Interesting CeBIT hardware finds

[Jason Dunn]

I'm still getting settled in my office at the new house (quite the task, let me assure you) and I came across some brochures from CeBIT that had some interesting hardware. I'm aware that I never completed my "Day 2 of CeBIT", but you should enjoy this information in the meantime. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/smalldot320.jpg" /><br /><br />&lt;!><br /><br />• DOT320, a "Windows Powered Palm-size PC" that runs Windows CE .Net (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dot320-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dot320-page2.jpg">page 2</a>) <br /><br />• PaceBook, a notebook/tablet PC hybrid from PaceBlade. Very interesting concept - I hope we see it here in North America (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pacebook-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pacebook-page2.jpg">page 2</a> - text in German)<br /><br />• Two new Pocket PCs from CMC, the PPC-510 (with integrated GPRS phone) and the PPC-500 (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/cmc.jpg">page 1</a>) <br /><br />• The infamous Yopy, made by GMate. I was quite impressed with the hardware, but I don't know that the UI would be a success outside of the Asian market - they cram a lot on the screen at once. (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/yopy-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/yopy-page2.jpg">page 2</a>)<br /><br />• Filewalker, a Linux PDA from INVAIR Technologies. It has a very <br />innovative input method, but I don't see this product being a success. (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/filewalker-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/filewalker-page2.jpg">page 2</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/filewalker-page3.jpg">page 3</a>)<br /><br />• NEC Mobile Pro (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mobilepro-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mobilepro-page2.jpg">page 2</a>)<br /><br />• Three Pocket PCs from MITAC - very interesting stuff here. The IP-151CVF (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac151cfv-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac151cfv-page2.jpg">page 2</a>) is slim but expandable with a "rocket pack", the IP-181CSA (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac181csa-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac181csa-page2.jpg">page 2</a>) is an XScale Pocket PC tri-band GPRS/CDMA 1x phone with a built-in CMOS camera, and the IP-206DDS (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac206dd-page1.jpg">page 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/mitac206dds-page2.jpg">page 2</a>) is an incredibly thin Pocket PC only 10.3 mm deep! MITAC has some excellent implentations of Pocket PC hardware, but whether or not we'll see these units in North America or Europe, I have no idea.

[Marc Zimmermann]

DOT320, a "Windows Powered Palm-size PC" that runs Windows CE .Net

Gee, they're reviving the old platform name with a different product. This is more like a "Handheld PC .NET" with a 1/4 VGA portrait display.

[Duncan]

Obviously it is just a poor translation of something but I would love to know what the phrase 'Truly Air Supply' actually means!

[Jason Dunn]

Gee, they're reviving the old platform name with a different product. This is more like a "Handheld PC .NET" with a 1/4 VGA portrait display.

It probably got lost in the translation, but they likely knew they couldn't call it a Pocket PC. I doubt they even know the old product name was "Palm-size PC". 8)

[adamz]

Start menu back on the bottom!! Woo hoo!! :)

[Aceze]

Anandtech already did a review of the Paceblade hybrid:

http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.html?i=1621

Aceze

[Ed Hansberry]

Start menu back on the bottom!! Woo hoo!! :)
That is the default for CE.NET and CE 3.0 as well. It is the Pocket PC UI grafted onto the CE underpinnings that changes the location.

[IpaqMan2]

I am wondering...

Which version of OS would anyone think would be better to have ontheir PDA? PPC OS or in this case Win CE.Net? I know PPC is WinCE, but modified under MS for PPCs, where as this this pDA in the article doesn't seem to have been modified at all. Are their any Pros and Cons to either? Why would someone want to choose WinCE over PPC, or the other way around?

[Arne Hess]

• PaceBook, a notebook/tablet PC hybrid from PaceBlade. Very interesting concept - I hope we see it here in North America (page 1 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pacebook-page1.jpg), page 2 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pacebook-page2.jpg) - text in German)
Jason the PaceBook is already available in the US and Canada for US$ 2,095.00 at: http://paceblade.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&amp;Store_Code=P&amp;Category_Code=c001

[JonnoB]

Start menu back on the bottom!! Woo hoo!! :)

On WinXP and every other OS, I have been docking my Start menu and task bar at the top of the screen. I actually like that the PocketPC is there as well. I think that like the desktop OS, PocketPC should allow peope to dock on any edge... but please..... don't make me go to a fixed start menu on the bottom anymore, it just isn't intuitive.

[Will T Smith]

I am wondering...

Which version of OS would anyone think would be better to have ontheir PDA? PPC OS or in this case Win CE.Net? I know PPC is WinCE, but modified under MS for PPCs, where as this this pDA in the article doesn't seem to have been modified at all. Are their any Pros and Cons to either? Why would someone want to choose WinCE over PPC, or the other way around?


PocketPC is a "value added" packaging. It's kinda like bundling WinXP, Office, Outlook, Money, ... etc...

WinCE is more analogous to simply licensing a copy of XP with no additional apps. It's primary target is for folks who wish to create cheaper, so called "embedded" devices.

Regarding the Start Menu and Win CE. You really shouldn't see a start menu on a WinCE device. Exposing the OS in this way doesn't fit into the "appliance" model that basic CE is targeting. That is, an embedded OS that enables producer defined software applications to run on a device. i.e. no setup, mangement, and configuration issues.

WinCE licensees are free to present a customized/streamlined user interface. An excellent example of this is the BE-300 from Casio. No Windows BS. Just a color PIM with pen input.

[Will T Smith]

...

Compaq has not.


These are some very cool devices. They're all slim, provide basic memory expandibility WITH a compact "backpack" capability for xeno expansion (CF, PC card, MemStick) capability.

I am eager to discover whether the SD slot is "IO" capable. I'm not quite sure what the "logo compliance" for advertising is regarding SDIO devices.

The only thing really lacking is a flip cover. :-)