Less Is More At Hewlett-Packard - Forbes.comComputer Hardware & Software
Less Is More At Hewlett-Packard
Lisa DiCarlo, 07.15.05, 2:31 PM ET
Hewlett-Packard's board of directors has claimed that in firing former Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, the company had the right strategy but the wrong execution. We'll find out if that's true next week, when the company reportedly plans to lay out the details of a restructuring designed to pare costs and shore up its market share in key segments.
The restructuring will reportedly include layoffs of more than 10,000 workers. The company, which closed its acquisition of Compaq in May 2002, has about 150,000 workers worldwide. Its architect is Mark Hurd, who was hired as CEO after HP (nyse: HPQ - news - people ) fired Fiorina for failing to deliver on her ambitious growth plans for the company. At the time, HP's board insisted that the problem with HP wasn't strategy but follow-through on strategy. That may be true, but Hurd has already undone one of Fiorina's major strategic moves in an effort to right the ship.
In mid-June HP separated the PC and printing divisions, which were merged under Fiorina only in January. HP did not provide details of the rationale behind separating the groups, but the company clearly feels that its cash cow--imaging and printing--needs to stand on its own under executives who can focus on the one category. HP's PC business has struggled, as most PC businesses have, against the superior efficiencies of Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ). IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ) finally cut bait earlier this year and sold its PC business to China's Lenovo.
If Fiorina's strategy was so sound, as the board says, then why is one of Hurd's biggest challenges to bring HP's out-of-whack costs in line with the industry? After all, Fiorina sold shareholders on the Compaq acquisition in large part by emphasizing cost savings. But in May, in discussing HP's second-quarter results, Hurd said that the "overall performance leaves room for improvement in many of our businesses" and that HP's costs were "off benchmark in many areas." Under Hurd, HP has already made senior management changes that will change the direction of the company. Last week it hired away Dell's chief information officer, Randall Mott, to be its senior vice president and CIO. He will report to Hurd and have a seat on the company's executive committee. Under Fiorina, several key executives fled to join rival companies, including EMC (nyse: EMC - news - people ). That particularly stings, because data storage, a multibillion-dollar industry, has been a weak spot for HP.
In early June HP promoted Cathy Lyons, a 26-year company veteran, to executive vice president and chief marketing officer. She took over the CMO job from Mike Winkler, who will continue to run HP's customer solutions group.
Even without any details, Wall Street is generally bullish on an HP restructuring. Its shares are trading up 34 cents to $24.96. S.G. Cowen, in a research note, says head-count reductions offer the potential for upside to its current earnings estimates for 2006 and 2007. Layoffs offer an almost immediate boost to the bottom line, but will do nothing to fix HP's problems.
Hurd, and HP's board, have to wonder whether in fact they have had the right strategy in place.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
The Week Ahead: July 18-22, 2005 - Forbes.com
The Week Ahead: July 18-22, 2005 - Forbes.comWhen to watch: Tuesday, July 19. The word on the street is that there's going to be some fine-tuning 'round Palo Alto way. OK, let's forsake the euphemisms: Media reports have suggested that the world's No. 2 computer maker, Hewlett-Packard (nyse: HWP - news - people ), is due to announce a restructuring next Tuesday, and they've cited analysts as saying HP might lay off thousands of workers. Scuttlebutts are placing the number of pink slips between 15,000 and 20,000, or around 10% of the company's workforce. HP insiders have intimated that the "layoffs are imminent--it's only a question of when," one analyst was quoted as saying in The New York Times. HP, which on July 14 declined to comment on the speculation, recently signaled that job cuts were likely in the current quarter. Indeed, Chief Executive Mark V. Hurd previously said HP had a cost structure that is "off benchmark in many areas" and that the company needed to symmetrize its costs with competitors such as Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ), whose costs are lower. In May, 1,900 employees in HP's printing division accepted voluntary retirement. --Chris Noon
Friday, July 15, 2005
Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Black) Intro - Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Black) review - MP3 players - CNET Reviews
Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Black) Intro - Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Black) review - MP3 players - CNET Reviews Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Black)
Release date: July 1, 2005
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Reviewed by James Kim
Edited by Jasmine France
Reviewed July 14, 2005
Editors' rating:
Excellent
8.0
out of 10
Editors' Choice
How we rate
Sony's MP3 stock has shot up mercurially since introducing native MP3 playback to its Network Walkman franchise. Its latest hard drive-based player, the supercompact Network Walkman NW-HD5, has winner written all over it. Although the 20GB player lacks extra features that make the iRiver H320s and the Cowon iAudio X5s of the world so popular, the HD5 delivers big time, with a wonderfully simple interface, a tiny form factor, sweet sound quality, and wicked battery life. Available in silver, black, or red, the HD5 has a list price of $300.
Release date: July 1, 2005
* Home
* Review
* Video
* Specs
* User opinions
* Essentials
* Compare
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CNET editor's take
View video & photos
Reviewed by James Kim
Edited by Jasmine France
Reviewed July 14, 2005
Editors' rating:
Excellent
8.0
out of 10
Editors' Choice
How we rate
Sony's MP3 stock has shot up mercurially since introducing native MP3 playback to its Network Walkman franchise. Its latest hard drive-based player, the supercompact Network Walkman NW-HD5, has winner written all over it. Although the 20GB player lacks extra features that make the iRiver H320s and the Cowon iAudio X5s of the world so popular, the HD5 delivers big time, with a wonderfully simple interface, a tiny form factor, sweet sound quality, and wicked battery life. Available in silver, black, or red, the HD5 has a list price of $300.
PDAgold.com :: Article :: First 60 minutes with HP iPAQ hw6500
PDAgold.com :: Article :: First 60 minutes with HP iPAQ hw6500First 60 minutes with HP iPAQ hw6500
Author - Pavel Koza :: User rating - 3/5 gems (24 votes) :: Views - 2596 July 13, 2005 :: Over the past few months, I have repeatedly complained abut HP not being as inventive as before and their innovation attempts often produce questionable results. New iPAQ hw6500 refutes all those allegations – I have not seen so much innovation packed in a single device for a long time. I was as lucky as to be able to try the device briefly before its official launch, so here are my first impressions. I shall make it clear straight away that they are mostly positive:)
Please note: This is not a regular review. I have not subjected the device to regular tests in an effort to discover its strengths and weaknesses. Instead, I am presenting my - mostly positive - impressions from the first encounter. So, this is not an objective report but rather a subjective description of a completely new device, full of uncritical admiration and enthusiasm about its great features. If you don’t like this type of article, please wait for a full-fledged review.
With a certain degree of simplification, it would be easier to write what is ordinary about this device rather than to give an account of all the innovations and special features. Please note that the device I had was a pre-production unit, as is the case with all models featured in the “First 60 minutes with...” series. That means that the final product’s hardware and software features may differ. It is still a few weeks (or months) before its launch, so please do not rely on the information herein contained absolutely.
HP iPAQ hw6500
HP iPAQ hw6500
The average-size device features an unbelievable concentration of innovation per cubic centimetre. Its weight matches that of similarly equipped devices. The device holds pretty well thanks to rounded edges at the bottom.
Comparison with iPAQ hx2750
I bet my ancient 16-MB CompactFlash card:) that four out of five Pocket PC fans will notice an unusual display at first sight. As far as I can remember, this is the first Pocket PC device in history to feature a square display. The display sports the same parameters e.g. as that in iPAQ hx2750 (TFT, 65 thousand colours) but different size: 240 x 240 pixels, 79-millimetre diagonal. I will discuss its advantages and disadvantages in more detail in a big review, for now I have just a few remarks. The main problem is games that are designed for the 240 x 320 resolution and therefore part of the game screen is not displayed. Nevertheless, the hw6500 is not intended as a gaming machine and most other applications work fine with the square display. It is hard to judge how convenient it will be in real life – it may matter in some situations whereas the integrated keyboard may compensate for the smaller display area in others. For me, it was a shock initially but I grew used to it over the time, I must admit. Naturally, there is no screen rotation option;)
HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500
The iPAQ hw6500, AKA Mobile Messenger, is a pioneer also in communication. It is not the first Pocket PC with an integrated GSM/GPRS module but certainly the first EDGE-enabled Pocket PC. In a few tests data appeared to flow faster than over GPRS but considered characteristics of the EDGE technology and an absence of any indication that would tell you "you are now downloading data over EDGE", this was just my impression. In addition, the iPAQ offers also Bluetooth and, as a cherry on the cake, an integrated GPS receiver. It seemed very sensitive – I drove the device on the front passenger seat and it was able to catch the signal from 5-6 satellites without any problems, which was not the case for BT GPS Altina that I used for comparison.
Another conspicuous feature is an integrated keyboard. The keyboard is virtually the same as those implemented in iPAQ h4350, iPAQ h6340 etc. It has blue backlight and is ideal for typing medium-length texts. It remains to be seen though if the final version will support national characters. Other controls include a joystick and a few user-definable and function buttons.
It is likely that strongly negative reactions to the performance of iPAQ h6340 made HP look for a more powerful CPU. This time, it is not a top performer, either, yet the Intel PXA272 running at 314 MHz offers much greater computing power than the 168-MHz OMAP. The memory includes 64 MB of RAM and 48 MB of FlashROM and is one of the areas where we may see some improvement in the final version. Now, a question for investigative readers: take a look at the screenshot below this paragraph and guess what is unusual... Yes, you are right:) This iPAQ, like new XDAs, offers part of the memory as Extended ROM (12 MB), i.e. a hidden place where the manufacturer preloads bonus apps that automatically start after a HW reset. Popular “cooking” may in the future become interesting not only for XDA users.
Extended ROM now in HP iPAQ:)
Expansion slots are not the same as usual, either. The new iPAQ does not feature the usual combination of an SDIO and a CF slot but an SDIO and a Mini-SD slot. Mini-SD is not new to the pocket computer sector but until now has been used in smartphones. It is a good solution for memory cards, although Mini-SD cards are more expensive than the standard SD ones. The user can store programmes on the Mini-SD card and use the SD slot for SDIO cards (WiFi etc.) and memory cards with documents, music and videos. The only minor drawback is the location of the slots on the side of the device, because SDIO cards stick out a little.
Two expansion slots
Digital photography fans will appreciate an integrated 1.3-MPix camera which offers resolution of up to 1280 x 1024 pixels. The quality is not striking (lags behind iPAQ rx3700); I would call it “satisfactory”, but sufficient for illustrative snaps. It supports still images as well as video and sports similar features as most other integrated pseudo-cameras. To get the idea, here are some photos (reduced in size).
Camera lens Nemo in the bed (er, this is not my side of the bed:) A cottage in Hornbach hobby centre A still-life with a parking lot
It is too early to evaluate the software suite because it is the last thing the designers fine-tune. As in most iPAQs, we can expect a generous selection of bonus software. Besides common applications, such as Backup and Camera, I discovered e.g. a utility called Jeyo Mobile Extender in the Windows folder, which makes it possible to synchronise SMS messages with desktop Outlook. The Extended ROM contained a navigation utility from TomTom but this is not even remotely useful for people in the Czech Republic (no maps for this part of the world).
Today Screen Camera application SmartMaps Navigator
My first impressions? Superb on the technical side, good-looking, I appreciate a come-back of silver colour. I have described the technical parameters above, so I won’t repeat myself but I can say that almost all of them are unique. I guess the HP iPAQ hw6500 is targeted at a limited group of corporate users, not the general public. The most likely users are those who require mobile collection of data, sales people etc. for whom this device may serve as an all-in-one laptop replacement. Let’s take it from the beginning – a mobile employee downloads a list of places to visit during the day into his PDA. He will have no problems getting there thanks to integrated GPS and navigation SW (why not SmartMaps Navigator:) Once reaching the client or partner, he can take even large-scale orders, typing on the integrated keyboard, which, with some training, will offer much better services than the virtual one. In addition, if the SIP panel remains hidden, the display area is comparable to a common PDA. He then can send the orders to the company, the EDGE technology enabling fast transmission of large volumes of data (e.g. updates of parts and price lists may take many MB of data). The Mobile Printing utility makes it possible to print the order on the spot and hand it over to the client. And so on...
I am not saying an ordinary user would not find the new iPAQs features cool. Yet I believe HP’s other models are better suited for common users, albeit without an integrated GPS, EDGE and other specials to be found in this device. It is also possible that I will change my opinion after some time of testing the device:) Of course, the price – still being kept secret – will be one of the important factors. Anyway, we shall see when the final version hits the shelves.
Author - Pavel Koza :: User rating - 3/5 gems (24 votes) :: Views - 2596 July 13, 2005 :: Over the past few months, I have repeatedly complained abut HP not being as inventive as before and their innovation attempts often produce questionable results. New iPAQ hw6500 refutes all those allegations – I have not seen so much innovation packed in a single device for a long time. I was as lucky as to be able to try the device briefly before its official launch, so here are my first impressions. I shall make it clear straight away that they are mostly positive:)
Please note: This is not a regular review. I have not subjected the device to regular tests in an effort to discover its strengths and weaknesses. Instead, I am presenting my - mostly positive - impressions from the first encounter. So, this is not an objective report but rather a subjective description of a completely new device, full of uncritical admiration and enthusiasm about its great features. If you don’t like this type of article, please wait for a full-fledged review.
With a certain degree of simplification, it would be easier to write what is ordinary about this device rather than to give an account of all the innovations and special features. Please note that the device I had was a pre-production unit, as is the case with all models featured in the “First 60 minutes with...” series. That means that the final product’s hardware and software features may differ. It is still a few weeks (or months) before its launch, so please do not rely on the information herein contained absolutely.
HP iPAQ hw6500
HP iPAQ hw6500
The average-size device features an unbelievable concentration of innovation per cubic centimetre. Its weight matches that of similarly equipped devices. The device holds pretty well thanks to rounded edges at the bottom.
Comparison with iPAQ hx2750
I bet my ancient 16-MB CompactFlash card:) that four out of five Pocket PC fans will notice an unusual display at first sight. As far as I can remember, this is the first Pocket PC device in history to feature a square display. The display sports the same parameters e.g. as that in iPAQ hx2750 (TFT, 65 thousand colours) but different size: 240 x 240 pixels, 79-millimetre diagonal. I will discuss its advantages and disadvantages in more detail in a big review, for now I have just a few remarks. The main problem is games that are designed for the 240 x 320 resolution and therefore part of the game screen is not displayed. Nevertheless, the hw6500 is not intended as a gaming machine and most other applications work fine with the square display. It is hard to judge how convenient it will be in real life – it may matter in some situations whereas the integrated keyboard may compensate for the smaller display area in others. For me, it was a shock initially but I grew used to it over the time, I must admit. Naturally, there is no screen rotation option;)
HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500 HP iPAQ hw6500
The iPAQ hw6500, AKA Mobile Messenger, is a pioneer also in communication. It is not the first Pocket PC with an integrated GSM/GPRS module but certainly the first EDGE-enabled Pocket PC. In a few tests data appeared to flow faster than over GPRS but considered characteristics of the EDGE technology and an absence of any indication that would tell you "you are now downloading data over EDGE", this was just my impression. In addition, the iPAQ offers also Bluetooth and, as a cherry on the cake, an integrated GPS receiver. It seemed very sensitive – I drove the device on the front passenger seat and it was able to catch the signal from 5-6 satellites without any problems, which was not the case for BT GPS Altina that I used for comparison.
Another conspicuous feature is an integrated keyboard. The keyboard is virtually the same as those implemented in iPAQ h4350, iPAQ h6340 etc. It has blue backlight and is ideal for typing medium-length texts. It remains to be seen though if the final version will support national characters. Other controls include a joystick and a few user-definable and function buttons.
It is likely that strongly negative reactions to the performance of iPAQ h6340 made HP look for a more powerful CPU. This time, it is not a top performer, either, yet the Intel PXA272 running at 314 MHz offers much greater computing power than the 168-MHz OMAP. The memory includes 64 MB of RAM and 48 MB of FlashROM and is one of the areas where we may see some improvement in the final version. Now, a question for investigative readers: take a look at the screenshot below this paragraph and guess what is unusual... Yes, you are right:) This iPAQ, like new XDAs, offers part of the memory as Extended ROM (12 MB), i.e. a hidden place where the manufacturer preloads bonus apps that automatically start after a HW reset. Popular “cooking” may in the future become interesting not only for XDA users.
Extended ROM now in HP iPAQ:)
Expansion slots are not the same as usual, either. The new iPAQ does not feature the usual combination of an SDIO and a CF slot but an SDIO and a Mini-SD slot. Mini-SD is not new to the pocket computer sector but until now has been used in smartphones. It is a good solution for memory cards, although Mini-SD cards are more expensive than the standard SD ones. The user can store programmes on the Mini-SD card and use the SD slot for SDIO cards (WiFi etc.) and memory cards with documents, music and videos. The only minor drawback is the location of the slots on the side of the device, because SDIO cards stick out a little.
Two expansion slots
Digital photography fans will appreciate an integrated 1.3-MPix camera which offers resolution of up to 1280 x 1024 pixels. The quality is not striking (lags behind iPAQ rx3700); I would call it “satisfactory”, but sufficient for illustrative snaps. It supports still images as well as video and sports similar features as most other integrated pseudo-cameras. To get the idea, here are some photos (reduced in size).
Camera lens Nemo in the bed (er, this is not my side of the bed:) A cottage in Hornbach hobby centre A still-life with a parking lot
It is too early to evaluate the software suite because it is the last thing the designers fine-tune. As in most iPAQs, we can expect a generous selection of bonus software. Besides common applications, such as Backup and Camera, I discovered e.g. a utility called Jeyo Mobile Extender in the Windows folder, which makes it possible to synchronise SMS messages with desktop Outlook. The Extended ROM contained a navigation utility from TomTom but this is not even remotely useful for people in the Czech Republic (no maps for this part of the world).
Today Screen Camera application SmartMaps Navigator
My first impressions? Superb on the technical side, good-looking, I appreciate a come-back of silver colour. I have described the technical parameters above, so I won’t repeat myself but I can say that almost all of them are unique. I guess the HP iPAQ hw6500 is targeted at a limited group of corporate users, not the general public. The most likely users are those who require mobile collection of data, sales people etc. for whom this device may serve as an all-in-one laptop replacement. Let’s take it from the beginning – a mobile employee downloads a list of places to visit during the day into his PDA. He will have no problems getting there thanks to integrated GPS and navigation SW (why not SmartMaps Navigator:) Once reaching the client or partner, he can take even large-scale orders, typing on the integrated keyboard, which, with some training, will offer much better services than the virtual one. In addition, if the SIP panel remains hidden, the display area is comparable to a common PDA. He then can send the orders to the company, the EDGE technology enabling fast transmission of large volumes of data (e.g. updates of parts and price lists may take many MB of data). The Mobile Printing utility makes it possible to print the order on the spot and hand it over to the client. And so on...
I am not saying an ordinary user would not find the new iPAQs features cool. Yet I believe HP’s other models are better suited for common users, albeit without an integrated GPS, EDGE and other specials to be found in this device. It is also possible that I will change my opinion after some time of testing the device:) Of course, the price – still being kept secret – will be one of the important factors. Anyway, we shall see when the final version hits the shelves.
Monday, July 11, 2005
It’s official: more cellphone lines than landlines in the US - Engadget - www.engadget.com
It’s official: more cellphone lines than landlines in the US - Engadget - www.engadget.comIt’s official: more cellphone lines than landlines in the US
Posted Jul 11, 2005, 3:40 AM ET by Peter Rojas
Related entries: Cellphones
recellular used cellphones
It’s not really a competition or anything, but the FCC just released a report confirming that as of late last year the number of cellphone lines in the U.S. officially surpassed the number of landlines. It’s still pretty much 50/50 — at the time of the survey there were 181.1 million cellphone lines versus 177.9 million landlines (and it’s not clear if they’re counting VoIP lines from companies like Vonage) — but the shift towards wireless is undeniable
Posted Jul 11, 2005, 3:40 AM ET by Peter Rojas
Related entries: Cellphones
recellular used cellphones
It’s not really a competition or anything, but the FCC just released a report confirming that as of late last year the number of cellphone lines in the U.S. officially surpassed the number of landlines. It’s still pretty much 50/50 — at the time of the survey there were 181.1 million cellphone lines versus 177.9 million landlines (and it’s not clear if they’re counting VoIP lines from companies like Vonage) — but the shift towards wireless is undeniable
Friday, July 08, 2005
Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves
Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves
PalmOS Is Dead
Posted by Ed Hansberry @ 06:00 AM
PalmOS, as we know it, is dead. We reported last week that PalmSource had halted all non-Linux development, but at the time I didn't fully grasp what that meant. I am still not sure I do, but after thinking about it for a few days and reading additional reports, it is clear to me that the operating system we are all familiar with, the one that is for personal information management, portable computing and wireless connectivity is dead.
Croak!
PalmSource is focusing entirely on a flavor of PalmOS for Linux, but they are also working on feature phones with the help of their China MobileSoft acquisition, those phones that, while they have a lot of smartphone-style features, are essentially locked. Beyond ringtones and backgrounds, you can't just pop over to Handango and download software for it. What you get out of the box is what you live with. I am sure PalmSource will give it as much a look and feel of the classic PalmOS UI, but for most of us, that just won't be the same. They are targeting this OS to be complete in Q3 of 2006, which means it will be early to mid 2007 before the first phones start shipping. I fully expect this will be what LG will do as a new PalmSource licensee. I am not expecting a new Treo competitor from LG.
Once PalmSource gets the feature phone OS out of the door they will wrap up the full blown OS that everyone has assumed will be some powerful 32bit multitasking OS sitting on top of Linux. However, that will be 2007 at the earliest, so you could be looking at 2008 before devices would be ready to ship. 2008! Shocked Will anyone care by then? You have Palm aficionados that could be in serious jeopardy hoping their current device lasts that long!
Meanwhile, you have pa1mOne, soon to be just Palm, creating the latest revision of FrankenGarnet which seems to get more unstable with each release and causes more headaches for developers as pa1mOne is notorious for not cluing people in on what changed. I thought it was an eternity waiting almost two years between the release of Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket PC 2003. I couldn't imagine using an OS in 2007 that was hatched in 2002. Between technologies like wireless USB, 802.11n, EDGE, EVDO, over the air video and stuff I haven't even heard of yet, there will just be too many things that a five year old OS can't handle. A perfect example is Skype. There is still no version of Skype for PalmOS. Garnet just can't handle it. Ten months after Skype for PalmOS was just around the corner you can't hardly find the word "Palm" on the Skype site. I would argue there were mobile technologies in 2002 that Garnet, also known as PalmOS5, couldn't handle, but I digress. Wink
You think pa1mOne will wait until 2007 or 2008 for a new OS? Or do you think there might be a Palm device in your future, running Windows Mobile? I see the latter as far more likely to happen versus seeing FrankenGarnet 5.99999.
Michael Mace, the former PalmSource Chief Competitive Officer, was terminated. Chris Dumphy is no longer there, along with 16% of the workforce. PalmSource itself isn't dead. Far from it. But it is now no more than an embedded operating system maker that will fade from the consumer's memory faster than "New Coke!"
For years, Microsoft has seen its major threat as Nokia - years before even that article. It was pretty clear once the original iPAQ 3600 was released and Palm kept fumbling the ball on great features that Palm simply didn't have the internal resources to move the aging platform that ran on a Kadak provided kernel to a full blown operating system that could hope to do what devices based on Windows CE were capable of. Even Sony couldn't stem the inevitable decline of PalmOS's market share.
When someone has a monopoly people scream that without competition the consumer loses. Well, in general I agree. Don't worry though. Microsoft's toughest opponent in the mobile computing hand-space isn't Palm. It hasn't been since 2001. Microsoft has been shooting over their head at Nokia. Don't look for stagnation anytime soon. Very Happy Oh yeah, don't look for a Palm revival anytime soon either. Laughing
I guess I will have to re-evaluate what I use "The Competition" forum for. I am by far the most prolific poster of new items in here and most of those are about Palm. I probably need to get up to speed on what Nokia is doing with Symbian. Doesn't mean I will never post about Palm again. Come on! There is just too much fun in it. Wink But in all honesty, it just isn't serious competition for the Windows Mobile platform.
PalmOS Is Dead
Posted by Ed Hansberry @ 06:00 AM
PalmOS, as we know it, is dead. We reported last week that PalmSource had halted all non-Linux development, but at the time I didn't fully grasp what that meant. I am still not sure I do, but after thinking about it for a few days and reading additional reports, it is clear to me that the operating system we are all familiar with, the one that is for personal information management, portable computing and wireless connectivity is dead.
Croak!
PalmSource is focusing entirely on a flavor of PalmOS for Linux, but they are also working on feature phones with the help of their China MobileSoft acquisition, those phones that, while they have a lot of smartphone-style features, are essentially locked. Beyond ringtones and backgrounds, you can't just pop over to Handango and download software for it. What you get out of the box is what you live with. I am sure PalmSource will give it as much a look and feel of the classic PalmOS UI, but for most of us, that just won't be the same. They are targeting this OS to be complete in Q3 of 2006, which means it will be early to mid 2007 before the first phones start shipping. I fully expect this will be what LG will do as a new PalmSource licensee. I am not expecting a new Treo competitor from LG.
Once PalmSource gets the feature phone OS out of the door they will wrap up the full blown OS that everyone has assumed will be some powerful 32bit multitasking OS sitting on top of Linux. However, that will be 2007 at the earliest, so you could be looking at 2008 before devices would be ready to ship. 2008! Shocked Will anyone care by then? You have Palm aficionados that could be in serious jeopardy hoping their current device lasts that long!
Meanwhile, you have pa1mOne, soon to be just Palm, creating the latest revision of FrankenGarnet which seems to get more unstable with each release and causes more headaches for developers as pa1mOne is notorious for not cluing people in on what changed. I thought it was an eternity waiting almost two years between the release of Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket PC 2003. I couldn't imagine using an OS in 2007 that was hatched in 2002. Between technologies like wireless USB, 802.11n, EDGE, EVDO, over the air video and stuff I haven't even heard of yet, there will just be too many things that a five year old OS can't handle. A perfect example is Skype. There is still no version of Skype for PalmOS. Garnet just can't handle it. Ten months after Skype for PalmOS was just around the corner you can't hardly find the word "Palm" on the Skype site. I would argue there were mobile technologies in 2002 that Garnet, also known as PalmOS5, couldn't handle, but I digress. Wink
You think pa1mOne will wait until 2007 or 2008 for a new OS? Or do you think there might be a Palm device in your future, running Windows Mobile? I see the latter as far more likely to happen versus seeing FrankenGarnet 5.99999.
Michael Mace, the former PalmSource Chief Competitive Officer, was terminated. Chris Dumphy is no longer there, along with 16% of the workforce. PalmSource itself isn't dead. Far from it. But it is now no more than an embedded operating system maker that will fade from the consumer's memory faster than "New Coke!"
For years, Microsoft has seen its major threat as Nokia - years before even that article. It was pretty clear once the original iPAQ 3600 was released and Palm kept fumbling the ball on great features that Palm simply didn't have the internal resources to move the aging platform that ran on a Kadak provided kernel to a full blown operating system that could hope to do what devices based on Windows CE were capable of. Even Sony couldn't stem the inevitable decline of PalmOS's market share.
When someone has a monopoly people scream that without competition the consumer loses. Well, in general I agree. Don't worry though. Microsoft's toughest opponent in the mobile computing hand-space isn't Palm. It hasn't been since 2001. Microsoft has been shooting over their head at Nokia. Don't look for stagnation anytime soon. Very Happy Oh yeah, don't look for a Palm revival anytime soon either. Laughing
I guess I will have to re-evaluate what I use "The Competition" forum for. I am by far the most prolific poster of new items in here and most of those are about Palm. I probably need to get up to speed on what Nokia is doing with Symbian. Doesn't mean I will never post about Palm again. Come on! There is just too much fun in it. Wink But in all honesty, it just isn't serious competition for the Windows Mobile platform.
The Clicker: Was Grokster really the important Supreme Court decision? - Engadget - www.engadget.com
The Clicker: Was Grokster really the important Supreme Court decision? - Engadget - www.engadget.comThe Clicker: Was Grokster really the important Supreme Court decision?
Posted Jul 7, 2005, 7:26 PM ET by Peter Rojas
Related entries: Displays, Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment
Every Thursday Stephen Speicher contributes The Clicker, a weekly column on television and technology:
The key to all good magic, as it has been explained to me, is misdirection. The magician must engage in some large, eye-catching gesture that, when all is said and done, is rather meaningless. Meanwhile, under the cover of the aforementioned grandeur, the real work is performed.
For instance: in the early nineties, David Copperfield would, with pomp and glory, make large jets, the Grand Canyon, even the Statue of Liberty disappear into thin air. These, of course, were just the WOW-type distractions he needed to accomplish his real goal, attracting supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
As it turns out – Justice Rehnquist and the rest of his Supreme Court posse are also fans of the ancient art of illusion. When the Supreme Court delivered the recent raft of decisions it deftly used the attention-grabbing, yet rather meaningless, Grokster case to grab the attention of the public. Meanwhile, a second, arguably more important, ruling has quietly solidified Comcast et. al.’s legal classification as an “information service” and not as a “telecommunication” service. In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services.
A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks. Brand X argued that, just like DSL, cable lines were telecommunication instruments. As such, just like the Bells are forced to open DSL lines to third-party providers, so too should third-party companies be afforded access to the cable infrastructure.
Brand X’s argument was not without basis: In 2000, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held in AT&T v. the City of Portland that cable modem services were a mixture of both information services and telecommunication services and should be subject to the regulations of both bodies. However, in response to that ruling, the FCC later (2002) issued an opposing statement that cable modem services were information services and that they were not subject to telecommunications regulations. The Brand X case became the Supreme Court’s chance to set the record straight.
In the 6-3 decision delivered by Clarence Thomas, the court re-affirmed the FCC’s classification of cable modem services as information services.
The ruling has caused a lot of speculation about whether the cable industry will use its newly-reaffirmed status to make life difficult for its competitors in the VoIP industry. Under telecommunication regulations, providers must open their networks on non-discriminatory terms. Information services are not bound by the same regulations. Cable companies could engage in port-blocking and other countermeasures used to stop VoIP services from traversing their networks.
What’s even less clear is how the decision muddies the waters with respect to IPTV services. While not yet as developed as VoIP, the emerging IPTV market has just as much to lose. IPTV is also closer to the cable companies bread and butter services. It’s unclear that, without non-discriminatory terms, cable companies would have the proper incentive to allow third-party video services to traverse their networks. Value-add services such as VOD have been at the backbone of nearly all cable battles, and cable companies have fought hard to maintain their monopoly there. It’s unlikely that they wouldn’t at least consider cutting their competition off at the knees.
The matter is further complicated by the dearth of information-service regulations. The FCC has been in a holding pattern with regards to broadband regulations.
The Supreme Court’s decision, according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, allows for that to change. Martin said in a statement: “This decision provides much-needed regulatory clarity and a framework for broadband that can be applied to all providers… We can now move forward quickly to finalize regulations that will spur the development of broadband services for all Americans.”
But, until regulations do change, the Brand X decision leaves the Internet in an unusually precarious position. With a) many regions of the country operating under a broadband-access monopoly and b) with access to broadband services becoming more and more important in both communication and entertainment services, the courts just bestowed upon the cable companies a disturbing amount of power.
It’s time for FCC to take some of that power back from the cable companies. It’s time for Martin to enact neutrality regulations. It’s one thing to allow cable companies sole use of their own networks. It’s an entirely different thing to allow them the power to block the competitive services that travel over those networks, and while we’re in limbo that’s what they’ve done.
Posted Jul 7, 2005, 7:26 PM ET by Peter Rojas
Related entries: Displays, Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment
Every Thursday Stephen Speicher contributes The Clicker, a weekly column on television and technology:
The key to all good magic, as it has been explained to me, is misdirection. The magician must engage in some large, eye-catching gesture that, when all is said and done, is rather meaningless. Meanwhile, under the cover of the aforementioned grandeur, the real work is performed.
For instance: in the early nineties, David Copperfield would, with pomp and glory, make large jets, the Grand Canyon, even the Statue of Liberty disappear into thin air. These, of course, were just the WOW-type distractions he needed to accomplish his real goal, attracting supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
As it turns out – Justice Rehnquist and the rest of his Supreme Court posse are also fans of the ancient art of illusion. When the Supreme Court delivered the recent raft of decisions it deftly used the attention-grabbing, yet rather meaningless, Grokster case to grab the attention of the public. Meanwhile, a second, arguably more important, ruling has quietly solidified Comcast et. al.’s legal classification as an “information service” and not as a “telecommunication” service. In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services.
A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks. Brand X argued that, just like DSL, cable lines were telecommunication instruments. As such, just like the Bells are forced to open DSL lines to third-party providers, so too should third-party companies be afforded access to the cable infrastructure.
Brand X’s argument was not without basis: In 2000, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held in AT&T v. the City of Portland that cable modem services were a mixture of both information services and telecommunication services and should be subject to the regulations of both bodies. However, in response to that ruling, the FCC later (2002) issued an opposing statement that cable modem services were information services and that they were not subject to telecommunications regulations. The Brand X case became the Supreme Court’s chance to set the record straight.
In the 6-3 decision delivered by Clarence Thomas, the court re-affirmed the FCC’s classification of cable modem services as information services.
The ruling has caused a lot of speculation about whether the cable industry will use its newly-reaffirmed status to make life difficult for its competitors in the VoIP industry. Under telecommunication regulations, providers must open their networks on non-discriminatory terms. Information services are not bound by the same regulations. Cable companies could engage in port-blocking and other countermeasures used to stop VoIP services from traversing their networks.
What’s even less clear is how the decision muddies the waters with respect to IPTV services. While not yet as developed as VoIP, the emerging IPTV market has just as much to lose. IPTV is also closer to the cable companies bread and butter services. It’s unclear that, without non-discriminatory terms, cable companies would have the proper incentive to allow third-party video services to traverse their networks. Value-add services such as VOD have been at the backbone of nearly all cable battles, and cable companies have fought hard to maintain their monopoly there. It’s unlikely that they wouldn’t at least consider cutting their competition off at the knees.
The matter is further complicated by the dearth of information-service regulations. The FCC has been in a holding pattern with regards to broadband regulations.
The Supreme Court’s decision, according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, allows for that to change. Martin said in a statement: “This decision provides much-needed regulatory clarity and a framework for broadband that can be applied to all providers… We can now move forward quickly to finalize regulations that will spur the development of broadband services for all Americans.”
But, until regulations do change, the Brand X decision leaves the Internet in an unusually precarious position. With a) many regions of the country operating under a broadband-access monopoly and b) with access to broadband services becoming more and more important in both communication and entertainment services, the courts just bestowed upon the cable companies a disturbing amount of power.
It’s time for FCC to take some of that power back from the cable companies. It’s time for Martin to enact neutrality regulations. It’s one thing to allow cable companies sole use of their own networks. It’s an entirely different thing to allow them the power to block the competitive services that travel over those networks, and while we’re in limbo that’s what they’ve done.
PDAgold.com :: Article :: Memory in Pocket PC explained
PDAgold.com :: Article :: Memory in Pocket PC explained: Memory in Pocket PC explained
Author - Pavel Koza :: User rating - 4/5 gems (24 votes) :: Views - 563 July 07, 2005 :: A vast majority of PDA owners have some experience with personal computers and know at least something about the basic elements, such as the memory. However, if such a user tries to apply the knowledge on pocket computers, he may be rather confused. This article explains the basic terms, describes different types of memory used in pocket computers and main differences between them.
Memory is one of the basic components of a device called a pocket computer. It makes little difference how fast the processor, how large and colourful the display and how many wireless radio modules a device carries - without memory, it would be dead box of hardware. Nevertheless, even the less technically savvy users should read this article. A PDA's memory is a place where you keep the most valuable thing - you data. If you do not want to loose them, you should know at least the elementary issues.
As in real life, the computer memory, too, has to handle three main tasks - otherwise it would be useless. These include the possibility to write information, retain it and recall. All the information is stored in the binary form - as a combination of ones and zeros. There are many different types of memory but all of them are based on the electromagnetic principle (I have never seen a punch-card reader for Pocket PC:) Here, we shall discuss only the types of memory used in Pocket PCs. If you would like to learn more on memory technology in general, I recommend your local technical library or Google.
Even the simplest pocket computer with a Microsoft operating system integrates several types of memory that differ in purpose and speed. There are two basic types - ROM (read-only memory) and RAM (random-access memory). In addition, almost every device can be extended using a memory card or other memory media e.g. over a USB Host interface. However, we will stick to internal memory this time.
ROM / FlashROM
The abbreviation "ROM" stands for Read Only Memory. In pocket computers, this type of memory serves as a storage for all files of the operating system and basic applications supplied by the respective device manufacturer or Microsoft. Its main advantage is that it does not need to be powered permanently to retain the information it contains. The data are safe however long the memory remains without power. The first Pocket PC devices and almost all of their predecessors had the operating system loaded in the ROM. When Microsoft issued an upgrade of the operating system and a manufacturer decided to adopt it for older devices, it was necessary to physically replace the ROM module (which looks like the one in the image above). This was the only possible way of upgrading the system. The only advantage of this solution was that alongside a new ROM chip, the upgrade module often included also some RAM, so you received not only a new system but also a larger operating memory. On the other hand, such modules were quite expensive and required playing with the device's guts or visiting a service centre.
ROM upgrade for HP 620LX
ROM upgrade for HP 620LX
With the arrival of Compaq iPAQ and Pocket PC in general, ROM started to be replaced by its more convenient variant called Flash ROM. This type of memory, too, will retain data without power but it is possible to change its contents under certain conditions. This means that new versions of the operating system or partial patches can be loaded in the Flash ROM directly just using appropriate software; no hardware changes are needed. The latest innovation concerning Flash ROM in Pocket PC devices is a possibility to use its free part as an extra storage of up to several tens of megabytes for sensitive data and applications that the user wants to protect. This space is available as another folder in the memory structure and manufacturers call it different names (iPAQ FileStore, LOOXstore etc.), I called it generally Safe Storage. You can work with it as with any other folder; it only writes data significantly slower than standard RAM.
When speaking about Flash ROM, I should mention the terms NOR and NAND, which are the two dominant technologies used for producing Flash memory chips. The NOR technology was first introduced by Intel in 1988, NAND by Toshiba a year later. There are fundamental differences between them but a detailed description would go beyond the scope of this article (in addition, my technical knowledge does not reach far enough:) - if you are interested in a detailed comparison, click here. For most of us, ordinary mortals, it is sufficient o know that:
* NOR features smaller capacity (1 MB - 32 MB), shorter life (10-100 re-writes) and very slow erasing and writing. On the other hand, it supports a technology called XIP (Execute in Place). That means that binary code stored in the ROM can be executed straight away without the necessity to copy it to the RAM first. High price.
* NAND features larger capacity (16 MB - 512 MB, maybe more), longer life (100-1000 thousand re-writes) and fast erasing and writing. However, code needs to be copied to the RAM before execution (Code Shadowing). Low price.
As a user, you should be interested in what type of Flash ROM your device contains. For example, users of HP iPAQ h1915 could find out from the specifications that their device contains a Flash ROM but the memory being a NAND-type, they were limited in many ways as compared to users of other devices.
There is a lot to write about Flash ROM, this much just for a quick reference:)
RAM / SRAM / DRAM / SDRAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Unlike ROM, the RAM memory needs to be powered to retain its contents. Even the shortest blackout wipes out all data irreversibly. There are many types of RAM but we shall focus only on some of them. Depending on whether a memory is static or dynamic, it is called either SRAM or DRAM. SRAM-type memory (Static RAM) retains data as long as it is powered. It is very fast but more sophisticated and therefore more expensive. It is used primarily as cache memory where speed is a crucial factor. On the other hand, DRAM (Dynamic RAM) retains information using electric charge from a capacitor. However, the charge tends to wither even if the memory is powered. In order to prevent complete discharge and subsequent loss of information, it is necessary to refresh memory cells periodically. It is simpler and therefore significantly cheaper, albeit slower than SRAM.
We shall discuss in detail only SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) which we can find in virtually all Pocket PCs on the market. As you will guess correctly, it is based on the DRAM technology but is much faster than the original SDRAM due to certain enhancements, such as synchronisation with the frequency of the CPU bus. Favourable price makes it the preferred choice and only rarely can we encounter another type of memory in pocket devices.
How does it work?
You now know what types of memory are used in Pocket PCs, let's see how it all actually works and how a Pocket PC uses the memory. PDA beginners will probably be familiar with a desktop PC, so I will try to compare the two worlds.
All Pocket PCs I have ever seen have both RAM and ROM. Apart from some rare exceptions, there are no pocket computers with an integrated hard drive. The task of permanent storage of data even without power is assigned to the ROM. It contains the operating system, without which the device just would not work, as well as basic applications from Microsoft and other software vendors (it is the manufacturer of the device who decides what software you obtain with the device). In some devices, a part of their Flash ROM is accessible o the user as Safe Storage. When you switch the device on for the first time, a series of initial operations and settings will be performed. Besides other things, data that crate a user profile will be copied to the RAM (system registry, document templates, and bonus applications, if available). After you have calibrated the display and tried Tap&Hold, the device is ready to use.
Most Pocket PC first-timers will suffer a shock upon inspecting available memory. They usually believe that when they buy a device with 64 MB of RAM, they will have that amount of memory at their disposal for storing data and applications. In reality, the amount of free memory is significantly smaller for three reasons:
1. As I mentioned above, the system may occupy part of the RAM for its own purposes (such as code shadowing etc.), which reduces the original amount (down to the 55 MB).
2. Even a completely new device has some data in it (modules for the Today screen, document templates etc.), which eat up several more megs (that's the blue line)
3. The rest will be divided (and dynamically allocated) between storage memory and program memory where applications actually run (that's the slider)
As you can see in the image, a device boasting of 64 MB of RAM will eventually offer some 20 MB of memory space for your data and applications. You can adjust the storage/program memory allocation using the slider but if you run several applications simultaneously, the system will re-allocate the memory according to its needs. Having mentioned Safe Storage, the situation in Acer n35, for instance, is as follows:
Memory size (slightly) misleading In this case, the Safe Storage is less than 2 MB
Why is that?
There is a reason for this solution, naturally. It is assumed that a pocket device, which is dependent on batteries, will be left without power from time to time and all data in the RAM will be erased. Whereas a desktop computer would require a several-hour re-installation and recovery in such an event, a Pocket PC is ready for work within seconds after power has been restored. There are more advantages to it than that but I'll leave it up to curious users to find out:)
Note:: The latest system, Windows Mobile 5, will revolutionise the way a Pocket PCs use memory - the RAM will be used only for running applications, everything else, including the system, installed applications, user data and settings will be stored in the FlashROM, which will eliminate problems with flat batteries. More on that as soon as devices with the new system hit the market.
What is the difference between Soft a Hard reset?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding pocket computer is the one I chose for the title of this paragraph. The difference is fundamental:
* A Soft Reset is an operation that forcibly closes all running applications. All UNSAVED data are lost but the contents of the RAM are available after the system recovers. A Soft Reset is usually performed by a press of a more or less hidden button.
* A Hard Reset will COMPLETELY ERASE the RAM. Data stored in the Safe Storage or on memory cards will remain intact. The device then runs the initial sequence as if just taken out of the box and is ready to use after a little while. The way of performing a Hard Reset differs from device to device: it may require a simultaneous press of several buttons, deactivation or removal of the main battery. Check your user manual for details.
Conclusion
That's about all a beginner should know about memory in pocket computers. As your experience grows, you will find that there are many exceptions from the general trend and the development is quite rapid. Nevertheless, the above should be enough to get a basic idea of memory types and usage in Pocket PCs. If you have any questions, send them to discussion forums. I'll try to answer and maybe eventually extend this article.
Author - Pavel Koza :: User rating - 4/5 gems (24 votes) :: Views - 563 July 07, 2005 :: A vast majority of PDA owners have some experience with personal computers and know at least something about the basic elements, such as the memory. However, if such a user tries to apply the knowledge on pocket computers, he may be rather confused. This article explains the basic terms, describes different types of memory used in pocket computers and main differences between them.
Memory is one of the basic components of a device called a pocket computer. It makes little difference how fast the processor, how large and colourful the display and how many wireless radio modules a device carries - without memory, it would be dead box of hardware. Nevertheless, even the less technically savvy users should read this article. A PDA's memory is a place where you keep the most valuable thing - you data. If you do not want to loose them, you should know at least the elementary issues.
As in real life, the computer memory, too, has to handle three main tasks - otherwise it would be useless. These include the possibility to write information, retain it and recall. All the information is stored in the binary form - as a combination of ones and zeros. There are many different types of memory but all of them are based on the electromagnetic principle (I have never seen a punch-card reader for Pocket PC:) Here, we shall discuss only the types of memory used in Pocket PCs. If you would like to learn more on memory technology in general, I recommend your local technical library or Google.
Even the simplest pocket computer with a Microsoft operating system integrates several types of memory that differ in purpose and speed. There are two basic types - ROM (read-only memory) and RAM (random-access memory). In addition, almost every device can be extended using a memory card or other memory media e.g. over a USB Host interface. However, we will stick to internal memory this time.
ROM / FlashROM
The abbreviation "ROM" stands for Read Only Memory. In pocket computers, this type of memory serves as a storage for all files of the operating system and basic applications supplied by the respective device manufacturer or Microsoft. Its main advantage is that it does not need to be powered permanently to retain the information it contains. The data are safe however long the memory remains without power. The first Pocket PC devices and almost all of their predecessors had the operating system loaded in the ROM. When Microsoft issued an upgrade of the operating system and a manufacturer decided to adopt it for older devices, it was necessary to physically replace the ROM module (which looks like the one in the image above). This was the only possible way of upgrading the system. The only advantage of this solution was that alongside a new ROM chip, the upgrade module often included also some RAM, so you received not only a new system but also a larger operating memory. On the other hand, such modules were quite expensive and required playing with the device's guts or visiting a service centre.
ROM upgrade for HP 620LX
ROM upgrade for HP 620LX
With the arrival of Compaq iPAQ and Pocket PC in general, ROM started to be replaced by its more convenient variant called Flash ROM. This type of memory, too, will retain data without power but it is possible to change its contents under certain conditions. This means that new versions of the operating system or partial patches can be loaded in the Flash ROM directly just using appropriate software; no hardware changes are needed. The latest innovation concerning Flash ROM in Pocket PC devices is a possibility to use its free part as an extra storage of up to several tens of megabytes for sensitive data and applications that the user wants to protect. This space is available as another folder in the memory structure and manufacturers call it different names (iPAQ FileStore, LOOXstore etc.), I called it generally Safe Storage. You can work with it as with any other folder; it only writes data significantly slower than standard RAM.
When speaking about Flash ROM, I should mention the terms NOR and NAND, which are the two dominant technologies used for producing Flash memory chips. The NOR technology was first introduced by Intel in 1988, NAND by Toshiba a year later. There are fundamental differences between them but a detailed description would go beyond the scope of this article (in addition, my technical knowledge does not reach far enough:) - if you are interested in a detailed comparison, click here. For most of us, ordinary mortals, it is sufficient o know that:
* NOR features smaller capacity (1 MB - 32 MB), shorter life (10-100 re-writes) and very slow erasing and writing. On the other hand, it supports a technology called XIP (Execute in Place). That means that binary code stored in the ROM can be executed straight away without the necessity to copy it to the RAM first. High price.
* NAND features larger capacity (16 MB - 512 MB, maybe more), longer life (100-1000 thousand re-writes) and fast erasing and writing. However, code needs to be copied to the RAM before execution (Code Shadowing). Low price.
As a user, you should be interested in what type of Flash ROM your device contains. For example, users of HP iPAQ h1915 could find out from the specifications that their device contains a Flash ROM but the memory being a NAND-type, they were limited in many ways as compared to users of other devices.
There is a lot to write about Flash ROM, this much just for a quick reference:)
RAM / SRAM / DRAM / SDRAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Unlike ROM, the RAM memory needs to be powered to retain its contents. Even the shortest blackout wipes out all data irreversibly. There are many types of RAM but we shall focus only on some of them. Depending on whether a memory is static or dynamic, it is called either SRAM or DRAM. SRAM-type memory (Static RAM) retains data as long as it is powered. It is very fast but more sophisticated and therefore more expensive. It is used primarily as cache memory where speed is a crucial factor. On the other hand, DRAM (Dynamic RAM) retains information using electric charge from a capacitor. However, the charge tends to wither even if the memory is powered. In order to prevent complete discharge and subsequent loss of information, it is necessary to refresh memory cells periodically. It is simpler and therefore significantly cheaper, albeit slower than SRAM.
We shall discuss in detail only SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) which we can find in virtually all Pocket PCs on the market. As you will guess correctly, it is based on the DRAM technology but is much faster than the original SDRAM due to certain enhancements, such as synchronisation with the frequency of the CPU bus. Favourable price makes it the preferred choice and only rarely can we encounter another type of memory in pocket devices.
How does it work?
You now know what types of memory are used in Pocket PCs, let's see how it all actually works and how a Pocket PC uses the memory. PDA beginners will probably be familiar with a desktop PC, so I will try to compare the two worlds.
All Pocket PCs I have ever seen have both RAM and ROM. Apart from some rare exceptions, there are no pocket computers with an integrated hard drive. The task of permanent storage of data even without power is assigned to the ROM. It contains the operating system, without which the device just would not work, as well as basic applications from Microsoft and other software vendors (it is the manufacturer of the device who decides what software you obtain with the device). In some devices, a part of their Flash ROM is accessible o the user as Safe Storage. When you switch the device on for the first time, a series of initial operations and settings will be performed. Besides other things, data that crate a user profile will be copied to the RAM (system registry, document templates, and bonus applications, if available). After you have calibrated the display and tried Tap&Hold, the device is ready to use.
Most Pocket PC first-timers will suffer a shock upon inspecting available memory. They usually believe that when they buy a device with 64 MB of RAM, they will have that amount of memory at their disposal for storing data and applications. In reality, the amount of free memory is significantly smaller for three reasons:
1. As I mentioned above, the system may occupy part of the RAM for its own purposes (such as code shadowing etc.), which reduces the original amount (down to the 55 MB).
2. Even a completely new device has some data in it (modules for the Today screen, document templates etc.), which eat up several more megs (that's the blue line)
3. The rest will be divided (and dynamically allocated) between storage memory and program memory where applications actually run (that's the slider)
As you can see in the image, a device boasting of 64 MB of RAM will eventually offer some 20 MB of memory space for your data and applications. You can adjust the storage/program memory allocation using the slider but if you run several applications simultaneously, the system will re-allocate the memory according to its needs. Having mentioned Safe Storage, the situation in Acer n35, for instance, is as follows:
Memory size (slightly) misleading In this case, the Safe Storage is less than 2 MB
Why is that?
There is a reason for this solution, naturally. It is assumed that a pocket device, which is dependent on batteries, will be left without power from time to time and all data in the RAM will be erased. Whereas a desktop computer would require a several-hour re-installation and recovery in such an event, a Pocket PC is ready for work within seconds after power has been restored. There are more advantages to it than that but I'll leave it up to curious users to find out:)
Note:: The latest system, Windows Mobile 5, will revolutionise the way a Pocket PCs use memory - the RAM will be used only for running applications, everything else, including the system, installed applications, user data and settings will be stored in the FlashROM, which will eliminate problems with flat batteries. More on that as soon as devices with the new system hit the market.
What is the difference between Soft a Hard reset?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding pocket computer is the one I chose for the title of this paragraph. The difference is fundamental:
* A Soft Reset is an operation that forcibly closes all running applications. All UNSAVED data are lost but the contents of the RAM are available after the system recovers. A Soft Reset is usually performed by a press of a more or less hidden button.
* A Hard Reset will COMPLETELY ERASE the RAM. Data stored in the Safe Storage or on memory cards will remain intact. The device then runs the initial sequence as if just taken out of the box and is ready to use after a little while. The way of performing a Hard Reset differs from device to device: it may require a simultaneous press of several buttons, deactivation or removal of the main battery. Check your user manual for details.
Conclusion
That's about all a beginner should know about memory in pocket computers. As your experience grows, you will find that there are many exceptions from the general trend and the development is quite rapid. Nevertheless, the above should be enough to get a basic idea of memory types and usage in Pocket PCs. If you have any questions, send them to discussion forums. I'll try to answer and maybe eventually extend this article.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Sprint Begins Launch of EV-DO Wireless High-Speed Data Service
Sprint Begins Launch of EV-DO Wireless High-Speed Data Service High-Speed Data Service
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint has begun launch of a new wireless high-speed data network that will provide mobile Internet access to about 150 million people in at least 60 metropolitan areas across the nation by early 2006. Sprint's new wireless high-speed data (EV-DO, Evolution Data Optimized) service, devices and applications will change how and where business is done and offer consumers an enhanced mobile multi-media experience.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )
Sprint is rolling out its EV-DO service initially in business corridors with high wireless-data traffic demands, such as airports and central business districts, followed by broader metropolitan areas. Service will begin during July in major airports and business districts in 34 markets. As the roll-out continues, access will be available to approximately 92 million people in 14 broadly deployed metropolitan areas in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, another 36 metro areas will be launched, so that service will be available to approximately 143 million people. By early 2006, the high-speed wireless data service will be available on a variety of devices throughout at least 200 urban and suburban markets in approximately 60 metropolitan areas.
Information on Sprint's EV-DO service availability, devices and coverage plans can be found at http://www.sprint.com/wirelesshighspeeddata .
Sprint also revealed a flexible pricing plan for two EV-DO-ready Sprint PCS Connection Cards(TM) -- the AirCard(R) 580 by Sierra Wireless and the Merlin S620(TM) by Novatel Wireless(TM) -- that are available through business sales and retail channels. For business customers, pricing starts at $40 per month for 40MB with a price cap at $90 for those months when customers use the service more. Sprint also will offer an unlimited access plan through business sales channels for $80 per month. All prices exclude taxes and certain Sprint surcharges. For complete information regarding consumer pricing plans starting at $40 per month, please visit your nearest Sprint Store or log on to http://www.sprintpcs.com/ for details. These cards, which operate on the 1xRTT Sprint nationwide PCS network when outside of EV-DO service areas, have a suggested retail price of $249.99 less contract credits and instant savings.
Sprint plans to introduce EV-DO handsets and applications for consumers and business customers in the fourth quarter.
"Satisfying and meeting customer needs for mobile data service is all about having the broadest range of connectivity choices and providing the best overall mobile data experience," said Len Lauer, president and chief operating officer - Sprint. "The EV-DO service launch increases the ways Sprint customers can connect when mobile and augments a unique remote access service portfolio consisting of the nationwide PCS 1xRTT network and more than 19,000 Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) access points in prime locations. Through network convergence, customers can get all the access solutions they need by harnessing the benefits of Sprint's diverse wireless networks."
The Sprint EV-DO service provides a broadband-like wireless data experience that is up to 10 times faster than 1xRTT service, with average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and a peak rate of up to 2.0 Mbps. Users can experience faster downloading when accessing the Internet and retrieving e-mails, including large attachments and other bandwidth-intensive applications. The EV-DO service enables improved audio and video capabilities for entertainment services, like streaming TV and music; gaming; video conferencing; and enhanced messaging.
The new EV-DO service is expected to fuel additional growth in Sprint's growing lineup of wireless data services, an area in which Sprint is an industry leader. Wireless data revenue grew 14 percent for Sprint in the first quarter 2005 and represented approximately 10 percent of customer service revenue.
"Mobile users are demanding more than just network speed, but want a combined offering that includes a fast, reliable and cost-efficient service with business services and applications that drive value into their businesses," said Phillip Redman, vice president of Research - Gartner, Inc. "Most companies want a partner that is interested in helping them with the new technology and provide value-added services beyond just being a technology provider."
The high-speed wireless service launch is an outgrowth of ongoing network improvements. Last December, Sprint announced a multi-year commitment of $3 billion dollars for network enhancements, which included the EV-DO service as well as its next generation Release A upgrade.
About Sprint
Sprint offers an extensive range of innovative communication products and solutions, including global IP, wireless, local and multiproduct bundles. A Fortune 100 company with more than $27 billion in annual revenues in 2004, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state- of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network; an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone; and one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide wireless networks in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/mr .
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint has begun launch of a new wireless high-speed data network that will provide mobile Internet access to about 150 million people in at least 60 metropolitan areas across the nation by early 2006. Sprint's new wireless high-speed data (EV-DO, Evolution Data Optimized) service, devices and applications will change how and where business is done and offer consumers an enhanced mobile multi-media experience.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )
Sprint is rolling out its EV-DO service initially in business corridors with high wireless-data traffic demands, such as airports and central business districts, followed by broader metropolitan areas. Service will begin during July in major airports and business districts in 34 markets. As the roll-out continues, access will be available to approximately 92 million people in 14 broadly deployed metropolitan areas in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, another 36 metro areas will be launched, so that service will be available to approximately 143 million people. By early 2006, the high-speed wireless data service will be available on a variety of devices throughout at least 200 urban and suburban markets in approximately 60 metropolitan areas.
Information on Sprint's EV-DO service availability, devices and coverage plans can be found at http://www.sprint.com/wirelesshighspeeddata .
Sprint also revealed a flexible pricing plan for two EV-DO-ready Sprint PCS Connection Cards(TM) -- the AirCard(R) 580 by Sierra Wireless and the Merlin S620(TM) by Novatel Wireless(TM) -- that are available through business sales and retail channels. For business customers, pricing starts at $40 per month for 40MB with a price cap at $90 for those months when customers use the service more. Sprint also will offer an unlimited access plan through business sales channels for $80 per month. All prices exclude taxes and certain Sprint surcharges. For complete information regarding consumer pricing plans starting at $40 per month, please visit your nearest Sprint Store or log on to http://www.sprintpcs.com/ for details. These cards, which operate on the 1xRTT Sprint nationwide PCS network when outside of EV-DO service areas, have a suggested retail price of $249.99 less contract credits and instant savings.
Sprint plans to introduce EV-DO handsets and applications for consumers and business customers in the fourth quarter.
"Satisfying and meeting customer needs for mobile data service is all about having the broadest range of connectivity choices and providing the best overall mobile data experience," said Len Lauer, president and chief operating officer - Sprint. "The EV-DO service launch increases the ways Sprint customers can connect when mobile and augments a unique remote access service portfolio consisting of the nationwide PCS 1xRTT network and more than 19,000 Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) access points in prime locations. Through network convergence, customers can get all the access solutions they need by harnessing the benefits of Sprint's diverse wireless networks."
The Sprint EV-DO service provides a broadband-like wireless data experience that is up to 10 times faster than 1xRTT service, with average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and a peak rate of up to 2.0 Mbps. Users can experience faster downloading when accessing the Internet and retrieving e-mails, including large attachments and other bandwidth-intensive applications. The EV-DO service enables improved audio and video capabilities for entertainment services, like streaming TV and music; gaming; video conferencing; and enhanced messaging.
The new EV-DO service is expected to fuel additional growth in Sprint's growing lineup of wireless data services, an area in which Sprint is an industry leader. Wireless data revenue grew 14 percent for Sprint in the first quarter 2005 and represented approximately 10 percent of customer service revenue.
"Mobile users are demanding more than just network speed, but want a combined offering that includes a fast, reliable and cost-efficient service with business services and applications that drive value into their businesses," said Phillip Redman, vice president of Research - Gartner, Inc. "Most companies want a partner that is interested in helping them with the new technology and provide value-added services beyond just being a technology provider."
The high-speed wireless service launch is an outgrowth of ongoing network improvements. Last December, Sprint announced a multi-year commitment of $3 billion dollars for network enhancements, which included the EV-DO service as well as its next generation Release A upgrade.
About Sprint
Sprint offers an extensive range of innovative communication products and solutions, including global IP, wireless, local and multiproduct bundles. A Fortune 100 company with more than $27 billion in annual revenues in 2004, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state- of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network; an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone; and one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide wireless networks in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/mr .
Be Your Own Hotspot - Popular Science
Be Your Own Hotspot - Popular Science
Be Your Own Hotspot
Turn a backpack into a portable, solar-powered Wi-Fi hotspot, and share a high-speed connection anywhere
By Mike Outmesguine
I love the fact that more and more devices are sporting built-in Wi-Fi—the Sony PSP, smartphones, even Kodak’s EasyShare-One digital camera. The lone hitch: Wi-Fi is useless without a hotspot. Sure, thousands of spots are available, but few are free, and coverage is far from ubiquitous. What if you could marry the short-range power of Wi-Fi with the huge coverage areas of high-speed cellular services such as EV-DO to create a portable hotspot? You could use any Wi-Fi-enabled gadget anywhere you’ve got a cell signal. Play multiplayer games with friends in the park, or blog an event in real-time. Since EV-DO works at freeway speeds, you could even give Internet access to an entire road-trip caravan.
Those are exactly the kinds of things you can do with the backpack below. Its secret ingredient: the Junxion Box. Plug a cellular-network card into the book-size open-source-based device, and voilà —instant Wi-Fi hotspot, with speeds averaging around 700 kilobits per second. To power the box, I wired it to a 1.2-amp-hour battery and dropped both into the Voltaic Systems backpack, which has a built-in solar charger. Now I can surf for as long as three hours without being tethered to anything but a cell signal. The project isn’t cheap, but prices for the components and service are sure to come down in the next year or so. In the meantime, you can find me in the hills around Southern California. I’ll be the one surrounded by PSP-packing hikers.
Parts List
• Junxion Box wireless gateway $700; junxionbox.com
• Verizon Wireless EV-DO PCMCIA card $100; verizonwireless.com
• Voltaic Systems solar-charging backpack $230; voltaicsystems.com
These parts are available at any electronics store:
• 12-volt battery with spade terminals, 1.2 or higher amp-hour $15
• Male DC power plug, size M $5
• 18-gauge wire, black and red $5
• Female insulated quick-disconnect connectors, crimp-type, sized for battery spade terminals $3
• In-line fuse holder $7
• 20-amp fuse 50 cents
Instructions
1) Plug in your EV-DO card and set up the Junxion Box to automatically assign TCP/IP addresses using DHCP, and disable the authentication splash page.
2) To build the power-adapter cable, cut a length of red wire and a length of black. Strip one end of each wire and crimp a spade terminal connector onto each.
Strip the other end of the red wire, and solder it to one end of the fuse holder. Wrap the connection in electrical tape. Take apart the male DC power plug. Solder the end of the black wire to the negative terminal of the plug and the red wire to the positive. Wrap the exposed positive connection in electrical tape, and reassemble the power plug. Install a 20-amp fuse.
3) Connect the Junxion Box cigarette-lighter adapter to the backpack “power out” plug.
4) Connect the battery cable to the “battery” plug on the backpack’s charge controller.
5) Take a hike!
Be Your Own Hotspot
Turn a backpack into a portable, solar-powered Wi-Fi hotspot, and share a high-speed connection anywhere
By Mike Outmesguine
I love the fact that more and more devices are sporting built-in Wi-Fi—the Sony PSP, smartphones, even Kodak’s EasyShare-One digital camera. The lone hitch: Wi-Fi is useless without a hotspot. Sure, thousands of spots are available, but few are free, and coverage is far from ubiquitous. What if you could marry the short-range power of Wi-Fi with the huge coverage areas of high-speed cellular services such as EV-DO to create a portable hotspot? You could use any Wi-Fi-enabled gadget anywhere you’ve got a cell signal. Play multiplayer games with friends in the park, or blog an event in real-time. Since EV-DO works at freeway speeds, you could even give Internet access to an entire road-trip caravan.
Those are exactly the kinds of things you can do with the backpack below. Its secret ingredient: the Junxion Box. Plug a cellular-network card into the book-size open-source-based device, and voilà —instant Wi-Fi hotspot, with speeds averaging around 700 kilobits per second. To power the box, I wired it to a 1.2-amp-hour battery and dropped both into the Voltaic Systems backpack, which has a built-in solar charger. Now I can surf for as long as three hours without being tethered to anything but a cell signal. The project isn’t cheap, but prices for the components and service are sure to come down in the next year or so. In the meantime, you can find me in the hills around Southern California. I’ll be the one surrounded by PSP-packing hikers.
Parts List
• Junxion Box wireless gateway $700; junxionbox.com
• Verizon Wireless EV-DO PCMCIA card $100; verizonwireless.com
• Voltaic Systems solar-charging backpack $230; voltaicsystems.com
These parts are available at any electronics store:
• 12-volt battery with spade terminals, 1.2 or higher amp-hour $15
• Male DC power plug, size M $5
• 18-gauge wire, black and red $5
• Female insulated quick-disconnect connectors, crimp-type, sized for battery spade terminals $3
• In-line fuse holder $7
• 20-amp fuse 50 cents
Instructions
1) Plug in your EV-DO card and set up the Junxion Box to automatically assign TCP/IP addresses using DHCP, and disable the authentication splash page.
2) To build the power-adapter cable, cut a length of red wire and a length of black. Strip one end of each wire and crimp a spade terminal connector onto each.
Strip the other end of the red wire, and solder it to one end of the fuse holder. Wrap the connection in electrical tape. Take apart the male DC power plug. Solder the end of the black wire to the negative terminal of the plug and the red wire to the positive. Wrap the exposed positive connection in electrical tape, and reassemble the power plug. Install a 20-amp fuse.
3) Connect the Junxion Box cigarette-lighter adapter to the backpack “power out” plug.
4) Connect the battery cable to the “battery” plug on the backpack’s charge controller.
5) Take a hike!
Ipaq HQ Forums - Watch Who's WiFi You Use -- It Could Be A Felony
Ipaq HQ Forums - Watch Who's WiFi You Use -- It Could Be A FelonyWatch Who's WiFi You Use -- It Could Be A Felony
Richard Dinon of St Petersburg, Florida noticed a guy sitting in an SUV outside his home using a laptop computer. Dinon figured-out that the guy in the SUV, Benjamin Smith, III, was using Dinon's his home's open and unprotected WiFi network -- an unauthorized use no less.
Rather than work it out between them -- like walking up to the door and asking permission or knocking on the SUV window and asking the guy to quit using the network, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was involved and Smith was arrested. He is facing third-degree felony charges of unauthorized access to a computer network.
Locating and using an open network is a fairly common practice. Sure, some people do so to do bad things, but the vast majority people who access someone else's WiFi network do so to get access to the Internet for relatively harmless reasons such as sending and receiving email, checking movie times or getting updated on the day's news.
It's unclear as to what Mr. Smith was doing with his unauthorized connection -- Florida Prosecutors have declined to comment and Smith hasn't said publicly. What is clear is that whether innocent or nefarious in nature, unauthorized use is against the law in many places.
Staying Out Of Jail With WiFi Access:
1. Ask permission -- getting it in writing is best.
2. No means no -- like in many other areas of life.
3. Yes today doesn't necessarily mean yes tomorrow -- always ask.
4. Look for posted signs advertising FREE WiFi access -- A sign is always a good sign.
5. Pave the way for others -- suggest a sign authorizing FREE open WiFi access to businesses and homes that open their access points to the public.
6. Stay away from Richard Dinon house in St Petersburg, Florida -- he's apparently not open to sharing his open and unprotected WiFi access point with others.
7. When in doubt, don't! -- Asking forgiveness isn't as good as asking permission when someone with handcuffs and a badge is reading you your rights.
8. Pay to play -- just pay for a hotspot subscription and get it over with.
9. Look before you go -- research FREE & legal access points before you hit the road (or with Google Mobile while on the road.) An ounce of prevention, yada, yada, yada...
If you frequently piggy-back on other people's open WiFi access points -- go and sin no more -- or risk fines, fees and felony charges that will FAR outweigh a good T-Mobile Hotspot subscription fee.
Richard Dinon of St Petersburg, Florida noticed a guy sitting in an SUV outside his home using a laptop computer. Dinon figured-out that the guy in the SUV, Benjamin Smith, III, was using Dinon's his home's open and unprotected WiFi network -- an unauthorized use no less.
Rather than work it out between them -- like walking up to the door and asking permission or knocking on the SUV window and asking the guy to quit using the network, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was involved and Smith was arrested. He is facing third-degree felony charges of unauthorized access to a computer network.
Locating and using an open network is a fairly common practice. Sure, some people do so to do bad things, but the vast majority people who access someone else's WiFi network do so to get access to the Internet for relatively harmless reasons such as sending and receiving email, checking movie times or getting updated on the day's news.
It's unclear as to what Mr. Smith was doing with his unauthorized connection -- Florida Prosecutors have declined to comment and Smith hasn't said publicly. What is clear is that whether innocent or nefarious in nature, unauthorized use is against the law in many places.
Staying Out Of Jail With WiFi Access:
1. Ask permission -- getting it in writing is best.
2. No means no -- like in many other areas of life.
3. Yes today doesn't necessarily mean yes tomorrow -- always ask.
4. Look for posted signs advertising FREE WiFi access -- A sign is always a good sign.
5. Pave the way for others -- suggest a sign authorizing FREE open WiFi access to businesses and homes that open their access points to the public.
6. Stay away from Richard Dinon house in St Petersburg, Florida -- he's apparently not open to sharing his open and unprotected WiFi access point with others.
7. When in doubt, don't! -- Asking forgiveness isn't as good as asking permission when someone with handcuffs and a badge is reading you your rights.
8. Pay to play -- just pay for a hotspot subscription and get it over with.
9. Look before you go -- research FREE & legal access points before you hit the road (or with Google Mobile while on the road.) An ounce of prevention, yada, yada, yada...
If you frequently piggy-back on other people's open WiFi access points -- go and sin no more -- or risk fines, fees and felony charges that will FAR outweigh a good T-Mobile Hotspot subscription fee.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Deutsche Telekom not interested in selling T-Mobile USA - report - Forbes.com
Deutsche Telekom not interested in selling T-Mobile USA - report - Forbes.com
E-mail | Comments | E-Mail Newsletters | RSS
AFX News Limited
Deutsche Telekom not interested in selling T-Mobile USA - report
07.05.2005, 04:25 AM
FRANKFURT (AFX) - Deutsche Telekom AG has no intention of selling its US mobile phone unit T-Mobile USA, German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing unnamed sources close to the management and supervisory boards.
The reports were 'purely fictitious' and were invented by financial investors in the US, the sources told the newspaper.
Deutsche Telekom's supervisory board did not recently discuss the sale of the US unit, the sources added.
The Wall Street Journal Europe reported earlier, citing unnamed sources, that the telecoms giant's management board has been discussing the divestment of T-Mobile USA and that a sale could value the mobile phone business at an estimated 25-30 bln usd.
jfb/cml
E-mail | Comments | E-Mail Newsletters | RSS
AFX News Limited
Deutsche Telekom not interested in selling T-Mobile USA - report
07.05.2005, 04:25 AM
FRANKFURT (AFX) - Deutsche Telekom AG has no intention of selling its US mobile phone unit T-Mobile USA, German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing unnamed sources close to the management and supervisory boards.
The reports were 'purely fictitious' and were invented by financial investors in the US, the sources told the newspaper.
Deutsche Telekom's supervisory board did not recently discuss the sale of the US unit, the sources added.
The Wall Street Journal Europe reported earlier, citing unnamed sources, that the telecoms giant's management board has been discussing the divestment of T-Mobile USA and that a sale could value the mobile phone business at an estimated 25-30 bln usd.
jfb/cml
Samsung SCH-i730 Intro - Samsung SCH-i730 review - Smartphones - CNET Reviews
Samsung SCH-i730 Intro - Samsung SCH-i730 review - Smartphones - CNET ReviewsCNET editor's take
View video & photos
Reviewed by Denny Atkin
Edited by William O'Neal
Reviewed June 30, 2005
Editors' rating:
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
How we rate
The Samsung SCH-i730 manages a pretty impressive feat: It shrinks a Windows Mobile-based smart phone into a form factor that actually fits comfortably in your pants pocket and includes broadband wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a built-in keyboard, and a speedy processor. Despite some irritating quirks in its wireless support, the Samsung i730 stays in the running for the "Treo killer" title.
Design
The Samsung SCH-i730 is much smaller than typical Windows Mobile-based handhelds; only the diminutive I-mate Jam is smaller, but the Jam lacks the i730's keyboard and Wi-Fi support. In fact, other than being slightly thicker, the i730 is virtually identical in size to Palm's popular Treo 650. At 2.28 by 0.97 by 4.49 inches and 6.4 ounces, the i730 is close in size to other Windows Mobile-based smart phones, but it has the touch screen and the full Windows Mobile application compatibility that many smart phones lack.
The well-designed i730 is destined to give the Treo 650 a run for its money.
With the slider closed, the i730 is relatively small.
The i730's screen resolution is lower than the Treo 650's (240x320 pixels vs. 320x320 for the Treo), but its 2.8-inch rectangular screen is better for Web browsing and video playback than the Treo's square display, particularly when using the Windows Mobile 2003 SE screen-rotation feature, which lets you easily switch the screen between Landscape and Portrait modes. Though the screen is on the smallish side, it's extremely bright and sharp.
With a cool black and silver design, the i730 sports a large display.
It's hard to avoid Treo comparisons when discussing the i730. Though it hides its full QWERTY keyboard behind the screen using an innovative slider design, this thumb keyboard is the first we've used that matches the Treo's comfort level and potential typing speed. The backlit keys are raised bubbles, rather than the small, flat keys used by the Siemens SX66, which has a similar slider design. The keyboard is very comfortable, but because of its sliding design, the Samsung i730 hasn't been as well optimized for one-handed use as the Treo. Also, gamers take note: The i730 can recognize only one button press at a time, so you won't be able to move and fire simultaneously in games such as Galaga.
The sliding form factor hides a nifty full QWERTY keyboard.
Features
Thanks to the combination of its operating system and specs, the Samsung SCH-i730 is a processing powerhouse. It sports a 520MHz Intel PXA272 processor, 64MB of internal RAM, 128MB of flash memory (more than 80MB of which is available for program storage), and an SDIO/MMC expansion slot. It runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, which offers a full set of PIM functions as well as Pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Music and movie fans will appreciate the inclusion of Windows Media Player 10.0, which supports PlaysForSure WMA files from online music stores such as Napster and Musicmatch and easy syncing of television programs recorded by Windows Media Center PCs. The Samsung i730 also includes a few bonus applications, including Sprite Backup, an excellent program launcher, and Verizon's Wireless Sync push e-mail client. While Microsoft's Windows Mobile push functionality won't be built into devices until we see units featuring Windows Mobile 5.0, Verizon's push e-mail client does the trick. Though some preproduction i730s were shown with a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera, this feature is missing from the initial i730 released by Verizon. It's possible that the camera could appear in a second model or in a version from another carrier, but no camera version has been announced. Nevertheless, we had hoped that a high-end smart phone such as the Samsung i730 would have at least a VGA-quality camera.
With a 1GB SD card, the i730 stores enough digital music to hold you over during those commutes.
The i730 has the full laundry list of wireless features: It includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and both 1xRTT and EV-DO cellular data. The Bluetooth support worked perfectly with the hardware we tested, including the Think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard, the Stowaway Travel Mouse, the Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth headset, and the Pharos Bluetooth GPS. However, Verizon has chosen not to include Bluetooth dial-up networking support, so you can't use the i730 as a wireless modem in conjunction with your laptop. Given the blistering speeds we saw in our EV-DO testing--download speeds ranging from 520Kbps to 640Kbps, compared with 60Kbps to 110Kbps for 1xRTT--we can see why Verizon would be concerned that laptop users might use this feature more than the company would like. This omission means you'll have to do your work directly on the i730 if you can't find an access point for your laptop.
Another quirk: The phone feature shuts down when you're using the i730's Wi-Fi radio, so incoming calls will go directly to voicemail. (And you have to manually turn the phone radio back on after shutting down Wi-Fi.) This is less of an issue in areas where EV-DO support is available, since our speed tests showed EV-DO data speeds were comparable to that of a Wi-Fi connection or a DSL modem. EV-DO support is still rolling out in major cities; in the Seattle area, we found some suburbs have EV-DO coverage, while in others, the phone fell back to 1xRTT support.
Performance
The Samsung SCH-i730's phone features worked smoothly in our tests. Voices sounded clear on both ends of the call when speaking directly into the phone, but conversations were a bit quiet when using the Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth headset. Speakerphone quality, though, is excellent. A nice bonus is the inclusion of VoiceSignal software, which lets you dial by pressing the button on your Bluetooth headset and saying "Call name." Voice and data coverage were excellent, though the lack of analog support means you may have trouble finding a signal in some rural areas. (That said, digital CDMA coverage is more widespread in the United States than GSM.)
The i730 includes a pair of batteries: a 1,100mAh standard battery and a thicker 1,700mAh extended battery. Battery life will vary dramatically depending on how you use the phone. Wi-Fi is a real power hog, and the extended battery will come in handy if you plan to use this feature much. The standard battery is rated at 150 minutes of talk time and 130 hours of standby; this seems accurate from our testing. The package also includes a stereo headset, a belt holster, and an extremely portable folding USB sync cradle.
View video & photos
Reviewed by Denny Atkin
Edited by William O'Neal
Reviewed June 30, 2005
Editors' rating:
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
How we rate
The Samsung SCH-i730 manages a pretty impressive feat: It shrinks a Windows Mobile-based smart phone into a form factor that actually fits comfortably in your pants pocket and includes broadband wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a built-in keyboard, and a speedy processor. Despite some irritating quirks in its wireless support, the Samsung i730 stays in the running for the "Treo killer" title.
Design
The Samsung SCH-i730 is much smaller than typical Windows Mobile-based handhelds; only the diminutive I-mate Jam is smaller, but the Jam lacks the i730's keyboard and Wi-Fi support. In fact, other than being slightly thicker, the i730 is virtually identical in size to Palm's popular Treo 650. At 2.28 by 0.97 by 4.49 inches and 6.4 ounces, the i730 is close in size to other Windows Mobile-based smart phones, but it has the touch screen and the full Windows Mobile application compatibility that many smart phones lack.
The well-designed i730 is destined to give the Treo 650 a run for its money.
With the slider closed, the i730 is relatively small.
The i730's screen resolution is lower than the Treo 650's (240x320 pixels vs. 320x320 for the Treo), but its 2.8-inch rectangular screen is better for Web browsing and video playback than the Treo's square display, particularly when using the Windows Mobile 2003 SE screen-rotation feature, which lets you easily switch the screen between Landscape and Portrait modes. Though the screen is on the smallish side, it's extremely bright and sharp.
With a cool black and silver design, the i730 sports a large display.
It's hard to avoid Treo comparisons when discussing the i730. Though it hides its full QWERTY keyboard behind the screen using an innovative slider design, this thumb keyboard is the first we've used that matches the Treo's comfort level and potential typing speed. The backlit keys are raised bubbles, rather than the small, flat keys used by the Siemens SX66, which has a similar slider design. The keyboard is very comfortable, but because of its sliding design, the Samsung i730 hasn't been as well optimized for one-handed use as the Treo. Also, gamers take note: The i730 can recognize only one button press at a time, so you won't be able to move and fire simultaneously in games such as Galaga.
The sliding form factor hides a nifty full QWERTY keyboard.
Features
Thanks to the combination of its operating system and specs, the Samsung SCH-i730 is a processing powerhouse. It sports a 520MHz Intel PXA272 processor, 64MB of internal RAM, 128MB of flash memory (more than 80MB of which is available for program storage), and an SDIO/MMC expansion slot. It runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, which offers a full set of PIM functions as well as Pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Music and movie fans will appreciate the inclusion of Windows Media Player 10.0, which supports PlaysForSure WMA files from online music stores such as Napster and Musicmatch and easy syncing of television programs recorded by Windows Media Center PCs. The Samsung i730 also includes a few bonus applications, including Sprite Backup, an excellent program launcher, and Verizon's Wireless Sync push e-mail client. While Microsoft's Windows Mobile push functionality won't be built into devices until we see units featuring Windows Mobile 5.0, Verizon's push e-mail client does the trick. Though some preproduction i730s were shown with a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera, this feature is missing from the initial i730 released by Verizon. It's possible that the camera could appear in a second model or in a version from another carrier, but no camera version has been announced. Nevertheless, we had hoped that a high-end smart phone such as the Samsung i730 would have at least a VGA-quality camera.
With a 1GB SD card, the i730 stores enough digital music to hold you over during those commutes.
The i730 has the full laundry list of wireless features: It includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and both 1xRTT and EV-DO cellular data. The Bluetooth support worked perfectly with the hardware we tested, including the Think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard, the Stowaway Travel Mouse, the Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth headset, and the Pharos Bluetooth GPS. However, Verizon has chosen not to include Bluetooth dial-up networking support, so you can't use the i730 as a wireless modem in conjunction with your laptop. Given the blistering speeds we saw in our EV-DO testing--download speeds ranging from 520Kbps to 640Kbps, compared with 60Kbps to 110Kbps for 1xRTT--we can see why Verizon would be concerned that laptop users might use this feature more than the company would like. This omission means you'll have to do your work directly on the i730 if you can't find an access point for your laptop.
Another quirk: The phone feature shuts down when you're using the i730's Wi-Fi radio, so incoming calls will go directly to voicemail. (And you have to manually turn the phone radio back on after shutting down Wi-Fi.) This is less of an issue in areas where EV-DO support is available, since our speed tests showed EV-DO data speeds were comparable to that of a Wi-Fi connection or a DSL modem. EV-DO support is still rolling out in major cities; in the Seattle area, we found some suburbs have EV-DO coverage, while in others, the phone fell back to 1xRTT support.
Performance
The Samsung SCH-i730's phone features worked smoothly in our tests. Voices sounded clear on both ends of the call when speaking directly into the phone, but conversations were a bit quiet when using the Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth headset. Speakerphone quality, though, is excellent. A nice bonus is the inclusion of VoiceSignal software, which lets you dial by pressing the button on your Bluetooth headset and saying "Call name." Voice and data coverage were excellent, though the lack of analog support means you may have trouble finding a signal in some rural areas. (That said, digital CDMA coverage is more widespread in the United States than GSM.)
The i730 includes a pair of batteries: a 1,100mAh standard battery and a thicker 1,700mAh extended battery. Battery life will vary dramatically depending on how you use the phone. Wi-Fi is a real power hog, and the extended battery will come in handy if you plan to use this feature much. The standard battery is rated at 150 minutes of talk time and 130 hours of standby; this seems accurate from our testing. The package also includes a stereo headset, a belt holster, and an extremely portable folding USB sync cradle.
Deutsche Telekom may sell T-Mobile USA
Deutsche Telekom may sell T-Mobile USAwashingtonpost.com
Deutsche Telekom may sell T-Mobile USA
By Boris Groendahl
Reuters
Monday, July 4, 2005; 7:49 AM
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom has been sounding out institutional investors on whether to sell off U.S. mobile operator T-Mobile USA or spend billions of dollars to expand the business, according to fund managers.
Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA officials declined to comment on what they called market rumors.
In a series of one-on-ones meetings with major investment funds, Chief Financial Officer Karl-Gerhard Eick and other executives of Europe's biggest phone carrier told fund managers a decision would be made by the end of the year.
But many investors are skeptical a buyer will emerge and question whether there was a sensible way to spend the $30 billion Deutsche Telekom could raise in a sale, and hope T-Mobile USA might need less investment if it goes on its own.
"There were several meetings with Eick in which they were testing what our reaction would be," said one fund manager at a major German fund who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The meetings happened around March, he said.
A fund manager at another major German fund, who also declined to be named, confirmed that options for the U.S. mobile business were discussed earlier this year.
"They said there would be a period of uncertainty (until the end of the year), and that we would have to trust them to make the right decision," the second investor added.
One option that Eick presented to investors was to sell the fast-growing business, bought for $40 billion during the peak of the telecoms bubble, while it was still on a good run, signing up subscribers fast, and boosting sales and earnings.
The second scenario was to buy permits for third-generation (3G) mobile phone services in auctions next year and build a 3G network for such services as streaming music and video calls. Analysts reckoned costs of up to $10 billion.
Possible buyers would be Britain's Vodafone Group, the world's biggest mobile carrier, or cable operators seeking an entry into the mobile phone market, the investors said.
"Eick was saying half jokingly how he could always call (Vodafone Chief Executive) Arun Sarin if he wanted to sell," one fund manager said.
But Vodafone, whose U.S. mobile arm, Verizon Wireless, is a joint venture with Verizon Communications, has repeatedly dismissed the notion. "We would not be interested in the T-Mobile USA assets," a company spokesman said Sunday.
GROWTH ENGINE
"Potential buyers of T-Mobile USA do not seem to be forming a queue," analysts at CSFB said in a research note last week. Deutsche Telekom would have to perform a strategic about-face if it sold the business.
T-Mobile USA has been among the fastest growing U.S. providers in recent years, with a more than 30 percent rise in customers and core earnings growth of nearly 50 percent in 2004.
T-Mobile USA had $2.85 billion in revenues and more than 18 million customers at the end of the first quarter.
Moreover, it was the sole growth motor of the entire Deutsche Telekom group. With fixed-line revenues in its domestic market and mobile sales in most of Europe slipping, T-Mobile USA is Chief Executive Kai-Uwe Ricke's brightest star.
"Ricke can kiss good-bye to his goal to be the fastest-growing European integrated telecoms operator if he sells T-Mobile USA," said one fund manager. "There is nothing he could buy that would deliver growth on the same scale."
After the latest round of consolidation in the U.S. mobile industry, which had six large players this time last year, the number of national operators is expected to drop later this year to four from five.
Analysts say T-Mobile, the smallest of the four operators, will have to prop up spending if it wants to keep pace.
"(It must) either commit to this, or look to divest itself of the asset at the best price," said Rich Nespola, chief executive at U.S. consultancy Management Network Group.
Spending includes 3G technology, which mobile operators hope will raise revenues as it becomes much more than a portable device for phone calls.
"They need 3G because data services are the only path to continue growing that makes sense," said a fund manager.
After operators spent around 100 billion euros ($121 billion) on 3G licenses in Europe in 2000, investors fret about a similarly inflated series of U.S. spectrum auctions next year. But the consolidation has reduced the number of bidders and might help make the next auction less expensive.
"It's not really clear what it all will cost," said a fund manager. "In the worst case, you could look at $10 billion (for spectrum and network gear). But as things stand now, I'd rather expect $5 billion over three to five years."
"That's manageable. They can do that, even without (their credit rating) being cut. To me it looks as if that's what's going to happen." ($1=.8275 Euro) (Additional reporting by Kenneth Li and Sinead Carew in New York)
Deutsche Telekom may sell T-Mobile USA
By Boris Groendahl
Reuters
Monday, July 4, 2005; 7:49 AM
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA
In a series of one-on-ones meetings with major investment funds, Chief Financial Officer Karl-Gerhard Eick and other executives of Europe's biggest phone carrier told fund managers a decision would be made by the end of the year.
But many investors are skeptical a buyer will emerge and question whether there was a sensible way to spend the $30 billion Deutsche Telekom could raise in a sale, and hope T-Mobile USA might need less investment if it goes on its own.
"There were several meetings with Eick in which they were testing what our reaction would be," said one fund manager at a major German fund who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The meetings happened around March, he said.
A fund manager at another major German fund, who also declined to be named, confirmed that options for the U.S. mobile business were discussed earlier this year.
"They said there would be a period of uncertainty (until the end of the year), and that we would have to trust them to make the right decision," the second investor added.
One option that Eick presented to investors was to sell the fast-growing business, bought for $40 billion during the peak of the telecoms bubble, while it was still on a good run, signing up subscribers fast, and boosting sales and earnings.
The second scenario was to buy permits for third-generation (3G) mobile phone services in auctions next year and build a 3G network for such services as streaming music and video calls. Analysts reckoned costs of up to $10 billion.
Possible buyers would be Britain's Vodafone Group
"Eick was saying half jokingly how he could always call (Vodafone Chief Executive) Arun Sarin if he wanted to sell," one fund manager said.
But Vodafone, whose U.S. mobile arm, Verizon Wireless, is a joint venture with Verizon Communications
GROWTH ENGINE
"Potential buyers of T-Mobile USA do not seem to be forming a queue," analysts at CSFB said in a research note last week. Deutsche Telekom would have to perform a strategic about-face if it sold the business.
T-Mobile USA has been among the fastest growing U.S. providers in recent years, with a more than 30 percent rise in customers and core earnings growth of nearly 50 percent in 2004.
T-Mobile USA had $2.85 billion in revenues and more than 18 million customers at the end of the first quarter.
Moreover, it was the sole growth motor of the entire Deutsche Telekom group. With fixed-line revenues in its domestic market and mobile sales in most of Europe slipping, T-Mobile USA is Chief Executive Kai-Uwe Ricke's brightest star.
"Ricke can kiss good-bye to his goal to be the fastest-growing European integrated telecoms operator if he sells T-Mobile USA," said one fund manager. "There is nothing he could buy that would deliver growth on the same scale."
After the latest round of consolidation in the U.S. mobile industry, which had six large players this time last year, the number of national operators is expected to drop later this year to four from five.
Analysts say T-Mobile, the smallest of the four operators, will have to prop up spending if it wants to keep pace.
"(It must) either commit to this, or look to divest itself of the asset at the best price," said Rich Nespola, chief executive at U.S. consultancy Management Network Group.
Spending includes 3G technology, which mobile operators hope will raise revenues as it becomes much more than a portable device for phone calls.
"They need 3G because data services are the only path to continue growing that makes sense," said a fund manager.
After operators spent around 100 billion euros ($121 billion) on 3G licenses in Europe in 2000, investors fret about a similarly inflated series of U.S. spectrum auctions next year. But the consolidation has reduced the number of bidders and might help make the next auction less expensive.
"It's not really clear what it all will cost," said a fund manager. "In the worst case, you could look at $10 billion (for spectrum and network gear). But as things stand now, I'd rather expect $5 billion over three to five years."
"That's manageable. They can do that, even without (their credit rating) being cut. To me it looks as if that's what's going to happen." ($1=.8275 Euro) (Additional reporting by Kenneth Li and Sinead Carew in New York)
Friday, July 01, 2005
DigitalCamera@101reviews � Creative Introduces Zen Sleek
DigitalCamera@101reviews � Creative Introduces Zen SleekThursday, Jun 30, 2005
Creative Introduces Zen Sleek
Category: News
Creative Introduces Zen SleekCreative has launched an Apple iPod mini lookalike in its latest member of the Zen MP3 players - Zen Sleek
Award-winning Zen family gains a new member featuring a striking design with distinctive materials and textures.
Creative the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, announces the exciting new Zen Sleek MP3 player. This compact, high-end player, with large backlit display and touch-sensitive controls, combines sleek, glossy white contours with smooth aluminium, making it ultra-stylish as well as easy to use.
Everyone can enjoy using the Zen Sleek, thanks to the intuitive design of its backlit Touch Pad control which gives natural, one-handed fingertip management of all the player’s functions, even in poor light. It is complemented by the large blue backlit display, which provides all the information users need about tracks, artists, playlists and settings. The Zen Sleek can store up to 10,000 songs* in WMA or 5,000 in MP3, while quick and easy downloads from a PC at up to a song per second are assured by support for USB 2.0. It can also record direct from its built-in FM radio and microphone and offers playtimes up to 16 hours from the rechargeable battery.
“The Zen Sleek is the latest expression of Zen style,” comments Geraldine De Bonis, European Business Manager for MP3 Players with Creative. “Its combination of cutting edge design with the most advanced audio technology makes it a unique and modern statement of excellence. It’s the player for people who want an individual product with outstanding sound.”
The Zen Sleek fits comfortably into the hand for fingertip management of all its powerful features. Output can be adjusted to personal taste via the Equalisation feature, which offers nine acoustic environments. Like other Creative MP3 players, it supports the widest choice of music download services, giving owners easier access to the music they want.
Zen Sleek Features:
· Stunning design, in smooth aluminium and cool white contours.
· 20GB hard disk stores up to 10,000 songs* in WMA or 5,000 in MP3. Also supports WAV.
· Vertical touchpad with LED backlight is quick and intuitive to use, gives total control with fingertip touch.
· Large blue backlit display for access to comprehensive track information and settings.
· FM tuner with 32 presets and direct recording, to capture memorable broadcasts.
· Built-in microphone for live voice recording and personal notes.
· Equalisation feature with nine acoustic environments such as ‘rock’ or ‘jazz’, plus bass boost, enable listeners to customise music to their personal preferences.
· USB 2.0 connection, for downloads at up to a song per second.
*Based on four-minute songs at 64Kbps in WMA, 128Kbps in MP3.
Creative Introduces Zen Sleek
Category: News
Creative Introduces Zen SleekCreative has launched an Apple iPod mini lookalike in its latest member of the Zen MP3 players - Zen Sleek
Award-winning Zen family gains a new member featuring a striking design with distinctive materials and textures.
Creative the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, announces the exciting new Zen Sleek MP3 player. This compact, high-end player, with large backlit display and touch-sensitive controls, combines sleek, glossy white contours with smooth aluminium, making it ultra-stylish as well as easy to use.
Everyone can enjoy using the Zen Sleek, thanks to the intuitive design of its backlit Touch Pad control which gives natural, one-handed fingertip management of all the player’s functions, even in poor light. It is complemented by the large blue backlit display, which provides all the information users need about tracks, artists, playlists and settings. The Zen Sleek can store up to 10,000 songs* in WMA or 5,000 in MP3, while quick and easy downloads from a PC at up to a song per second are assured by support for USB 2.0. It can also record direct from its built-in FM radio and microphone and offers playtimes up to 16 hours from the rechargeable battery.
“The Zen Sleek is the latest expression of Zen style,” comments Geraldine De Bonis, European Business Manager for MP3 Players with Creative. “Its combination of cutting edge design with the most advanced audio technology makes it a unique and modern statement of excellence. It’s the player for people who want an individual product with outstanding sound.”
The Zen Sleek fits comfortably into the hand for fingertip management of all its powerful features. Output can be adjusted to personal taste via the Equalisation feature, which offers nine acoustic environments. Like other Creative MP3 players, it supports the widest choice of music download services, giving owners easier access to the music they want.
Zen Sleek Features:
· Stunning design, in smooth aluminium and cool white contours.
· 20GB hard disk stores up to 10,000 songs* in WMA or 5,000 in MP3. Also supports WAV.
· Vertical touchpad with LED backlight is quick and intuitive to use, gives total control with fingertip touch.
· Large blue backlit display for access to comprehensive track information and settings.
· FM tuner with 32 presets and direct recording, to capture memorable broadcasts.
· Built-in microphone for live voice recording and personal notes.
· Equalisation feature with nine acoustic environments such as ‘rock’ or ‘jazz’, plus bass boost, enable listeners to customise music to their personal preferences.
· USB 2.0 connection, for downloads at up to a song per second.
*Based on four-minute songs at 64Kbps in WMA, 128Kbps in MP3.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
msmobiles.com - T-Mobile launches web-n-walk also for Windows Mobile phones new SDA smartphone coming
msmobiles.com - T-Mobile launches web-n-walk also for Windows Mobile phones new SDA smartphone comingT-Mobile launches web-n-walk also for Windows Mobile phones + new SDA smartphone coming
June 29, 2005 [General]
T-Mobile transfers Internet experience on PCs to cell phones... including MDA Compact Pocket PC phone and new SDA (!!!) Microsoft Smartphone!
More information from T-Mobile follows.
* * * * *
web’n’walk: T-Mobile launches open mobile Internet.
* T-Mobile transfers Internet experience on PCs to cell phones
* Easy spontaneous access to the World Wide Web with Sidekick II, MDA compact, Nokia 6680 and the new SDA model
* Fast, user-friendly surfing with optimized Internet browsers
* Worry-free offers: Internet-optimized devices with attractive price plans
T-Mobile is the first carrier in Europe to bring free Internet to mobile phones: web’n’walk is the name of the offer that T-Mobile is using to compile attractive packages for mobile users in the World Wide Web. The first web’n’walk offers are now available in Germany and Austria. In the course of the year, mobile Internet will also spread to Great Britain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
The vital difference from mobile portals and their often restricted content is that web’n’walk gives T-Mobile customers not only far greater flexibility in Internet usage but also the advantages of free Internet, with optimized quality and low package prices. This offer from T-Mobile gives customers the opportunity to transfer Internet experience they have gained on their PCs to mobile scenarios, with the added advantage of the spontaneity and flexibility that are typical of cell phones.
“With web’n’walk we are giving vital impetus to mobile Internet usage,” says René Obermann, CEO at T-Mobile International. “We are paving the way to free Internet for our mobile customers, demonstrating once again that we are the innovation leader in the mobile communications market.”
“web’n’walk lets our customers click into their favorite sites wherever they happen to be, retrieve the information they require and subscribe to entertainment offers,” adds Ulli Gritzuhn, CMO at T Mobile International. “We expect all data-enabled cell phones from T-Mobile to be web’n’walk devices in five years’ time.”
To mark the launch, four cell phones will offer the new web’n’walk experience: Sidekick II, MDA compact, Nokia 6680 and the new SDA model. Sidekick II came to market in June and has a full-size keyboard and large color display – spelling maximum ease of use for Internet access. A special compression procedure accelerates retrieval and display of the Internet pages. E-mails are delivered automatically and promptly to their recipients via the mail push service.
MDA compact provides T-Mobile customers with a fast, easy-to-use access medium to the open Internet. To make MDA compact even speedier, the device now comes with an improved Internet browser.
The third cell-phone model in the web’n’walk launch offer is a Nokia 6680. With this compact device, users can, for example, use T-Mobile’s UMTS network (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) to pick up e mails plus attachments at high speeds and for fast Internet searches. Special software also optimizes page representation in 262,000 colors on the Nokia 6680 display.
Around September, T-Mobile is due to introduce a fourth web’n’walk device, the new SDA model, which will attract above all a mass market. This full-size smart phone will have an optimized Internet browser for even faster surfing on the open Internet. T-Mobile also has plans to greatly expand its web’n’walk mobile device portfolio in the coming months.
“Our target is to attract several hundreds of thousands of new web’n’walk customers by the end of 2006,” René Obermann quotes the sales forecast for the new offer. “What’s more, we expect ARPU (average revenue per user) to climb significantly for customers using the mobile Internet.”
To ensure that Sidekick II and MDA compact users on the move can access the Internet offers they need with minimum effort, the Google search engine is preconfigured as the homepage, accessible via the Internet Explorer icon. In the future, T-Mobile and Google Inc. will cooperate closely on the new web’n’walk offers. They aim to further improve the comfort, benefit and speed of Internet access with cell phones from T Mobile. In addition to the search engine, users will find a list of interesting links. Here, they can click their way rapidly to RTL news, online weather forecasts or Postbank’s online offers. And of course users can replace this homepage with their own personal favorite at any time.
To mark the launch of the web’n’walk offer, T-Mobile is introducing new volume-based data options in Germany and, at the same time, making its existing offers even more attractive. For example, the new Data 30 option offers a monthly inclusive volume of 30 MB for mobile data transmission, instead of the previous 10 MB, and at a monthly price of only EUR 10. Once the inclusive volume is used up, a price of EUR 1.90 is charged for each additional MB. There is also a special attraction for everyone who surfs the mobile net with Sidekick II: the 30 MB limit for the Sidekick Data option is being lifted until the end of the year. This means that a real flat rate option is now available in T-Mobile Deutschland’s network for a monthly price of EUR 15.
June 29, 2005 [General]
T-Mobile transfers Internet experience on PCs to cell phones... including MDA Compact Pocket PC phone and new SDA (!!!) Microsoft Smartphone!
More information from T-Mobile follows.
* * * * *
web’n’walk: T-Mobile launches open mobile Internet.
* T-Mobile transfers Internet experience on PCs to cell phones
* Easy spontaneous access to the World Wide Web with Sidekick II, MDA compact, Nokia 6680 and the new SDA model
* Fast, user-friendly surfing with optimized Internet browsers
* Worry-free offers: Internet-optimized devices with attractive price plans
T-Mobile is the first carrier in Europe to bring free Internet to mobile phones: web’n’walk is the name of the offer that T-Mobile is using to compile attractive packages for mobile users in the World Wide Web. The first web’n’walk offers are now available in Germany and Austria. In the course of the year, mobile Internet will also spread to Great Britain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
The vital difference from mobile portals and their often restricted content is that web’n’walk gives T-Mobile customers not only far greater flexibility in Internet usage but also the advantages of free Internet, with optimized quality and low package prices. This offer from T-Mobile gives customers the opportunity to transfer Internet experience they have gained on their PCs to mobile scenarios, with the added advantage of the spontaneity and flexibility that are typical of cell phones.
“With web’n’walk we are giving vital impetus to mobile Internet usage,” says René Obermann, CEO at T-Mobile International. “We are paving the way to free Internet for our mobile customers, demonstrating once again that we are the innovation leader in the mobile communications market.”
“web’n’walk lets our customers click into their favorite sites wherever they happen to be, retrieve the information they require and subscribe to entertainment offers,” adds Ulli Gritzuhn, CMO at T Mobile International. “We expect all data-enabled cell phones from T-Mobile to be web’n’walk devices in five years’ time.”
To mark the launch, four cell phones will offer the new web’n’walk experience: Sidekick II, MDA compact, Nokia 6680 and the new SDA model. Sidekick II came to market in June and has a full-size keyboard and large color display – spelling maximum ease of use for Internet access. A special compression procedure accelerates retrieval and display of the Internet pages. E-mails are delivered automatically and promptly to their recipients via the mail push service.
MDA compact provides T-Mobile customers with a fast, easy-to-use access medium to the open Internet. To make MDA compact even speedier, the device now comes with an improved Internet browser.
The third cell-phone model in the web’n’walk launch offer is a Nokia 6680. With this compact device, users can, for example, use T-Mobile’s UMTS network (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) to pick up e mails plus attachments at high speeds and for fast Internet searches. Special software also optimizes page representation in 262,000 colors on the Nokia 6680 display.
Around September, T-Mobile is due to introduce a fourth web’n’walk device, the new SDA model, which will attract above all a mass market. This full-size smart phone will have an optimized Internet browser for even faster surfing on the open Internet. T-Mobile also has plans to greatly expand its web’n’walk mobile device portfolio in the coming months.
“Our target is to attract several hundreds of thousands of new web’n’walk customers by the end of 2006,” René Obermann quotes the sales forecast for the new offer. “What’s more, we expect ARPU (average revenue per user) to climb significantly for customers using the mobile Internet.”
To ensure that Sidekick II and MDA compact users on the move can access the Internet offers they need with minimum effort, the Google search engine is preconfigured as the homepage, accessible via the Internet Explorer icon. In the future, T-Mobile and Google Inc. will cooperate closely on the new web’n’walk offers. They aim to further improve the comfort, benefit and speed of Internet access with cell phones from T Mobile. In addition to the search engine, users will find a list of interesting links. Here, they can click their way rapidly to RTL news, online weather forecasts or Postbank’s online offers. And of course users can replace this homepage with their own personal favorite at any time.
To mark the launch of the web’n’walk offer, T-Mobile is introducing new volume-based data options in Germany and, at the same time, making its existing offers even more attractive. For example, the new Data 30 option offers a monthly inclusive volume of 30 MB for mobile data transmission, instead of the previous 10 MB, and at a monthly price of only EUR 10. Once the inclusive volume is used up, a price of EUR 1.90 is charged for each additional MB. There is also a special attraction for everyone who surfs the mobile net with Sidekick II: the 30 MB limit for the Sidekick Data option is being lifted until the end of the year. This means that a real flat rate option is now available in T-Mobile Deutschland’s network for a monthly price of EUR 15.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
In-depth survey from Handango reveals behavior and trends for PDA and smartphone downloads
In-depth survey from Handango reveals behavior and trends for PDA and smartphone downloadsIn-depth survey from Handango reveals behavior and trends for PDA and smartphone downloads
News : Windows Mobile Pocket PC : Software, posted 29-JUN-2005 09:52
Third-party software is a powerful influencer in the decision to purchase a smartphone or handheld, according to a recent Handango survey of mobile content users and their behavior. The in-depth results from more than 14,000 buyers of mobile downloads revealed that the selection and quality of third-party software had a "strong influence" or "somewhat of an influence" on 69% of the users' decisions to purchase their mobile devices. The availability of third-party software was also ranked as the third most important influencer in a device buying decision behind only "need in my personal life" and "need in my line of work".
"The rich data from our customer survey enables Handango and our partners -- including mobile operators, handset manufacturers, portals and developers -- to optimize content discovery, purchasing and usage, which helps us grow the overall mobile downloads ecosystem," said Randy Eisenman, president and chief executive officer of Handango. "This year, we're also very excited to make a subset of the survey data available to the public in an effort to spread awareness of the desires and needs of mobile content users."
Additional findings from the survey revealed that people who actively use mobile content on their smartphones and handhelds are more satisfied with their mobile device and less likely to change brands. Ninety-four percent of respondents indicated that they are "extremely satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their mobile device experience.
In the same survey last year, customers ranked "multimedia capabilities" as a minor influence in their decision to buy a mobile device. This year, customers ranked the multimedia capabilities of the mobile device as a more important buying criterion than price and the sixth most important criterion overall behind "need in personal life", "need in line of work", "availability of third-party software", "wireless capabilities" and "brand".
Seventy-one percent of respondents reported having purchased and installed more than five applications, not including trials and freeware, indicating extremely active usage. However, despite extremely high satisfaction and usage rates, two out of five respondents reported having difficulty licensing their mobile applications. Currently, mobile content providers employ a wide variety of licensing schemes which may lead to the high rate of issues.
Customers ranked "availability of a trial" was the number one influencer in their decision to purchase mobile downloads. While there was a strong desire to try applications before buying, respondents indicated that only very short trial periods are needed. Sixty-nine percent of customers say they need less than three days to evaluate an application and 29% said they need less than one hour.
The survey also uncovered a wide array of user preferences. Customers indicated that they are primarily interested in applications in four key categories: Business & Professional, Productivity, Utilities and Games. Yet, their specific uses within these and other secondary categories were excessively broad. When customers were asked which application led them to purchase their current mobile device, their responses ran the gamut with no single response gathering more than 5% of answers. This indicates a wide variety of personalization and professional needs which can only be met by a broad selection of mobile downloads.
News : Windows Mobile Pocket PC : Software, posted 29-JUN-2005 09:52
Third-party software is a powerful influencer in the decision to purchase a smartphone or handheld, according to a recent Handango survey of mobile content users and their behavior. The in-depth results from more than 14,000 buyers of mobile downloads revealed that the selection and quality of third-party software had a "strong influence" or "somewhat of an influence" on 69% of the users' decisions to purchase their mobile devices. The availability of third-party software was also ranked as the third most important influencer in a device buying decision behind only "need in my personal life" and "need in my line of work".
"The rich data from our customer survey enables Handango and our partners -- including mobile operators, handset manufacturers, portals and developers -- to optimize content discovery, purchasing and usage, which helps us grow the overall mobile downloads ecosystem," said Randy Eisenman, president and chief executive officer of Handango. "This year, we're also very excited to make a subset of the survey data available to the public in an effort to spread awareness of the desires and needs of mobile content users."
Additional findings from the survey revealed that people who actively use mobile content on their smartphones and handhelds are more satisfied with their mobile device and less likely to change brands. Ninety-four percent of respondents indicated that they are "extremely satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their mobile device experience.
In the same survey last year, customers ranked "multimedia capabilities" as a minor influence in their decision to buy a mobile device. This year, customers ranked the multimedia capabilities of the mobile device as a more important buying criterion than price and the sixth most important criterion overall behind "need in personal life", "need in line of work", "availability of third-party software", "wireless capabilities" and "brand".
Seventy-one percent of respondents reported having purchased and installed more than five applications, not including trials and freeware, indicating extremely active usage. However, despite extremely high satisfaction and usage rates, two out of five respondents reported having difficulty licensing their mobile applications. Currently, mobile content providers employ a wide variety of licensing schemes which may lead to the high rate of issues.
Customers ranked "availability of a trial" was the number one influencer in their decision to purchase mobile downloads. While there was a strong desire to try applications before buying, respondents indicated that only very short trial periods are needed. Sixty-nine percent of customers say they need less than three days to evaluate an application and 29% said they need less than one hour.
The survey also uncovered a wide array of user preferences. Customers indicated that they are primarily interested in applications in four key categories: Business & Professional, Productivity, Utilities and Games. Yet, their specific uses within these and other secondary categories were excessively broad. When customers were asked which application led them to purchase their current mobile device, their responses ran the gamut with no single response gathering more than 5% of answers. This indicates a wide variety of personalization and professional needs which can only be met by a broad selection of mobile downloads.
Google Earth 3.0 review by PC Magazine
Google Earth 3.0 review by PC MagazineGoogle Earth 3.0
REVIEW DATE: 06.28.05
# Company: Google Inc., www.google.com
# Price: Free. Plus version: $20 per year
Total posts: 2
Buy It Here $0.00
By Richard V. Dragan
When the Keyhole satellite-imagery Web service debuted last year, we were impressed with the technology—so much so that we gave it our award for technical excellence. The folks at Google saw the potential too and used some of the company's IPO booty to snatch up Keyhole. The result is Google Earth 3.0: the same wide-ranging, detailed aerial images provided by Keyhole, combined with Google's excellent local search capabilities. And since the formerly $299 service is now free, we're even bigger fans. Whether you're traveling or just geographically curious, this new service presents map information using an intuitive, interactive virtual globe.
To get started, you download and install the 10MB Google Earth client, which provides access to the company's digital imagery servers. Type in an address and the on-screen view zooms in to it with a satellite's perspective in real time. (A 128-Kbps network connection is required.) You can use the convenient buttons to navigate in any direction, zoom in and out, and tilt the terrain for a true 3D effect.
Google Earth 3D Cities In this version, Google has beefed up its collection of satellite imagery for worldwide coverage and has added 3D views of about 40 American cities. Buildings are rendered in gray blocks only, but that's enough to give a perspective of each city's skyline.
As you scroll around and zoom in and out, the animation is seamless and simply a joy to experience. Services like TerraFly present satellite imagery, but they don't offer such smooth movement. (It remains to be seen whether Microsoft's announced MSN Virtual Earth will offer the same sort of animation when it debuts this summer.) The easy-to-use client app also features panels for displaying maps, as well as for searching and cataloging your favorite places. You can annotate any location using a placemark (akin to a bookmark), and even add a live URL link. You can save and share annotations as XML files, and also e-mail or print any image on the site. And as with the original Keyhole service, you can mark two locations on the map and the service will calculate the distance between them.
Beyond marking individual points of interest, Google Earth gives you over 100 available geographical and business overlays to choose from, ranging from restaurants and other businesses to weather, crime statistics, and geology. In a big city like New York, these annotations can quickly become overcrowded, but the service had no trouble pointing out Italian restaurants in Manhattan, for example.
For any point of interest or business, Google Earth lets you link to the Google Local search feature, as well as to Google Maps. By default, linked pages are displayed in the embedded browser showing detailed information about a restaurant or business. One nit here is that cross-referencing satellite imagery (in Google Earth) and a standard road map (in Google Maps) was a bit awkward. Putting additional detail into pop-up windows on the actual satellite map (an approach that is apparently in the works for MSN Virtual Earth) seems like a better idea to us. And for getting driving directions, we actually preferred the driving locations in Google Maps for clarity. The animated flyover option inside Google Earth give you a bird's-eye view of your route, but the animation can be disorienting, especially for city driving. Luckily, text-based directions are available in both Google Earth and Maps.
A Plus version of Google Earth ($20 per year) adds the ability to draw shapes on maps and to import data from common GPS devices. The business-oriented Pro version ($400 per year) increases resolution for printing and lets you save your fly-by tours as video files for animations. But the vast majority of users will be well served by the free version. Its ability to provide smooth virtual flyovers is the best we've seen to date, and the integration of Google's search technology makes it even more useful.
REVIEW DATE: 06.28.05
# Company: Google Inc., www.google.com
# Price: Free. Plus version: $20 per year
Total posts: 2
Buy It Here $0.00
By Richard V. Dragan
When the Keyhole satellite-imagery Web service debuted last year, we were impressed with the technology—so much so that we gave it our award for technical excellence. The folks at Google saw the potential too and used some of the company's IPO booty to snatch up Keyhole. The result is Google Earth 3.0: the same wide-ranging, detailed aerial images provided by Keyhole, combined with Google's excellent local search capabilities. And since the formerly $299 service is now free, we're even bigger fans. Whether you're traveling or just geographically curious, this new service presents map information using an intuitive, interactive virtual globe.
To get started, you download and install the 10MB Google Earth client, which provides access to the company's digital imagery servers. Type in an address and the on-screen view zooms in to it with a satellite's perspective in real time. (A 128-Kbps network connection is required.) You can use the convenient buttons to navigate in any direction, zoom in and out, and tilt the terrain for a true 3D effect.
Google Earth 3D Cities In this version, Google has beefed up its collection of satellite imagery for worldwide coverage and has added 3D views of about 40 American cities. Buildings are rendered in gray blocks only, but that's enough to give a perspective of each city's skyline.
As you scroll around and zoom in and out, the animation is seamless and simply a joy to experience. Services like TerraFly present satellite imagery, but they don't offer such smooth movement. (It remains to be seen whether Microsoft's announced MSN Virtual Earth will offer the same sort of animation when it debuts this summer.) The easy-to-use client app also features panels for displaying maps, as well as for searching and cataloging your favorite places. You can annotate any location using a placemark (akin to a bookmark), and even add a live URL link. You can save and share annotations as XML files, and also e-mail or print any image on the site. And as with the original Keyhole service, you can mark two locations on the map and the service will calculate the distance between them.
Beyond marking individual points of interest, Google Earth gives you over 100 available geographical and business overlays to choose from, ranging from restaurants and other businesses to weather, crime statistics, and geology. In a big city like New York, these annotations can quickly become overcrowded, but the service had no trouble pointing out Italian restaurants in Manhattan, for example.
For any point of interest or business, Google Earth lets you link to the Google Local search feature, as well as to Google Maps. By default, linked pages are displayed in the embedded browser showing detailed information about a restaurant or business. One nit here is that cross-referencing satellite imagery (in Google Earth) and a standard road map (in Google Maps) was a bit awkward. Putting additional detail into pop-up windows on the actual satellite map (an approach that is apparently in the works for MSN Virtual Earth) seems like a better idea to us. And for getting driving directions, we actually preferred the driving locations in Google Maps for clarity. The animated flyover option inside Google Earth give you a bird's-eye view of your route, but the animation can be disorienting, especially for city driving. Luckily, text-based directions are available in both Google Earth and Maps.
A Plus version of Google Earth ($20 per year) adds the ability to draw shapes on maps and to import data from common GPS devices. The business-oriented Pro version ($400 per year) increases resolution for printing and lets you save your fly-by tours as video files for animations. But the vast majority of users will be well served by the free version. Its ability to provide smooth virtual flyovers is the best we've seen to date, and the integration of Google's search technology makes it even more useful.
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