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Sharp Zaurus, part 3. Prospects: The Inside Story
Pocket PC Sharp SL5000D be called the first of a new breed of handheld computers. Not in the sense of new things in there some fundamental differences from other PDAs - can be called an innovative approach to software development and target audience you have targeted this handheld. The key is the fact that SL5000D uses open-source software, open source software. The kernel of the software system are PDA Linux and Java - the developer tools that support open standards. Experimental model SL5000D - full PDA. The reviews, which can be found on the web, are disclosed in detail all specifications of this machine, but the principal remains that SL5000D running on the same 206-MHz Intel processor family StrongArm, that most powerful of the latest models on the platform of the Pocket PC 2002.
In stock and SecureDigital slots CompactFlash, screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with 65,536 colors (ie, in full color - truecolor - mode). By the way, Sharp is one of the best producers in the world displays its products are used, such as game console GameBoy company Nintendo, and Sharp supplying screens for many manufacturers of cellular phones. Ckladyvaetsya impression that the Sharp Zaurus has developed as through the draft, just for the sake of the experiment. However, the words of Mark Klein (Mark Klein), the head of a company's sales department laptops and PDAs, to suggest otherwise: "We are creating with the help of this device is a new platform - he says - and a new principle." That's what said in the interview Site PMN Publications Mark Klein: "We are engaged in the mobile handset market for a long time, even releasing keyboard device on Windows CE. Still, we mainly focus on our own platform. Cause of failures that have befallen us in the past, was not design the hardware or software part, but rather a "closed" platforms, which we used. This policy has seriously complicates the lives of software developers. The new device, we decided to create an open systems - Linux and Java. Our goal - to change the preconceived opinion of programmers on how to develop software for PDAs. Linux-community is enormous, and many applications for this already popular operating systems are great. Take the example of Apache - the most popular web server in the world. We do not see the slightest reason to put obstacles in the way of experienced programmers to a new platform for PDAs. As for Java, then, despite the fact that the technology is still not mature, we see great potential in it and believe it will become truly powerful. Therefore a bunch of Java with Linux will become a promising avenue for the realization of our ideas of open source software. "One of the most likely problems that may arise due to the reluctance to go along with the Palm or Microsoft, lies in the fact that both of these platforms already have a whole army of third party Programmers: professionals and enthusiasts. Within a few years of existence of these operating systems for them creates a lot of applications. In this sense, Sharp, and with it, Linux is strongly lose. On the other hand, Linux-programmers who write software for desktop computers, myriad. Attract them to write programs for handheld computers should not make much of a problem. To encourage them, the company Trolltech-developer user interface for the Sharp - organized a competition for the best program in five categories: games, entertainment / educational sector, business, system tools and communications. Competition lasted from 4 December last year to 11 March of the current, were created by a variety of prizes, including $ 10,000 for first place. To learn more about this competition please visit Trolltech. Of course, to fill the gap with the parties to take some time, but obviously short. Sharp is going to have a community of programmers full support and is ready to compete directly with Palm and Microsoft.To finish this topic, Klein said that Sharp may actively uchastovovat in podgtovke drivers for various devices, unless the providers themselves or the community of developers will not take it before. Here we must bear in mind that he personally is not well initiated into the subtleties of the program strategy of the corporation. "Sharp is best able to design an excellent design and ergonomics of the device. This is an area of our company, in my opinion, should focus their efforts, leaving the questions of creation of third party software" - he says. Klein is right about the design: it really is perfect. The overall quality of the hardware is impressive, and the idea of a sliding keyboard - simply delicious. This keyboard, among other things, may prove crucial in thinking about buying. Keyboard is quite small and, of course, is intended only for a set of short texts, messages or notes. Klein agrees, but believes that at the present stage of development of mobile communications and trends of work on the go, such a system may be useful not only private but also corporate users, which he calls «prosumers» (to consumers). These are users who buy a PDA for both personal use and for professional work. Klein believes that the Zaurus keyboard justifies itself as the recruitment of short messages, and for rough set a decent amount of text, and in future fully manifest all the promise of this idea. A small increase in form factor that is required to install the keyboard, with interest, according to him, pays a significant increase in functionality. Especially considering the fact that the hardware keys are not the only way to enter the information - provided as software keyboard and handwriting recognition. So how can you get such a device? You are free to buy right now. In Russia, it is unfortunately not yet available. Want something to modify, to close some loopholes in the software, although overall the device is already fully operational. Klein himself points out that while this is not a device in a series of "buy, including good," but it is intended more for technically savvy people. If you do not belong to those, you'd better wait for a few months. By the time the Zaurus will be fully developed and they can be used immediately by pulling out of the box. Sharp is a Organizer is number one in Britain, but basically the situation is due to electronic pocket notebooks. Previous development of Sharp in the handheld sector has never been particularly successful. The exception is perhaps that Sharp Mobilon - machine on Windows CE, which cost only a keyboard PDA Jornada from Hewlett Packard, which in itself is not bad for a company whose business is the PDA side. So, the important thing is that the programmer is not left unattended Sharp Zaurus, and then perhaps the market platform for handheld computers will be a good player anymore. Article "All about the Sharp Zaurus. Parts 1-2" Sources, Materials:
Stylish Gizmo
In 1999, Palm introduced the first ultra-slim PDA - Palm V, quickly became one of the most popular handheld computers. Two years later, Handspring in an attempt to achieve the same success, released Visor Edge, which, however, not gained much popularity. Now this road was, and Sony with its new Clie PEG-T415. The reason why, according to which the repeated failures Clie Visor Edge - its monochrome screen. But more about that shortly.
From an aesthetic point of view of the handheld Sony's incredibly attractive. Matte silver aluminum housing makes this model extremely elegant and even elegant. Author of the article made the news weighed and compared it with the above mentioned Palm m 500 and Visor Edge. Sales Leader - Palm m500 pulled at 120 grams. Sony restrained in a weight category up to 125 grams, but the Visor Edge has weighed about 135 grams. In this case, Clie, keeping the thickness of the m500, was narrower than the models of both competitors.
In this case, Clie enough performance. Collected on the basis of 33MHz CPU Motorola DragonBall, 8Mb RAM and 4Mb Flash ROM, the model shows very good results. But look: some only the size and productivity is not enough to become the best. Clie has a pretty good performance in these areas, but it seems that other indices of Sony brought practicality to sacrifice style. Let's look inside the packaging of a new PDA and try to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the handheld from Sony.
As can be seen in the photograph, at the upper end of this PDA has an infrared port, which is quite natural, since Sony has included a set of software - Remote Commander, allows you to use Clie, as a remote control for TV, videomagnitafona or DVD-Player.Author of the article tested the handheld as a remote control on your TV Toshiba. It turned out that it works just perfectly. And besides, it is convenient to be adjusted. For example, the Jog Dial wheel has been programmed to change channels, and clicking on it you can turn on / off the TV. However, the tester was unable to pass on the Clie via IR any information to other handhelds. This model simply does not recognize any of the tasted PDA. Another item, which is located on the upper side of the device - thin, lightweight pen. You could even say too thin and too easy.
The left side is located at the legendary Sony Jog Dial Wheel with reset button (Back button). This is very convenient, especially in cases when the PDA is used as a remote control. Scroll buttons (Scroll button) and application buttons (Application buttons) call can not be comfortable. The impression is that Sony has developed them for the sake of style at the expense of usability. Placed horizontally a small button to call applications requires great caution and care when working with it. True, this is minor compared with the scroll button. She is so small that it is practically impossible to use. Oh, and the need for it disappears, because Sony still has a Jog Dial.
The handheld is perfectly fit in with the supplied non-cradle, which, incidentally, differs from previous models of line Cradle Clie. One of the drawbacks of a new cradle that designed it so that the PDA can be charged only through him - will have to buy a separate charger for use on the road. Second - to change the structure of connector, which now does not fit into existing accessories for the Clie. On the back of the PDA is a reset button (Reset button) and the lid, under which the removable 800 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery.
To its credit, Sony, model T415 has a good speaker, that even something not quite typical for handhelds. Supplied in a set of application software Sound Utility allows you to play converted from MIDI and WAV-files, and I must say that they sound much better than expected beforehand. It is clear that the speaker can also be used for various kinds of alerts. Clie to have the opportunity to make their voice. Agree, it is pleasant to the usual pischaniya. And if you prefer a vibrating alert, the new model and there will not disappoint you.
Now for the weaknesses of the screen. Firstly, he is very highly reflective.And in the daylight to work with him is not very convenient. Secondly, if thin fonts used in the Clie looked quite nice on the color screen (mainly due to their white backgrounds), then the T415, they begin to irritate. Too dark screen does not have sufficient contrast for easy reading such fonts.
Stylish and brilliant
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Filling
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- Sufficiently attractive box-green lemon and turquoise contains the following items:
- Sony Clie PEG T-415 Personal Entertainment Organizer
- Sync cable for USB-port
- Power unit
- Clip-soft vinyl cover
- CD-ROM to install software on your PC
- User Manual
Software
The set comes with the Clie PEG T-415 software is impressive.- Software for Clie:
- Clie Paint
- PictureGear Pocket
- PhotoStand
- gMovie
- World Alarm Clock
- Clie Remote Commander
- Sound Utility
- Acid Solitaire
- Pocket Gourmet
- Pocket Vineyard
- AvantGo
- Documents To Go, Standart Edition powerOne Personal
- StreetFinder Express
- Windigo
- WorldMate
- Zap! 2000
- Software for the desktop:
- Intellisync Lite 4.0
- Palm Desktop for Clie 4.0.1
- PictureGear 4.4 Lite
- QuickTime 5
- DirectX 6
- Memory Stick Export
- Sound Converter
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0
Inside-Out ...
There is something uncanny in how Sony has managed to provide an elegant device slot for memory expansion cards Memory Stick. The included software, there are four utilities that help you to squeeze everything possible from this advantage: MS Gate, MS Autorun, MS Import and MS Backup. The very same card, unfortunately, is not included. |
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Screen
On the T415 set monochrome screen with several unusual characteristics. High resolution (320x320 pixels) that is used, though not all applications and green fluorescent lights together to create a good impression. But here's the palette screen, contrary to conventional grayscale, should be called bluescale, since all that is not totally black, is displayed in bluish tones. |
Conclusions
Sony Clie PEG T-415 - Stylish in every unit, which has a characteristic set of functional buttons, perfectly executed in terms of design. But it does have one drawback - the screen. However, recently Sony has announced a color version of this lovely devaysa, but this seems to be exactly what you need. Sources, Materials:Life is wonderful palmklubovtsa Alexander Moiseyev
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Name: Alexander L. Moses
Position: Head of Administration
Company: Bank "Russian Bankers 'House'
Model: Sony CLIE PEG-T615C
Phone: NOKIA 5120
User Level: "Know"
About me ...
Alexander Moiseev, 1950 p. - Contemporary half a century, one might say. In the former, pre-capitalist era, engaged in building communism in one country in the field of electronics, automation, acoustics, precision mechanics and instrumentation in various research institutes with loud names of executives. Now I work in a bank "Russian Bankers' House". When you first got the idea of buying something such ... organizing? Somewhere in 1996 - the first was the Citizen 7700, due to its holdings of cable for connection to a PC. But irritating device interface, the program (DOS) for the connection to work through the stump-deck, was uncomfortable keyboard input (could not get a finger in the small button). Today I have a Sony CLIE T615. Generally, first a long time thinking and reading that would find a better for my goals, rather than Citizen 7700, with its "nedoklaviaturoy. (Incidentally, in the home library is kept PC Magazine / RE 1998 number 8 with a spectacular overview on p.112 - Robert S. Anthony "The most personal computers." Topical and to this day:)) And suddenly, the Savyolovsky market, the chance met b / PalmPilot in 5000 for a completely ridiculous money. That predetermined my fate ... Angular, with mutnenkim screen (an impression - especially machine "crudely made" for the B-1 bomber - with reference to the onboard network, the internal design of the aircraft and the color of feed-hand radio operator:)), but he could have it all: work with key I needed apps: AddressBook, DateBook, ToDo, Memo (they have survived to this day the new models). Instead of the keyboard - a pen. Write on a new "study for half an hour ... (In my opinion, it is very convenient if you do not put the main criterion for the input speed). Magnificent sync with your desktop computer, and - lo and behold! -Whole 512 KB of memory for user needs .. Compared with 7700, it was a breakthrough in the future ... In addition, countless programs available on the Internet (which I then just started to learn), in the mass of free or shareware, with the ability to work 15-30 days - long enough to make them sick, or someone produced the best analog. Even managed to address book from 7700 to 5000 to convert without loss, though it was somehow in capital letters, but readable in Russian. And then? Did other cars / models? |
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| REX 6000 |
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| Sony PEG T-615C |
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Neon Visor
Visor Neo handheld computer from Handspring, the company announced in mid-September this year, is a low-end model and is aimed primarily at novice users. The device is equipped with a monochrome screen. In fact, this slightly updated version of an older model - Visor Deluxe.
Dimensions and weight of Neo is perfectly acceptable, but can carry it only in a pants pocket. On a shirt can not be considered. But on the palm handheld fits very comfortably.
Slot for Springboard-modules located at the top of the enclosure. To date, there are already more than 50 modules of "empowerment" Springboard: GPS-ins, phone-ins, digital cameras, more memory and more. With their help, Neo can be transformed, for example, a camera, or GPS - receiver. Recall that Springboard at the time the first expansion module for the Pocket PC Palm OS. Its main advantage is that this so-called device "plug and play". If you podkyuchili module, for example, VisorPhone, in the slot of your PDA, then you require the application will be immediately available without suffering from installing the drivers. And the handheld almost instantly transformed into a mobile phone. We must pay tribute Handspring - it is really convenient. The only drawback Springboard-modules is their high price. The most interesting and useful are expensive. For example, the price of the modem Thinmodem-plus (56K) is $ 150, HandyGPS Pro - $ 230, but the most simple 8 MB Flash Card - $ 50. Two modules are at the price of one PDA Visor.
Visor Neo has the same cover, as the previous models from the family of Visor. It can be attached to both the front and the back of the PDA, to protect the serial port device.
Neo stylus may well be an example for all the accessories of this type. It is a rod made of a silvery metal with a plastic tip and top. If you unscrew the tip, you can see a device for pressing the reset. And at the top of the stylus is hiding a small screwdriver, you can use to dismantle the device. With respect, the cradle, then for some reason, many think that the bundle with Neo, he is not. It is not. "Crib" uses the USB-connector for synchronizing with a desktop computer and the outside looks very nice.
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External Data
Design of new items is somewhat surprising. Want to ask the developers: why they decided to rename the old man Delux'a in Neo? Indeed, at first glance, it's still the same good-old Visor. Just called differently. He has the same size and shape, as in all previous models. Thanks to the standard form factor, it fit almost all commercially available bags and accessories created for the earlier models. Although, anyway, the new PDA is a bit outdated. True, designers Handspring dressed in the latest fashion handhelds in translucent plastic. Now, through the Corps of smoky, red and blue is quite possible to see his stuffing. |
Screen
For an inexpensive device monochrome screen Neo more than good. He has a remarkable contrast, his background is too dark. According to the author, this is the best screen, which can be found at the PDAs low-end class. Moreover, the quality of the picture almost does not affect coverage. Coming soon, it affects light. In Neo it - reversing. This means that when the lighting is all black must be "transformed" into white and vice versa. In reality, everything is black becomes blue-green. Such lighting is good only in very dark conditions. In the dim light of the screen is virtually unreadable. But you should not despair, luckily there is blocking software reversing. When working with Neo, they can be very helpful.Springboard Slot
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Iron
Visor Neo runs on Dragonball VZ processor with a frequency of 33 MHz - the fastest to date, used in Palm OS-devices. Neo runs two times faster than the Deluxe. In addition, it is equipped with 8 MB of RAM.Operating System
This handheld computer running Palm OS 3.5.2H3, rather than the latest version of OS 4. This is especially surprising given that Neo was created to replace the market Visor Deluxe, which still runs on OS 3.1H.The main difference between the latest OS (4.0) - support for new types of hardware: storage cards, Springboard-modules, USB and 16-bit color. USB support has been included yet in OS 3.5 for Visor'ov. In addition, Handspring has implemented support for 16-bit color before the advent of OS 4.0, although in our case this is not true, because the Neo screen is black and white. In Neo, however, as all devices from Handspring, no Flash ROM, so it can not be upgraded OS, although the patch, of course, can be installed on a system. It is for this reason, Handspring, and did not use OS 4.0 in the new model. This system is still quite "raw" and it may require more debugging. If so, then the correction of errors in the Neo OSes would be quite problematic.Address Book
Version of the application Address Book for the Neo is distinguished by a quick search (Fast Lookup). It allows you to find the name in a long list using the buttons on the unit. The operating principle of search engine based on the classification of the names on the letters relating to the first or the second part of the alphabet. Suppose you need to find details of your friend, named Don. You press the up arrow to activate the search function, and then click Application To-Do, which means that the first letter of the name is located in the first half of the alphabet. The next step is pressing the Memo, the program will regard it as something that the second letter is in the second half. After that, of course, will need to press Memo again. Thus, Fast Lookup will give you all the names like Don and Ann, as the latter is also consistent with the search criteria. In the same way and by searching the names, with the only difference being that you are using buttons instead of To-Do and Memo buttons Date Book and Address Book. You can also simultaneously search for the name and last name, combining the search for the first three letters of the name and two letters of the name. In practice, the search works well enough. When you have more than one hundred names in the address book, this method is much faster, of course, after a little practice. Besides, it's very convenient when PDA in one hand, in another phone and you can not use the stylus.Batteries
Visor Neo is powered by batteries, energy class AAA. The device has no built-in rechargeable batteries. Thanks to the monochrome display, they exhaust their resources too quickly. A pair of new batteries for the Neo means that you can calm down for at least several weeks. Of course, many people prefer the batteries, but normal batteries have their advantages. For example, there is no need to worry about charging more, and they are sold at almost every turn.Buttons
On the front of the chassis below the screen is a standard set of buttons. They are made of silver plastic. Buttons "Up" and "down" are separated by arches. They are nothing special from the buttons of other devices do not differ.Cover
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Cradle and stylus
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Knacks
Slightly below the control buttons on the left edge of the device is a microphone. Apparently, it is only used with modules Springboard. While there is no single application that it would be claimed. But, if you have VisorPhone, turning your PDA into a mobile phone, the microphone could not be more useful way. Also on the left side you can find the infrared port. It is located right there, because virtually the entire top of Visor Neo busy slot Springboard. In addition to the standard application Date Book, the device has another - Date Book +. This version includes: Improved scheduling of the week (weekly view), the scheduler, the (yearly view) and scheduler (list view).Conclusions
Neo - quite a decent low-end model. Of course, it costs more expensive - $ 200 than similar devices from competitors. If you're not particularly interested in new products, the Neo you completely replace the Visor Deluxe, which can be purchased for $ 130. However, keep in mind that the new Visor has a much faster processor, and its translucent body looks much more interesting. Hardware Specifications Power, Materials:G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our"
When the person has a computer, it does not matter whether a desktop, PDA or even a "smart" cell phone, one of the first wish - to set there and play toys. Judging by the pace of development of the computer gaming industry, all of the previous century, mankind has behaved too seriously and now pulled. The more interesting games for mobile games, "which are always with you." The popularity of such games and general entertainment world is constantly growing. For example, in late October in the United States will host the first international exhibition Mobile Entertainment and Gaming Exposition, dedicated exclusively to games for PDAs, smart phones, mobile phones. But most such toys are attractive when they are doing "their", Russian developers. About my work and its first fruit - the game Fight Hard 3D for BREW devices on the platform telling employees G5 Software: (from left to right, top to bottom) Sergey Schultz, Dennis Lukinov Maxim Rumin, Vlad Suglobov, Alexander Koloskov (company Reaxion):
- First, please say a few words about the company. You also have a little more than a year ... How did you meet? - Well, we met a lot sooner. Five people worked together in one of the oldest domestic game companies, and then we worked together, just in a different company and doing absolutely no games. But then we decided: since I have a team, have the strength and desire, and experience ... In general, why not do games. That created a company - G5 Software. - First, you have probably decided to do the games for the desktop?
- Yes, we started to write a demo. Related to foreign developers and decided to start to show them what we can do. And just this month wrote a demo version of the helicopter simulator. Foreign developers have looked, said: "Well, we like, but we do this will not be." And we decided not to stop there and develop a demo of the game. Now that we had a helicopter, we decided to make a game about the helicopter. So there was a Red Shark, who has published nebezyvestnaya Buka. Game we've done for the year, working almost five of them. And now it was sold to Japan CapCom'u, sold to Germany JoWooD'u in several other countries, and G5 Software currently employs over 20 staff. - And where did the idea to develop mobile games? Yes, even for such exotic platforms like BREW? - In fact, it happened almost by accident. One of the five of us, Alexander Koloskov, for quite some time working for the company Reaxion, more precisely in its mockovskom office. So, once we were there for, it is not related to mobile platforms - we discussed the possibility of cooperation for the promotion of our games for the PC. There's something President Reaxion literally put our hands BREW SDK [software development kit for applications on BREW - Ed.], Stating that here, they say, you know how to make toys, try what happens. We decided that it might be interesting, and tasted. - Why BREW? - Well, first of all, this was, as we have explained, the share of randomness. Secondly, the choice was determined by analysis of the market. Even the software market for handheld computers is fairly saturated, and he suck young. We needed a market in which we would be among the first. As a result, we stopped for BREW, which came in the first two or three dozen companies, applications developers. This market is still nascent, mobile handset running on this platform, there were about a year ago in Korea and only about six months ago in the U.S., so there is a wide field for activity. At the same time, the market is developing dynamically, so that customers on our software for this platform there for sure. And there are enough of them.
- Excellent. Let's get to the - to the toy itself. Tell us! - Why, there's a better show. - This is a must! But maybe a few words about the history? As we have explained, it all started, to some extent by chance. Why is our first game was a fight (or "fighting game")? And while some of us dug in the cartoon network with here is a schematic drawing human figures, which enthusiastically belabour each other, and which later became the heroes of our game. We looked at the man and decided - that's what you need. And we're done fighting. In general, we wrote and wrote and wrote. At first we did not have tubes voobshe (where to get standard CDMA2000 handset in Russia?) And all tested on the emulator. When we first launched the demo on the emulator, just could not get enough of - beauty. All completed the test result, and prepared for the real tubes. That was when, in fact, work began on the game, because on the first tube, where we installed the game, we've got something like two frames per second, or even less. - Why? The fact that it is only in theory everything should work the same in all tubes with a system of BREW. In fact, in the system, there are many undocumented features and differences between the tubes, due to which each particular model needs a special approach. The fact that we have all worked perfectly on the emulator, a very short time was an occasion for joy. Engaged in a reverse-engineering of internal data formats and customized software code of the game for each specific model. Bottlenecks have been rewritten in assembler. As a result, at the advanced Korean Samsung and the U.S., "Sharpe" we have made quite a playable pace of renovation pictures. 6.7 frames per second succeeded. And in "Sharpe slower processor, so that on it to maintain a reasonable speed, removing some visual effects, but the Samsung with a more powerful processor provides a much more colorful version of the game. Here, a variety of backgrounds and arenas in the center of the arena, under the feet of men, even this polygon with texture mapping. In general, look at yourself, look for a cell phone for more than ... Some of our staff and some staff Reaxion with the inspiration of its testing that the authorities even some who are advised to engage in more direct responsibilities. And one friend found a bug - after fifty consecutive victories, and in the mode where every next opponent is stronger than the previous one, points scored by a player goes "in the negative." So we were not even correct, it is still any living person (this is probably just a god) to such heights is not accessible. Private employee can in this mode to win 6.5 in a row, and then through long practice. Head of the project, perhaps, pick up a couple more victories, but then he and his "cut down".
- What is the game?
- Yeah, it's our favorite question! Fight Hard 3D is not just a fight, but a game with elements of RPG. After each victory you accrue a certain amount of "experience points", when they accumulate enough, the player moves to the next level and can improve one of four characteristics - strength, dexterity, constitution (can be "pumped up"), and endurance.There are several game modes - the usual sparring championship, where you have to endure several bouts in a row and the worst - a game of survival (in each of the next battle you opposed to the increasingly fast and powerful opponent, and the vital energy is restored after a previous bout a quarter). By the way, do not look that creatures such ... sketchy. Each of several types of strokes, it is possible to block the kick, squat. We've worked through the scheme dvzheny, shoveled a bunch of books on various martial arts. The most terrible thing that you have found - a blow to the groin with a curtsy. And then it was unimaginable even when needed to digitize the motion - all employees took unimaginable poses, made wild movements and aggressively tried to wave down. Nearly all the furniture is not broke! [Schematic, no schematic, and addictive! I almost forgot that you need a few more questions to ask and telefonchik photograph - Comm. auth.] - I understand that fighting involves a multiplayer game. One can implement this on BREW? - Already implemented. Of course, this is not a multiplayer game in real time, but ... So, as the game works on phones with data transfer, you can make the network a list of the characteristics of players created by different users. Suppose you want to fight (virtually, of course) with his friend. Specify its name and on your phone from the list loaded characteristics player created by others with whom he fights your character (other controls phone). This, of course, not quite a full-fledged multiplayer, but as long as the data rate can not be organized in CDMA2000 networks currently sparring at the two phones. It's not even so much bandwidth - there need something just a little, but that the long data is transmitted between base stations. Lag (ie, delay) is very large, it is impossible to play. But even here all is not lost. In Korea, the network has been around longer, it is more developed, so I think within a year will be organized and full championship! - Multiplayer, as I understand it, is in testing, but most toy can already use it?
- Yes. From this platform because all is not quite as, say, PDAs. You can not just download the setup file and transfer all that to the terminal. Necessary to conclude separate contracts with each provider. And the operator has a shop software, which can be taken away from the phone menu. Here otttuda our game is downloaded and installed. But the pirates do not steal! The company Reaxion - publisher Fight Hard 3D - now signed contracts with Verizon Wireless and USCellular - the two major operators in the U.S.. Now we will work with Korean companies, that's just finish it localization. - What are your plans for the near future? The site says that the state will extend ... - Yes, including through the department, "wireless" developments. In addition, we have prepared two more projects for the PC, on which we can not yet speak. Nurturing and different plans for mobile applications (as long as we consider only the BREW and Java 2 Platform Micro Edition. - Can you share what some of these plans? - Yes, of course. First, we had the idea to create a series of games, that's almost the universe of cartoon creatures. Make some sports with them, the benefit of experience, design and the engine is already there. Moreover, there is even a fairly insane project these games in some way to unite through the characters. Well, for example, the hero of a fight, then, say, took up snowboarding and became more nimble. Increase agility will remain with the hero, when he again returns to the ring. Another thing is that balance these characteristics will be very difficult. In general, think about it. And another idea - to make certain the game-"Gathering", with the accumulation of something. By the principle of Magic the Gathering or Pokemon when you build something, and then using that collected something playing. Fortunately, the wireless transmission of data will store all information on the dedicated servers.In perspective: You can create an entire game universe, such as Ultima Online. And this universe will always keep with you! But this is far from plans. In the meantime, we will promote Fight Hard 3D, which we seem not bad.
The authors, translation:
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uh3JpJpE60hTSg8GHp79ZE5yQDHA_cSPfFh3nCqWIZ60ieiR3Dhd3HKNsOgNTh0JBvpfDzR_aKx655QUsyxBy1yLE-EsHlKo6YNYOP1Q=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vcE84-p4sPKgGMTIhm6OvT4gpElkFDrjOgbsQoty0TJicIN3CXSge3gLr9hFrZVRIxNNbl0F14X54ozBAo4iK3mdZIhQlR1hjGnYdhVsV7=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vrjYTto_NI2xqYJ8huSKFrdB6YjzCXeqUfJapWNukKiQrv_QzK00fCPA8AzE9ISdnQjsXJEyWj22QC4xZrJR3dnEpzQk6HLAuVX8Da1Q=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
| BREW Phones |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sngm8seWl5Nlx6qQ1lz62zQOH2yePw-MHO8UolFhtXUyOZwCQS81jqIyjutAiOL9xKAWFt9xxoyGodN2hL3okfGhw-KNEcWAx59PI7pJ4=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
| Project Manager - one of the best "fighters". Not surprisingly :-) |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sv1eou4aU-c_EQKluLY2SMwOMTvW_NSqszCDWZqB6plSDctEyMi7edElEzFa6xDTeGYx6L5FnjoBHxY8488kMUjBXKwvoAcyXEfbNE3vY=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t3dapYmpSch4N96wpqFzKNNtPRl3AG0KhZp6TqyVGKyTby6OfWuBfF6MiONYg4CEGR7_SjD2UKbBGSON3dauyzL4qNJ9Fri1QzE23sDRs=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
![G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uyZ1C9JwolHrvkAA1oE1oDn-E5VcEXml4JhL6eG-PYVDt96GP3yjviZzzDPsVfNJzgX12d32_y2b3yN4M2RrqJwR5e22QFJaRtBQ=s0-d "G5 Software - Mobile Games "in our&quot") |
| Team G5 Software (part :-) |
Cassiopeia E-200: At Home Among Strangers, Stranger Among its
Operating system Pocket PC 2002, which was published this fall nobody will be surprised - know about it all, even those who have never seen "live" - so much of her writing and in the press and the Internet, but the companies - manufacturers still continue to please the discerning and not very user devices based on it. The first difference Hewlett Packlard, the next - Compaq, and now - Casio. Time to regular model, I informally measured from the moment it appears in our country.
And Casiopeia E-200 came to Russia and my hands in particular. Since the Casio, as already stated, was not the first to release similar devices, in this article we will (maybe unwittingly) to compare it with its closest competitors iPaq and Jornada. Thus, box and its contents are nothing especially from competitors do not differ. The kit includes a cradle, AC adapter, the device itself, a nice etui leatherette, descriptions, instructions and CD. CCP itself heavily on competitive products is no different - after all requirements of the operating system make themselves felt - 32 MB ROM, 64 RAM, 64K TFT screen, Intel StrongARM SA-1110 with a frequency of 206 mg. Microsoft has left producers PDAs few opportunities to stand out clearly tied to the operating system's "hardware". From Carta were only design and small software and hardware "Baubles".
Pleased that Casio eksprimentirovat beginning with the design. The first experience in the 1xx series was, to put it mildly, not good - bricks. E-200 looks much more elegant. The body is made of silver plastic with inserts of plastic color blue steel. In general, Casio has succeeded in turning a simple plastic or other materials. Illusion that the inserts still Metallic stalking you until such time as the device falls into the hands. This contributes to a metallic sheen and smooth corners and depressed "a la stamping" inscription. However, I was not feeling that I associate with some strange reincarnation iPaq - painfully, they look similar. New Cassiopeia already equipped with two expansion slots: one, as it should - Compact Flash II, the second - SD / MMC. This, incidentally, can be attributed to the first "Fenichka. Interestingly, the second slot is located approximately at the same place at the Jornada 568 - backup battery. This completely unremarkable and rather shaky door on the left side of the panels. Opened by pressing the stylus into the small hole rear sockets. With top slot everything in order - is located where it is necessary, closes zaglushechkoy has a rear recess for Compact Flash - the periphery.
In the arrangement of buttons and ports, too, there have been some changes. For example, vanished into oblivion button with the intriguing icon Windows, conveniently located on the left side of the venerable ancestor - Sassiopeia E-125. Now its functions are performed by a button launcher (the small icon to the rocket). It correctly - why are two buttons with roughly the same functions? But - holy place is never empty and vacant spot under powering took poluknopochka-poludyrochka rezet. Button moved to activate the recorder under the left side of the joystick, jack adapter crawled from the bottom on the left side same, and an infrared port, like all "normannyh people" ended up on top. But that's not all.Svetodiodiki power and alarm remained on the same site (only slightly increased and widened) and next to them are now celebrating a housewarming microphone. His closest friend - the speaker moved the joystick (long live iPaq!), And he perpolz joystick in the middle and gathered around him a command button - well, just iPaq some! In their original locations were only Jog Dial and a headphone jack. With the above nest, by the way, works great multimedia headphones with remote control from Sassiopeia EM-500 - the second pleasant "Fenichka.
The third "Fenichka" - the presence of USB - hub on the cradle device. About it can say a few individual words. The very existence of this obscure "hole" - already a major breakthrough. Just think, now you can connect to the device is not special, but the most common peripherals: keyboards, cameras, printers and scanners. Drivers, however, there is not ... But I promise.
In the meantime, the results of experiments - on a USB keyboard and mouse devices in general did not react. From the exotic periphery was found USB-drive. On his E-200 responded unequivocally - brought a message to enter a letter for the drive inserted, but after entering the letters with an error message. Well, wait for the drivers. Cradle is not very convenient. In my subjective view of the device it is very much vertically - to work hard. In addition it takes some skill to master the process of inserting E-200 in the cradle. " On the back stenochki cradle is "shpynechek, and Cassiopeia - the response opening. So it is necessary, inserting the device into the cradle sufficiently tangible to push down and back to easy click. To get you just legonechko pull ahead. Well, since we are looking for differences from previous models (in particular from the E-125) - now the molded cradle. Removable battery in the PDA. But small. And apparently, judging by the cover batareechnogo compartment, a larger place to place will not succeed. Capacity he has only 950 mAh. For comparison, the E-125 - 1400 mAh, and the nearest competitor Jornada 568 as much. Something tells me that Casio hardly managed to make a significant breakthrough in the energy consumption of their devices, and it makes me sad to think. In any survey taken to draw conclusions. And give advice to users. Thus our findings: a device made in the style iPaq and Casio at a time. As for functionality, mainly due to the operating system and the hardware is not much different from its competitors. Advise it is possible, firstly, those who are closely communicated with Compact Flash, and c SD / MMC cards, fans of the company Casio, not lose hope for the emergence of drivers or peripherals cherished programmers, who decided to try his hand at writing the aforementioned drivers. The authors, translation:
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Antares Software Factory - Novgorod factory software
In Russia, very few developers of software for mobile devices, so each - worth its weight in gold. As the forces HPCru trying to acquaint them with their readers. At this time we were lucky. In our office was the head of the Novgorod Addiction Antares Software Factory Dmitry Tsymbal. However, without cocked hat and a pink hippo:), but nonetheless it was very interesting to talk with the chief inspirer of the team, which considers software development for handheld computers promising activity.
HPCru: How does a company Antares Software? D.TS.: Antares born within the walls of Novgorod University. Company's birthday - October 14, 2000. All employees of Antares Software - teachers, students or graduates of the university, almost all - graduates or students of the Department of the software. In total in the company of 25 people (though a year ago was 10). We began to engage in mobile development in May 2001. Our first mobile product - the "Guide to Great Novgorod" for Palm - fortunately, was very successful and took second place in the competition "Palmovaya branch. Encouraged by this success, we have made the direction of mobile development a priority. So we began to engage in mobile technologies, and for a short time were able to become leaders in the field of application software for PDAs. HPCru: That link to the university prompted the company to hold student contest developments? D.TS.: All of our employees are closely connected with the university, and we are including and teaching. Competition is developing software for mobile devices - is an attempt to make in the learning process some fresh impetus. In this guide we were supported by the Department Rept. We wanted to ensure that students were not making routine laboratory work - the same from year to year - and do something new and original, and with benefit to themselves. Thus was created the concept of student engagement in the process of software development under the guidance of professionals. Coincidentally, just the guys who finished second course was the old practice, and we decided to embody this idea. On this practice, students have been studying C + + language with a bias in the development of mobile applications (for Palm OS, Pocket PC and C-Pen), and eventually the guys have worked and continue to work on a variety of programs. We are probably the only Russian software company that launched an ambitious educational project related to mobile technologies. Once again I want to emphasize the spectrum of these programs is very broad: from technological nuclei (or "engines"), a variety of games to the software to operate the railway timetable. Strict deadline for submission of projects was not so for the New Year expect another half-dozen programs. All in all this tutorial project involved about 50 students who were able to combine business with pleasure: to fulfill an educational mission, to participate in the competition and gain professional experience. HPCru: And when will sum it up? D.TS.: By the New Year, when we see and can appreciate all the work. Now ponders a prize winner. Probably, it will be any model of PDA. We do not want this work to limit the scope of the competition, so in the future (spring), under the leadership of our guys will bring the project to completion, to the stage of "commercial release." Now I do not really prepared to say that it will be for projects and how they will be. However, first and foremost an educational project. Our goal was not to obtain a commercial benefit, and to involve students to the latest technology. Of course, we honor the most distinguished students, and I think after some time they will receive an invitation to work in our company. HPCru: And what company Antares Software is now engaged in yet? What commercial projects appear in your plans? D.TS.: As I said, mobile development - one of our priorities. Total of three directions, in addition to mobile technology - medical information systems (that is what we are particularly known in his Novgorod region), and games.Development of games we still have more of a "virtual" direction, but next year we plan skontsentirovat forces and attention on this side of our business. HPCru: A handheld computers in these solutions for medical use? In the West, the hospital - one of the main buyers of handheld computers ... D.TS.: We would first teach the staff contact c ordinary PC:) Nevertheless, we see the possibility of using the CCP - in terms of working with databases that are widely used in our medical systems. But today it only plans. HPCru: We return to the topic of mobile ... D.TS.: The assets of Antares Software four mobile platforms: Palm OS, Pocket PC, Symbian OS and the operating system handles the scanning C-Pen. For each of the platforms we have a number of projects. In this case, if for Symbian and C-Pen is any individual, experienced design, the Palm OS and Pocket PC are the priorities - between the two systems of our forces are distributed approximately equally. In general, mobile development - showcase of the company. With these products, we go beyond the Novgorod region and even outside Russia. We came to prominence precisely because of mobile developments. We have a number of fairly large customers whose orders we regularly perform. For example, we worked with the largest paging operator VessoLink. The details of the project, I do not want to talk, all information will be available in February next year. HPCru: What kind of products can already tell you? D.TS.: This is a difficult question. Under the terms of almost all the contracts we have no right to talk or even mention about our projects for some time. The only thing I can say that commercial products quite a lot and we have much to be proud of. Our programs operate in many countries around the world. Something that can be attributed to public information - is undoubtedly one of the most important projects, which will gain more popularity - "Preference". This joint project, born on the initiative of the Association of users of mobile devices and PDAs (Moscow Palmklub) and growing with the active collaboration of the Association and three companies - Antares Software, "Mack Center and the company's" Mariage. " We all have combined efforts to produce a version of the game "Preference" for handheld computers. The challenge for us to put very simply - "Porting the game to another platform - but in reality we are faced with many challenges. However, the engine and interface for Pocket PC is already ready and now we are working on a version of the game for the Palm OS. (About the Alpha version of Pocket "Preference" we are told in our yesterday's review - HPCru [ca. Ed.]) Obviously, we did a special version of the game for the fifth version of the operating system of Palm, with all its multimedia innovations. (The website of the Association of users of handheld and mobile devices, there is an official page dedicated to the project preference for the Palm [ca. Ed.])
HPCru: When can we expect the final release? While for the Pocket PC? D.TS.: I'm sure the New Year we will be able to present to all users of such a gift. HPCru: What company is proud of? D.TS.: First and foremost, we are proud of our credibility on the part of clients and partners. We are very sensitive otnositmsya to his name, and do our best to trust us. In business since it is one of the most important qualities of the company, is not it? We are the only Novgorod company that has moved beyond the region with its developments and has received wide acclaim. We have a great team, we are quite happy with all his works. Much effort has been expended on the establishment of a quality system, but we produce enough reliable products. Among our developments, for example, there is even a very sophisticated knowledge-intensive projects. One of those "interesting" - when working on projects, we found a number of undocumented errors Windows CE and were able to cope with them. In addition, discovered a few undocumented functions display an image on the screen.For Palm'a we may be the only (or one of the few, so it is exactly) in Russia have created a utility to display the text to print laser printer via infrared. Print function in Palm'ah in principle is not provided, so this task had to be tricky. HPCru: What are your plans for the near future? D.TS.: We will actively develop the division games. Within a month or two we select game developers in a separate division. Emphasis will we do in the game for mobile platforms, but is not limited. In particular, we carried out some time ago an order of a Swedish firm to develop a strategic game for desktop computers, something like "Civilization". The same department will be engaged and completing some of the "engines" that were submitted for the contest. In addition, we have great plans to work in the market CRM-systems (CRM). Finished products for Palm OS and Pocket PC, which will be used by corporate customers in these purposes. Product will have a modular system, so can flexibly adapt to the needs of the customer. Among the most requested features will be, we think, the registration of sales in the open field and the system of sales management / delivery. Naturally, the program will include support functions, wireless data, which is a modern handheld computers. In general, the main bet on the CRM system. PS From the Editor. Today Dmitry Tsymbal - birthday. HPCru team congratulates the head of Antares Software Factory and wishes a successful realization of all planned projects, and even those that at first glance seem impossible:) The authors, translation:
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| So it will look like the final version of the Russian Pocket "Preference" |
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