| WindowsForDevices year-end review: Top device stories of 2007 |
Jonathan Angel
JANUARY
MICROSOFT TO ADD IPTV FUNCTIONALITY TO XBOX 360
Microsoft is integrating its IPTV software platform into the Xbox 360, the company announced this week. By converting the Xbox into an “all-in-one digital entertainment device” that combines IPTV services with next-generation gaming and interactivity, Microsoft will position itself to grab TV set-top marketshare from TiVo. Details
MOT AIMS WINDOWS MOBILE-BASED Q PRO AT ENTERPRISES
Motorola unveiled a new version of its Windows Mobile-based Q smartphone, featuring expanded enterprise-level functionality, at CES in Las Vegas this week. The Moto Q Pro boasts enhanced security software, document editing capabilities, call center support, and extended battery life, among other enterprise-oriented features. Details
UMPC PACKS SOLID-STATE DISK
Samsung introduced a new ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Q1P SSD is claimed to be the first UMPC to replace the 1.8-inch rotating-media drive with a 32 GB NAND flash memory storage device. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE TREO 750 ARRIVES STATESIDE
The Palm Treo 750, introduced in Europe as the 750v last fall, is now available in the U.S. From Cingular Wireless. The five-band Treo 750 runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and works with Cingular’s 3G/UMTS network, said to be available in "dozens of countries." Details
MICROSOFT AND FORD GET IN “SYNC”
Ford Motor Company has announced a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system based on “Microsoft Auto,” recently renamed from Windows Mobile for Automotive. Dubbed “Sync,” Ford’s new capability will become available later this year in a dozen 2008 vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. Details
VIA’S INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MOBO LINE SPAWNS “PICO-ITX”
Via is readying a media-oriented motherboard in what could be the next popular size for small form-factor PCs: Pico-ITX. The “Epia PX” board measures 3.9 x 2.8 inches and features a 1GHz C7 processor, along with rich audio/video I/O, albeit mostly on pin headers. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE PDA SPORTS DETACHABLE QWERTY KEYBOARD
T-Mobile of Germany has released a new Windows Mobile PDA based on Taiwan ODM HTC’s Athena reference design. The Ameo, which is usable with or without the keyboard, features a QWERTY keyboard that attaches via a magnetic strip. Details
FEBRUARY
MOTOROLA READIES WINDOWS MOBILE 6 PHONES
Motorola has announced two smartphones that will run Microsoft’s just released Windows Mobile 6 software platform. The Moto Q q9 and the Q gsm, with full QWERTY keyboards, are successors to the original Moto Q, which entered the market last May. Details
WINDOWS CE SMARTPHONE FEATURES ASSOCIATIVE ARRAY MULTIMEDIA ENGINE
Swedish mobile phone maker Neonode has introduced a new model in its line of diminutive Windows CE-based mobile phones. The N2 features the same touchscreen-only interface as its predecessor, the N1, and incorporates an application processor with an “associative processor array” multimedia engine. Details
HP SMARTPHONE FEATURES VOWIFI, WINDOWS MOBILE 6
Hot on the heels of the official release of Windows Mobile 6, Hewlett-Packard announced its first smartphone running the new platform.
The quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger features hands-free operation with more than 20 voice commands. Details
VEHICLE-MOUNT COMPUTERS RUN WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED
Psion Teklogix is shipping a pair of rugged, vehicle-mount computers targeted at harsh warehouse and cold storage environments. The 8580 and 8590 run Windows XP Embedded and include a built-in environment controller that "ensures adaptability to changing conditions." Details
WIDE-SCREEN, WIRELESS TABLET RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE
Sharp is set to release a Windows Mobile 5-powered tablet that bears a striking resemblance to Nokia’s recently introduced N800. The EM-ONE, initially available in Japan only, features HSDPA, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, a wide 800x400 screen, and an unusual “dual sliding” QWERTY keyboard. Details
COMPACT GPS/PDA RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE
Mio Technology has added a new model to its line of GPS-enabled Digiwalker Windows Mobile Pocket PCs. The “sleek” P550 fits comfortably in a suit pocket, purse, or briefcase and sports WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with GPS navigation and a full media player. Details
“FIRST” AM2 MINI-ITX MOBO TARGETS 64-BIT APPS
Taiwanese boardmaker Albatron has unveiled what it claims to be the first mini-ITX motherboard built around AMD’s new AM2 processor socket. Mated with a low-power, small-form-factor AMD processor, the “KI690-AM2” could suit a variety of space-constrained embedded and consumer-device applications where 64-bit processing might work well. Details
LOW-COST WINDOWS CE-POWERED COMPUTING APPLIANCE REINCARNATES
Data Evolution has reintroduced AMD’s low-cost “Personal Internet Communicator,” aimed at developing regions of the world. The “decTOP” runs Windows CE 5.0, includes a suite of basic software, has built-in dial-up and broadband networking and a 10GB hard drive, and uses an external keyboard and monitor. Details
MARCH
WINDOWS MOBILE PDA BOASTS GPS, T-DMB, SURROUND SOUND
Device-maker LG Electronics has introduced the first PDA to feature SRS Labs’s mobile surround sound technology, SRS announced this week. The LG N1 boasts a large, full-color LCD screen, is based on Windows Mobile, and integrates PDA, GPS, and T-DMB (terrestrial – digital multimedia broadcasting) digital-TV reception. Details
SAMSUNG ADDS WINDOWS VISTA-EQUIPPED UMPC
Samsung has added a Windows Vista-based model to its UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) tablet family. The “Q1P for Windows Vista” UMPC has achieved Windows Vista certification, and boasts a 1GHz Intel Pentium M ULV processor, 60GB hard drive, WiFi and Bluetooth wireless, and a 7-inch wide-VGA touchscreen. Details
HTC DEBUTS WIRELESS QWERTY HANDHELD DUO AT CTIA
HTC unveiled a pair of self-branded handheld computers at the CTIA Wirelesss show in Orlando, Florida. The “Advantage,” running Windows Mobile 6, is a richly featured PDA/phone, while the “Shift,” running Vista, appears to be an interesting variation on the UMPC theme. Details
APRIL
HTC SHIFTS INTO UMPC GEAR
HTC has disclosed further details on its first UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) reference platform, the Shift, which the company unveiled at CTIA last month. The device is based on Intel’s new “Ultra Mobile Platform 2007” spec and incorporates low-power Intel Pentium M processor technology. Details
PANEL PC AIMS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED AT FORK LIFTS
Noax Technologies has introduced Windows XP Embedded support for its family of rugged panel PCs which target mobile vehicles such as forklifts, cranes, construction equipment, and freight carriers. The “Mobile PC” devices combine an embedded PC with a touch-screen display, storage, wired/wireless networking, and expansion slots. Details
ATM MACHINE RUNS WINDOWS CE 5.0
ATM manufacturer Triton demonstrated a new ATM (automated teller machine) powered by Windows CE 5.0 at its annual sales conference in Mississippi this week. The RL2000 is a “low cost,” flexible off-premise ATM that targets small convenience stores, restaurants, hotel and retail chains, and off-site banking. Details
MAY
TINY CLAMSHELL MOBILE PC DOES VISTA
FlipStart, founded in 2002 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, earlier this month began shipping its first product. The FlipStart 1.0 squeezes the power of a full Windows PC—including a 1.1GHz processor, hard drive, display, keyboard, and wireless communications—into an ultra-compact, palm-sized package. Details
LOW-COST UMPC SPORTS SWIVELING DISPLAY
Data Evolution has announced an “aggressively priced” ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) device with a unique, swiveling display. The Cathena CX cuts cost, complexity, and power consumption by using a low-power AMD Geode LX800 processor, but consequently lacks the processing muscle of typical UMPCs. Details
RUGGED HANDHELD DOES VGA, RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE 6
Psion Teklogix has introduced the second generation of its Workabout Pro line of rugged industrial handheld computers. The new devices feature a faster processor and full VGA display, and are available with either Windows CE 5.0 or Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic or Professional editions. Details
FUJITSU DEBUTS SMALL-FORMAT UMPC
Fujitsu announced a line of ulta-mobile PCs (UMPCs) aimed at business users. Billed as the “world’s smallest tablet-convertible UMPC,” the FMV-U8240 sports a 5.6-inch 1024 x 600-pixel LCD, weighs 20.5 ounces, and will be offered with either Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional. Details
POCKET PC PHONE SPORTS VGA, WINDOWS MOBILE 6
Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) E-ten has released a successor to its Glofiish X500 Pocket PC phone introduced last fall. The Glofiish X500+ features a full VGA screen and an improved auto-macro camera, and runs Windows Mobile 6. Details
NEW T-MOBILE PDA/PHONE RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE 6
T-Mobile has introduced a new Pocket PC phone manufactured by Taiwanese phone-maker HTC into the U.S. The T-Mobile “Wing” features a blue soft-touch exterior, a touch-sensitive QVGA LCD screen, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and runs Windows Mobile 6. Details
JUNE
WINDOWS MOBILE HANDSET SPORTS INTUITIVE TOUCH UI
Taiwanese ODM HTC Corp. on June 5 unveiled a new Windows Mobile phone that features the company’s newly developed “intuitive” touch screen navigation user interface (UI). The “deceptively small and stylish” touch implements a “an innovative new concept in intuitive touch screen navigation,” the company claims. Details
THIN CLIENT NOTEBOOK RUNS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED
AT Labs has added a new model to its line of wireless Windows XP Embedded thin client notebooks. The NB-7500 NetBook provides all the connectivity features of a standard notebook computer, controlled from a single point of update and management. Details
ASUS REVEALS $190 MINI NOTEBOOK
Asus chairman Jonney Shih introduced an ultra-low-cost, ultra-portable notebook computer at a Computex keynote this week. The “Eee PC” (3ePC) features a 7-inch display, weighs about two pounds, and runs either Windows XP or Linux from 2-16MB of internal flash memory. Details
VISTA-FRIENDLY NETWORKED PROJECTORS RUN WINDOWS CE 6.0
NEC Display Solutions of America has introduced a line of intelligent, networked projectors claimed to be the first to support the Windows Vista “Connect to a Network Projector” wizard. The Npx150 series projectors run Windows CE 6.0 and target corporate, educational, and government applications. Details
SPRINT READIES WINDOWS MOBILE 6.0 EV-DO HANDHELD
Sprint is readying a new Pocket PC phone manufactured by Taiwanese device-maker HTC. The “Mogul” will eventually support EV-DO Rev. A download rates up to 3.1 Mbps, and will be the first CDMA phone in the U.S. To run Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional Edition, Sprint claims. Details
WINDOWS EMBEDDED THIN CLIENTS HIDE BEHIND MONITOR
I-O Corp. has launched a new line of thin clients small enough to mount on the back of standard LCD monitors. Described as “about the size of a three-CD set,” the Pro|Edge thin client series is available with either Windows CE or Windows XP Embedded. Details
DRUG/EXPLOSIVE DETECTION GADGET RUNS WINDOWS CE
DetectaChem LLC has released a multipurpose handheld detection device that incorporates an Atmel ARM926-based embedded processor running Windows CE 6.0. The Seeker CDU 220 can detect a wide variety of explosives, drugs, biological agents, and chemicals, and it integrates a barcode scanner and optional GPS receiver. Details
JULY
WINDOWS CE HANDHELD SCANS BARCODES AT 50 FEET
Intermec has introduced the CK31ex, said to be the first handheld computer with “integrated near-far imaging technology.” This allows the Windows CE-based device to read barcodes and other symbology at distances from six inches to 50 feet. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE PHONES BOAST FINGERPRINT AUTHENTICATION
Toshiba Europe says it is now shipping two new phones featuring built-in fingerprint authentication. The Portege G500 and G900 are also claimed to be among the first shipping Windows Mobile 6.0. Details
WINDOWS CE-POWERED PMP TO OFFER WPS, VOIP
iRiver will release a new portable media player (PMP) running Windows CE “later this year,” according to its European website. In addition to playback of numerous multimedia formats, the W10 integrates an FM tuner, WiFi positioning system (WPS) technology, and, it is rumored, VoIP phone-call capabilities. Details
ICONIC FIAT 500 OFFERS WINDOWS MOBILE INFOTAINMENT
Fiat has launched its latest car using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile-based “Blue&Me” infotainment platform. The Fiat 500 has been designed to evoke the original “Cinquecento,” an iconic vehicle that made its debut 50 years ago. Details
AUGUST
CAMERA RECOGNIZES LICENSE PLATES, RUNS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED
Appian Technology has introduced a camera that recognizes vehicle license plates, then reports the results to traffic and police authorities using integrated wired or wireless communications. The Stinger Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera is based on a 1.4 Ghz Pentium processor running Windows XP Embedded. Details
JAPANESE TV PORTAL TO DEPLOY STBS RUNNING WINDOWS CE
A2i has announced a Windows CE-based set-top box (STB) that supports IPTV (Internet protocol television) and video-on-demand (VOD) features. The company currently expects at least 10,000 units of its “X-720” STB to be deployed by an unnamed “Japanese TV portal” service over the next 12 months. Details
RUGGED UMPC BOASTS GPS/GSM/GPRS OPTIONS
Acturion Datasys has released an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) intended for use outdoors “in harsh environmental conditions.” The Victum-Tablet 8 UMPC has a “completely sealed” light-alloy metal housing and uses a 1.2 Ghz Pentium M processor to run Windows XP Tablet Edition. Details
COMBO GAME CONSOLE, PMP, PDA RUNS WINDOWS CE
Newman has announced a device it bills as a combination PDA, PMP (portable media player), game console, and “mobile Internet machine.” Whatever you want to call it, the Newsmy MiniAll VX1000 runs Windows CE 5.0 and includes integral WiFi. Details
DUAL-DISPLAY PMP/GPS RUNS WINDOWS CE
Iriver has introduced a new combination portable media player (PMP) and GPS device that features both a 7-inch LCD screen and an organic LED (OLED) display for showing menus. The iRiver NV runs Windows CE 5.0, with a custom GUI created in Adobe Flash Lite 2.1. Details
HANDHELD GPS, PMP RUNS WINDOWS CE
Clarion has introduced a pair of seven-ounce, “personal navigation devices” meant for use in cars, on bicycles, or on foot. The MAP770 (in Europe) and DrivTrax P5 (in Japan) run the Windows CE 5.0 “core” OS, and can play WMA/MP3 files and display JPEG/BMP images. Details
AUTOMATED BARTENDER RUNS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED
Digital Beverages has announced a computer-controlled beverage dispenser that runs Windows XP Embedded. Aimed at both home and institutional users, the MyFountain can automatically pour hot, cold, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Details
3.5G SMARTPHONE FOLDS LIKE A TINY LAPTOP
Prolific device-maker HTC has introduced yet another mobile handset, this time a smartphone design featuring a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 3.5G HSDPA connectivity. The TyTn II runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Details
SEPTEMBER
ULTRA-MOBILE DEVICE HAS WEBCAM, QWERTY KEYBOARD
Packard Bell has introduced a notebook-style ultra-mobile device that includes a 7-inch display and a full QWERTY keyboard. The EasyNote XS also incorporates a webcam and a 30 GB hard drive.
Details
TINY THIN CLIENT SPEEDS UP MULTIMEDIA
NEC has turned to Windows CE for its latest thin client, designed to work with the company’s server products via the Vmware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). The company says its tiny US110 offers enhanced multimedia performance, along with added support for RSA SecureID VPN connectivity. Details
HP UNVEILS NEW SMARTPHONES, PDAs, GPS
At a Sept. 5 gala event, HP debuted 56 different iPAQ-branded products, including five mobile software programs, twelve mobile services, almost three dozen handheld accessories, and five new handheld devices.
Underlining the company’s longtime Microsoft relationship, the new handhelds all run Windows Mobile or Windows CE. Details
THIN CLIENT NOTEBOOK TO RUN WINDOWS CE, XP EMBEDDED
Neoware has announced development of a notebook-style thin client claimed to be “the fastest and most powerful mobile thin client available.” The Neoware m2000 will use a yet-to-be-disclosed Intel processor and, unlike the model it replaces, be offered with both Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE PHONE LEVERAGES INTEGRATED GPS
Mio Technology has announced a Windows Mobile 6-based phone with built-in GPS. The company’s DigiWalker A702 also includes a 3.2-megapixel camera, photo geotagging, and business card scanning. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE 6 PHONE HAS SLIDE-OUT KEYBOARD
Samsung has announced a mobile phone with a novel keypad layout and slide-out keyboard. The Verizon-branded SCH-i760 runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional and features both WiFi and Bluetooth. Details
OCTOBER
DEVICE MERGES PHONE, SCANNER, CARD READER, PRINTER
4P Mobile Data Processing has announced a novel device that integrates a phone, scanner, card reader, and printer. The Windows CE-powered FDA600 Field Digital Assistant is said to be suitable for sales, field service, or mobile ticketing and fare collection applications. Details
3.5G PHONE BOASTS TOUCH, SLIDE-OUT KEYBOARD
Taiwanese device-maker HTC has finally introduced a much-rumored handset that combines the company’s distinctive touchscreen interface with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The “Touch Dual” runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional, and boasts 3.5G wireless technology claimed to transfer data up to 9 times as fast as 3G. Details
“MOST FEATURE-PACKED” U.S. WINDOWS MOBILE PHONE DEBUTS
AT&T has released a Windows Mobile 6-based phone claimed to be the “most feature-packed smart device” available in the U.S. The HTC-manufactured AT&T “Tilt” sports a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and offers UMTS, EDGE, or GPRS data roaming in more than 135 countries. Details
I-MATE AIMS QUARTET OF HIGH-END SMARTPHONES AT ROAD WARRIORS
Dubai-based i-mate has unveiled four high-end Windows Mobile phones and a plan for targeting U.S. business professionals. The “Ultimate” smartphones can drive external XGA-resolution displays and will be sold as unlocked GSM devices, aimed at frequent travelers who can use them as laptop replacements. Learn more from these two stories: Details and Further details
“POWERFUL” THIN CLIENT SUPPORTS DUAL DISPLAYS, EXPANSION
Wyse has announced what it is touting as “the industry’s most powerful thin computer.” The G90, based on a 1.2GHz Via C7 processor, includes dual-monitor support and runs Windows XP Embedded. Details
PANEL PC SUPPORTS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED, WEPOS
Belview Technologies has released an “all-in-one” touchscreen computer based on a 1.5 Ghz Celeron processor and running Windows XP Embedded (Xpe). The PP8500 is aimed at point-of-sale (POS), point-of-information (POI) and stand-alone kiosk applications. Details
NOVEMBER
WINDOWS CE POWERS HANDHELD TRANSLATION DEVICE
Ectaco has introduced an electronic dictionary and translation device based on Windows CE. The iTravl is claimed to use “the world’s most sophisticated speech recognition” to understand what a user says, then provide spoken translation from English to any of eight different languages. Details
WINDOWS CE-BASED GPS MAPS U.K. NATIONAL PARKS
Satmap Systems Ltd. Has introduced a “sport GPS” system specifically aimed at those who want to enjoy the U.K.’s national parks. The “Active 10” runs Windows CE and, in addition to GPS, includes a 2-axis electronic compass. Details
DUAL-KEYBOARD 3G HANDSET RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE 6
AT&T has introduced an interesting new 3G mobile phone running Windows Mobile 6. Within one model, the Pantech Duo offers a choice of two keyboards, and also a choice between dual-band domestic and quad-band “world phone” wireless calling modes, plus several high-speed data transfer technologies. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE 6 SMARTPHONE HAS SLIDE-OUT KEYPAD
T-Mobile has announced a new phone that features Windows Mobile 6 and a slide-out “QWERTY-like” keypad. The “Shadow” is a quad-band “world phone” usable in any country where the carrier provides its GPRS service. Details
WINDOWS GOES ON A DIET FOR MINI-LAPTOPS
Mini-laptops are suddenly in season. After months of anticipation and rumored shipments to Brazil and Mexico, Intel’s ClassMate PC has been sighted “in the wild” by U.S.-based reviewers, and Asus’s much-heralded Eee PC made its debut in the U.S. Details
DECEMBER
WORLD’S SMALLEST WINDOWS XP SYSTEM?
DMP Electronics (aka Icop) has announced a tiny silent PC claimed to be the smallest system in the world capable of running Windows XP. The eBox-4300 measures 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4 inches, has a 500MHz x86-compatible Via processor, and supports up to 1GB or RAM. Details
MICHELIN GUIDE GOES WINDOWS CE
Known for tires and restaurant guides, Michelin has now announced an in-car GPS unit that runs Windows CE 5.0. The compact X-970T includes hotel and restaurant reviews from the Michelin guide as well as maps of the U.K, Ireland, and mainland Europe, according to the company. Details
VIA OFFERS DIY PICO-ITX KIT
Via has discovered a cheap source of labor to build ultra-mini PCs based on its pico-ITX boards: its customers. Via’s $300 Artigo pico-ITX kit provides a Via C7 1GHz-based pico-ITX motherboard, a case, and everything else do-it-yourselfers might need except storage, RAM, and an operating system. Details
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
news feed