CeBIT. Part 3. More smart, good and different

Palm and his ilk

Recent Smartphones Palm OS, at first glance, almost none. Produced by Kyocera (formerly Qualcomm) does not count because it only works on CDMA networks, and can not be considered a novelty, even a stretch. Is that the Samsung was lit, but the seriousness of his intentions until the doubt. However, to be closer, it becomes clear: manufacturers of devices on the Palm OS simply does not have to expend energy on the creation of specialized devices-smartphones. Their approach: making and selling such handheld computers, which if necessary can be turned into smart flick of the wrist. The basic idea: the concept of separation of CPC and the cell phone - perfect. The user is more convenient to have two little handy device than a single relatively large and not too convenient. Just the right moment CPC must easily and securely connect to your phone, making him whole. In the long term for such a "transparent" connection can be applied BlueTooth. So far, no physical contact devices can not do, Palm offers turn your PDA into smart phones via special modules, tips from third parties. A pair of samples was represented at the Palm booth companies Ubinetics and RealVision. His version of GSM-module, complete with various services offered by OmniSky. Thanks to the openness of technical documentation production of such nozzles can do anyone. The cause of Taiwanese took, and has proposed several options for relatively low-cost GSM-modules for Palm Series V. The most advanced units can exist separately from the PDA, and used at the same time to receive calls and incoming SMS-messages. To read messages, post your own and dial when calling to add Palm to the nozzle and run a special program. If you prefer, you can rewrite some phones from address book to Palm SIM-card phone. Some units have built-in memory chip for long-term storage of information about incoming calls and text messages, and even a microphone with a speaker to communicate without the Hands-Free. By separating functions of the phone and the computer user can work with each device separately, combining them together only when necessary. In addition, devices use different batteries, so if you discharge your phone, you can safely continue to use the PDA. The same approach was that the company Handspring, actively promoting VisorPhone - Cell phone GSM or CDMA Pocket PC Visor various modifications. Only if the communication between the Palm Vx and the GSM-module is serial, then in the case of the Visor GSM-module connects via an expansion slot Springboard. We should expect that with the advent of new Palm'ov series m5xx inevitably appears a miniature telephone with SD-card interface. The total cost solutions Palm + GSM-module or Visor + VisorPhone ranges from 700 to $ 900 Price depends on the model of Pocket PC and ambitions of GPS-equipment supplier. And yet. One of Taiwan's firmochek shown at the exhibition messenger for Palm Vx, in the shape of the plug. The cost of this device - 50-70 dollars, far below the cost of GSM-module, and can be used for one-way communication.I am afraid that cheap pagers for Palm overdue for a couple of years, and today they are unlikely to attract a lot of fans.

Motorola secret in

After a not too successful completion of a joint project with the smartphone Psion, Motorola showed no special novelties. More precisely, a new smartphone on the stand still had - Accompli 008. Very interesting development, the size of slightly more than a pager. Good graphical display 320x240, but is physically much smaller than the Pocket PC, besides actually use less space than advertised. Naturally, the possibility of a good organizer with synchronization system Starfish. Touch screen, entering data with a virtual keyboard, a handwriting recognition system or voice commands. Ports the exchange of RS-232 and IrDA. It is curious that the Accompli 008 has two language versions - English and Chinese. The smartphone allows for the development and add more applications, but development tools for the 008 model yet. It can be assumed that Motorola would not violate the usual principles and publish the SDK in the public domain. In addition to the Accompli 008, some previous models of smart phones and conventional phones, Motorola's booth was a showcase of the conceptual developments in the smartphone field telephone. Nothing particularly outstanding, with similar products made from papier-mache can be in the range found on the pages of the WWW, however, the cost to get the camera as one of the stand staff started moving in my direction with a known gesture, "remove the camera." Strange people, why show at the exhibition that it is impossible to photograph? The desire to shoot at Motorolovskom stand (quite incidentally, a dark and expressionless) I was lost, so 008 pictures you will not see here.

Ericsson is also well put new items

It was rumored that Ericsson shows a new device. Like, someone even saw it, and even photographed ... but on the company's stand at 26-m pavilion is nothing like a smartphone I could not be found. If such is certainly not regarded as an unfinished R380, which exhibited more than modest. But some innovations in the field of data transmission Ericsson yet demonstrated. For example, a R520 phone with an infrared port and support for GPRS. I could not resist the temptation to pretend tea: - Is it true that the production of rolled Ericsson mobile phones? Guy Erickson typical form, hung with telephones, pagers, headsets and other wireless Baubles, replied: - It's all nonsense! We just handed over the mass production of the third company to focus on major developments and tabloid journalists trumpeted to the world ... We have talked a bit about the problems of outsourcing. Then he kept telling me about the benefits of technology Bluetooth. Then he complained about what went fingered visitor - they have two days were separated from the tables of a bunch of tubes. And then I went to watch the development of a series of Home Products. The most interesting was, of course, Cordless Web Screen H610 - home plate for viewing Internet pages. Next to the phone jack installed base station and Web Screen can be worn on an apartment anywhere. Screen - above all praise, especially when you consider "home" nature of the device. There is a special stand to read the table. However, for domestic users Web Screen - useless thing, because of the existence of the Cyrillic alphabet, it does not know, and teach her Russian is not possible due to lack of necessary tools. Ericsson still showed some strange device like a radio with an e-mail, fax, SMS, WAP, GPRS, and all such other things. Lie, of course, the features have been smaller, but still do not understand why all this is necessary. It is a pity that it was not possible to see interesting products on EPOC, but pretty boring R380. Hid everything so that the dogs did not find.

Speaking of Symbian

Stand development company near the cellular giants looked modestly. Prototypes and concepts are not shown, the people was breaking. Still working. The emergence of devices on the Quartz not expected until late summer, and did not specify that it will be for the device. Quartz for distributing free SDK, for Crystal and Pearl - yet nothing is done, come back tomorrow. As promised, EPOC R6 supports Unicode, let alone how to use this support to vendors - this is purely in their competence. Therefore the work on localization devices R6 may not be less interesting than it was with the previous R5. We will wait for good news.

Matsushita is working on the Japanese market

Matsushita presence at the exhibition was more than noticeable, thanks to numerous balloons - mobile phones Panasonic - in the hands of children and adults, as well as in the skies over the show. On a blue bench Panasonic drew my attention phone GD95. - And with a computer it can be synchronized?

While the display is lit

Market for handheld computers gradually matures and acquires the features inherent in the increasingly market for personal computers or laptops. Talking about it and more and more increasing number of models of PDAs, and reducing the cost of computers themselves, and, of course, the emergence in this market segment growing number of manufacturers. No wonder that with such an incredible variety of computers (and in our review of them will be 24), the user is practically impossible to select the PDA itself, but the information coming from the computer itself is so scarce that an accurate opinion about any handheld computer is difficult. Take for example a typical configuration of PDAs running PocketPC 2002: Intel XScale processor 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 32 MB ROM, 3.5''screen. What is it? We now find it difficult to reply so soon, what is the computer: it can be Toshiba e740 or ASUS MyPal A600, but maybe this Pocket LOOX 600. It seems to be the same set of parameters, and how much can be different computers. There is a fair question, but maybe they're all the same, and the need to buy any, which will attract more design or who just turns out to be cheaper? To answer this question unequivocally, first, we reviewed all publications on handheld computers in print and online in the last couple of years. And paradoxically, the answer to our question in its entirety could not be obtained. The information was completely fragmented and the overall picture did not develop. For example, a characteristic of such a statement: "This handheld runs 4:00 in the second division of illumination, but this one - 6 hours on the same second division." Which PDA is better? Probably the one that works longer, but if placed next to these computers, it would appear that the same division of the display of the first CCP will be two times brighter than the second. And, indeed, as you can compare the PDA with each other?

What should I test?

To select the comparison, first and foremost, we must understand why you do need a PDA.

Display

Most of the time (approximately 90-95% of the time working with PDA) happy owners of handheld computers use them as a device for obtaining visual information or data entry. It's - reading electronic books, e-mail, edit documents, notes, notepad. Less often - to listen to music, watching videos or work in games. But in all these cases, except for listening to music, we are working with the display, viewing any information from this same screen. And most of these cases - is to work with text. Perceptual quality of the text a person determine the contrast and brightness. To determine the quantity of contrast used the following method. Simulated conditions equivalent to reading e-books under different conditions of ambient lighting. PDA display was illuminated at an angle of 40 °. The detector of optical radiation intensity meter was used, taking into account the spectral sensitivity of the human eye. The distance between the detector and the surface of the display was 30 cm then displayed a chessboard with black and white cells and measured the brightness of the white (Bmax) and black (Bmin) cells. Then the well-known formula to compute the optical contrast. All measurements were performed for four types of exterior lighting: in total darkness, in conditions equivalent to the coverage of a train underground, in conditions equivalent to office lighting, and strong solar illumination. Built four curves the values ​​of contrast, depending on the level of backlight: backlight is switched off by up to a maximum illumination. Immediately say, that in the case of light off the contrast in the dark is always zero. The range of brightness displays all PDAs can be seen on the chart. All PDAs are divided by type of backlight into two categories: computers with a reflective backlit transflective with backlight. For the former, the maximum contrast does not exceed 82% (1:10), for the second better than 94,5% (1:36).The first category includes: DOT 320, Palm m515, Palm Tungsten T, Pocket LOOX 600, ASUS MyPal A600, Rover PC P5, Mitac Mio 528. The second category: Sony Clie PEG-SJ22 / U, Sony Clie PEG-SJ33 / U, Clie PEG-NX60/NX70V, Sony PEG-TG50, Toshiba e750, Dell Axim X5 Basic / Advanced, iPaq H1910, Palm Zire 71, Rover PC P3 / P3 Plus, ASUS MyPal A620, ViewSonic v35, iPaq H3970, Sony PEG-NZ90 / U and the iPaq H5450.

Runtime

PDA in the first place is attractive because, no matter how corny it sounds, it is pocketable. What does this mean? This means that the size of a computer small enough to fit in your pocket. Consequently, it can always be with you, did you not burdened: not in the office, on the road, often where there is no access to electricity. Consequently, the computer must, simply must have a long battery life. And that is true, what kind of computer that has a battery sit down after 1-2 hours. Second, after the display quality, the requirement for a PDA - it's battery life. To check the battery life in read e-books has been selected program iSilo. This application starts with auto-scroll text (when we read, we do not just look at the screen, while leafing through a book or on their own using hardware buttons or use the autoscroll feature - both consumes some portion of battery power). Speed ​​auto-scroll chosen the same for all measurements 20-25 characters per second. In this way, we measured the battery life, depending on the level of illumination (backlight from completely off to maximum brightness). Since even the lowest brightness of the display is enough to read in almost any ambient lighting condition, then the graph shows a comparison of computers in autoscroll mode, the text with a minimum display brightness. Battery life when playing music defined by the time playback of MP3 files with the flow of 128Kb / s with the screen off PDA (where possible). Battery life for video playback was determined with the same brightness displays 30Kd/m2 time play the file with the flow of 600Kb / s..

Performance

Performance requirements Pocket PC depend on the type carried out their tasks. By types of tasks PDAs can be divided into four categories: organizer, music player, video player, game station. To work on documents, notebook, calendar, diary, organizer and e-book reader does not need a special performance, are all available in the market of PDAs cope well with the function of the organizer. To play music in greater need is not high performance computer and hardware capabilities. Most modern PDAs running PocketPC 2002 have the opportunity to work at a lower frequency of the processor (power-saving mode - usually with a frequency of 200 MHz) and thus actually increase the battery life of your computer. If such a regime exists in the CCP, for reading electronic books, or organizer functions, I strongly recommend to switch to this mode. Loss of performance, you will not notice, but the increase in battery life will feel like. Performance plays an important role when it comes to video playback. To real-time video decoding with the flow in the 500-600 kb / c, you must have a high performance handheld computer.To analyze the performance of video playback for computers running Pocket PC 2002, used the program of video playback Pocket TV Enterprise Edition (specially adapted for processor PXA). In order to evaluate the performance of the CCP, the video played out four different resolutions and different values ​​of the data stream: 240h120, 300 kb / c; 288h208, 400 kb / c; 320x240, 500 kb / c, and 320x240, 600 kb / c. By launching all these videos from the memory of PDA, compared with the numbers falling in the second frame (for all the clips were originally 24 frames per second). By the number of "dropped" frames estimated, to play some movies fit this pocket PC. Gaming applications for both PC and Pocket are of two types: not requiring high performance handheld computer (board games, card games, puzzle games), and vice versa, with more claims to computer resources (arcade games, simulators, "Shooter" ). To analyze the overall performance of the handheld computer (only in case of Pocket PC 2002) used the latest version of the synthetic test from the company's Virtual Office VO Benchmark 3.0 with built-in test plots.

Cost

At a cost of all handheld computers can be divided into three categories. The first - a category of low cost computers. The cost of the CPC is low and does not exceed $ 350. Usually it is computers running PocketPC 2002 that differ from their more expensive brethren truncated ROM, or PDA with Palm OS entry level. The second level - are computers the middle class. This is a classic Pocket PC or a PDA running Palm OS 5.0 or equipped with a built-in wireless connection standard Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or with higher specifications. And finally, the third category - an expensive business model for those who need high performance and wireless capability. This is Sony's handheld with built-in Bluetooth, camera or PDA PocketPC with built-in 802.11b, Bluetooth and a fingerprint reader.

Test

On the basis of the above characteristics, I have tried to analyze the specifications of most commercially available handheld computers. Description of new products was carried out in more detailed form, unlike older models, PDA.

Ericsson R380 - an elegant solution to pressing problems

Virtually no one is there is no doubt that the development of cellular phones and handheld computers are parallel courses. But in contrast to the parallel lines they are destined sooner or later cross. The only question is what form will be mobile devices as a result of this intersection. Will this PDA-phone (as, for example, Visor with snap-on module of the phone) or phone-PDA. Ericsson is believed that the second option more likely. As proof of his conviction Swedish phone giant has released a smartphone R380, which will be discussed in this article. So, Ericsson R380 - is familiar to amateur mobile innovations on some of its predecessors, a hybrid cell phone and PDA, combining their features into one convenient package. By the way, this is the first cell phone running on OS EPOC (shell, created by Symbian - Union Ericsson, Nokia, Psion and Matsushita). In this review, the author considered a subspecies of R380s, which is a dual-GSM version (900/1800MHz), designed for European and Asian markets, although the American version and not long to wait. As always, start with the design. R380 design is impressive. Performed in a conservative blue-gray and greenish tones, smartphone, it seems, is aimed at business users. The only disadvantage of the design is that behind the model is painted under the metal, and therefore easily scratched. In addition, rumor has it that the battery compartment several "walks", but the tester did not have these problems. R380s can work in two orientations - portrait and landscape. When operating in landscape orientation, it acts like a standard cell phone, is that big already. Its size, by the way, 12.7h 5.8 x 2.54sm and weighs 170g. Since our site is dedicated to all the same for the most part PDAs, I dare suggest that PDA features R380 interested us a bit more than than the telephone. My only comment is that the last level with the requirements to the best cellular family members for business users. From the moment when the R380 keyboard appears, he appears before us in all its glory. The fact that a few seconds ago is a small screen resolution 120h116 pikcel becomes 320h160 display capable of portraying just a paragraph of text. This becomes possible due to a change landscape to portrait. Manage the touch screen with backlight, you can use cleverly concealed in the battery compartment of a feather. When working in the PDA, R380 offers six main options, access to which can be obtained through a rather large icons, conveniently located on the screen. Among these options are as follows: - PHONE (Phone) Here the user can change the configuration of the phone settings, view incoming calls and make calls using the technology hands-free. - CONTACTS (Contact) In this section, the user can create, view and edit an already created address book entries. - MESSAGING (Communications) Based on the title, this section is intended to send and receive SMS messages and e-mail (R380 supports POP3 and IMAP4 standards). - CALENDAR (Diary) Here, the owner of a smartphone creates, maintains and changes its schedule, whether for a day or month or year. In addition, we can obtain access to the partition of the Cause. - WAP SERVICES (Services WAP) With the help of this section, it becomes a way of navigating the Internet. - EXTRAS (Other) where the user expects a wide variety of applications. Notepad, recording in which can be viewed and edited, Clock, Calculator, Games - all this can be found here. From here you can also change the configuration of PDA-mode R380. According to the tester, in these applications is even nothing. True, at times, they are somewhat slow running (for example, there is a delay in the opening address). Perhaps this is explained by the peculiarities platform EPOC, which is written mostly in Java and C + +. At some donastroyke, pauses may be avoided. Although without it, does not run quite digestible. Generally, EPOC made a lasting impression on the lucky winner, to use the phone for three months. Icons are large and easy to read. The very same system is intuitive and user-familiar MAC or WINDOWS PC. In other words, to resort to the instructions on the use of R380 will very rarely. For the three months of use were not observed system failures, which also speaks in its favor. Entering information with the stylus can be done in two ways - via a virtual keyboard on the screen, or by means of software that recognizes handwritten letters. This text input easier to learn than Graffiti for Palm, but it is still far from recognizing software from Newton2000. Program for synchronizing data with the R380 desktop PC available, unfortunately only for PC owners. It provides a link with most existing and most commonly used PIM (Personal Information Manager) applications. Thus, the smartphone can download and diary Microsoft Outlook, and business, and address, and notes and even e-mail. True, our tester idea to download your mail, a daily amount which is not less than 10 megs on 1.2MV R380s, seemed a little sadistic. Despite all the positive characteristics, there is no limit to perfection, and therefore always have something to criticize and improve. For example, sometimes there is a desire that the R380 can be used only as a handheld computer to deactivate it dial the essence. This makes sense especially in situations where the use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited, for example, in airplanes or in hospitals. True, PDA-Smartphone portion can sometimes operate separately from its Siamese twin - the phone. This occurs when a disabled R380 awakens a reminder about the meeting. On the other hand, it would be nice to see a closer link with the mobile device. Tester said that the option "do not disturb" in the diary would be welcome. When a call comes in, R380 would have checked a check mark in this option and, depending on its availability, would direct it to either the phone or to voicemail. Another obvious omission of the manufacturer R380 is the inability to download additional software on your smartphone applications. Thus, the user, to some extent limited and completely tied to the fact that it chose Ericsson for a couple of Symbian. This factor is even more depressing because of the rather large amount of free memory. Even before scoring a failure address book and diary, is the order of one megabyte free. True, despite all these shortcomings, no doubt about the fact that the R380 - a good phone and a pretty decent PDA. Being the Version 1.0 product, this smartphone is quite an impressive demonstration of the possibilities EPOC. Talking about the price of the product, it's worth noting that it varies from country to country. Mostly it depends on the amount of the contract with the mobile operator. In any case, this miracle of technology will cost several hundred dollars. Despite some uncertainty in the price, many are happy to pay for the convenience to have a device that combines the capabilities of cell phone and PDA. Costs, by most accounts, pay for itself with a vengeance. Note that the R380 is only a first step in a new line of similar products.The only thing that can slow down the popularity of these smartphones - the limited band GSM, which increase dramatically with the widespread introduction of GPRS and UMTS standards. With the introduction of these standards is expected and the expansion of services offered by smartphones. In general, the idea of ​​synchronizing the phone with a desktop computer rather attractive. In addition, Ericsson R380 is really stylish and sensible model. And because the expectation of further cooperation fruit Ericsson and Symbian could be really worthwhile. Sources, Materials:

Sony CLIE NX-73V: and who designs expensive?

So, when the spacecraft ... Sorry, it's from film classics. At a time when Russian buyers are becoming "clamshell» NX-70 from Sony, aggressive Japanese manufacturer throws in the market model NX-73, which is minimally different from the previous one, providing, however, updating the product line, clearly deserves a medal for rabid dynamism. Today, for the pleasant three at the end of the model number require extra 20-40 dollars. Look at what else we get for the money. The first (and as it turns out, the most important) the answer to the question we get a glimpse of the building of a new Clie. Its black case immediately brings to mind the revolutionary model of the NZ-90, which is noticeably more expensive, and fits in your pocket easily. Indeed, the design is very similar, and the mix of these models from a distance is quite simple. The most important external changes, but the actual color of the body, were modified controls. The hardware buttons available on any Palm, became small and round, slightly different from the alphanumeric block. Push your finger is not very convenient, but it can be done with stylus. It is interesting that over the screen there is a second set of buttons to call applications. It becomes useful when turning the display is set, covering a keyboard. In this mode is very easy to read book, for example. Scroll wheel used for scrolling text, and buttons you can switch applications. It should be noted here that the "up" and "down" is not so expanded in this way is not suitable for handheld games. However, the tiny and highly placed a button on the main keyboard part, too, is not particularly useful as a tool for game control. The main keypad, which contains English letters and numbers, has proved to be far from perfect tool kit. Because of the small size of the keys to a small convexity and the minimum distance between the buttons, how to accelerate the recruitment will not work - sharply increases the probability of error. Of course, everything can be used to, but for owners of fairly large thumbs this keyboard is very comfortable. Modest space between the keys is also not wasted - here the additional symbols - numbers and punctuation marks. Because of this tightness becomes problematic Russification - labels do not do, and engraving must be virtuous and very compact, suitable only for holders of sharp vision. In the dark, the situation is more complicated - the keys have a dim yellow lighting, which is very weakly scatters the darkness of the symbols plotted near the buttons. Still not obvious one of the major issues of our time - why the presence of a full keyboard control, including navigation keys and Enter, alpha-numeric keypad, there is no possibility of the menu? But enough about the keyboard. With the rotating block, on which the camera lens, missing indicator and shutdown button. As in the NZ-90, the switch now combined with a latch Hold. This decision still seems questionable, since the on / off the backlight prolonged retention of this switch is not particularly convenient. Indicators have moved almost on the end of the axis of rotation, so they can be seen at any position of the screen. Stylus from NX-1973 telescopic rather subtle and not spring loaded. It looks and fits the hand as a "toothpick" 250-dollar handheld, using it is not very convenient. A cursory examination makes it possible to find the ends of other conventional controls - navigation wheel, a button control video camera, a slot for Memory Stick (Pro!), headphone jack, slider, which includes voice recorder, etc. At the bottom is a slot for cards Compact Flash. Unlike previous models, with the NX-73 does not require any hacking tricks to insert this memory card slot, the system will immediately understand a flash, easily recognizing even those that have a very large amount. Why Palmu polgigabayta memory - a complicated question, but a theoretical possibility. To record video, however, CF slot is not used here need fast cards Memory Stick Pro. In addition to these nuances of the outer media, filling the CCP does not differ from its predecessor. It is rumored that there had to be installed a new processor PXA263 from Intel, but judging by the amount of available memory (16 MB), it is not - the 263rd has 32 MB of memory "on board". Installed on a new PDA, of course, PalmOS 5.2, significantly "enhanced" set of applications from Sony. To begin with the main novelty - the application Decuma. This alternative system of handwriting, which comes along with Graffiti 2. It recognizes the usual handwritten characters to be entered separately, one can in a few strokes. Once the word is whole, it is a one-touch inserted into the text. Naturally, Decuma uses a virtual Graffiti area, so as not to overload the screen. Incidentally, he is the same as in all lines of Sony NR / NX / NZ - 320x480 and 65 thousand colors, TFT. All other applications are well known fans of the series NX, so we restrict short-listing them: Audio Player, Album, Camera, Files (database management in the memory), Mail, Memo (handwritten notes), RMC (Remote Control), Viewer, Flash player , Movie player, Movie recorder (only on cards Memory Stick), NetFront, Photo editor, Photo stand, Picture viewer, Voice recorder, WA clock. Summarizing the above, we can say that Model 73 is different from its predecessor for the number 70 modified design (for our taste - more noble and elegant), small ergonomic modifications to better support for memory cards and slightly updated software. Given the fact that software problems can be solved by using software from third-party developers, it must be noted that most of the price difference falls on the design. If you want to own a machine that looks like a "heaped» NZ-90, the NX-73V - the perfect choice. The authors, translation:

I-Mode: lessons from Japan

In Japan, cellular phones, it seems, are quietly replacing desktop computers with the position of the main devices to access the Internet. NTT DoCoMo, the leading provider of wireless service in Japan, monthly connects more than 400 000 new customers to the services of standard i-Mode. With high-tech phone i-Mode-user can get the latest news, financial information and, of course, have fun. The guide DoCoMo fond of saying that cell phones are no longer needed just to talk, but rather to use or how to say computer scientists, for "yuzaniya. The streets of Tokyo, visually confirm this view. Cell phones - everywhere. Some make calls, but most look at the screens. They quickly push the small button, wandering the back streets of the menu. At the bus stop, train station or the subway reading the Japanese news, e-mail, which generously used animated pictures. Java allows the benefit of its owners to download new software, which adds to the already considerable capabilities. Anyone can pay for purchases, playing with toys, getting information from corporate databases - all from your phone. The latter specifically advanced models allow you to take photos, which can then be sent by mail to your friends or colleagues. In Japan, the technology of wireless communications have reached unprecedented heights. For two years, DoCoMo has attracted nearly 20 million customers. No wonder the company is the largest ISP in Japan and second only to AOL in the world. i-Mode recognize the most successful consumer product in history. And now the company is preparing for aggressive expansion into Western markets. Their appearance i-Mode has provoked a permutation of forces in the global wireless market. This significant success is based on an innovative business plan, under which the system was created based on the packet data. Thus, we have introduced IP-services. In 1999, DoCoMo pioneered in the operation of a network based on packet switching, becoming the market leader in the promotion of new technologies. And here the Japanese, as has always been ahead of the rest. In Europe and the U.S. package technology will be added to existing networks, based on the principle of circuit switching, but it will happen only in the middle or the end of this year. In Britain, Vodafone has launched a service with a packet of April 2. These networks are designed for data transmission. Once the phone connects to the server, channel remains open constantly, even if the exchange does not go. Due to the fact that one channel can be shared between multiple clients, the frequency spectrum is used more efficiently. This technology is also called 2.5G. Company DoCoMo pioneered 2.5G. I-Mode phones are equipped with a screen size of a business card, but the magnitude does not exceed the European model. Regardless of manufacturer, the keyboard all the phones have a button "i". When you click on her phone connects to the server DoCoMo, shows the home page i-Mode and go into standby mode. While the user watches the content, no communication with the server unavailable. Only after selecting any item telephone requests data, and then again waits for further "guidance". During the connection fee is charged only for the received IP-packets, but not for time spent on line. Sending and receiving mail or pictures is quite a bit, and all these costs simply added to the monthly phone bill. Ability to collect payment for small data packets (micro) is one of the main advantages of packet-switched networks. i-Mode has both free and paid services. Moreover, 90% of the collected money get providers of these services. The most expensive costing from 100 to 300 yen per month. This favorable pricing attracts new providers and new customers. Number of sites i-Mode has exceeded 30,000 and continues to grow steadily. Foreign companies are also trying not to miss such a wonderful market. Yahoo and Google - one of many foreign firms to establish their own i-Mode sites. Why are millions of Japanese use the services of web-services on the screen size of a business card? Part of the reason for this is a marketing assault on potential users.Many of those who subscribe to i-Mode, in fact, indifferent to the web-technologies. DoCoMo to connect your phone to the internet, but did not aim to inform the customers. After launching i-Mode Company is constantly avoiding some mention of Web'e, which seems most Japanese are too technocratic, difficult to understand and development, universal freemen for crowds committing excesses of adolescent bullies. Instead, it was established "reserve", which contains only the data specifically tailored for Japanese consumers. This is a brand-"brand", a new exciting service for people who are in constant motion. Even today, many users have no clue about what they spend hours every day "sit on the internet. No, rather "go to step i-Mode'oy. Initially services were targeted at the youth market, where they received great popularity. Millions of teens download animation clips, and pictures of idols, the entertainment industry use them as "wallpaper" or sent to friends via e-mail. And these pictures and cartoons bring millions of dollars in profit providers of such content. As a markup language i-Mode uses a limited subclass of HTML 4.0, which is called cHTML. This is an important cause of the avalanche growth of content. cHTML is easy to learn, and it can be created using an existing program. Developer of the technology, the company Access, was founded by such giants as Sony, NEC and Matsushita. The aim was to create such a standard that takes into account a small amount of memory and weak processing power of mobile phones. cHTML does not support tables, image maps, different fonts, colors, backgrounds, frames, cascading styles, and image format JPEG. Support for the latter format will be included this summer, at the next building power networks. In the meantime, use a more compact GIF. The fact that most of today's i-Mode phones have a display with 256 colors, and new models will have screens with 64 thousand colors. i-Mode is often compared to WAP, but this comparison is not entirely correct. As the name implies WAP - a protocol for wireless data transfer. i-Mode - so much more. This is the fully functional network. WAP could not get a great development due to the fact that it is used in networks of second-generation switched networks. The result is a slow connection and high tariffs. Example of Japan shows that WAP - this is also a well-designed protocol. Local rivals DoCoMo provide WAP services in modern packet-switched networks and their services signed by about 8 million customers, more than in the whole world. And so, even despite the fact that WAP uses WML (Wireless Markup Language - a markup language for wireless connections), which is much harder in training. In addition, developers of solutions for WAP are required to pay royalties of Phone.com, the creator of WAP. In the near future 2.5G network DoCoMo (the so-called network of "second-half" generation) will be replaced by CDMA-third-generation networks, which are theoretically available speeds of up to 384kb / s. The new network will be capable of delivering short video clips and other multimedia information. But even before the introduction of these technologies improved data compression protocols, and other new items will achieve similar speeds and networks 2.5G. Sources, Materials:

Palm Tungsten T2: position has passed - the post made

Generational change - an inevitable thing. But the speed with which the company manufacturers handheld computers update their model series, never ceases to amaze. It seemed only yesterday that the presentation of Tungsten T (last December). While this model was the "heaped" of all handheld company Palm Inc. And just seven months after the model is removed from production and replaced with a newer machine - Tungsten T2. Finally, this machine came into our hands and we can share with you my impressions of the live »T2. I do not know whether you love to watch the second part of the acclaimed blockbusters - usually conflicting views. But in this case, we recommend that, because the second part of a good director is not worse, and often even better than the first.

Design and Ergonomics

Design and control of the computer were described in a previous review, so stop in detail on this will be. We only note that the appearance and feel this is the same good old metal casing Tungsten-and T. Just as in the Tungsten T, the key "second" flash, so you can customize the buttons as you are comfortable and easy to use palm in "folded" state. True, if you like to use a large number of buttons, the computer will still have to sometimes lay. Unlike the Tungsten T, the new machine more successfully implemented the concept of one-hand operation. As a former Palm TT new Palm TT2 has a fairly large and comfortable five-way navigation button. Office of the navigation button is easy, and above all intuitive. Now with the help of (two-second hold button in the lower position) can cause the menu Applications. It is also possible to manage within an application - click on the different sides of the joystick will cause a variety of menu options (search, list of possible connections, etc.). In this case, it becomes even less attractive area of ​​Graffiti: You can control the device with one hand, the icon next to the Graffiti area is almost no need (even adjust the brightness caused by holding the power button), and can now enter text in any part of the display, not expanding the handheld.

Specifications

For clarity, we present a table comparing the new Tungsten T2 with the old Tungsten T. Now let's consider more in detail the differences of the new models from old ones. First, the operating system. At a novelty is brand-new Palm OS 5.2.1 with Graffiti 2 support and the ability to enter text into any area of the screen. Secondly, memory. At T2 ROM-a - 8MB (1MB goes to the owner), but increased to 32MB of RAM, of which 29.7 MB is available to the user. Third, the display. As mentioned in previous review, in contrast to the Tungsten T, the new Pocket PC has a very bright and high contrast display with backlight transflective type. The display is really bright - brighter than the Zire 71 and Tungsten C. Perhaps the closest in performance is a display handheld computer hi-end category Sony PEG-NZ90V. Since the work with the Pocket PC in 90% of cases - is to work with on the display of information, the use of such high quality as the structural matrix can not but rejoice. Textual information and image with such a display are perceived almost as a TFT-monitor. Fourth, Bluetooth. Built-in Bluetooth adapter has a special function Decrease in energy consumption, which, given the large "voracity» Bluetooth-devices, is very commendable. Causes a slight regret that when you upgrade the PDA developers have not changed the processor. It would be possible to use a favorite market Intel PXA (even at a frequency of 200MHz), which would still be "poshustree" than the OMAP 1510.

Tests Palm Tungsten T2

Performance with video was measured using the program Kinoma Player. The program Kinoma Producer were made 5 videos with different values ​​of flow (from 480 to 1000Kbit / s). Video playback decent enough, but still not as fast as a Tungsten C. Miracles, unfortunately, does not happen. It is clear that Intel PXA255 400MHz faster than 144 MHz OMAP 1510. Playing video from Tungsten T2 is twice slower than the Tungsten C. Now let's see how the new Palm TT2 works with memory cards. Test results VFS Mark: From the test results we can conclude that the T2 «quicker and smarter," his predecessor, but does not say so much. The overall test results at T2 above 15%.

Runtime Palm TT2

To check the battery life in read mode, used the program MobiPocket Reader 4.6, which operated in the automatic scrolling of the text at a rate of about 25 characters per second.Measurements were carried out only until the first systematic low-battery warning. Audio playback was performed using the RealOne Mobile Player with an external memory card. To play a video program was used Kinoma Player. Time neprervynoy work when playing a movie with a flow 640KB / s is 4 hours and 15 minutes with a minimum illumination level and about 2 hours and 20 minutes at the maximum level of illumination. Gain in battery life at T2 compared with the Tungsten T is noticeable only when you work in e-book reader. From what we can conclude that the new brighter display has a lower power consumption.

Software

Greatly changed the look of the panel with the settings. Old items settings slightly rearranged and added new paragraphs 2 and Graffiti Writing Area (you can enter text in any part of the display). In ROM drive built in the following applications (for comparison, the program for Tungsten T): On an additional CD drive attached the following programs: Of these applications, it should be noted a rich set of multimedia programs: Voice Memo, RealOne Mobile Player, Kinoma Player and Kinoma Producer. That is, users can now immediately available to the program to record sound, music and video - something that was lacking the old Tungsten T (with it comes bundled with only a program Voice Memo).

Conclusions

New very bright and high-contrast display, a doubling of the amount of RAM, a new way to enter data in any part of the display (Graffiti 2), the ability to control the device with one hand and a large collection of software - all to say that ucovershenstvovaniya made by developers, are not purely cosmetic, and the Tungsten T2 has turned out much better than its predecessor.It remains only to extend the display area at the expense of Graffiti (which is now practically is not necessary) and replace with a more powerful processor. But all of this, perhaps we will see in the next series. The authors, translation:

Third generation mobile network in Moscow or

May 14 in Moscow, opened in 1913 on account of the international exhibition "CSTB-2001". Looks like an unlucky number "13", contrary to his reputation, yet brought some luck to the participants. Literally an hour after the ceremonial ribbon-cutting Vimpelcom and IBM have signed a cooperation agreement and presented a package of new services. Corporate subscribers of the "Bee Line" in June will be able to access their email via mobile phone, which works with WAP. A little later they will enjoy the charms and other "mobile office": stored on the server, client databases, calendars and other things. To do this, however, companies will need to install on their servers, software from IBM, which seems to seriously tackle the problem of integrating the Internet and cellular communications. A landmark event of the first day was a demonstration at an exhibition of mobile networks of third generation (3G) in action. Cotovaya company Mobile Telesystems demonstrated technological capabilities of the standard UMTS, video conferencing in real time with data transfer rates up to 1.2 Mbps. Based on equipment from Siemens was founded Russia's first pilot area 3G, consisting of three base stations, controllers and switch channels and packages. This presentation was opened by a series of tests and trials to be held on the UMTS network, and companies offering equipment for them (in addition to Siemens, this is - Motorola, and then - Lucent Technologies), before the Ministry of Communications will give the green light for the licensing of third generation networks in Russia . MTS plans to complete all necessary studies by the end of this year. Well, Russian slow, but quickly go. Perhaps as early as 2002 the idea of ​​introducing 3G technology in Russia will cease to seem utopian. Meanwhile, the stands of the exhibitors occupied an area of ​​almost all "Expocentre": pavilions 1 to 6, Hall Forum, "open areas. It was attended by over 700 companies from 34 countries worldwide. The biggest stand belongs to the holding of Sistema Telecom. Collective stand of Sistema Telecom, which consists of 16 companies - the largest in the history of Russian telecommunications exhibitions. Its total area exceeds 2,000 square meters. This exhibition ahead "Comtek" in the number of eminent members: Alcatel, Siemens, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, Nec, Nortel Netwoks, Lucent Technologies, Cisco Systems, etc. Stand "Nokia" pleased novelties presented at CeBit'e. Among them were seen phones successors famous rulers Nokia 3330 for youth, Nokia 6310 - for business, Nokia 8310 - for stylish, advanced and rich. Also among the exhibits were presented communicators black and white and color Nokia 9110/9110i Nokia 9210 with Java-enabled and multimedia. According to unconfirmed reports, the color will appear in stores no earlier than June. On the stand "Benefon" was seen a brand new personal navigation phone. He called the Benefon ESC. Is a dual band GSM 900/1800 phone with built-in navigation system. Can determine the speed and direction, average and maximum speed, odometer is, able to work with travel landmarks and routes. Novelty is positioned as a separate organizer and communications center, and apparently, "marks" in smartphones. Some Russian manufacturers to start researching the cards for him, and maybe soon it will be important for our fellow countrymen who love travel. Alcatel adorned the windows of all colors and shades of the new series phones One Touch. Alert girl stendistki, not letting them out of hand, telling all the benefits of new products. In a competing firm Samsung on mobiles drowning in the windows of the booth in colored stones, you can listen to MP3-music through headphones bred out. The main part of the same part of the exhibition is devoted to the 3G technology and special equipment for them. Here the choice is rich: the Japanese firm Nec - the main supplier of phones for NTT DoCoMo, and Lucent Technologies, and Siemens. Observers note that in its scope and presented exposition of participants makes it more joyful experience than the recently passed "Comtek". In addition to necessary exhibition entourage - young girls with legs and girls on roller skates, free beer and free calls to IP-phones, balloons and paper waste - there is something to see and whom to show themselves. Crowded, representative, the nonpoor and optimistic. However, the solutions of some stands without interest, and from an aesthetic point of view. And at the booth of NEC, advertising and mobile broadband Internet access, there's even a dancing robot. The authors, translation: