Mobile Review

As for putting money or MITAC MIO 528

The day before yesterday I was preparing material for PDA NEC MobilePro 300E, and now engaged in a brand new MITAC MIO528. It is curious that the first impression was: "And I just gave the warehouse NEC and not put it there by accident in a box labeled MIO?". However, the first impression was misleading. Cars are very similar, but there are differences (mainly, by the way, not in favor NEC'a). Twins but not twins. MITAC company is known to us as one of leading Taiwanese, and even the world's notebook manufacturers. Let's see how well she was able to adjust to the more mobile sector. Breaking with tradition, and will not start with a box (though it has something to look at). The first step greedily grab the very machine. Well, the cabinet is very nice, did not immediately say, it is made of plastic (this becomes obvious if povertet in the hands of the lid covering the battery compartment). Really looks cool combination of blue with a silver and two vertical blue stripes on the front panel attached to a typewriter elegantsnost and completeness. In his hand is convenient, the weight is almost not felt - MITAC even a little lighter than the NEC - 143 grams, only three grams more than the Toshiba e310 and three less than the MobilePro 300E.

All very nice, but always present oschuenie that lacks something important. The front panel of machine so organically and looks so complete that it took to realize that there is no customary for all Pocket PC joystick takes some time. Thus, there is no joystick. At first glance - a big disadvantage. However, after a few hours I start to seriously wonder, why me this joystick, which I used on all PDAs that fell into my hands? Unfortunately, the answer lies in a while when I start a brand new toy Rayman. Still, without this entertaining accessories to play with toys that are for the Pocket PC more and are becoming more attractive, very difficult, but some are just impossible. But, as practice shows, for the rest of the joystick, in general, is not needed, since there wheel Jog-Dial, which allows you to navigate through the application list and activate necessary. The rest of the design is no different special delights. Four buttons on the front panel launches four PIM-applications: Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks. All very standard, which, however, might be expected, since no additional utilities, such as in iTask iPaq, Fujitsu-Siemens'ovskogo own menu in Pocket LOOX, a MIO not. There, embedded image viewer, but about it below. Thus, the four buttons on the front panel underneath the one hand loudspeaker with beautiful curved slits and the right - on / off switch power supply. Contrary to the fears of all time, until I had a typewriter, I never clicked on this button when you do not like it himself. And it seemed that this place will make their own fingers to get into it. Apparently, the developers have thought through it. After that, everything as always: left wheel Jog-Dial, beneath the power button voice recorder, tiny buttons on reboot. One-in-one, as the NEC MobilePro. Top slot for cards SD / MMC, mikrofonchik, headphone jack, a small window infrkrasnogo port, and guess what?, Of course stylus. The stylus is simply inserted into a hole on the body, without any spring mechanism. Simply and reliably. We get it ... why is it so hard? .. It turns out that the stylus is as much of the three sliding tubes and during the "withdrawal" by themselves apart. It is unclear whether this idea of developers - that the stylus itself apart before using, or simply a hole in the hull is too narrow and the stylus is not "climbs" (sorry) when folded.But the number of "kolenets" MITAC'ovsky stylus has overtaken all. It's no joke, three of them! As already mentioned, have a built-MIO expansion slot - the format for the cards Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard. However, with a flick of the wrist of the owner that the CCP acquires another slot - Compact Flash Type II, which can be connected not only memory cards but also various peripheral devices: cameras, modems, wireless modules, even mobile projectors for presentations in the field conditions. The second slot is, like NEC (well, after all, no less than the twins!) Snap-in "jacket". However, in the case of MIO 528 this device is more appropriate to call the "backpacker" - it hangs on the back "machine, going up to about the middle of the body. Not too tiny "supplement", but at least less and less noticeable than the "brick", which tacked on to the NEC. On the other hand, and an extra battery in it no ...

Now for the bonus software that will please user MITAC. At the ROM is already recorded graphics viewer E-Viewer. Really, by the way, nice programm with the possibility of starting a slide show and create a voice or written notes to each photo. But on the drive happy owner MITAC awaits many enjoyable. Dictionary CEWord (Chinese-English-Chinese, for those interested), CEUnzip - a program to unzip the archive reader electronic books CEBook (understands all known formats), and CETravelMate - a program with a set of useful functions for travelers. Separate line item - toys, which on a disk is in the set as many as six! Even Hewlett Packard, famous for its generosity in giving user bonus programs do not offer this. So, here is ZIO Golf 2, which could be found on the disk NEC, - an excellent three-dimensional simulation golf, allowing use of different clubs, to take into account wind speed and hit with backspin. Pow Wow - uncomplicated, but addictive toy. The meaning of it - shoot by pressing the stylus various nefarious crooks, appearing on the PDA screen. The game has 28 levels, each shooting must put in an increasingly tough time limits.

Golf, Pow Wow, Metallion

Fun2Link - a puzzle game in which two points on the screen should be connected by laying the pipe. Nice, of course, but boring. However, a gift horse ... Next on the list should be playing "Metallion" (though only "demo") - a magnificent fully three-dimensional action, in which the player will have to battle with various naughty aliens who want to seize land. "Metallion", probably one of the best games for Pocket PC to date - 16-bit color, excellent sound effects ... Four years ago this was rare, even on desktop computers. The last two games - "Expresso Run", in which you acted as a supplier of coffee to distant Earth colony and "Pocket Gambler" - a set of gambling. Finally, we came and to boxes, which we left on the "next". Left, because in reality, boxes may be different - and the usual array of Deluxe. Normally there is only a machine, cradle and power supply. Spare stylus there is none, and it included NEC. Cradle, again, as in the case of the MobilePro, equipped with a connector to charge an additional battery (battery for 1000 mAh). Moreover (similarity goes here and here) - on the front panel, the same as in NEC'e light indicating charging this extra battery. But the power supply is made is very interesting: its wire ends quite normal in appearance shtyrechkom, but on the body machine suitable openings there. Look further ... However! Desired "hole" is not on the cradle. Where is she? And it turns out, at the end of the USB-cable.Originally mad, but honestly, it is absolutely embarrassing. And here is a set of Deluxe costs just $ 40 more expensive (minimum equipment $ 445, Deluxe - $ 485), but it has the above-described jacket for cards Compact Flash, sync cable, pouch-book (quite incidentally, comfortable, with pockets for credit cards and Flash -cards and two protective films for the screen.

Total. It is not that remarkable machine, rather the opposite - very srednennkaya. But it's not her problem. MIO - probably the best on the market today, the combination of price quality. The buyer gets everything needed, and quite "tasty" bonus set (and software, and "accessory") for a very reasonable price. When compared to the same NEC MobilePro, MIO, almost similar in features, costs less and gives the user more. In general, a very successful market solution and an excellent choice for those looking for is not exotic, but the simplicity, reliability and quality for little money. The authors, translation:

Three relatively easy ways to enter text into Palm

No longer a secret that the Palm OS version of the Next Arrow numbered 5.2 no longer supports the system of recognition Graffiti, c which users are familiar with more than one generation palmovyh machines. Along with the new hardware features, such as a virtual graffiti area and high resolution screen (320x320, 320x480 pixels) at the Pocket PC in this family will soon appear, and new technology is officially approved by the handwritten input Jot or Graffiti 2. The latter works on the principle of "digital packing area": for notes you can use the entire surface of the PDA screen, and not strictly assigned area. Of course, fans of "retro" can enjoy a virtual Old-good graffiti, but for novices, this system, according to representatives of Palm, is far preferable. However, recommended to use a commercial program Jot ($ 40), there are alternatives. Currently, there is at least two applications running on a "digital ink" and, curiously, is distributed free - Graffiti Anywhere and Newpen. Test all three systems come from our foreign colleagues, a columnist for the site PalmInfocenter, the material of which we present to your attention. Of course, the lack of Graffiti - not the only reason to wish the display text input. The display more space than in the selection and the principle of "digital ink", which uses all of these applications, provides greater visibility.

Jot v 2.0 (product of CIC Software, $ 40)

System Jot handwriting recognition has been around for several years. This application can be called a pioneer in its field. It should be noted that Jot - not just an ordinary utility that lets you write on the screen, and full-fledged technology. Not without reason, recently acquired PalmSource her license from the development company CIC. (Interestingly, that same company has its own analogue and Graffiti - the program RechoEcho, which can be purchased for $ 10.)

Three relatively easy ways to enter text into Palm

The principle of Jot is this: each character is identified by a set of several strokes, is very similar to regular hand-written letters. Graffiti has existed in the old original reduced alphabet, which the owner of a handheld computer had to memorize. Each letter in it was reproduced by one stroke job. In the new system of recognition of letters and symbols (K, T, I, Y, P and $) can be configured by the user, albeit with some restrictions, that is, each letter may have several options tracings. Moreover, to enter one character, you have two or three flourishes, taking the pen from the screen. Punctuation marks are entered in one of two ways: they are automatically recognized in its original form or drawn between special flourishes, and then detected. Usually these characters are available in 2 or more strokes, so you need a special input mode. All punctuation can be entered in this way, but many signs do not need to shift functions for recognition, including:. ,! ? '@ And &. To help users learn the system, handwriting recognition Jot, applies the convenient tutorial (tutorial). Options Inscription symbol can be demonstrated at any point on the display PDA - it is necessary to press the top bar on the desired letter , number or punctuation mark. In Jot strokes are also available for most of the characters available in Graffiti, as well as means of identifying "Cut, paste, etc. However, some characters are not here, for example, double quotation marks or apostrophes (for their writing, using the function shift with Graffiti). As you have probably noticed a stroke, causing mode capitalization (upwards), is used in Jot for punctuation. So how to write capital letters? In Jot input area high letters were transferred to mid-band input. To enter an uppercase letter, you must write it so that it fell in the region enter letters and numbers in the region.

On the functional features of the application

Customize Jot is simple enough, almost all of the tools for this purpose you will find on the screen. The system can be either enabled or disabled completely. Unfortunately, it can not be called from another application. Convenient to use the program in both modes - in Jot, as well as in Graffiti. (Recall that in the Jot-mode, you can write not only in the graffiti, but also the entire surface of the screen.) Recognition of Gestures in Jot is somewhat slower than Graffiti. Chastoispolzuemye punctuation marks are entered in Jot is so simple that in a sense, this is even a "counterintuitive." Thus, a single press on the screen gives the dash. I have countless times in error introduced the double-dash, very much accustomed to double clicking, which is used to write this character in Graffiti. Also like to mention one more very useful features implemented by developers Jot. This is a selection of text using the stylus. I must say that in other programs, text recognition, which we describe below, this feature is not working effectively. In general we can say that Jot - a fairly good product. He runs faster than Graffiti, with its dedicated domain. But if you get used to working with the latter, remembering Jot strokes can cause problems: will often refer to the help Jot, to remember how to write one or another icon. In general, if you are confident user Graffiti, keep up the good work. If you find it hard to get used to its reduced alphabet, Jot - a great alternative. Each letter is well recognized by the system regardless of whether you type it in words or print properly. Dissatisfaction with the program may also cause its price. For an application, which for several years, virtually unchanged, except for adding support for high definition displays, and Palm OS 5, price $ 40 - too high.

Skype: VoIP in the palm

The best, of course, come ...

From the children's song After a series of articles from the workshop on setting up Wi-Fi we have received lots of responses. In particular, we have been asked to continue the theme of communication possibilities handheld computers and communicators story about the popular freeware program for voice communication over the Internet - Skype, but if you take a deeper, its KPK-incarnation. In general, we continue. For those who for whatever reason has not in the subject, let us explain: Skype - it's free software for calls worldwide via the World Wide Web. All that is needed now, or handheld computer users to establish a reliable high quality communication even in the most remote corners of the globe - a couple of personal or handheld computers connected to the internet and this is the Skype.

What is Skype? ..

The slogan of the founders of Skype, I think, needs no translation: "The whole world can talk free". Freedom and access to communications, indeed, did their job. Mir spoke freely and for free:) If we turn to a brief history of this program, you can see that from the moment of its birth was just two years, during which the number of downloads of Skype surpassed difficult imaginable figure. Skype downloaded about 160 million users! Unprecedented success for a modest Luxembourg company, founded by two immigrants from Sweden. So today, for example, in the U.S., about 35.8% of all calls made using Internet telephony (VoIP), accounted for Skype. But this is only the beginning. Drawing attention to such a tidbit that does not belong to this day to any telecommunications giant, a few days ago the company became known Internet auction site eBay. More is coming. In Russia, "Skype-communication" is not very common. So that everything is in front. But to return, in fact, to softiny:) As mentioned above, Skype - a tool for communication between people who have at their disposal computers connected to the Internet, so that "skayperom" can be almost everyone. PC or PDA Skype contacts must be equipped with at least a jack for headphones (that is the speaker) and microphone, that is, the attributes of conventional telephone handset. To transmit data over the network technology is used in Skype P2P (peer-to-peer), used in most modern file-sharing networks like KaZaA. Unlike other voice communication software, also uses the World Wide Web, Skype has all of the processing and compression to vote directly on the computer, the user, allowing the maximum to reduce the volume of the traffic. And, to use high-speed Internet connection for the conversation is not necessarily enough, even a traditional modem. Although, of course, the higher the rate, the better, and quality.

absolutely free, without any adware and spyware
available versions of applications for all popular operating systems: Windows XP, Mac OS, Linux, Windows Mobile 2003 (during the preparation of the material, it became known that Skype will release palmovuyu version of its application in October 2005)
Free and unlimited calls from computer to computer (you only pay the internet traffic to its ISP, and, solely inbound)
The approximate amount of traffic is about 300 KB per minute
work when connecting from 33 kbit / s
voice quality is no worse and often better than over the phone
Complete anonymity is guaranteed, since all traffic is encrypted "cryptographically", according to the manufacturer, the algorithms
guarantee correct operation with all the "firewalls"
Ease of use - at least the software settings (in most cases, no configuration is needed at all).

Official system requirements assume that you have a PDA with a processor at 400 MHz or higher processor, operating system, at least Windows Mobile 2003, as well as an external or integrated Wi-Fi adapter.However, the practice found that the 400 MHz "rock" - is not necessarily a condition you can use "engine" with lower power (at last count, with Skype works fine, and 200 MHz processor installed in the new device Qtek 9100). True, this call to Skype via GPRS will not work. The program, unfortunately, does not work that way. It is - it is checked. The most convenient communication over Skype using wired and wireless Bluetooth-headset (headphone + microphone) connected to a desktop computer or PDA. However, owners of handheld computers does not necessarily acquire a headset, because almost all current models already have a speaker with a microphone.

Skype services

In general, assume that you have everything you need for Skype-communication and get down to business. But before that answer the one question that has probably hurts those who are not in the subject line: if soft and calls - free of charge, what the creator gets the benefit of the program? You are right. Benefit - there is. The gist of it - to obtain payment for additional services and, primarily, for calls from Skype to regular (stationary or mobile) telephone numbers. This service is called SkypeOut. Thus, calls between skayperami from computer to computer are free, but for a call from your PC to PSTN will have to pay. Service SkypeOut - an extremely convenient and cheap. For a tiny amount of 1.7 cents, or about 2 U.S. cents or 50 cents a minute, you get a chance to call any phone in almost any country in the world. Here are the main destinations: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobile number), Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Moterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States (including Alaska, Hawaii), USA (mobile number), Vatican City. Calls to the central Russian cities - Moscow and St. Petersburg - and cost just 1.7 cents. In other cities the cost of slightly higher - 3.9 cents, and minutes of calls to mobile numbers will cost 4 cents. Full list with prices can be seen here. To connect a SkypeOut, need to register (enter your Skype name and password) to the developer's site and to deposit money. More information about how best to do, we'll just below. The second paid service, which provides a company called SkypeIn. This service is essentially the opposite of respect to the service SkypeOut. The idea is that Skype subscribers is available for rent real telephone number that people can call from any phone. Your number Skype-phone may be registered in one of the countries to choose from, for example, in the U.S. or the UK (a list of available rooms is constantly being updated). You can pick up a few phones in different countries, however, would pay for each number separately. SkypeIn service opens up incredible opportunities, primarily for business. Imagine that you do business with any company from China. Get yourself the Hong Kong number, and let the partner call you free of charge and terminate the phone all day. SkypeIn - a real landline phone number, will cost just 30 euros per year (or 10 euros for 3 months). The only thing that upsets Russian facilities until the lease did not give up. But it seems that we have all come. The final service provided by the creators of Skype for the money - voice mail. I think, to explain the meaning of service is especially not necessary: people calling you the opportunity to leave a message when you are "offline" or your computer is off. The cost of subscription to voice mail - 15 euros / year or 3 euros for three months. As for Russian users, as shown by a recent poll, one third of them use all services except for SkypeIn and voice mail, 25% involve only Skype to communicate between computers (PC-to-PC) and, most interesting, as much as 30% are ready subscribe to the service SkypeOut, but can not afford it. Here is where the fun begins.

Working with the program

A newer version of Skype for PDA can be downloaded here or under "Programs for Pocket PC" on HPCru. The program is installed on the PDA without any problems. All standard.When you first start you first offered to accept the license agreement and asked to poke the stylus into the screen on the phrase "Tap here to sign in" ("Click here to make a connection"). In the next window you will be prompted to register a new user, you have to create a new Skype account or if you are already registered, enter the username and password. The password is stored by default and at the next time Skype does not need to enter it. Ironically, the first and perhaps the only real difficulty that arises when you first run the software, it's - select login. Deystitelno, in the service, where hundreds of millions of registered users, free of names is very small. So we'll have "at random", a few attempts, gradually adding additional letters or numbers to the original name, pick yourself a nickname, like Vasya12345. If the network connection is successful, you will immediately get the main program window. Otherwise, you reported that Skype can not connect to the network. The reasons for this may be several. First, the case may be incorrect Internet settings on the PDA. This problem should be solved independently, since no separate settings for connecting to the World Wide Web at Skype is not provided. To test the connection, fire up your browser and go to any site. If the Web page you are available, then the Skype program should connect correctly. Secondly, the problem may be related to the work of "firewall" on your computer through which you surf the Internet. If you are having difficulty connecting, temporarily disable the program. So, here you are connected.

Start Tab Contains a list of subscribers from your notebook, which are online, as well as the status of your account. If you have paid for SkypeOut, then on this tab, you can check your account.
Contacts Tab shows a list of subscribers in your address book - contact list.

Dial tab is used for calls to ordinary phone numbers. Enter your phone number and press call.
Log tab keeps a history of your calls, that is, information about whom you talked and when (day and time).

The program's interface in general is intuitively simple. Here everything is almost like a mobile phone. To call the user chooses a contact list, and then press the green call button at the bottom of the window. Once the connection is established with the subscriber, a call key will be "inactive" (gray).

To end the call, press the red button with a pipe. If you receive a call from another user, the program will notify you snooze. You can agree to and accept the challenge or lose the call. Clicking on the icon marked with the letter "A", you go in the mode of sending text messages to the subscriber - mode "messaging." There are also all extremely simple, almost like in ICQ.

Typed text and click on "send" the right of the window, write the message. The text is sent.

"Heart" is pre-generated list of most frequently used phrases like: "Hi, how are you?" or "I went for!"
"Smiley" allows you to add a post funny and sad "face" from the menu that appears.

Skype Me - «Come hang out with me as though someone!"
Away - temporarily out
Not available - absent
Do not disturb - do not bother
Invisible - invisible to other users.

Log in as a New User - register a new user
Logout - to change the current user
Add a Contact - add new user in the contact list (must enter a user name)
Search for a Skype users - to find a user with the nickname that contain the letters (unfortunately, the regime can not see the current status of the user)

Language - select the language (Russian, alas, no)
Allow calls - to allow reception of calls to choose from: all users, only those who are in the contact list or just those you personally have authorized
Allow messages - to allow reception of text messages from subscribers to choose from (similar to the previous version)
Prevent device standby mode when online - to ban handheld go into standby mode when you're online
Echo cancellation ON - turn on the suppression of the "echo" (improves sound quality)
Edit Message Templates - edit a set of ready-made phrases to speed up the communication mode, text messaging
Quit - exit the program.

Hang up - hang up
Hold - hold call
Mute - mute
Show profile - View Profile caller
Add to contacts - add the person to contact list

The same menu, but in the form of icons, you can call by clicking the image interlocutor during the conversation.

Additional features

Call - a call
Send an Instant Message - Send a message
Show Profile - view the profile, that is, information about the user. By the way, you can have on a similar profile, but it was filled only available in versions of Skype for desktop PCs.

Block this User - block user
Rename - rename the subscriber
Remove from Contacts - remove a contact from the phonebook
Request Authorization - send an authorization request.

That is, in fact, all the wisdom.

Ping

So you can be congratulated on taking a series of Skype-Community. Meanwhile, at the moment to talk to you no one, but want to test your connection. This problem is completely solved. Should first make a test call to the subscriber echo123. This is a special Skype answering machine, situated geographically in the UK. Calls on him often occur just to test the connection. Callers echo123 again "reports" that it supposedly service ping and that after the beep "pi" stands out to you 10 seconds to tell a short message.Your message is recorded on the server, and then immediately played back to you. Pay attention to the quality of communication, your voice and the volume (recording level) the microphone. Call to echo123 enough to personally assess the quality of Skype. Checking communication at electronically answerphone can proceed to communion with friends:)

Sound quality

Few kind words wants File Type about quality sound and convenience Skype communion on PDA. When Internet calls to subscribers who are close to you, for example, when calling from Moscow to Moscow, the communication quality is much better than on the phone. "Echo" is missing completely. When calling remote subscribers, for example, in another country, depending on the distance and speed of the Internet begin to appear normal for long-distance side effects. In the first place, clearly perceptible delay in the signal - from 0,5 to 2 seconds. Voice quality at the "far" connection decreases slightly. There is a "echo" (that is, you start to hear what I said yourself). During testing, Skype-Linkages, I tried two newest PDA Dell Axim X50v and HP iPAQ hx4700, as well as communicator Qtek 2020i. They are all connected to my desktop computer via Wi-Fi. Was used "Easy Connection", described in the article "Wi-Fi at home: Create a wireless network and connect the PDA, part 1," published recently in the HPCru. In brief, a desktop machine connected wireless adapter Wi-Fi, choose the mode of connection: "computer to computer." The NIC that is connected to the ISP, was shared between the internet for other users. As a result, all devices participating in the Skype-test showed themselves perfectly.

It is curious that, for most PDAs, including our experimental, multimedia headset is optional. Just offer a machine to your ear like a regular phone and start a conversation. However, there is still a small risk here: sometimes during a call, I accidentally touched his cheek and touch screen, unwittingly, caused the context menu:) So to speak, especially long (an hour and a half or two), it is more convenient for multimedia headset (eg , Bluetooth-model), when the PDA is with you on your desk or in your pocket: and his hands are free, and you can even play on the machine during intercourse.

Problems and solutions

One major problem about which, incidentally, we mentioned, wears not technical. Despite warning inoperability Skype through GPRS, and on PDA running versions below than Windows Mobile 2003 are experimenters who try run through mobile network yes even on old gland. This is - a waste of time. Not worth starting. In addition, I want to say a few words that Skype should not be used in local networks without Internet access. We remind you that this application does not work without the Internet. For Skype-communication within the local network will still need to go on the Internet. And this despite the fact that the main traffic during the conversation will go just on a local network rather than through the Web. The total consumption of the external traffic of such communications will naturally be much lower. But go to the main trouble of the Russian skayperov - unimaginable difficulties encountered when attempting to pay for SkypeOut. Make it easy at first glance. All operations in Russia are held through a system of money transfer Moneybookers. Payment can be made either by bank transfer to bank account or via credit / prepaid cards (VISA, VISA debit, VISA electron, MasterCard, Delta). In fact, you are confronted with the fact that, firstly, charge large commission for money transfer (minimum payment amount - 10 euros). Secondly, this "credit" cards have a very limited user population. This is understandable because of their service costs about $ 50 a year. Third, the Internet card, intended to pay for goods on the web, as experience shows, does not always work, but for their manufacture have to pay the bank. In general, there is quite a strange phenomenon.Skype developers are not rushing to establish relations with Russia. Make such a conclusion can learn about all kinds of payment methods, including electronic cash, which are available to subscribers from other countries. For Russian skayperov such diversity is not provided. But let us hope that this is a matter of time. Questions about how and where our customers can fill up the balance are being actively discussed and nA Russian forums (including www.skypeclub.ru and www.ixbt.com). However, until universal formula for payment of services Skype-communication has been found, so to give an unequivocal advice can not we. Yet for those who just need a Skype can offer a completely legal way to recharge without the hassle of credit cards and banks. By Plantronics, a manufacturer of professional headsets for IP telephony gives users special vouchers when purchasing certain models of headphones. These vouchers can be activated at www.skype.com and get 120 minutes for calls to PSTN. Otherwise, it is hoped that the demand for Skype in Russia, which has been growing steadily, put everything in its place and will enable us to you taste the delights of communication without borders and the huge bills for phone calls:)

Summary

Skype - is unique in its kind service, implemented by a surprisingly successful. In this program does not cause any difficulties even for the beginner: everything is thought out and intuitively accessible. Only wish the creators to simplify the procedure for depositing money into an account and release a version of software for handheld computers family Palm. The authors, translation:

HTC TyTN: Titanium Transition

Summer, as a rule - it's time to leave and calm even in the ever-changing world of mobile devices. But the irrepressible HTC's rules of the game, and leave the Chinese have not, so the summer has been chosen to implement a large-scale rebranding and the release of several new models. Recall, HTC «bury" most of its brands, including well-known in Russia, Qtek, and put all face the fact: henceforth there is no brand other than HTC, and HTC - his prophet. Anyway, in Europe and Russia (in Asia will remain DoPod). Of course, this procedure stunned many customers HTC, but to go to them, by and large, were nowhere, and they sigh and swearing an oath, adopted new rules of the game. Transitional period, as practice shows, is always marked by some, shall we say, strangeness, and HTC no exception. Do not know what came into his head hard working Chinese managers (perhaps peretrudilis), but the standard and familiar to all is the scheme alphanumeric names was rejected as not met the expectations, and the light was born (I suspect, in terrible agony), two strange names : HTC MTeoR (nee - Qtek 8600), which we have already mentioned earlier, and the HTC TyTN (aka Qtek 9600) - the hero of this review. Fortunately, in this strange and over. I was told, it happened about the following scenario. Imagine the office of the company HTC, the sales department.

Mobile view: Week 3GSM Congress

Almost all major mobile industry event last week focused on the 3GSM World Congress 2007. Events outside the exhibition in no way associated with it, it was quite small, since the major players gathered there. But since the exhibition's more than enough. Traditionally, it made the announcements, sometimes true, sometimes it's very preliminary, almost six months ahead. Suppose that we are unable to pay due attention to every deserving event, but that much of them we will hear more than once during the year, then we will discuss them more thoroughly.

Crossbow has become Windows Mobile 6: waited

One of the main event for the world of smart mobile devices in the exhibition's official opening of a new version of Windows Mobile 6. Thanks to all sorts of leaks, the information about it has spread even before the announcement, and a week before the presentation got a massive scale. However, the welding, ceremonial release took place at the opening ceremony. For the most part preliminary information was confirmed. Some revolutionary radical changes have occurred, most version 6 more pulls on the Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition, as a fundamentally new release. The benefit of Windows Mobile 5.0 and Windows Mobile 6, even based on one core, not yet released in the past year, Windows Embedded CE 6.0, while the previous version, Windows CE 5.0. We summarize the main official information about the new product.

Although specifically about this, Microsoft has not disclosed, but the entire documentation new version of the operating system is divided not on Windows Mobile for Smartphone, Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone Edition, and Windows Mobile 6 Standard, Classic and Professional editions, respectively. That is, devices without a touch screen, smart phones, are working on a version of Standard, and PDAs and communicators with a touch screen - based on the Classic and Professional, depending on the availability of telephone module. Has been updated the whole look, the system looked like a new version of PC OS - Windows Vista. One of the major innovations in Windows Mobile 6 - pre-installed package of office applications in the Office Mobile versions for Smartphones, now called Windows Mobile 6 Standard, which had not previously done Corporation. Thus, smartphones initially appear ample opportunity to read and edit documents that show the original images, and formatting. Has improved access to email, for example, the opportunity to view the e-mail in HTML format with links to Web-and SharePoint-sites. Also, enter your e-mail management and fewer clicks. The system added 9 new features one-touch control, including: "Reply All", "Set flag", "Move to Folder" and "Delete". Exchange Server 2007 users can now set the auto reply. Was added filter system Smart Filter for easier search in the messages. Transformed calendar allows you to quickly find out when the calendar is free time, and with Exchange Server 2007, you can respond to requests for meetings, send them and see a list of invitees. Another innovation - an integrated suite of Windows Live services in a version for Windows Mobile: Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger, Live Search and Windows Live Spaces. Users will be able to keep a unified contact list and view it in Windows Live Messenger. Here, the corporation should be a general trend, at a time when services Yahoo! and Google has already integrated with the interfaces of mobile devices. Call history can be found in the individual contact card. New Tool for synchronizing with computers based on Windows Vista - application Windows Mobile Device Center, allows you to track changes in folders PCs and mobile devices including music, images, videos and information Outlook.

Were expanded as business and corporate opportunities. Including increased security responsibilities, such as new options Exchange Server in setting policy, encrypted memory card slot and support for removing information from the device remotely. Added support technology IRM (Information Rights Management), it is important for organizations are protected by IRM confidential data on your PC. For devices with Windows Mobile 6 will be installed fresh versions of Microsoft. NET Compact Framework and Microsoft SQL Server. Also claimed to support the integration of VoIP-making. According to plans of Microsoft, the first devices running Windows Mobile 6 will appear in the second quarter of 2007.

Windows Mobile devices: announcements, upgrades, updates

On the first day of 3GSM Congress, was announced the car and small truck of new models of mobile devices such as a Windows Mobile 6 as well as on the previous version of the operating system. The most interesting and significant of them are considered in a separate article, also dedicated 3GSM. Surely we are not just hear about these updates throughout the year, when the company will publish more data about them or to announce the immediate availability. It is quite usual for the 3GSM situation when many new items, first shown on it grows more details and remind yourself at least the first half of the year. The significance of this exhibition is so great that companies often show her model, which is still quite far from the exit and, accordingly, certain parameters, which are still subject to change. As a result, showing a novelty, companies often do not report details about her. Were presented not only fundamentally new models, but the updated one way or another "old". As we learned from most of the press release from Microsoft, upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 is planning to hold an operator T-Mobile for Smartphone T-Mobile Dash, the operator's version of HTC S620 (Excalibur). During the presentation, Microsoft vice president Peter Nook (Pieter Knook) also announced a future upgrade for the Treo 750 smartphone from the company Palm. In addition, it is expected, although the official statement to this effect has not been, an upgrade for these devices? as not so long ago announced 3G-communicator ASUS P735 and JAQ3 from the company i-mate.

The company i-mate also introduced a small update to its slim Smartphone i-mate SPL, however, at first glance unrelated to the operating system. Just on sale soon appear smartphones this model in red, pink and blue version, in addition to black. However, eyewitnesses have reported show that they have seen this model works on Windows Mobile 6 Standard, rather than Microsoft Windows 5.0 for Smartphone as it should be, which gives hope for an early upgrade.

The Chinese company, Lenovo is also not spared the 3GSM and demonstrated two mysterious devices, smartphones and communicators based on Windows Mobile 6. On them is not known yet no further details. Curiously, one of them, namely smartphone flaunts russified numeric keypad.

Windows Mobile in Korean: the main, well hidden?

An interesting strategy to choose for themselves the company Samsung Electronics, has presented a couple of new products-communicators. Samsung Ultra Smart F700 and the Samsung Ultra Smart F520 - it's definitely the model is very extraordinary, unusual and interesting. F700 involuntarily compare with who are already iconic iPhone from Apple, he also uses touch screen and an interface that focuses on managing your fingers rather than stylus. Differences, of course, weight. Samsung products largely loses the iPhone in terms of innovation, but it has many pros. For example, a device from Samsung has a sliding QWERTY-keyboard, but the display itself while far less - a diagonal of 2.78 inches at a resolution 440h240 pixels. Also, there is no impressive amount of internal memory, but offered a slot for cards microSD. Great emphasis is placed on the standards of new generation - supports GSM / EDGE and UMTS / HSDPA. Also built-in 5-megapixel camera with autofocus. Special mention deserves interface «Drag and drop», through which you can drag objects on the screen.

Samsung F520 made in the original form-factor "double" slider. That is, you can push down the keyboard with navigation and numeric keys, and extends from the side QWERTY. As well as the F700, the novelty is equipped with a touch screen, here it is even more - 3 inch and slightly higher resolution 480x272 pixels. Also highlights the management of a finger without the stylus. This model can also work in networks GSM / EDGE and UMTS / HSDPA. It features a simple 3-megapixel camera.

There is a F700 and F520 additional charm given to touch of mystery. The fact that a company called novelties Ultra Smart, clearly alluding to their affinity smartphones, but it conceals the fact on what kind of platform they are built, and in press materials did not mention no small importance of this information. The reports of the visitors, however, reported that Asians are sneaky created them based on well all the familiar Windows Mobile, placing on top of its own interface shell. All true messaging port that the manufacturer of "closed" platform and the ability to install standard software created for Windows Mobile third-party developers, is not supported. The user remains the only option to install Java-applications.If this is true, and Samsung will not change its policy at the time of registration or later, the way she brings down the new items to the class of 'simple' phones, but not advanced communicators. However, some basic features incorporated in them, still it is not just a "dialer" and the model of high-end, designed to work with multimedia content, internet and so on. Among the declared functions - document viewing MS Office, Internet surfing and e-mail activity, work with media formats MPEG4, H.263, H.264, Real Video, MP3, AAC (+), eAAC + and Real Audio. It should be noted that the focus highlights the telephone and the lack of support networks, Wi-Fi, which has already become almost a standard for honest communicators based on Windows Mobile. F520 and F700 will appear on the market in the third quarter of 2007, probably closer to the release of the situation with them to clarify. If the models at the time of registration will be open to third-party software, you will be able to position itself as a "killer" models such as HTC TyTN, but if not - will simply expensive and must pay tribute, beautiful toys.

In the environment: the best "mobile office" according to Nokia

By Nokia, of course, do not miss 3GSM Congress, and fired a series of smartphones based on S60. She updated the E-series business smartphones, and introduced a smartphone and smartphone-navigator middle class, sharpened for mobile TV. New business smartphones Nokia E90 Communicator, Nokia E65 and Nokia E61i positioned as the second generation of E-series combines advanced technology and new functionality. Curiously, all three new items are equipped with cameras, of which the company had previously tried to refrain, at least, offering a camera as an option. Here, the ban on camera in business models cast out. The king of the trio looks Nokia E90 Communicator - universal device with impressive features. It is quite capable to get producers to think of communicators based on Windows Mobile devices to increase functionality and to spur them into development. It's funny that in the positioning of Nokia E90 Communicator is identical with the communicator-monster HTC Advantage based on Windows Mobile 5.0, also announced at 3GSM. And Nokia and HTC presented with their offspring as the best solution for the "mobile office". Both solutions are large, despite the difference in form factors, they are almost the same length (134 mm and 132 mm), but the Nokia E90 in the folded state at 4 cm already. By weight difference noticeable - Nokia lighter by about 140 grams. Thus, in comparison with the HTC Advantage model Nokia E90 will be an order of magnitude easier to use it as a phone, but he is smart and that the heart be far more phones than PDAs. Despite the hopes of many, the Nokia E90 screen is not touch-sensitive, this causes the Platforms. In many respects the decision by Nokia and HTC intersect in "collateral" is not the main, the functions, for example, have a GPS-module and a 3-megapixel main camera.

Like the previous series of Representatives Nokia Communicator, such as the Nokia 9300 and Nokia 9500, E90 smartphone running the operating system Symbian OS, but these two predecessors were based on the Series 80, and new works on the S60 3.1 Edition (Symbian OS 9.2). Consequently, the program will be presented to her in abundance. In general, the basic similarities to its predecessors is in the form factor - the horizontal clamshell with two displays and keyboards, but otherwise it's completely updated unit. Displays both internal and external best quality.External display is comparable with the main screens of ordinary smartphones - the resolution is 240x320 pixels, resolution internal display - 800h352 pixels, both support 16M colors. Communications capabilities are spreading from the GSM / GPRS / EGPRS (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and WCDMA / HSDPA (2100 MHz) to Wi-Fi (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0. Also noteworthy Stereo FM-radio. The amount of memory for applications and user data reaches 128MB, can also be used cards microSD. Battery capacity 1500 mAh, according to the manufacturer, provides up to 5 hours of talk time and up to 14 days standby time. On sale this toy begins to appear in the second quarter, and the massive sales start in the third. The declared cost of the framework - from 750 to 800 euros, about $ 985 - $ 1050 and is still without taxes.

Others presented smartphones are not so daunting. Nokia E65 - an attempt to add a fashion trend in the E-series. It is the first slider, which appeared among business smartphones from Nokia, a relatively thin for their capabilities, the thickness is 15.5 mm. Otherwise, it is fairly standard for Nokia. The smartphone is also capable of working in networks GSM / GPRS / EGPRS, WCDMA / HSDPA and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is also a camera, here is a 2-megapixel. The display has a native resolution of QVGA (240x320 pixels), Memory - 50 MB, there is a slot for cards microSD.

Nokia E61i is a long-awaited update your smartphone with a QWERTY-keyboard Nokia E61. To him, finally, added a 2-megapixel camera, which many did not have enough, diminished rigor in design and slightly changed the control buttons. There are other, less visible changes, such as a slot for cards microSD, not miniSD. This smartphone is also able to work in a standard HSDPA, in addition to GSM / GPRS and Wi-Fi.

Anyone who remembers the good old Nokia 6110, lived in a time when telephones were big, certainly surprised at the appearance of its namesake with the declared navigational functions. Smartphone Nokia 6110 Navigator, in truth, has nothing to do with his namesake, an old. It's a slider on the platform S60 3rd with integrated GPS-functionality. For the navigation device, perhaps, he has too little screen - 2.2 inches diagonal, perhaps, to use it will not be too comfortable. However, the solution is able to help out in difficult situations, it is quite acceptable.

Smartphone Nokia N77, as expected, is designed to carry a mass of mobile TV. He is regarded as an affordable model. For N-Series smartphone he's really quite simple. Nokia N77 is designed as a classic candy bar, equipped with a tuner, DVB-H and 2,4-inch display with 16M colors. It is also based on S60 3rd edition and can run third-generation networks.Recommended price for it is 370 euro (excluding taxes), it is hoped that users will share with the producer views on the "affordability" price.

Neonode N2: addition to the family or Neonode degenerates

The company Neonode still wait for addition to the family - "pregnancy" chief designer Bjorn Svensson (Bjorn Svensson) was completed successfully and he "give birth" Smartphone Neonode N2.

Despite the fact that the company promised something new, some revolutionary innovations failed to notice. However, the old virtues of the family Neonode have been strengthened and expanded. Smartphone was even smaller and lighter than its older brothers. Dimensions were 77h47h14, 7 mm and weighs about 70 grams. True, this has decreased and the touch screen - 2 inches diagonal become instead of 2.2, the resolution remains the same. Steel support miniSD card format instead of SD. The camera has been upgraded to a 2-megapixel. Another innovation - the application WRR (Web Radio Recorder) to download and record music from Internet radio channels, although with mandatory connection to a PC. Connectivity options are limited GSM / GPRS (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and the interface Bluetooth, which seems to have replaced the old IrDA. MP3-player supports MP3, WMA, WAV. Recall that a smartphone based on the core Windows CE platform Neno, proprietary Neonode. Open platform and third-party developers can create software for it.

It turns out, the company can talk about any number that is the progenitor of "Finger" interface that Apple and LG phones with their iPhone and Prada assembled, the concept is at Neonode, but to release something really competitive, concept and sets the tone for years to come she is now unable to. Smartphone Neonode as he was, and remains a toy for the few fans of unusual decisions and miniature fans. It seems that this case could serve as further evidence that trust men to give birth should not be better to leave this busy professionals;)

PlayReady: new paranoia from Microsoft

Try to imagine a situation. Teen sees on TV or in magazine advertising directory of pictures or ringtones for cell phones and it includes a desire to diversify the contents of your mobile phone. Or he goes out of the theater and see ads mobile operator offers to download the appropriate content. Then, instead of the move to send an SMS for a few cents and get your favorite tune / picture, he rushes to friends looking for exactly the same. Hard looking for a few days, miraculously finds, it suffers by trying to smuggle the desired on your phone, and finally, deeply moral satisfaction from illegally obtained copies. We should not forget that this whole saga is the presence of a telephone on which all this time you can send SMS or climb on a Wap-portal and get a like new mobile art for a few cents in just minutes.Sounds a bit unrealistic, but it seems that Microsoft is seriously believes in the reality of such situations, as in that it causes serious financial damage to cellular operators and content providers. Piracy - the old fad software giant, with whom he is competing in the best of my ability. At the 3GSM World Congress, Microsoft made happy mankind new technology to access multimedia content and protecting it from unauthorized copying, simply put, DRM (Digital Rights Management). "New" is intended for use in the field of mobile and can be used with many types of content: music, video, games, ringtones and pictures. Against DRM, this plague of the modern world distribution of digital content, has openly Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, which owns the most successful to date online music store iTunes. One of the main reasons Steve Jobs in his call to abandon DRM was that this solution does not cope and never fail in its primary task - the fight against piracy. Nonetheless, Microsoft continues to believe DRM acceptable output, which once again proved the release of the new DRM-system PlayReady. Incidentally, in his perseverance she is not alone, according to Microsoft, novelty is going to introduce the world's leading operators, including Telefonica, O2, Verizon Wireless, Bouygues Telecom and Cingular Wireless, now become AT & T. As the developer promises, PlayReady can be implemented on any mobile hardware or software platform, even the class low-end. The technology is backward compatible with Windows Media DRM 10, which will allow PlayReady-devices work with Windows Media DRM content. The technology must be made available for implementation in the first half of the year.

GoForce 6100: The first application processor from Nvidia

The company Nvidia, well known in the field of programmable graphics processors, has made unexpected progress and submitted its first application processor GoForce 6100, designed for handheld devices. According to the creator, the GoForce 6100, the first in a planned series, more than twice as reduced power consumption compared with any applications processor available on the market today. The list of key features of the processor include: core ARM1176JZ-S with a frequency of 250 MHz, hardware acceleration for all the "heavy" multimedia features and data protection Adapter Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / i / e, and analog signal amplification module, working with H .264, WMV9/VC-1 to VGA-resolution at 30 frames per second, camera support up to 8 megapixel, support platforms, Linux, Windows CE 5.0 and Windows Mobile, support is available DRM formats, an integrated TV encoder and DACs, integrated USB 2.0/OTG. As reported by the developer, GoForce 6100 is designed for fast time to market is the best mobile products in 2007 and 2008. At the exhibition the company showed a concept phone Quark, created to demonstrate the GoForce 6100.

ACCESS Linux Platform is on the way

Operating System ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP), is actually the receiver Palm OS, was announced by Access and PalmSource, now merged in the Access, has at last year's 3GSM World Congress. One of the main features of the OS that it is based on the kernel Linux, as well as the stated compatibility with programs created under the Palm OS. Consolidating the good tradition of making announcements about the ALP at 3GSM, a developer at this time, announced the official name of its operating system, actually it has not changed - ACCESS Linux Platform, and also announced the start of licensing of PDK (Product Development Kit) for ACCESS Linux Platform 1.0. In addition, a distribution of pre-release version of the SDK (Software Development Kit) and a tool to check compatibility with Garnet OS (until recently known as Palm OS Garnet). In more simple terms, this means that developers have had the opportunity to begin to create products using the ACCESS Linux Platform.

Browser Opera 9 goes mobile

Last year was the released version of Opera 9. On the eve of the exhibition 3GSM developer Opera Software said in general, the expected news - will create a mobile version of Opera Mobile 9 for major mobile platforms. The main highlight of renovation will be support for widgets and functions of the Intelligent Zoom. Widgets were introduced in version 9 of Opera for PC, Intelligent Zoom first appeared in Opera for a game console Wii. Widgets are small Web-based applications that run outside the browser. They allow users, manufacturers and service providers to create and personalize services, providing such information, such as weather, news and e-mail. Widgets are available directly, without launching a browser. Intelligent Zoom feature allows you to view the entire page, as if in a reduced form, and then you want to increase her site. In an environment where not all Web-site address the needs of mobile devices, it is very, very useful.

Video content with Flash Lite for mobiles

Flash-based content is very popular in the network, Flash-video often published example, such well-known services like YouTube. As reported by Adobe Systems, the third version of the Adobe Flash Lite for mobile devices will be integrated with support for video content. Flash Lite 3 will not only support the same video formats as Adobe Flash Player, but also be able to play the video streams that are downloaded from Adobe Flash Media Server. This will allow users of mobile phones to watch video clips, streaming video and so on. It should be noted that Flash Lite runs on multiple platforms, including Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile 5. Release of Adobe Flash Lite 3 is scheduled for the first half of this year.

HD-video on mobiles by the TI

Another company has demonstrated its development of Texas Instruments. OMAP3430 processor is considered as the first application processor, capable of playing HD-video 720p (1280x720 pixels) on mobile phones-class high-end. OMAP3430 also positioned as the first application processor that supports the standard OpenGL ES 2.0, which allows us to achieve live 3D-graphics on mobile devices. OMAP3430 processor is based on the core ARM Cortex-A8, which provides enough performance for demanding games in real time. In addition, TI introduced two new products in a family of OMAP 3 - OMAP3410 processor and the OMAP3420, which are built on the same core, but are intended for use in devices other price segments. Delivery prototypes OMAP3430 processor has already begun, and the OMAP3410 and OMAP3420 will ship later this year. The first phones based on the OMAP 3 is expected early next year.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile for Symbian and Windows Mobile

Well known developers Kaspersky Laboratory has released the market Kaspersky Anti Mobile, product designed for the protection Smartphone and PDA-based platforms, Symbian and Windows Mobile. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile combines the constant anti-virus protection and scan on demand, mobile device protects against spam, coming in the form of SMS / MMS-messages, through entry of unwanted numbers in the blacklist.Control of the viral threats in real time by both over wireless connections, and over EMS / MMS-messages, as well as data obtained as a result of synchronization with the PC. Supported devices based on Series 60, 80 or UIQ, as well as Windows Mobile 2003 (for Smartphones, Phone Edition) and 5.0.

4 GB microSD card from SanDisk

The news is not revolutionary, but definitely will please many owners of advanced mobile devices. , SanDisk introduced a memory card microSDHC (microSD High Capacity) 4 GB. For a long time for the tiny microSD memory card limit on the amount of spaciousness was 2 Gb, and yet they are used in a variety of new models of phones, smartphones and communicators. In January, a similar capacious card company announced Kingmax, but without any details about plans to release. SanDisk also plans to release a 4-gigabyte microSD memory card in the second half of 2007.

In RoverPC S5 simplified camera

And, finally, a couple of events with our Palestine. The company Rover Computers has decided to release a simpler, more accessible version of Communicator RoverPC S5, which is now equipped with a 4-megapixel CCD-camera. In early March, will begin selling the variation of device with a 2-megapixel camera. Otherwise it will remain the same, with all its plusses and minuses, including the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0, Intel PXA270 processor 312 MHz, Bluetooth, and the lack of Wi-Fi.

Ogo from VimpelCom

Became aware of plans to release the operator Vimpelcom communicators Ogo and services from the company IXI Mobile for its corporate subscribers. To date, camera mobile phone version, exactly as communicators and smartphones, are not very developed in the Russian market, but regular attempts in this direction are being made. Ogo communicator can use the service Push email, work with ICQ-messenger, RSS-feeds, and view graphics, documents, Word, PDF and PowerPoint. It is expected that one of the main advantages of this innovation will be a small price - around $ 100, however, the issue of price has not yet been clarified. Also, it is not clear which model is chosen, and they are very different in features. The older one, for example, it meets the modern requirements, has a color QVGA-display, 32MB RAM and 64MB ROM, has a slot for microSD, Bluetooth 2.0 Interface, in addition to GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and Wi -Fi (802.11 b / g).

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Glofiish M700, photoshoot

In the latest edition appeared HPC.ru communicator Glofiish M700. In the near future, read on these pages a detailed review of new items Glofiish M700, but for now we present you some photos without comment. Specifications Glofiish M700