The latest news for users of Compaq iPAQ, HP Jornada, Casio Cassiopeia other Pocket PC handhelds
Review of Voice Command
[11/15/03] Noted at Bink.nu: BrightHand offers a hands-on review of Voice Command for Pocket PCs.
Microsoft Launches Voice Control for Mobile Device
[11/03/03] Noted at WinBeta.org Microsoft debuts US$39.95 Voice Command option for Windows Mobile 2003-based Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Edition. Details.
Lower-priced iPaq makes debut
[08/26/03] Noted at News.com: HP has released a new low-cost iPAQ. The new h1935, which goes on sale Aug. 26th, sells for less than US$200 after a $50 rebate. The device is similar to the h1945 model released in June, but lacks that model's built-in Bluetooth feature, although a Secure Digital expansion slot is provided. The h1935 uses Samsung's 203 MHz processor and runs the new Windows Mobile 2003 operating system.
Dell pulls Axim update after hackers use it to upgrade 'unauthorized' Pocket PCs
[07/31/03] Noted at News.com: Dell temporarily pulled from its Web site an operating system fix for its Axim X5 handhelds after some people used the patch to do unauthorized upgrades from older versions of the OS. (How dare they!) The Round Rock, Texas-based company began offering the patch Wednesday and pulled it later that day because people were hacking the patch and using it to upgrade handhelds that run Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC, the latest version of Microsoft's handheld operating system, according to Dell spokesman Jess Blackburn. The patch was meant to fix performance problems that Axim owners were experiencing with new devices installed with Windows Mobile 2003.
This little scandal will just reinforce the belief among many owners of Toshiba e740 units, that Toshiba's decision not to offer a Windows Mobile 2003 upgrade option for that unit (which, with 32MB of Flash memory, should be readily upgradeable) is just a ploy to sell more new units. So, it becomes clear that forced obsolescence (of units only a few months old!) is really the plan, after all. Fortunately, the genie is out of the bottle. Read more....
Pocket PC 2003 coming in June
[05/31/03] Noted at Brighthand.com: Pocket PC 2003 is expected to be unveiled on June 23. Reportedly, Pocket PC 2003 will offer built-in support for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and will provide an enhanced Connection Manager.
Internet Explorer, say sources, will get a major upgrade, gaining support for XHTML, CSS, JavaScript 5.5, animated GIFs, and improved performance.
Pocket PC 2003 will also include support for SMS and there will be an MMS plug-in for the Inbox. Both of these are ways of exchanging instant messages, with the second one offering multimedia. The Inbox will also gain the ability to add email signatures.
ActiveSync 3.7
[05/06/03] Noted at Bink.nu: Microsoft has released ActiveSync 3.7, providing synchronization support for Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PCs and Smartphones. According to the company, ActiveSync 3.7 contains fixes making synchronization more trouble free than ever before and includes all the significant improvements brought to you in ActiveSync 3.5 and 3.6: it is easy to install and use while offering the best levels of reliability. If you had not already installed ActiveSync 3.5, ActiveSync 3.7 will also bring you up to date with compatibility to Microsoft Office XP and Windows XP.
Pocket PCs galore at Comdex
[04/17/03] Noted at Slashdot.org: News of a proprietary desktop (PC) connectivity solution for Palm, Pocket PC and J2ME platforms leads to a spirited debate on the merits of other options, including Microsoft's own Terminal Services Client for Pocket PC. Read more....
[03/28/03] Noted at WinBeta.org: Macromedia Flash Player 6 for Pocket PC 2002 enables developers and publishers to quickly and easily deploy Macromedia Flash MX content and Rich Internet Applications for Pocket PC 2002 devices. Developers can deploy standalone Macromedia Flash applications using the Macromedia Flash Player 6 for Pocket PC.
This release includes the Pocket PC 2002 Content Developers Guide, Interface Design Policy Kit, as well as a set of optimized Macromedia Flash MX UI components for Pocket PC. Macromedia Flash Player 6 for Pocket PC 2002 is part of the Macromedia Mobile and Devices initiative to make PDA's, phones, televisions, and other consumer electronics accessible to Macromedia Flash developers and publishers. Check out the download links over at .project.
Axim "a breakthrough" says Mac-Mike
[12/11/02] "Dell makes strong PDA debut with Axim," writes Mike Langberg of the San Jose Mercury News. Langberg, who runs a Mac fan site called Mac-Mike.com and admits to preferring the Palm OS, calls the Axim a "breakthrough" product that changes his world view. It marks the first time he is willing to recommend a Pocket PC. Read more....
Pocket PCs galore at Comdex
[11/18/02] Noted at News.com: Dell promises to shake up the PocketPC market with a US$199 (after rebate) price on its entry-level Axim A5, but it isn't alone in offering new Pocket PCs. ViewSonic is offering its own Pocket PC, priced at US$299, and new iPaq models from HP will address both the low-cost and high-end segments of the market, at price points of US$299 and $699 respectively. The $299 iPaq, dubbed the iPaq Pocket PC h1910, is slimmer than Dell's offering. However Dell offers faster processor options in its Pocket PCs. At the high end, the Pocket PC h5450 will include both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, a fingerprint reader for owner authentication and a powerful infrared port that allows the device to work as a universal remote control, when it ships next week. According to News.com, the h1910 will initially be offered for sale only in the United States, while the h5450 will be available worldwide. PC Magazine takes a closer look in an article entitled First Look- Pocket PCs Priced Right.
Details emerge on Dell's Axim X5
[10/28/02] Noted at Slashdot.org: Details of Dell's forthcoming Pocket PC are starting to emerge. In Oct., brighthand.com reported rumors suggesting prices between $199 and $299 US. Early reports suggested that the device might be named "Cartera," after the Spanish word for Portfolio; however, a Dell web page now states the unit will be dubbed the Axim X5.
Due to hit the market Nov. 18, the devices are said to be manufactured by Taiwan-based Wistron and are based on Intel's PXA250 XScale-architected Applications Processor. Models running at 300MHz and 400MHz are expected.
The Dell Pocket PCs are expected to be demonstrated at the Fall Comdex show in Las Vegas. PocketPCTools.com has details, including images said to be from an official Dell PowerPoint presentation (which refers to the device by its internal code-name "Clemente") and complete specs. For a sneak peek, click here.
(Unofficial) Specifications include:
Pocket PC 2002 service pack 1
[10/24/02] Noted at Bink.nu: Microsoft has released Pocket PC 2002 service pack 1 to manufacturers. According to the company, the update includes a new version of Microsoft Windows Media Player for Pocket PC as well as the updates described below:
New Features:
New Microsoft® Windows MediaTM Player with improved performance and a new play list management
TAB key support in Pocket Internet Explorer
New "Bliss" Today Theme
Other Updates:
Increased stability in Pocket Internet Explorer when viewing secured Web sites
Improved stability when renegotiating PPP LCP connections.
Support for entering long strings with out spaces in Pocket Word and Notes
Improved usability when adding recipients in calendar
Support for users names with extended characters in Microsoft® Server ActiveSync®
Read more....
HP drops Jornada line, promises support
[07/25/02] Noted at News.com: Now that its merger with Compaq is complete, HP has unceremoniously dropped all but two its Jornada models. The mini-notebook-like Jornada 720 and the phone-based Jornada 928 will stay, says the company, but the others will be phased out by year end. However, it vows to continue support for orphaned machines for three years -- a small consolation for such rapid obsolescence. Read more.....
PocketMac Review
[06/28/02] Noted at MacWindows.com: PocketWorld has a review of Information Appliance Associates' PocketMac 1.1 (US$50), software for Mac OS 9 and OS X that lets you connect Macs to Pocket PC (Windows CE) handheld devices over a USB link or a TCP/IP network (Ethernet or AirPort 802.11). The software lets you sync files or browse, copy, and delete the files of your Pocket PC from your Mac. Read more.....
Pocket PC Phone Edition, new Tablet PCs from Microsoft
[06/25/02] Noted at News.com: In addition to demonstrations of no less than nine different models of Tablet PCs (based on a modified version of Windows XP), Microsoft took the stage at TechXNY on June 25 demonstrated Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition, a version of the company's operating system for handhelds. The new release, expected to debut later this summer on systems from VoiceStream/T-Mobile, combines a personal digital assistant with wireless voice and data access. Read more....
HP launches new iPAQs
[06/24/02] Noted at Slashdot: new HP iPAQs are on view at TechXNY (formerly known as PC Expo) in New York. Powered by a 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA250 processor, the Compaq-developed devices feature Secure Digital I/O (SDIO) expansion and an enhanced IR port allowing universal control of home entertainment IR devices. There will initially be two models in the H3900 series, both of which will be using the 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA250 processor (noted below). The iPAQ Pocket PC H3950 comes with 32 MB of Flash ROM and has an estimated street price of US$649, while the iPAQ Pocket PC H3970 comes with integrated Bluetooth capabilities and 48 MB of Flash ROM, at an estimated street price of US$749. Both models include 64 MB of RAM and sport a noticeably brighter colour display than that of their predecessors. Read more....
XScale: Faster CPU = Slower Performance?
[06/22/02] Noted at Slashdot: There's a new article on a Pocket PC web site where Microsoft talks about why XScale Pocket PCs aren’t as fast as people thought they would be. In short, iPAQ owners thinking of "trading up" to one of these new 400 MHz XScale (ARM v5) devices seem likely to end up with graphics slower than those on the 206MHz devices it replaces. Meanwhile, pocketnow.com finds the Toshiba e740 is actually ahead in most categories with exception of graphics. Read more....
Asus MyPal PDA
[06/20/02] Noted at Ars-Technica: Anandtech takes a look at on ASUS's second generation PDA, the dubiously named "MyPal" A600. It runs the PocketPC 2002 operating system on a 400MHz Xscale processor with 32MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, and a 240x320 TFT LCD with 65K colors. The unit includes a built-in speaker, a built-in microphone, and an SD/MMC slot. It's fairly svelte at only 5.3 oz. (for comparison, the Palm M515 weighs 4.9 oz.) and runs for up to 16 hours on a battery charge. Read more....
Microsoft Portrait for Pocket PC and Handheld PC 1.4 released
[06/02/02] Microsoft Portrait is a research prototype for mobile video conferencing. It supports .NET Messenger Service and Internet Locator Service on PCs, Pocket PCs and Handheld PCs. It runs on local area networks, dialup networks and even wireless networks with bandwidths as low as 9.6 kilobits/second. Microsoft Portrait uses portrait-like video that always delivers the most important information in a video for a given bandwidth. In low bandwidths, portrait video possesses clearer shape, smoother motion, shorter latency and much cheaper computational cost than do conventional video technologies. Versions are available for older Pocket PC models from HP, Compaq and Casio, plus all new Pocket PCs with Microsoft Pocket PC and Pocket PC 2002 operating systems and all Handheld PCs with Microsoft Handheld PC 2000 operating system.
Toshiba’s new e740 Pocket PC
[06/02/02] PDA LIVE.com has details of the Toshiba’s new e740 Pocket PC, released in Canada on June 17. Powered by Microsoft's PocketPC 2002 operating system and Intel's new 400MHz XScale Processor (and apparently held up due to performance issues as a result), the unit will reportedly be offered in three different configurations: one with integrated WiFi (802.11b wireless), one with Bluetooth and one with neither. All will feature CompactFlash and SD slots and a 3.5" TFT color screen and 64MB of RAM. The WiFi-equipped unit sells for C$949.
Fujitsu-Siemens poised to launch most powerful Pocket PC yet
[02/01/02] At CeBIT, March 13-20 in Hannover, Germany, Fujitsu-Siemens is planning to launch a new Pocket PC with a "top-secret" Intel processor (presumably the XScale), integrated Bluetooth and the Pocket PC 2002 operating system. The device, known as the Pocket LOOX, will reportedly be upgradeable to full mobile phone functionality via a GSM/GPRS add-on module. The LOOX reportedly has a CompactFlash Type II slot and an SD Card expansion slot. Neowin.net has details...
Samsung Announces 'Wireless Hand PC'
[01/16/02] At CES, Samsung unveiled a new wireless handheld PC its calls NEXiO S150. Sporting a 5-inch, 800x480-pixel screen with a landscape orientation, there's also an external VGA port is included for connectivity with large displays and projectors. The device is based on Windows CE 3.0 but will, the company says, migrate to the newly released Windows CE .NET platform within the year. Initially set for release in Korea only, the NEXiO will hit North American shores in late 2002. The Korean product includes built-in support for the CDMA2000 wireless standard, delivering "always on" wireless email, cell-phone capabilities and 56Kbps data transfers to the built-in web browser. Additional modules for GPS and 802.11b will be available as well. Betanews has details...
Pocket PC could infringe Xerox patent, too
[12/22/01] We haven't seen this discussed anywhere else, but it seems to us that, given that Microsoft's PocketPC 2002 operating system claims to recognize the "Graffiti" handwriting recognition system built into Palm units, PocketPC 2002 handhelds could be next to be scrutinized under the terms of Xerox's 1997 patent. On the other hand, perhaps Palm and its licensees can weasel their way out of the lawsuit with the same excuse Microsoft used. Microsoft says the technology, which it calls "Block Recognizer," is in the public domain. Analysts say repercussions of the ruling could also affect Handspring, a rival handheld computer maker that licenses Palm's operating system, possibly leading to heavy monetary fines and/or a court-ordered removal of all products with the handwriting-recognition technology from store shelves.
[12/11/01] Update: MS WILL RELEASE MISSING POCKETPC APPS...
In a complete about-face, Microsoft has indicated it will now make available two pieces of crucial software for users who upgraded their handheld computers to Pocket PC 2002. In a weekend statement the software giant said they were under no obligation to provide the missing software. We have more on this latest development @ ZDNet News...
Pocket PC upgrade missing software
[12/10/01] Handheld owners receiving the upgrade to Pocket PC 2002 are surprised to discover some key software missing, and Microsoft admits its own "confusion." Read more @ News.com
A comparison of Pocket PC 2002 PDAs
[11/15/01] Our latest review looks at how the HP Jornada 565 compares with Compaq's latest iPAQ models and other leading Pocket PC 2002-compatible PDAs. Read more....
PocketMac details emerge
[10/10/01] PocketMac is a software package that lets Macs connect to Pocket PC devices. Three versions of the software will be offered, ranging from a full-blown developer's kit to a simple version that supports basic synchronization. Read more at MacUser....
Fujitsu to join Pocket PC fray in 2002
[10/05/01] Japan's Fujitsu says it will launch a Pocket PC-based personal digital assistant in 2002, notes Reuters. The company has so far declined to provide details on the product's specifications, but says the device will target PDA buyers seeking "superior multimedia features.''
Pocket PC 2002 Unveiled
[09/06/01] At the Demomobile conference in Southern California, Microsoft today unveiled its latest operating system for handheld computers. Dubbed Pocket PC 2002, the new OS will be at the heart of new handhelds from Hewlett Packard, Symbol (which also announced that the firmware of some existing models will be upgradeable to the new system) and others. One of the key changes in the latest Pocket PC spec is a more strict hardware specification. Hoping to alleviate the confusion caused by having models based on different processors (currently, there are Pocket PC models based on at least three different processor designs, and a resulting fragmentation of the software market for Pocket PC), Microsoft now requires all Pocket PCs to include an (Intel) ARM4 processor and a Flash ROM, allowing for easy firmware upgrades. These two requirements are right at the top of our list of smart moves for Pocket PC; we think this is the version that will finally see Pocket PC start to make some serious inroads into the corporate market -- and take additional market share away from category leader Palm. Notably, the new Pocket PCs will now recognize the "Graffiti" handwriting recognition system built into Palm units. Microsoft says the technology, which it calls "Block Recognizer," is in the public domain. The new Pocket PCs also improve the ability to share information more easily with Palms via infrared "beaming;" other long-time annoyances with the Pocket PC, such as the inability to sort contact lists by company name, have also been added.
Key features in the 2002 version of Pocket PC include instant messaging software, an improved e-book reader, a spelling checker for Pocket Word and Pocket Excel, a new version of the Windows Media Player, better support for antivirus software and improvements to how the devices connect to wireless networks, including support for virtual private networking. Read more....
TV and Video on Pocket PCs
[08/18/01] New products are hitting the market, promising to bring TV to Pocket PCs. The latest is SnapStream Media's PocketPVS, which works with the company's Personal Video Station and a suitable TV tuner card to record and transcode television for offline viewing. The PocketVS version, available in a free version limited to 32MB of videos, or a US$29.95 full edition allowing unlimited storage, allows up to 34 hours (!) of shows to be stored on a PocketPC equipped with a 1GB IBM Microdrive. A 256MB CompactFlash card allows over 8 hours of shows to be played.
Elsewhere, AK TV, already delivering TV (mostly B-grade movies and infomericials -- woo hoo!) over the Internet, in Aug. 2001 became the first Web-based television station accessible by wireless devices, with its announcement of support for devices based on Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system.
Secret "Landscape Mode" for Jornada
[03/21/01] There's a hidden feature built into HP Jornada Pocket PCs that rotates the screen 90 degrees, allowing for a "landscape mode" work area in 8-bit colour. Pressing the Action dial while clicking and holding on the clock reveals a hidden "run" command, allowing you to run any application on the system. There's a hidden "landscape mode" command worth trying. Type "rotate r" (without the quotes) and then reset the Jornada using the red button on the back. Then, press and hold the power button for a few seconds to realign the stylus. See http://www.pocketgear.com/tip_detail.asp?id=30 for details, or download a utility such as ChangeOrientation (recommended) or Rotator to automate the procedure.
Stowaway Keyboard for iPAQ
[03/21/01] The fold-up "Stowaway" keyboard by Targus, already available for HP Jornada Pocket PCs and some Palm models, is now available for the Compaq iPAQ. It sells for US$119.
Compaq: Glitch affects 56K modems
A glitch in a so-called "SoftPAQ" upgrade has led to some users of Compaq's iPAQ handheld portables being unable to use CompactFlash 56K modems from Xircom and other vendors. Annoyed customers say the company has been slow to address the problem, which emerged in January and, as of late March, had still not been fixed. Compaq has released a software patch on March 16th, and says it is working on a ROM upgrade, which should be available by the end of the month. News.com has additional information.
Lowest price-point yet for next HP Jornada
A report at News.com says HP will unveil a less pricey handheld at the Cebit show in Hannover, Germany in late March, 2001. Undercutting the US$499 Jornada 548, the unit is expected to become the cheapest color handheld that runs on Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system. Compaq's US$349 monochrome version of the iPAQ is currently the least expensive Pocket PC.
Microsoft's Stinger
In the emerging category of "PDA phones" currently dominated by devices such as the Palm OS-based Kyocera QCP 6035 "SmartPhone" and the older Qphone from Qualcomm, comes word of a forthcoming device from Microsoft. Expected to be unveiled at Comdex Fall/2001 in Las Vegas, it’s an Internet-enabled digital phone running the PocketPC operating system.
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