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PRIME hand injury diagnosis system takes hold of innovation prize

by Vladislav Savov, posted Jul 8th 2009 at 11:12PM

It may look like little more than a pegboard and a force meter at present, but the PRIME hand-strength measuring device has already won first place at the IShow innovation showcase. Its magic lies in the custom software loaded onto the appended PDA, which makes it possible to accurately and repeatably diagnose hand and wrist injuries that doctors currently test for by squeezing and prodding. The Rice University students responsible for the Peg Restrained Intrinsic Muscle Evaluator have applied for a patent and are planning to commercialize the device, so we'll be looking for it on the next episode of House.

[Via Physorg]

ASUS gets official with P835 WVGA smartphone

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 27th 2009 at 11:55AM

Last we checked, Mobile World Congress ended a few days ago, but evidently ASUS doesn't mind a bit. Out of nowhere, the company has just introduced its newest Windows Mobile 6.1 (boo...) smartphone, the P835. Without a doubt, the two standout features here are the 3.5-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen and support for HSUPA 7.2Mbps downloads. The handset comes loaded with Opera Mobile for web surfing, a trackball, the company's new and improved Glide user interface, a battery good for six to seven hours of talking, a 528MHz Qualcomm 7201A processor, 4GB of internal storage, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, USB 2.0 connectivity, aGPS and quad-band GSM compatibility. You'll also find a 5 megapixel AutoFocus camera and video recording, and beautifully enough, the phone can double as a WiFi access point to share its blazing fast connection over WiFi with up to ten devices. As ASUS always does, we're left high and dry when it comes to pricing and availability. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading ASUS gets official with P835 WVGA smartphone

LeapFrog Text and Learn hands-on: look what RIM hath wrought

by Paul Miller, posted Feb 4th 2009 at 9:43AM

Congratulations, you've done it. You and your CrackBerry habit have your neglected child pining for a drab QWERTY device of his or her own to pound out emails to lil' Timmy down the street, and revise playdate scheduling up against an Exchange server. LeapFrog has filled that void in a delightfully hefty, hard-to-swallow form factor, with the new Text and Learn. It's meant for little chilluns too young to spot a crappy UI and bad ergonomics, so the primary function is pushing the letters and getting it spoken back to you. We must say, we found the lack of push data a little off-putting, and the screen glare was a bit harsh, but the spacious, responsive keyboard is really best in class. Next they'll be asking for a BlackBerry massage and matching funds for their 401k. Video is after the break.

Gallery: LeapFrog Text and Learn hands-on

Continue reading LeapFrog Text and Learn hands-on: look what RIM hath wrought

LeapFrog intros "smartphone" for your little one (or you)

by Laura June, posted Jan 28th 2009 at 8:09PM

LeapFrog's been very busy of late -- they recently added Tag Junior to their line of edutainment products for the wee ones --and now there's this. The Text and Learn children's "PDA" hasn't been officially announced yet, but details are slipping out from the U.K. Toy Fair, so here's what we know about the must-have device of the year: boasting a full QWERTY keyboard, the Text and Learn has a calendar (for learning dates), phonics functions (for learning... phonics) on the keyboard, and games to teach spelling and basic computer skills, as well. There's also some "texting" -- the child can interact with their onscreen buddy / guide, Scout. The Text and Learn is set to launch in August for about $30. Man -- armed with this and our totally sick laptop, we're going to be the talk of the town.

Sharp halts Zaurus PDA production, smartphones to blame

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 16th 2008 at 1:44PM

It sure made it longer than Dell and Fujitsu-Siemens, but really, this was inevitable. Today, yet another icon in handheld computing has died, as Sharp has already scheduled the burial of its famed Zaurus lineup. Said devices were all the rage in the white hot 90s, with everyone from Zack Morris to Dawson Leery sporting one while strutting around Hollywood. We're led to believe that the ubiquity of more functional cellphones are to blame for the waning demand in PDAs, and we even pinged Captain Obvious to make sure that assertion was on point. Sayonara, dear Zaurus -- we will never forget.

[Via CodeZine]

Verizon killing pay-as-you-go data plans, making other changes

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:21AM

Rumors on this one have been flying in the VZW world, but now it looks like we've got some confirmation on the matter -- and chances are, some folks won't like it one bit. According to a leaked document from within the company, every new PDA / smartphone launched on or after November 14th will "require a data feature / plan of $29.99 or more." Additionally, Pay As You Go, 1X Block and the 10MB data plan / feature will be unavailable for those very phones on the same day. Ready for more? In 2009 (vague, right?), "select" Mobile Web 2.0 devices will also require a data feature / plan. We are told that those who have one of these soon-to-vanish plans can keep it so long as they stick with their current phone, but as soon as the upgrade bug bites, be ready to pony up for data, too.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

The IMOVIO iKit: everything you ever wanted in a PDA, save for a bunch of stuff you wanted

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Oct 20th 2008 at 9:55AM

A company called IMOVIO has introduced the iKit -- a twisted combination of a Nintendo DS and your favorite old-school PDA (Psion anyone?). Predicting a rip in the fabric of space which tears all sense of reason and linear evolution of technology asunder, IMOVIO figures that there's a group of people who just want a small, underpowered handheld with WiFi as opposed to a smartphone or netbook. The device packs a 312MHz Marvell CPU running Linux, a 2.6-inch QVGA display, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, microSD support up to 8GB, Bluetooth 2.0, optional 0.3 megapixel webcam, and a full QWERTY keyboard. Sounds kind of okay, right? Take into account that it only accepts USB 1.1, has no proper headphone jack (again, USB), and gets a measly four hours of battery life while playing Java games and, well, it starts to seem less than exciting. If you're not deterred by the aforementioned facts, one of these can be yours in black or white for £99 (about $172), no word on street date.

[Thanks, T.I.]

HP's iPAQ 900 Business Communicator gets handled on video

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 8:32AM

After you delay a not-exactly-groundbreaking product like the iPAQ 900 for the umpteenth time, there should really be no surprise to find a lukewarm reaction when it actually ships. Nevertheless, loyalists out there that refuse to give up on HP's Windows Mobile 6.1-powered Business Communicator will likely love the lengthy hands-on demonstration at GottaBeMobile. There's nothing there that'll floor you or anything, but if you really needed to see someone handle this thing for 14 minutes before making your purchasing decision, head on past the break and mash that sideways triangle.

[Thanks, Rob]

Continue reading HP's iPAQ 900 Business Communicator gets handled on video

DIYer becomes inundated with spare time, crams Wikipedia onto PDA

by Darren Murph, posted May 15th 2008 at 10:53AM

Portions of Wikipedia have been living on disconnected pocket-friendly gizmos for years now, but one particular DIYer just took the whole process to an absurd new level. For starters, you'll have to procure a relatively obscure Psion 5mx PDA, not to mention a CF card (and adapter), Linux-based PC, static HTML dump of Wikipedia and an enviable amount of unused vacation time. If you just can't stand to be too far from knowledge, and you're way too vintage to just pick up a WiFi-enabled UMPC or halfway decent smartphone with web access, load up the read link and prepare to get (really) busy.

Airis T482 GPS phone prepares for French release

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 13th 2008 at 11:56PM

Don't lie -- you thought they buried that PDA acronym years ago, didn't you? Keeping the Personal Digital Assistant alive and well is Airis, which is readying its T482 GPS phone for release in France. The all black handset is set to be sold with or without navigation software and feature quad-band GSM support, GPRS / EDGE connectivity, a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, 64MB of RAM, a 3.2-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel camera and a microSD expansion slot. Furthermore, you'll find a SiRFStar III GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, FM tuner and a rechargeable Li-ion, natch. Better get set to break open the piggy bank, as this one will demand €424 ($671) for French maps, €478 for coverage of Europe as a whole or €399 ($631) without pre-installed routing software.

[Via NaviGadget]

Palm tries to make a right with two wrongs

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Feb 21st 2008 at 4:53PM

Sure, it's fun to carry around three, four, or even five devices at a time -- and now thanks to a new promotion from Palm, you can quickly up the number of gadgets hanging from your utility belt by two. Currently, if you purchase the PDA / smartphone-maker's $299 Palm TX, they'll throw in a $99 Zire Z22 for free. We're guessing those storage crates full of unsold product are probably starting to crowd Ed Colligan's basement.

[Via Palm Infocenter]

HP's iPaq 210 shakes off numerous delays, finally available

by Paul Miller, posted Jan 17th 2008 at 4:34PM

The holdup is still a bit of a mystery, but HP is finally offering up its iPaq 210 PDA for sale. Due to be released in October, a "supply issue" put the handheld on a mysterious hiatus, but no longer. You can snag one of these Windows Mobile 6, 624MHz units for $450.

[Thanks, Joaquin C.]

Is Dell readying a new mobile device?

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Dec 10th 2007 at 9:44AM

There appears to be some speculation floating around that Dell is about to cannonball itself into the mobile pool, big time. According to whispered rumors from dark hallways (AKA Forbes), the company is putting together a smartphone / multimedia device which might be rearing its head sometime early in 2008. The device -- being developed with the help of Taiwanese company Quanta -- will sport video and audio playback, as well as internet functionality. The rumors are strengthened by the company's addition of former Motorola cell phone executive vice president Ron Garriques, and with the dropping of its PDA and DAP products, there's certainly a gaping void left open for a new device. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that Dell's recent acquisition of Zing and trademarking of the "Zingspot" moniker suggests the company is getting into content distribution -- perfect for a shiny new convergence device. Only time will tell if the PC powerhouse can get into the very-crowded smartphone game, too.

[Via InformationWeek]

HP's iPAQ 100 series gets unboxed on video

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2007 at 1:42PM

You've already tuned in to see Nokia's newfangled N82 get unboxed on video, so here's yet another one to feast your eyes on. HP's kinda-sorta delayed iPAQ 100 has finally made its way out (in a non-commercial box, though) to be pored over, and PocketPCThoughts took the time to carefully unbox the unit, spin it around a time or two and toss out a few first impressions for good measure. Granted, you're not likely to find any edge-of-your-seat suspense here, but those still on the fence about picking this thing up can hopefully get a better feel for it after peeping the video posted beyond the jump.

Continue reading HP's iPAQ 100 series gets unboxed on video

Census takers' custom PDAs get shown off

by Donald Melanson, posted Nov 16th 2007 at 4:32PM

We've already heard plenty about the custom PDAs that census takers will eventually be getting their hands on, but Popular Mechanics has now taken things one step further and actually gotten a hands on with the device itself (or at least the current form of it). As we knew before, the PDA is made by HTC and based on Windows Mobile, with Florida-based Harris Corp. handling the actual deployment of the devices, which are expected to eventually total some 500,000. While complete specs are obviously still up in the air (given that they won't be deployed until 2010), the devices will apparently boast 10 hours of battery life, and pack integrated GPS to keep all those census takers on the right track, not to mention a built-in dial-up modem to ensure they stay in touch when venturing beyond the boundaries of Sprint's data network. If that's not enough to whet your appetite, you can hit up the read link below for a video walk through of the device.