(Click here for a larger view of the Kaon Mobile)The Kaon Mobile TV receiver supports the DVB-T, ISDB-T, T-DMB, and DMB-TH standards for digital broadcast television. The device can record video in the .ASF container format (with MPEG-4 video and MP3 audio) with a resolution of up to 720 x 480 pixels. Sources can be either the internal tuner, with time shift functionality, or an optional external camera, according to the company.
Kaon does not specify the Mobile's processor or RAM complement. However, its CPU is
rumored to be the Texas Instruments TMS320DM6441 system-on-chip (SoC), which incorporates an ARM926EJ-S CPU and an TMS320C64x+ DSP. Meanwhile, the device's 3,300 mAh battery is said to be good for 4.5 hours of video playback or seven hours of audio-only use.
The unit has audio and video in/out jacks, including both composite and S-Video. It also offers both USB 2.0 host and device ports, while Kaon says planned options include a two megapixel autofocus camera and a car cradle that also incorporates a GPS receiver.
As a Windows CE 5.0 Professional device, the Kaon Mobile also includes the typical Web browsing, document editing, and personal information management (PIM) capabilities. Its user interface is distinctive, however, having been specially written in Adobe
Flash Lite, according to the company.
U-Pop U485
(Click for details) |
Kaon's device appears similar to the
U-Pop U485 announced in December, although no relationship between the two has been confirmed, and that device includes only a DMB tuner, along with built-in WiFi (which the Kaon device lacks). Both devices appear to be among the smaller UMPCs, not much larger than PDAs. The U-Pop device measures 6.2 x 3.3 x 1 inches and weighs 13 ounces (370 g). Kaon did not specify the dimensions of its product, however.
Like the U-Pop, the Kaon Mobile features a 4.8-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 480 resolution. As on some cell phones, this slides up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. The Kaon's keyboard is listed as "55-key," while the U-Pop has 61 keys.
In addition to the hard drive already mentioned, the Kaon Mobile's hardware includes stereo speakers and an SD slot. WiFi wireless networking is not built in, but can be added via an optional SDIO WiFi card, according to the company.
Pricing and availability information was not provided by Kaon. However, inclusion of the Korean-standard TV receiver suggests that the UMPC is not intended for export in its present form.
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