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FCC reveals the Inventec "Iris"
What's that one killer feature missing from the HTC Apaches, Wizards, and Hermes of the world? Biometric security? Naw. DVB-H reception? Try again. It's an integrated barcode scanner, of course! ODM Inventec is about to correct that grave injustice, though, having pushed its "Iris" through the FCC for Opticon, which'll apparently sell it in two flavors as the H-16A and H-16B (not sure where the difference lies). The Windows Mobile Pocket PC looks fairly standard otherwise, featuring a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and support for both GSM 850 and 1900. Better watch your back, Symbol.
HTC Titan in the wild
We'll say upfront that these photos have been 'shopped to protect the innocent, but don't let that fact turn you off; given what we know and what we've seen, we've every reason to believe this thing is the real deal. This is, of course, the Titan -- the long-overdue successor to the Apache -- coming to the table with goodies like Rev. A-upgradeable EV-DO, 256MB of internal storage, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2 megapixel cam. Expect it to rock out on Verizon as the XV8600 and Sprint this May as the PPC 6800. Get your fix of shots from every angle after the break.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Palm GPS Navigator 3 in the works?
Evidence is piling that Palm is cookin' up a fresh cut of its GPS Navigator setup for tweaking Treos into serviceable navigation systems. Of course, seeing how the current retail version is incompatible with the 680, a freshened kit seems like a foregone conclusion, but we're talking real evidence here -- an online retailer is now showing a "GPS NAVIGATOR SMARTPHONE ED 3" on backorder for a mere $284.42. Notice that "3" there on the end? You can take that to the bank, folks. But wait, it gets better: Palm's latest price sheet also shows a GPS Navigator 3, rocking compatibility for the 680 and official support (finally) for the 700wx. Needless to say, it seems like owners of said devices should be able to scoop one of these up in the next few weeks. If they can manage to go that long without becoming hopelessly and irretrievably lost, that is.[Via Palm Infocenter]
ASUS reveals Pegasus Pocket PC phone
There's not a whole lot of details to go on here, but it looks like the iF Design Awards got the first look at ASUS's latest Pocket PC phone, with the Unwired View blog spotting these two pics of the candybar-style handset. Dubbed Pegasus (a throwback to the origin of the company's name), the phone appears to be a slightly slimmed down revision to ASUS's P525 smartphone, measuring in at a mere 0.6 inches thick while still packing built-in GPS and a camera of unspecified megapixels. Otherwise, about all that's known about the device is that it's Windows Mobile-based, has a full numeric keypad and jog dial, and supposedly has a brushed aluminum finish and diamond-cut edges, although it's tough to discern that from the pics. For the rest of the specs, not to mention details on pricing or availability, it looks like we'll just to wait for a more official announcement.
HTC Vox in the wild?
When the shot's blurry, you know it's got to be good -- and boy oh boy, is this one ever blurry. This sucker is said to be an HTC Vox, the upcoming numeric and QWERTY keypad-equipped Pocket PC, doing what it does best. Notice the presence of a d-pad front and center, which is something we haven't seen on older shots, but we're not taking that to mean it ain't a Vox we're looking at here. Really now, can you imagine a Pocket PC without any sort of directional control? Still no word on when Voxes might be in abundant retail supply, but if it turns out to be true that a 3G radio is absent from its innards, it'd best hit post haste before we all end up waiting for a Wings.[Thanks, Maximus]
Pocket PCs can look like iPhones, too
So maybe you're not the Palm OS user by day, closet iPhone fanatic by night type. No, that's not you at all; you're the Pocket PC user by day, closet iPhone fanatic by night type. Totally different breed, we understand. The cats over at xda-developers have cobbled together a means to get the Windows Mobile Pocket PC of your choice looking pretty much like an iPhone -- if you let your eyes go out of focus, that is -- using a combination of apps and skins. Of course, none of this makes Apple too happy (as evidenced by the removal of the screenshot from the forum), but aren't the folks using these hacks just rearing to buy an iPhone in June anyway?[Thanks, Denys]
Skin your WM5 Pocket PC to look like the iPhone, get sued by Apple
With the various OS X and Vista themes we're always seeing crop up, just to be shut down by Apple and Microsoft legal teams all lickity split like, it's really no surprise that someone whipped up an iPhone theme for Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC already, and it's equally unsurprising that Apple legal is already doing its darnedest to put the kibosh on the skin. The pretty view comes to us courtesy of "hanmin" of the XDA Developers forums, and while there's only so much you can do by swapping out a few icons, we're still liking the look -- WM5 was never really the pretty one.[Via MoDaCo; thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Cingular's Treo 750 announced, reviewed
Though the cover was blown, Palm fanatics everywhere still have reason to breathe a deep sigh of relief today as the Treo 750 has gone official for Cingular. The Windows Mobile Pocket PC handset is the first Palm device launched to leverage Cingular's 3G network -- and what's better, an upgrade to HSDPA is on the way. Specs include 128MB ROM / 64 MB RAM with miniSD expansion, Bluetooth (albeit 1.2), and that much-maligned square 240 x 240 display, all atop a 300MHz Samsung core. LAPTOP Magazine and Pocketnow both came away with similar impressions in their quick takes; Palm's latest entry isn't earth-shattering by any stretch of the imagination, but key enhancements to Windows Mobile 5's shortcomings (threaded messaging!) and 3G data should keep existing Treo users coming back for the upgrade. Look for the 750 in stores this week for $399 on a two-year contract, with online availability rolling in later this month.Read - Palm product pageRead - LAPTOP Magazine reviewRead - Pocketnow review
izenMobile's KSMT and KRMA: E-TEN rebrands
These suckers look familiar to anyone? They should -- they're E-TEN's M700 and X500, respectively, with the "E-TEN" logos rubbed off and replaced with izenMobile's. The M700 becomes the "KSMT," sporting 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM, GPS, a 2 megapixel cam, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, presumably with the same trick backlighting as its E-TEN cousin. The "KRMA" looks positively nothing like the one izenMobile had originally been tossing around, trading a numeric keypad for the X500's ultra thinness. Still no word on a release date, but with E-TEN doing all the heavy lifting on these ones, it can't be that hard to get 'em out the door.[Via Mobility Site]
MMS exploit targets Windows Mobile 2003
What's scarier than a text message luring you into getting your PC all hosed up with virii? An MMS message that somehow manages to do the infection honors all by its lonesome, that's what. Details are now emerging on what appears to be the world's first proof of concept for an MMS virus, exploiting a weakness in the way Windows Mobile 2003 handles SMIL (Synchronized Mutlimedia Integration Language) to cause a buffer overflow -- which in turn leads to the dreaded "arbitrary code execution." The fella responsible for the exploit apparently gave Microsoft the heads-up a solid six months ago; when he never heard back, he went public with it in a big way at Berlin's Chaos Communication Congress. The good news (if you can call it that) is that it's only been tested on the i-mate PDA2K and HP iPaq h6315, both of which are approaching the tail ends of their useful shelf lives. No word on whether the vulnerability applies (or can be easily adapted to) Windows Mobile 2005, but somehow, "we hope not" simply doesn't properly express our sentiments.[Via El Reg]
Tatung's mysterious Windows Mobile-powered UMPC / PPC hybrid spotted
We're really digging these UMPC / PPC hybrids that seem to be popping up every so often, and even though those full-fledged (and overpriced) first generation UMPCs didn't exactly shake up the mobile computing world, we're a forgiving bunch. Presumably similar in function to HTC's Athena X7500, this mysterious Tatung device will apparently sport a longer battery life than those tried-and-true UMPCs, have "instant on" capabilities, and feature Windows Mobile 5.0. We can only hope that it sports at least a few connectivity options, but until CES (hopefully) discloses a bit information, the pics snapped (click on through for more) at Computex will have to do for now.[Via PocketPCThoughts]
Meet your shiny new 2007 HTCs
If the X7500 "Athena" somehow managed to fail to attract your attention and you found the Vox, Libra, Love, and Cavailer positively forgettable, first verify that you have a pulse (because we really don't think that's normal) then check this out: HTC's 2007 arsenal is shaping up to be a doozy, with several previously-unknown models stepping into the spotlight. First up is the "Kaiser" (pictured top left), a follow-on to the Hermes that adds GPS -- a feature that's becoming increasingly common in high-end Pocket PCs. The "Elf" (top right) and "Panda" (not pictured) are midrange devices; they'll lack 3G radios, but the Panda's claim to fame will be a giant QVGA display that weighs in at well over 3 inches, while the Elf makes a name for itself with a fashion-friendly design and a touchpad in place of the typical d-pad. The "Wings" (bottom left) will ultimately take the torch from the Vox -- yes, the still-unreleased Vox -- by adding 3G, GPS, and a beefier processor. Finally, a new clamshell Smartphone will pick up where the Star Trek left off, rocking a GPS receiver and more wireless radios than its predecessor. If you can't find yourself an '07 HTC to your liking now, well... that's just crazy talk, but we know a Finnish outfit that might like your business.[Via PDA247]
Spectec rolls out microSD-packin' SDIO GPS receiver
If that handy SD slot in your Treo (or similar smartphone) has gone lonely long enough, you've probably been waiting for "that killer device" to slam down in there and boast about. Thankfully, that time has seemingly come, as Spectec's latest SDIO GPS receiver packs a whole lot of functionality into a minuscule (and sleek) package. Unlike alternative GPS attachments for your handset, the SDG-810 provides a SiRF Star III 20-channel tracking adornment, is WAAS-enabled, and sports a microSD slot to carry up to 2GB of excess data (like maps, for instance) since your original flash memory slot just got occupied. While pricing information wasn't readily available, this nifty smartphone must-have should be available in your neck of the woods (read: everywhere) real soon.[Via GearDiary]
Pocket PC gets LocationFree thanks to... ACCESS?
Imagine a world where Sony, Microsoft, and ACCESS (owners of Palm OS) all live in perfect harmony with one another. PlayStation and XBOX games are completely interchangeable, Blu-ray and HD DVD are one and the same, and that HTC Hermes in your pocket can triple-boot Windows Mobile, Palm OS Garnet, and ALP. Alright, enough with the touchy-feely peace and unity stuff... back to reality for a moment. For the first time, US customers have been able to get their hands on ACCESS' NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC this month thanks to a new version 2.0. No, it's not exactly PlayStation / XBOX interchangeability, but it's one small step in making strange bedfellows out of corporate giants and sworn enemies -- and more importantly, it gives SlingPlayer some competition in the Windows Mobile placeshifting landscape. You can get your hands on NetFront LocationFree now for about $20; see ACCESS' press release for details.[Via Impress Watch]
Verizon's Samsung i760 out-BlackJacks the BlackJack?
What a better way to usher in the Crossbow Age than with this hot little number from Samsung? Roc A Fella and HTC Kid have again hooked us up with some details on the CDMA rendition of its i760 Pocket PC phone, taking on a decidedly different appearance from its GSM cousin by pushing the keypad to the right and the directional pad to the left. It looks like Verizon is all lined up to get this bad boy come Q2 of next year, packing a little next-gen Windows Mobile action in the process (though what we've seen so far suggests it ain't much more than a reskin). Specs (for those who can't be bothered to peep the image) include 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, 802.11b / g, microSD expansion, and a sliding QWERTY keypad. Mix in just a touch of that glorious EV-DO broadband, and it looks like we've got yet another winner in Verizon's '07 bumper crop -- if Crossbow stays on schedule, that is.[Thanks, htckid]
TechFaith "Pean" hits up the FCC
Though most of us are more familiar with this thing in its i-mate PDA L trim, ODM TechFaith Wireless has a decidedly... uh, different name for its latest Pocket PC phone: "Pean." Yes, "Pean." Your guess is as good as ours. Designed as an entry-level device, the spec sheet isn't anything to write home about, with a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 1.2, and 802.11b taking the spotlight. Though GSM 850 and 1900 are both supported, the manual lists Simplified Chinese as the default language, suggesting it's not likely bound for the US -- at least, not in "Pean" trim. Bummer.
HTC's Athena (X7500): a WinMo PPC, not UMPC
Oh sweet mother of WinMo computing, HTC looks to have a new one up their sleeves with this, the HTC Athena (X7500). It's apparently not their rumored UMPC, rather, this pup is said to run Windows Mobile Pocket PC "Pro edition" (whatever that is) so that's a 3.5-inch QVGA touch-screen with stylus and detachable QWERTY -- yes, detachable when you need to keep things light. The unofficial specs being passed around indicate that this handheld is destined for Europe: UMTS 2100 with tri-band GSM/GPRS radio (what, no EDGE or HSDPA?), 802.11b/g WiFi, 256MB ROM / 64MB RAM, 2 megapixel camera, SD expansion, and USB 1.1 interface. All running on a 400MHz Samsung processor. Still, doesn't this seem a bit light for all the device's bulk? Read on for more pics and clues from this mystery device.[Thanks, Yoda M.]Read (Polish)
O2 Xda Apollo strikes some poses
O2's Xda Apollo, the Trinity-alike Pocket PC packing UMTS 1900, rocked its way through our very own FCC a few weeks back; now, Thai site MrPalm has managed to lay hands on a unit as it preps for an early '07 launch on O2's Asian networks. Say what you will about the handset's visual appearance -- we've seen a million Pocket PCs in this form factor, and we're fully prepared to see another million -- but the real draw here is going to be the 3G radio (which, it bears mentioning again, does UMTS 1900) and the full gigabyte of ROM on board. Click on for the full host of visual stimulation, but reader beware: unless you're hanging out in... say, Singapore, these pictures are as close to the Xda Apollo as you'll likely ever get.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Voxtel shows W740 Pocket PC phone
What happens when you introduce a nifty looking Windows Mobile 5-based Pocket PC Phone Edition device with a bizarre mix of hot (4 megapixel autofocus cam) and cold (GPRS data) specs? Voxtel is about to find out, showing off its W740, a 15 millimeter thick Pocket PC with what appears to be an etched metal keypad, a la RAZR and company. Other details include Bluetooth 1.2, 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM, and a 900 / 1800 / 1900 GSM radio, all sitting atop a 200MHz OMAP730 from the good folks at TI. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard is absent, but we suspect that's just how some folks like it. Now, who's making the trek to Russia to pick up a couple for us?[Via AVING]
HTC Love: like the Artemis, but not?
We're trying to flesh out exactly what it is HTC's "Love" brings to the table, and we have to admit, we're a little confused. We've heard that it's the same thing as the Artemis, but that can't really be true because it has an extra 128MB of internal storage (for a grand total of 256MB), some new media management software, and a funky new hump near the top of the device. We've also heard it's a mild upgrade to the Artemis, but if that were the case, we'd expect to see mention of GPS on board -- and we're not. Specs we do see mentioned, however, include 802.11b/g, integrated FM radio, 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, microSD expansion, and a quadband GSM radio topping out with EDGE data. Looks like the Love is already filtering into Dopod's ranks as the M700, but we might hold off on pulling out the wallet until we get the GPS question cleared up.[Via Slashphone and Pocket PC Thoughts, thanks kerunt]
