says.

(Click here for a larger view of Glacier's Ridgeline W200)

According to Glacier, its Ridgeline W200 is aimed at emergency services, security, defense, and field logistics applications. Designed to keep both of a user's hands free, the wrist-mounted computer saves battery power by automatically entering standby when being hung down alongside the body, the company adds.

Glacier says the Ridgeline W200 provides "continuous connectivity regardless of the user's location," thanks to WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The 10.2-ounce device has a 3.5-inch touchscreen display and 11 backlit keys, the company adds.

Zypad WL1000 (Click to enlarge)

Glacier provided no other product details, and has not yet responded to WindowsForDevices.com's request for further information. However, the company recently announced plans to distribute wearable computers from Eurotech subsidiary Parvus, and, in all but its color, the Ridgeline W200 bears a striking resemblance to the Parvus Zypad WL1000 (right), first introduced back in 2006.

The WL 1000 featured 64MB of memory and 64MB of flash storage, and ran either Windows CE or Linux on a MIPS-based, 400MHz RMI Au1100 processor. Parvus has now updated the device as the Zypad WR1100, which includes 128MB of RAM, 1.2GB of flash storage, a 400MHz Marvell PXA270 CPU, and an optional GPS receiver based on the SiRF starIII chipset.

We suspect it's the Parvus WL1100 that Glacier is reselling as its Ridgeline W200, but will update this story when confirmation is received. According to Parvus, the WL1100 has a 3.5-inch QVGA (320 x 240) display with automatic contrast adjustment, an 11-key backlit keypad, a Mini SD expansion slot, and USB 1.1 host and device ports.

In addition to its GPS receiver, the Zypad WL1100 is available with Bluetooth 1.2, and also comes in versions offering an RFID reader or ZigBee. A "tilt and dead reckoning system" is designed to detect when a user is not moving and may be configured to send an alert under such circumstances, Parvus adds.

Dust- and water-resistant to the IP54 standard, the Zypad WL1100 offers more than eight hours of battery life, claims Parvus.

Features and specifications listed by Parvus for the Zypad WL1100, which are likely similar to those of Glacier's Ridgeline W200, include:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA270 clocked at 400MHz
  
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 1.2GB of flash storage
  
• Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 320 x 240 resolution
  
• Keys -- 11 backlit keys (On/Off, Enter, Esc, Left, Right, Down, F1, F2, F3, F4)
  
• Wireless:
  • 802.11b.g
    
  • Bluetooth 1.2 (optional)
    
  • GPS (optional)
    
  • ZigBee (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • USB 1.1 host and device ports
    
  • Stereo headphone jack
• Battery type/life -- 2200mAh battery pack provides more than eight hours of operation
  
• Operating temperature -- -10 to 50 deg. C (14 to 122 deg. F)
  
• Dimensions -- n/s
  
• Weight -- 10.2 ounces (290g) with battery

Further information

The Glacier Ridgeline W200/Parvus Zypad WL1100 design runs both Windows CE 6.0 or Linux, and should not be confused with the Zypad WR1100 introduced by Parvus last November, which is offered only with Linux. The WR1100, also wrist-wearable, is bulkier and heavier than the WL1100, but is apparently more rugged and includes a 640 x 480 pixel display.

As noted, Glacier has not yet posted further information on its Ridgeline W200. However, more details of the Zypad WL1100 may be found on the Parvus website, here.

---

Related Stories:

• Tri-fold phone can be worn on wrist
  
• "Nano PCs" to become pervasive communicators
  
• Seven-ounce "wrist PC" runs Windows CE
  
• Windows CE-capable wrist PC wins innovation award
  
• Windows CE-based wrist PC goes to military expo
  
• Wearable computer zooms to 1 GHz
  
• Windows Embedded wearable computers gain smart messengers
  
• Wearable computer for auto service technicians runs Windows CE
  
• PC Magazine takes a look at a CE .NET based wearable computer