Socket Mobile Introducing the SoMo 650

Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity products, today unveiled its new handheld mobile computer specifically designed to make essential business mobile productivity solutions possible and affordable. The company’s extensive line of mobile data collection and networking connectivity peripherals combined with the new handheld make Socket a one-stop supplier of mobile computing hardware systems.The new Socket SoMo™ 650 is built to address the market that exists between consumer-oriented PDAs and heavy duty industrial devices. The sleek, durable device uses a touch screen and is based on the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system to ensure the highest level of mobile application compatibility and gives workers a familiar computing environment. The SoMo 650 handheld computer’s flexible design enables ease of customization and integration with Socket and third party peripherals and information systems – extending the lifecycle of the product and reducing total cost of ownership. The company will launch a new extended, multi-year service warranty on the device as well as on many of its higher-end peripheral products…“Mobile computing systems available today do not meet the mobility needs of small- to medium-sized companies or many business units within larger enterprises,” said Kevin Mills, president and chief executive officer of Socket Mobile. “Currently companies need to choose between devices that are often too costly and over featured or inexpensive and under featured, which results in mobility solutions being overly difficult to justify and deploy. The SoMo 650 is designed to change all of that, since it’s designed and developed for the currently underserved business mobility market.”Socket Mobile plans to leverage more than 100 value added reseller partners to target current and prospective customers seeking cost effective mobile computing solutions to deliver applications for inventory control, sales force automation, patient tracking, asset management and merchandising. The company’s primary focus will be on the healthcare, automotive, life sciences and retail markets in which workers have a need for efficient data collection, real-time information management and applications in the field.“The business mobility market represents approximately 10.9 million organizations and 69 million mobile workers. However, with penetration of mobility solutions at only 25 percent, most organizations still rely on manual, paper-based systems that contribute to greater error frequency and highly inefficient processes,” said David Krebs, director of the Mobile & Wireless Practice, Venture Development Corporation.“With the Windows Mobile operating system, Socket Mobile is helping its customers attain an easily deployable, manageable solution that increases mobile productivity,” said Chris Hill, group product manager at Microsoft Corp. “Windows Mobile brings a familiar experience to the small screen, helping mobile professionals stay connected to important data wherever they are.”Features and PricingThe SoMo 650 includes the following features and applications: Durable form factor designed specifically to withstand multiple drops from one meter onto vinyl-covered concrete True business class 802.11b/g Wi-Fi technology provides fast roaming for superior in-building / campus environments and VoIP applications Bluetooth™ 2.0 radio with enhanced data rate; one of the most complete libraries of Bluetooth profiles for maximum support of third party peripherals Reinforced CompactFlash and SDIO slots that enable expandability and provide better protection for peripheral devices More stable platform and a three to five year lifecycle to meet business needs and lower total cost of ownership 128MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash memory to enable users to work with multiple applications Intel processor operating at 624MHz to ensure better application responsiveness High-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power the most demanding applications; an optional extended life battery is also available Windows Mobile 5.0 operating systemThe SoMo 650 is the first in a family of handheld computing products Socket will rollout in 2007 and is available through Socket distribution channels, resellers and vertical industry partners in the U.S. as well as selected countries in Asia Pacific and Europe with an MSRP of $648. Socket is on track to ship the SoMo 650 during the second quarter, starting with limited production in April and mass production in May. The handheld computer will be available in various packaged configurations that may include a wall charger, docking cradle and carrying case.For more product information visit: http://www.socketmobile.com/products/handheld-computer/somo-650/ About Socket MobileSocket Mobile makes mobility computing and productivity work. The company is a one-stop supplier of mobile computing hardware systems by offering a handheld mobile computer and one of the most complete portfolios of essential mobile data collection and networking connectivity peripherals that will enable mobile automation and productivity increases for small to medium deployments. The company also offers OEM partner solutions and software development programs. Socket is headquartered in Newark, Calif. and can be reached at 510-933-3000 or www.socketmobile.com.

Linux powers dual mode multimedia smartphone


“Taiwan-based phone designer and manufacturer Accton Technology Corp. is marketing a Linux-based dual-mode phone design said to support both quad-band GSM and 802.11b/g networks. The VM3228T offers rich multimedia capabilities, and features seamless cellular/WiFi switch-over based on 3GPP standards, according to the company.Accton says the VM3228T offers “rich multimedia and productivity” features,” including an Opera Internet browser, 15fps H.263 video playback at data rates up to 512 Kbps, and a 1.3-megapixel camera with photo editing and video recording capabilities.The device is said to deliver a “seamless [dual-mode] communication experience,” thanks to support for the 3GPP’s TR 23.806 release 7.0 specification for VCC (voice-call continuity) between circuit-switched (CS) networks and IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) networks. In other words, given carrier infrastructure support, the phone should be capable of toggling between cellular and WiFi networks in mid-call — for example, when the user enters or leaves a building. . The Accton VM3228T is based on TI’s OMAP 730 “single-chip” mobile phone processor, a “tri-core” design incorporating an ARM9 applications processor clocked at 200MHz, and a digital GSM/GPRS baseband processor comprised of an ARM7 controller and TMS320C54x DSP (digital signal processor).Additional VM3228T specifications include:

64MB NAND flash
MicroSD slot supporting cards up to 2GB
64MB SDRAM
2.2-inch QVGA (240×320) TFT LCD touchscreen with 262K colors
Bluetooth: 1.2, HSP Profile, OPP Profile
USB 1.1 client, with connector used for data, charging. and earphone
1.3-megapixel CMOS camera
Mono speaker in back for speakerphone use
Candybar form factor
4.4 x 2 x 0.5 inches (112mm x 50mm x 12.5mm)
960mAH battery” more at linuxdevices.com

ARCHOS 704 WiFi Portable Media Player With 7Inch Touch Screen!

archos-704-pmp.JPG “ARCHOS reveals their new 704-WiFi Portable Media Player. It features a large 7-inch touch-screen with an 800×480 high quality resolution. Storage for this one of a kind PMP can roughly store about 70 DVD quality movies on its spacious 80GB harddrive. Not only can you enjoy all your favorite entertainment media anywhere you go, but you can also connect the 704-WiFi to your TV. With its Wi-Fi capabilities you can browse through your collection of music, movies and photos from any computer on your wireless network. You can even enjoy full internet web browsing and access to email. In addition, you can purchase their DVR station for about $99.99 to turn your ARCHOS portable media player into a DVR to record high quality digital video directly from a TV, DVD player, or cable box. Users can enjoy long lasting battery life up to 25 hours of music playback (5 hours for video and internet). The 704-Wi-Fi combines many gadgets into just one useful portable device. Pricing is set at $549.99 and is now available for pre-order on the company’s website. Final availability is expected to be mid-march.” via mobilewhack.com

Review of GSM handset Motorola MING (Motorola A1200)


“The handset is almost free of any functional keys, due to being normally managed via its screen. The display here sports a diagonal of 2.4 inches with a resolution of 240×320 pixels (36×48 mm) and 262 K colors (TFT). The picture quality provided by the MING’s screen is superb, and is impossible to fault. In the sun it remains well-visible, while the flip acts as an extra filter, making for legibility of the information displayed on the screen. Like we said above, the handset comes equipped with a touch screen; the stylus silo is placed on the right spine, yet in most cases you can easily do without it (except for, maybe, texting) – for typical interactions your fingers will prove to be just enough, especially for dialing numbers.” Read more about this great linux smartphone here: