Data Evolution Corporation Announces Windows CE Mobile Computer for Education and Government Services Markets

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dataevolution.com/pressRelease.php?in_press_release_id=4' target='_blank'>http://www.dataevolution.com/pressR...ss_release_id=4</a><br /><br /></div>I've always been a fan of HPC devices, especially for students. I started using a Velo 1 in my last year of college, and it revolutionized the way I worked. Even though laptops have become less expensive over the years, the battery life, size, weight, and durability still leave much to be desired from a student's point of view. So this announcement put a smile on my face:<br /><br />"Data Evolution Holdings, Inc. announced today that it’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Data Evolution Corporation, introduced the CATHENA™, a new mobile computer aimed at the education and government services marketplaces. The Cathena, which runs the latest Microsoft® Windows® CE.NET™ operating system, has the look and feel of a traditional ultralight notebook computer while offering all the features and benefits of a high-performance Windows CE product, such as instant-on, extended battery life, and low support costs.<!><br /><br />“We are thrilled to be able to offer a cutting-edge mobile computing device targeted to the education and government services markets - markets that have a direct impact on our daily lives,” said Robert J. Sowah, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 'The Cathena will provide greater durability than traditional notebook PC’s and substantially increased functionality over PDA-style units utilized in many education curricula and government data processing organizations. Users in these niche markets will no longer have to make the difficult choice between expensive, heavy notebooks and the lack of usability of a PDA.' "<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/cathena.jpg" /><br /><br />So what will it have under the hood? "....a 12.1”, 800x600 resolution, full-color TFT display, a 400 MHz Intel® XScale processor, an integrated nearly full-sized keyboard, 128MB RAM, a touchpad mouse, numerous in/out ports (two USB, audio in and out, compact flash slot, PCMCIA slot, and VGA out), built-in 802.11b wireless, and a lithium ion battery. The unit measures approximately 10.7”x 9.1”x 0.95” and weighs approximately three pounds." Not bad at all!<br /><br />No word on pricing yet, and I imagine it won't be decided until closer to the release date. From a hardware point of view, this looks like a great unit - but the price point will be an important factor. Even though they're not targeting consumers, if it comes in at $1000 USD, it will be hard to swallow for the educational market. Governments don't spend their own money, so price point is less of a concern. ;-)<br /><br />The last hurdle is software - the HPC software market is dead and buried. So the software that comes with the device will need to be reasonably decent and capable of doing the basic functions on its own.

[manywhere]

8O Wow! That's cool! Will Windows CE (Handheld PC) become hot again?

It would be cool to try out that laptop and see how it looks, works in comparison with a Pocket PC. :D

[orinoco]

It will likely be a lot slower than Pocket PCs, although with the large screen and built-in Wi-Fi, this is competing more with laptops than with PPCs.

If you compare the NEC MobilePro 900 (which has the PXA-255 running at 400 MHz) with a PPC, you will see it being much slower. However, if you compare it with a laptop then you get something with instant on/off, longer battery life and cheaper (yes, it has to be cheaper than a laptop).

Too bad it does not seem to have a touchscreen. That would have given it an extra advantage and make it compete with Tablet PCs. Who dropped that ball?? The Nec MobilePro 800 series had a 9 inch touchscreen, so it is do-able.

We'll have to wait and see...

Fernando

[Jonathon Watkins]

Quite agree about the touch screen. That would have been a really good USP. Oh well.... :?

[Zack Mahdavi]

I don't know about this... it sounds interesting, but the dimensions don't seem to be any smaller than some of the existing 12" notebooks currently available. The 12" Powerbook has similar dimensions, but is 1.2" thick.

Then there's even smaller notebooks from IBM, Fujitsu, and Sony which are even slimmer and smaller... plus, these run Windows. Of course, these subnotebooks are much more expensive than $1000, so that definitely gives this device a good start.

I guess we'll have to see... :)

[nosmohtac]

The last hurdle is software - the HPC software market is dead and buried. So the software that comes with the device will need to be reasonably decent and capable of doing the basic functions on its own.

If it's running the latest CE.NET OS, would this even be an issue?
Devices like the Sigmarion run pocket PC software, because they are running .NET. Of course, with the sigmarion being a Japan release, there are many programs that require registry hacks.
Or do I have this all wrong? :?

[Jason Dunn]

If it's running the latest CE.NET OS, would this even be an issue? Devices like the Sigmarion run pocket PC software, because they are running .NET.

Sure, it might technically run the code, but what's the user experience like? What about support from vendors? There's simply no ecosystem in place for devices like this, so they're almost closed platforms.

[nosmohtac]

Ahhh.... now I see where you're coming from Jason. It didn't quite sink in when I read the posts earlier. If this thing doesn't have a touch screen, things could be very limited as far as software or software support.
Now I get it. :oops:

[dazz]

Ya, but units like this are really not meant for consumers at all.

They are NOT meant to replace your laptop so there isn't any point comparing them. As Jason mentioned, battery life is a biggy; these units will get WAY more than a laptop.

You also can't say enough about the ruggedness of these units. While they aren't built to actually be considered rugged by Panasonic Toughbook standards they solidstate RAM is much more rugged than a laptops battery. I don't think twice about tilting my HPC any which way while I am using it, even carrying it around sideways while I am using it. I'll also chuck it onto a chair or my bed from about 6 feet away...while it's running! Would you do THAT with your laptop?

Also, it's hard to know for sure but from some of the drawings on their site it looks like this unit may have a swing-arm for the display, much like the original Clio's. That means you will be able to lay the screen onto the keyboard and use it as a tablet.

I don't think the software thing is really an issue. Obviously there are not many current titles for these others than Textmaker, Planmaker and a tons of readers. For most consumers this might be enough but not for others.

Again, that does not matter because this is not meant for general consumers. It is aimed at education and government workers. Most likely they will be sold as a total solution through a Professional Services company. The software will most likely be built to order.

However, there actually is a fair bit of software available for Windows CE units. You have to do some digging but it is there.

I think these are going to be a great device to take a look at. I'm sure I won't be buying one as my employer's software only runs on PocketPC and Palm but would love to be bold enough to tell my wife we need one. 8O That'll never happen! :?

[David C]

I like HPC, but I still don't get it. Now that Microsoft prooved with WM2003SE that Pocket PC can have higher resolution and build-in keyboard in landscape mode, why do we still have to use the HPC platform? I have a Jornada 720, but it is now esentially a dust collector. There really has not been any real support for the HPC for how long now? MS has already stop making new windows media player for the HPC. Music and Video is very very popular with college students. What good is a laptop if all you can do is surf the web. Why can they just stick with the pocket PC, and make a big pocket pc that's shape like a laptop, but can still install all the new programs made for Pocket PC. With laptop going as cheap as $600, I rather get a real laptop, or a reall Pocket PC. Only thing stand along device do is confuse the market, and make customer piss off cause they realize that they can't install any of the programs that their friends brag about.

[dazz]

When they say "Education" there are probably not thinking of students but rather teachers, district supervisors, etc.

If it IS for students it will probably NOT be for College level but rather K12. For these student it would be more of a school rollout rather than something that indevidual students can purchase if they want.

Now, if you were a school rolling out mobile computers to students which would you rather support, laptops that can have just about ANYTHING installed including Kazaa and a ton of games or a purposed built device like this? Also, which will be easier to support? If a WinCE unit freezes all you do is hit the reset button and in about 10 seconds are up and running again.

I agree with your statements about Windows Mobile 2003 SE. I am hoping that a couple manufacturers step up and create an HPC type device that uses WM2003 SE. THAT would be great!!