Postnovogodnyaya mobile panorama is published later than originally planned, for obvious reasons. So we have a few belated congratulations to all the New Year, but at the same time to recall what happened in the world of PDAs, smartphones and communicators in the last week the last in 2006. It would seem that it should pass quietly, peacefully, and not too exciting. An-not. Despite the Catholic Christmas, interesting news was quite a lot. For the powers that be "the end of the year - it's not so much time summarizing how the period of intense preparation for next year.
Smart CDMA-news
The network has information about upcoming updates for the U.S. operator Verizon Wireless. She has published web site Engadget Mobile. In Russia, with models of PDA and smartphone for CDMA networks frankly not a lot, but this drought can not last long. Operator Sky Link recently makes a great emphasis on promoting non-voice services, that is to dispense with collections of "smart" devices will continue to be highly illogical. In the meantime, you can see that they are going to offer its foreign counterparts. The first two devices - a development company HTC, only branded UTStarcom. They are called the UTStarcom XV 6800 and SMT 5800. The first little information about these devices first appeared in September - at the exhibition CTIA, held in Los Angeles. Both devices support high-speed data transfer standard 1xEvDO and, as indicated in the descriptions are amenable to upgrade to 1xEV-DO Revision A (the next step of evolution of EV-DO). UTStarcom XV 6800 is a smartphone with a sliding side QWERTY-keyboard, running an operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC AKU Service Pack 3. As the characteristics listed in the description, not all, yet not definitely say who he will be a competitor and whose is the heir. However, support for EV-DO and the presence of non-standard memory - 256 MB ROM and 96 MB of RAM allows us to conclude that the communicator, an advanced and powerful, it is probably analog HTC TyTN networks CDMA. Among other characteristics indicate a 2-megapixel camera, slot for memory cards microSD, support for wireless networking Wi-Fi (b / g) interface and Bluetooth 2.0. Let the readers do not mind a terrible acronym BBAC in the description - it's just Broadband Access, broadband access, in this case - EV-DO.
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UTStarcom SMT 5800, in fact, a version of a well-lit rumors Smartphone HTC Vox, just designed for networking standard CDMA. Feature of this model is the presence of two keyboards - digital and traditional QWERTY. The first is located under the display, like a conventional smartphone in candybar, and the second extends from the side. Previously, UTStarcom SMT 5800 smartphone is also mentioned, code-named Libra, but then the information about the model was extremely poor. In addition to support different cellular standards, there is one glaring difference between the HTC Vox and HTC Libra - a slightly larger internal memory capacity of CDMA-version - 96 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM, against the usual 64 MB RAM 128 MB ROM with GSM-version . The rest are expected to roughly the same characteristics - work that is running Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone (AKU 3), 2-megapixel camera, slot for microSD memory card interface and support for Bluetooth 2.0. However, until neither one nor the other model is not presented formally, saying that a certain bit premature. However, the company's intention to submit immediately GSM and CDMA versions of this smartphone form factor, says the belief in the future success of this solution.
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Last impending new operator Verizon, which appeared on the preliminary information - a smartphone manufactured by Samsung. Model Samsung SCH-i760 is also designed for CDMA networks and supports data transfer standard EV-DO. Its numerical index coincides with the model SGH-i760, designed for GSM-networks. Nevertheless, these two device significantly more different in design than you might think, looking at their names. But the main feature of the SCH-i760, attracts attention at the moment, is that according to rumors, the new product will be running the new operating system - Windows Mobile Crossbow. Apparently, for this reason, a tentative release date of the communicator is scheduled later than the previous two models - not in the first and second quarter of next year. From the information and images obtained as a digital communicator and a QWERTY-keyboard. True, it is not clear exactly how QWERTY will be nominated - the side or bottom like a normal slider phone. Note that the last option rather accustomed to "intelligent" creatures Samsung. Otherwise, the model does not attract attention - built-in memory 128 MB ROM and 64 MB RAM, support for wireless networking Wi-Fi (802.11b / g) and the interface Bluetooth 2.0, card slot microSD, as well as very weak by modern standards, 1,3 - megapixel camera.
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Members Pocket PC: Who are they and what do they want?
Company Spb Software House, a well-known developer of software for devices based on operating system Windows Mobile, announced the results of its international online survey among users of handheld computers and communicators on the platform Pocket PC. A similar study conducted for the third consecutive year and is gradually becoming a tradition. Thus, it is already possible to trace some of the trends and changes in the market of Pocket PC since 2004.
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Portrait of the most active participant in the survey like this: a man (93%) residing in the U.S. (26%), based on work related to computers and software (17%). Curiously, in comparison with last year, the number of Russians who took part in the study fell sharply from 16% to 4%, losing the first five places, Thailand, UK, Poland and the Netherlands. As noted by the company itself, this result was influenced by the intensity of advertising research in these countries. Thus, we can note a shift from Russian Internet users - in fact in the past two years they occupied the second place. The most popular among the respondents were as follows communicators and PDA: Dell Axim X51v (11%), Dell Axim X50v (5%), HP iPAQ hx4700 (4%), Qtek 9100 (4%) and Dopod 818 (HTC Magician platform is implemented in Qtek s100, and so on). In this case, the most popular brands - HTC (28%), Dell Axim (20%), HP iPAQ (17%), Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX (5%), Asus (3%). Here it should be noted that in past years, HTC has not participated in this rating as a standalone brand, because it produced a device under the name HTC, and this year it just took first place by a large margin from the nearest competitor - Dell Axim.
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Slightly changed the view of respondents about the most important parameters that influence the choice of Pocket PC. The first place for frequency reference is still the CPU, the second place - the use of PDA as a phone and its functionality in this area. These two parameters have increased their importance in the eyes of the public - have voted for them 21% and 20% respectively, against last year's 17% and 16%. The number of users for whom the PDA and communicators are the most important dimensions and weight decreased from 13% to 11%. The presence of built-in Wi-Fi (9%) shares fourth place with such a parameter as the quality of the display (9%). The price is still only a 6 spot, but it draws attention to an ever-smaller number of respondents - 7% instead of last year's 9%. It should be noted that in 2004 the price was in third place.
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The vast majority of users of Pocket PC (94%) remain indifferent to all sorts of accessories. The most common of them - this, of course, memory cards, protection for the screen, covers and styli, and only then go cables, GPS-adapters, extra batteries, other adapters, the cradle and keyboard. Here, the most striking decrease from 23% in 2004 to 15% in 2006, the number of users who buy an expansion card with Wi-Fi adapter, which is natural due to the increasing number of Pocket PC with built-in Wi-Fi. The average amount of memory cards has more than tripled since 2004 - from 314 MB to 1.2 GB. Also notes that the card formats miniSD and microSD are becoming more popular, and the proportion of CF-cards, by contrast, is reduced. Number of respondents who bought a speakerphone with Bluetooth interface has more than doubled, indicating that the sharply increased number of people using the Pocket PC as a phone. Increased number of devices with built-in GPS, however, is not too affected by the popularity of GPS-Accessories - users are buying them up this year 39% versus 30% in 2004, indicating that the grown popularity of GPS-functions in general.
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Many of the changes in the use of Pocket PC and software were due to the transition to a new operating system - Windows Mobile 5. Almost half the users compared with 2005, synchronize their communicators and PDAs with a PC via Wi-Fi connection (10% in 2006 and 18% in 2005) due to the lack of such features in recent versions of Microsoft ActiveSync. Another change associated with the new operating system and the use of non-volatile memory devices, expected Spb Software House - reducing the number of users who do not neglect the software for data backup. Nevertheless, this did not happen - there is a slight decrease, but very little - 80% in 2004 to 79% in 2006. On the one hand, Windows Mobile 5, although it is much more stable system than the previous version, but was unable to significantly increase the credibility of users in the platform. Nonetheless, a continued commitment to the backup most likely has less to do with the well known "stable" platform, but with the opportunity to make a backup copy of important data in case of unforeseen circumstances as a broken, lost or stolen mobile device.Dramatically increased the number of people who use the Pocket PC just as a phone, simply put, an increasing number of users of smartphones, but not simple PDA. Whereas in 2004 their percentage was 14% in 2005 - 35%, and in 2006 - already 56%. In this case, most users are still using Pocket PC as an organizer, and believe that this is his most important function - 85% in 2004 vs. 84% in 2006. The second and third most important role of communicators and PDAs with this change - from mobile devices for gaming and music (64% and 60% in 2004) on Web-surfing (73%) and work with e-mail (63%). Phone functionality is still in fifth place, still giving music and games (61% in 2006). Thus, we see that the role of the Pocket PC is a powerful means of communication, providing the opportunity to work in a mobile environment, is growing steadily year by year.
3G in Russia: in the foreseeable future
The problem of issuing licenses for providing third generation services in the Russian market is long overdue. From time to time the Minister of Information Technologies and Communications Leonid Reiman made statements varying degrees of certainty. Cell phones with support for third-generation networks are sold in Russia, but while the owners of such vehicles are forced to use not all of their functionality. Major operators back in 2001 began to create test zones of next generation networks, but further tests and trials could not go due to lack of licenses for commercial use. According to one recent statements by Reiman, 3G-network will be operational in the Russian Federation by the summer of 2007. And then, finally, an event which happened so long spoke and to which have long been preparing - the Federal Communications Agency has announced tenders for licenses 3G. In general, an official announcement is as dryly: "Open competitions 1-RCH/2007 №, № 2-RCH/2007, № 3-RCH/2007 the right to obtain licenses to provide mobile telephone communications will be conducted in accordance with the RF Government Decree № 8 .. " Next comes the three, in general, identical in essence the contest description: "The subject of the contest (lot) № 1-RCH/2007 is eligible for licenses to provide mobile telephone communications using radio frequency bands 1935-1950 MHz, 2010-2015 MHz, 2125-2140 MHz for use in the Russian Federation RES standard IMT-2000/UMTS with the starting date provision of mobile radio communications not later than 2 years from the date of the decision to grant a license. " Thus, it appears that will be awarded three licenses to provide telecommunications services in the UMTS standard frequency bands 1935-1950 MHz, 2010-2015 MHz, 2125-2140 MHz, 1950-1965 MHz, 2015-2020 MHz, 2140-2155 MHz, 1965 -1980 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, 2155-2170 MHz, respectively. Operators who receive these licenses will be required to begin providing these services no later than 2 years after obtaining a license. The size of a license fee of two million six hundred and forty thousand. Acceptance of applications will start in 10 hours (Moscow time) on January 16, 2007, and ends - 18 hours 26 February 2007. Date and time of opening the envelopes containing Bids 10:00 20 April 2007, ie shortly after that we can expect to take stock of the competition. Winners will be determined by the amount of points to be assessed on many criteria, including whether the number of Russian regions covered by the network of the operator, the total number of base stations planned in the commissioning for the future on 3G, the planned rate of deployment of the network and the like. According to analysts, is likely to be issued licenses to two operators of the "Big Three" (MTS, Beeline, Megafon) and the third operator license may get all the smaller or the same alliance of operators. An example of such an alliance - Tele2, SMARTS, and "New Telephone Company, which created the JSC" Grid Company to participate in the tender.
Nokia N93i approved by FCC
Preliminary data and vivid picture Smartphone Nokia N93i already appeared on the network. Recall that this is heir smartphone Nokia N93, has not yet been formally submitted. He will inherit the basic features - a clamshell with swivel screen and 3.2-megapixel camera with 3 x optical zoom. Now there is information semi-official character - a model has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).From published on the website of the organization of documents, we can conclude that future innovation is different from the Nokia N93 in the main design. N93i is thinner, has a number of modified controls and other decoration in general. But otherwise, it seems, the changes will not be too much. For example, expectations about the "real" miniUSB connector is not justified, since in the User Guide which is posted on the site FCC, noted the standard for the products of the Finnish giant telefonostroeniya pop-port.
Briefly about other events of the week
Rumors panorama of the week
Ultra-mobile PCs, the attempt number two World public opinion in advance of preparing themselves for possible information shocks the first major exhibition of the year - CES 2007 (Consumer Electronics Show), which starts on January 8. As reported rumors that may already be at the event, Microsoft introduced the second generation ultra-mobile PCs - UMPC. The first generation of these devices was presented in spring 2006, but they were not as good as expected - the price of a tall sizes too big and time on a single charge leaves much to be desired. It is expected that the new UMPC will be smaller and will have a more diverse form factors, than their predecessors. According circulating in the informal information networks, the internal code name for a new generation of devices - Vistagami, apparently by analogy with the code name of the first draft - Origami. They will operate on the basis of the operating system Windows Vista. Instead, the current generation running on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Yet another "hybrid» UMPC and Pocket PC probably already familiar with many of the new device, forthcoming by HTC, which is a Pocket PC with some features of the UMPC - HTC Athena. It appears that this hybrid has found followers. The network has pictures of the new brainchild of Tatung, which, like Athena, is similar in form factor ultra-mobile PC, but running the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC. In general, the photos - this is still the only available form of information about this device. Hopes to clarify the situation and the appearance of more detail assigned at CES.
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Soft-panorama of the week
Agendus: Now for Windows Mobile Organizer iambic Agendus on the company's previously been available to users, Palm and Symbian. Now, the company introduced the beta version of the application for devices running the Windows operating system Windows Mobile. The program is a multifunctional organizer with a variety of settings. It provides powerful capabilities for planning and memos, a variety of filters and display settings, the division of tasks and contacts into groups, support for colors and icons, as well as many other features.
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Resco Neeews!: RSS-aggregator for Palm OS Resco Neeews! - A program to work with RSS-channels on devices based on Palm OS 5. The company is currently Resco released a beta version of the application. Resco Neeews! Allows you to handle the tapes in the formats RSS 0.91, and older, as well as the Atom, set the refresh rate, change the title belt by hand. Among the nice features - the ability to search notes on the phrase extraction RSS-feed with the specified Web-pages, import / export OPML-files, including the interface Bluetooth, and e-mail. For a period of beta testing the application is free.
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Latest firmware for the Axim X50/X50v Dell has released another ROM update for its popular PDA series Axim X50/X50v from Dell. The new firmware provides an upgrade to Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.3.1, as well as several additional bonuses. It fits Axim X50 416 MHz, X50 and X50v 520 MHz 624 MHz already upgraded to Windows Mobile 5.0. Download the update from the site Dell: for Axim X50 416 MHz, X50 and X50v 520 MHz 624 MHz. Update Emulator Sony PlayStation FPSEce - emulator game console Sony PlayStation, designed for handheld computers and communicators based on Windows Mobile Pocket PC. Now, fans of games designed for PlayStation, have even more options. Version FPSEce 0.09.6 beta, among other innovations the operating system provides support for Windows Mobile 5.0, VGA-displays in landscape mode, and images. NRG. Instructions for using the emulator can be found here.
Business panorama of the week
Voxtel communicator and vocabulary in addition company Voxtel and ABBYY decided to make prospective buyers communicators and smartphones Voxtel, inviting them to kompekte gift CD-ROM with an electronic dictionary ABBYY Lingvo. Even after the New Year holidays in mid-January, the Russian buyers will be able to purchase these devices at the same time Get a handy glossary. Confused only one - so companies will offer 11 versions of ABBYY Lingvo, whereas in December, was released in 1912.
Hard-panorama of the week
New image smartphone RoverPC M5 company Rover Computers has updated smartphone RoverPC M5, wrap it in a new metal body in silver color.It should be noted that both new look much more stylish than ever before. Dimensions and weight have not changed - 108h45h16 5 mm, 99 g, against the previous 106x48x16 mm and 1999 filling remained unchanged - it is the same humble smartphone based on Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone. The updated model should appear on sale in the Russian market in February.
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Tiny Bluetooth-headset Argard M10 Bluetooth-Headset Argard M10 is more reminiscent of the shape screw or a nail with a big hat. She is so small and compact, which may well claim the title of the miniature Bluetooth-headset in the world. Dimensions babies are 22h23h31 5 mm, and weight - only 5 grams. The nearest competitors - Motorola H5 Miniblue with dimensions 33h41 mm and weighing 7.3 g, Nokia BH-800 with dimensions 41h18h9 mm and weighs 9 grams, as well as Samsung WEP200 with dimensions 40x17x9 mm and weighs 8 g. Battery life claimed in principle not bad for such parameters - talk time up to 3 hours and standby time - 100 hours. The quality of sound while modestly silent. But it is doubtful that under such a form when the microphone is far from the mouth, the sound was very good.
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2.9-inch 800x480 Outside Japan, while extremely rare phones, which display has a VGA resolution or higher. Despite the geographic inequity, the Japanese companies involved in displays, do not stop and continue to develop the direction. Hitachi Displays will soon begin shipping the display diagonal is 2.9 inches, and resolution - 800x480 pixels. For comparison - the display with similar resolution currently used in ultramobile PCs, but their diagonal is 7 inches. With this new display provides a viewing angle of 170 degrees (vertical and horizontal), contrast ratio of 400:1 and brightness of 250 cd/m2. Phone with the display can be safely used to view conventional Web-pages without scrolling. True, it will be convenient, perhaps, only users with good eyesight.
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eCoupled: wireless power system eCoupled - a technology that will charge mobile devices without cables and connectors. Technology developed by Fulton Innovation, in collaboration with companies Visteon, Motorola, Herman Miller and Mobility Electronics. To recharge the principle of induction, as articulated in the writings of Faraday and Tesla, who are studying in upper secondary school. The main achievement of the same eCoupled - to overcome such traditional method for induction charging difficulties as the need for very precise and accurate tuning chargers and charging system, not only for power setting, but also in the spatial arrangement. Small changes in one or another parameter in the induction system lead to significant energy losses. By talents eCoupled is "intelligent" system that allows not only to charge different devices, but also to optimize the charging process, including, depending on the settings and battery status. According to the company, the energy loss in such an approach is extremely small - only 2%, which is comparable to traditional wired means charging. Demonstrated a wireless charging of mobile devices will be at CES, which will soon begin in Las Vegas. The authors, translation:
