Mobile panorama of the week, Issue 4 April

Couple the preceding week has flown to the mobile world under the sign of CeBIT 2007, held from March 15 to 21 in Hannover. Less than a week after CeBIT, as launched next show - CTIA Wireless 2007. It was held from 27 to 29 March in the U.S. city of Orlando. The bulk of the interesting events of last week occurred there.

HTC Shift: «behind glass or a new round of High Tech Computer

In November last year, the Internet, the public was agitated by rumors that the Taiwanese manufacturer High Tech Computer is working on a UMPC with an entirely new communications capabilities. As then reported, it will be a device like a miniature laptop with long battery life and an opportunity to make "real" phone calls. Then stir some sleep due to the emergence of information about the model HTC Advantage X7500. The fact that this in all respects an outstanding communicator was just a communicator, not the UMPC, despite the similarity of some parameters. For some time the main discussion focused specifically HTC X7500 and a real UMPC »was a time forgotten. But just a couple of weeks before the February announcement of HTC Advantage X7500, the network again rumors about UMPC from HTC. At this time, it was reported that the company is preparing a device with a 7-inch display, while Advantage is equipped with a 5-inch. At CTIA Wireless 2007, HTC has fully confirmed earlier rumors and made quite unusual for a device that actually corresponds to the proud title of UMPC. Model called HTC Shift, emphasizing the unusual form factor devices. The device consists of two modules - one with a display and one with a keyboard, respectively. Module with the display moves relative to keyboard module, as a communicator sliders. In this case, the display can not only move but also to raise the angle to the keyboard. As a result, the unit can be mounted on a desk or other horizontal surface, by analogy with laptops. In this position, construction looks pretty much the same as the HTC Advantage with buckled keyboard. It should be noted that there are so many UMPC has built-in keyboard, let alone provide such a choice of configuration options. Unfortunately, the company has said not all the details of the tactical and technical characteristics of the model. That's what it will be published at this time. HTC Shift is equipped with 7-inch touch widescreen display. Built-in hard disk has a capacity of 30 GB. Connectivity can be the envy of many communicators and telephones - to work in three frequency bands of mobile networks UMTS / HSDPA, quad-band networks, GSM / GPRS / EDGE, as well as wireless Wi-Fi and Interface Bluetooth 2.0. Thus, according to him, we could really call as the usual phone, although it will be convenient only when using a headset. The device will come preloaded with the operating system, Windows Vista Business. HTC Shift release scheduled for the third quarter of this year.New products will be available in the U.S. and European markets. For more details, including specifications and indicative prices, the company promises to announce later. Of course, journalists who were present at the show, tried to find out more about the debut of HTC. Unfortunately, the device has been demonstrated only for the glass and into the hands of his were not given. However, eyewitnesses reported that the UMPC is equipped with Via processor clocked at 1.2 GHz. In the photos we can consider sensor for user identification by fingerprints. Also note USB-port, VGA-port and card reader. Next comes the information that has not yet confirmed by official sources. The display has a resolution of a standard for nearly all UMPC - WVGA, 800x480 pixels, though it has begun to appear a model with higher resolution. RAM up to 1 GB. Card reader supports USB flash card format miniSD. And provides built-in camera, 1.2 megapixel resolution. According to some sources, the size of the order of 190x135x30 mm, which seems quite plausible. To compare the dimensions of the UMPC Samsung Q1, also equipped with a 7-inch display, but has a display on the sides wide enough edges, make 227,5 x139, 5x24 ,5-26, 5 mm. Unfortunately, information about the battery life is not yet known, but if you believe the rumors that preceded the announcement, while working on one battery charge should be good. Of course, before being able to draw conclusions must wait for official details. However, now we can say with confidence that the model for the debut of new UMPC on the market looks good. Unlike the first generation of ultramobile PCs that were released last year by several manufacturers and similar to each other like brothers, in the HTC Shift and using the original non-standard form factor. Such a constructive solution may very well win his fans and become popular. Convenience is that it does not require additional accessories and effort to get the dual with a QWERTY-keyboard UMPC, the display is conveniently located for the table. If desired, the device can be used as a traditional slider, just with extended QWERTY. Obviously, that coming on new to market segment, HTC is not going to stop there and waiting for us many interesting things in the future.

HTC Advantage X7501: plus one for OSes

HTC Advantage X7501 - it's big brother communicator HTC Advantage X7500, which was announced at the February 3GSM World Congress. Model X7501, as well as ultra-mobile PC HTC Shift, was presented at the CTIA Wireless 2007. In general, the main difference between "new items" on the X7500 device is that it is running the new operating system Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The rest is all the same powerful communicator with a 5-inch touch screen-resolution VGA (640x480 pixels), as well as thin QWERTY keyboard, is connected by magnets. It is also equipped with 8 GB hard drive, GPS-module, 3-megapixel camera, supports 3-band UMTS / HSDPA, 4 band GSM / GPRS / EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0 Interface and Network Wi-Fi. As promised manufacturer, HTC Advantage X7501 will be available through Amazon.com and other retailers this summer. Probably have in mind the U.S. retail channel, one pointing to this factor is located on the front page banner "Announce HTC Advantage X7501 in the United States." Recall that the sale HTC Advantage X7500 has already begun in some markets in Europe, in particular, its operator version of the T-Mobile Ameo. In Russia, the issue is scheduled for the first half of the year.Thus it is not entirely clear the fate of the model X7500, whether it will upgrade to the Windows Mobile 6 and if you get, when. Perhaps the difference in the marking indicates only the country spread and soon the two versions will work on the basis of the same OS.

CDMA-new products from HTC

UMPC HTC Shift and HTC Advantage X7501 PDA were not the only novelties of the company's High Tech Computer, presented at the exhibition CTIA. Also debuted two Windows Mobile devices to networks, CDMA. Smartphone HTC S720 and HTC P4000 communicator capable of working in a high standard EV-DO Rev A, which is the next step in the development of standard CDMA 1xEV-DO provides higher data rates compared to EV-DO Rev. 0, as the mobile terminal, and with him. Services based on EV-DO Rev A has already begun to be implemented by mobile operators, such as they had already provided U.S. operator Sprint and Japan's KDDI. Both new products from HTC will be available during the second quarter of the year. They were originally intended for a Canadian operator Telus, which has scheduled a representation of commercial service EV-DO Rev A. At the time of release, while the provision of services, EV-DO Rev A has not yet started, HTC P4000 and HTC S720 will work with the current service-based Telus EVDO Rev 0. Communicator HTC P4000 is a kind of version for CDMA-networks model HTC P4350 (Herald), released last year. This is the same device, a slider, a thin and lightweight compared with the HTC TyTN. Smartphone HTC S720 - a version of the HTC S710 (Vox), which was announced at 3GSM World Congress. Both models are equipped with retractable QWERTY-keyboard, the integrated 2-megapixel camera, slot for microSD memory card interface and support Bluetooth. HTC P4000 has a 2.8-inch touchscreen display with QVGA, supports wireless networks Wi-Fi. HTC S720 is equipped with 2.4-inch display that can switch from horizontal to vertical display mode and vice versa. In addition to the QWERTY-keyboard, it also has the usual digital. Like the HTC S710, a smartphone running Windows Mobile operating system 6. Recall that the first information about these two updates began to appear last fall, and the HTC P4000 labeled whereas HTC 6800 and S720 passed codenamed Libra. Judging by the preliminary information, they will be produced not only Telus, but also in other CDMA-operators.

UBiQUiO 503G: a new generation of Communicator

Of course, Taiwan's High Tech Computer was not the only company that submitted last week its new developments in the field of Windows Mobile devices at the exhibition CTIA. For example, introduced a new device from Chinese developer Tech Faith Wireless (TFW). Communicator will be available under the brand UBiQUiO. New - model called UBiQUiO 503G - an obvious heir communicator UBiQUiO 501, which was released last year. They are similar in form factor (horizontally oriented piece with a display and a QWERTY-keyboard), and just in design and design elements. UBiQUiO 501 looked like a rival smartphone generation Motorola Q, Samsung i320 and HTC S620 (Excalibur). Despite the version of the operating system for Pocket PC, the role of a competitor in such a powerful communicator as hw69hh iPAQ from Hewlett-Packard PDA UBiQUiO 501 to the technical parameters are not too dragging. Opportunity was more like, perhaps, a series iPAQ hw65hh, which runs on Windows Mobile 2003 SE.Closest to the technical parameters UBiQUiO 501 has been the model of i-mate - JAQ3, but lost that in some respects, for example, support data transfer standard EDGE. Novelty, UBiQUiO 503G, would compete with not only a new generation of smartphones, such as ASUS ARIES, HTC S650 (Cavalier), MOTO Q q9 and the Samsung Ultra Messaging i600, but such as Treo 750 communicators from the company, and Palm GSmart q60 from Gigabyte Communications .

Here are some characteristics are known so far:
• Mobile networks GSM / GPRS (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and UMTS / HSDPA (850/1900/2100 MHz)
• Operating system Windows Mobile 6
• Processor Intel (Marvell) XScale processor with a clock common 520 MHz
• Memory - 64 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM
• Display - 2.4 inches
• 2-megapixel and frontal VGA-camera for video telephony
• QWERTY-keyboard
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g) and Bluetooth 1.2 (support profile A2DP)
• A slot for microSD cards
• MiniUSB connector
• The battery capacity of 1250 mAh
• Dimensions - 123x65x15, 7 mm

According to eyewitnesses, the case is made with metal. It is planned that this model goes on sale in June 2007. Now, some online retailers already taking pre-orders on it. The price is about $ 655. Opportunity's closest competitor is a novelty, perhaps, a product from Gigabyte - GSmart q60. They have similar communication capabilities, the display of the same size and resolution. However, the GSmart q60 more memory RAM - 96 MB, in addition it is planned that the model will be optionally available with a GPS-receiver or TV / DAB module. As we see, are beginning to appear powerful solutions for third generation networks with advanced options for productivity and communications capabilities.

The "new" industrial PDA from Motorola

Motorola is also present at CTIA 2007. In addition to numerous innovations in the segment just a phone was introduced and the product from the category of "smart" devices. This model, called MC35. Communicator refers to the class rugged device aimed at corporate and industrial markets. It comes in a candybar with QWERTY-keyboard and oriented vertically rather than horizontally, as it has become fashionable lately, display. Some experts of the market contours novelty may seem familiar. The fact that late last year, this device was previously announced as the Symbol MC35. Then, at the beginning of this year, Motorola has completed its acquisition of Symbol Technologies. Now it displays the device has both its own product, however, as can be seen on live pictures from the exhibition, the model produced under its former name - Symbol MC35. Until MC35 company also unveiled a model MC50 and MC70. It was expected that the MC35 will appear in the first quarter of the year, but apparently it will be released only now. The model gives the impression of quite a productive unit, the functionality and communication capabilities are the envy of many consumer devices.

Key Features:
• Processor: Intel XScale PXA270 clocked at 416 MHz.
• Operating system Windows Mobile 5.0
• Communication standards: GSM / GPRS / EDGE
• Wi-Fi (802.11b / g)
• Bluetooth 1.2
• Display - 2.8 inch 240x320 pixels
• Memory - 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM
• Memory card slot SD / SDIO
• GPS-receiver
• Camera - 2 megapixel with autofocus and flash
• Scanner for reading bar codes and sensor for user identification by fingerprints.
• For corporate users supports Motorola solutions for the security and control - Mobility Services Platform. This platform allows enterprises to centrally manage mobile devices, employees, mobile applications and the architecture of a wireless network, thus ensuring, the safety of valuable corporate information.

Dimensions are quite large, which, incidentally, are usually concerned about business and the more industrial customers in the first place. Dimensions are 127h65, 85h20, 6 mm. Device weighs 185 grams with a standard lithium-ion battery 1350 mAh. It is planned that the MC35 will be available on Motorola's partners in North America and Europe in April. Approximate price ranges from $ 640 to $ 750 depending on the particular configuration.

ZenZui: Microsoft is preparing a retaliatory strike

It is impossible not to note a new development from an entirely different area - not iron, and software. Microsoft has released information about his new project called ZenZui. With it, the corporation plans to bring to mobile users a completely new interface for working with Web-content in mobile environments. It is understood that it would be much easier to use than existing systems. Technology ZenZui, Zooming User Interface, developed by a group of Microsoft Research, allows you to conveniently organize the information space user. To create a virtual desktop with a hierarchical structure, the user will have to select 36 elements, «Tiles», - portals or applications, the most appropriate and relevant to him in style and interests. When you try to access the content the user to a mosaic of thumbnails of sites / applications in the form of tablets, navigation is carried out either by pressing the numeric or alphabetic, or ... finger across the touch screen. After selecting the icon for a site, the page is displayed on the page, mobile device adapted to the small screen format. One of the highlights of the interface in the system of the zoom, the approach of content. Whatever you say, but the idea of ​​"Finger" interface popularized by Apple with your iPhone cult began to take note of a growing number of companies. For Microsoft to start researching and using this idea. However, as she explains Microsoft, the history of the project dates back to 2005. It is difficult to say with certainty whether Microsoft itself has reached such a concept, but the principle works, shown at the demonstrations really reminds demonstration interface iPhone. Now the testing interface ZenZui. It is expected that the SDK, set to develop applications that will be available in summer 2007. According to a Microsoft representative to journalists, ZenZui will be available to users in the autumn, and then only to a limited extent in the beta. Recall that the iPhone goes on sale in the U.S. in the summer. However, the advantage ZenZui that he apparently will be available not only on any one model of mobile devices, and the whole class of devices.

Briefly about other events of the week

Rumors panorama of the week

Spy shots of Sony Ericsson M610i communicator updated park spy photos heir communicator Sony Ericsson M600, running on a platform UIQ3. Now the photos do look like real ones, not the layout created based on photos of parts of the body for future innovations. It is assumed that the new photographs shows a communicator Sony Ericsson M610i, which is a modification of the M600-equipped 3.2-megapixel camera. HTC Panda live Preliminary information on upcoming PDA HTC P6300, also known under the code name HTC Panda, has for some time on the network. Now, however, appeared the first photographs showing the device in their natural habitat. This model is aimed at the corporate market segment. It boasts a large 3.5-inch touch screen, internal memory is above average - 256 MB ROM, 128 MB RAM (64 MB previously assumed), as well as good communication capabilities. Yet known with precision under control exactly which version of the operating system will run Communicator - Windows Mobile 5.0 or Windows Mobile 6. It is expected that the manufacturer will release a model this summer.

Soft-panorama of the week

Presented version 9.5 of the Symbian OS company Symbian, well known by the same name by the operating system continues its development. The company introduced a new version of its OS - Symbian 9.5. The update should provide better performance smart phones based on Symbian, while reducing financial and time costs of developers to create new models. Announced a significant reduction in the requirements for such an important resource smartphones as RAM-memory, processor and battery, as well as reducing the startup time applications such as Web-browser, e-mail client, and the like.The new version provides enhanced support for business and corporate functions, support for roaming between Wi-Fi and cellular 3G-networks. Not forgotten and multimedia capabilities - providing support digital TV (DVB-H, ISDB-T), location-based services, as well as 35 new features for built-in cameras. Windows Mobile 6 for Treo 750, Glofiish X500 and Glofiish M700 Company E-TEN Information Systems and Palm officially announced the upcoming update for the Treo 750 PDA, Glofiish X500 and Glofiish M700. Upgrade will allow users of these devices to work with the new operating system - Windows Mobile 6, not Windows Mobile 5.0 communicator that originally issued. Deepfish: alternative browser from Microsoft Yet another interesting innovation from Microsoft - this is a new Web-browser for mobile devices based on Windows Mobile. Not too important how well the proposed browser that is interesting is the fact of recognition from Microsoft need to create an alternative to its standard browser for Windows Mobile. Announcement took place at the conference eTech (O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference). The development is called Deepfish and yet presented as a preview. The company has opened access to the browser to a limited number of testers, and as soon as the necessary number has been dialed, the application has been impossible to download from the official site. Latecomers must wait for future updates. The main highlight of the browser - the ability to view the entire page, but in a reduced form, as if from a height of bird flight. " Their bearings on the page so the user can increase the area and he needed to study it in detail. Most mobile browsers display Web-page without saving the original appearance, but here the user can see the "source". The second feature, though not so rarely found in browsers for mobile devices - the separation of the client and server. Thus, the current page gets on the mobile device into a processed form, which on one hand allows to save traffic, on the other - facilitates the processing of content in resource-limited mobile. Preview version has quite a few limitations in comparison with what is planned for release. For example, it is not supported by ActiveX, AJAX, cookies, Javascript and HTTP POST. Opera Mobile 8.65 for Windows Mobile devices The past week proved to be extremely fertile in the news of mobile browsers. The company Opera Software officially announced a public preview of the next update Opera for Windows Mobile devices. Until an update is available in the download section, it is expected that soon will be upgraded and the main section for Opera Mobile. Version of Opera Mobile 8.65 (beta) is available for Windows operating systems like PocketPC, or Smartphone. Announced new capabilities for handling and scroll through the pages, support for FlashLite 2.1 and Macromedia Flash Lite Player 7 and import IE bookmarks, and more. Minimo 0.2 on the Mozilla project has also been a serious progress. Was submitted to update your browser Minimo (Mini Mozilla) to version Minimo 0.2. In updating a lot of major innovations, among them - improved support for Web-standards (stated Javascript and AJAX), widget support and enhancements, the ability to work with the RSS-channel, fast access to mobile content from the start page. Minimo 0.2 is only intended for devices based on Windows Mobile 5.0 and above. Users of devices based on earlier versions of the OS will continue to use Minimo 0.016. Curiously, Minimo 0.2 is presented as communicators and PDAs and smartphones based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0: Protection for Windows Mobile devices known company Symantec has announced a new version of the security solutions of devices based on Windows Mobile. According to the developer, the decision will provide the level of protection comparable with the decisions created for the PC.Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0 includes in its membership antivirus, firewall, SMS-spam and data encryption. Also there are other, less useful, features. It is expected that a decision will be released in May this year.

Business panorama of the week

Symbian-smartphone Samsung i520 is already in Russia, Samsung has announced the launch of Russia Symbian-smartphone i520. This model is a slider phone with support for high-speed standard HSDPA. Smartphone running on Symbian OS version 9.2 platform-based S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. It is equipped with 2.3-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera interface supports Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (A2DP). Small size of new items - 101,7 x50, 5x17, 9 mm, weight - 99 grams. Symbian OS: losing ground, but continues to dominate despite the predictions of some analysts about the loss of Symbian's market share, as predicted by market research firm IMS Research, the Symbian operating system will continue to dominate the smartphone market has at least until 2011. According to IMS Research, the share of the OS in 2011 will be about 42%. In this case, it really starts to yield its share, but still remain competitive and viable-capable.

Hard-panorama of the week

Gotive SQ31: Industrial PDA with a jaunty coloring Gotive SQ31 - it is an industrial handheld computer created by Gotive. He has an unusual design, thanks to a non-standard outlines and bright colors create the right emotional state, at least according to the manufacturer. The device is positioned as a durable, it can withstand a drop from a height of 120 cm on a concrete floor is resistant to dust and moisture. The work done on the basis of the operating system Windows CE 5.0. PDA equipped with a processor Intel Xscale PXA270, 128 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM, and scanner for bar codes and the battery capacity of 2400 mAh. Wireless networks Wi-Fi. Release is scheduled for the third quarter of this year. Bluetooth-Headset from Motorola Motorola has unveiled a new Bluetooth-Headset H680. It is small in size and weight, and good battery life. Dimensions are 41x18x12 mm and weight - 12 gr. Opening hours of talk time is 8 hours and standby time - 8 days. Sound processing system eliminates the extra noise that will quiet talk, even on a noisy street. The package proposed charging dock. Sales should begin in the third quarter of this year. The authors, translation: