FIC Gets Approval From FCC For New Pocket PC

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=186761&fcc_id=\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'EUNKJ610\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'' target='_blank'>https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/...\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'</a><br /><br /></div>FIC, an ODM who rarely makes public headlines in the market, has received FCC approval for a new Pocket PC with both CF and SD slots.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040714-FICPDA.jpg" /><br /><br />It's not clear what all the specs are; the manual suggests a 400MHz PDA with 64MB of RAM and 1250mAh battery, but lists a Wi-Fi "option". <a href="http://www.fic.com.tw/product/pda/pocketpc.aspx">Previous PDAs manufactured by FIC</a> have had Bluetooth and dual-wireless setups. I assume that they're not going to sell this Pocket PC under their own name, either, instead shopping for an OEM to resell and support it.

[Kacey Green]

it definetly looks diferent from any PPC on the market today

[billbuckner]

Looks kinda like the Zire 72...

[ignar]

Or m130.

[Steven Cedrone]

Well at least it has a jog dial! The three led's tend to make me think it has charge, BT and WIFI indicators? What do you think???

Steve

[Ryan Joseph]

Looks kinda like the Zire 72...

That's exactlywhat I thought! It looks a lot like the low-end Palms!

Perhaps this will be marketed as a low-end, inexpensive PPC... :?:

[Steven Cedrone]

BTW, what kind of camera do you think the person is using to take that picture??? :wink:

Steve

[dacs29]

BTW, what kind of camera do you think the person is using to take that picture??? :wink:
It is rather obvious I would say. :)

David

[dean_shan]

it definetly looks diferent from any PPC on the market today

Yes it does look like a child's toy.

[surur]

It looks cute in a Zire like way. Maybe a bit cheap (and rugged because of it)?

Surur

[Pat Logsdon]

It's very...blue...?

I certainly HOPE that those three indicator lights at the top mean it's got at least WiFi and Bluetooth.

[gorkon280]

Well at least it has a jog dial! The three led's tend to make me think it has charge, BT and WIFI indicators? What do you think???

Steve

Maybe. My 4355 has only 2 led's but one is for both WiFi and BT. Glow Blue for BT and green for WiFi.

[gorkon280]

Hmm...would Casio buy this and re-enter the market? I doubt it, but Casio coul dvery well specialize in cheap PDA's. Their BE-300 (not pocket pc) was and is still rather popular. See tons of stuff for it around teh web and they sold alot of these at Sam's Club not all that long ago.

[PPCRules]

I think I just saw Dell's update for the X5 (which needs an update). I hope to order for delivery by Christmas. $250 max.

[PPCRules]

Well at least it has a jog dial! The three led's tend to make me think it has charge, BT and WIFI indicators? What do you think???
From the Users Manual:

LED – Left: battery
charging indicator
(flashing red – battery
fast charging / continuous
green – battery 80% full
and trickle charging )
Middle: Alarm(red light)
Right: WiFi(option)

[joelevi]

FIC, an ODM who rarely makes public headlines in the market, has received FCC approval for a new Pocket PC with both CF and SD slots.

Finally! A nice looking, good form-factor! If it's got all the right "stuff" (Bluetooth, WiFi, 64MB or more, SDIO) I think I'll go this route rather than HP for a replacement for my 4155.

Since HP doesn't look like they're going to offer a WM2003SE upgrade to us 4155 owners (or any current model, for that matter), I can't justify supporting their decision by being forced to purchase a new HP (especially since the ones we've seen have a really ugly form-factor, IMHO).

Note to HP: We want WM2003SE upgrades for 22xx, 41xx, 55xx at the very least!!! We'll gladly pay a reasonable price for it. If you don't give it to us, we'll look elsewhere for our next Pocket PCs...

[Deus]

Looks like the one they had in the works early last year that I had inquired with them about


http://www.purepockets.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=373

[ctmagnus]

It's curvy! :clap: Unlike the latest Dells and HPs! :clap: :clap:

[Paragon]

Looks like the one they had in the works early last year that I had inquired with them about


http://www.purepockets.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=373

Yes, it looks very much like it. I saw a guy at CES several months ago using one of the earlier ones. It felt very cheap. I was not impressed with it.

Dave

[Jonathon Watkins]

It felt very cheap. I was not impressed with it.

I have to agree with you Dave - not too impressed.

[Damion Chaplin]

I agree: Rather underwhelming.

Kinda looks like Playschool's My First Pocket PC.

I would be embarrased to pull that out in the middle of a management meeting...

[Deus]

It seems they are realeasing a mid to late 2003 model a little to late!

[CESkins]

BTW, what kind of camera do you think the person is using to take that picture??? :wink:

Steve
Looks like a Sony Cybershot DSC F707/717.

[felixdd]

A very commendable effort for releasing a PPC that does NOT look like all the other PPCs on the market today.

[Paragon]

A very commendable effort for releasing a PPC that does NOT look like all the other PPCs on the market today.

Hey felixdd, how are you?

I know what you mean about it being different. That was what I found appealing about it months ago...right up till I held one. Very plastic.

Dave

[Stephen Beesley]

....that is one very ugly Pocket PC.....

Just my opinion of course :D

[eric linsley]

yep first thaought was... IS PALM FINALY GOING WINDOWS!!!!???

ype deffintly looks like a cheap palm

[arnage2]

Fisher Price's first pocket pc. :p

[Zab]

Fisher Price's first pocket pc. :p

hmm, my daughter is 1 year old and loves my computer....woot, i got her xmas present :lol:

[cmchavez]

I agree: Rather underwhelming.

Kinda looks like Playschool's My First Pocket PC.

I would be embarrased to pull that out in the middle of a management meeting...

So, if some people are underwhelmed by it, and others are overwhelmed by it, does that mean that some people are just whelmed by it.

I think I fit in that category; it looks nice, but I would base any purchase decision on what's under the hood for performance. :treadmill:

[Ryan Joseph]

So, if some people are underwhelmed by it, and others are overwhelmed by it, does that mean that some people are just whelmed by it.

Ha! Very good! :mrgreen:
I think that pretty well describes my opinion, too. But it is good to see more manufacturers making PPCs.

[MC_Calvin]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to introduce myself: I'm Calvin Chu, Mobile Crossing's Product Manager in charge of this product. Kudos to everyone for being so fast on picking up on our FCC filing.

We've been working closely with FIC to modify their reference Pocket PC design to our requirements. The internal code name for the project has been "Cavalry" for the generic PDA. To speak to that a little bit: We do not currently have plans to sell the PDA as a standalone Pocket PC. We do plan on selling the our PDA in the United States as the WayPoint.

I should note carefully that the PDA that you see in these pictures is a special-built unit that will not have the appearance of the production or even the beta units. For more current pictures, please visit our web site at http://www.mobilecrossing.com. Please keep in mind that we're still building our web site when all of this information got out, so if you see anything weird or strange on the web site, just kick me an email and I'll make sure it's fixed. My email address is [email protected].

The WayPoint will be geared somewhat towards the newbies--those new to GPS PDAs. While a lot of folks are new to GPS, my thoughts are that those who are embarking on the road to their first PDA might as well get one that also functions as a GPS PDA in addition to Pocket PC functions.

Our WayPoint product will include everything someone would need to get started with honest to goodness road navigation. The biggest plus, is that no software or maps will need to be installed to get started right away. All the parts necessary will be included. For example, the WayPoint will be shipping with around 224Mb of memory, of which around 128Mb of that will be dedicated to road maps and the rest split up into Flash ROM and main memory. :-)

To answer some of the other folks in this thread: We are going with a upgraded 1300mAh removable battery compared to what is said here. Also, the colors and outer case material on our production units are not quite the same as the prototype that you see there. The prototype dates back a ways, and if anyone has seen one at CES for example, yes, the finish on the case is not quite to production quality as these hand built units tend to be. I'm working around the clock to bring the finished quality to something that would look excellent in your car.

Last thing last, we're going to soon move into the second phase of beta testing in the Bay Area in California. I might have room for a few more people to do testing. Just let me know your reasons for why you'd make a good beta tester and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks everyone,
Calvin Chu
Product Manager
Mobile Crossing

[Jonathon Watkins]

Welcome Calvin and thanks very much for the detailed info and insight into the product development. It certainly answered a lot of the questions we had. Interesting angle, a GPS unit which also happens to be a PPC. :lol: Nice.

For example, the WayPoint will be shipping with around 224Mb of memory, of which around 128Mb of that will be dedicated to road maps and the rest split up into Flash ROM and main memory

So is 128Mb going to be dedicated to the storage memory, with maps pre-installed? I take it that this will be Flash Ram/ROM rather than SDRAM? Will the remaining 96Mb be composed of 32Mb ROM with the final 64Mb being Storage / Program memory (i.e. SDRAM)? I take it the user will be able to change the maps on the unit?

Last thing last, we're going to soon move into the second phase of beta testing in the Bay Area in California.

I think you came to the right place for beta testers! :wink:

Let us know how things go with the WayPoint development. We look forward to hearing more about it in the future. 8)

[MC_Calvin]

I'm really not supposed to comment on specifications except to say "they are subject to change based on input from our beta testers." However, I will give you points for being very insightful Jonathan. :-)

If anyone is interested in more insight into the product development, I have started a blog with no name (http://www.mobilecrossing.com/blogger/). I'm new to blogs and am open to feedback and questions over there.