Archive for the ‘Handhelds’ Category

Rumors surrounding the next generation of iPhones to hit the shelves this year, have been flying around like crazy. Unfortunately,the only solid evidence anyone can confirm as of yet is that the new model will in fact be a 3G iPhone. Many individuals within the business world have publicly weighed in on their opinion on what else the phone will carry, the price, sizes, and additional features, but none have any solid evidence.

It does seem reasonable, however, that the new 3G iPhone will launch around the same time that the original did, and that the EDGE iPhones will receive a permanent price cut before being phased out. Looks like we’ll have to wait and find out.

Source: ArsTechnica

Although this UMPC has one of the most uncreative names, it definitely offers a lot. This 7 inch laptop boldly goes where no mini laptop has gone before by including an optical drive (DVD burner). It’s also sporting a 1024 x 600 touchscreen display, 60 GB hard drive, and 802.11 b/g wireless card.

Supposedly, the Kohijinsha SR8KPO6S’s battery will last up to three hours and the device is only 2.4 lbs (0.2 more than the Asus Eee PC). With all the features it boasts, I’m sure that this device will cost users a pretty penny.

Source: Engadget 

Some where between your cell phone video camera and your average video camera stands the Flip Video. This little device has the standard design of a regular digital camera but offers a very simple and easy user interface so that almost anyone could pick it up and get rolling.

I had some hands on time when I was down in New York with Zipvo Real Estate Video Network and that’s really the field that I think this device is going to take off in the most. The two models, 60min for $179,99 and 30min for $149.99 made it so easy for us to record a property video and upload it through it’s built in USB. The only draw back is that their software is only easy for the third parties they’re working with instead of making it open source. Opening up their platform would be the smartest moves they could possibly make.

Stretching the definition of PC, Chicago-based non-profit Innovations for Learning is working on a small portable device for elementary school students. The Teachermater PC as they call it comes with 256MB of RAM and a 200MHz ARM processor meaning that it is seriously lacking in power. It has a small 2.5-inch screen and just a few buttons (not a full keyboard more like a Nintendo GameBoy.) This explains why each of the devices will cost only $50 while Innovations for Learning plans to put one Teachermater in the hands of every schoolchild in 500 Chicago area schools. The mini-PC will not be a contender to OLPC’s XO or Intel’s Classmate but it is trying considering that it costs much less. I get the feeling, however, that the money would be better invested in establishing good computer labs with some more recent technology workstations rather than these silly devices.

Nokia has reduced the price for their N810 Internet Tablet by $90 which means that you can now own one of these slick tablet computers for $390. If you are not familiar with Nokia’s N810, it has a 4.13-inch touch display and 2GB of storage. Its large display allows users to experience the Internet in its full glory; Wi-Fi connectivity gives this device true mobility making it usable pretty much anywhere you go. Other than being a great Internet Tablet, the Nokia N810 also functions as an MP3 players capable of storing 10 hours of digital music. Finally, the built-in GPS makes it easy to find your way around navigating an unknown area.

Hewlett-Packard has finally started shipping the much anticipated iPAQ 210 Enterprise handheld computer. The device sports a 4-inch TFT touch screen with VGA resolution up to 480 x 640. Input to the device can be both using touch and using a stylus. The guts of the iPAQ 210 are the Marvell PXA310 processor operating at 624 Mhz. HP’s operating system of choice is Microsoft Windows mobile 6 classic. The device has a large number of data ports supporting USB 2.0, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi data transfers. The only problem with it is the high price which according to the official web site comes close to $450.

When the iAudio U5 was first introduced last year at the IFA many of us were interested – but since there wasn’t any hype or much advertisement set up for it many of us lost interest in it all together. It looks as if that interest might return as the U5 makes it way over to our shores (it’s about time).

The U5 sports a 1.8” LCD screen that supports a resolution of 160×128. It’s memory ranges from 4GB to 8GB and can play WMA, WAV, and MP3 files. It is a stylish looking gadget that can be bought for only $109 - $149. Depending on how much advertisement it gets and how well the gadget works will depend on how much attention the U5 will be received over here. (more…)

The new Gemei PMP X900 has all of excited with its 4.3” TFT screen that can support 480×272 resolution and its detachable gamin pad – which is full sized. The gaming device allows you to play SFC and NES gaming through the use of the ADI chip. Those who want more can always add a GPS receiver. (more…)

Sony’s PSP is one of the biggest portable gaming handhelds on the market – but next week they are going to make it the number one handheld by giving it the thing it has been missing …a good solid firmware boost.

The new version 3.8 firmware will begin in Japan on December 18th and will enable PSP users to record digital television broadcasts and give them the ability to record and/or receive any internet radio station of their choice. This is a great achievement for Sony who has been struggling all year against the Nintendo Wii for the top sales spot for their PS3 console. (more…)

Many companies have created mobile PC’s in hopes that they would become the next generation of computers that will replace the laptops. The only company that has come close to achieving this dream is UPOP – a Korean company.

UPOP has just released what is said to be a mobile PC that is similar to the PMP – except this gadget has much more to offer. It has been built with 30 GB of memory (or 60GB if you want it), and an SD expansion. It operates under Windows CE 5.0 Professional and has a 4.8” TFT screen that allows you to view WMV, MPG, DAT, VOB, and AVI video files. (more…)