Once upon a time Compaq almost singlehandedly saved the fledgling Pocket PC platform. That was then, the new HP iPAQ Glisten is now. It's a snazzy and roughly iPhone-sized device with a gorgeous landscape-oriented AMOLED touchscreen. There's a 3.1 megapixel camera, GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA, 802.11b/g WiFi and GPS. The Glisten will be available for use with the AT&T network and will cost US$229 with the usual 2-year contract. [See description and specs of the HP iPAQ Glisten] -- Posted Monday, November 30, 2009
Tablet PC deja-vue all over again
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Back in June of 2002 we reported how Microsoft gave working versions of Acer TravelMate TM100 convertible notebooks with the Windows Tablet PC Edition to a small group of journalists who participated at a Microsoft Tablet PC Reviewer's Conference in Seattle (see here). More than seven years later, Microsoft handed out Acer Aspire 1420P convertibles with Windows 7 to full-conference attendees at the Professional Developer Conference 2009, in Los Angeles (see here). Interestingly, Acer really has never been much of a factor in Tablet PCs, and Tablet PC technology has remained almost totally stagnant in those seven years. -- Posted Monday, November 30, 2009
The diminished utility of the iPhone 3GS
We love the iPhone, but the mediocre battery life of the iPhone 3GS and the crippling way AT&T implemented and charges for GSM has, for our editor at least, diminished the value of the iPhone 3GS. [Read The diminished utility of the iPhone 3GS] -- Posted Monday, November 30, 2009
GammaTech now offers Durabook R13S convertible Tablet PC
GammaTech is now offering the Durabook R13S, a rugged notebook computer that can also be used as a tablet. The IP54-sealed machine uses a frugal Intel U7500 Core 2 Duo chip, offers good connectivity, and its 13.3-inch wide-format touchscreen is larger than what most of the competition in this class offers. The R13S is a bit heavy though (9 pounds) and there's no active digitizer option. [See description and specs of the GammaTech Durabook R13S] -- Posted Thursday, November 26, 2009
A first: Wacom pen technology in an eReader
Wacom announced that its Wacom pen technology will be used with the IREX DR800SG, marking the first time the pen will be deployed with a consumer eReader. The DR800SG is a sleek, 8.1‐inch, touch‐screen eReader that offers multi‐mode 3G wireless capabilities and has an MSRP of $399.99. Wireless access to download content is included in the cost of the DR800SG and no contract is required. -- Posted Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fedora 12: Out-of-the-box Tablet PC support
Accoding to a Jack Wallen article at ghacks.net, the newly released Fedora 12 will work on Tablet PCs without having to configure xorg.conf. The new release supposedly supports tablet pressure sensitivity, handwriting recognition, and many more features without any special configuration at all. -- Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Added: ultra-rugged Casio DT-X30 handheld
Casio's Industrial Handheld Division offers the state-of-the-art Casio DT-X30, a IP67-sealed substantial handheld based on Marvell's PXA320 processor and running Windows Mobile 6.1. The DT-X30, which comes with a 1D/2D imager and an integrated digital camera with LED illuminator, can be equipped with Bluetooth, WWAN as well as GPS, making it a good choice for location-based applications. The display measures 3.5 inches and the 29-key keypad allows rapid data entry as well as support for custom applications via 8 function keys. [Read description and specs of the Casio DT-X30] -- Posted Monday, November 16, 2009
Getac video on Chattanooga police force using Getac rugged computers
Getac published a very informative and nicely done video on the Chattanooga, Tennessee, police force using Getac rugged notebook computers. Police staff explain applications and provide rationale for their choice. [See Getac video] -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009
Over 100,000 iPhone apps now, total developer revenue US$900 million
Apple says that consumers in 77 countries have downloaded well over two billion iPhone apps in 20 categories, with a total selection of over 100,000 available apps. According to iPhone analytics company Pinch Media, about 30% of those two billion downloads fall into the premium app category, and they generated total developer revenues of US$900 million. -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Next gen of DocuPen pen scanners
Planon Systems Solutions introduced its new DocuPen Xtreme X-Series line of scanning pense, encompassing the X05, X10 and X50. Able to support image resolutions of up to 600 dpi (up to 1,200 dpi for the X50), the three models each feature a 200 MHz internal processor, 64MB of RAM, OLED displays, Bluetooth and PaperPort SE software. So if you need professional quality reproductions of contracts, receipts, invoices, color pictures and more, check 'em out! [DocuPen X Series] -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Samwell introduces space-saving Intel Atom-powered MCA
While most current Mobile Clinical Assistant's (MCAs) follow Intel's 2007 reference design, Samwell introduced a new and smaller form factor with a 8.9-inch wide-format display that leaves off the handle part, but includes RFID, barcode scanning, and camera for flexible data capture. The low-power Intel Atom Z530P allows for a fanless platform, and the aluminum-magnesium housing is rugged and carries IP54 sealing. Weight is just 2.4 pounds. [See description and specs of the Samwell RUGGEDBOOK MCA9 Medical Clinical Assistant] -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Marvell and E Ink collaborate on next -gen eReaders
Marvell -- the folks who now handle the XScale processor and a lot of other storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions -- announced its collaboration with E Ink, the supplier of electronic paper display technologies for most of the world's eReaders. The two companies have begun to ship a highly integrated eReader processor in Marvell's ARMADA 166E chip. New platforms based on the processor, such as the enTourage eDGe, are expected to accelerate the rapid release of new forms of eReaders at a variety of price points. -- Posted Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Motorla releases MC3100 successor to best-selling MC3000
Motorola introduced the MC3100 mid-range rugged wireless mobile computer as the successor of its best-selling (over 750,000 units) MC3000 Series. The MC3100 is based on the state-of-the-art Marvel PXA320 processor, includes an accelerometer, and can be ordered with three different keypads, with turret or integrated scanner, and also in a pistol-grip version. The MC3100, which can use all of the MC3000 peripherals and accessories, has a 320 x 320 pixel 3-inch touch display, runs either Windows CE 6.0 or Windows Mobile 6.1, and can be equipped with either a 1D laser or a 2D imager. Cost ranges from US$1,295 to US$1,995. [Read description and specs of the Motorola MC3100] -- Posted Tuesday, November 3, 2009