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Interview with Bill Maggs: Palm today and tomorrow
To buy or not buy - that is the question
"Since Russia is always the case - thought Mary - you admire to something, cry, and how to see, with what you admire and vytoshnit can." V. Pelevin "Chapaev and Void" Came across an article here recently Michael Bravo (http://www.inter.net.ru/22/12.html) in the latest issue of the journal "Internet" and the hand she reached out to write a review and in fact did not intend. The article, "buy the CCP" useful and interesting in the sense that it always wondered what else is new we can say that about anything, it seems, everything has been said long ago. However, the article is not only useful but also harmful. Because the untutored reader might easily believe anything that is written. At the beginning of the article offered a simple and, in my opinion, the only correct classification of the devices in two ways: the presence / absence of the keyboard and type of operating system. Michael then goes on to describe the specific platforms, and here the fun begins. Thus, the author reports that the Palm Computing produces a "whole range of models": Palm III, IIIx, IIIe, IIIxe, IIIc, V, Vx. Good heavens! Palm has never produced all these models at the same time! By July-August 2000, production remained only model IIIc, Vx and VII. Model announced Palm m100. And all the others have long been discontinued. So the choice of device variants III, IIIx, IIIe, IIIxe, V considered not necessary. The author goes on smoothly transferred to the Palm clones of production companies and HandSpring TRG and simultaneously announced that "no Handspring, TRG nor officially in Russia are not available, so those devices that I've seen, have been ordered through the Internet or imported from abroad." Oshibochka left, and Michael, both of these companies, one long and one recently, have their official distributor in Russia. We watch the news! It is best to have the author's published description besklaviaturny Windows CE devices. Here, almost everything is correct, but for some reason mentioned Philips Nino, which the public has already forgotten, firmly and totally deserved. Turning to the keyboard device, the author reports that "in the middle there is a lot more or less similar devices from Hitachi, NEC, LG, Philips, Sharp, but they are hardly represented in the Russian market - apparently the demand is not so great." Now that's gross misinformation! Already a half years, none of these companies are not producing anything. That is why they are not represented on the Russian market. Yes, there was an excellent model for Phenom Express LG, good Sharp Mobilon 4500 and so-so Philips Velo 500. But now this only remember the veterans movement. End of the article is devoted to psionic. There are no blunders, all nomalno. But it would be interesting to write about updates type Revo16Mb or smartphone. So, thanks to the author for work, it was interesting to read, especially the personal assessment of different models. But we need to seriously prepare for. Fortinbras
Review: Two ...
Read a review of Mr. Fortinbras, and I want to defend Michael Bravo. The fact that the issue of the journal appeared in the interenet After the paper journal in print. Preparation of a paper magazine takes at least a month. Michael Bravo gathering material for two weeks or three, even four. Paper magazine I read about a month ago (maybe a bit more). Total: 25 August - 2 months - 3-4 weeks = end of May - early June. Something I did not see representatives of Handspring and TRGPro in Russia at this time. I can firmly say this because I wanted to change my Pilot Pro to TRGPro or Visor is the end of May. Unfortunately, Visor offered only "samovvoz, and TRG Pro was not at all (You can check the archives at your conference," Buying, selling, exchange). As a result, bought the Palm IIIx, as now, sorry (in the sense I want to TRG Pro). The phrase on many models is as follows: "In addition to Palm Computing, producing a range of models - Palm III, IIIx, IIIe, IIIxe, IIIc, V, Vx, ...". The author expressly states that the company makes them simultaneously. Simply fail constructed phrase, and in the Russian market, they were present SIMULTANEOUSLY. So that the "attack" on Michael Bravo is not justified, although the inaccuracies in the article lacking. Sincerely, Sergey FedotovReview of the journal Russian Mobile # 8 / 2000
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"Apple takes on pickpockets." Review of the first ...
At the 9 th page under the headline "Apple takes on pickpockets" without reference to a source reported that the apple company is friends with Palm and is developing a new handheld computer. This "news" appears on the pages of various publications for the past two years and never once she found no real evidence. Rather, epplovskie officials repeatedly said that no plans of this kind they do not. So most likely it's the same bubble, which fly in the air for a long time. Dmitry HavzhuReview article Lebedeva
In his article, Oleg Lebedev share personal experiences and feelings of an unnamed "test" to work with organizers Palm m100, Visor Deluxe, and TRGPro. And as a result of these impressions is "Editor's Choice." Very similar to the program for future use, "only on computer topics. Editor's Choice became TRGPro. We are ready to accept this only in part. Indeed, this machine may be a good choice for certain categories of users. For what exactly? About this later. While we note that the choice of Oleg is somewhat contrary to the choice of the rest of the world. Among the PalmOS organizers largest share of the actual Palm, Visor on go, and only then TRGPro and others (see article on ZDNet.com). What is the essence of the author's claims to the model Visor Deluxe? "Developers Visor did not pay due attention to design devices, and in terms of usability and design forethought Visor markedly inferior products, Palm and TRG Products." Design - fabric is thin and hard to talk about it. Somehow assumed that the highest achievement of designers - a series of PalmV, and Visor is made easier. However, all the same shape and color series PalmIII - TRGPro reflect the achievements of three years ago. Now such ideas are hard to recognize today. So that the superiority of design over TRGPro Visor is in serious doubt. "Housing (proposed several options for different colors, we have been black, but we also saw, and a translucent blue) leaves a sense of fragility and vulnerability." This feeling arises from the color? Or what? Visor fairly densely covered with a lid that protects the glass even when the device on the floor. Of course, this is not a full guarantee, but the "sense of fragility," should disappear. With the "feeling of vulnerability more difficult here need comments from other experts. Further, the processor: "The device is equipped with a CPU DragonBall EZ/16, 8 MB RAM and 2 MB of ROM. This decision can not be explained by any practical considerations, because the user has no possibility to upgrade the OS." Apparently, the confusion of the author refers only to the choice of ROM, ie renunciation of the use of flash memory, because processor then this is for all clones (almost all). With regard to ROM, then a step to explain it was still possible. Handspring makes it so (FAQ on the Visor Deluxe): "The operating system device Handspring Visor Deluxe may be exposed by software upgrade via patches (OS updates are installed in RAM and do not require rewriting Rom) and modules Springboard. We do not use flash memory to store operating system files for the following reasons: 1) upgrade is quite possible through by software patches and modules Springboard
Reflections on how Microsoft's catch up and overtake the company Palm
Only one condition missing from Microsoft, to accept the challenge thrown by Palm. This is lacking and PDAs Pocket PC. Despite the fact that they have more powerful processors, greater capabilities and memory sizes, more fancy operating system, larger displays and incredible multimedia features, all Pocket PC lacks only one condition, which would guarantee them a significant increase in the proportion of sales in the global market . I know what you're thinking. On the "LPs" batteries. Is not it? Indeed, a small battery life between charges on these typewriters - the real problem. High-tech products consume much energy and resources batteries often enough. Comes to the fact that the iPaq owners constantly have to keep carrying the charger, while users of handheld devices from Palm rarely think about it, unless, of course, they did not leave for a month. And what is interesting. You can be the owner of a remarkable portable computer, which is known worldwide, and its interface and features amazing all your friends, but at the moment when the life of the battery is running low, your iPAQ will turn into a wonderful good-for-nothing silver paperweight holding a seat at the table. Meanwhile, the increase in the duration of the Pocket PC devices on a single charge does not make a corporation Palm to lay his head prior to Microsoft. And if Microsoft tried to simplify its operating system? It is quite possible that the way she managed to gain the missing points. And, in fairness, it should be noted that the step in this direction has already been made, however, the situation has not changed. I really can not understand how to expand the list of functions in an already long menu could fix it. This list is so versatile that use it even on an ordinary desktop PC is not very convenient, not to mention the CCP. Why do not they just add one or more of the menu, ie do not go the way by which many manufacturers have gone, including the Palm? The answer to this question is quite simple: they still can not imagine Windows without its Start Menu. In order to determine the battery level PDA or adjust the contrast of its screen, I have to go dlinyy way. Computer designers Palm - among other things, they worked to create OS Windows 9x - thought that would be enough to put the icon battery indicator to where you are not hard to see it at any time. What would have happened if the indicator appeared today? By and large nothing. Necessary to improve the OS in terms of ease of use, the appearance of such an indicator would not be able to adequately solve the problem of Microsoft. What about size? Despite the fact that iPaq, Jornada, and 450, and EM500 are small and largely correspond to the concept "handhelds" in the truest sense of the word, unlike their predecessors, they still remain quite large and bulky compared to devices Palm V or m100. Ironically, the "graceful» iPaq when you add what ever devices that expand its capabilities, it becomes much more than their competitors. As you know, the computer iPaq is not any kind was an expansion slot, such slot for memory expansion cards - CF, or MMC. Their function is performed by an additional device, worn on the iPaq back. Therefore, Palm handhelds are still among the most portable. Nobody can deny it. And that's not the price. I understand that producers Pocket PC, compared with losses incurred by Palm. They use expensive high-tech components, while the assembly Palm devices are used slightly modified versions of the processors, which appeared in the company's Apple Macintosh in 1984 and for which the price is less than is currently $ 8. Suggests itself: the sad conclusion from all of the events. How is growing and developing industry, build homes, factories, brands and the very computer industry, which in the end, and produces these portable miracle device? Only by working together and vzaimoobagaschayas.In the case of the computer industry is possible only if the device manufactured by different companies are compatible. Not so long ago I was struck by the statement of the well-known manager responsible for making decisions on production PDAs, with whom I had the pleasure to interview. He managed to express in one sentence all that should make many members of the computer business: "All that we need to figure out this is how we are going to stand out among other competing companies." Most likely, the ignorance of their own history doomed to repeat them. And it could play a positive role. They openly ignore the lessons that all the presented PC-boom. Recall: the computer industry has flourished because of open standards and cross compatibility. All manufacturers have tried to produce computers that are compatible with the devices most successful computer company in the world - to IBM. They are so successful in this, that, in the end such organizations as the Compaq bypassed even the Big Blue, as many call IBM. The company becomes the first, thanks to the production of compatible computers that are constantly improved. But improvement is not so much as parts for the PC, but in service quality and customer support. It also increases the reliability of computer technology is always of the highest standard of quality. But despite the fact that computers are different from each other, they have always been compatible. Most likely, the ignorance of their own history doomed to repeat them. And it could play a positive role. They openly ignore the lessons that all the presented PC-boom. Recall: the computer industry has flourished because of open standards and cross compatibility. All manufacturers have tried to produce computers that are compatible with the devices most successful computer company in the world - to IBM. They are so successful in this, that, in the end such organizations as the Compaq bypassed even the Big Blue, as many call IBM. The company becomes the first, thanks to the production of compatible computers that are constantly improved. But improvement is not so much as parts for the PC, but in service quality and customer support. It also increases the reliability of computer technology is always of the highest standard of quality. But despite the fact that computers are different from each other, they have always been compatible. Once IBM has tried to end the companies' followers, creating a MCA (MicroChannel Architecture) - most of that time advanced architecture for the use of which require a license. However, the Corporation Compaq has done what needs to be done now: it formed a coalition opposing the Big Blue (IBM), in order to create its own open standard, called the EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture). Ultimately, the company made the Compaq IBM to abandon the idea of MCA. Thus, the industry, which manufactures personal computers, has again started to flourish, almost destroying more and possessiveness by Apple Computer. But, in fact, the last on the market and to this day, partly because Apple computers compatible with PC-drives and data sets. In addition, several years ago in their configurations were included PCI-compatible slots, hard drives are standard IDE and USB-ports. In the market of hardware »Pocket PC there is no clear leader. Microsoft could it be, if obliged to add another condition in the licensing contracts for the device: "For three years, all devices are sold under the trademark« Windows Powered », will be equipped with a single expansion slot and I / O port, a standard which will be determined Corporation Microsoft ». Despite the fact that I am an advocate of using Compact Flash, I would be glad to work with SD. The design of all devices should be such that the I / O port located in the same place, so that will ensure compatibility of the basic parameters of the devices. Thus, component manufacturers can create Peripheral ustrostva that will be suitable for all types of Pocket PC. That's the advantage of computers, and Palm.It was from them since the early days of entering the market, an advantage which has never had the Windows CE and Pocket PC. Of course, today the various PDA Cradle for Palm OS is almost as same as themselves, and handheld computers. But at a time when the market was in its infancy, medium and small producers were able to enter into profitable deals, letting their computers that are compatible with a single standard Pilot. Even today's Palm IIIxe, Palm VII and the TRGpro is still compatible with the majority of peripherals designed for the standard. When Palm has reached its critical mass, many developers peripheral devices began to follow the form factors of devices from Palm. Differences have ceased to be a problem since, as a huge number of people with such devices, which can always buy a variety of peripheral devices. Although there is some danger for Palm from the use of five different types of expansion slots: Springboard-module, Sony Memory Stick, Compact Flash, Secure Digital slot, and an old serial. Unlike other Palm handhelds is the closest to addressing a variety of devices. Pocket PC manufacturers are also forced to deal with this from the very beginning, all the while wondering as to why they can not make a breakthrough in the market. It's all about compatibility. They have earned billions of dollars, holding for more than twenty years of this policy. If you wish to create a new market, you need to be strengthened again function "compatibility" so that the periphery of the producers saw an opportunity to profitable investment. By and large only the only major independent businessmen were able to turn the computer industry into what it is now. PC manufacturers are surely doing their job, providing an open architecture who builds and creates. The same thing should be taken to the PDA market Microsoft'u in order to succeed. Even with the growing incompatibility among their devices, which is comparable with the crack in the armor, Palm may reassure ourselves that the developers Pocket PC never let them catch up. After all, they have forgotten their own history. Today, they lose their money trying to compete with Palm. Microsoft is now moving towards full "incompatibility". They announced that they will equip the new handheld operating system, each device that is compatible with it. This would allow programmers do not take into account the fact that they do not need. In other words, it would have allowed the company to Microsoft to license more varieties of its OS. Thus, both experts on hardware, and programmers will not have to support the majority of unnecessary code. But this concession on the part of Microsoft, will contribute to the development of various standards that lead to the fact that the compatibility between these devices are controlled by this "frankenshteynovoy" OS, it will be difficult or even impossible. PDAs are the same manufacturers that produce and personal computers. These people are "inhibit" the development of the computer industry, to market incompatible computers and computers with disabilities, one of which is the iPaq. I understand that this is a new trend, which is aimed at the destruction of computer history, and which aims to search for a new design, which should always be on the sidelines. New ideas will help producers to unite with the allies against a common enemy. If they are not careful, and lose control in this fight, they roll down the hill into the river, which classifies them into the open sea. Sources, Materials:
Direction for the Psion. Back to the Future?
Remember the famous scene from the movie? The hero, fleeing from the pursuit of inertia continues to run over a precipice without falling until until look down? Nothing is you do not like the world of mobile communications? No doubt web-mania is at the crest of a wave, but "Cellular fever abated somewhat. This has led, in particular, Ericsson to think about the production of smartphones, pulling into this business Psion and Symbian. Why? Yes, because the market conditions simply do not allow to spend money on the production of mobile phones with a function to access the Internet, while the connection rate remains extremely low, and the display of the phone is extremely limited in terms of the information displayed. Ironically, instead of developing their PDA-base, Psion has decided to bet on its 28% stake in Symbian, virtually ignoring the wishes and aspirations of its loyal customers and fans. Lily Ernst (Ernest Lilley) of Pen Computing Magazine has decided to propose a radical way out of the market situation for the company Psion (which, judging by recent events, she might listen): further improvement of the model 5mx. What requires the author of a pickpocket, to prevent further complaints of users in general and him in particular?
Design
A similar 5mx, or maybe a little smaller and thinner. The author advises us not to worry about entering information via keyboard, they say, will manage somehow. Despite the fact that Psion is proud of its keyboards, yet they can be improved.Ports
USB and IrDA. Do not waste time and money on a Bluetooth or a serial port. In addition, they take up too much space. USB-port must support USB-keyboard and mouse, which, in turn, when connected to a computer should work fine with all applications for PDAs.Expansion Slots
One slot for PC Card Type I and one for Type II. In fact, if you think for the normal operation needs both. One for additional memory, the other for communications, which should ideally be designed to work with: - BluetoothHave an opinion
This is a commentary on the news about releases Jornada 565/568, which was presented by one of our authors Oleg Kurapov. This is a personal opinion with which one can agree or disagree in our Conference. Today, Microsoft unveiled a new version of its OS, Pocket PC - Pocket PC 2002. It embodies a dream of monopolizing the corporate PDA market. Generally, it is felt that the specialists were set three main goals:
- work on the bugs;
- adding the functions necessary for corporate clients;
- poaching users Palm (or rather, to facilitate the transition to PPC for the staff of those companies, which are currently used by corporate decisions based on the Palm).
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