Communication - interaction of subjects for which there is an exchange of information, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and results activities.
Glossary of Terms methodological Communication in the modern world - has many faces. Every new method which adopts humanity, forms a whole subculture with its own rules, traditions and even language - whether it's "interaction of actors" via SMS or just emerging high-tech form of remote communication, involving and talk and exchange data such as emails and all sorts of files. Modern devices are able to maintain this form of communication - a communicator - hybrid PDA and mobile phone. Pioneers in this class appeared just a couple of years ago - and have been for the most part not too comfortable to handle, so you can talk about hi-tech level of communication. However, having overcome the sickness of the class of growth, the mobile industry has started offering real working solutions. In our today's review we will focus on device that's already the third generation - i-mate PDA2K. i-mate PDA2k is based on platform Blue Angel, developed by Taiwan's High Tech Computer Inc (HTC). Platform - the total for the set of communicators, sold under various brands, and therefore, become acquainted with our current hero, you'll have an idea of the Qtek 9090, and the O2 XDA III, and T-Mobile MDA III.
Design
i-mate PDA2k - «son of his parents." In terms of size and design sense of his kinship with communicators previous generation i-mate Pocket PC, MDA II and O2 XDA II. However, if not the most modest dimensions, is clearly inherited, the new product looks elegant. This effect is due to the streamlined geometry of the body and rounded lines outline display, which crowns the top fancy grille, and bottom - large navigation button.
Thanks to these forms, the communicator is very comfortable to hold in your hand - is not particularly reliable and pulls his hand.
In an aesthetic sense, of course, a man talking on such a unit, an unusual sight, and even attracts the attention surrounding the seemingly worldly-wise the streets of Moscow.
In order to make life easier for developers of user supplied device wired headset consisting of earphones and a microphone with a pin.
Wired headset, of course, saves the day. But we should not forget about the existence of a device built-in support Bluetooth, which allows you to connect its wireless analog and, thus, get rid of the hated wires. Producer could in principle (as it makes the company Rover Computers) immediately provide the device a wireless headset or sell it as an additional option. But I am sure that many will object to me, they say, a better person to choose and buy your favorite model. Only here will find a device and choose the headset is "common language" - one more question. But back to the design. Housing i-mate PDA2k consists of two halves. The upper part is made of silver plastic, while the bottom - from the black.The bottom half may move relative to the top, showing the open state of the hardware keyboard with a fairly large touch-sensitive keys.
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Almost every key has three functions - the Russian keyboard layout, the English keyboard layout and special characters. On the keyboard, you can work, typing text thumbs. At a certain perseverance and skill can achieve good results, notable Shahidzhanyan (famous author of touch typing tutorial). However, some users manage to achieve a similar speed and handwriting text.
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In favor of the keyboard, you can say that the buttons are well distinguishable. Black, red and green labels appear on a white background pretty well. For lovers of low light conditions (you never know where you will be a text type) has built the keyboard backlight. True, so common now, soft blue backlight color - not the best solution. Sometimes it is just annoying, so it would look much more urgent keyboard, highlight a neutral white. Unlike a handheld computer that has a maximum of 6.7 hardware keys, the communicator of their - 12. Among them: a large navigation button (D-PAD), eight programmable buttons, and 3 with fixed functions for them. Two of them are located in the upper part of the body (just above the display). By default, they are programmed to the most important for the mobile user applications - address book and calendar. Perhaps that is why these buttons are larger than the others dimensions.
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Another six keys are placed at the bottom of the front panel (just below the display).
Four of them are arranged in series (as in the classic Pocket PC). This is - call button on the Start menu, click OK, and the two combined in a key swing call, an Internet browser and email client. Naturally, such a value is given to them by default, but nothing prevents you to reprogram them to your liking. Next to them are buttons calls - receiving a call and cancel the call. Just like an ordinary mobile phone. They bear a special colored icons with backlighting. Three more buttons are located on the left sidebar, next to the IrDA.
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By default, they are responsible for managing the program voice recorder and digital camera. Between them is a two-position slider for volume control apparatus. Reprogram it to perform other functions (flipping pages while reading electronic books, scrolling in html) system means you can not.However, on the Internet I found a small program that corrects this situation. You can force the computer to lock all the keys (except the power on / off), but only when the device is turned off. This is to ensure that your machine is not turned on by accident while transporting in your bag or pocket. The right side panel is devoid of any connectors or controls.
The button "on / off" switch is on the top, next to the slot SDIO.
There you can find the stylus holder and 2.5 mm headset jack, protected by a rubber plug.
At the bottom there is an interface connector and the reset button.
Lens digital camera mounted on the rear panel.
Directly below it - the battery, which incidentally acts as the back cover.
Miniature device name is difficult. However, because of their dimensions (125h72h19 mm) i-mate any more than we have recently tested HP iPAQ h4705. However, with an amendment to the thickness for corrosive. Communicator 4 mm "complete" this pocket PC.
If we compare PDA2K with one of the champions among compact Pocket PC-PDA, HP iPAQ h4150, then our hero he visibly lost.
Despite the considerable dimensions, the device is perfectly fit in a breast pocket men's shirts, and pocket an elegant women's jacket.
Completion
The box PDA2K can be found as follows: - Own the communicator
- Leather case with clip
- Stereo headset with answer button
- stylus
- Cradle
- power unit
- adapter for the charger needed to connect the power supply to the PDA
- Software CD
- instructions.
Unfortunately, at the device connector to connect the power adapter is not true, complete with i-mate is a small adapter - stick it on the charger and going on a business trip.Network connector can also be found on the cradle, next to the USB cable.
Processor
Processor in the communicator Intel PXA263 clocked at 400MHz. Availability is not very fresh "stone" is understandable. Communicator - it's still not game console and a very powerful engine it is simply not needed. Constant search for compromise "power-performance for smartphones is reduced in favor of" power ".
It is only strange that our hero has no special utility for stress management and a clock speed of the processor. So that these processes are carried out without user intervention.
Memory
Volume ROM - 64MB (of which 43.26 MB of user area), and RAM - 128MB (which is available from 125.77 Mb).
The volume of user interface can not be called great. Especially against the backdrop of 80-90 MB for the latest models of handheld computers, but today's low enough price for card format SD, large amounts of ROM and do not need. However, the 43Mb will be enough for storage of personal data and to store a backup copy of the small size. To save personal data (contacts, appointments, tasks, connection settings) in the ROM has a special application Permanent Save. The program makes a copy of your personal data from RAM to ROM or restoring a backup of the ROM after a power outage or reboot.
To create a backup of the system using another built-in utility xBackup. In addition, the program overlap with the application Permanent Save, allowing you to create a copy of the contacts and meetings both in the ROM, and an external memory card.
Memory Cards
For a sufficiently solid dimensions of the device developers have managed to keep it without a second expansion slot. CF slot as there was no, or not. There is only SDIO. Let us not blame engineers from HTC - apparently, the installation of a dual memory card slots troublesome and economically disadvantaged:)
Performance
For clarity, we will compare the performance of the new device with handheld computers that were built based on Intel PXA27X and Samsung S3C2440.
No wonder that the 400MHz PXA263 520MHz and loses 624MGts PXA27X. Interestingly, the Intel PXA263 more powerful than the Samsung S3C2440 with the same clock speed. The speed of the file system, and in fact the speed of the memory (File system index) at the secondary level. The speed of the embedded applications (Platform Index) at the FS Pocket Loox 720 and HP iPAQ hx4705.Index of performance graphics system (Graphic index) is low enough - nearly three times the loss model, the average price level of HP iPAQ rx3715.
Performance graphics subsystem
In order to realistically assess the ability of a handheld computer to work with MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 files I used two different tests. First - this is a test video playback (MPEG-2) with a constant stream of 800Kbit / c program Pocket MVP Player.
The result was disappointing - 50% of missed shots and 15 shots / c. Pleasure below average. As a second test, we used a well-known program BetaPlayer 0.04 (MPEG-4).
But playback MPEG-4 at a very decent level (almost like the Pocket Loox 720) - without any visible "brake" and defects play. The conclusion is - for working with MPEG-2 device fits poorly, and for MPEG-4 (or DivX), on the contrary, very personal.
Display
Pocket PCs with VGA resolution is issued, at least about five (four of them, we recently tested). But communicators with such displays as long as there was no way and no. Hopes were placed on the new models on the platform HTC Blue Angel, but, alas, again QVGA resolution. Although it would seem, nothing prevents to do VGA displays, because the company-developer concurrently is the author of a platform for handheld devices with screen 640x480. In addition, both the operating system is already Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, and built-in applications are able to work on those.
What's the matter? And business as usual in the price of the ticket. " Modern third-generation device costs about $ 1000 and it is not with the latest display and processor. If, however, set it all "thing-thing", then the cost closer to a modern laptop, and it will scare away the already small number of users. Therefore in the i-mate PDA2K mounted display with a resolution of 320x240.
As I mentioned above, the computer operating system Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, which means that the support of two modes of display orientation - portrait or landscape. You can also change the font size and enter the correct definition to use the font (ClearType).
According to our measurements using a special methodology magazine Consumer: computers and programs, the maximum brightness of the display i-mate is 125Kd/m2, the minimum level of brightness - 40Kd/m2. The maximum level is slightly lower than the Pocket Loox 720 or iPAQ hx4705 (about 150Kd/m2), rather, at the ASUS A730. Strange that much overvalued minimum backlight level - 40Kd/m2 (30%). The normal level for most PDAs do not exceed 20Kd/m2. Therefore, in the dark without a light source to read is still not recommended - rather quickly tired eyes.Moreover, an overvalued minimum brightness level does not contribute to an increase in battery life.
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Adjust the brightness levels of PDA 2k total of 10, zero corresponds to the backlight OFF. Already at the lowest level (first division), the contrast reaches 1:50, which is more than enough for comfortable perception of information from the display in almost any lighting conditions. The natural disaster of all type of transflective displays with backlight - is ill-adapted to work in conditions of strong sunlight or, more simply, on the street. On the street perceive the text can only be a maximum illumination of the display (contrast of about 1:5). With backlight OFF, the situation is also bad. The text of the differences are very weak, so quickly make a backup copy can be read but should not for any external illumination (contrast less than 1:3).
Food
As a source of power, the computer has the most modern removable Li-Ion-Polymer battery capacity and built-in backup 1490mAch Ni-MH. Note, not Li-Ion, and Li-Ion-Polymer. In my old iPAQ h1945 is only Li-Ion battery. What does it mean in practice using a new type of battery? Smaller size at the same or greater capacity. Therefore, despite its impressive capacity, the main battery is small and light enough. Made a very original system battery indicator.
The main part of it - green. This means that the battery capacity - A working level. 20% of the maximum capacity of the battery icon turns yellow, and by 10% - in red, thus alerting the user of imminent need to recharge the battery.
Runtime
Runtimes (in the mode of a handheld computer) was checked by us has become the standard scheme.
While music is playing through a polyphonic speaker (display off) costavilo slightly less than 14 hours. E-book reduces the rate to 7 - 11 hours (depending on the level of illumination). When playing a video machine is enough for 3-40 - 5 pm (depending on the level of illumination). Well, the results are very good, but their record can not be named. You can tell at a very decent level. In phone mode (PDA functions are not used, the minimum level of illumination) for a sufficiently active use (my SonyEricsson T630 lacks in this mode for 25-30 hours) unit lasted about three days. Natural use of the communicator involves phone calls, internet access via a wireless connection (checking mail, reading news), read the documentation, video games, listening to music and video. With such an active and comprehensive application of inevitable necessity of daily (actually night) charge.
Kommmunikatsionnoe Equipment
We now turn to the most interesting part - the description of communication capabilities of the device - that because of what this type of pocket assistants called communicators. All communication settings reasonably made in a single system menu Connections.
Or rather, almost everything.The exception is for some reason Bluetooth manager, which the developers have placed in the programs menu. To manage the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPRS there is a special application Wireless manager. So, first things first.
GSM
I recall that i-mate PDA2K - is first and foremost, a communicator, and, consequently, has a built-in GSM transmitter / receiver, which allows him to work in mobile networks (850/900/1800/1900), as well as regular mobile phone. For the normal functioning only need one piece - not blocked SIM on any GSM operator. Mounted on it is directly under the battery. So the connector should be recognized to be unsuccessful.
There's one little nuance - insert the card is quite easy, but to remove it then there is problematic. True, you can help yourself hooked SIM cards tip of the stylus. To control the telephone part of the communicator is a special utility Phone. The program - a standard and virtually no different from similar applications for the operating system Windows Mobile 2003 Phone Edition. After installing the SIM card application requests a PIN code, and provides automatic network search.
In manual mode, you can choose one of three well-known GSM operators. In our case the tests were held in Moscow network operator "Megaphone" (Northwest GSM).
The program allows you to: - to dial and establish connection
- send text messages, which may use the standard expressions (from the library of the program) and check the spelling and grammar
- work with a wireless headset
- keep lists of calls (incoming, outgoing, not accepted)
- calculate the total time of all calls and separately for the last call
- customize ring tones and sound effects Keyboard
- work with voice mail
- blocking calls (incoming and outgoing calls, depending on the type of call)
- determine the number of incoming calls (if supported by the service plan and the operator)
- call redirection
- hold a call on the line during a conversation with another person.
In general, work with the communicator is no different from working with good modern mobile phone. In addition, our device has a dedicated Flight mode profile for travel on an airplane, in which all wireless adapters are disabled, as required by the safety of airlines.
Adjusting the sound system sounds your phone and carried separately.
Bluetooth
There is only one "correct" software that is able to "correctly" to work with hardware from any manufacturer. Sound familiar? No, now it's not about the operating system Microsoft Windows, on the agenda only program management capabilities of our Bluetooth-device and drivers from the company Broadcom (formerly Widcomm).
However, drivers are not quite the same as in handheld computers, a new generation of HP, ASUS and Fujitsu-Siemens. In their name to add a small index «PE», which means «Phone Edition». The program is distinguished by the presence of the profile to work with Bluetooth-headset. In the device installed version 1.0.0 (build 2200).
The application supports the standard profiles: - Explore a Bluetooth Device - search for devices with active Bluetooth adapter
- Connect to the Internet via Phone - Internet access via mobile phone with a Bluetooth adapter
- ActiveSync via Bluetooth - synchronizing with a desktop computer or laptop via Bluetooth interface
- Browse file on a remote device - a connection to the remote device to control its data
- Hands-free/Hands-set setup - connect a wireless headset
- Connect to a network - the network connection (LAN or Internet)
- Join a personal network - the connection with one or more devices to communicate or participate in online games
- Exchange business cards.
Bluetooth adapter worked without any glitches. During testing, I connected the i-mate with two different mobile phones (SonyEricsson T630 and Siemens S55), Pocket PC HP iPAQ h1945 and Wireless Headset JABRA BT200. Problems with identification devices and the exchange of data does not arise.
GPRS
Communicator supports just two classes of GPRS: Class 8 (4R1T - 4 channels at the reception, a channel for the transfer) and Class 10 (3R2T - 3 channel reception, 2 transfer). In addition, you can specify the method of user identification (PAP or CHAP). Job GPRS modem was able to verify only the networks in Moscow operator Megafon. The quality of reception - very decent. Baud rate, though is average, but to accept small mail and news reader it is sufficient. Still a small 3.5 "screen, bigger is not necessary.Those who prefer to view the html-pages on a large screen laptop or PDA can use the device as a GPRS modem (controlled by the application WModem).
Data transfer between computer and communicator may be implemented through a USB or serial cable (with the appropriate interface connector) or wirelessly (via infrared port or Bluetooth). If you suddenly find yourself out of coverage GPRS network, then, at worst, you can use the data transmission via GSM-network.
Wi-Fi
The essential difference between i-mate PDA 2K communicators from the previous generation is the availability of Wi-Fi adapter. In this regard, PDA2K is not inferior to modern handheld computers to hi-end class. Management settings in Wi-Fi adapter, the program is carried Wireless LAN Manager.
Struck by the low sensitivity of the radio. Signal level is 2 meters away from the wireless access point does not exceed 60%. Recently tested for iPAQ hx4705 signal in such a situation was close to 90%. However, despite the relatively low sensitivity of the receiver, the adapter raises no objections. Excellent communicator kept in touch as within 2-room apartment, and within a small (4-BRS) office. To improve the quality of signal reception, you can use a special utility which adjusts the gain of the receiver.
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The user can adjust the gain receiver / transmitter. True, the higher the gain, the more power consumption, and hence less battery life for devices in general. Therefore, when working on a wireless network try to find a compromise between sensitivity and energy-saving device. In addition, again to conserve power, you can enable a special mode in which Wi-Fi adapter will be automatically deactivated if not used within a certain time. Another feature of the Wireless Manager software is a constant connection support. What does this mean in practice?
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For example, if you work in a browser, the system tries to connect to the Internet, initially using Wi-Fi connection. Then, if the relationship is not established or breaks off, try to establish a GPRS connection. Thus, you are promised on-line anytime, anywhere. In reality, the connection is not instantaneous, and for the transition from Wi-Fi to GPRS it takes some time.Positive aspect of working with Wi-Fi is the availability of data encryption, with support for Communicator of the new standard WPA (Wi-Fi Protect Access).
Luggage
As mentioned above, the device has built-in digital VGA camera (CMOS). Controlled by "figure" application Camera, which allows you to shoot photos of JPEG, BMP, video formats - AVI, Motion-JPG AVI, H.263. Difficult to talk about good quality images at 640x480, but for placement in the network or to a contact from address book on your device it is quite enough.
Application settings are also not rich - a set of filters (sepia, black and white, cold and negative), Preset (Auto, Daylight, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Night Scene).
Possible primary image processing (contrast, gamma, sharpness and saturation). Before you sample photos:
Software
Album
This application, as you might guess, is intended for viewing images (bmp, jpg, gif), video (avi, mp4, 3gp) and music (mid, wav). With it is possible and view a slide show, add comments, histogram of colors for a particular image.
KSE Truefax 2.0
Program for a fax.
MIDlet Manager
Program to run Java-applets.
Caller ID
The program allows you to add each contact from address book small photograph that can be done using an integrated device in a digital camera.
As a result, when an incoming call is displayed not only the name and phone number, and picture caller.
SIM manager
Advanced manager of data stored on the SIM card. Allows you to work with contacts: create new and edit or delete existing ones.
Price issue
i-mate PDA 2K available now in the shops of "computer in the palm at a price of $ 949. Cost communicator nearly 1.5 times higher than the cost of the latest Pocket PCs with VGA screens.
Cons: - large size
- QVGA display (VGA to date is preferred)
- somewhat overestimated the minimum level of illumination
- poor performance when playing videos in MPEG-2
- No Compact Flash slot
- high price
Pros: - Convenient controls
- Built-in digital camera
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- GSM 850/900/1800/1900/GPRS
- good equipment (holster, headset)
- hardware keyboard with backlight
- decent performance for video playback in MPEG-4 (DivX)
- Li-Ion-Polymer battery high capacity, providing a decent battery life
- continued support of wireless connections.
Total
In conclusion, we emphasize that, despite the somewhat outdated processor, QVGA display, no slots for CF, i-mate PDA2K is by far the most modern and "clever" communicator on the market. This telephone service provides handheld wireless connectivity almost any standard (IR, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, Wi-Fi), can work in conjunction with a wireless headset, and its performance is more than enough not only to do basic PIM applications, but also for games and even play MPEG-4 video. The authors, translation:
