Day: May 9, 2006

“Samsung has shipped a new Linux-based smartphone in China. The SCH-i819 targets Chinese business travelers, and is the first Linux phone to support dual-band cellular operation with both CDMA 1x (800MHz) and dual-band GSM (900/1800MHz) networks, according to Mizi Research, which supplied the phone’s Linux stack.The SCH-i819 appears to share the same “slider” hardware platform as the SGH-i858, a tri-band GSM phone that has already been submitted to the FCC to be approved for potential US distribution.The phone functions of the SCH-i819 run on a Qualcomm MSM6300 communications processor, said to comply with CDMA2000 1X Revision A, GSM release 99 phase 2, GPRS class B multislot class 10, and GPS (global positioning system). The MSM6300 is based on an ARM926EJ-S core with memory management unit (MMU), and integrates dual QDSP4000 DSPs, along with a Jazelle Java accelerator. It runs Java and Brew, Qualcomm’s proprietary mobile applications environment. The applications processing side of the SCH-i819 runs Linux on an Intel PXA270 applications processor clocked at 416MHz. The SCH-i819 has a total of 64MB of SDRAM, and 128MB of Flash, although how these amounts are divided between the two processing subsystems is not clear. User file storage is expandable through a micro-SD TransFlash card slot. The SCH-i819 has a 2.4-inch, QVGA (240 x 320) color TFT touchscreen display with 65K colors, and a 2 megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device) digital camera. Networking options include Bluetooth, IrDA, and USB.The SCH-i819 has an 1100 mAh battery, and measures 4.2 x 2 x 0.9 inches (107 x 52 x 22mm).” via linuxdevices.com

“The PG-2800 model’s keypad recognizes and processes the individual user’s writing of text messages. Consumers can either push individual keys or write letters with their fingers on the keypad when looking up words in the electronic dictionary or sending text messages.The unique ‘finger writing recognition’ function allows users to avail of faster, more convenient communication and is especially useful for inputting text in Russian characters, as well as in the Chinese language. Sung-Kyu Lee, President & CEO of Pantech & Curitel Communications, Inc., said: “We expect the unique PG-2800 handset to reinforce our credentials as a provider of attractive, stylish yet ultra-modern handsets for consumers, both in Russia and around the world.”The company plans to introduce 15 new models during 2006 in Russia to further boost its market share.PG-2800 features include:
Intenna type clamshell
Finger writing recognition function
Size: 90x45x18.5mm
Weight: 87.9g
network: 900/1800/1900 MHz
Display: Main 2.0″ 260K color TFT LCD
Sub 1.17″ 65K color TFT LCD
1.3 mega pixel camera with white balance functionality
MP3 player
Electronic dictionary
SMS/EMS/MMS/E-mail
External memory card slot” via slashphone.com

“Taking centre stage in the matte grey aluminum finish of the sturdy E61 is a superb, 2.8-inch landscape display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a user interface which – unlike many previous Nokia devices – makes good use of the real estate available to it. User adjustable brightness is present, as is an ambient light sensor which works as advertised, while – just to ensure hell really does freeze over – Nokia has also included an e-mail alert LED which sits just above the screen; it’s about time. Sub-pixel font smoothing technology included in the Windows Mobile platform is not present, but the screen nevertheless scores full marks on readability.” Check out this review here:

‘Worldwide PDA shipments totaled 3.65 million units in the first quarter of 2006, a 6.6 percent increase from the first quarter of last year, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner’s numbers are primarily reflect handhelds and PDA’s (and does not include Treo shipments), however the company does include some RIM smartphone devices that they classify as PDA’s with cellular radios. “The average selling price of PDAs fell 2.7 percent compared with one year ago to $395, mostly because of the lack of many new models entering the market in the quarter and commanding premium prices,” said Todd Kort, principal analyst in Gartner’s Computing Platforms Worldwide group. Many wireless carriers are bypassing Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) in favor of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), which along with a shortage of UMTS chips, is resulting in a slowdown in new cellular PDA launches.” ‘ Read this article at palminfocenter.com