Archive for March 2004
And There’s More of That…
24 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
Brighthand has written an analysis of the new Pocket PC OS version as well as borrowed some screenshots from Pocket PC Paradise (au Français — in French).
UPDATE: Arne Hess has got some sweet screenshots of the update. Check them out!
Parlez-Vous Français?
24 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
Well, I used to but now it’s time to improve on it again! PDAFrance has got the latest shots of Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition (yeah, that’s a really long name!). The coolest features are the one’s we’ve heard rumors about: switch to and from landscape mode!
I like the new option for changing the screen font that’s new in Control Panel. Also cool are: support for secure WiFi connections, and a new 3D button look for the soft keyboard.
Furthermore, all apps seem to be able to switch to landscape mode — even Windows Media Player. Seems like I have to update my WMA skinning guide again! (*hint* The guide is yet to come, so don’t worry.)
Microsoft’s official press release is here: Microsoft Creates New Opportunity for Windows Mobile Developers With New Software Platforms and Tools
iPAQ 6300 Out In July
20 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
BargainPDA has apparently got the latest scoop on the iPAQ 6300. What they have learned is that the iPaq will be out in July and manufactured by LG in South Korea. More details:
- GPS and WiFi are confirmed but not Bluetooth?
- It will feature a PXA266 400 MHz, perhaps.
- 128 MB RAM
- Camera integrated
The source is allegedly a LG representative at CeBIT. How much of this information is reliable, remains to be seen. It seems much different when compared to the information that the previous rumours brought us.
Cee CeBIT
19 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
OK, after you stop lauging to my terrible jokes, you can have a look at the excellent pictures from CeBIT of Pocket PC’s and other gadget goodies over at Arne Hess’ PPCW.net.
May I suggest that you hide your credit card before visiting… Just to avoid spontaneous shopping of gadgets… 
WEEK-TRACK-BACK: iPAQ 6300 is coming! - Motorola MPx Pricey - Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition
19 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
Apparently, HP seems to be preparing for the release of iPAQ 6300. The evidence appeared some days ago when the (official) support pages for the iPaq 6000 series popped up.
On another notice: The Motorola MPx is rumored to sell for around 750 € (ca. 920 USD). I my opinion: not that expensive. If we suppose that the mentioned price is the unsubsidised and VAT-less. When the Finnish VAT (22%) for that device in Finland is added to the price, then the store price rises up to 915 €. Ouch! That will definately leave a mark in my wallet…
A Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition will be coming soon. At least if we’re to believe what a (alleged) developer let out. He had answered a question on a public internet forum, where the developer mentioned that the prototype version he was running was: “Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, Version 4.21.1088 (build 14049)”
Sources for the news above: Pocket PC Thoughts.com
To continue the story, C|Net’s News.com says that the PPC 2003 SE operating system will be out next week! This 2nd edition version is supposed to “improve support for larger, VGA screens and screen rotation, among other features“.
Oh, what an exciting week this has been and what more exciting lies ahead!
15 March 2004 in Root | Comments (0)
I wish to send my condolences to the victims of the bombing in Madrid (Spain) and their families and relatives.
At 13:00 local time today, I together with the whole of Finland held a silent moment in memory of the victims of the Madrid bombings.
NO HP iPaq 6300?
15 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
Has HP done it again? Canceled a Pocket PC Phone (Edition) ? Over at BarginPDA.com It certainly seems like it, since someone with supposedly connections to a project manager within HP said in BarginPDA’s forums that: “OK we saw the pictures.Problem this device was a testing device. I am sorry to say that this device will not make it to the consumer market.Also we have notified pocket pc italia to remove their pics and story. We will not release any pda with gsm anytime soon. Sorry.”
In the discussion relating to that linked article, he/she also added that: “I already said to brian that i heard it from a friend of mine.One thing to consider is to look at the specs.The Ti [processor] is old and they are coming out with an upgraded version.And only 64mb is in comparising to the xda 2 too little.Don’t get me wrong.I hope my friend was wrong and that HP america hasn’t informed europe yet.I guess we wil have to wait till CeBit.If it isn’t presented there,i will guess my friend was right and HP will not come out with a GSM device anytime soon.”
I can already hear Pocket PC enthusiasts screaming “Nooooo!” in despair. Many are hoping that the device is or will be reality this year and I can not say that I blame them. WiFi, GSM GPRS, VGA camera and Bluetooth is an impressive package for a Pocket PC. Come on HP, don’t let us down!
Some Java Anyone?
12 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
Finding some Java virtual machines (and/or the JVM equivalents) for Pocket PC 2003 is a nightmare. It is not that there isn’t any, but that none of them seem to be available to customers — only to OEMs. Esmertec, whose Jeode JVM HP/Compaq used to distribute, has changed the product name into Jbed CDC… or something like that. Anyways, their JVM isn’t available to us who upgraded to Pocket PC 2003 and I wonder if HP will release the newer version for us — maybe not.
Esmertec seems to have their JVM ready for Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003 (*gasps for air*), as can be seen in this PDF. For a quite complete list of Java supporting software for Windows CE and Pocket PC, I recommend this site.
Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003 Anytime Soon?
11 March 2004 in Pocket PC | Comments (0)
An interesting read is “Is There Going To Be a Windows Mobile 2004?“ over at Brighthand. The author speculates whether or not a new Windows Mobile — specifically a Pocket PC one — is going to be released this year. He ponders on what various internet sources are hinting and mentions that we’ll only see a Pocket PC 2003 Version 2 released this year.
The Swiss Army Knife Gets More HiTech!
11 March 2004 in Root | Comments (0)
Anybody going to CeBit this year? Be sure to witness the coolest tool there, namely a Swiss Army knife with built-in USB memory! Swiss Victorinox has teamed up with Swissbit to produce a gadget geeks’ dream. Now, with that many occurrences of “Swiss”, I think I’ll go and eat some Swiss cheese! 