pocketpc
Latest
i-mate shows "PDA L" Pocket PC phone
It looks like the midrange Pocket PC phone market (is there such a market?) is about to get a little more crowded. i-mate used Microsoft's TechEd in Barcelona to show off its new PDA L, a 16.5 millimeter-thick device packing 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, Bluetooth, WiFi, and a 2 megapixel cam, all sitting atop a 200MHz OMAP800. While we're not sure 200 million clock cycles per second is really going to meet the needs of the speed demon inside us, the phone's dimensions are definitely too our liking -- especially considering that it's running Pocket PC under the hood. No word on a release date or price, but it'll apparently come out some time around "soon" at a price of "not very much."[Via MSMobileNews]
Samsung's SPH-8100 WinMo Pocket PC with Mobile WiMax, IMS, and DMB
It's not the dual-mode WiMax / GSM handset we're waiting for, but Samsung's SPH-M8100 Mobile WiMAX slider should force an optical interrupt nevertheless. Like the SPH-P9000 introduced yesterday, this device is part of Sammy's Mobile WiMAX MITs lineup only this time in a dedicated IMS lovin' handset. Come on, you remember IMS right? It's the IP Multimedia Subsystem we saw under global trial back in February which even Cingular has been known to dabble around with. IMS support means this not-a-cellphone handset will not only provide access to content over high-speed Mobile WiMAX (WiBro as it's known in Korea), but it'll also feature such SIP-based services as VoIP calls, video conferencing, and "Push-to-All" which we assume is just the push-to-talk, walkie-talkie service as it's known 'round here. The handset runs Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC and features a 2.8-inch 65k color, 240x320 touch-screen TFT display, MMCmicro expansion, and 2 megapixel camera with another 0.3 megapixel shooter up front for video conferences. It also features T-DMB mobile TV with both the antenna and stylus tucked neatly away in the case. Oh, and this handset will pull double-duty as a Mobile WiMAX modem for your laptop too. Now pardon us, we have to get back to banging our rocks together, there's mammoth for dinner tonight! Lots more pics after the break.
Cingular's latest rebate form hints at holiday releases
Cingular's rebate forms are about as accurate at predicting the carrier's releases as weathermen are at predicting blizzards, but nevertheless, there are several juicy tidbits in the latest form (dated November 5 to December 30, 2006) worth pointing out. First up, the Samsung ZX30 and LG CU400 make appearances, both presumably destined to bring yet more clamshell love to the HSDPA game, and it'll be interesting to see how the ZX30 slots in against its SYNC stablemate. Also showing up to the party is the CU500v -- a phone we know nothing about -- but we're guessing it represents some sort of incremental upgrade to the CU500 (video calling, perhaps?). Next up, the SGH-i607 seems to have been officially christened the "Blackjack" for Cingular's release of the slim, 3G, QWERTY smartphone. Finally, the Treo 680 and 750 get some rebate love with both models coming in camera and non-camera variants. Conspicuously missing from the form, though, is the hotly-anticipated Nokia N75, suggesting that American S60 fans might be waiting until early '07 to get some 3G action.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: Looking closer at the form, we find a couple other goodies in the mix -- the Motorola K1 KRZR (in its GSM flavor, of course), the V3r (basically a red V3i, we hear), and the Pearl, a phone we'd previously heard wouldn't drop until 2007. Oh, and if you look really close, the ZX30 actually reads "ZX20" (how boring!). [Thanks again, everyone]
StyleTap brings PalmOS apps to Windows Mobile
StyleTap's Palm OS emulator for Windows Mobile has been kicking around in beta and preview versions for well over a year now, but the Toronto-based company has finally put all the pieces together and given its eponomously-titled software the big 1.0 release. From the looks of it, the emulator's come a long way since its earliest incarnations, now able to run apps written for any version of Palm OS -- including the ARM-based version -- as well as making use of your device's WiFi, Bluetooth, IR, and USB connections. It's also not a Boot Camp situation where you'll be switching back and forth between operating systems, with Palm OS apps instead simply showing up as native Windows Mobile applications on your device. If you're skeptical, you can grab a 14-day trial version from StyleTap's site before forking over the fifty bucks for the complete package. Not ones to rest on their laurels, StyleTap says this edition is only the first in a family of products, with versions for Symbian and Windows Mobile for Smartphones coming next.[Via Reg Hardware]
Cingular launches 3G-enabled 8525, sort of
It's still forwarding us back to the old-skool 8125's product page at the moment, but a tipster has managed to coax Cingular's site into giving up the goods on the 8525 -- Buy Now link and all. We're guessing it has something to do with region or Premier account status, we're not sure, but the point is that a select few are able to place their orders for Cingular's first HSDPA smartphone as we speak. Breaking out the wallet might be hard to justify for folks in 2G areas coming from an 8125, but if speed and power are top priorities, lick your chops as you read the full specs (highlights include a 400MHz Samsung core, 2-megapixel cam, and that fabulous 3G radio) after the break.[Thanks, John]Update: Judging from commenters' experiences, it's sounding like there's some buffoonery going on behind the scenes over at Cingular HQ -- the phone may not be shipping to anyone yet after all. In the meanwhile, enjoy the literature and imagery we've scooped, and we'll let you know what's going on as soon as we do.
E-TEN glofiish X500 smartphone gets official
While its hard to take a Pocket PC phone seriously that goes by the name of "glofiish," and even harder to take it seriously when it ain't got no 3G data, we're still fairly impressed with E-TEN's new X500 phone. The glofiish X500 packs in SiRF Star III GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, and an EDGE radio all into a 0.6-inch thick form factor. While it was at it, E-TEN stuff in a 2 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch QVGA screen, 400MHz Samsung processor, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM and a microSD slot. No surprises, since we spotted this thing a few weeks ago, but now it's getting "official," with an expected November launch and that silly glofiish moniker. Still no word on price.[Via Mobility Site]
A Treo 750w on Sprint: is CompUSA confused?
So, last time we checked, the Palm Treo 750 was a GSM / GPRS / EDGE / UMTS / HSDPA handset destined for the likes of Vodafone and Cingular. So why is it, then, that a couple images have leaked out of a draft CompUSA ad offering a Sprint 750w with "EDGE/EVDO technology" for a cool $300? Hey, if Sprint wants to rock an upgraded 700wx with GSM for global compatibility, far be it from us to complain -- but something tells us our friends at CompUSA just got a little confused while getting their ad flyers ready.[Thanks, Akijikan]
Kinpo's Tin becomes iDo S630
Whether Kinpo planned this name change all along or it was a last-minute decision after realizing that tin is a nearly worthless, weak, and altogether uninspiring metal, we don't know, but either way, the Tin has become the iDo S630. Our American readers might want to stop reading this right about now, seeing how the rather attractive Pocket PC phone lacks GSM 850, EDGE, and any sort of 3G data -- on the other hand, our friends hangin' out in Asia probably want to pay close attention here: the mid-range device is going to come packing Bluetooth with A2DP, a 2-megapixel cam, 128MB of Flash, 64MB of RAM, WiFi, miniSD expansion, and a Freescale i.MX21 clocked at a reasonable 350MHz. It sounds like Kinpo hasn't quite gotten around to getting the S630 out the door yet, but when it does, expect to find them for about HK$4,180 (about $540).
ASUS goes Hermes style with Mars II
If imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery, HTC must be turning beet red right about now. The Mars II from ASUS follows the HTC Wizard / Hermes formula down to the letter, featuring that fabulous side-opening QWERTY keypad we'd now be lost without, an Intel Xscale PXA270 core making haste at 520MHz, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, UMTS, 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, 2-megapixel shooter, and a 2.8-inch QVGA display (why no love for the VGA?). As you may recall, we were able to correctly call all the specs out last month with the exception of the name and the ODM, which we'd heard would be HTC -- and given the Hermes-esque dimensions and feature list, who could blame us? Look for the Mars II to grace O2's networks before too long as the "Xda Zinc," but thanks to the old-skool tri-band GSM radio sans 850 support, we're going to be putting our import plans on hold.[Via phoneArena]
i-mate's JASJAR redux, the K-JAR
It looks like i-mate's ongoing collaboration with TechFaith is starting to pick up a good head of steam, seeing how they've gone and entrusted the Chinese ODM with serving up the de facto successor to the HTC-sourced JASJAR. Not a heck of a lot is known about this pivoting, flipping, QWERTY-sporting monster of a device, though it apparently (strangely) lacks that all-important 3G radio its predecessor packed. Features are rumored to include a 2.8-inch QVGA display, WiFi, Bluetooth, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, and a TI OMAP750 core clipping along at an undisclosed clock speed. With i-mate making (or at least trying to make) inroads in the US market, this is one Pocket PC phone the full-keypad lovers among us will be tracking with eagle eyes.[Via HowardForums, thanks Galt]
RoverPC G5 GPS-equipped Pocket PC
Russian manufacturer Rover Computers recently announced a new Windows Mobile 5.0-based phone to beef up its line up, looking remarkably similar to a certain other Pocket PC phone from another Russian company. Unlike that device, however, the RoverPC G5 appears to be only tri-band GSM (900 / 1800 / 1900MHz), though it adds a GPS receiver to compensate for that shortcoming (it's not clear if that's actually integrated or just an add-on). Apart from that, the G5's specs appear to be identical to its Pocket PC doppelganger, with a 2.7-inch screen, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, IrDA, and WiFi, an FM tuner, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, and a microSD slot for additional storage. There doesn't appear to be any word on price or availability, although those more fluent in Russian than us may have better luck finding out than we did.[Via Mobilewhack]
Gigabyte's dual-tuner g-Smart i200
Though Gigabyte's not much of a mobile presence here in the US, folks in Asian countries might want to listen up: the spec sheet on their g-Smart i200 Pocket PC phone makes it sound like the best thing since... well, the i120 and i300. The 512MB of internal storage is hot, the promise of Crossbow (if it's available by the device's launch in Q1 '07) is pure gold -- but what's really got us all fired up are the integrated dual tuners (DVB-H and DVB-T) and 2.69-inch VGA display. Yep, we said it: VGA. Everyone waiting for the promise of compromise-free mobile web browsing and remote desktop connections can come out of hiding, because this bad boy could very well be the phone you've been waiting for. The TV-out and DVR functionality don't hurt, either. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to book our flights to Taiwan.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
E-TEN shows thin X500 Pocket PC phone
In a world of 6.9mm-thick phones, we use the term "thin" somewhat loosely, but what the heck -- it is a full fledged Pocket PC phone, after all. E-TEN's latest, the X500, manages to pack Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, 802.11g, FM radio, GPS, and a 2-megapixel autofocus shooter into a sub-15mm frame sporting Windows Mobile 5 with AKU3. The device also rocks 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM, and a respectable 400MHz Samsung core, though the complete lack of 3G is starting to become a sore spot for us. No details on when or where the X500 might drop (or how much it might be, for that matter) on account of it not officially having been announced quite yet, but we'll keep our ear to the ground on this one.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Samsung's SGH-i760 super slider
Oh yeah daddy, another full featured Windows Mobile phone for ya in that unmistakable black boxiness only Samsung can (unfortunately) deliver. This unannounced SGH-i760 takes an SGH-i600 engine, halves the shell to create a QWERTY slider, and then drops in a 240x320 touchscreen for getting your PocketPC on. The result: a UMTS/HSDPA and tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE powerhouse sporting a 520MHz Intel processor, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, and a front-facing video cam with another 2 megapixel shooter 'round back all bundled up and spat out in a 115~154 × 57 × 19-mm / 119-gram slab of super slider action. No word on pricing or release yet, just more pics after the break.[Via MoDaCo]
Windows Mobile "crossbow" in the wild?
Here ya go WinMo lovers, a screen shot of the purported next generation Windows Mobile OS codenamed Crossbow, courtesy of MS Mobile News. Sure, it could just be a WinMo 5.0 theme for all we know but if this is the full Pocket PC homescreen above, then we can expect a glossier look, continued softkey support, and a smattering of oh so Vista icons when this, and the SmartPhone version are released in the first half of 2007. As we already heard from Microsoft, Crossbow will feature a new version of Office Communicator and "strong links with Office 2007 and Exchange 12." If all this still leaves you aching for the hotness of Photon, well, suck it up son 'cause that's not scheduled to hit until the first half of 2008.
O2 Xda Stealth in the flesh
We're still smarting from the thought that O2's sexy little Pocket PC slider has virtually no shot of ever gracing US shores, but that doesn't stop us from torturing ourselves with an endless onslaught of fabulous visual stimuli. PhoneDaily's quick take on the Gigabyte-manufactured Xda Stealth is a bit tricky to translate (we suggest spoon-feeding paragraphs into Google Translate one at a time), but let's be honest -- pics are what we're all here for. As a reminder, the diminutive Windows Mobile device packs 802.11g and a healthy 192MB of ROM on board, which'll come in handy when you're making use of the 2-megapixel cam. If you're capable of subjecting yourself to photo after beautiful photo of a great-looking device that'll never find its way here, click through for the full spread.[Thanks, Dida]
HTC Trinity's GPS receiver lies dormant
Just when we thought HTC couldn't physically stuff any more receivers into their Trinity, here we find out that the HSDPA Pocket PC has GPS guts crammed in there, too. The catch? They're turned off for the time being. From what we can gather from Google's oft-comical translation services, HTC discovered very late in the game that the GPS subsystem didn't play nice with Qualcomm's GSM chipset; rather than hold the release, they decided to disable the nav functionality for the time being and press on with the launch. Worry not, early adopters; a software update is promised for early next year that'll iron everything out, making the Trinity a solid alternative to its GPS-enabled (but 3G-impaired) Artemis sibling.
"Krma" from izenMobile blurs Pocket PC / Smartphone lines
San Diego-based izenMobile (no, we haven't heard of them either) looks to take a page from the ASUS P525's book, combining a numeric keypad with Windows Mobile's Pocket PC Phone Edition platform to create the "Krma," a distinctly Motorola-esque name, if we do say so ourselves. We don't have much to go on other than the crappy press shot (above) and a somewhat vague press release, which falls short on detailing the Krma's specs but promises that the handset is the first of several (as many as seven) to be released over the coming year. izenMobile says they'll be initially targeting businesses in North and South America with their devices, but if the spec sheet fills the bill and actual Krma is as hot as the picture seems to indicate, we anticipate a few individuals trying to get in on the action.
Sprint launches IP-830W, SCP-8400 and BlackBerry 8703e with GPS
BlackBerry, PocketPC, and Power Vision lovers unite 'cause Sprint just unleashed three phones meant to distribute the love to all. First from the gate is the IP-830W from Samsung (pictured center) we peeped on Sprint last month. For $600 with a 2-year plan ($750 without!), it's yours to take global with quad-band GSM / GPRS and CDMA / EV-DO pumpin' Windows Mobile 5 plus AKU2 on a 520MHz Intel PXA272 proc. Out next is another Sprint Sanyo clam in the form of the dual-band Power Vision SCP-8400 (pictured right) with Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel cam, and of course live TV, music downloads, and multiplayer game action. Yours for $100 after rebates, instant savings and your signature on a 2-year plan. Out last is the GPS-enabled BlackBerry 8703e which brings EV-DO speeds, Bluetooth and speakerphone for $350 after discounts and 2-year signup. Thing is, it's already available on Verizon only without GPS navigation for $100 less. What to do, what to do. [Thanks, Jim] Read -- BlackBerry 8703eRead -- SCP-8400 Read -- IP-830W
Singapore to get Palm Treo 750v
Cingular may still be playing dumb about its next-gen Treo launch plans -- but Vodafone and their partner network in Singapore, M1, are happy to share theirs. It turns out that M1 will be launching the Windows Mobile-powered 750v in October of this year, 3G data and all, which could ultimately make it just the second launch for the stubless Treo globally (after Vodafone proper). This all depends, of course, on whether Cingular wants to get off its hindquarters and kick things into high gear; we're not holding our breath, so enjoy your 15 seconds of fame, M1.[Via the::unwired]
