Author: pdasnews

“We just announced that SkypeOut is now free within the US and Canada to all landlines and mobiles, until at least the end of 2006How does this work?If you’re in the US or Canada, you can use SkypeOut to call any landline or mobile number in both the USA and Canada for free.If you’re in the US or Canada and calling any other country, OR if you’re in any other country and calling landline or mobile numbers in the US or Canada, the standard SkypeOut rates apply.Of course, Skype-to-Skype calls continue to be globally free, so no changes there.See also the campaign FAQ.” More at skype.com

“It’s not easy to find a smartphone with integrated GPS. There’s the hw6515 and E-TEN G500 (only available online through importers) among the few. While the hw6515’s GPS was off to a rocky start, the hw6915 is much improved with impressive GPS sensitivity and start times. The device uses assisted GPS which means that it collects updated reference data over GPRS periodically to speed up its lock acquisition time (it will remind you to update your data over GPRS every two days or so). But we tested the GPS without using the assisted feature and found it fast to fix and update. Indoors, 10 feet from an exterior wall, the iPAQ managed to get a fix on two satellites. Next to a sliding glass door it got three and it typically found 7 to 9 satellites outdoors in good weather. HP doesn’t tell us much about the GPS hardware, nor did they for the hw6515. It’s made by Global Locate but HP doesn’t state what chipset is used, whether it has SiRF and etcetera.” Read this great review at mobiletechreview.com

“Advance Tech has released their final prototype photos of the upcoming pda phone. The smartphone has some nice features like GSM Quadband, WiFi, EDGE, Bluetooth, GPS and support VoIP.The Mobile Advanced Global Integrated Communicator (M.A.G.I.C.) phone has a incredible set of specifications, except the size and weight. It’s like carrying a mini notebook and too large for a hand to hold.China Media Group has received the first production units of the M.A.G.I.C. Convergent Communication device as scheduled. It has the sole distribution rights to the M.A.G.I.C. Convergent Communication device for China and Hong Kong.Mr. CP Loi, Chief Executive of Advance Tech Communications Sdn. Bhd., stated, “We are very proud to have now produced the first M.A.G.I.C. prototype. We are now working closely with CMG to perform all the required testing before formally launching the product in the market place. We have received tremendous response worldwide and the pent up anticipation clearly indicates that M.A.G.I.C. will play a role in shaping the mobility world of tomorrow and how we interact in it.” “Check out the specifications and more features here:

“Nokia will announce on May 16 that future versions of its 770 Intenet Tablet will come preloaded with Google Talk, a free, Internet-based voice communications service, the Wall Street Journal reports. Google Talk offers both instant text messaging and real-time voice communications capabilities, and supports open federation with service providers that support the industry standard XMPP protocol, according to Google.Nokia debuted the compact, handheld Linux-powered 770 Internet Tablet at LinuxWorld in New York last fall. The device offers convenient Internet browsing and email through built-in WiFi, or via a Bluetooth connection to a compatible mobile phone. It boasts a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touch-screen, plus integrated WiFi, Bluetooth, and a reduced-size MMC (RS-MMC) card slot.Although positioned as an “Internet tablet,” the 770 has much wider applicability. Bundled software currently includes: web browser, email client, Internet radio, news reader, media players, image viewer, file manager, search, calculator, world clock, PDF-viewer, notes, sketch, and games. Additionally, a broad and growing range of software can be downloaded and installed onto the device from the 770’s Maemo.org community website.” Find out more at linuxdevices.com

“China TechFaith Wireless Communication, a supplier of mobile phones and related application software, and Microsoft China have entered into a “strategic collaboration” aimed at promoting the use of Windows Mobile and Windows Media technology, the companies announced May 12.The two companies say they will work together to “improve the user experience and market share of Windows Mobile based devices,” while reducing the time to market and lowering development costs. The strategic partnership covers smartphone and entertainment handset product development, application development, collaborative sales and marketing, and an exchange of talent and technology, according to TechFaith.One of TechFaith’s mobile platforms is the “Windows Mobile 2005 Slide,” shown above. The company lists the following features and specifications for the device: Processor — TI OMAP @ 200 MHz Memory — 512 MB RAM, 512 MB Flash Display — 2.4-inch QVGA TFT with touchscreen, 16-bit color Wireless — GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900 Camera — 2 Mpixel CMOS Available options: 256 MB to 1 GB NAND Flash GSM850, EDGE 2 Mpixel CCD camera with autoflash WiFi FM radio QWERTY keyboard ” via windowsfordevices.com

“Directly from VZW itself on an internat site.Exclusively offered by Verizon Wireless, the Motorola Q is an ultra-thin, feature packed smartphone powered by the nation’s most reliable high-speed broadband network. The Q offers Windows Mobile 5.0 OS, flexible email solutions including Wireless Sync, Bluetooth technology, and rich multimedia capabilities via its 1.3 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile Media Player and MMS capability. These powerful features are easily accessed by the Qs thumb wheel, QWERTY keyboard and 5-way navigational key. If there was ever a must-have smartphone – the Q is it. General Features All Digital1XEVDO1XRTTBluetooth EnabledCalendarCamera – FlashCamera Resolution – 1.3M PixelDual Stereo SpeakersE-mail and Internet AccessGPS enabledInfrared PortIntennaMS Windows Mobile 5.0Messaging – Multi Media [MMS]Messaging – Predictive Text InputMessaging – Text [SMS]Microsoft ActivesyncMicrosoft Media PlayerMicrosoft Pocket Exel – view onlyMicrosoft Pocket Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Pocket OutlookMicrosoft Pocket Powerpoint – view onlyMicrosoft Pocket Word – view onlyOTA CapablePC SynchronizationPolyphonic Ring TonesQWERTY KeyboardRemovable Memory Slot – MiniSDSpeakerphoneTTY compatibleThumb wheelVideo CaptureVoice DialingWireless SYNCSpecifications Up to 234 Minutes Usage TimeUp to 212 Hours Stand by Time4.1 oz.4.60H x 2.50W x 0.45D inchesPackaged With Handset Getting Started CD (w/ActiveSync)HolsterMini USB Data CableMotorola Q smartphoneOne Standard Lithium Ion BatteryQuick Reference GuideTravel ChargerUser ManualWelcome CD (w/Wireless Sync)” More at phonescoop.com

“Rumor According to a recent report released by Gartner market research group, Palm Inc. has no plans to release any new conventional PDAs or handheld devices for “several months”. This would be a deviation from Palm’s traditional Spring/Fall new handheld release strategy. Gartner claims that Palm is seeking to stagger future new releases with longer intervals between launches stating; “We think it could be several more months before new or upgraded models are launched.” Palm’s Traditional Release ScheduleWith few exceptions (i705 in Jan ’02, T|T2 in July ’03, LifeDrive in May ’05, Treo 700w in Jan ’06) Palm has traditionally released new devices in the April & October timeframes. With their transition into a smartphone-focused company Palm could be looking to alter their long-standing, rather conservative launch schedule. The lack of any new Palm OS handheld news thus far can also be attributed to the general downturn and lack of growth in that segment. Handheld sales growth has remained mostly flat since 2002, while Treo smartphone sales have enjoyed increasingly higher sales and popularity. Models Likely to be Replaced or Upgraded?Palm is still offering three units with the old “PalmOne” branding–the Treo 650 (released Oct ’04), the Tungsten E2 (released April ’05) and the LifeDrive (released May ’05). Looking at Palm’s current lineup, these legacy models will likely be dropped or replaced in the near term. One major reason is simply to get all of the company’s products to carry uniform branding & packaging. Ed Colligan, Palm’s CEO, has previously claimed that new Treos running both Palm OS and Windows Mobile will be released this year. The Tungsten E2 would be the most logical candidate for updating due to the success of the original Tungsten E and its position as a solid PDA at the $200 price point. The LifeDrive has been long rumored to be receiving a 6 or 8gb MicroDrive but with the arrival of low-cost, high capacity SD cards, Palm could be questioning the need to maintain the LifeDrive within the lineup. The two Palm PDA models bearing updated “Palm” branding (Palm TX & Z22) are less than a year old and are likely going to stick around for the foreseeable future. “ via palminfocenter.com

“g-Smart i is the second PDA phone from GIGABYTE. The phone is powerd by Intel PXA272 416 MHz processor with 64 MB ROM and 64 RAM and it runs on Windows Mobile 5 OS.It has a 2.4 320 x 240 pixels 260k color TFT screen, a 2 Megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth A2DP、TV Tuner and supports for 196 polyphonic ringtone and MiniSD for expansion. You can also add a GPS receiver module to it.The phone measures only 19.8 mm thick and weighs 130g. It will be out this month with price at 12000 Taiwan dollar (~667USD) with a 256MB MiniSD bundled.” More photoes at itechnews.net

“Today Pantech has announced the release of a mobile phone PG-6200 in Taiwan. The phone will be also introduced in Russia and Hong Kong this week.I’d remind you that the PG-6200 was exhibited at 3GSM Congress in February. It stands out for a fingerprints sensor to identify users. Besides it features full value multimedia functionality. The specs of the PG-6200: GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) Internal TFT LCD 262K colors External TFTLCD 65K colors 2-megapixel camera with flash and 4x digital zoom Player supporting MP3, AAC,AAC+ and AMR 64-tones polyphony 20 MB of internal memory Slot for microSD (TransFlash) cards Text-to-Speech Bluetooth Java 2.0 and Wap 2.0 SMS, MMS, EMS and e-mail Dimensions – 87×43.6×20.9 mm Weight – 92 g ” via mobile-review.com

“You can now upload your homemade videos to YouTube using your mobile phone or PDA.Just create a mobile profile on your YouTube site. That results in a unique email address, to which you send your videos for posting on the Web. Such ease of video uploading and sharing video clips will no doubt increase the number of spontaneous video moments that appear on the Web. Imagine how easy it would be to snap a video clip with your mobile phone, email it to YouTube, and see it online a few moments later.YouTube insists that the service is free and anticipates a large response to the offering. Given the large number of videos made with digital cameras and mobile phones, the ease of uploading those videos to the Web for posting on YouTube will likely make sharing homemade videos even easier and more prevalent.” via mobilemag.com