Do you work in a field where you need rugged equipment? Perhaps you're a field engineer, a geologist, or maybe even a stuntman? Well, then the Getac PS535F is right up your alley. It's a super-rugged PDA for use in tough environments.

It comes equipped with a GPS, 3.5" VGA touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, altimeter, electronic compass and Windows Mobile 6.1. There's no modem, annoyingly, but it does have Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. There's 2GB of onboard memory.

The device weighs 300g, has battery for 8 hours and in keeping with its rugged design, it's resistant to drops, water, dust and extreme temperatures. I've got an email in to Getac asking how much it'll cost and when it'll be available, so I'll update this post when I know more.

The rumours were true. Palm's got a brand new device to go with its spangly new Nova operating system. All we knew previously was that it had a portrait touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but now there's a bit more info to go with it.

That touchscreen measures 3.1" diagonally, at 480x320 resolution. The slide-out keyboard doesn't come straight out - it sorta curves. There's oodles of connectivity - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and EVDO. There's a removable battery, 8GB of storage, microUSB connector, 3-megapixel camera, a nifty-looking wireless charger and - YAY! - a 3.5mm headphone jack.

It's running the new Nova OS, but more about that in another post. It'll be available in the "first half" of 2009. In the meantime, for more CES coverage, click here.

EDIT: Palm's launched a website for the device and OS.

(via Gizmodo's liveblog)

Following Apple's lead in the "laptop companies starting to make phones" stakes, the Wall Street Journal are reporting that HP are going to launch a Windows Mobile 6.1-powered smartphone in Europe within the next two months.

The phone will be the latest iteration of HP's iPAQ PDA devices. These have normally been targeted at business users in the past, like the pictured 910c Business Messenger, but the new model will apparently be targeted at consumers. It'll feature a touchscreen, and a slide-out qwerty keypad.

No more info just yet, but given that it's due for a release so soon, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear more about this very shortly. We'll keep you updated.

HP iPAQ (via Wall Street Journal)

Related posts: HP announces release of new HP iPAQ 910 Business Messenger 3G smartphone | HP launches Business Navigator and Business Messenger iPaqs

Further to my post the other day about the leaked Palm Pro, here's the full specs of the device:

The Korean market has seen two new smartphone launches from Samsung - the Ultra Messaging II (SCH-M480) and Multi Touch II (SPH-M4655).

The Ultra Messaging II is a Windows Mobile 6 device, offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 2.6-inch touchscreen, BlackBerry-style keypad, 2MP camera, media player and SD slot. The Multi Touch II (above) also uses WM6 and has a 2.8-inch screen, 2MP camera, Bluetooth and a microSD slot.

No news of a UK launch as yet - we'll keep you posted.

Samsung

Related posts: Toshiba Portégé G810 smartphone launched in Japan | Samsung i900 smartphone gets official launch

We are a nation of WORKAHOLICS that are heading for an EARLY GRAVE thanks to technology. Those are the findings of a report by data protection agency Credant Technologies. It didn't mention early graves, but I can assure you it would've if it could've.

The shock statistic is that the days of relaxing holidays are long gone, with 65% of us checking in with the office via email, phone or text message while we're on our hols - no doubt panicking that we'll be replaced should word get out about how little we actually contribute when in the office.

A quarter of holidayers will at least check their email while away, with a third lugging their laptops through the EasyJet luggage system to stay in touch. Job security paranoia or unstoppable internet addiction?

(Via Reuters)

Related posts: Don't bother taking your laptop to Indonesia | Something about mobile offices

Toshiba has a new smartphone on the market - the Toshiba Portégé G810.

Available in Japan from Juse 20th, it offers a Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, HSDPA and HSUPA support, 2.83-inch QVGA (320 x 240) touch screen, 3MP camera, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, FM radio with RDS, GPS and A-GPS, and up to 4GB of memory (via microSD).

No news of this heading to Europe as yet.

Toshiba (via Akihabara News)

Related posts: Samsung i900 smartphone gets official launch | HTC Touch Pro launches - with touchscreen and keyboard