Comtek-2003: "PDA market we have not noticed&quot

... That's for today summed up the situation, representatives of anti-virus company that produces software Dr.Web. He also said that the version of their applications for mobile devices is planned. On the one hand, the reason why, he said, was the uselessness of an objective view of the low prevalence of devices in our market, and with another - the need to protect the initial stage (ie, mail servers, desktop synchronization, etc.).. In general, all kind person showed that the product for handheld devices from Kaspersky, which is exhibited nearby, they nestrashen. Well, time will tell, but we'd better go through the mobile expositions Week of Information Technologies - Comtek, running from 22 to 25 April 2003 at the Expocentre in Krasnaya Presnya. Is on its way to the exhibition, I was looking forward to really worthwhile spectacle with all the consequences, as a: presentation of new devices, interesting people and cars, and much more. They arose these thoughts were many handhelds from people of different status in the streets of Moscow. There were both old enough devices (eg, Casio Cassiopeia E-125 in the hands of fragile blonde) and very fresh (eg, Sony Clie PEG-NZ90 in the hands of underage youngster). My expectations have begun to dispel is on its way to Krasnopresnensky pavilions, which receives a surprisingly small group of people that did not promise a large-scale show. Benefit in the opposite direction were satisfied visitors and were carrying a treasured freebie. I inspire and went to the first pavilion - the so-called "general part of the exhibition - Personal Computing Expo". As the site says its organizers, it is a "non-specialist section" Comtek ". According to established tradition, already the largest area of ​​the pavilion" Forum "took 1C, yellow agents," which, with due diligence have implemented all of passing bags, booklets, balloons. In general, kids, scurry from stand to stand, it was as old. Among the most interesting exhibits to us in this part of the exhibition is worth noting a lot of variety of notebooks. There are both standard options and subnotebooks, which by its dimensions slightly inferior keyboard device. Exhibited in the main pavilion and public computers that are a mix of laptop and desktop. Admittedly, this device is clearly aimed at the amateur, because along with the indisputable advantages, and have one big disadvantage - a small degree of transportability due to an external power supply. To weigh the pros and cons of the visitors were invited by the wonders worked with. To my surprise, the crowd was not all happening quietly and peacefully. Pleased and exhibited at the miniature PCs.By the standard monitor, keyboard, mouse and other inalienable attributes of computer life connects very small system unit. Cimpatichno and compact. But until the CCP is far ...:) In general, the desire for a minimalist, and as a consequence of mobility is obvious. Producers 'work on the patterns' high-tech mode, which requires preference miniature full-featured devices. On a lonely stand, located away from the hustle 1C, missed a consultant. It later emerged that an official representative of the Taiwanese firm Netac, engaged in production of flash memory. Russian users and our readers, the manufacturer may know, thanks to the unique CompactFlash-card slot with a cable that connects them directly to the port USB. The cost of these cards is not much higher than usual prices, but at the same time they come for owners of handheld devices, digital cameras and iPods. Sales (in particular MakTsentr) cards are available with capacities from 32 MB to 256 MB. Also in this part of the exhibition could be seen quite a lot of mp3-player ... ... And digital cameras that have attracted the attention of onlookers ... On my visit to this "national" part of the exhibition is over.

We now turn to business

Bypassing all the primary exposure, I was saddened to learn that this "Comtek-2003" for the national Ferris ends. At the same time remain unexplored pm Exhibition - "The business part of the exhibition - Business-to-Business". It seemed to me then, should be more interesting, because "visiting this part of the exhibit is only available for registered business users, which allows qualitative changes in the composition of visitors to this part and provides an opportunity for participants in a peaceful environment to present their products and services to interested professionals and business partners "and, accordingly, the level of the technologies should be higher. Expectations were met: the people was much smaller, and new products - the exact opposite. Among the familiar players and laptops are finally revealed signs of pocket-computer life. On the stand ASUS'a flaunted PDAs MyPal A600 and A620. For obvious reasons, attracted me more than the last. A company representative is very competently answered all the tricky questions about the device, and for more information advised to apply to the English-speaking assistant, that he says will give comprehensive information in the most authentic form.After our short conversation it turned out that the novelty will be in Taipei in late July, and we at the beginning of August. About the cost of the device until, of course, still early, but, according to a representative ASUS, it should be approximately equal to the current price of 600-th model, maybe a little more. Be equipped with reflective novelty (although the annotations to the device has been written about transflective - who to believe do not know) screen and install the operating system Pocket PC 2003. Also, according to the booklet, the model will equip with Intel XScale processor 400 MHz (whether it's PXA250 or PXA255 is still unknown, but surely the heart of the new machines will be the new same processor). Intelligence handheld will consist of 64 MB RAM and 32 MB ROM. 3.5-inch diagonal screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels can display 65536 colors. There are built-in microphone and speaker, as well as optional Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Expand the capabilities of this PDA will be using the standard slot Compact Flash Type II. His weight was 141 In the general standard Pocket PC Medium class:) At the request of our hands on a novelty I refused as I did not ask, so that the subjective impressions will not be. In any case, the model is very interesting, and therefore we will wait until it arrives. Further along the way met the company's stand SanDisk, which is known primarily for its memory cards. At the exhibition visitors showed also card readers, adapters and other devices with which these sandiskovskie flash compatible. Here again, the CCP was seen of all time - Casio Cassiopeia E-125. On the remaining area was not seen anything on the handheld-computer topics, but again fell Handsome ASUS S200 - the smallest and lightest notebook in the world, who came close to these figures to the PDA keyboard, but it's worth, though, is three times more expensive. Oh, and the Russification of pen-interpreter C-Pen - where do without it ...:) On this we are interested in a miniature computer is over, but began no less curious Offtopic.

Own Offtopic

Subjects beyond the pocket-computer topics, but at the same time, notable on this show was not very much. But nevertheless ... Entire pavilion was dedicated to a variety of delicacies of domestic and not very companies that are related to aviation, china, and even microwave ovens. In general, solid Offtopic on a computer exhibition. Our defense industry goes to ... the aquarium. Miracle-waza, which is beautifully lit, shimmering, and gives off smoke. Unique choice respecting genie! Keyboard HP 100LX handheld turns into ... portable analyzer nuclear materials based on CdTe-detector. With this exhibit I had a funny story. Began photographing an achievement of national genius, I noticed that I sent to a representative of the manufacturer, which is still a moment ago, bored in the side. Came and started questioning the consultant-ukoryayusche look at me. To somehow tie the conversation I said that actually these handhelds in the world for five years or both do not produce. Caretaker of domestic intellectual property is clearly offended and communicate for some reason declined. A pity ... Suddenly, we would have to turn your Rover P3 at the portable analyzer of nuclear materials based on CdTe-detector? However, is it we have to ...:) I would not have refused such monitorchika, and you? Just creatively decorated booth.

A small exhibition of big country

It is sad, but "Comtek" from year to year, all shallow. Visitors welcome half-empty halls, nedomontirovannye stands with sleepy malevolent employees. What is it? Reluctance of manufacturers show their new products to Moscow public, or lack thereof? Of course not. Maybe then fabulous price of rent in conjunction with a low prestige of the exhibition? But it already seems to be true. While organizers do not realize that we are not Hanover, and their offspring are not CeBIT, and producers do not feel that participation in this exhibition at least pay for itself, not to mention the profits, we will not see the "Comtek" nothing worth attention. In the case of a PDA, of course, still more complicated.So fans of handheld devices is better to go to the "Pilotovku" or go to the "Savyolovsky - much more fun and profit, and money for the ticket will not take. The authors, translation: