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        WindowsForDevices year-end review: Top device stories of 2007

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Dec 24, 2000 | Comments: 1



        JANUARYMICROSOFT TO ADD IPTV FUNCTIONALITY TO XBOX 360Microsoft 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 Cingulars 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, Fords new capability will become available later this year in a dozen 2008 vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. Details

        VIAS 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 HTCs 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 Microsofts 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 Nokias 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 AMDs 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 AMDs 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 Labss 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 Intels 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 PCincluding a 1.1GHz processor, hard drive, display, keyboard, and wireless communicationsinto 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 worlds 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 companys 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 Microsofts 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 industrys 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 worlds 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, Intels ClassMate PC has been sighted in the wild by U.S.-based reviewers, and Asuss much-heralded Eee PC made its debut in the U.S. Details


        DECEMBER

        WORLDS 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. Vias $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

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