Day: September 1, 2006

“Compared to the iPaq 19xx series almost all elements on the front panel got changed. The power button isn’t combined with the LED, it is separate, but on the previous place. Two LEDs are located by sides of it. The left indicator is in charge of Wi-Fi activity and the right one shows power status and missed reminders. The application buttons have round forms and good position from each other. They feature exact feedback and can be easily pressed. The joystick got more comfortable (compared to the iPaq 19xx), it’s square, which is better than a small circle in the previous models. The speaker is built in the joystick, it is as good and loud as in the iPaq 1940, it doesn’t wheeze even at the highest sound volume level.” Read more here:

“You can use slots to expand the PDA memory. Without a storage card you’ll find it hard to listen to the music and watch movies, there isn’t enough RAM and internal memory to do it. Currently the maximum capacity of a SD-card makes up 4 GB and 2 GB for a miniSD-card. Almost always the SD-slot supports storage cards of MMC standard. At the same time the maximum capacity of CF-cards is 32 GB at the moment.In addition to storage cards the slots can be used to extend functionality of a communicator or PDA. Peripherals for the CF-slot have become most popular: cameras, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters, GPS-receivers, GPRS-modems and so on. They are relatively cheap and can be easily found in shops in Russia. While the CF-slot is occupied with peripherals, the SD-slot is left to work with storage cards.If the SD-slot supports SDIO standard (Secure Digital Input/Output or SD I/O), it can also be used for peripheral devices, not only for storage cards. You can learn more details on SDIO specs in this document. Almost all peripheral cards in SDIO format (as in CF) do exist or are announced: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, cameras, barcode scanners (except for GPRS-modems).” Read more here:

“Commodore is back. My first computer was a C64 and I’m still nostalgic about it. Now the brand is back with devices that have more memory and processing power than a room full of their original machines. They first unveiled a pretty unimpressive MP3 player (the Mpet II), but now Commodore is showing off two Commodore Gravel entertainment systems that seem to do some impressive tricks.The Commodore Gravel in Pocket is a pocket-sized (obviously) multimedia device. It features built-in Wi-Fi, and can support all of the major audio and video formats, playing them back on a 2.8-inch TFT screen. It comes with 1GB or 2GB internal flash memory, which is a bit lame, but that can be improved by SD card. It claims to be the first high quality flash video device which plays full screen, full motion video.The Commodore Gravel in Home lets you access Video on Demand, Replay TV and streaming music on your TV. It has an 80GB hard drive.Both of the Gravels can access content via the soon to be unveiled Commodore World website. No word yet on the cost of the devices or the content.” via mobilemag.com

“BERLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 31, 2006–Skype (NASDAQ:EBAY), the global Internet communications company, today announced cordless phones that do not require a running computer, which are provided by well known hardware partners of Skype. This new class of phone enables Skype(TM) users to make and receive both Skype calls over the Internet and traditional landline calls, without a computer, and offers the added convenience of a cordless phone. The first series of products to be launched in this class are the Philips VOIP841 cordless phone and NETGEAR’s cordless phone for Skype.”We are broadening our reach to mass consumers by offering them the opportunity to communicate via Skype without having to be tied to the computer,” said Stefan Oberg, general manager, desktop and hardware at Skype. “Skype has already introduced Wi-Fi phones and Skype for PocketPC wireless. Now Skype is taking the next step and working together with Philips and NETGEAR, to introduce PC-free cordless phones. The cordless phones for Skype launched today, give Skype users the flexibility to enjoy free Skype to Skype calls and inexpensive calls to ordinary and mobile phones anywhere in the house, at any time without a running computer.” Cordless phones offer increased mobility throughout the home or office, giving consumers the freedom and flexibility of not being tethered to their computer. Also, consumers with multiple cordless phone handsets in their home have the ability to hold separate conversations simultaneously – one on Skype, the second on the traditional line – each from a different handset. Both the Philips and NETGEAR cordless phones have Skype running on them out of the box, and they can act as a replacement for an ordinary cordless phone, because they can make and receive traditional telephone calls through the landline line connection. Skype itself is not a replacement of an ordinary phone and it can not be used for emergency calling. Existing Skype users can sign into their account, conveniently downloading all their contacts to the cordless phone. Users also have the ability to search for Skype contacts directly on the phone, and add them to an integrated contact list for both Skype contacts and traditional phone numbers. “Philips drives innovation by developing easy-to-use products that help to integrate new technologies into the lifestyles of consumers, while continuing to further enhance their entertainment experience at home and on the go,” said Lucas Covers, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Philips Consumer Electronics. “We pride ourselves on providing a range of DECT Internet phones and devices that enable crystal clear voice calls for every type of Skype user. The VOIP841 is the perfect phone that offers consumers features that will personalize their Internet communications without compromising the best-in-class innovative technologies from Philips and Skype.”We are pleased to continue working with Skype to bring high-quality, innovative products to the millions of Skype enthusiasts,” said Vivek Pathela, NETGEAR’s vice president of product marketing. “In addition to our Skype WiFi phone (now available), the cordless phone for Skype will make it easy for people to connect with friends, family, and colleagues around the world.” The Philips and NETGEAR cordless phones will be Skype Certified(TM). The Skype certification is designed to reassure users that products will be easy to use, and will work well with Skype software. Skype Certified hardware products undergo rigorous testing for more than a month to ensure that they meet Skype’s high usability and technical quality standards. Premium Skype features, including SkypeOut(TM) for inexpensive international calls to traditional landlines and mobile phones, SkypeIn(TM) to receive calls from landline or mobile phones on Skype, and Skype Voicemail will all be easily accessible through the phone. The cordless phones for Skype are accompanied by a remote DECT base station that plugs into both the broadband connection and the traditional phone line. The system handles both Skype and ordinary calls in one phone, presented through an easy-to-use, user interface. Both the Philips and NETGEAR cordless phones boast a full color graphic display, simplified calling features with an integrated contact list, and an enhanced speakerphone with great voice clarity. Skype welcomes attendees to a series of international press round tables at IFA, co-hosted with Philips, that will take place on September 1st, 2006, in Hall 22. Skype and Philips executives will introduce the Philips VOIP841 cordless phone and discuss the future of Internet communications. The Skype Certified Philips VoIP841 cordless phone will be available for the 2006 holiday season. “