Mobile Devices at the 2006 Commonwealth Games

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.commonwealthgames.com.au/M2006/Homepage%20News/20060305%20Handheld%20tech%20directs%20Games%20visitors.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.commonwealthgames.com.au...%20visitors.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"A new mobile technology will ensure the more than 90,000 visitors to the Games can find their way to events and entertainment with up to 60 volunteers at key locations throughout the city providing tear-away maps and SMS instructions for any queries received. "Even if you just want to know where a specific type of restaurant is, the Directions Plus volunteers can locate any restaurant category and tell tourists the quickest way to get there," said the Minister for Information and Communication, Marsha Thomson. Volunteers, wearing distinctive navy uniforms with an orange Directions Plus logo, will be at key locations around the city and Games venues to help."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060307-Melbourne06.jpg" /><br /><br />Looks like mobile devices will play a huge part in the running of this year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, and according to <a href="http://www.thepdaguy.com/view_post.php?id=235">some news sources</a> and the fact that Microsoft is a key partner, they're likely to be Pocket PCs. If you'll be at the Games in a few days time, do let us know what the friendly volunteers are carrying. :)

[FredMurphy]

I'm heading out to Melbourne in a few days, but not specifically for the Commonwealth Games. I'll let you know.

[Mr. PPC]

As Dell is providing the PC's and Servers they may be using Dell PDA's as well. I'll see what I can learn from our rep tomorrow.

[nodyel]

Ah, that may explain the little groups of people (about 10 or so) that I have seen from my office window in Southbank the last couple of days...

No uniform yet, just regular clothing.

They have been standing around tapping away on what look like HP's 6000 series - with the stubby mobile antenna sicking out - don't think Dell have a phone version PDA (at least not here yet). Bit hard to tell exactly from a few floors in the air...

Some of them have got what appear to be small printers hanging at the waist, maybe WiFi or bluetooth connected.

If I spy them again I might duck down and have a 'sticky' :D and get some more details.

[Mr. PPC]

I can confirm that Dell isn't providing the PDA units.

When you say the HP 6000 series, do you mean the 6515? This unit doesn't have an antenna.

http://h50025.www5.hp.com/HPCOM/images/iPAQ_hw6500_b.gif

The HP 6300 series...

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/images/support/productInfo/SupportProductImage/c00314646.gif

[nodyel]

Like the 6300 series - definitely had that stubby type of antenna. But I was a few floors above them so couldn't tell better what they were. Still keeping an eye out for them again...

[nodyel]

Okay, just noticed them wandering around again, so took off downstairs...

They were just about to head off so I asked one of them what sort of device and he didn't know :lol: . He let me have a look, but 'no touchy' :( .

I reckon they are HP h6365s. I'll keep an eye out again for them and see if I can actually have a play and get some more details and a demo :D

[Mr. PPC]

Why would you want to use the 6300 series? :roll:

[Darius Wey]

Why would you want to use the 6300 series? :roll:

Leftover stock. ;)