interface customization, and optimization of content and services will be conducted through a special Web-portal of the Readius. It is unlikely that such a gadget will become massive in the near future. This will be a toy for a few originals, wishing to join the world of high technology. And that means there is little point in making the platform open for third-party software developers, at least not yet. The authors, translation:

Mobile panorama of the week. Issue 28 January - 1 February

Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional in pictures

Already it is no secret that at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2008 will be a new version of the operating system Windows Mobile 6.1. The version for Smartphone, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, have time to discuss at the end of last year, but that the changes will appear in the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional until recently remained a mystery. The veil of secrecy opened the Portuguese resource PocketPT, who published a short review with screenshots updated platform for communicators. Do not wait for the update of sensations, for the most part is an improved and optimized version of last year's Windows Mobile 6. Let us consider more in detail the changes that are mentioned in miniobzore. Firstly, this display mode in the form of SMS messaging. Function suggest themselves long and often implemented by third-party programs. All text messages are sorted as a conversation in messenger MSN, which provides easy access to messages from one contact, without having to look for them to have sent or received SMS.

Windows Mobile 6.1: SMS-Chat

In terms of speed of Windows Mobile 6.1 shows its best side. The review tested the platform on the model of HTC X7500 Advantage, not the slowest device itself, the update has earned even more quickly. In the proof given the following figures: to restart the Windows Mobile 6 required about 50 seconds, and with WM6.1 - 30 seconds, almost half that. For many new users of Windows Mobile smartphones seem to be fairly complicated to learn. To help beginners on the Today screen plug-in is Getting Started, when clicked, will receive a list of explanations for the achievement of the priority and everyday tasks such as making calls, setting the date and time, setting a password, setting up Bluetooth-headset, set ring tones and so on .

Windows Mobile 6.1: plug-in Getting Started

Windows Mobile 6.1: Menu Getting Started

Mobile browser, Pocket Internet Explorer has got publicized in competitive products function "Zoom In / Out". It allows you to view not optimized for PDA page as thumbnails, without scrolling, and then select the site pages and to increase his name. The beauty of this approach has already been proved several mobile browsers.

Windows Mobile 6.1: Pocket IE - Zoom In / Out

Another innovation in the browser - replacement function "Text Size" to "Zoom Level", which enables VGA-screen display the page as if it were viewed on a PC. The rest of Pocket Internet Explorer has undergone only a small reorganization of certain functions from the menu.

Issue 28 January - 1 February "title =" Mobile panorama of the week. Issue 28 January - 1 February "width =" 400 "height =" 304 "/>

Windows Mobile 6.1: Pocket IE - Zoom Level

Changes in the settings - now, instead of a long road Settings / Memory / Running Programs manage running programs are available as an option the task manager that allows plus the entire look such useful data as the processor and Ram-memory for each application or process. Also in the settings has been removed feature "remove Programs", extended to the function "Managed Programs", which will also be used for managing the installation programs.

Windows Mobile 6.1: Tab "running programs" to remove

Windows Mobile 6.1: Task Manager (Task Manager)

Windows Mobile 6.1: Managed Programs

Among other changes, notes updated office suite to Office Mobile 6.1. Recall that the updated Office Mobile was released late last year, he brings such an important change in both formats support Office 2007 -. Docx,. Pptx,. Xlsx. Moreover, in a package, a new application One Note Mobile - advanced analog habitual Notebook PC. With this applets can be done not only text but also voice notes, insert images and use rich text. This can be a handy feature when you just make a quick note to memory, or not in reality - will show the tests.

Office Mobile 6.1

Windows Mobile 6.1: OneNote Mobile

As soon noticed news resources, Windows Mobile 6.1 is based on Windows CE 5.2, but not new core Windows CE 6.0, and does not support itself is an interface for managing your fingers without the stylus. These changes are expected in future versions of Windows Mobile, originally it was clear that they do not appear in version 6.1. Someone also noted that the updated Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional considerably more modest than Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, perhaps this is so. The changes should make the system much easier, though not change its essence. Official information on the new Windows Mobile 6.1, we learn in a week.

Issue 28 January - 1 February "width =" 400 "height =" 302 "/>

An image device for mobile internet

One of the most intriguing new products in 2007 has finally reached the shelves Russian stores. LG KS20 communicator lit a year ago, at the February 3GSM World Congress, fueling rumors of "LG Prada running Windows Mobile 6." Model indeed inherited a number of trendy new items dizaynovyh features LG Prada, but is definitely a completely independent product, aimed at different audience. LG Prada is considered as a rival mobile phone iPhone from Apple, has a strong image component, and its own user interface, developed by LG and Prada specifically for this phone. LG KS20 soon be regarded as a stylish work tool with the familiar to every Windows Mobile user interface. Unlike the LG Prada, the novelty is much more standard, such as it is equipped with 2.8-inch display with QVGA (240x320 pixels), rather than 3-inch display with a resolution of 240x400 pixels. Manufacturer strongly emphasizes the talents LG KS20 in the field of mobile Internet - your device supports the standard HSDPA speeds of 3.6 Mbps. Interestingly, the LG KS20 - this is the first smartphone from LG on the basis of Windows Mobile in Europe.

LG KS20

If only Windows Mobile devices, the main competitor of LG KS20 will sverhuspeshny communicator HTC Touch, released last year. It also relies on the diminutive and attractive appearance with a minimalist design. According to the manufacturer sizes, LG KS20, even slightly less than record holder HTC Touch - by half a millimeter shorter and thinner than a millimeter. By weight, they are quite hard to compare without tests, claimed 95 grams clearly define the weight of the device without a battery. Comparing the novelty LG with the HTC Touch can not forget that this unit for third generation networks, and HTC Touch - the second one. On other communication capabilities, they are the same - there is a Bluetooth 2.0 interface and support for wireless networking Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g). Of the additional functions for which LG KS20 wins, we can note a TV-out and FM-radio. Interestingly, in the official materials from LG has not mentioned such details as the processor and the full amount of internal memory. Judging by the reviews of resources, testing the device, it uses Qualcomm MSM7200 processor clocked at 400 MHz, which is quite logical to model the third generation. For the price of LG KS20 is in the same range as the HTC Touch - recommended price of 15,990 rubles. Given all these options, the success of LG KS20 is practically assured. LG is clearly not going to dwell on the issue KS20 communicator and will build on the series. At a recent trade show in the U.S. already point out a similar model with support for mobile WiMax, the standard, as well, and HSDPA, has become topical in Russia has already begun in the year.

LG KS20

Smartphone - it's cheap

This postulate is taken to prove, NXP Semiconductors and Purple Labs, presented a joint development called Purple Magic. The smartphone is based on a platform based on Linux and supports third-generation networks. Purple Magic is a sample design, which can later be used by different manufacturers. As a hardware platform for the smartphone uses NXP Nexperia CSS 7210 (on the CPU ARM926), and software - Purple Labs Linux.Rather, the model can not be named in the full sense of the smartphone because of a brief description on the website Purple Labs suggests the possibility of using third-party applications only through the virtual Java-machine. However, even if so, the company has prepared a comprehensive package of applications on almost all occasions Users inexpensive but functional third-generation phones.

Inside this smartphone will be available:
• NXP 7210 chipset (ARM9, 208 MHz)
• 64 MB RAM-memory and 128 MB ROM-RAM (96 MB user available)
• Display with QVGA resolution
• Bluetooth interface

Provided with features such as Internet surfing, e-mail, video calling, working with music and video, including the function of the recorder and receive streaming video. Battery lasts for 8.5 hours of battery talk time and 15 days standby time. Dimensions of the clamshell form 92h50h15, 2 mm, and weight - 92 grams.

Smartphone Purple Magic

All of this wealth will get out at cost of $ 100, for comparison - in the last season of Christmas sales, entry-level phones for third-generation networks were acquired at prices ranging from 120 up to $ 145. New products will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2008, then that we learn the details.

Navigator with built-in phone

Garmin will not need a special representation. Last year when rumors surfaced that a market leader in GPS-devices, Garmin and TomTom, is preparing to release their own phones, they did not look too likely. Nevertheless, at least half of these rumors confirmed last week - Garmin has officially announced a mobile phone Nuvifone. While much remains unknown about the new product, the announcement is limited to only the most general information. Satisfy your curiosity in full of journalists and fans of the brand will only a week later at the Mobile World Congress 2008.

Nuvifone

In terms of design and functionality of the phone much took over the iPhone from Apple, as well as a compact car GPS-navigator Garmin. It is made in monoblock form factor, on the front panel buttons are not observed, the control will be done through the touch interface. Many features of the control without a stylus, just with your fingers, Garmin has honed in his navigator, phone functions are also implemented through the Finger friendly. The display is large in size, diagonal is 3.5 inches. Of the communication capabilities declared support networks 3,5 G (HSDPA). Support for Bluetooth and wireless Wi-Fi networks is expected but not confirmed yet right in the official materials. One of the main advantages of the Nuvifone will be easy to use. When you turn on the displayed three main icons - "Call," "Search" and "View Map", giving access to the most important functions of the Nuvifone. Interestingly, the first phone Garmin also became the first product the company with the support of the local search Google. The phone provides all the basic functions of a modern smartphone - Internet surfing, text and instant messaging, access to email, calendar, scheduler, and much more.Built-in camera and software linked to the navigation functions, so that each image is automatically accompanied by information about the scene. Moreover, it supports direct access to the service Panoramio Google. Other multimedia features - work with content in the formats MP3, MPEG4/AAC.

Nuvifone

Nuvifone can lay claim to being really the first true browser with built-in phone. Members Nuvi navigators will not have to relearn and change habits. He will come with maps of various regions, with the ability to quickly find addresses, organizations, or simply a destination by category for an extensive database containing millions of objects. Step by step instructions, voice command direction, automatic route recalculation for missed turn - all these will inherit the phone Garmin.

Nuvifone

One of the major mysteries Nuvifone - its operating system. Official data on this point no, but the most common non-official version - its own operating system Garmin, and based on Linux, not Windows CE. The company plans to release the Nuvifone in the third quarter, the price is not specified.

Smartphone Google-Dell: to be or not to be?

Last week the new momentum gained rumors about the upcoming smartphone from the company Dell. In principle, they never stopped since the failure of the manufacturer's production line of PDAs and folding Axim, but now began to play with new colors. Network resource MarketingWeek said at Mobile World Congress 2008 will take place not just a demonstration of the smartphone Dell, and the joint announcement of Dell and Google. Last year's announcement of the alleged software platform Android will not close the topic "google phone". As an indirect proof MarketingWeek leads phrase Eric Schmidt (Eric Schmidt), uttered during the announcement of Android: "At this time we do not announce the phone from Google". Rumor has fallen on fertile soil, soon after its publication in MarketingWeek news column on the mobile category around the world confidently informed of the imminent announcement of a smartphone from Dell-branded Google, and Dell smartphone based on Android. However, a nice ear split simple fact - the company Dell is not going to be present at the Mobile World Congress this year. The author resource Gearlog contacted Anne Camden (Anne Camden), the representative from Dell. She said that Dell is not going to Mobile World Congress and announced there phone. In principle, the possibility of the long-awaited announcement of new items on any other show does not deny the Dell, there is still a chance that this will happen, just later. The authors, translation: