Day: August 18, 2006

” LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) – Handheld computer and phone maker Palm Inc. (PALM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is to unveil the latest version of its Treo smart phone next month as it attempts to revive sales hit by tough competition and problems with previous models.”The announcement is going to be made in the UK on September 12, and we will give all the details then but at the moment all we are saying is that it will be out before the end of the year,” said a Palm spokeswoman.A September or October release is seen by analysts as vital for any firm hoping to cash in on the all-important Christmas period as they vie for shelf space with rivals’ products.Any later than that and stores and Web sites are likely to have already made decisions about what to stock their shelves with ahead of the key trading period.The Californian-based firm said in July the new version will operate on Vodafone’s (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research) high-speed third generation (3G) network and be powered by Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Windows Mobile operating system, however details about the handset’s functionality remain sketchy.The current 700p version of the latest Treo has a slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards, but with the latest Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research), Sony Ericsson (ERICb.ST: Quote, Profile, Research) (6758.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) and O2 offerings all boasting the technology in-built, Palm knows it can not afford to fall further behind as the competition heats up.Palm is to launch the new handset to Vodafone customers in a number of European countries including the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy and Netherlands as it attempts to win back the confidence of a market it once dominated with its Palm Pilot device.The company is hoping the move to the Windows Mobile will help alleviate the concerns of Treo users who have long complained of Palm’s own operating system crashing the handsets on a regular basis.In June, the company stopped shipping its Treo 650 model in Europe because it was not compatible with a newly introduced phone technology standard.” via yahoo.reuters.com

“The Zaurus is in a class by itself, being a cross between a PDA and a handheld computer. Rather than running a somewhat limited PDA operating system, it runs Linux which means the CPU and RAM are the only real limit for running Linux applications. Linux apps must be recompiled to run on the Zaurus but that’s not a daunting task, and we’ve seen many useful ports and open source software for the Z emerge over the years. In fact, there are several ROMs available for the Z as well (modified versions of the OS and even different Linux distros). This is an instant-on machine (no waiting for a computer to boot) with a VGA touch screen and an excellent miniature keyboard. Like a PDA it has full PIM applications, and adds very capable MS Office editors, the NetFront web browser, email client and more. The Zaurus’ web browser is much more like a desktop web browser in presentation and layout, though it doesn’t support the full range of desktop plugins. That said, it beats PDA browsers by a mile and you can install Opera to further broaden your browsing options. Given the screen resolution, killer keyboard, desktop-like web browser and strong Office suite, the Zaurus really crosses over into handheld computer territory and is more powerful than a basic PDA.” Read this nice review here:

“The Quest is a graphically stunning, engaging and sinister world full of magic, music and provocative challenges.Choose from five customizable races and an array of skills, attributes, weapons, armor and enchantments, then explore a huge non-linear realm of four different cities and a wilderness of mountains, caves, lakes and forests.Play an absorbing card game, solve brain-teasing quests and clash with dangerous opponents in this turn- and skill-based role playing game.You will have many choices, including some that may place you against the law, along your way to the dramatic end of your own choosing. You will need all your gaming know-how to survive and discover your destiny! The game requires… * Pocket PC 2003 or newer (OS 4.x or 5.x) * 18 MB storage ram (either built-in memory or card) * 12 MB program memory The game supports the following screen resolutions: * standard ppc 240×320 and 320×240 (both left and right landscape) * vga 480×640 and 640×480 (also both left and right landscape) * square 240×240 and 480×480 * hpc 800×480, 800×600, 640×240, 640×480” Check this great game here:

“Here’s an alternative to watching Lost on your iPod. The RoverTV from Doghouse Electronics is a widescreen, horizontal approach to watching mobile TV or movies. The screen comes in two sizes, 3.5″ and 4”. You can also record live TV or watch it live, in digital hi-res color; programmable, DVR-like recording is available as well.That recorder also works with DVRs, VCRs, and even CDs and DVDs. You can, of course, transfer files from a PC to the RoverTV. And it’s not just MP4 video. The device doubles as an audio player as well, accommodating MP3s and WAV files. You can even look at static images(JPEG, GIF, or BMP).By now, you’re probably wondering about memory. The RoverTV has some Flash memory (unspecified) and can handle SD cards, so you decide how much you want to tote around at one time. It does come with a 2GB card, so that’s a start, at least.Pricing is US$299 or US$349, depending on screen size, and you can one (or both) here.” via mobilemag.com