03-14-2002, 11:22 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,177
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Welcome Fujitsu LOOX
http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2002/03/12.html
Just back from the Microsoft Mobius conference. I see that Sam has done a remarkable job in keeping the site updated! Very well done!
There's a lot to write about from the conference. I am putting together a couple of THOUGHTS that I will post in the next few days. But let me summarize the answer to what I feel the key question is, going to a Microsoft mobility conference in Europe.
Question: Is Microsoft continuing to drive innovation?
Answer: Absolutely!
More on this shortly!
I've spent a little while looking at the Fujitsu LOOX articles on the Internet. I know this is not exactly hot "news", but hey! This is PocketPCThoughts, not nescessarily PocketPCFastestNews! :-)
The specs of this new Pocket PC is impressive. First and foremost; the Intel Xscale 400 MHz processor, integrated GPRS and dual expansion slots. Hot!
Compare the phase we are in today, in the mobile device market, with the equivalent phase in the history of PCs. Moving from 206 MHz to 400 Mhz will matter a lot, given the rich experience and features we are used to and given the fact that we want even more. Wireless wide area connectivity continues to be a critical aspect of device capabilities, and packet-based communication (such as GPRS) enables all the key scenarios imaginable. The expandability of a device has always been very important. Industry standards such as CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) is really the foundation of a well functioning ascessories market. Pocket PCs have from the beginning set a high expandability standard, that most other platforms still struggle to match.
So, welcome Fujitsu!
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03-14-2002, 11:58 AM
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Swami
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,396
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Welcome Fujitsu LOOX
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Andy Sjostrom
The specs of this new Pocket PC is impressive. First and foremost; the Intel Xscale 400 MHz processor, integrated GPRS and dual expansion slots. Hot!
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Hmmm, I thought the Loox had integrated Bluetooth, and GPRS was an add-on card or sleeve. When you buy a Loox do you get GPRS with it, or is it an option?
OK, I just checked the press release link you gave:
Quote:
In Europe, for example, Fujitsu Siemens Computers will offer the Pocket LOOX with a mobile telephony function through an added GPRS* plug-on module.
In Japan, Fujitsu will equip Pocket LOOX with an integrated Bluetooth module for wireless communication. In addition to strengthening network functionality, Bluetooth technology enhances expandability, convenience and flexibility of system design for advanced mobile solutions.
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That sounds like GPRS may not be truly integrated, but Bluetooth may be.
Steve
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03-14-2002, 03:21 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,389
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So where are the CDMA200 or WCDMA Pocket PCs?? I would love to have a phone/ppc but I would also like it to roam to analog if nessasary. I just switched from nextel to sprint for that exact reason. So far the GMS coverage is not good at all, to say nothing of GPRS... Oh well, guess that is what i get for being born in Missouri. 
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03-14-2002, 04:09 PM
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03-14-2002, 04:09 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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When is this coming out stateside? Looks sweet!
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03-14-2002, 04:11 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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Nevermind looks like we posted at the same time! Wow a little steeper than i thought, from what i understood it was supposed to be somewhat cheaper than the new Ipaq's but I guess they changed their mind! :wink:
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03-14-2002, 04:41 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 100
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It's odd that they decided to call this the Pocket Loox, but renamed the Fujitsu Loox (laptop) to the P-series in North America...?
However, it looks like they upgraded the initial specs of a 300mhz Xscale to 400mhz. Everything else seems to have stayed the same. I've always had the impression that Bluetooth would be integrated, and that GPRS would be an addon (as far as all the older documents for the Japanese PLoox have seemed to indicate) - it's fairly clear that Fujitsu is targetting the highest end here, so I'm not surprised if the price is high end.
I like how they're pushing battery time with this unit (just as they're pushing battery time for the ultralight P-series or Loox laptop). Hopefully Microsoft can upgrade the PPC OS to the point where it wouldnt be a shame to put it into the Fujitsu (like the Sony PEG-NR70 is saddled with the PalmOS).
I'm waiting for the innovation Microsoft, and I havent seen much of it for the past 3 years!
Aceze
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03-14-2002, 05:04 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
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Kinda off topic, but...
I know that MS forced standardization on several things with PPC 2002. I'm wondering, is the center position of the directional pad one of those things? Am I the only one that dislikes it? IMO, Casio's old implementation on the left side was better. Yes, it makes it difficult or impossible for left-handed users, but if the reasoning behind putting it in the center is because of that, they aren't being consistent given that the the scroll wheels are all on the left side only.
Let's face it, the biggest purpose of this pad is for games. Given that, even a left position is flawed simply because there needs to be more "dead space" below the pad to allow you to hold the device comfortably (think old GameBoy). IMO, the ideal setup for gaming is to use the current center position but design the device such that you would hold it in landscape orientation for gaming. That means two changes:
1) Games need to be designed for landscape mode.
2) Devices need to be designed to be "played" this way. This means adding buttons on the top of the device (above the screen), where your thumb can comfortably tap them. Ideally, I'd make it such that there were four buttons (two towards the top left, two towards the top right) such that you could invert the screen and use the device with the joypad on the left or right, ideal for left or right-handers (think Atari Lynx).
When not playing games, these four buttons would be the four application buttons (so, the bottom of the device would only have the joypad, no buttons at all).
Right now, developers are really making some impressive games for the PPC, but the stock hardware makes for a poor experience. To get the most out of them, you have to add one of these external or snap-on game pads.
Scott
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03-14-2002, 05:34 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 486
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Pricewise it is cheaper than the iPaq 3870 - that's the price point they are talking about. Its got integrated Bluetooth - so comparing the price to a 3760 or 3850 is unfair.
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03-14-2002, 05:44 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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Depends on where you shop, but they made it sound like it was going to shatter prices but looks pretty similar in price to everything else, don; get me wrong 599 for integrated BT is nice but they should have given 2 options one with and one without so they could have a 599 and 499 or cheaper model, none the less it still sits in the price range of other PPC's which is decent.
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