Mobile panorama, Issue 2 October 2006

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Mvox Duo Smart Communicator

The authors, translation:

Mobile panorama, Issue 9 October 2006

Wibree and Bluetooth: Friends or rivals?

Nokia has celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its Research Center Nokia Research Center. This event is timed introduction of a new wireless technology to work for short distances. Technology called Wibree. Thus, in the global culture, a new word combination of letters «Wi». It's safe to say that the name of the new technology will be confused with home-grown Korean version of WiMAX - WiBro, because sounds like. Wibree specification is currently still being developed. The group of developers includes such big chip makers like Broadcom, CSR, Epson, Nordic Semiconductor, Taiyo Yuden and Suunto. Nokia expects the first commercial version of the specification will be presented in the second quarter of next year. In this case, for example, Nordic Semiconductor, plans to be finished by the beginning of the supply Wibree-chips in the second half of 2007. Wibree technology is designed to connect a variety of small peripherals to computers and mobile devices such as phones and PDAs. The main advantages of its design Nokia lists low-cost, low power consumption and small size of the chips. Thus, we have almost twin interfaces Bluetooth. Judge for yourself, the range of Wibree is comparable to the distance of Bluetooth - up to 10 meters. The claimed data transfer rate - 1 Mbps. For comparison - in the Bluetooth versions 1.1 and 1.2 data transfer rate of 723.1 kbit / s, and a version of Bluetooth 2.0 Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) - 2,1 Mbps. Wibree radio communications technology will be implemented free of license ISM-band (Industry, Science and Medicine) at a frequency of 2.4 MHz is similar to Bluetooth. Provides economical standby mode, data transmission «point-to-multipoint», data encryption, and other ideas, which showed itself in fine version of Bluetooth 2.0.

Nokia Wibree - replace Bluetooth?

Nokia as one of the main advantages of Wibree considers easy integration with Bluetooth. Will be produced two types of chips - and single-mode Wibree dual-mode Wibree-Bluetooth. In the dual-mode Wibree chips will use the Bluetooth radio module and transmit data in the intervals between transmissions of Bluetooth. Single-mode chips will be used in gadgets, and dual-mode - mobile phones, PDAs and desktops. That is, we get chips with almost «Bluetooth» and with this Bluetooth. Nokia does not give specific figures on the gain in power consumption, size and cost of chips of the new standard. This may be two explanations: either at the final specification predyavlenii company is going to blow up an information bomb that will change the view of humanity on the world of wireless personal area networks, or new technology, and is not intended for a technical win, but serves other purposes, such as marketing. As the main scope of Wibree company considers the relationship between a computer or PDA / phone and devices such as wrist-watch display, wireless keyboard and mouse for medical or sports sensors, various kinds of toys. Of the widely used devices in this list are present except that the wireless keyboard and mouse.In principle, virtually all these devices, except maybe the medical and sports sensors to the computer is in use Bluetooth. At the same time, Nokia does not mention, as candidates for such widespread use of Wibree Bluetooth-tasks, such as wireless headsets, or synchronize your PDA with your computer. Selection of a rather strange, suggestive that the low power consumption and cost of solutions based on Wibree-oriented devices to transfer small "signal" of data packets. Perhaps we are talking about a certain analogue of standard ZigBee, adapted for the mobile world. At least in the area, medical and sports sensors, Wibree will compete with ZigBee directly. In general, now is not enough information to predict whether Wibree real breakthrough in the periphery for moblnyh devices, or it is another attempt to grab a piece of cake, do not offer anything fundamentally new in return. All will be decided, when will the final specification.

HP has brought to Russia a new GPS-PDA and PDA

Russian Mission Hewlett Packard formally presented in Moscow two new devices - GPS PDA HP iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion PDA and HP iPAQ rw6815 Personal Messenger. Both devices are running the operating system Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0. On the navigation PDA iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion already been written in the digest over the past week, when there was the announcement of its international, so just briefly recall the features and refine the details of it in Russia. HP iPAQ Travel Companion is designed primarily to address navigational problems in the car. The set includes a car holder and power supply. In the built-in flash memory of 1 GB or 2 GB (depending on model) pre-installed navigation software TomTom Navigator 6 and complete set of maps of Western Europe. Also provides a set of maps for Eastern Europe, including Russia (only Moscow and St. Petersburg). Despite the basic GPS-purpose, HP iPAQ Travel Companion is a full-featured Pocket PC. It allows you to work with documents, connect to Wi-Fi networks, listen to music.

HP iPAQ rx5000 Travel Companion

HP iPAQ rw6815 Personal Messenger - this is a communicator with obschirnym range of communication possibilities. His is a built-in Bluetooth 1.2, Wi-Fi (802.11b) and tri-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz). Operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 with Service Pack AKU2.3 supports Direct Push Technology to automatically synchronize your calendar, contacts, tasks and e-mail through the mobile network. The communicator is equipped with an integrated camera HP Photosmart. The touch screen has a diagonal of 2.7 inch, QVGA (240x320 pixels) and supports 65K colors. The work done on the basis of processor Intel XScale PXA272 clocked at 416 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM. There are card slots for miniSD formats and SDIO.

HP iPAQ rw6815 Personal Messenger

hprurw6815.jpg iPAQ rw6815 is a more simple model compared to other communicators from HP, which are also running the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 (series hw6900). Communicator is made in a classic form-factor (no QWERTY-keyboard), in addition, it has not received integrated GPS-module has a display of smaller size, but smaller dimensions - mm 102h58h20 against 118h71h18 mm for hw6900. Of course, such a model herself suggested itself in the portfolio. If you take the other manufacturers, there is competition for the rw6815 is already done. In particular, the competition he will be able to make the following model.Communicators, built on the basis of HTC Wizard, for example, Qtek 9100. They generally have similar basic characteristics, but differ in the processor (Texas Instruments OMAP 850 CPU at 200 MHz), and sliding side QWERTY-keyboard. At the expense of the latter, they are more expensive categories of communicators. Qtek s200 - differs mainly processor (also TI OMAP 850), as well as more advanced communication capabilities: Bluetooth 2.0 (with Bluetooth A2DP profile to play stereo music through Bluetooth) compre 1.2, support for four, not three, frequency bands of GSM and WiFi 802.11b / g? And not only 802.11b. E-Ten M600 - different in the processor (Samsung S3C2440 clocked at 400 MHz), and support for four, not three, band network GSM, but this model does not support the standard EDGE. Models E-Ten M600 + is second in the amount of memory (256 MB ROM) and more advanced version of Bluetooth 2.0. The cost model HP iPAQ rw6815 according to unofficial data will be in Russia for about $ 550 - $ 600. According to the model HP iPAQ rx5000 data unavailable. Both models should be on sale in November.

WM-communicator with a numeric keypad on a little-known manufacturer

Company izenMobile not too well known. It was established in 2006 and based in San Diego. This company has developed several mobile devices running Windows Mobile, designed for small and medium businesses, but so far has presented only one model - the communicator izenMobile Krma. He is running Windows Mobile Pocket PC. In this Krma looks like a smartphone, as carried out in a candybar with a numeric keypad. The idea itself is not new - one of the most prominent representatives of this form factor is the ASUS P525.

Communicator izenMobile Krma

It's quite simple by today's standards model. izenMobile Krma equipped with 2.2-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, FM-tuner, a slot for memory cards miniSD, as well as the interface supports Bluetooth. Can operate in three frequency ranges networks GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz). Integrated support for wireless networking Wi-Fi is not provided. It is worth noting that in appearance resembles a smartphone model Axia A108, however, quite different from it in performance. Products izenMobile intended primarily for the U.S. market. It is expected that other models will be presented before the end of the year. In addition to mobile devices, the company plans to offer a range of services and software. Since the first model of anything special in itself does not present, its future is now quite difficult to predict. Everything will depend on what other models will be presented, and especially one who is actually behind the freshly formed company.

D-Link's debut on the mobile phone market with a dual-mode models of V-CLICK

Mobile phones capable of operating in both cellular networks and networks of Wi-Fi, are increasingly popular among manufacturers. Especially much attention has been given all sorts of solutions that facilitates switching between the two types of networks, both software and hardware. Company D-Link debuted in the field of mobile phones by introducing a series of V-CLICK. Here it should be noted that the wireless phone company has already released, but here are models supporting mobile communications it has not happened.

Phone D-Link V-CLICK can operate in GSM and WiFi networks

Unlike some other dual mode phones, V-CLICK does not offer some sort of complex automated systems, roaming, the company approached the problem of switching between networks is simple - on the unit, a special button «V-CLICK», clicking on that users will activate or deactivate Wi-Fi connection.Unfortunately, details about the characteristics of models, the company reported not so much. Phones in this series can operate in three frequency ranges networks GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz). They are relatively compact - the dimensions are 105.9 x43, 9x19 mm. To view the Internet sites set browser Opera Mobile. However, the displays are not very big - and 2-inch 176x220 pixels, so that the pages will not be too comfortable. Supported encryption WEP, WPA and WPA2. Hours reaches about 5 hours of talk time in GSM, or about 2 hours of Wi-Fi. Storage (documents, pictures, music and video) users will be available for up to 24 MB of memory. What exactly will be different models of this series, the company has not yet reported. Launch of supplies V-CLICK is scheduled for the first quarter of next year. Manufacturer's recommended price is $ 599.99.

Future UMPC - after all, "zilch" or "heaven in a box"?

When in the spring of this year, officially introduced the concept of ultra-mobile PCs, UMPC, it looked very appealing - compact devices that operate on the basis of a full version of Windows for PC (Tablet PC Edition), and even at a price of between $ 500 - $ 800. In reality, it was not so great - the size still is not as compact as you want, the prices were higher than was stated at the time of the original announcement, and most importantly, the operating time on one battery charge was too short. For example, the basic characteristics of one of the UMPC - Samsung Q1V000:

• The touch screen 7-inch with a resolution of WVGA (800x480 pixels)
• Celeron processor clocked at 900 MHz
• 512 MB of DDR2 memory
• HDD 40 GB
• Wireless Network Adapter Intel PRO / Wireless 3945BG, Bluetooth 2.0
• Lithium-ion battery (operating time on a single charge up to 4 hours)
• Operating System Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
• Dimensions - 227.5 h139, 5h24 ,5-26, 5 mm
• Weight - 777 grams

Samsung Q1V000 UMPC can be bought in Russia for 36 thousand rubles.

Cost Samsung Q1V000 in Russian website of Samsung is 36225.1 rub. More compact machine than the traditional UMPC, the company already offers Sony Electronics. Notebooks Sony VAIO UX equipped with 4.5-inch display with a resolution WSVGA (1024x600 pixels). Dimensions they have, accordingly, far fewer - 150h95h32 ,3-38, 1 mm. VAIO UX equipped with QWERTY-keyboard, run on a processor Intel Core Solo, recommended by the manufacturer of the operating system - Windows XP Professional. Meals are also produced by a lithium-ioonnogo battery, which provides from 2,5 to 4,5 hours. However, the main drawback Sony VAIO UX - this is the price. In fact, 2,000 dollars for a younger model will scare many people.

Sony VAIO UX - compact and more expensive alternative to UMPC

At a recent forum IDF Fall 2006, Intel has reported that in the first half of next year will be a platform for UMPC-second-generation devices. As promised to Intel, they will have a much smaller and much less than energopotrebleniem. On vague hints of the company, we can conclude that they will be based on the processor Intel Core Solo ULV. One can only hope that the issue of price, too, will not remain unaffected. The forum was also presented a couple of samples of design. As you can see in the picture, they are more diverse in form factor than is now produced the first generation of UMPC.

Second generation UMPC to show IDF Fall 2006

The idea of ​​creating a truly portable computers that exceed the computing power of the CCP, is being developed now, not only Intel. For example, the exhibition CEATEC Japan 2006, Fujitsu has demonstrated an interesting concept design for ultra-mobile PCs unpretentious name Ultra Mobile. It combines the functions of a laptop and media player with built-in camera. Size of Ultra Mobile quite small - with the box for the CD, although the thickness of the course more. The housing has an unusual design - turning parts relative to each other, opens the microphone, camera lens is on the back side. The touch screen takes up almost the entire front surface of the device. Management is performed using a stylus and a few buttons. There are also several port USB. Detailed specifications of the concept, unfortunately, are not known.

Concept design of ultra-mobile PCs Fujitsu Ultra Mobile

In general, the direction ultramoblnyh computers now makes its first steps. If last spring device, having the features and price are on sale now UMPC, looked quite fantastic, now already visible shortcomings of the concept and are working on the bugs. Therefore, the angry statements like "A lot of concepts from different companies promise paradise in a box. Often, in fact it turns zilch, or anything bulky, malorabotayuschee, but still expensive, "which appeared on our forum regarding the demonstrated concepts that seem somewhat unjustified. We need only recall the first PDA, and compare them with modern models.

Briefly about other events of the week

The exhibition CEATEC Japan 2006 iNNODISK Taiwanese company has introduced several types of flash drives for mobile and desktop computers. Such drives may be able to replace conventional hard drives. In fact, storage is the controller for flash memory cards. At a special board set or two memory cards standard Compact Flash, or six cards SD, the amount is added, and the system recognizes them as one hard drive. Both controllers are connected via a standard IDE-interface and have a size of 2,5 and 3,5-inch for use in notebook and desktop PCs, respectively.

Flash-Drives iNNODISK replace traditional hard disk drives

Another novelty presented in the Japanese trade show CEATEC, became a pocket voice translator from the company Sharp. The device was developed by specialists Sharp using speech recognition technology from the company IBM, which are already used on a PC. The exhibition was presented a working prototype capable of translating it from Japanese into English and vice versa. It is equipped with a highly sensitive microphone, with which it is recorded in the user's device memory, then the translation is done and you can hear it. On a monochrome display duplicated words and phrases of the original language and translation. Tentatively scheduled to launch new product into production in late 2006 for about $ 500.

Voice Translator Sharp

The company i-mate is going to release for a year about 15 new models of mobile devices based on Windows Mobile. The network began to appear the first information about possible updates. For example, an image and a brief description of a device with enough original appearance. Judging by the picture, the device is made in the clamshell, hidden inside horizontally oriented display and a QWERTY-keyboard. Name of new items not yet known, other information is also quite miserly. It is assumed that the communicator will run the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone with Service Pack AKU3. It also assumes that it is equipped with two displays, a processor from TI, a slot for memory cards miniSD, and also supports Bluetooth and wireless networking Wi-Fi. Who is the developer of the device, as well as the approximate dates of issue is not reported. Depending on the size and resolution of the display device can be a competitor to the HTC Universal or the model with retractable side of the QWERTY-keyboard. Although, judging by the picture, hardly the size and resolution of the display will be similar to HTC Universal.

New i-Mate PDA

Apple is interested in the CPC. Resource AppleInsider reported that in spring 2006, some private company conducted a study commissioned by Apple. It involved a group of volunteers that offer various options for portable devices that resemble PDAs. Layouts have different dimensions, weight, screen size and style. According to one of the participants in the experiment, mock-ups for the most part looked like a hollow shell with fake screens, which were glued to print screenshots of Safari with the web site Yahoo. After studying the layout, they were asked to complete questionnaires, which should be noted, some form-factor devices and what features they find most interesting. The list is particularly significant, many functions: access to the Internet, read RSS, gain access to the network via a hot spot, the possibilities of mobile phones, as well as playback of movies, music and television. In addition, participants were asked various questions on the topic of value as a device or service that is intended device could support. For different variants of the concepts the price ranged from $ 200 to $ 900. The network has more details about the upcoming company RIM (Research In Motion) new device BlackBerry 8800. While the earlier information about the BlackBerry 8800, but the alleged lack of cameras, was confirmed - a subtlety, a full QWERTY-keyboard, and no reduction in SureType, support for wireless networking Wi-Fi, as well as a slot for memory cards microSD. Here are found the specification: support GSM / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), QWERTY-keyboard, display with QVGA (320x240 pixels), 1.3-megapixel camera with video recording capability, and 5 times digital zoom, 64 MB ROM, slot for memory cards microSD, Interface Bluetooth 2.0, support for wireless networking Wi-Fi (802.11g), size - 106h60h15, 5 mm. All the data has not yet been confirmed officially. Probably closer to release (spring of next year) RIM announce official details.

Communicator BlackBerry 8800

Nokia continues to strengthen the musical direction of its portfolio.She released another musical version of the original music is not too smart phone - Nokia 5500 Sport. Special Issue called the Nokia 5500 Sport Music Edition. Filling apparatus has not undergone changes. All innovations relate kit, software and body-colored. The complete music production Nokia 5500 Sport include microSD memory card with 512 MB, a special holder for carrying your phone on your arm or waist, and handlebar mount and sports headset. There were additional software Nokia Music Manager to transfer music from your PC and manage them. Nokia 5500 Sport Music Edition will appear soon in Europe. Recommended price (excluding taxes) on it is 350 euros, about $ 450.

Nokia 5500 Sport Music Edition

The company SoftMaker Software has released a beta version of Office 2006 software for Pocket PC. In fact, this set of office applications, consisting of programs TextMaker and PlanMaker. Module PlanMaker 2006 beta makes working with files directly from Microsoft Excel, without conversion and with full formatting. TextMaker - is a text editor, it is positioned as a solution to a comparable level of functionality with solutions for desktops. At this time Office 2006 is available for testing, which will last till October 31. One of the most popular media player for mobile devices - The Core Pocket Media Player (TCPMP) is close to final release. TCPMP development project lasted for more than two years, he is considered the best and most importantly - a free, player for Pocket PCs, smartphones and communicators based on Windows Mobile and Palm OS. As reported at the site of the developer, the commercial version CorePlayer 1.0 will be released on October 16 this year. While information about it is the most common: to be supported by almost all audio and video formats. The player will be presented in several versions, which will cover the following platforms: Windows XP, Vista, UMPC, CE, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Palm and Symbian. Probably, the program will no longer be so free, as before, but will be Shareware. The beta version Flexmail 2007 for Windows-smartphones. Company Web Information Solution prepares a new version of the popular e-mail client for mobile devices - Flexmail 2007 Build 1055. It finally adds support for smartphones running the Windows operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone. Also supported by traditional platforms Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC. Now available only early beta version, for those wishing to test the program. As the developers themselves, is the first version for smart phones, so that from it should not expect too much. DataVIZ revealed details about Documents To Go 9. Company DataViz released details about the new version of the software for devices based on Palm OS - Documents To Go 9. Version 9 has not yet been released, it is only offered in the future as a free bonus to those who buy Documents To Go Premium Edition 8 (or upgrade version) after October 1. Documents To Go - a popular suite of office software that allows you to work with text documents, spreadsheets, presentations and so on. Here are some innovations in the Documents To Go 9: File explorer - fast access to files, technology InTact - editing and sending files via e-mail without losing formatting, advanced Word To Go - view table of contents, viewing and editing footnotes, notes, comments, um. etc.; Advanced Sheet To Go - Support for XY scatter plot preparation and additional editing of cells, advanced Slideshow To Go - editing files PowerPoint; optimized PDF To Go for higher speeds. It is expected that the release of Documents To Go 9 is held until the end of the year. Company SEPT Solutions has released the first version of Mobile Office applications for mobile devices, file viewer in an open format OpenDocument.Now the application can only read documents OpenDocument. Later will be added ability to create and edit files. At the moment the application only supports smartphones running the Symbian operating system based on S60 3rd Edition. Subsequently, a version for smartphones based on S60 2nd Edition, Series80, and UIQ. In the Mobile Office 1.0 supports the following features: Opening text documents (. Odt), spreadsheets (. Ods) and presentations (. Odp); thumbnail view, getting the metadata, including title and keywords, zooming and full screen mode; search; diff. YourCall Palm OS 1.0-is the manager calls and contacts from the company iambic. The program is a tool for managing calls and contacts. Upon completion of the call, depending on whether there is room in your contact list or not, are invited to add it to an existing contact or create a new contact, you can also call back to view contact information, send an SMS or simply withdraw from the dialogue. Use the drop down menu to select one of the proposed further action to the contact, for example, plan a meeting with him to create a task with a link to a contact, a note referring to a contact, send SMS, call, send e-mail. To work YourCall required Palm OS 5.2 or higher, 130 KB of free memory. The company has released a utility Orneta Scissors Mobile for smartphones based on Windows Mobile, which provides advanced editing features to Outlook Mobile. The possibilities for editing documents and text in the box outside (from the Edit menu allows you to copy text, etc.) when you create a message in the contacts when editing contacts, tasks, while creating new problems. That is, you can copy information from one message to another, and between contacts and tasks. In addition, you can migrate data from Outlook Mobile in other applications. The Edit menu offers the following steps: copy, cut, paste, undo and return. The interface is adapted to control with one hand. There are also some other possibilities. In order to select the text and start working with him, you must enable Mark. Scissors Mobile is designed to work with Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone. Toshiba Matsushita introduced a TFT-LCD thickness of less than 1 mm. Last week, LG.Philips LCD has presented the world's slimmest TFT-LCD for mobile phones. The thickness of the module was 1.3 mm. Company Toshiba Matsushita did not give LG.Philips relish to enjoy the laurels and has announced a TFT-LCD 0.99 mm thick. By size and resolution both modules are equal - 2 inch diagonal, 240h230 pixels (QVGA). As well as product LG.Philips, the novelty will be used in ultra-thin mobile phones. As asserted in its announcement of LG.Philips, its development will make the mobile in a candybar thinner than 6.9 mm, and a slider form factor - is thinner than 10 mm. We must assume that the display of Toshiba Matsushita mobile phone manufacturers will be able to slow down even 0.31 mm thickness. Toshiba Matsushita plans to start shipping samples in April next year. Fujitsu demonstrates color flexible display format A5. At CEATEC Japan 2006, Fujitsu introduced a flexible display based on electronic paper with a diagonal of 7.8 inches. Colour display, can display up to 4K colors. At the exhibition shows several applications using this display, in particular, a prototype device for reading electronic books. The gadget has turned out very light - only 177 grams. Mainly a lightness was achieved through the use of plastic substrates in the display, rather than traditional LCD glass. Page updated at the touch of a button. Update time depends on the number of shades of colors. Complex picture is drawn about 4 seconds, while a simple image using 8 colors appear in a second. Thanko FMP3 - Wristwatch with MP3-player and FM-transmitter. Japanese company Thanko known for its unusual gadgets, introduced wristwatch FMP3. In appearance it is the usual sports watches, but there is one feature: they can reproduce and broadcast the music. Simply put, FMP3 integrated MP3-player (which is not too original) and FM-transmitter, which allows you to broadcast music from hours on the radio. To play the music formats supported MP3 and WMA.Watches are fitted with built-in memory from 512 MB to 1 GB. The Russian market of smartphones continues to grow. Estimated analyst firm J `son and Partners, in the first half of 2006, sales of smart phones reached 505 thousand units, or 200 million dollars. It is noted that both indices are higher than for all last year. Sector smartphones continues to grow against the backdrop of slowing down the whole market of cellular phones. The share of smartphone shipments increased more than threefold compared with the figures for the first half of 2005 (accounting for share of 3% and 1% respectively). Estimated J & P, up to the end of 2006 the total sales of smartphones will reach 1.2 million units. J & P defines a smartphone as a multifunctional device that works with the operating systems Symbian (version 6.0 or higher), Windows (versions for handheld devices), Palm OS and Linux. The authors, translation:

Mobile panorama of the week, issue 17 April

RoverPC S6: a humble dude with a new OS

Last week's announcement took place the first communicator branded RoverPC, running the new operating system Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The premiere of "smart" mobile devices under Russian brands occur less frequently than under the brands international. This causes special attention to events relating to it is the Russian market and trade marks associated with it. The company Rover Computers - one of the famous players of the Russian computer market. In 2002 she began producing under the brand name RoverPC not desktop computers, as it had done before, and handheld computers. C since it provided a lot of mobile innovations. How can see anyone who has followed the fate of a pocket in the direction of Rover Computers, the transition to a new operating system was marked by a change in the index range. If last year you could see the dominance of models under the symbol RoverPC X5, now it is easy to conclude that the upcoming new line-up, where RoverPC S6 - only the first step. Communicator RoverPC S6 - is a strong bid for victory in terms of design. Appearance had a really nice, that allows to relate the model to a rather rare at the moment class fashion communicators average. Technical parameters of the new items also support this assumption. The device is based on the processor Texas Instruments OMAP 750 200 MHz, the memory is 64 MB RAM and 128 ROM, memory expansion is performed using flash cards microSD. Communication capabilities of the model is quite good - it is designed to operate in three frequency bands of cellular networks GSM, for data transmission on mobile networks provides a standard GPRS, while maintained as wireless networks Wi-Fi, is often neglected in such models, and interface Bluetooth. Perhaps the only omission here - the standard for data EDGE. Display the model standard - 2.8-inch QVGA (240x320 pixels). The camera is not bad by modern standards - with a resolution of 2 MP. Apparatus rather thin, and all the dimensions of the model are small - 110h59h15, 8 mm. For comparison, similar in characteristics of the communicator RoverPC W5 dimensions are 109x55x21 mm. By all measures, RoverPC S6 impression device for those users who do not need a super power and functionality, but it means a lot stylish appearance. Fly the most complex devices are ready and have the desire, not all, the demand for relatively simple decisions always will be. At the same opportunities RoverPC S6 are well balanced, it does not suffer from such traditional shortcomings of budget decisions as a lack of some really important features such as Wi-Fi support or display a smaller size. And to find such a solution in which sufficient attention is paid to design, in principle, quite hard. In Russia, the issue RoverPC S6 is scheduled for June. Thus, it will be one of the first devices based on Windows Mobile 6 on the Russian market.

HTC Atlas: much ado about nothing

Rumors about the new models from Taiwanese manufacturer High Tech Computer is often well ahead of formal presentation and announcements. But this time it seems the noise broke out of the blue. The network has information about a new device, which will be released under the brand name American operator T-Mobile USA. Communicator T-Mobile Wing has come to replace the communicator T-Mobile MDA, recently disappeared from the site operator. T-Mobile MDA is one of the incarnations of popular platforms HTC Wizard - the well-known communicator slider. And although the Western media have reported that T-Mobile Wing is based on the new platform HTC Atlas, much more like that is just one of the incarnations of the model HTC P4350, also known under the code name Herald. At least from the leaked information suggests this is the conclusion. Models are identical in their tactical and technical parameters known at this time. The same form factor, processor (TI OMAP 850), memory (64 MB RAM and 128 ROM), 2,8-inch display with a resolution of QVGA (240x320 pixels) card slot format microSD, battery capacity 1130 mAh , 2-megapixel camera. The only difference between the HTC Herald and HTC Atlas, that catch the eye, it discriminate design, which is quite natural for the operator's version, and different versions of the operating system. As the source, the release device is scheduled for 20 th of May, here then, and become known to allow a definite conclusion. If it really turns out to be only operator version HTC Herald with the upgraded OS, the T-Mobile is not original - the operator O2 Germany has already introduced the PDA O2 Xda terra, which is nothing more than the HTC Herald, running Windows Mobile 6.

Qtek: upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 for free

It would seem from the start of sales by High Tech Computer devices under its own brand, to wait for special news from Qtek is not necessary. However, surprises occur regularly and that the Swedish site myQtek, and not on the brain site of HTC was found a list of models for which will be given an upgrade to the new operating Windows Mobile 6. This information is awaited for a long time, literally since the announcement of the new OS at the 3GSM Congress. Best of all, the update for these models will be provided free of charge.

Thus, among the lucky ones:
• submitted in February communicator monster HTC Advantage (X7500)
• released late last year, a smartphone with a QWERTY-keyboard HTC S620 (Excalibur)
• One of the first models under its own brand HTC - PDA-slider HTC TyTN
• simpler device slider HTC P4350 (Herald)
• the first GPS-communicator from the Taiwanese manufacturer - HTC P3300 (Artemis).

If you initially use the HTC Qtek brand for product sales in some regions, but now through sites myQtek moving models are already under its own brand HTC, thus, grounds for suspicion or lack of confidence in the information on it there. Particularly interesting, of course, is this a free upgrade - it happens not always. The new firmware should be available in June and July this year. Pleased that the deplorable situation with a small number of devices that can be updated with Windows Mobile 2003 to Windows Mobile 5.0 is not repeated. However, changes in the new version of the operating system is far less radical, perhaps, here is the reason of altruism. On the other hand, it explains so little to date portfolio HTC models running Windows Mobile 6 - from the officially reported in fact only one smartphone HTC S710 (Vox), so the communicator HTC Advantage X7501, not so long ago, as shown in the U.S.. If we take unofficial information, the expected very soon a whole series of new models from HTC, which operate on the basis of Windows Mobile 6 and, in most cases, represent a more advanced functional pair of current production time of vehicles. Of the pairs is already possible to select, for example HTC TyTN and HTC P4550 (Kaiser), in the same line, in principle, can be attributed HTC P4350 (Herald). Thus providing an upgrade, the company facilitates future users the choice, they will have to choose only the technical parameters of devices, not getting to have to choose a model based on the OS used in it. It is safe to fly one of the "lucky" machines and do not be afraid that it will soon find yourself the owner of the communicator or smartphone with the "old" OS.

Report for March or HTC fever

The event, which was completely wasted almost unnoticed for the majority of news feeds - the same HTC has released its monthly sales report. Figures published in it, make you think. The fact is that if the previous statements of the company for a long time is a nearly continuous "success story", then February and March figures are a worrying tone. In February, sales revenues were considerably lower than the previous year - a decline of 15.58%, and for the period from January to February - at 3.36%. In March, there was slight increase compared to income received in March last year, but quite small - at 1.04%, and for the first three months is still a downturn - the company had revenue of less than 1.71 at%. In other matters, as seen from the data, the gap in the amount of income year and the year gradually shrinking. With the transition to production units under its own brand, HTC has caused analysts are serious concerns as to whether she will be able to stay afloat. On the one hand, it was a kind of gray eminence of the Devices Windows Mobile, but on the other hand, she chose a rather rigid approach to a number of his former partners, who were forced to abandon cooperation with HTC. One of the most striking examples - the company i-mate, which has now shifted to working with other producers. As we see, yet can not say that HTC is going through "difficult times", but a factor of instability is still present.

Release of Pocket Heroes: finally waited

One of the most anticipated events in the world of software and games specifically, perhaps, was the release of the game Pocket Heroes 1.0. Let the draft Russian developer and has a very wide fame, but for those who know him, waiting for release already in the habit. Originally released toys had been promised by the developer in late 2005, since then much water has flowed, but fans of the project continued to be satisfied with test versions. In contrast to the test version, release is not free. However, fans of the game for PC Heroes of Might And Magic probably will not be sorry about the blood spent $ 10 (worth about a game, the final amount depends on the method of payment). For the money they are able to enjoy the game on your Pocket PC / PDA in the best traditions of Heroes. The player will develop, build their own resources, as well as to capture territory and fight enemies. Provides a variety of races, lots of characters, creatures, of which you can make an army, resources, artifacts, ... the list goes on than the game does not suffer because it is monotonous and monotonous. There's also a multiplayer game, when some players use a single wireless device to participate in the game.Those who remember the first version of Heroes, and the good old days, when PCs have slightly different capabilities of modern PDAs, an attack of nostalgia is almost guaranteed:) The authors, translation:

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.

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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.

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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: