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Hands-on with Vulcan's Flipstart handheld PC
The Vulcan Flipstart is one of those products that just gets you juiced up about gadgets, because really, what's more gadgety than a full-fledged computer that you can slide into a coat pocket? There was a short while there (2003 to 2007) when we thought that the Flipstart would never make it out of vaporware hell; all that trepidation disappeared, however, when not one but two of the little XP-powered clamshells got delivered to our doorstep. Having already played around with both OQOs, several UMPCs, and countless smartphones, we had a pretty good idea of what we were expecting from this device, and from our preliminary evaluation, it does not disappoint. From the polished, slightly-heavy body to the port replicator to the geeky hip pouch, everything feels solidly built -- as we would hope for a product that's been in development for several years. Boot-up occurs fairly quickly, and you're up and running within the minute, with most applications performing adequately on a Pentium M CPU backed by 512MB of RAM. Input is also fairly painless; although touch-typing is a non-starter on the tiny thumb board, those used to their Treos will catch on quickly, and the dual methods for pointer control (touchpad and nubbin) felt responsive and precise. Another nice feature is the auxiliary external display, which although not powered by Slideshow, nonetheless offers PIM entries and media control in a very convenient manner. We'll have more impressions for you once we take our two new toys for a longer spin, but for now you can pass the time by checking out the loaded gallery below, complete with the all important Flipstart vs. Flipstart comparative shots.%Gallery-1960%
Modular Me-mo brings a bit of sexy to all-in-one handhelds
There've been a few bright spots, but for the most part the world of do-it-all gadgets, with those large screens and QWERTY keyboards in tow, usually look frumpy at best. Luckily, conceptual designers have the luxury of tossing out all that "feasibility" nonsense, and Peter Norberg seems to have struck a cord here with this Me-mo setup of his. The system is based around one master unit, to which you can plug in camera, GPS, music and keyboard modules to expand the functionality as the mood -- or fashion -- requires. Things get a little too edgy for our taste with the jacket-button attachability, and devices like the E90 and F700 are starting to prove that maybe you can have it all, but we wouldn't be averse to giving some of Me-mo's offspring a spin all the same.[Via textually.org]
Nokia patent transforms stylus into joystick
Nokia's patent for a simple, but brilliant mobile joystick has been approved. As pictured, it's a stylus that, once secured into a central socket, is converted into a gaming backbone. Here's the patent mumbo jumbo:"A method for integrating a pointing device into a handheld device, the method comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting a ball within a socket defined by said handheld device, said ball defining an orifice for receiving a stylus, said socket being configured for generating to a processor of said handheld device electrical signals indicative of movement of said ball in response to movement of said stylus; and imparting pointing device logic to said processor for responding to said signals." (Easier done than said...)[Via CrunchGear]
HTC Athena spotted with Dopod U1000 trimmings
Naturally, HTC and T-Mobile aren't going to be able to keep this little (er, not-so-little) Athena gem to themselves. Dopod is getting in on the action, with its subtly branded U1000, which carries an alarming NT 39,990 pricetag -- about $1,215, compared to T-Mobile's 500 euro price, roughly $646 -- and of course all the standard Athena specs like the 5-inch VGA screen, 3.5G, 3 megapixel camera, 8GB drive and 624MHz Xscale processor. Oh, and just in case you're keeping track, the 5.5 / 4.5 hours of GSM / UMTS talk time quoted here is a bit more conservative than the initial 6 hours we were hearing from HTC. Peep a couple more angles after the break.
Video: Medion's UMPC
We've started seeing UMPCs crop up everywhere. At Via's booth at ShowStoppers, there were about seven different UMPCs, but the Medion caught our eye. We hear from some other folks it's got pretty good battery life for a UMPC, and you should be able to get it in your own hands for under ten benjamins. After we stopped by Intel's booth to give it a more thorough run through, the keyboard was frankly crap, so caveat emptor. Download it below, or watch the usual flash video above.[MP4] Download the video
S-XGen hands-on
Finally, we got to play with the S-XGen, that cellphone handheld that apparently will do pretty much everything but cook us dinner. Translated into specific spec-language, this one runs Windows Mobile 5.0 with a 520MHz Xscale processor, a 20GB drive, 128MB of SDRAM and shows itself off with a 4.25-inch screen at 470 x 270 pixels. Beyond that, you've got nearly every kind of connectivity known to humankind, with WiFi, tri-band GSM, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB OTG and that good ol' Infrared (we're not totally sure whether you can sync it with your Newton). Unfortunately, we didn't have time to do a full dance with this device, but we gave it a quick spin and it's light, plasticy, and definitely unique. Now you can give it a test drive in our gallery. S-XGen hands-on
Handheld winter wonderlands
Is it cold outside? December just seems like it should be chilly, but no matter the weather outside, you can get cosy inside with Modojo's picks for the best winter wonderlands ever to fill a handheld screen with white stuff. Unsurprisingly, Mario Kart DS pops up on the list, with its wintry stages. They're pretty, sure, but this blogger fears taking to the ice almost as much as she does the dreaded Rainbow Road, and a pox on whoever picked it at the last Mario Kart Game Night. A pox!The full list does boast a few surprises, though The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons (pictured) wasn't one of them. [Thanks, Justin!]
Sony spread too thin, according to Microsoft exec
Mercury News has some fighting words from Microsoft's Robbie Bach. The President of E&C goes on record saying that Sony is unable to successfully compete in the upcoming generation as Sony must focus its efforts across three platforms: PS2, PS3 and PSP. "I think Sony, frankly, suffers a little bit from this problem, which is they're spread really thin across all these areas. And trying to do PSP, competing with Nintendo, PSP to DS; competing with us, 360 to PS3, I think it does strain -- it would naturally strain any organization."It's interesting to point out that Microsoft, a company with quite possibly the largest monetary battle chest in the world, has avoided the handheld market, simply because the battle against Nintendo would be too resource-draining. While two-front wars have never been too successful, the consumers should feel comfortable in knowing that at least Sony puts dedication behind its products, unlike Microsoft. I'm confident that Sony will support the PSP for years to come, just like they have with the PS2. And that's something millions of currently abandoned original Xbox consoles can't vouch for.[Via GameDaily]
China produces V191 all-in-one PMP / cellphone
While there are plenty of all-in-one DAP/PMP/gaming units out in the Chinese market, the V191 takes it to another level by tossing in phone functionality and a PSP-styled enclosure to boot. A very likely candidate for Keepin' it real fake, this handheld device comes in a tad shorter than the tried and true PSP, and replaces the unmistakable "PSP" logo with "FUN." While details on this dodgy unit are far and few between, it apparently accepts any SIM card for mobile use, sports a 1.3-megapixel camera, supports MP4 / MP3 playback, and even boasts a gaming function for a bit of 8-bit reminiscing while on the go. You can store your tunes, movies, and homebrew apps on the included 256MB microSD card, or toss in a larger one for those extra lengthy trips. Assuming you can find one, the V191 is reportedly going for a whopping HK$5400 ($695) overseas.[Via Akihabara News]
Palm announces Treo 680
Per protocol, Palm was scooped well ahead of today's announcement, but it's always good to see official details get laid out nonetheless. Following hot on the heels of its elder Windows Mobile sibling, the 750v, the Treo 680 comes into the light today for GSM networks -- a good sign for carriers worldwide after a year of CDMA equipment out of the company. Cast as an entry-level model (read: no WiFi support), the 680 brings it strong with a redesigned phone UI and software bundle, quad-band GSM (what, no quint-band HSDPA?), 64MB of RAM, and a VGA cam, all sitting atop Palm OS in the buyer's choice of Graphite, Copper, Arctic, or Crimson colors. No pricing or launch carriers were announced today, but given the branding we've seen on some of the shots thus far, we've got our guesses.
Palm picks October 12 to announce new Treo
It looks like attendees of this week's DigitalLife conference in New York City (our own Paul and Peter included) will be treated to the announcement of a brand spankin' new Treo model. Well, "new" might be a strong term here -- the 680 is probably considered the odds-on favorite to get official, and we sort of already scooped that on account of Palm's own blunder -- but nevertheless, we know a diehard Palm OS fan or two that'd like nothing more than to hear Palm confirm that the 680 is real and shipping on Cingular post haste. Of course, they've always got the Cingular version of the 750 as a backup if they decide to keep the 680 under wraps for a while longer, but if they do decide to pass that off as the "new Treo" they're unveiling, our guys on the scene will have boos and rotten vegetables at the ready.
Fujitsu Pocket Loox N100 reviewed
It's been a little while since we've heard much about Fujitsu-Siemen's lightweight Pocket Loox N100 GPS/PDA combo, but thankfully the folks at Lordpercy.com have come through and quenched our curiosity with a fairly thorough review of the device. The N100's vitals, if you need a refresher, include Windows CE 5.0 Core Version as the OS, a 2.8-inch TFT, 300MHz processor, SiRFstar III chipset, 64MB RAM, and an included 1GB microSD card -- all in a slight 2.4 x 3.5 x 0.6-inch package weighing just under four ounces. As for how it all comes together, Lordpercy came away mightily impressed with the device, praising its slimline design and, most importantly, its accurate GPS system, which managed to guide them through the streets of London without any trouble. They were also digging its capable audio player -- with support for MP3, WMA and AAC files -- along with the unit's decent battery life, which clocked in at just around four hours. For those less concerned with productivity, you'll be please to know that the Loox also comes pre-loaded with versions of Pac-Man and other retro games -- which we're sure will be the tipping point for more than a few of you.
More S-XGen details emerge
Full-fledged UMPC it ain't, but now that we've got some more info on this flip-and-fold S-XGen handheld from Seamless WiFi, we're liking where this one is headed. Sure, the design is pretty frumpy, and we could do with a better screen-to-device ratio, but the Windows CE 5.0 unit runs a 520MHz Xscale processor, a 20GB HDD, 128MB of SDRAM, and a 4.25-inch screen at 470 x 270 pixels. As for connectivity, there's plenty to love, since the unit can handle 802.11b WiFi, tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900MHz), Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB OTG and even IrDA. There's also an SD card slot inside the 6.5 x 3.8 x 1.1-inch form factor and a purported 8 hours of battery life. The low screen res might make the rest of the frills a bit less exciting to work with, and Seamless WiFi claims that specifications might change without notice, but we're still looking forward to spying this one at CES and seeing just how close it comes to its all-inclusive dreams.[Via SlashGear]
Confirmed: BioWare to work their magic for the DS
It's official -- BioWare has declared that their new handheld division will be developing first for the Nintendo DS. We're not suprised (there's another handheld? The GBA?), but apparently many thought they might go with some Sony product. Now all that's left is the debate over what property the Canadian developer might bring to the DS. Though BioWare is behind a bevy of beefy and beloved RPGs, the possibility of an all new game is still out there. We'll bring you details as they become available![Via Joystiq]
Mr. O'Rourke explains himself
The name might not be too familiar, but Mr. O'Rourke is the man responsible for the PSP-bashing report he created for the analyst group In-Stat. In an interview with Gamasutra, O'Rourke explains his reasoning behind Nintendo's continued success in the handheld market. Here are a few excerpts: "The DS's shipment advantage has been overstated somewhat." "The key to a successful handheld is not necessarily graphics. Several of Nintendo's challengers over the years (e.g., Atari, NEC) have had superior graphics performance. But they did not succeed. More important is strong software support, and recognizable characters, that appeal to what has been primarily a pre-teen, early teen demographic. This is what Nintendo has understood well, and has executed on." "Sony does not have the same number of breakout titles for the PSP as Nintendo has created for the DS. In addition, the PSP costs substantially more than the DS ($199 vs. $129 in the US)." "No, publishers will not move away from the PSP. Sony is selling too many of them. Publishers are not in the business of throwing away revenue opportunities." I think the man's on-the-money with his analysis. While it's clear that the DS is "winning," that's not going to stop publishers and developers from delivering games to us. And in the end, that's what we fanboys want (more than a victory in the handheld "war").
iPod games "no substitute" for DS
We could have told you that, Macworld! Looks like the handheld powerhouse of the DS (and some other system) is tempting even Apple to get into the game. As part of Apple's huge Showtime event, they announced not only a new video iPod, but games that can be purchased from iTunes for it as well, priced at $4.99. "Apple's been hard at work on new games for the iPod -- while it still may not be a substitute for a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, the new iPod can play versions of popular casual games including Bejeweled, Mahjong, mini-golf, Pac-Man, Tetris, Cubis, Texas Hold 'Em, Vortex and Zuma ...."For DS owners, this can't really compare. Those of us who enjoy the occasional casual game already have a few on the system, and the more tech-savvy DS owners can cook up just about anything they want with their homebrew powers. It's hard to gauge exactly which market Apple is trying to snag here. We can only speculate that Apple is going to try to hit mobile gaming where it lives, by offering easy downloads and a better interface. We so often hit the five instead of the six, after all. And who knows -- for those folks out there who use their PSPs primarily for media and only the occasional game, this may tempt them out of the Sony camp. So who's planning on snagging Bejeweled 2 or Pac-Man just to see how it plays? We're pretty sure Apple can't tempt us away from our Tetris, but some of the others may be worth a go.
New handheld competitor on the block - the XGP kids
One thing the PSP and Gamepark handhelds have in common is homebrew is very popular on both systems. But what separates the two is Gamepark actually encourages it, while Sony does everything in its power to stop it. And with that, Gamepark is set to release its third portable – the XGP kids – which looks like its design may have been inspired by the PSP.However, the design is pretty much where most comparisons stop. The XGP kids, which stands for eXtreme Game Player kids, is set to retail for a measly $75 and will use two AA batteries. Here are other specs: 140MHz ARM processor; A 2.2-inch, 220 x 176 LCD screen; 8MBs of RAM; 2MBs of flash memory; USB 1.1 file transfer support; and SD card slot While the XGP kids will most certainly not compete with the PSP or DS in commercial software, it may be possible to see success with its homebrew support and low price tag.(Via Engadget)
Sony launches mylo
Speaking of unholy abominations, Sony decided to take some design tips from their own PSP, functionality from the OQO, usage scenarios from Nokia's 770 (and a wee dash dash of inspiration from Ixi's OGO), and mash it up all together into a single device: the mylo. The name refers to "my life online," ahem, which we assume probably has a little something to do with the Sony's old school MYLO / My Life Online, a wireless service Sony launched launched at PC Expo 2001 "to offer mobile users an original and personalized way to access information and entertainment content for work and play." (Yeah, that's specific.) This blast from the past now takes shape as a $350 WiFi-centric handheld features a slide-up 2.4-inch screen, VoIP capabilities via Skype, web access, media playback capabilities, 1GB flash, and a Memory Stick slot -- just think of it as a UX180P, you know, for kids.[Thanks to Eric and everyone who sent this in]
The Vega Ultra Portable
Hard to believe that anyone would willingly stare at Windows XP on a tiny screen (the five-inch display on the OQO and the 4.5-inch display on the Sony UX are already pushing the bounds of XP's usability), but some info and images have turned up over at AVING about one with an even smaller display, the new Vega Ultra Portable. No slide-out QWERTY keyboard like either the OQO or the UX, but the Vega does sport what looks like a full numeric keypad on the front, as well as a 4.3-inch touch screen, an AMD Geode LX800 processor, 30GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, and integrated WiFi. Should be out sometime next month, at least in South Korea.[Via jkOnTheRun and MobileWhack]
Xbox Portable: Send in your designs
Cesar from TeamXbox created this fabulously fake mock-up of Microsoft's mysterious Zune gaming handheld (known in fanboy parlance as the "Xboy"). It includes all the features he'd like to see, drawn from some obvious sources of inspiration. As the man says, "Good artists copy, great artists steal." Anybody else want to put together or point out a worthy design for this fabled product?
