E-TEN launches Glofiish M810 and V900 pocket PC phones

By

Dave Walker

on February 5, 2008 Comments (0)

Two new handsets from PDA maker E-TEN, the Glofiish M810 and V900, pocket PC phones with an eye on entertainment.

The Glofiish V900 is E-TEN’s first Pocket PC Phone to feature mobile TV, with support for DVB-H, DVB-T, TDMB and DAB broadcasting standards. There's also a VGA display, HSDPA, GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS connectivity and a 'touch-based user interface'. The V900 is scheduled to launch in the second half of the year.

The Glofiish M810 is a HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS-ready handset, featuring a full QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel auto-focus camera and built-in JAVA support. No shelf date as yet.

E-TEN

Unlocked Palm Treo 500 available to buy in UK from 28th January

By

Dave Walker

on January 25, 2008 Comments (0)

We mentioned some time back that Vodafone's exclusive on the Palm 500v had ended, with the name reverting to the Palm 500 for the unlocked phone. Well, we now have full date/cost details.

The Treo 500 is available in the UK for pre-order at £269 (inc VAT). No change to the Vodafone specification - Windows Mobile 6 operating system, a full keyboard, large screen, 2MP camera, video streaming, 150MB of memory, Bluetooth and multi-messaging capability, with IM, SMS, email and the phone. Speeds are up to 3G.

The handset is available to buy from retail from Monday 28th January - or you can order now from Palm.

Palm Treo

Palm unlocks Treo 500v - becomes Treo 500

By

Dave Walker

on December 21, 2007 Comments (2)

Vodafone has had an exclusive on the Palm 500v since October, but that's about to end - and the device is being re-introduced in unlocked form as the Treo 500.

It's the same specification, with the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, a full keyboard, large screen, video streaming and multi-messaging capability, with IM, SMS, email and of course, the phone.

It will be available unlocked across Europe from January, no details as yet on price.

Palm

Palm throws in TomTom GPS package if you buy a Treo 680 smartphone

By

Dave Walker

on December 5, 2007 Comments (0)

The Palm Treo 680 smartphone has been kicking about for some time now, around a year by my reckoning. So a good time to throw in a sweetener in the form of a free TomTom Navigator 6 GPS package.

Sound familiar? It should - they were doing the same giveaway during the quiet summer period too. But it's still a decent offer, with a plug & go expansion card, Bluetooth GPS receiver, vehicle device cradle and power adapter all on offer, which is a total saving of approximately £155.

The full specification for the Treo 680 can be found here. And if you like what you see, you can pick one up for £269.

Palm

Related posts
Palm Treo 680 smartphone now available in the UK
Palm offers Treo 680 smartphone in crimson red
Run the Palm OS on your fancy Nokia N810 tablet

Mio planning 3G GPS phone for 2008

By

Gary Cutlack

on November 27, 2007 Comments (0)

GPS is the final piece of the mobile phone world domination plan. Mobiles can play music now. They can play films. They can do the internet. All we need now are decent, free GPS features and every other gadget can get the hell out of our pockets and onto eBay.

GPS specialist Mio's 3G GPS phone plans are a response to the mass arrival of the new wave of super-spec GPS phones from the likes of HTC and Nokia.

Mio clearly isn't going to just SIT THERE and let a bunch of jumped-up phone companies steal all its precious GPS market share, hence the announcement of a planned 3G GPS PDA-style phone for the second half of 2008.

Mio's GPS phone will come with fancy new photo navigation, live traffic update powers and the location-based service so local pizza companies can update you on their deals of the day regarding free Coke and garlic bread.

(Via DigiTimes)

Run the Palm OS on your fancy Nokia N810 tablet

By

Gary Cutlack

on November 15, 2007 Comments (0)

The tortured and confused development of the Palm OS is still ongoing, with new owner Access opening up its rejigged software so it can be whacked onto the new wave of Nokia web tablets.

The reworked and now Linux-based Palm platform includes support for something called GHost, which is a Garnet virtual machine that runs Garnet OS developments and therefore most of the stuff developed for Palm. Basically, what this means is you can run Palm apps on the N770, N800 and fancy new N810.

I am hopelessly out of my depth reporting on all this, as you may be able to tell. But I'm pretty sure that's the general gist of it.

There's a beta version of the complicated stuff you need to download to get it working over on the Access site, should you be dead into hacking and homebrew and all that stuff.

(Via PC Pro)

The PDA is dead - and an N95 is laughing by its grave

By

Gary Cutlack

on November 12, 2007 Comments (0)

Analyst IDC says the shipment numbers of PDAs has dropped by 43% over last year, which makes a sensationally poor 15th consecutive period of decline for the once-futuristic pocket computers.

Clearly it's because phones have been stealing their thunder for years now. With iPhone, Nokia's N95, the lovely LG Viewty and numerous others all offering pocket computer levels of performance and applications, there isn't any point in having something bigger - or anything else at all. Especially when you can get an N95 handed to you for free in exchange for signing up in a high street shop.

There is some good news for the PDA, though - it's quite popular in "emerging markets" where the cheaper cost of ownership, thanks to not requiring network contracts, makes the things more popular.

Which, ironically, makes them even less popular to our superior Western consumerist eyes.

RIM launches BlackBerry Pearl 8120 in the UK

By

Dave Walker

on November 5, 2007 Comments (0)

Rumoured for many months, the updated BlackBerry Pearl or the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 if you prefer has launched in the UK, with O2 now offering it to the UK buying public.

The difference? Well, it's blue. But there's more than that, with features now including Wi-Fi, a high-res screen with light-sensing technology that adjusts to our environment, 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and zoom, video recording with direct upload, media player with software for easy conversion to MP3 and playlist building, the usual email functionality plus net browsing and diary/organiser and downloadable applications to customise your handset.

Price is no doubt dictated by your contract, so nip down to O2 to find out more.

Samsung launches iPhone-like M4650 smartphone

By

Dave Walker

on November 5, 2007 Comments (0)

No prizes for guessing where Samsung took inspiration for its newly-launched M4650 smartphone.

It's new to the Korean market (before the iPhone hits that territory) and features a 2.8-inch touch screen, full internet browsing, DMB TV, a vibration touch function when a key is pressed and the Windows Mobile operating system.

No news on this heading to Europe as yet, we'll keep you updated.

Samsung (via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog)

Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones - because business folk have friends too

By

Dave Walker

on October 29, 2007 Comments (0)

Bad news for BlackBerry widows - your other half has another excuse for tapping away through the night - Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones.

With the launch of the Facebook application, users can update their profiles, check messages and add new friends while on the move, with an emphasis on replicating the exact look and feel of your Facebook profile. And using 'push' technology, you receive friend requests, Wall posts and messages automatically, with the option to set up a unique alert for Facebook related content.

There's also quick access buttons, the option to invite friends from your smartphone, easy scrolling through messages and notifications and the ability to snap pictures, then upload from your handset. You can download it now for free.

BlackBerry

Nokia upgrades N800 internet tablet - enter the N810

By

Dave Walker

on October 18, 2007 Comments (3)

No real surprise here - we flagged up that Nokia was upgrading its N800 a couple of weeks back. And sure enough, here it is as the Nokia N810.

The obvious change here is that slide-out QWERTY keyboard, making it easier to keep up with emails and browsing, courtesy of Nokia's enhanced Wi-Fi support - more on that later. It also offers video calling via the integrated VGA camera and GPS using the built-in receiver (with an option to upgrade to Wayfinder's voice-guided navigation).

Palm Treo 500v smartphone now available to Vodafone customers

By

Dave Walker

on October 5, 2007

You've probably read the preview, maybe even watched the video and if you were impressed by both, you'll be pleased to know that you can pick up the Palm Treo 500v smartphone from Vodafone from today.

In brief, what it offers is Windows Mobile 6, a full keyboard, large screen, video streaming capability and multi-messaging functionality covering Instant Messaging, SMS, email, phone and personal information management software - all in a new design in two colours: glacier white and charcoal grey.

According to Palm, the Treo 500v smartphone is 'priced to enable a broader audience to experience the internet and email on the go', with a pay monthly or pay as you go option for consumer users. For pay monthly customers, the device is free on specific Vodafone contracts. Those opting for the pay as you go package will pay £220 for the smartphone and data/call charges as you go

Find out more about the Palm Treo 500v smartphone

Nokia to launch N800 with GPS and Wi-Max

By

Dave Walker

on October 1, 2007

Nokia launched its N800 internet tablet back in January, but obviously thinks it is in need of a makeover. And it looks set to get one.

Nokia has announced that it will be introducing a WiMAX-enabled version early next year, with the addition of Intel's Baxter Peak WiMax chip. Also included is an integrated GPS chip - current models have navigation options, but without a chip included.

Other details are still unconfirmed. More when we hear it.

Nokia website

Via Navigadget

Apple working on Newton 2 PDA?

By

Andy Merrett

on September 27, 2007 Comments (1)

Now that the rumour mill surrounding Apple gadgets like the iPhone and iPod Touch has quietened down, it can turn its attention to other products which might eventually come from Cupertino.

The Newton 2.0 PDA, for example, which sources close to both Apple and AppleInsider claim the company is currently working on. They claim that engineers who were working on the project were pulled from it in order to work on the iPhone earlier this year.

It would seem to fit with Apple's strategy to make such a device with the OS X operating system, as well as some kind of touchscreen, though some think it would do better with stylus-based input. Goodness, they'll be adding a proper keyboard next, and making it a miniature Mac laptop.

The rumoured specifications include such tantalisations as the Newton 2.0 being 1.5 times the size of the current iPhone, with a 720x480 resolution screen, and a drag-and-drop interface.

(Via PMP Today)

Chinavasion worries not about copyright laws - its CVASQ-C811 PMP plays everything

By

Gary Cutlack

on September 24, 2007 Comments (1)

This could well be your next new thing to put in your pocket if it's half as good as promised, thanks to built-in emulator support for the NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and even SEGA's legendary Mega Drive.

The controller bit there also doubles as the unit's docking station - hopefully it's sturdy enough to survive and stay attached during a good session of Streets of Rage 2.

As well as emulator support it's also a decent personal media player, supporting AVIs, playing MP3s, WAVs, and WMA files, plus it ships with software to convert most of the other media formats to something it can handle. And that's a 3" screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 and its 1GB of internal memory can be boosted with SD cards up to 4GB. Not bad.

All it needs now is a snappier name than CVASQ-C811 and it might stand a chance of catching on.

Palm offers free Windows Mobile 6 update for Treo 750v and Treo 750 smartphones in Europe

By

Dave Walker

on August 29, 2007

If you are the proud owner of a Palm Treo 750v and Treo 750 smartphone, you can take advantage of a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.

Windows Mobile 6 paired with Exchange Server 2007 means email enhancements such as HTML-formatted email messages, the ability to set an out-of-office message remotely, plus live links to Microsoft SharePoint documents. And there are the new mobile versions of Microsoft Office Outlook, Office Word, Office Excel and Office PowerPoint to play with. In addition, Palm will use the update to add HSDPA connectivity to boost download speeds.

Palm’s Windows Mobile 6 Professional update for the Treo 750v smartphone will be available in the UK and Ireland immediately.

Get the download now at the Palm website

HTC launches the TyTN II smartphone in Europe

By

Dave Walker

on August 29, 2007

HTC has updated the TyTN a year after its launch, unveiling the imaginatively-named HTC TyTN II, which should be available under various names with operators across Europe.

The HTC TyTN II is a Windows Mobile 6 device with a 2.8-inch colour screen that slides up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. It also tilts for better viewing. There's a full range of connectivity options, including HSDPA and Wi-Fi, touchscreen functionality, a new homescreen for all your latest information and updates, microSD slot, business card scanner and GPS - TomTom Navigator 6 (Taster edition) is pre-loaded to use with the in-built GPS.

Expect to see the device in some form or other at Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone dealers, price dependent on your contract.

HTC website

Fujitsu unveils LifeBook U810 UMPC

By

Dave Walker

on August 15, 2007

The term 'UMPC' was all over the place just over a year ago, but the market for something between a laptop and a smartphone doesn't really seem to have emerged. But undeterred, Fujitsu is still trying to tempt us in, unveiling the LifeBook U810 UMPC.

The U810 packs in a 5.6-inch 1024 x 600 LCD display, an Intel A110 CPU, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 40GB HDD and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features include Bluetooth, a CF slot, SD slot, QWERTY keyboard and a fingerprint reader. Battery life should be up to 5.5 hours and operating software is a choice of Windows XP Tablet Edition or Vista Premium.

And it seems to be well priced - at least, in the US anyway, selling for $999. If it sells in the UK for that, £500 sounds like a decent price. But we know better than to expect that.

Fujitsu website

Via I4U

Fujitsu Siemens ditches LOOX range of PDAs and bails out of market

By

Dave Walker

on August 13, 2007

The warning signs for tradtional PDAs have been there for some time, with the smartphone now overwhelmingly being the tool of choice for the tech-savvy business person. So it's no surprise to see Fujitsu-Siemens bailing out of the market, ditching its LOOX range of devices in the process.

According to the company’s spokesperson Amy Flécher: "We made our decision due to the usual examination of the portfolios. It turned out that the traditional handheld segment (PDA) shrank for years and also many other manufacturers leave this segment. While the wireless handheld market grows fast, the PDA market moves on a very low basis with small volume. The trend is that the traditional handhelds are replaced by other devices such as PNAs or smartphones. We will not invest into these product ranges."

"Handhelds and handheld devices with push E-Mail will remain a niche market. In the future these services will be taken over by smartphones - which is not our business at all. We observe that other manufacturers, that offer similar devices, have to fight with difficulties."

Fujitsu Siemens website

Via PMP Today

HTC gets touchy again with the P6550 Sedna

By

Dave Walker

on August 10, 2007

Another day and another HTC smartphone, but unlike the HTC Nike, the P6550 Sedna doesn't bother with the keyboard.

Yes, we're back with the touchscreen concept again - a 3.5-inch QVGA screen here, as well as a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA connectivity and a fingerprint reader for security. You can also add to that the Qualcomm MSM7200 400MHz chipset with 128MB of RAM, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, miniUSB and 1GB of on-board storage.

Which all looks pretty impressive. No news on a launch as yet, we'll keep you posted.

HTC website

Via PMP Today