NTT DoCoMo To Release an "HPC"?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_2324.html' target='_blank'>http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_2324.html</a><br /><br /></div>It seems the HPC-sized units aren't entirely dead. NTT DoCoMo is apparently going to (or already has) released this unit, with a 400MHz processor, 800x600 display, 64MB RAM, CF II + SDIO, and presumably some built-in wireless (the specs are <a href="http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/info/products/sigmarion3/specification/index.html">here</a>, but I can't make heads or tails of them -- and neither can the Japanese-to-English translators I tried -- can someone help out?). Slick! Of course, the chances of seeing this in North America are probably the same as the chances of seeing a NEXiO. :cry:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/parekh/news/20030422-NTT-Sigmarion.jpg" /><br /><br />(A English translation of this article is available <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fakiba.sorobangeeks.com%2Fnews_2324.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools">here</a>, thanks to :google:.)

[dbrahms]

aside from a slight price difference (could be diff of $600..who knows) why would anyone choose this over a Tablet PC?

[Skoobouy]

Lots of reasons! The main motivation behind Tablet PCs is reasonably full-scale handheld computing. No laps required. Well, HPCs are very much the same idea, but cater to typists rather than writers. They also have the usual WinCE benefits over laptops like battery life, instant on, stability, and sturdiness--no moving parts.

This one looks like a DREAM - but, very sadly, it's simply too big. I think that handhelds really only have an advantage over laptops and tablets if they're either substantially less expensive, or if they're very small. If I ever get another handheld, it'll be no bigger than the Jornada 720 was. Man, that thing was sweet.

[ChuckyRose]

http://www.nttdocomo.com/current_information/product/pressrelease/article/20030422_14394910.html

Looks good and an end of May release.

I like! No money though. The Toshiba er, Dynabook Tablet PC drained my electronics budget for a while.

ChuckyRose

[Daimaou]

aside from a slight price difference (could be diff of $600..who knows) why would anyone choose this over a Tablet PC?

Compare to a TPC the HPC is

Small
light
No boot
Better battery life spam
Easy to Use

Well I do think that the TPC is an amazing stuff, but I don't see in my way to use PC or PPC, the needs of a TPC, a ANOTO BT PEN ok but a TPC...

Anyway I may change my mind when TPC will be smaller lighter better battery life spam, quick boot and cheaper... ;)

[dbrahms]

Lots of reasons! The main motivation behind Tablet PCs is reasonably full-scale handheld computing. No laps required. Well, HPCs are very much the same idea, but cater to typists rather than writers. They also have the usual WinCE benefits over laptops like battery life, instant on, stability, and sturdiness--no moving parts.

This one looks like a DREAM - but, very sadly, it's simply too big. I think that handhelds really only have an advantage over laptops and tablets if they're either substantially less expensive, or if they're very small. If I ever get another handheld, it'll be no bigger than the Jornada 720 was. Man, that thing was sweet.

I'm just sick of trying to find software for these little devices. I know everything is made for a full operating system like XP, 2000 etc...I dont think I'm buying into ce.net

[Marc Zimmermann]

This is *not* a Handheld PC. Handheld PC was a platform based on Windows CE, but there's apparently no further development being done at Microsoft.

Windows CE, the core operating system, itself now contains most of what defined the HPC experience (Win9x-like shell, Pocket Office apps...) so that devices can now be made right from Windows CE Platform Builder and include IE, Media Player or Inbox. Sadly, though, the Pocket Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) are not included. There are only file viewers shipping.

This is simply a Windows Powered device with a keyboard. The same software could be put into a 1/4 VGA screen unit without a keyboard, still it wouldn't be a Pocket PC.

Handheld PC as a platform is dead. Microsoft's Mobile Devices division concentrates on Pocket PC and Smartphone while the Embedded OS group takes care of devices like this.

[Janak Parekh]

This is *not* a Handheld PC. Handheld PC was a platform based on Windows CE, but there's apparently no further development being done at Microsoft.
Point taken. I've edited my post. Sorry, it was too early in the morning. ;)

Handheld PC as a platform is dead.
... and it's a sad thing. I would love to see an HPC 2003. Now that we have increasingly connected devices, I think there's a strong incentive for HPCs, much more so than before.

--janak

[rfischer]

... and it's a sad thing. I would love to see an HPC 2003. Now that we have increasingly connected devices, I think there's a strong incentive for HPCs, much more so than before.

--janak

I agree. Suppose you worked for a company that, utilizing an ASP or hosting on their own, could deliver corporate applications via Citrix/Terminal Services, this kind of device (with wireless capabilities) would be ideal. Just my 2 cents.

[gwinter]

It seems the HPC-sized units aren't entirely dead. NTT DoCoMo is apparently going to (or already has) released this unit, with a 400MHz processor, 800x600 display, 64MB RAM, CF II + SDIO, and presumably some built-in wireless (the specs are here (http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/info/products/sigmarion3/specification/index.html), but I can't make heads or tails of them -- and neither can the Japanese-to-English translators I tried -- can someone help out?).

The communication capabilities are mostly Japanese-specific:


NTTドコモ
　デジタル携帯電話：9,600bps
　PHS：64kbps/32kbps
　パケット通信（DoPa）：最大9,600bps/最大28.8kbps
　FOMA パケット通信：最大384kbps
　FOMA 64Kデータ通信：64Kbps


NTT DoCoMo:
Digital mobile phone: 9,600bps
PHS: 64kbps/32kbps -- Personal Handy-phone System
Packet communications (DoPa): max 9,600bps / max 28.8kbps
FOMA packet communications: max 384kbps
FOMA 64K data communications: 64 Kbps

That's the best I can make out. Those in Japan would probably know the specifics of the services.

[Daimaou]

Don't worry for that, they are all generic, it is just to help people to understand that they can use their Ketai.
I use a CF Japanese 3G mobile phone card into a US Ipaq... I thought it won't work coz simply it is made for Japanese PDA and my Ipaq may not have the correct driver but work like a charm.

[Janak Parekh]

The communication capabilities are mostly Japanese-specific:
Oh, that goes without saying. :) Thanks for the translation -- looks like it supports the gamut. Mmmm... HPC-sized clamshell with a 800x600 display and 384kbps wireless? I need to learn Japanese :lol:

--janak

[sau3a1]

>Mmmm... HPC-sized clamshell with a 800x600 display and

Actually spec is 800x480.
It is going to be available end of this May.

...Usually, NTT DoCoMo's mobile devices are made by NEC,
but NEC just announced MobilePro 900. I hope NEC brings it
into US market, but I don't think it is going to happen.

Sigmarion 1 and 2 are available for a long time in Japan,
and these gadgets swiped out all other handheld pc.
But they never show up into the US market...
:cry:

[Janak Parekh]

Actually spec is 800x480.
It is going to be available end of this May.
Ah, that makes more sense. The SorobanGeeks site said 800x600, but I didn't double-check.

--janak