Yakumo To Release Pocket PC Phone Edition

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ppcw.net/?itemid=1497' target='_blank'>http://www.ppcw.net/?itemid=1497</a><br /><br /></div>Arne Hess announced some interesting news at his site today:<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/27240-omikron_artikel.jpg" /> <br /><br />"As announced some days ago, Yakumo - a German low price OEM - is going to introduce the Mitac Mio 8380 Smartphone under its own brand later this year. According to the press releases this wasn't anything real fancy as Yakumo announced the same features - Mitacs first Smartphone also has. However, in addition Yakumo also announced on IFA to release a Pocket PC Phone Edition 2003 later this year and the specifications seems to be not that bad - for a low price Phone Edition device! However it can't compete with O2's xda II at all! <br /><br />The Yakumo omikron should be introduced in November this year for around 449,00 Euro without a subscription. According to the German news service golem.de it should also include a digital camera and is expected to work with GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz networks. <br />In addition goldem.de reports about a 200 MHz (?) StrongARM CPU as well as a STN display."<br /><br />An STN display? 8O Does anyone remember the display on the Casio BE-300? I believe that was STN, and it wasn't exactly known for it's awesome screen... :roll: (unlike previous Casio's, which were). Is it me, or does this device not seem attractive on any front? From a hardware point of view, it's not very compelling. 459 Euros isn't exactly "low cost" either...unless they manage to get it down to 200 Euros with a subscription. What do you think?

[Scott R]

Jason, ages ago you said that you were going to look into whether or not Microsoft dictated that the directional pad be positioned in the center. Did you ever uncover anything? As we usher in the 37th new PPC device which, like its predecessors, has a center mounted D-Pad (though I guess this is more like a joystick), surely this must be the case.

Scott

[maximus]

200 mhz strongarm, STN display .. for 450 euros ? I dont think that will be a popular item. People can get an X3 and a GPRS CF for less than 450 euros.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Seems a bit overpriced for the featureset, even at 200e with a contract. I'm totally not impressed. It's like shoehorning yesterday's technology on today's buyers, and I don't think it'll fly.

Then again, I'm thinking from an American POV. Who knows how it'll play abroad...

[dh]

I'm not really thrilled by it, but I think Symbian is going to be the way to go for Smartphones.
All the MS ones (Smartphone and PPCPE) are pretty crappy and the Palm ones all use an OS written during the last ice age. Even the Treo 600 will be out of date before it's launched and what's with that 160 x 160 screen?
I can't blame the US carriers for not wanting to sell any of the current crop.

[mangochutneyman]

Well if this thing has an incredible battery life, then the STN screen and 200 Mhx proc might make sense. But I agree, 459 Euros seems overpriced...

[Andy Whiteford]

I've reviewed a Yakumo in the past and I wasn't very impressed. There was too much obvous cost cutting which is a shame when there are so many good quality, low priced devices on the market.

[AppleMac]

I believe Symbian OS is a superior OS for smartphones i.e. one-handed based, since it has more software than MS Smartphone and it wont crash on you, but their hardware is quite backward-no SD slots, etc. With the introduction of newer Symbian OS Series60 (the one handed one) phones though, MS Smartphone will be pretty crushed, whatever the folks at msmobiles.com think.
For PDA/Phones however, PPC PE offers MUCH better PDA features and hardware (come on, give up on those damned memory sticks!), but Symbian UIQ offers a tighter integration of phone functions with PDA functions. The software coming out these days for it is pure crap though :evil:

[danmanmayer]

If it has SDIO and other things the XDA was missing (3rd party accessories (I can't spell)) and with a subscription can be purchased at a decent price then maybe it has a chance. I would rather just save up some more and get the XDA 2. Which should have bluetooth and wifi built in but it wont because i am not alowed to be happy. hehe

[Fishie]

Youve got to understand that this is Europe where these converget devices start at 800€ witouth a plan.
So the price is pretty appealing.

[HowellGB]

Here is a translation of the article.
THIS IS A **ROUGH** TRANSLAITION that I have not cleaned up.

They chirp from morning (wound) " wróbelki - Ćwir, it will be new Axim, beloved &lt; love >. Therefore, somewhat we have decided about more details (particularities) " appealing popytać passer domesticus. Here,, that wyśpiewały.

Dell Axim X3, Because it about it tongue (speech), there will be first product, that will hit for official sale in poland. Probably, &lt; credible > becoming it in december only - but damage, because competition in the form of palmtops 2215 hp iPAQ and place on our market 5100 already make it in time (manage to do on time) heat. However, who will wait for for star (christmas) X3, it will regret rather by no means. In the following way &lt; as follows > informal specification of technical product of new firm introduces Dell.

X3, Just as elder brother , X5, it will leave (will go out) in (to) two versions, they are not known which (who) names distinguishing else, though present nomenclature will be maintained surely - Entry and Advanced. Both (both of) will divide similar specifications in problem of type of processor hold up intel - 263 PXA, consumer postage (harbor) ( IrDA or properly strong, in order to can before &lt; he (its; his; it) > &lt; it > steer home (domestic) equipment at ease ) A/V. They will receive consistent with specification also SDIO Now! With 4 -bit transmitting rail postage (harbors) SDIO, correct screen of type about standard resolution 3,5 240x320 " transreflective, it hold up internal battery ³adowaln¹ and interchangeable main battery, it correct micro relatively to X5 and g³oœniczek, as well as. Built in two broadcasting units - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

In model Advanced, processor will be frequency taktowany 400MHz, however, in model 300 Entry. Model will be furnished from superior (upper; highest) shelf with 64 -MB OF memory of FRAME and ROM OF type 64 -MB NOR, but poorest variant in (to) both (both of) less cases (accidentally) twice.

It will be characterized dimension (measurements) 117 76 14,8 mm Axim X3 x x and weight 150 grams, therefore, there will be small very and completely shapely fix-up. Unfortunately, there will be small capacity of battery compensate, which (who) will total (take away; amount to) 950mAh. This model will have capability to connecting of additional accessory or &lt; be > about great capacity battery, due to special handle, which (who) standard will be taken advantage for clinching for protective palmtopa plecaczka, for array enclosed &lt; affix (adjoin) >.

Support will be in array ( ) synchronizacyjna Advanced or cable ( ) USB Entry, zasilacz, additional stylus, documentation and with applications CD and in electronic version documentation. As yet, it is not known price of fix-up, though surely they will be very tempting. It grows on strong player on corporate market Dell and lat (summer; year) in draft next two (two) surely hp and toshiba will be divided with this firm firm scrap of cake of participation (quota). Now remain wait, it will proceed that artillery Fujitsu-Siemens and Mitac.

But here, drawing Axima X3 it is not certain -, if (or) there is ultimate project, but view gives some, we can expect that.


I hope that made sense to all...

[SmartVic]

OEM Manufacturer is Eten. Processor is not StrongArm, but 200 Mhz ARM 9. Screen 2,8" 4096 Color STN. SDIO card slot.