Mobile Review

ASUS MyPal A620BT: BT - Bluetooth means

We have already talked in detail about the Pocket PC ASUS MyPal A620, which went on sale this summer. However, recently the company ASUS Computer has released a redesigned handheld, on the basis of the same model, which received the module Bluetooth. By our hands got one of the first production models of this computer.

Old Acquaintance

External computer A620 and A620BT impossible to discern. The twin brothers carried out in identical plastic cases. Metal frame is made only display frame that provides structural rigidity and protects the display from external mechanical influences.

For a more detailed description of the case and authorities advised to apply to medical card model in the previous review. We will not go into details here. I must say that the positive aspect was the fact that in this sample was further developed compartment lid for cards and expansion modules. If in the previous model, it was fixed quite freely and rattled all the time, then A620VT sits in its place is very tight and almost merges with the body. We must assume that in future all serial A620/A620VT with lids will be a full order. Has not changed and delivery. Like the previous model, the box was found the cradle, a synthetic cover, AC adapter and a CD with drivers.

Iron

What we see, looking under the "hood" updated MyPal A620? The same processor Intel PXA255 clocked at 400MHz and operating at 200 MHz bus, as in most modern PDAs. However, your computer's performance is impressive, especially when working with graphics and video!

For comparison, results of tests SBP Benchmark A620BT and popular today iPAQ h2215.

Although the CPU clock speed of 400MHz and, there is a strong suspicion that the mode for hardware acceleration (ARE) developers it slightly dispersed. Painfully high index of processor and platform. A performance in graphics A620/620VT has no analogues among existing handheld computers - graphic index of almost one order of magnitude higher than other device. The only handheld that performance in graphics approaching A620VT is the iPAQ h1945. You can now proceed to describe the differences between A620 and A620BT.

Unlike the first: a memorable

Unlike his brother, ASUS'a A620, this model has increased the size of ROM - 64 MB. In fact, its volume remains the same - Windows Mobile 2003 fine is removed and a 32 MB, and increased special area of memory - Flash Disk. These "extra" 32 megabytes allocated for the needs of users and serve as a built-in memory card. At Flash Disk'e can be placed particularly valuable data and Backup-Files without the fear of losing them after discharge the battery.

The claimed amount of RAM remains the same - 64 MB. As usual, some of it is given to the needs of the system. The page model maker marked the available capacity in the 58.7 MB (56,7 MB for oriental languages), but the real figure was slightly less - 55.29 MB.

Unlike the second: sinezuboe

Company ASUSTek Computer Inc. Not so long ago has been producing hand-held computers for Pocket PC (A620 is only the second model), but in spite of limited experience, is in step with the times, and sometimes ahead of their better-known competitors in the PDA market. It is in the handhelds ASUS was the first to implement a wide choice of operating modes of the processor. If the other computers could choose 3.2 mode, the A600 they already had seven. So now, after the company Palm Inc, Sony, Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba, ASUS has equipped its handheld wireless communication module standard Bluetooth. Strictly speaking, the friction in abbreviation of the name of the computer and indicates the presence of the embedded module.

Unlike the third: a price

On the shelves of local stores ASUS a620 has already appeared. Its estimated price - $ 450. Younger brother, A620 without the blue tooth, you can buy in the shops "on the palm computer for $ 379, that is, the right to possess a wireless model will have to pay.

Software

On both PDA running the latest version of OS Pocket PC - Windows Mobile 2003.

To work with the wireless module in A620BT a special application - Bluetooth Manager. This program is produced by WIDCOMM. The same is on the iPAQ h1945 and h2215. Only the hero of this review - a later version (build 50), which, inter alia, supports the work with a wireless headset.

How does it work "Managing Bluetooth'om? From beginning, through profiles Explorer a Bluetooth device, the application searches for other devices within range (about 10 m) equipped with "blue teeth". In our case, we "crossed" with A620BT iPAQ h1945.

After connecting to the iPAQ h1945 is possible to choose the serial port.

For Bluetooth-channel can be quickly and easily share files. This wireless method is much more convenient than the old infrared port.

Well, one of the most "delicious" radio applications - setting the wireless Internet connection, but more on that below. What is beyond that "can" Bluetooth-master? Let us examine the example of some program options.

Provides the ability to connect to the Internet or through a modem or through a dedicated line profile Connect to the Internet

Organize your personal network of Bluetooth-enabled devices, or connect your Pocket PC to your existing network of information exchange option allows you to Join a personal network

C using the Partner with a cell phone can connect to a mobile phone that supports Bluetooth for both communication (music, images and photographs) and to access the Internet using a mobile phone as a GPRS-modem (of course, the latter is possible if your phone equipped with GPRS-module). In our test, we used cellular Siemens S55 and Sony-Ericsson T610 - everything works fine.

ActiveSync via Bluetooth profile allows you to sync with your desktop computer equipped with a Bluetooth adapter. In this case, when connecting to the PC emulates COM port via Bluetooth-interface.

Browse Files on a remove device lets you share files with other Bluetooth enabled devices adapters.

Connect a headset

Color LCD display in broad daylight. Contemporary state of technology

Work with mobile devices in the daylight - one of the pressing problems since the start of registration (1985) Toshiba's first 9.5 "color VGA LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors. Now there are technologies for obtaining high quality images in direct sunlight on the screen devices. The article by Jeff Walker (magazine "Pencomputing"), translated by Andrei Vasilyev, describes the existing markets in Europe and the U.S. color LCD technology and presents a forecast of their development in the near future.

Four-parameter LCD

There are four key parameters of any LCD device: design, technology, resolution and size.

LCD construction

The design involves the location of layers in the LCD (including the photoconductive layer) and has the highest value for the quality of the image on the screen in sunlight. Currently there are three main design color LCD: transmissive (transmissive), transflective (translucent) and reflective (reflective).

Transmissive LCD

In the transmissive-design light enters through the LCD from the backlight. Most LCDs used in handheld computers today are made using this technology. Transmissive LCD has high quality pictures indoors and are usually very low (black screen) in sunlight. Solar lighting is a thousand times stronger backlight, and thus reflected from the surface of the screen the sun's rays completely suppress the light emitted by the LCD. However, some manufacturers have developed a transmissive LCD, which can work even in direct sunlight. How do they do it? To date, there are two ways: increasing the brightness of the backlight and LCD modification to reduce the amount of reflected sunlight. We briefly describe these methods.

Color LCD display in broad daylight. Contemporary state of technology

The maximum brightness of currently existing notebooks is 100-150 nit (option is equivalent to one candela / candles / square meter (cd/m2)). LCD with high brightness use 200 to 1,800 nit. It is believed that the lamp of 500 nit makes transmissive LCD visible in daylight in the shade, and about 1000 nit - allows you to use it in direct sunlight. Brightness of 300 nit can be achieved by limiting increases the brightness of a lamp CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) or by adding a second tube, located across the street. Models of LCD displays with high brightness can be from 8 to 16 lamps. However, increasing the brightness increases the power consumption of batteries (one backlight consumes about 30% of energy used by the device). Consequently, the screens with high brightness can be used only if the external power source. Modification of LCD is to apply antireflection coatings on one or more layers of the display, replacing the standard polarization layer at least reflects, adding, "increases the brightness of the films, increasing the efficiency of light sources. Another way of modifying the LCD, used only in devices Fujitsu, is to fill the converter fluid with refractive index equal to the coefficient of refraction of the touch panel. This greatly reduces the amount of reflected light.

Transflective LCD

Transflective-vobschem design something similar to the previous page. But transflective-display between LCD and a layer of light is called partially reflective layer. It may be partially or silver, or completely mirror with many small holes. When a screen is used indoors, it works similarly transmissive LCD, in which some light is absorbed by the reflective layer. In daylight the sunlight reflected from a mirror layer and illuminates the LCD. In this light passes LCD twice, first inside, then outside. This leads to the fact that the image quality in daylight is lower than under artificial light in the room when the light passes LCD once.

Balance between image quality inside and outside the premises is achieved by selecting the characteristics of transmissive and reflective layers. For example, the mirror layer can reflect 60% light and absorb 40%. If the brightness of 130 nit, only 52 nit (40% of the 130) goes to the LCD through the mirror layer. Outdoors 60% of sunlight reflected from the reflecting layer, but as the light passes through the LCD twice the picture quality. Transflective LCD is a compromise. The image on this screen is not bright either indoors or in sunlight.

Reflective LCD

Reflective-design is fully reflective mirror layer. All lighting, whether it is sunlight or light front light passes through the LCD, is reflected from a mirror layer, and again passes through the LCD. In daylight the light passes through the LCD layer and the front lights twice. In this case, the image quality of reflective LCD is usually lower than transflective (as similar technology is used in both cases). Inside the front lighting is not as effective as the back and the picture quality is also lower than the transflective.

LCD technology

To date, the production of color liquid-crystal displays used two technologies: Active matrix - TFT and passive matrix - STN. TFT - Thin Film Transistor - active matrix in which each sub-pixel is a thin film transistor (active member). STN - Super Twist Nematic - passive matrix, which consists of liquid crystal elements with variable transparency. Variety STN: CSTN (Color STN) and DSTN (Double STN) in this article are under the same notion of STN, because their differences are not significant for the conditions of sunlight. Compared with STN TFT screen more contrast, has more saturated color, works faster (moving image does not have an afterglow). The image shows a large angle. True, TFT and more expensive, so now there is a tendency to expand production of TFT by reducing the production of STN. (For example, Sanyo stopped production of STN LCD and now produces only the TFT.) Combining the three designs and two LCD technology allows six types of color LCD. Of these, all except transmissive STN, may be used in sunlight. The table shows the remaining five types of LCD, and two additional variants, the number of existing devices on the market and their manufacturers.

Type LCD	Number of devices	Producers
Modified transmissive TFT	20	Fujitsu, Intermec, Itronix, Nokia, Panasonic, Wolkabout
Transmissive TFT with high brightness	14	Fieldworks, Microslate, Panasonic, Phoenix, Xplore
Transflective STN	7	Hitachi, Itronix, Melard, Sanyo, Two Technologies
Reflective TFT Front lighting	4	Compaq, Palm, Sony
Reflective TFT backlight off	4	Fujitsu, NEC, Strata, Via
Reflective STN with front lighting	1	Fujitsu
Transflective TFT	No	No

Resolution and LCD size

Resolution and size - are important and interrelated features. We are now manufactured LCD dots per inch (dpi) ranges from 70 (for 5.7 "monitors) to 150 (for 6,7" SVGA). The most common display with a value of 90 dpi to 125.Below are the standard values of permits that are used in computers, PDA and phones. Permissions VGA - historically the resolution value for PC is 640 * 480 ¼ VGA - 240 * 320 or 320 * 240 pixels ½ VGA - 640 * 240 SVGA - Super VGA - 800 x 600 pixel XGA - Extended VGA - 1024 x 768 pixels SXGA - Super XGA - 1280 x 1024 SXGA + - Super XGA Plus - 1400 * 1050 pixels UXGA - Ultra XGA - 1600 * 1200 pixels.

The fifth important parameter LCD - aperture ratio

This option is typically not indicated in the specifications, but can be calculated from other attributes. Aperture ratio is the ratio of the square pixel (sub-pixel) to the total screen area, which includes all the elements that make up the sub-pixel (eg, "transistor" in TFT). Great importance to the aperture ratio, in which each pixel has more coverage, increases the LCD brightness and a decrease in its resolution. Therefore, in models of portable computers designed for use indoors or in sunlight, the LCD is used with different resolutions. For example, a base model Panasonic Toughbook 28 for work in the premises of a transmissive TFT with a resolution of XGA, a similar model designed for operation in sunlight, has a transflective TFT with a lower resolution SVGA. Since ambient light is transflective and reflective LCD twice, in order to achieve the brightness, similar to the transmissive LCD, through which light passes once, the aperture ratio for these displays should be more. Therefore, at the same size LCD, transflective and reflective LCD typically produced at a lower resolution than the transmissive LCD. Consider which of the combinations of characteristics of color LCD is best suited for cellular phones, PDA and PDA industry. (The author has also examined other types of devices that use LCD: Laptops, Tablet PC.)

Cell Phones

Any color LCD screen on the phone should work in sunlight (you can imagine unreadable outdoors screen on your cell phone?). Known only two models of phones with color LCD, actually sold in the U.S. and Europe. First - Sprint (US) PCS phone SCP-5000 from Sanyo, which has 2 "reflective TFT with front lighting. PC magazine describes the screen of the phone as "uniformly bright sunlight." Second - Nokia 9210, which uses a 1.3 "* 4.2" modified transmissive TFT. One of the users of the Nokia 9210 described a screen of this device is as follows: "in the sunlight the screen is so neyarok that use of any of sunglasses makes it unreadable." Thus, reflective TFT is the best option for use in cellular phones. LED (LED) is increasingly used in handsets than with a cold cathode lamp (CCFL), because of the phones do not require as much brightness as from portable computers. Due to the fact that the transflective TFT small size are not produced, transflective STN second option is to use the phones. This screen could provide a better balance between image quality indoors and in sunlight than is used in Nokia 9210, a modified transmissive TFT. Although he would not be so bright in the room.

Handhelds

Compaq iPAQ 3600 - the first handheld with color LCD, which appeared on the U.S. market. It works fine in daylight (LCD 3.8 "1/4-VGA, reflective TFT production of Sony). The great success enjoyed by that device on the market, has led to many companies (such as Philips, Sanyo, NEC, Casio and Panasonic) have announced or started deliveries of similar LCD (with a resolution of 1 / 4 VGA). Consequently, we can expect reflective TFT with front lighting and other devices on the systems Pocket PC and Palm OS (for example, the new Sony Clie PEG-N710 uses a 3.1 "320 x 320 reflective TFT with front illumination). It is unlikely that this type of LCD to be used in devices with large screen and resolution, as the latest technology lighting distribution with mikronasechek can not uniformly illuminate the LCD for more than 6 ". The technology of using the front illumination rather young and perhaps over time it will be possible to solve this problem. IPAQ really is not the first PDA, using reflective TFT.In 1999, Compaq released a device Aero 2100 c reflective TFT, in which light was used as a front light source LED. In the iPAQ uses a bright lamp CCFL. The combination of very dim (10-15 nit) light source and the imperfect reflective LCD from Sharp in 2100 Aero was the reason for the failure of this device on the market. The screen was not bright both indoors and in sunlight. Consider other types of color LCD. Transmissive STN (HP Jornada 520/540 series and Fujitsu PenCentra 200 CTM) can not be used in sunlight. Transflective STN can not yet compete with reflective TFT. Transflective TFT could be used in a PDA, but there are no manufacturers of screens 3.8 "(available screens from 10.4). Reflective TFT backlight off (as in Nintendo) does not apply to the PDA, since it requires an external source of lighting. At the moment, reflective TFT with forward illumination is the only option for LCD, which works under sunlight and is used in handheld computers.

Industrial PDA

Ceychas market no bezklaviaturnogo (PDA-size) dedicated PDA with a color screen for use in sunlight. The main products in this category are Symbol - monochrome device on the Palm OS and Windows CE (SPC-1500/1700 and PPT-2700). Among the specialized PDA screens 5 "- 8.2" The situation is very complicated - only available color transflective STN screens that can be used in sunlight. Such screens have not yet received the recognition in the market. In this category also are no devices that have good color LCD for use in sunlight. TouchLite from Two Technologies, is probably one of the best devices in this category. It uses an exceptionally large 5.7 "transflective STN. The choice of LCD in this category is limited mainly to the fact that the production of LCD does not pay for underdeveloped markets. Compared with the market of PDA and laptop market industrial PDA is very small. For manufacturers who plan to launch a new LCD (eg, 6 "VGA transflective TFT, which would be interested in many producers), the minimum annual amount should be 50K-100K, which is hardly possible for underdeveloped markets of industrial PDAs. The absence in this category, good color LCD, working under sunlight, can lead to changes in the market of specialized software. With the proliferation of color LCD 1 / 4-VGA 3.8 "and SVGA 10.4", working under sunlight, software developers will be forced to migrate their applications to these dimensions. As a result, the market will not color handheld (running in the sunlight), which would be employed specialist software written for VGA or 1 / 2 VGA.

Conclusion

Enumerate the problems limiting the production of a good color LCD working in sunlight. - LCD is a low-yield and, therefore, very sensitive to the price of the product - in most cases, laptops and PDA's are used indoors, so they can be equipped with a transmissive TFT with high brightness - The success of the production and sale of products using LCD, depends on the subjective views of users about the quality of the screen in sunlight - The market is taking on new LCD technologies, such as transflective TFT, only if the manufacturer of the system is making great efforts to promote the new device - Release of the new product is associated with greater risk, because with limited resources, cost, development time and production new LCD big enough - Choose from a matrix consisting of three structures * for two technologies (with options such as polysilicon and amorphous silicon) * * 11 permits an average of 4 size is very difficult - it's more than 500 combinations! Sources, Materials:

Palm Tungsten T3: when the tungsten more precious than gold

If you recall, the company introduced the first Palm Inc Tungsten T (we call them simply TT) in December last year. The following model series had to wait more than six months - an upgrade was the proud name of TT2. Now came the turn of the next update, which do not think twice named the TT3. It seems, Palm voznamerilas release their PDA Tungsten series has consistently decent and as fast - so you see, and close to the T34. The joke, of course, but as they say, every joke is a joke share. Meanwhile, at our editorial desk he found himself a long-awaited third, which we have repeatedly told you to someone else's words.

Now prictupim to his own inspection.

Pro Display

The first rumors about the new Tungsten T3 began to walk long before it arrives. For example, it was known that the display has a resolution of new items in 480h320 points - similar to the CCP came from Sony a year ago. However, unlike the first Clie models with hi-res + screen, T3 supports not only the vertical display mode (so-called book), but also copes well with a horizontal (landscape). Switch between portrait or landscape modes by using a special icon in the status bar - ctrochke "located at the bottom of the screen (this innovation will talk a little below). Hull design, "third" inherited from its predecessors. That is the screen size can be reduced and, thanks to sliders - moving sled, hiding under a piece the size of 160x320 pixels. Thanks to this solution, the CCP in the folded state preserves family compact. Yes, and work with the T3 screen is now possible as the soul wills. However, the new display mode is not so simple.

For example, a landscape full-screen mode is not compatible with all applications. Take the classic Note Pad. This programm can not "stretch" in his field by 480 pixels wide, but as her replacement may make utility Memo, which works with the "full" LANDSCAPE input. Another example - alternative reader MobiPocket, which also does not support landscape full-screen mode. But the native Palm Reader lets you view the book in a horizontal orientation.

Palm Tungsten T3: horizontal or landscape orientation

Of the complete software, best suited to work in landscape mode, 480h320 support Kinoma Player video player and Web browser Web Pro. If the program does not work on the abilities of full-screen, then "opened" state of extra space automatically has a virtual Graffiti area, which can not be removed, so with this software works better on a square screen, when the PDA is folded. I think that third-party developers will soon issue a software for TT3 is resolved and there will be an application adapted to work on hi-res + in a horizontal orientation. Now let's talk about the characteristics of the display. Its size is 2.2h2.2''in "folded" state and 2.2h3.25''- a "disclosure". It is easy to calculate the diagonal - 3,9'', which is even larger than that of Sony's NX series and NZ. Pixel size - 0,17 mm. If we compare models of line screens Tungsten'ov area, then the T3 it's nearly 1.4 times greater than that of T2.According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which has developed a special technique for measuring the quality of the original displays, handheld computers, the maximum brightness of the display T3 was 77.4 cd/m2. For comparison, the closest in brightness to T3 are the HP iPAQ h3970, ASUS A620 and Rover PC P3 +. Illumination is not so bright as that of T2, but a bit brighter than the Zire 71. As with all the latest models of Palm Inc., Display backlight does not turn off. Minimum level of brightness in this case is 15Kd/m2 (like Sony PEG-TG50). Even this level of brightness can quite comfortably take in information from the display: to read e-books and watch videos. This is explained by the type of transflective backlight, which provides high contrast images (close to one) while working in an office or public transport. With work on the street, like all of transflective displays, the situation is worse, but you can still read without too much stress.

Pro Design

Housing

Corpus, in contrast to previous models series Tungsten, is made in the light-steel range. Moreover, made, apparently, out of some aluminum alloy. The dimensions of the new T3 not coincide with the size of its predecessor, T2. Beginner bit longer - 109mm (132mm - unencrypted) vs. 102 (123mm) at T2, wider - 76mm vs. 75mm and thickness - 16.7 mm versus 14.8 mm, but a little lighter - 153g against 158g. Taking a T3 or T2 in hand, you will not feel much difference. Despite the slight variations in size, the controls have a new computer are the same place where his predecessor. On the left sidebar you can find headphone jack, microphone and button on the recorder, which was slightly larger and more convenient.

Of course, immutable Universal Palm Connector on the bottom ...

Power button, a slot for memory card format MMC and SD with SDIO support and excellent telescopic stylus with spring-loaded mechanism for the spreads. This is perhaps the most successful to date, construction of a stylus.

Navigation button

Another striking difference between T3 from T2 - a navigation button and call button applications.

If before they were placed in a line, the T3 is the main place the modified navigation button, and already around in circles are the remaining buttons. The navigation button has become more and has an oval shape, and application buttons are slightly bent. The whole design was similar to the control panel for a gaming console.

In principle, sufficiently well thought-out ergonomics, navigation button listens well, and on the application buttons to press has become much easier. All control is implemented on the Pocket PC so that you can operate with one hand.The navigation button is used not only for movement on the menu, but also to run the various functions of an application. For example, if you hold it for 2-3 seconds, then will return to the list of applications. If a Contacts click on the right side of the navigation buttons, then calls the function search, which also can be controlled with a joystick. In that case, if the computer is off, short press the center navigation button will cause information about the date and time. And there are nuances of management in TT3 enough.

In the box

Inside the box, which comes PDA, you can find the standard "palmovsky" cradle connector for the power adapter, in fact, he network adapter cap to protect the screen, two CDs with software (one for Mac, the second - for Windows), two descriptions , stickers, graffiti and warranty. It is unfortunate that on the computer chassis slot No power adapter - will have to carry a cradle or buy a special cable to Palm connector.

Instead of the usual clear plastic lid with holes for the buttons, which were completed T and T2, with a new device comes suede "cap" (well, we have no analogue in the language of normal leather screen cover:), which is fastened to the rear of the enclosure.

The solution, in my view, questionable, removable plastic cap was still more convenient.

Of text input

Do TT3 no compulsory physical graffiti. Now, as handhelds and Sony, have cars, there is only a virtual handwriting area, which can be both right-and left-hand side of the display for landscape orientation, or at the bottom of the display when you book.

Typing in three ways: using the virtual keyboard, using the classical virtual graffiti area (with flash icons on the sides) and with a new three-zone area of graffiti in which to enter numbers, uppercase and uppercase letters, there are separate areas. That is, the choice has just two virtual graffiti area.

True, the keyboard is also not one, but in fact five: to enter numbers and special characters for uppercase letters to uppercase and another two for the upper and lower case with the national alphabet. In addition, if needed, you can write and the entire surface of the display, but more on that below.

About the status bar

This is another innovation. For the convenience of all the most commonly used features a computer made by a special panel, called the status bar or status bar. This socket looks like a thin strip at the edge of the screen (the bottom or side, depending on the orientation of the display), and in most applications will not retract. We consider it more closely.

The first icon in the form of a house - a button to call the application list, pressing it again cyclically switches between categories of applications. Press once - got in common, the second - in the game, and so on, until we returned to the first category. If you click on the icon and hold for a second, then a list of the last six applications. Sound familiar? Very similar to Windows XP:)

The second icon - this is the standard search function
The third - to call the application menu
Fourth - system information. At this function in more detail. If you click on this icon, the screen appears with the following system information: battery level (in percent), free internal memory and external memory card (also in percentage), switch the backlight display and sound mode selection. Brightness switch has 25 positions, which is significantly greater than that of T2 or models from Sony, which is usually 16 levels. Switch is an audio mode will allow the CPC to operate: the user, and vibrorezhime mode without sound.

The fifth icon - a challenge to the manager of reminders, which contains information about all the reminders, user-defined in the standard PIM-applications (Calendar, Note Pad, Tasks), Word Clock program and recorded with the recorder, Voice Memo.

Sixth icon - this menu is the wireless Bluetooth. In this menu you can enable or disable the wireless adapter and set the search "sinezubyh" brethren. For example, to connect the "friendly" phone Siemens S55 managed without difficulty.

The seventh icon - this option is set the ink in any area of the display - a new proprietary feature, which can not boast of computers by Sony and Palm which can rightly be proud of. In this mode, the letters and characters can be entered in any area of the screen - they will be recognized as well as graffiti. In fact, the display turns into a region of graffiti. True, when you enter must comply with certain rules. If you mentally divide the screen into two vertical parts, then the right, you can write numbers, and the left - the capital letters. At the border as these two areas - capital.

The eighth icon - switch portrait or landscape mode

Ninth - to display the input area. And when the computer is in the folded state (320x320), the input area is displayed. If you hold the stylus on this icon for a second, then a list of virtual input panel (classic graffiti, graffiti, and three-band keyboard).

List of virtual input panel appears in the lower right corner ...

Because of the presence of a permanent status bar the actual display area is the size of 320h448, not 320x480. However, some programs (Player Kinoma) can not display it, so the movies you watch with a resolution 480h320. In addition, there is no doubt that in the near future there will be programs from third-party manufacturers who will "hide" the status bar by the user.

About keyboard lock

The computer has the keypad is locked. Those who thought that Palm risen to the button "hold (like Sony) I hasten to disappoint - there is no dedicated button to disable the keyboard do not." Software only solution, and should prevent you from accidentally turning on the computer during transport. The menu Prefs / Keylock, you can choose the type of work Block: "never", "switch" (as soon turn off the computer) and in manual mode (lock activated by holding the power button for 2 seconds). After blocking the computer will not respond to keystrokes. To spice up the CCP need to turn on the power and confirm the unlock button on the display.

Tungsten T3: program lock keys - Keylock

This solution loses the above button "hold", because it turns off the computer and listen to music at aktivironnom lock mode with the screen becomes impossible. However, there is an important fact. The emergence of Keylock - already a huge step to the user.

Of iron

Processor

Processor our hero is the same as with most Pocket Pc - Intel XScale PXA processor with a clock frequency of 400MHz.

Memory

Your computer uses 64MB of SDRAM memory, from which the user is available only 52Mb. This is the second handheld computer company Palm, which cnabzhen as bulk memory.

Communication capabilities

TT3 is equipped with wireless Bluetooth Class 1, which allows you to connect to other devices that connect to the Internet using a mobile phone with GPRS, send SMS messages and dial phone numbers from the phone book (if your phone is connected). Connection Manager determines the type of device connected to the Bluetooth-adapter.

You can also make wireless synchronization (HotSync) with a desktop computer (if your PC is, of course, there's Bluetooth:).

About battery life

TT3 charging about 2 hours - at least so says instruction to the machine. In reality, to understand charge your T3 or not is impossible. Firstly, there is no light indicating a full charge. If you connect the power adapter, the indicator on the computer will glow green in any case and in 2 hours, and 10. Secondly, the battery indicator in the menu system information reaches 100% within a few minutes, but somehow hard to believe that Li-Ion Polymer battery is recharged in 5 minutes. Through experimental testing we found out that to fully charge your computer is really just two hours. Longer "feeding" has not led to an increase in battery life.The latter was measured by a standard technique in several modes:

in read mode program MobiPocket Reader with automatic scrolling speeds 26-28 characters per second
during playback of mp3 files from the memory card program RealOne Player (display off)
a video playback program Kinoma Player (320x320) test movie with a flow 640Kbit / s of memory.

While working in all modes was measured before the first warning. According to the charging indicator, the first signal of the battery pack comes with a 20% capacity.

When compared to T2, while audio playback is exactly the same, but on the part of the video playing and reading rates below T3. The reason is, apparently, quite a powerful processor. That is, if it were possible to force the lower the frequency of the processor! After all, if you think, then, by and large, 400MHz processor such CCP does not particularly needed.

About performance

Productivity at work was measured with a video already have become the standard for HPCru by using the built-in ROM program Kinoma Player. Here and found the first difference of the new player, Kinoma 2.0 from the old 1.5.1. The results did not exceed 100 frames per second, which is two times lower than that of T2. Immediately the question arose: what about the vaunted Intel Xscale with a maximum megahertz? Everything was simple enough. Test Kinoma 2.0 differs from the similar test in version 1.5.1. Put a new player to the old T2 and Tungsten C, to compare the data was not possible. It turns out that version 2.0 is only supported by new palm (Tungsten E and T3). Had to put Kinoma 1.5.1 on a new computer. Only then is given a quite reasonable results.

Performance T3 is almost twice higher than that of T2, but 30% lower than that of Tungsten C. Difference between T3 and TC hard to explain - seems to be the same processor and memory is almost the same. It seems that the implementation still varies, and in creating T3 developers somewhere saved.

Synthetic test results Benchmark 2.0 show 539%, which is twice his own data for TE.

Pro software

The operating system version of the "third" is the same as that of the "second" - Palm OS 5.2.1, although with slight modifications.

First, the changed set of software, stitched into the ROM, and secondly, have changed themselves PIM-program. To be precise, we changed the concept and the name of PIM-apps (contacts, calendar, tasks, memos) - they have become more similar to the corresponding utility Pocket PC. So the program Tasks (formerly To Do List) has acquired a new, similar to the Pocket PC appearance, but the job got time frame. In the Contacts (Address) the opportunity to record several addresses including web, and birthdays are automatically displayed in the Calendar (Date Book). The very same calendar can now display the entire weight of the year, and is very similar to Pocket Pc counterparts.

Size of records in the Memo (Memo Pad) is no longer limited to four kilobytes (new limit - 32Kb). In addition, PIM applications can sync with the program Outlook (can not praise the Palm for their attention to multi-million users of the program), and about the Palm Desktop can be forgotten. However, in this case will need to install Microsoft Outlook Conduits with supplied with a computer disk. Do not know the approach the developers Pocket PC? In general, it is not surprising. Software product user chooses, and you become accustomed to Microsoft. Changes affected the programs and Documents-to-Go, which (according to representatives of the developers) can work with Microsoft Office documents without any additional conversion (full native file support). The files can be obtained by mail wirelessly or read from the memory card. Unfortunately nothing is absolutely perfect does not happen - in the testing process sometimes had issues with the display of some office files when reading from a memory card. It seems that these errors Palm eventually fix, just do not need to hurry. So, in Rom sewn following the program. Main: Quick Tour 2.0, Calculator 4.5.2, Calendar 1.0, Contacts 1.0.1, Dialer 2.0.1, Documents-to-go 6.002, Expense 4.5.1, Kinoma Player 2.0, Memos 1.0, Note Pad 2.2.1, Phone Link 1.3, Photos 1.1.0.20, SMS 4.5.1, Tasks 1.0, Versa Mail 2.6.1, Voice Memo 1.2, Word Clock 1.0.2. Multimedia: RealOne Player 1.1.0 System: Card Info 4.5.1, HotSync 5.0, Preferences 1.3 Additional software: BlueBoard, BlueChat, Palm Reader 1.2.8, Palm Web Pro - web browser, Adobe Reader, Java Micro Edition - for run java applications, PowerOne Calculator, Kinoma Producer 2.0 - a program to convert movies into MPEG-1, QuickTime, AVI into a format understandable to Kinoma Player and toy Handmark Solitaire.

Of Russification

Localization program was MacCentre PaPiRus 2003, which enables you to work with the Russian language, adapting the system installation PDAs for Russia and Russian software recognizes handwriting. In addition, first implemented Russification of the virtual keyboard. During testing on our guinea was installed lightweight version without interface translation, and embedded applications. Complete edition localization has been released, Mobility MakTsentr Elaborations on Friday, October 24. The new version of the program:

The most important of the "arts" is now a conversation. Intercultural communication are the most needed for success in life and business. Before high-tech equipment manufacturers faced with the task to simplify communication and make it universally accessible and fast. So come into our lives smartphones and communicators, which combine the functions of a PDA and cell phone. Known to many Nokia 9210 and the Kyocera QCP 6035 can already be attributed to first-generation model, which is extremely interesting, but expensive to become a hit.

Currently, the main producers of handheld computers are working, so that as efficiently as possible and organically "write" information and voice wireless technology into their products. For example, a new device from Palm, Inc. developed with an emphasis on a permanent job with email, but, unfortunately, to call with this device you can not. By the way, it has received FCC approval in August, but for some reason its formal presentation has been postponed until next year. i705, namely it refers, delivery has to replace Palm'am series VIIx. However, under the prevailing conditions in the company of Palm, the device may remain on the shelf indefinitely. RIM has just thinks of how to add voice capabilities to their wireless devices BlackBerry, mail-in GPRS-2.5-generation networks in Europe.

While they were contemplating Handspring, Inc. introduces a new line of mobile devices called Treo. By the way, this is the second attempt of the company to issue such a versatile device. The first swallow was VisorPhone - Snap Springboard-module, which allows you to turn handheld Visor into a cell phone. Soon the company's representatives had to admit that the first attempt proved to be lumpy. Sales volume of the device were much below the expected level. On sale at a price of $ 300, VisorPhone been marked down several times, and participated in advertising campaigns as a free application. Nevertheless, the development of software for VisorPhone put the main building block in the foundation of the project Treo. By the way, Handspring is already planning to change the discount VisorPhone on Treo. We shall see.

A little history

Information about the company Handspring is working on a device that can compete with the leading smartphones and communicators, thanks to its design and good value for money ", was leaked to the news sources in August. Then it was reported that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the production of two black and white wireless devices. However, Handspring was outraged by leaks, and the next day it was reported that this approval is temporarily withdrawn. Thus, access to all information and photographs was blocked before the official presentation of new products. Then, it was reported that the company asked the FFC to withhold approval until October 15.

However, since the advent of this information, the mobile community has expressed serious interest in the devices and was looking forward to their formal presentation, which, as promised, took place in mid-October. Despite the fact that now the information about the Treo 180 available on the official website of the company Handspring, to see firsthand the device to very few people had a chance.It is expected that the Treo k180 and Treo g180 will be available immediately after the new year, and a third color model, Treo 270, will be released only in the middle of next year.

Now for the facts

So, your Treo Handspring company managed to combine everything necessary for modern mobile user - mobile phone, electronic pocket organizer and function navigation on Web. The new hybrid less Visor'a and rival devices such as Kyocera Smartphone. Note that its tentative price is acceptable. Treo k/g180 will cost about $ 400 with a connection to the network. A color model Treo 270, you'll have to wait a little longer, will cost approximately $ 600. Why did the new smartphone is much cheaper than similar competitive products? Perhaps the answer to this question may give engineers the French company Wavecom, which developed new products for the wireless module the size of a matchbox. It is with the help of a pocket computer has become more and perform functions of a mobile phone. In addition, the role played by the fact that much at the heart of this device was taken by his predecessor-VisorPhon 'a. About him we talked a little higher.

After the appearance of a new device on the Stanford Palm User Group interest in him only grew. And those who had a chance to see him were surprised priyatno. First of all, a few words about the design. As it turned out, the GSM-phone + PDA is really a miniature. Compared with the Palm Vx, Treo shorter and narrower, but the truth, thicker. Handspring designers can only applaud - to fit so much in such a small form-factor! Note that, despite the size, quality and functionality are expected to be high, that's twice as nice. Treo will appear in two variations - k180 and g180. Unlike models - in the process of entering information. k180 has a small keyboard, a la Blackberry, which used to be a few minutes. g180, in turn, has a familiar Palm-device area of graffiti.

Treo as a phone is a dual-Mobile with support for voice dialing and a full complement of standard features: a list of calls, built-in phonebook, directly from which we can produce a set of numbers, etc. Initially, smart phones will only work on GSM networks. During subsequent upgrades they will be able to support GPRS-protocol. Now the company's engineers working on a CDMA-version of the Treo, which will focus mainly on the United States. As organizer Treo - a typical Palm. It will work on Dragonball VZ 33MHz processor and memory have 16MV. Among the built-in software applications: a diary (Date Book Plus), phone book - an improved version of the application address (PhoneBook), business (To Do List), notebook (Memo Pad), and others. The smartphone runs on the Palm OS, which means that it will be possible to upload all applications developed under it. In addition, a brand new Treo is possible to lose all the information with other Palm-device. If we talk about communication capabilities cmartfona, it is worth noting the speed and ease of wireless sending short text messages and e-mail. And thanks to the browser Blazer, which is an integral part of this machine, the user will be able to wander through the global network. Moreover, these walks are not restricted to sites optimized for mobile devices. This browser has received a prize as the best of its kind, will allow the user to view PC-familiar sites. The only difference is that the owner of the Treo will receive a black and white image. Should not be considered Treo as a variation on the theme Visor'a. This is totally new and first of its kind device offered by Handspring. Despite the fact that an experienced user will find similarities with the VisorPhone, innovation, perhaps, be more.For example, this device does not have the usual expansion slot Springboard. Here are some distinguishing features of Treo:

scroll wheel, called Jog Rogger
Time running conversation - about 2 hours of standby time - about 72 hours
Charging a completely discharged battery takes 1:00
built-in vibrator
no cradle, which is replaced by a charging cable and synchronization
IR port located on the top of the device
telephone and computer parts organizer can turn on and off independently of each other
opening / closing Treo leads to automatic on / off PDA

Objectively judge the work of the new smartphone will only be possible after it becomes available to the masses. So it remains content with only that information which does not regret sharing Handspring, Inc.

In anticipation of Treomfa ...

Trio heads of the company Handspring - Hawkins (Hawkins), Dubinsky (Dubinsky) and Colligan (Colligan) look to the future with optimism. Donna Dubinsky, according to news agency Reuters, confidently announced that the company expects to increase revenues in the second half of next year. And Handspring is 100 percent know what actions in this regard are most effective. Big hopes are pinned on a new line of Treo, after formal submission which, Handspring stock rose markedly. Edd Colligan said that revenues from sales of smartphones will be in the millions, because it is "extremely exciting" device. Sources, Materials:

Palm Tungsten E: for those who like to count money

If you've ever traveled by plane, you probably know that the most expensive seats in first class, and the cheapest - in the economy (charter flights I did not take into account:). You need an exquisite dinner or drinks during the flight, and you're willing to pay for it - perhaps in the first class, and if you have more modest needs - your place in the economy class. There service is worse, and the menu is not as varied as in the first, but is not the case. The main thing is that you, as well as first class passengers, flying on the same plane and, finally, safely reach their destination. Likewise is the case with handhelds. The company makes different Palm PDAs. For those who want a faster processor, more memory and wireless communication interface is the Tungsten T3 (TT3), for the more modest needs - cost-effective solution - Tungsten E (hereinafter - TE). But the "budget" does not mean bad. Remember about the plane? The main thing that you fly:)

Design

Cost-effective solution series Tungsten, PDA with index E, unlike its more expensive counterparts does not have overtaken the gate and looks a lot like PDAs Palm 500 series. Remember the 505 and 515 models? Only the style of a modern - smooth lines and no sharp corners.

Palm Tungsten E: for those who like to count money

Housing new items made of silver material and feels very much like aluminum. However, I have a great suspicion that, as a composite material of plastic stands, however, a very high quality and durable. But that inserts on the upper and lower ends of the casing are made of plastic, no doubt. The dimensions of this handheld little more than everyone else in the series Tungsten - 115mm long and 79mm in width, but the thickness of the smallest in the family - just 12.7mm. Weight in this case is 131g. Just as computers are 500-series machine sits in your hand as poured, although slightly worse than the T2 or T3. On the front panel, directly below the display is a physical area of graffiti. And just below it four application buttons and a navigation key, is almost the same as the T3, just a little smaller and pokvadratney.

On the top panel is a slot for SD / MMC card with support for SDIO, so you can use peripherals that format.

There is also the IR port, headphone jack and power button. At the ends of the PDA is not placed in any government. On the right side by "integrated stylus holder, and the left - to mount a protective cover.

Perot Tungsten E, unlike other PDA stylus in this series is not telescopic (sliding) design and a little shorter. Its upper part unscrew it, and underneath is a thin plastic needle to press the reset button, which can be found on the rear panel. There's also placed the speaker.

Hole for the reset button could be done and more. It is clear that during normal use need to overload does not occur too often, however, during testing, is fraught with all sorts of surprises, the procedure of untwisting / twisting of the stylus is tiring.

Protective removable cover that covers the screen news, obviously borrowed from the good-old models of the 500-series. Just made it in black and gray in tone with the body. Actually, you should recognize that the Tungsten E has inherited much from the legendary "ancestors". However, there was his "relationship" with the later TT and TT2.

But such a permanent attribute of Palm-like computers Universal Palm Connector can not look - it really is not. Stead TE cnabzhen connector standard mini-USB, as well as a port for connecting a network adapter. Cheated model and cradle. True, to worry about it not particularly worthwhile. Although those for whom the TE will not be the first machine may periodically have a desire to "hot-Sinco to determine the CPC to" crib "...

This is the second computer is a family of Palm, which is equipped with standard USB-connector. The first was the Sony UX50. Likely to be caused by such a move savings. But it seems to me that here we can speak about the trend: vendors move to ordinary USB-connector, having forgotten about the special Palm or Sony connectors. Decision is likely correct, a PDA - it is the same external device, camera and peripherals can be connected via USB and wirelessly. Only here the wireless interface (besides the usual infrared, of course) from Tungsten E, because of its budget, no.

Most convincingly about the "social class," says packing CCP, which is a plastic blister, like the first Zire - camyh inexpensive handhelds in PDA history. The package includes TE AC adapter, USB cable, 2 CD ROM with software for both Mac and Windows, the protective cap and paper description.