What is the future of handheld computing? Compaq's Cambridge Research Laboratory is studying this question along with, how can handheld computing improve our lives? how can we use pervasive wireless communications? what services will we use via handheld computers? All very good questions. It appears that their first step is to build a prototype device using a Compaq iPAQ Handheld and Linux/X Windows. The prototype will have 2 PC Card slots, which will be used for a camera, wireless network cards, and a IBM Microdrive. One of the most interesting inclusions in the prototype is an accelerometer. Britannica tells me that an accelerometer measures the rate at which the velocity of an object is changing.
CRL's efforts are also part of a collaberation with MIT.
posted by Frank McPherson 1:02 PM |
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Pocket Database looks like everything one would hope to find in Pocket Access, and it works on Pocket PCs. Better yet, it only costs $25.
posted by Frank McPherson 12:38 PM |
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Microsoft's New Operating System Here is a little humor to start your day.
posted by Frank McPherson 12:22 AM |
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ZDNet: Story: My quest for the Holy … iPAQ H3650 I wonder how much she got paid to write this piece? I figure about 30 minutes worth of work to bang out about 5 paragraphs that say nothing. What, just because you can't buy an iPAQ anywhere means it sucks?
posted by Frank McPherson 11:53 PM |
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Arne has had a closer look at the Trium Mondo Pocket PC with built in GSM/GPRS. He confirms that it is NOT based on Stinger, but it does have nice integration of the Pocket PC software and phone features.
posted by Frank McPherson 11:38 PM |
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If you are the type that likes a challenge, and you are interested in getting $1,000, you might contemplate travish's offer.
posted by Frank McPherson 6:42 PM |
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Steve Bush has posted his first review of the @migo, and I have to say that I am impressed with all the attention to detail by the manufacturer. As Steve says, it is apparent that this was put together by someone who actually uses a PDA. Little extras can make up for hte higher price. ($599). But keep in mind that an iPAQ + PC Card sleeve will run you about $650.
posted by Frank McPherson 2:24 PM |
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Dale Coffing has received his @migo and has posted some initial thoughts and pictures. He'll be posting some more comments on this thread.
posted by Frank McPherson 2:13 PM |
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It's so nice to see someone else rip into the many myths regarding Windows CE.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:56 PM |
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It looks like the @migo is seeing the light of day. BrightHand has their review unit, and Dale Coffing is hoping to get his tomorrow. Now to see if UR There can keep up with demand. I have to admit that the pictures of the @migo look very nice, though it appears to be about as large as the Casio E-125. After using an iPAQ or Casio EM-500 it would be hard for me to go back to something that large. The integrated PC Card slot of this unit makes it an ideal wireless device.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:41 PM |
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Congratulations are in order for Dale Coffing, as pocketPCpassion rolled over the 1 million mark for visitors.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:32 PM |
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I don't know if this matters much to those who read this blog, but my other log, Notes From The Cave, is currently down. The site's host, Userland, has experienced problems with the server and are currently in the process of restoring everything.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:28 PM |
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Just to close the loop. This is the official word from Compaq that they pulled the SoftPaq.
posted by Frank McPherson 8:52 PM |
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Pocket PC Thoughts - The iPAQ ROM Update Mike Lynch has written a nice review of the ROM update, and I echo his comments about waiting until Compaq re-releases the update with a better installer.
posted by Frank McPherson 6:28 PM |
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ZDNet: eWEEK: Will Palm go it alone? I followed Jason's link to this article, which I read and I am left scratching my head. Is this guy saying that Palm should partner with Symbian or not? It seems like a lot of people are busy reading the tea leaves of Bill Magg's departure from Palm. Here are my two cents...
Despite Palm's efforts to proclaim themselves a software company, they have never really been about software. I really think that is at the heart of why Hawkin's left Palm to form Handspring. If you read any of the interviews of Hawkin's and how the Palm Pilot was created you will know the famous story of him building a prototype of the device with a block of wood, and carried that wood around everywhere. Hawkin's focused on the hardware, and the biggest innovation when the Pilot came out was that it was so small it would easily fit in your pocket. That was in sharp contrast to the Apple Newton which wouldn't come close to fitting in a pocket.
I suggest that the Palm software was very simply put together to provide the rudimentary organizer needs. However, never in the beginning of Palm did they promote their software, and you never heard of "Simply Palm" until Windows CE came along. That is because it has always been about the hardware. And I think Hawkins wanted to expand the Palm hardware and 3Com balked, hence the formation of Handspring.
Here is the problem that Palm faces. Hardware does not provide answers to problems. Software has always been the differentiator of computing devices. If the Palm software is not updated to provide the functionality people want then they are going to stop buying the hardware. But Palm is not a software company, and I doubt that they have the real expertise to create a truly robust operating system. So the only way they will succeed is if they aquire a company that has the skills they need, or they form a partnership. It looks like they are going the partnership route.
posted by Frank McPherson 6:23 PM |
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News: Who needs a PC? Handheld market doubles "In one worrying sign for the industry though, NPD noted that the average selling price of handheld computers dropped 11 percent to $293.51 in 2000, suggesting pressure on manufacturers' profit margins."
posted by Frank McPherson 6:01 PM |
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Upgrade zaps Compaq's iPaq handhelds - Tech News - CNET.com It looks like the folks at CNET.com have a sense of humor. The guy who wrote this article is Ian Fried.
posted by Frank McPherson 5:57 PM |
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We appear to be inching ever so closely to the day when the iPAQ version of the Stowaway keyboard will be released.
posted by Frank McPherson 5:44 PM |
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Yahoo - Compaq and Microsoft Provide Wireless Network for Delegates at the World Economic Forum's Davos Annual Meeting It looks like part of Microsoft's Pocket PC marketing plan for this year is exposure at big events like the World Economic Forum and the Sundance Film Festival. I understand Microsoft's Beth Goza is hard at work at the file festival. Tough assignment, I am sure!
posted by Frank McPherson 5:39 PM |
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It's confirmed that Compaq has pulled the ROM upgrade due to the problems a number of users have been experiencing. The ROM upgrade issue has been generating a lot of discussion over at Brighthand. Unfortunately, all the extra traffic to Brighthand is overwhelming the servers hosting the site.
posted by Frank McPherson 11:02 PM |
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Pocket PC Thoughts links to CNetX Flash Format , which is another utility for Pocket PCs that you can use to format storage cards.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:58 PM |
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Jason Dunn digs DataPlay. I agree that it sounds very positive, however, all of the talk has been about playing DataPlay disks. What about recording? What type of price will we have to play for a DataPlay disk recorder? And if you are going to buy music recorded on these disks, how does it jive with the music industry's ordained format, secure digital? So far UR There is the only Pocket PC manufacturer to indicate plans of integrating DataPlay with a Pocket PC, but we have yet to see real product from UR There is anything resembling volume. This is worth watching, but right now it seems that all the guys on the fringe are the only ones being serious.
posted by Frank McPherson 10:55 PM |
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By now you have probably read the news that Compaq released the anticipated Flash ROM upgrade for the iPAQ Pocket PC. While several people have successfully upgraded their iPAQs, others have not. Those who have not been successful are left with a fried iPAQ. Reports at Brighthand and in the newsgroups are that Compaq has pulled the upgraded due to the high number of people having problems. There is no official word, though when I tried to hit the site I did receive a "page not found" message.
I downloaded a copy of the upgrade and decided in the spirt of "I do these crazy things so you don't have to" to go ahead and do the upgrade. The upgrade was successful. The iPAQ is intact and the ROM version is now 1.69. I don't know what is going on at this point, and I am not even sure that Compaq has pulled the upgrade. It is probably best to wait a day or two until we know for sure what is up with the upgrade.
posted by Frank McPherson 11:48 PM |
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MyTools for Windows CE "My Tools for PocketPC is a utility software for display memory status, batteries status, and current day on Title bar area."
posted by Frank McPherson 1:17 PM |
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