| WindowsForDevices year-end review: Top device stories of 2006 |
(Dec. 21, 2006)
JANUARY
MOBILE DEVICE MERGES POCKET PC PHONE, TABLET PC
Start-up DualCor Technologies claims to have created a mobile device that combines a Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone with a Windows XP Tablet PC, in a compact handheld with a 5-inch touch-screen. The company will debut the device, known as the "cPC," at CES this week. Details
SPOT-POWERED WATCHES, WEATHER STATION PREVIEWED AT CES
Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative previewed the next generation of "Smart Watches for MSN Direct" and highlighted Oregon Scientific's recent launch of "Regional Weather Stations with MSN Direct," at CES last week. Details
GAS UP AND DOWNLOAD AN MP3 WITH WINDOWS CE
Dresser Wayne showcased its new Windows CE-powered gas pump at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week. In addition to dispensing fuel, the Ovation iX lets customers buy a cup of coffee, download MP3s, or check traffic conditions without ever leaving the pump. Details
NEW TOSHIBA HDD A/V PLAYERS RUN WINDOWS MOBILE
Toshiba introduced a line of hard disk drive (HDD) audio/video players based on Windows Mobile Portable Media Center software, at CES last week. The Gigabeat S Series players feature QVGA color displays and disk capacities up to 60 GB. Details
SYMBOL DEBUTS RUGGED WINDOWS MOBILE PDA/PHONE
Symbol Technologies last week unveiled a rugged handheld that combines mobile phone, PDA, scanning, and imaging capabilities. The MC70 "Enterprise Digital Assistant" runs Windows Mobile 5.0, boasts a 3.5-inch QVGA color touch-screen and either QWERTY or numeric keypads, and is hardened to withstand shock, tumble, and moisture. Details
COMBO POCKET PC PHONE AND TABLET PC DEMO'D
DualCor Technologies demonstrated its combination Pocket PC phone and Windows XP tablet PC at CES last week. With its dual processors and OSes, the cPC seeks to "end the compromise between mobility, functionality, and productivity for the mobile business professional." Details
CINGULAR SHIPS FIRST US WINDOWS MOBILE 5 SMARTPHONE
Cingular has introduced what it claims is the first "smartphone-class" handset in the US to feature the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. The 2125 Smartphone supports quad-band international roaming, Bluetooth, and Cingular's nationwide EDGE high-speed data network. Details
PC PIONEER ROLLS COMBO GPS/PMP
Commodore International has introduced a handheld device that combines the functions of a GPS navigator and a portable media player (PMP). The ComboNavigator runs Windows CE and includes a GPS receiver, 20GB hard drive, MP3 player, image and movie viewers, FM radio, and games. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE 5 POCKET PC PHONE GOES JAMIN
i-mate has launched a successor to its JAM Pocket PC phone. The JAMin comes in the same compact form-factor as its predecessor, but features "significant improvements" including quad-band GPRS/EDGE capability, built-in WiFi, a 2 Mpixel camera, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Details
FEBRUARY
FIAT SET TO LAUNCH WINDOWS MOBILE INFOTAINMENT
Fiat and Microsoft will reportedly unveil a Windows Mobile based automotive infotainment platform featuring hands-free voice recognition at the Geneva Motorshow later this month. The Blue&Me platform will be available on new Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars beginning the middle of this year, Gizmag.com reports. Details
HP'S NEW WINDOWS MOBILE IPAQ IS AN EMAIL PUSHER
Hewlett-Packard has unveiled a new iPAQ PDA/phone that boasts push email and PIM data capabilities derived from the Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging and Security Feature Pack. The iPAQ hw6900 Mobile Messenger includes quad-band mobile phone, WiFi, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity along with a full QWERTY keyboard and GPS. Details
T-MOBILE PREPS WINDOWS MOBILE 5 POCKET PC PHONE
T-Mobile is set to introduce its version of the HTC Wizard Pocket PC phone platform running Windows Mobile 5.0. The GPRS/EDGE-enabled T-Mobile MDA features a QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the side, and it supports both WiFi and Bluetooth wireless. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE KEEPS DUTCH TRAINS RUNNING SMOOTHLY
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the National Dutch Rail Authority, has equipped all 10,000 of its front-line employees with Windows Mobile powered wireless handheld devices for access to "context-aware" services. The system allows train conductors and drivers, customer service representatives, and other staff to wirelessly access business-critical data such as traffic information, schedules, shift rosters, maintenance information and temporary speed limits. Details
NEW FUJITSU SIEMENS WINDOWS MOBILE HANDHELD DOES IT ALL
Fujitsu Siemens has announced a Windows Mobile handheld that combines the functions of 3G UMTS phone, PDA, still and video cameras, MP3 player, and GPS navigation. The Pocket Loox T features both WiFi and Bluetooth, a QWERTY keyboard, and Microsoft Direct Push email support. Details
HANDHELD GPS PLAYS MULTIMEDIA FILES, RUNS WINDOWS CE
Globalsat is set to introduce a new handheld GPS navigation device that also plays music and videos, and displays photos. The GV-201 runs Windows CE 4.2 and incorporates the latest GPS receiver chipset from SiRF. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE HANDHELDS BOAST MOBILE TV, PUSH EMAIL
HTC unveiled a new line of Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs that include Microsoft's Direct Push email capabilities, at the 3GSM conference last week. One of those devices, the Trilogy, is claimed to be the world's first smartphone to implement DAB-IP (digital audio broadcasting over IP). Details
MARCH
"WORLD'S SMALLEST" WINDOWS MOBILE 5 SMARTPHONE SET TO DEBUT
Fifth Media of Malaysia will showcase the claimed "world's smallest" Windows Mobile 5 PDA/phone at CeBIT in Hannover this month. The quad-band Axia A308 integrates both phone and PDA functions within the compact, familiar form-factor of a regular mobile phone, and also includes WiFi. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE BUNDLES 8 GB DRIVE
Samsung is set to unveil a smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.0 that includes an 8 gigabyte hard disk drive. The SGH i310 will debut at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany this week, and is expected to ship in the European market in the second half of the year. Details
SEVEN-OUNCE "WRIST PC" RUNS WINDOWS CE
A European embedded computing specialist has announced a wrist-worn wearable computer that runs Windows CE or embedded Linux. Eurotech's WWPC ("wrist-worn PC") offers a wealth of standard PC interfaces, along with several innovative wearable-specific features, the company claims. It targets emergency rescue, security, healthcare, maintenance, logistics, and "many other" applications. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE PACKS GPS, QWERTY KEYBOARD
BenQ announced a new smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.0 last week at CeBIT. The BenQ-Siemens P51 sports a QWERTY keyboard and built-in GPS, and is a successor to the P50 "Treo killer" introduced at CeBIT two years ago. Details
"SMALLEST" MULTI-MODE PDA/PHONE RUNS WINDOWS 5.0
Torq recently introduced what it claims is "the smallest wireless LAN PDA available with a phone function." The P120 incorporates quad band GSM/GPRS, 802.11b, and Bluetooth, runs Windows Mobile 5.0, and comes with Skype Internet telephony for Pocket PC phones pre-installed. Get more details from our complete Device Profile. Details
APRIL
3G VIDEOPHONE/PDA WILL RUN WINDOWS MOBILE
Taiwanese ODM Compal Communications Inc. (CCI) is developing a 3G cellular videophone/PDA running Windows Mobile 5.0, according to Radvision, the supplier of a 3G-324M protocol toolkit to CCI. The new 3G handheld will reportedly include an "advanced" video application that lets users subscribe to video conferences and participate in video communities. Details
MAY
SAMSUNG ULTRA MOBILE PC SHIPS
Samsung rolled out its first ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) at a press event in San Francisco on May 1. The Q1, is based on Microsoft's "Origami" reference design, features a 7-inch touchscreen LCD, and runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Find out what the experts think about it. Details
VOWFI PHONE HAS 300M RANGE, RUNS WINDOWS CE
Linksys is shipping the first in a line of wireless IP-telephony products that make Voice over IP (VoIP) calls through 802.11g wireless networks and supports peer-to-peer dialing. The WIP330 runs Windows CE and features an intuitive user interface for quick and easy configuration on WiFi networks, Linksys says. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE AIMS AT TREKKIES
Star Trek fans will love Dopod's new "StrTrk" smartphone, which it claims is the world's "slimmest and lightest deluxe clamshell smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.0." The StrTrk S300 weighs in at 99 grams and is just over a half inch thick, and features external keys for controlling music playback without having to open the phone. Details
JUNE
WIFI-ENABLED UNIVERSAL REMOTE RUNS WINDOWS CE
TVcompass is showcasing a Windows CE-based, WiFi-enabled "smart" remote control device in Intrinsyc's booth at the Microsoft Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference (MEDC) in Nice, France this week. TVcompass's WiFi Smart Remote is described as a full-featured, programmable universal remote with a cellphone-style color LCD screen. Details
O2 DEBUTS XDA IQ SMARTPHONE WITH PUSH EMAIL
Wireless carrier O2 recently launched the Windows Mobile 5.0-based Xda IQ smartphone, its first to be supplied with Microsoft direct push technology preinstalled. The quad-band GSM handset also features both WiFi and Bluetooth wireless, a 1.3 megapixel camera, Mini SD expansion, and a Mini USB connector. Details
HTC SELF-BRANDS TWO 3G WINDOWS MOBILE PHONES
Taiwanese phone manufacturing giant HTC will begin selling HTC-branded devices, the company announced June 15. The first to ship under HTC's brand will be the MteoR Smartphone and TyTN Pocket PC, claimed as the world's first tri-band 3G Windows Mobile 5.0 phones. Details
PMP, GPS COMBO RUNS WINDOWS CE
Sitec Systems has added a new model to its Centrix line of portable media players (PMP). The MVP-150 combines multimedia functionality with GPS navigation, and is the first member of the family to run Windows CE. Details
EDGE-ENABLED FLIP PHONE PUSHES EMAIL
i-mate has released an EDGE-enabled clamshell-style smartphone that runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and supports Microsoft's direct push technology. The thin, lightweight, quad-band Smartflip boasts built-in Bluetooth, 64MB of RAM and flash, a micro SD expansion slot, and a 1.3 Mpixel camera with secondary screen for self-portraits. Details
JULY
JAPAN'S #1 CELLULAR CARRIER PREPS WINDOWS MOBILE HANDSET
NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest cellular carrier, will release its first Windows Mobile handset later this month. The DoCoMo "hTc Z," sporting a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless, and dual cameras, will target corporate customers in Japan. Details
SLIM QWERTY SMARTPHONE DEBUTS IN EUROPE
Samsung is set to officially release a slim QWERTY smartphone that was first announced at the 3GSM World Congress in February. Dubbed by some the "Q-killer," the "sleek and stylish" i320 runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and will launch in Europe this month. Details
CINGULAR ADDS QWERTY WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE
Cingular's answer to the Treo 700w, Motorola Q, and iPAQ hw6900 is the 8100 series based on the HTC Wizard platform. The 8100 is available in two versions
one with a 1.3Mpixel camera and the other without. Details
COMPACT GPS HANDHELD RUNS WINDOWS CE
Averatec, a maker of notebook and laptop computers, has released a handheld GPS device that runs Windows CE. The Voya 350 boasts a "sleek, compact design" incorporating a high performance helical antenna for increased signal stability. The device is intended for a wide range of mobile users, including business and vacation travelers, cyclists, hikers, and taxi and limousine drivers. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE OFFERS "iPOD QUALITY" A/V
Anextek is equipping its new MoboDA family of Windows Mobile smartphones with VisualOn media player software that enables "iPod quality" A/V playback without significantly compromising battery life. Anextek's first MoboDA device is a tri-band GSM/GPRS smartphone with WiFi, Bluetooth, an 1.3Mpixel camera, and an SD/MMC slot. Details
AUGUST
OPTICAL TDR HANDHELD RUNS WINDOWS CE
Corning Cable Systems is shipping a rugged handheld optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) instrument for testing and troubleshooting of LAN, telco, CATV, and FTTx networks. The OV-1000 runs Windows CE, and features field-interchangeable testing modules that can be replaced without tools "in a matter of seconds." Details
HOME AUTOMATION CONTROLLER RUNS WINDOWS XPe, DISPLAYS HD VIDEO
Exceptional Innovation used Windows XP Embedded to build a series of touchpanel controllers that work with the company's Lifeware home automation and digital entertainment software. The Lifetouch panels features a widescreen LCD that can simultaneously display up to four HD video streams, Details
HOLONOMIC ROBOT SUPPORTS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED
MobileRobots has announced an all-weather, indoor/outdoor mobile robot targeting "intelligent navigation" applications, like laser mapping. The nimble, "holonomic" Seekur offers space, power, and networking for up to five EBX form-factor embedded PCs supporting Windows XP/XPe, and is available with a variety of sensor options. Details
DOPOD DEBUTS HTC HANDSETS
Dopod, soon to be acquired by HTC, has announced two new Windows Mobile 5.0 handsets. The Dopod 838Pro and 595 appear to match the pair of devices HTC recently said it planned to offer under its own brand. Details
MICROSOFT DEVELOPING WINDOWS CE DESK PHONES
Microsoft reportedly is developing a range of corporate desk phones running Windows CE that work with Office Communications Server 2007. The project, codenamed "Tanjay," was revealed last week at TechEd 2006 in Sydney, Australia, according to an article at SmartOfficeNews. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE QWERTY-PHONE DOES WIFI
The Net is abuzz with news of a new Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA/phone reportedly manufactured by China's Tech Faith Wireless. The UBiQUiO 501 features a 2 Mpixel camera, QWERTY keyboard, and WiFi connectivity. Details
IN-CAR NAV DEVICE RUNS WINDOWS AUTOMOTIVE, BOASTS 30 GB HDD
Clarion has released an aftermarket in-car navigation device running Windows Automotive, based on Windows CE 5.0. The NAX963HD features a 30 GB hard drive for map data, and is just over an inch (28 mm) thick, allowing it to fit beneath car seats. Details
3G POCKET PC PHONE LAUNCHES IN EUROPE
Orange Business Services is rolling out a new Windows Mobile Pocket PC phone in Europe, with support for EDGE, WiFi, and HSDPA networks. The SPV-M3100, based on the HTC "Hermes" platform, features a slideout QWERTY keyboard and supports video messaging and calling using its integrated camera. Details
SEPTEMBER
TOSHIBA DEBUTS NEW WINDOWS CE-BASED PMP SERIES
Toshiba has announced a new series of portable media players (PMPs) running Microsoft's Windows CE-based Portable Media Center version 2.0 software. The Gigabeat V series, successor to the S series, features a larger screen and longer battery life than its predecessors. Details
WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED DISPLACES LINUX IN HOME MUSIC SERVER
Elan Home Systems has switched from Linux to Windows XP Embedded in its networked home music server line. The switch to Windows XP Embedded in the VIA!dj II Digital Music Server enabled adding "literally dozens of new dealer-requested features" to the product. Details
PALM ROLLS OUT NEW WINDOWS MOBILE TREO
Palm has released a new Treo smartphone running Windows Mobile. The Treo 700wx, which is nearly identical to the earlier 700w, is available from Sprint alongside the Palm OS-based 700p, and is compatible with Sprint's Power Vision EvDO high-speed data network. Details
HTC UNVEILS NEW WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE/PDA PLATFORMS
Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) HTC on Sept. 7 announced a set of four new Windows Mobile 5.0 handhelds. The devices are intended to appeal to new audiences and market segments, and will be offered under both HTC's own brand and in customized operator-specific versions. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE TREO 750V LAUNCHES IN EUROPE
Palm has announced a new Windows Mobile 5.0 Treo smartphone for the European market. The Treo 750v runs on Vodafone's 3G/UMTS network, and is compatible with Vodafone Business Email that provides remote access to both enterprise- and Internet-based email accounts. Details
SIP-BASED DUAL-MODE HANDSET RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE
Paragon Wireless has announced what it calls the "world's first" SIP-based dual-mode handset running Windows Mobile. The hipi-2200 supports quad-band GSM/GPRS and 802.11g WiFi-based VoIP, and provides both seamless roaming among WiFi access points and seamless handover between GSM and VoIP modes. Details
OCTOBER
CANDYBAR-STYLE POCKET PC PHONE FAMILY DEBUTS
San Diego startup IzenMobile has debuted a series of Windows Mobile handhelds that combine Pocket PC functionality with a smartphone form-factor. The devices are aimed at small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs), a market IzenMobile contends is under-served by both carriers and manufacturers. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE PDA/PHONE SPORTS WIFI, BLUETOOTH, GPS
Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) E-ten has released what it calls an "all-in-one" Pocket PC phone that supports quad-band GSM/GPRS, 802.11b WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Glofiish X500 runs Windows Mobile 5.0, and features a 2 Mpixel video-capable camera. Details
WINDOWS MOBILE SETUP LOCATES UXOs
Vallon GmbH, a specialist in ordnance sensors, has developed a Windows Mobile-based system for detecting UXOs (unexploded ordnances). The setup consists of a ruggedized Pocket PC, Vallon's EVA2000 Mobile software, and up to four bomb locators or mine detectors. Details
WINDOWS CE-POWERED IP-STB NEARS "MASS DEPLOYMENT"
Interactive Television Networks (ITVN) is nearing "mass deployment" in the U.S. of a new Internet protocol set-top box (IP-STB) that runs Windows CE. ITVN's new IP-STB is based on NXP's STB810 reference design, and is the successor to a previous, Unix-based design. Details
NEW T-MOBILE QWERTY SMARTPHONE RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE 5.0
T-Mobile USA will soon be offering a full-featured Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphone made by Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) HTC. The T-Mobile Dash, with full QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and WiFi, is based on the same platform as HTC's S620 announced last month. Details
NOVEMBER
UMTS/HSDPA WINDOWS MOBILE HANDHELD SHIPS IN NORTH AMERICA
Cingular is set to ship what is claimed to be the first UMTS/HSDPA-enabled Pocket PC phone in North America. The 8525 PDA/phone runs Windows Mobile 5.0, features a slideout QWERTY keyboard, and is reportedly based on HTC's Hermes platform. Details
SMART COFFEEMAKER RUNS .NET, NOT JAVA
Wake up to fresh-brewed coffee and real-time weather with the first coffeemaker to incorporate Microsoft's SPOT (Smart Personal Objects Technology) and the .Net Micro Framework. The Smart Mill & Brew, from Salton subsidiary Melitta, gets weather information broadcast over the air from MSN Direct. Details
HTC DEBUTS SKINNY QWERTY PDA/PHONE IN EUROPE
Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) HTC is about to release a new, self-branded Windows Mobile PDA phone in Europe and the Middle East. The slim P4350 features quad-band GSM/GPRS with EDGE, a "semi-automatic" sliding full QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 2 Mpixel camera. Details
HANDHELD NAVIGATION, ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE RUNS WINDOWS CE
Averatec is shipping a new Windows CE-based handheld GPS device that also supports a wide range of multimedia capabilities. The Voya 320 is described as a "personal navigation and entertainment system" that plays music and videos when it's not providing turn-by-turn navigation. Details
(Click here for further information)
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