Fujitsu-Siemens Officially Launches the Pocket LOOX N Series

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com/products/mobile/handhelds/pocket_loox_n_series.html' target='_blank'>http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com/prod...x_n_series.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading European IT manufacturer and market leader in Germany, presents the first handheld with integrated antenna and GPS functionality. Navigation has increasingly become one of the most important functions of handhelds, in both commercial and consumer use. Whether it be a shipping agency or customer service organization to plan their routes, or for private users, the navigation function has proven to be 60 percent of handheld purchases. In addition, connectivity to email and data are important in handhelds so the Pocket LOOX N520 is equipped with Wi-Fi certified wireless LAN, making it suitable for use in professional and private use. In developing the new handhelds, Fujitsu Siemens Computers focused on both elegance in design and user-friendliness. The new Pocket LOOX models are among the first on the market that do not need an additional antenna for GPS functionality. This not only enhances their esthetic appeal, but also makes them more robust than comparable devices on the market. Other attractive features include an illuminated keyboard, which makes them easy to use even in the dark, and a base station with headphones for more convenient use."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051026-LOOXN.jpg" /><br /><br />Fujitsu-Siemens has officially launched the Pocket LOOX N series by introducing two new models into the market - the N500 and the N520. These Windows Mobile 5.0-based devices feature an Intel PXA270 312MHz processor, 3.5" QVGA (240 x 320) screens, an SDIO/MMC slot, infrared connectivity, and integrated GPS (based on the SiRFstar III; <a href="http://www.navigon.com/site/int/en/mobile_navigation/mobile_navigator">NAVIGON MobileNavigator|5</a> ships as an optional extra). The N500 includes 64MB RAM and 64MB ROM, while the N520 includes 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, and integrated 802.11g Wi-Fi. A complete specifications data sheet (PDF) can be found <a href="http://vilpublic.fujitsu-siemens.com/vil/pc/vil/datenblaetter/handheld/ds_pocket_loox_n_series.pdf">here</a>.<br /><br />Both the N500 and N520 are available from trade outlets starting at €335 and €361 respectively (plus VAT). Sadly, there's no hint of an American or Asian-Pacific launch.

[hiatus]

Are there any sources confirmed they would have a VGA model? the N540?

[dMores]

it's nice to see FSC get their style back.

their first PDA, the loox600 was the first PDA, in my eyes, to be designed well. it was also my entry-drug :)

then came a bunch of different looxes, all pretty ugly.

this one is rather pleasing to the eye, again!

nice.

[Take1]

No U.S. release is no big deal, QVGA is soooooo... old.

A VGA device, however, would peak my interest!

[Darius Wey]

Are there any sources confirmed they would have a VGA model? the N540?

"Confirm" is such a strong word. ;) I can't say for sure if the rumoured N540 will have VGA. What is believed is that at least one of the upcoming LOOX models will have it, and whether that is the N540 or something else, time will tell.

Fujitsu-Siemens is actually planning on releasing a range of different Pocket PCs in the near future. The first series is navigation-based (which is this N series featuring integrated GPS). The second series is focused on telephony (in this category, they hope to focus on UMTS support, which is all the rage in Europe these days). The third series is multimedia-based (and if my hunch is correct, it is this series where most of the VGA-enabled devices will be unveiled). However, I wouldn't expect the telephony and multimedia devices to be introduced anytime before the start of the new year.

[dMores]

telephony-based = smartphones from FSC ?

wow ... sounds good !

[Duncan]

Are there any sources confirmed they would have a VGA model? the N540?

Let's see -

Will there be a model called the N540? No.
Will there be at least one new VGA Pocket Loox coming up? Yes.
Will there be a Pocket Loox with telephony? Not any time soon - but long term plans are for three different ranges of Pocket Loox - including 3G/UMTS phone enabled (think mid 2006 at the earliest).

BTW - you can read about FSC's plans for three ranges in a PDAfrance interview here (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pdafrance.com%2Farticles%2Farticle.php%3Fcat%3Dpdamoi%26id%3D434&amp;langpair=fr%7Cen&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;prev=%2Flanguage_tools).

As for the N540/VGA thing - some things you just know...! ;)

[stevelam]

Are there any sources confirmed they would have a VGA model? the N540?

Let's see -

Will there be a model called the N540? No.
Will there be at least one new VGA Pocket Loox coming up? Yes.
Will there be a Pocket Loox with telephony? Not any time soon - but long term plans are for three different ranges of Pocket Loox - including 3G/UMTS phone enabled (think mid 2006 at the earliest).

BTW - you can read about FSC's plans for three ranges in a PDAfrance interview here (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pdafrance.com%2Farticles%2Farticle.php%3Fcat%3Dpdamoi%26id%3D434&amp;langpair=fr%7Cen&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;prev=%2Flanguage_tools).

As for the N540/VGA thing - some things you just know...! ;)

Argh its Duncan and the NDA again!!

[baralong]

Are there any sources confirmed they would have a VGA model? the N540?

Let's see -

Will there be a model called the N540? No.
Will there be at least one new VGA Pocket Loox coming up? Yes.
Will there be a Pocket Loox with telephony? Not any time soon - but long term plans are for three different ranges of Pocket Loox - including 3G/UMTS phone enabled (think mid 2006 at the earliest).
&lt;snip>
As for the N540/VGA thing - some things you just know...! ;)

Bother :( , I was hoping for a FSC phone based device sooner than that. The company I work for has a preference for their devices and I really want a phone device.