Asus MyPal becomes the "Zayo Active Pocket PC"

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www.zayotech.com/">http://www.zayotech.com/</a><br /><br />In Taiwan at least, the Asus Pocket PC 2002 is being sold by Zayo. Good to see another company selling the devices, but I doubt we'll see the Zayo brand in North America or Europe. I wonder who will brand the Asus device over here?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/zayo.jpg" /><br /><br />"Sound, color, real computing power combined with total mobility. Run all your favorite 2002 Pocket PC apps. Create spreadsheets, write documents, send email, listen to your favorite MP3s. The ZAYO Pocket PC can do it all. Basic specs: Microsoft¨ PocketPC 2002 OS, Intel PXA-250 400MhZ, Low temperature polymer silicone, Polymer-Li battery 1350mAh. The lightest, thinnest PocketPC available."<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.pocketpctools.com/">Pocket PC Tools.</a>

[mar2k]

For the life of me I do not understand why Asus is so antsy about releasing this Pocket PC under their own moniker. They are a quality manufacturer with a reputation for making great motherboards and other components. They go to the trouble of making what looks to be a great device, then take none of the credit. According to the nice long Anandtech article a few weeks ago, this is an entirely new market for them, why not make a name for themselves by selling under the Asus name.

Asus is not a household name since they make PC components and do not sell Asus-branded PCs. A Zayo brand device would be a flop because as few people have heard of Asus, even less have ever heard of Zayo. If Asus wants someone else to sell their Pocket PC here in the US, let NEC or Casio sell it.

The NEC P300 was built by Asus. It had very good build quality but the battery life killed it. They apparently have addressed this with the MyPal and it is supposed to have awesome battery life. NEC doesn't seem very interested in supporting the P300 from what I can see, but this would certainly be a good replacement for it, with XScale and improved battery life, yet oh so similar design. The NEC name carries some weight at least if they are going to re-brand it.

Casio is apparently done in the North American market, but an intriguing device like this might put their name back on the map. Casio doesn't seem to have much interest in manufacturing their own devices anymore (sadly, the units made by Casio Japan were rock solid!) and Asus might want to put a known name on it for the retail market - the Casio name certainly fits the bill... Its an interesting thought anyway.

[Will T Smith]

But it did turn up something REALLY cool.

http://www.pitech.com/hardware/iCFMS/images/overview.gif

MemStick & CF pack.

http://www.pitech.com/hardware/iCFCF/images/overview.gif

Dual CF Pack

Check it out at

http://www.pitech.com/hardware/MemPlug.htm

[Jason Dunn]

Link doesn't show MyPal. But it did turn up something REALLY cool.

Click on ZAYO ACTIVE PDA.

And we already posted on the dual CF sleeve, front page, with an image... :-)

[Will T Smith]

Found it.

Hey this is cool ...

http://www.zayotech.com/images/cage.JPG

Outdoor pack

A sleek, rugged holder for a PocketPC, GPS unit, and an auxiliary battery. The underside has an easy to use mount that fits on almost any bicycle handlebar. Shock and water resistant - this is the prefect utility for all your adventures.

[/url]

[Firetrail]

mar2k,
...
The NEC P300 was built by Asus. It had very good build quality but the battery life killed it. They apparently have addressed this with the MyPal and it is supposed to have awesome battery life. NEC doesn't seem very interested in supporting the P300 from what I can see, but this would certainly be a good replacement for it, with XScale and improved battery life, yet oh so similar design. The NEC name carries some weight at least if they are going to re-brand it.
...
Gotta agree full-heartedly with your comments on the NEC P300 here :D. Never know that this model is made by Asus? Thanks for the info! Moved over from 3870 & 3970 to this 'cos i can see traces of my Cassiopeia EM-500 quality in the NEC P300 ...

Battery life is adversely affected 'cos the manufacturer chose to light the screen from both sides - from the top & the left :o. Not only does this 'contribute' to a battery life to under 2hrs @ even low bright, it presents a rather washed-out screen. If only i'm apt in circuits, will try my hands on disabling one side of the lights :lol:.. PocketPCTech & most PDA houses wouldn't touch this unfamiliar model :(. Hope that this latest Asus' effort will not repeat this mistake :o.

The dual IO capable slots for P300 is great (fast & reliable) compared to issues i had with the iPAQs :roll:. A bit of trumphet blowing here :oops:, currently running a Socket BT CF card with a 128MB SD. Eyeing the Toshiba BT SD card instead so that i can stick in my 256MB CF. However, PPC's version is difficult to source & P*lm version was said NOT to work in a PPC. Anyone else got the P*lm version to work with PPC drivers?

Cheers :D!

[Xaximus]

Wow, I like ZAYO's slogan... looks like they're targetting a pretty wide audience! :D

"For people like you"