MiTAC Introduces Mio 339, 558 Pocket PCs

[Crystal Eitle]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3755.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3755.html</a><br /><br /></div>MiTAC has officially announced two new Pocket PCs, the Mio 339 and the Mio 558.<br /><br />"Sharing 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processors, the Mio 339 and 558 are respectively aimed at consumers and business users - emphasized by the inclusion of a digital camera in the former, and integrated Bluetooth and 802.11b in the latter.<br /><br />Sporting 64 MB of RAM and a 3.5", 16-bit (65,536 colours) transflective TFT display, the Mio 339 is a successor to MiTAC's 338 and 338 Plus models and bears a close resemblance to these design-wise. In addition to having had its specifications upgraded, however, the Mio 339 also includes a brand new integrated digital camera which lets users both shoot still pictures and record limited amounts of video. Also included in the Mio 339 is an SDIO capable SD/MMC Card expansion slot. Additionally, the handheld boasts a consumer-grade infrared port and comes bundled with software which allows it to serve as a universal remote control for a variety of home appliances.<br /><br />The Mio 558 shares many of the specifications of the Mio 338, including its processor, the amount of RAM available and its display. However, there are also significant differences, represented by the additional inclusion of a CompactFlash Type II expansion slot, as well as integrated support for Bluetooth and 802.11b - uniquely, without implementing an external antenna."<br /><br />I sure hope these come to the U.S.; the specs look great. The 339 has an SDIO slot and an integrated camera, making it the second Pocket PC (along with Viewsonic's announced V36) to sport this feature. The 558 has dual slots and integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (as well as that ever-elusive jog dial!). Both Pocket PCs are petite and aesthetically pleasing, as well. The only thing that may be a dealkiller for some people on the 558 is the screen; it appears that it uses a reflective screen, not a transreflective one. Another potential drawback to the 558 is that it only has mono sound. I don't know where manufacturers got the notion that it's okay to only have mono sound in devices aimed at businesses; I think they underestimate consumer interest in these models.<br /><br /><a href="http://65.115.69.88/mio/products_mio558.asp">Specs for the 558</a><br /><a href="http://65.115.69.88/mio/products_mio339.asp">Specs for the 339</a>

[Shaun Stuart]

where does it say it only has mono sound and a reflective screen ?

[droppedd]

mono sound completely? not even stereo when you plug in headphones? it's ok if it's mono through the builtin speaker, but i can't imagine any modern manufacturer not simply making the headphone jack stereo. It's not like it doesn't have the processing power to handle stereo audio :-)

After reading the specs, i think it's saying it has Mono audio voice recording, plus mp3 playback (which may or may not be mono). I seriously doubt the mp3 playback would be mono, but who knows.

[bremeski]

The specs URLs say the the 339 has a tranflective display and the 558 has a QVGA display. Both says they are mono audio. Yuck.

[Janak Parekh]

I think the mono is only for voice recording, which makes sense. Seeing as how MiTAC as produced many stereo units before, I'm pretty sure these are as well.

--janak

[szamot]

It has a very generic look to it, there is nothing WOW about it.

[gcherian]

I thought I read on this board that MiTac was the orginal OEM for viewsonic, keeping that in mind, 339 might be the announced V36.

George

[Robert Levy]

This is interesting... only one of them is advertised as having MP3 playback capabilities. Does the other one lack Windows Media Player?

There is some more info on these over at http://www.ppcw.net/?itemid=1367.

The unique things here are the integrated flash for the camera and the wired remote control that you can use to control media playback while the device is in your pocket.

[Excalliber]

All I see it saying about mono is soupled with the voice recording. Otherwise, it just says "Playbak support". Of course, it could be that it means playback of the mono recordings... :roll:

And a reflective display? WHY?????

[mangochutneyman]

WHOA! 8O If I understand correctly the 558 has both dual wireless and dual expansion! Is there any other PPC that has this combo? I don't think even the hp 5500 series has dual expanison!

[Excalliber]

True, but it does not forgive a reflectve screen when a $300 unit in such a small case can have such a beautiful screen. Add WiFi and a CF slot to the 1940 (which can't make it THAT much bigger) and it's better than this, although it'd probably need a bigger battery too.

[mangochutneyman]

DOH!! :frusty: I just called the main Mitac number in the US and they said that they had no plans on ever releasing these models in NA. Also they said, these models probably won't be released for another 6 MONTHS! Ugh! Whose gonna wait that long!

Anyway, they did say that since Mitac is ODM for Viewsonic, that there might be similar models/specs under that brand in the near future. Oh well....

[Pat Logsdon]

Anyway, they did say that since Mitac is ODM for Viewsonic, that there might be similar models/specs under that brand in the near future.
Aha! That would explain the V36 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13933&start=0), then! 8)

[Kati Compton]

WHOA! 8O If I understand correctly the 558 has both dual wireless and dual expansion! Is there any other PPC that has this combo? I don't think even the hp 5500 series has dual expanison!
Shhh.... We don't want to aggravate Pony99CA (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=125729&highlight=compact+flash#125729)... ;)

[Excalliber]

Aha! That would explain the V36 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13933&start=0), then! 8)

Now all we need is the 558 to be released in the Viewsonic brand before six months... ugh, what were they thinking with a 32/64 meg model if it's to be released early 2004? I'm sure it will be such an intresting product with those specs :sleeping:

[Excalliber]

Sorry, it's actually transflective. hm, doesn't look as bad now, but i can't find anything about the stereo or mono sound.

[beq]

Nice, according to IS the 339 is 4.76" x 2.87" x 0.55" @ 4.23oz, whereas the 558 is 4.9" x 2.83" x ~0.6" @ 5.6oz (but MIO specs say both are same size and at 6oz).

The 339 just screams for embedded HDD :D

[Pony99CA]

WHOA! 8O If I understand correctly the 558 has both dual wireless and dual expansion! Is there any other PPC that has this combo? I don't think even the hp 5500 series has dual expanison!
Shhh.... We don't want to aggravate Pony99CA (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=125729&highlight=compact+flash#125729)... ;)
He didn't ask for HP to make a sleeve-compatible iPAQ with a CF slot, so he's OK.

No :microwave: for him.

Steve

[Crystal Eitle]

Sorry, it's actually transflective.
Whew. Where did you see this?

[Excalliber]

Scratch that. The 339 is the only one that has transflective. For some reason, the 558 shares the same screen as the 338 (which i confused with the new 339), which is reflective. It's in the infosync world article.

designers beware... :snipersmile: