02-20-2002, 02:47 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Hitachi to target corporate users with new PDA
http://www.computerworld.com/storyba/0,4125,NAV47_STO68454,00.html
"Hitachi Ltd. is targeting corporate users with its first personal digital assistant (PDA), combining Microsoft Corp.'s Windows CE .Net operating system, Intel Corp.'s XScale microprocessor and a built-in wireless LAN modem. The device will ship in April, the company announced today. "
It is based on the PXA250 XScale processor, will have 32MB of RAM, 3.5 inch 16bit display, a mini-USB connector and can accept SD/MMC cards. It will weigh 5.6oz, and is roughly 3 inches wide, 4.25 inches high and .7 inches thick. Very tidy package!
Hitachi is apparently pretty serious about PDA's as they have "formed a new subsidiary, the Net-PDA Venture Co., to handle development of the PDA and complementary services." It wil be interesting to see what they develop for the UI and apps though. Since it is based on CE.NET, it won't be a Pocket PC. Maybe they'll come around. ;-)
Thanks to Arnon Rotem-Gal-Oz for the link.
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02-20-2002, 02:52 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 113
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It is a shame for the just 32 mb ram, the rest is delivered with 64 mb these days
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Johan van Mierlo
Founding Partner, Sr. News & Review Editor
MobilityMinded.com & WP7.nl - Microsoft MVP - Windows Phone
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02-20-2002, 03:31 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 623
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by van_mierlo
It is a shame for the just 32 mb ram, the rest is delivered with 64 mb these days
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Yeah really, I don't think 32MB would be enough for me.
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~SpencerOwner-Editor of TabletPCBuzz.comMicrosoft MVP - Tablet PC
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02-20-2002, 03:41 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
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Sounds impressive. If they're targetting it corporations, that probably means it won't be cheap. With those size/weight specs and wireless built-in, I'll be interested to hear what the battery life will be like. The XScale should help, but will it help enough?
I wouldn't be concerned about memory. They're not using PocketPC, so they may be keeping built-in apps to a minimum. And with the SD slot, who cares.
I'll be interested to see what they come up with on the GUI. I'm also curious whether developing with the .NET tools will enable you to create apps which will run on both Pocket PC and this device. Or, if not, if the changes needed to make multi-platform applications easy. Any inside info on this, EdH?
Scott
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02-20-2002, 07:44 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 792
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I had though Hitachi was working on a tablet, and not a PDA? Well, maybe they are working on both. Remember, this isn't a Pocket PC...it runs CE.NET. Though 32mb might be limited, that thends to be what CE devices have. If they decide to bring it to the US I would hope they would upgrade it to 64mb, though I fear they would still make it a corperate product. I like the idea of the LAN connection on the device. I wish more companies would do that (Though i suppose it does increase the device size).
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02-20-2002, 07:52 PM
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02-20-2002, 08:32 PM
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02-20-2002, 08:46 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
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Wow Foo, you've really arrived now. You got ZD to print one of your ramblings. 
Scott
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02-20-2002, 09:13 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
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foo, the problem with most of the comments you made in that article is that, IMO, they're common sense. Let me explain: Do you think MS and their partners wouldn't want to create a Pocket PC device that is both smaller and cheaper? I'd argue that they can't because of the added costs of the components that goes into them (plus the somewhat higher cost of licensing the PPC OS - as compared to the Palm OS).
Things will get more interesting once XScale arrives. This should allow smaller device and/or longer battery life. However, how much does a 200 MHz XScale CPU cost as compared to the current 206 MHz StrongARM? If it's more (which you'd have to think it will be), costs won't be going down any time soon.
Scott
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02-20-2002, 09:23 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,466
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Scott R
I'd argue that they can't because of the added costs of the components that goes into them
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I know that. My point was that PocketPC needs better hardware and lower costs before it can be accepted into the mainstream.
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(plus the somewhat higher cost of licensing the PPC OS - as compared to the Palm OS).
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That's an issue for debate. From what I understand, the licensing fees charged by Microsoft and Palm are fairly close.
Quote:
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Things will get more interesting once XScale arrives. This should allow smaller device and/or longer battery life. However, how much does a 200 MHz XScale CPU cost as compared to the current 206 MHz StrongARM? If it's more (which you'd have to think it will be), costs won't be going down any time soon.
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I agree. Xscale is going to lead to better battery life and performance...but it may be a bitter pill to swallow, initially.
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