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WindowsForDevices year-end review: Top device stories of 2008
2001-12-31 Article Rating:  / 0
JANUARY"MOBILE COMPANION" ADDS LARGE SCREEN, KEYBOARD TO WINDOWS MOBILE DEVICESCelio Corporation's add-on for Windows Mobile smartphones provides users with a laptop-like screen and keyboard. The Redfly Mobile Companion, making its debut at next week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), connects to a phone via Bluetooth or USB, according...
to the company. Details SHOPPING CARTS RUN WINDOWS CE MediaCart Holdings has announced plans to bring shopping carts running Windows CE to Shop-Rite supermarkets. Subsidized by targeted advertising, the carts will guide shoppers in the New Jersey-based chain to the items they want, organize their shopping lists, and expedite check-out. Details INTERNET TABLET RUNS WINDOWS XP ON 1.2GHZ X86 PROCESSOR Wibrain has introduced an ultra-mobile computer (UMPC) that weighs just over one pound and runs Windows XP on a 1.2GHz x86-compatible processor. The "B1" features quadruple input devices – a touchscreen, directional keypad, touchpad, and a two-part QWERTY keyboard that brackets the device's 4.8-inch WSVGA display. Details RUGGED HANDHELD SCANS BARCODES FROM 50 FEET Intermec has announced a rugged handheld computer that comes with either Windows CE 5.0 or Windows Mobile 5.0. The CK61ex features "all day battery capacity," and "integrated near-far imaging technology" claimed to let it read barcodes at ranges from six inches to 50 feet. Details WIFI-ENABLED REMOTE RUNS WINDOWS CE Tvcompass has introduced a Windows CE-based remote for home theater systems. The "SR 1500 Digital Media Remote" (DMR) boasts a color display, wireless networking, and Web browsing capabilities, and can be used to control more than two dozen different devices at once, according to the company. Details UNLOCKED SMARTPHONE BOASTS QWERTY KEYBOARD Palm is shipping a tri-band GSM/GPRS smartphone running Windows Mobile Standard (the version for devices without touchscreens). Available unlocked from Palm's direct-sales European website, the Treo 500 has a full QWERTY keyboard, two-megapixel camera, and microSD slot, resembling the earlier 500v except for the UI. Details FEBRUARY FORD PICKUPS GET IN-DASH WINDOWS CE COMPUTERS, RFID Ford has announced plans to build a Windows CE-based computer into its 2009 F-150 pickup. The vehicle will optionally offer "Ford Work Solutions," including the in-dash computer, an RFID-based asset tracking system, and real-time transmission of vehicle location and maintenance information. Details SONY ERICSSON RELEASES FIRST WINDOWS PHONE Sony Ericsson, previously associated mainly with phones using the Symbian operating system, has announced its first Windows Mobile-based smartphone. The Xperia X1 features an ultra-high resolution 3-inch touchscreen display with custom user interface, slideout QWERTY keyboard, an optical joystick, and FM and GPS receivers. Details UMPC HAS X86 AND ARM CPUS HTC says it is now shipping an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) that includes both x86-compatible and ARM-based processors. The Shift runs both Windows Vista and Windows Mobile, along with Microsoft's "Origami Experience" user interface, and has a seven-inch touchscreen display, slide-out keyboard, GPS, and worldwide 3G telephony. Details WINDOWS PHONE DOES CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS Benq has announced a phone it says is the first Windows Mobile device incorporating NFC (near-field communications). Capable of storing NFC data on either its microSD or SIM cards, the "T80" will allow contactless payment, secure access, or control of home entertainment systems, Benq says. Details WINDOWS MOBILE 6 PHONE PACKS DUAL SIMS General Mobile has announced a Windows Mobile 6-based phone with dual SIM slots, Bluetooth, a two megapixel camera, and a 2.8-inch QVGA display. The DSTW1's dual slots allow the use of two different numbers or even carriers, the company says. Details MINI-LAPTOP GETS LARGER DISPLAY, WINDOWS XP Asus has announced a version of its "Eee" mini-laptop with a larger screen and Windows XP pre-installed. The Eee PC 900 has a 900MHz Celeron-M CPU, 9-inch WSVGA screen, 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g wireless networking, a webcam, and up to 12GB of solid-state storage. Details MARCH ATOM-BASED UMPC RUNS WINDOWS VISTA Panasonic announced the first Windows computer using Intel's newly branded "Atom" processor. The Toughbook CF-U1 ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) has a 5.6 inch touchscreen display, integral keyboard and numeric keypad, optional cameras and barcode reader, and runs Windows Vista. Details WINDOWS CE-BASED E-READER HAS 9.7-INCH DISPLAY Netronix has announced a Windows CE 5.0-based e-reader that also plays MP3 audio files. The EB-300 features a 9.7-inch "E Ink" touchscreen display with four gray scales, 1200 x 825 pixel resolution, WiFi, Bluetooth, and an SD expansion slot. Details GPS NAVIGATION DEVICE TARGETS TRUCKERS TeleType has used Windows CE 5.0 to build a GPS device designed specially for truck, bus, and RV drivers. The WorldNav 3300 can customize routes for heavy vehicles, considering road limitations like bridge height and weight restrictions, and designated hazardous material routes. Details NOKIA TAPS WINDOWS CE FOR PND Nokia has turned to Windows CE 5.0 for its first dedicated personal navigation device (PND). The Nokia 500 features a 400MHz ARM9 processor, 4.3-inch touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth, music and video playback capabilities, an integrated FM transmitter, and lots of hands-free calling features. Details HYBRID NANO-PC PHONE RUNS WINDOWS XP Here's a mobile phone that runs Windows – not Windows Mobile, or Windows CE, but actual Windows XP. Miu's "HDPC" (hybrid dual portable computer) melds a palmtop PC powered by a 500MHz Via C7-M processor with a mobile phone powered by a 200MHz ARM9-based system-on-chip. Details WINDOWS PHONE MEETS NSA TOP SECRET STANDARDS General Dynamics has released a Windows-based phone meeting Federal standards for classified phone calls and secure network access. The Sectera Edge meets National Security Agency (NSA) requirements for Top Secret voice information, and provides access to the SIPRNet (secret internet procotol router network). Details APRIL FOUR CARRIERS ADOPT $100 SMARTPHONE Motorola has introduced a low-cost Windows Mobile 6-based smartphone that will be available from four different carriers. The MOTO Q 9c includes a QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo speakers, and the ability to make calls or open applications via speech recognition. Details INTEL UPDATES JUNIOR LAPTOP Intel has unveiled a new version of its Classmate mini-laptop reference design. Now targeting consumers and schoolchildren both, and running Windows XP or Linux, the device has a 30GB hard drive, a revised touchpad and keyboard, webcam, and a nine-inch screen. Details UMPC FEATURES CAMERA, SLIDING KEYBOARD Gigabyte has launched a UMPC that runs either Windows Vista or Windows XP on a Via C7-M ULV processor. The M704 features a seven-inch touchscreen display, 1.3 megapixel camera, a sliding QWERTY keyboard, 768MB of DDR2 RAM, and a 60GB hard drive, Gigabyte says. DetailsHttp://ct.enews.deviceforge.com/rd/cts?d=207-312-10-0-35-27187-0-0-0-3 HP DEBUTS VIA-BASED MINI-LAPTOP HP has entered the mini-laptop arena with a device targeting education and cost-conscious consumers. The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC runs Windows Vista or XP, weighs 2.8 pounds, has a nine-inch display, uses a Via C7-M ULV processor, and offers solid-state or hard disk storage, HP says. Details ATOM-BASED UMPC DOUBLES AS PHONE Willcom says it will ship in mid-June a Centrino Atom-based UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) that can make phone calls using PHS (personal handyphone system) networks. The Sharp-manufactured D4 features a five-inch display, 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard disk, two megapixel camera, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Details MAY CE BASED PND BOASTS 3D "REALITY VIEW" Navigon has introduced a pair of PNDs (personal navigation devices) that feature a "reality view" with 3D images and "actual roadsign text." The Windows CE 5.0-based Navigon 2100max and 2120max also offer regularly updated maps and POIs (points of interest), and spoken street names. Details WORLD'S FIRST "PICO PROJECTOR" RUNS WINDOWS CE Sunlink International has announced a Windows CE-based PMP (personal media player) with a built-in "pico projector." The battery-operated, index card-sized "SunView Mobile PMP" features an adjustable-focus FLC (ferroelectric liquid crystal) projector claimed capable of casting a 54-inch VGA (640x480) image up to two meters (6.5 feet). Details HTC PHONE FEATURES FINGERTIP BROWSING HTC announced a Windows Mobile 6.1-based phone featuring an enhanced, more finger-friendly version of the company's distinctive animated 3D "TouchFlo" user interface. The Touch Diamond also sports a diamond-faceted case, 2.8-inch VGA-resolution touchscreen, three-megapixel camera, GPS, FM radio, and 4GB of storage. Details WINDOWS MOBILE 6.1 PHONE SPORTS DUAL DISPLAYS Asus has announced a phone that runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and sports dual displays. The M930 has a two-inch portrait mode QVGA external display, and hinges open to reveal a 2.6-inch WQVGA (400x240) landscape-mode internal display. Details COLOR E-PAPER ROLLS UP FOR STORAGE Philips spinoff Polymer Vision now has a color version of its flexible, rollup "e-paper" display. Debuting in an eBook reader similar to Amazon's Kindle, but using Windows CE, the company's displays have a 6mm roll radius, resolutions up to 254dpi, and 16-bit color depth (65K colors). Details MILITARY PDA FEATURES DATA-WIPING "TERMINATE" KEY Industrial Computing has announced a rugged PDA with GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, a cellular modem, and a "terminate" button claimed to wipe sensitive data. The military-minded Guardian Model 37 runs Windows Mobile 6.0 or Windows CE 5.0, and can take harsh environments. Details JUNE INTEL OFFERS UP ATOM ON $80 MOBO Intel has released a Mini-ITX motherboard incorporating its new Atom 230 CPU and selling for around $80. Likely bound for a variety of "nettops" and other devices, the D945GCLF has serial, parallel, and IDE interfaces, six USB ports, 10/100 Ethernet, and HD audio. Details IPHONE-LIKE WINDOWS MOBILE DEVICE HAS 16GB OF STORAGE Samsung has announced an iPhone-like Windows Mobile 6.1 phone with a proprietary "TouchWiz" user interface. The SGH-i900 Omnia boasts a 3.2-inch widescreen QVGA display, 8GB or 16GB of storage, a 5-megapixel camera with electronic flash, GPS, WiFi, and an FM receiver. Details FIRST SOLEUS-BASED PND SET TO SHIP Intrinsyc Software has announced the launch of the first consumer device using Soleus, its Windows CE-based application software stack. Mio's Moov 380 PND (personal navigation device) includes GPS, tri-band GSM telephony, a SIM card slot, and a 4.3-inch display. Details ASUS SHIPPING ATOM-IZED EEE PCS Asus is now shipping new versions of its Eee PC, both based on Intel Atom processors. The Eee PC 901 and 1000 models provide 8.9-inch and 10-inch displays, respectively, adding Bluetooth, longer battery life, improved shock resistance, faster WiFi, more storage, and WiMAX options. Details "VIDEO WALLS" RUN XPE Samsung has announced 40- and 46-inch displays with built-in computers running Windows XP Embedded (Xpe). Targeting "video walls" for signage, the 400UXn and 460UXn have bezels under half an inch wide, 5000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, AMD Athlon64 X2 3400+ processors, and 4GB of flash. Details JULY RADIATION MONITORING PORTAL RUNS WINDOWS XP EMBEDDED Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced a radiation monitoring portal that includes a built-in computer running Windows XP Embedded. The "PM12 Personnel Gamma Portal Monitor" has eight detectors with individual security alarms, can be used in five different modes, and has an optional LCD display. Details WINDOWS MOBILE PHONE HAS DUAL RADIOS Indian company Spice Mobiles Limited has announced a Windows Mobile 6.0 phone that supports the use of two phone numbers or service providers. The Spice D-1100 has a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 display, two megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, numeric keypad, and microSD memory expansion. Details NEW TREO INCLUDES WIFI, GPS The first U.S. Windows Mobile-powered Treo in more than a year offers a couple of things missing in the 3G iPhone. The Palm 800w boasts a tactile QWERTY keyboard, a hardware WiFi switch, turn-by-turn navigation, and Bluetooth support for stereo music headsets. Details REAR-VIEW MIRROR SPORTS WINDOWS CE-BASED GPS U.S. motorists can now put a Windows CE-based navigation, safety, and entertainment system in their car's rear-view mirror. Azentek has announced the SmartMirror, featuring a 4-inch touchscreen monitor, rear-view camera, Bluetooth, built-in speakers, 3D maps, and an SD expansion slot. Details SUB-$100 MINI-LAPTOP RUNS WINDOWS Hong Kong-based Join Tech announced a device claimed to be the first sub-$100 mini-laptop. The J-Pro JL7100 has an 800 x 480 display, 64MB of RAM and 64MB of flash storage, and runs Windows CE 5.0 on a 400MHz Samsung processor. Details ATOM-BASED NETBOOK SPORTS CONVERTIBLE DISPLAYGigabyte has announced an Intel-Atom based netbook with a swiveling, 8.9 inch touchscreen display. The M912 comes with Windows Vista or XP Home, includes a 1.6GHz N270 processor, has a 2.5-inch hard drive with 160GB of storage, sports a webcam, and has 802.11b wireless, says Gigabyte. Details LENOVO LAUNCHES A NETBOOK Lenovo has announced its entry into the "netbook" market. The IdeaPad S9 and S10 feature 8.9- and 10-inch displays, respectively, plus 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processors, 1.3 megapixel webcams, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and up to 160GB of storage. Details AUGUST OVERHEAD PROJECTOR RUNS WINDOWS CE Samsung has announced a digital overhead projector replacement that runs Windows CE. The UF-130DX offers a 1.3 megapixel camera with LED lighting, USB ports, video output on DVI-D and VGA ports, an Ethernet port, and web browsing via Internet Explorer. Details WINDOWS MOBILE POWERS 3G BEIJING OLYMPICS PHONESamsung has launched a Windows Mobile 6.0 phone supporting China's domestic 3G standard, TD-SCDMA (time-division synchronous code-division multiple access). The SGH-i688 avails users of a "Wireless Olympic Works" (WOW) network, said to offer real-time schedules, results, weather information, email, and instant messaging to Olympic officials. Details FIRST AMD-BASED "NETBOOK"? AMD has been taking a "wait-and-see" attitude to the netbook market, but its Turion 64 X2 processor has reportedly made it into one anyhow. Raon Digital announced the Everun Note, which also includes a seven-inch display, 1GB of RAM, 60GB hard drive, and Windows XP Home. Details FUJISTU ATOMIZES CONVERTIBLE PC Fujitsu has announced a new convertible UMPC (ultra mobile PC) that uses Intel's 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor. The LifeBook U2010 includes a pivoting 5.6-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.0, an FM transmitter, an integral fingerprint sensor, and Windows Vista. Details HANDHELD WORKS WEEK ON ONE CHARGE A company called "Two Technologies" has announced a ruggedized handheld computer claimed to offer 40 hours of battery life. Running Windows CE 5.0 on a 624MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, the "Hydrus" includes a five megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a customizable 55-key keyboard. Details SEPTEMBER WINDOWS CE TRACKS TRUCKS, TRAILERS Imarda has added WiFi and the ability to monitor trailer hookups and drops to its Windows CE-based vehicle tracking device. The company's Vector 300GWP runs Windows CE on a Marvell PXA270 processor, has GPS and a three-axis accelerometer, and includes GSM/GRPS wide area networking. Details HTC UPS TOUCH RESOLUTION HTC has announced yet another iteration of its successful "Touch" formula. The Touch HD features Windows Mobile 6.1, a 3.8-inch touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution, a five megapixel camera, WiFi, an FM receiver, and the signature "TouchFLO 3D" user interface. Details TINIEST WINDOWS XP SYSTEM EVER? CompuLab introduced a tiny fanless PC using 4-6 Watts of power. The "Fit-PC Slim" measures 4.3 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches (110 x 100 x 30mm), but includes a 500MHz AMD Geode LX800, Ethernet, VGA output, available WiFi, and a 2.5-inch hard drive option. Details OCTOBER MID RUNS WINDOWS XP ON ATOM Aigo is shipping what appears to be the first available MID (mobile Internet device) based on the Intel Atom. The Aigo P8860D is said to feature an Atom Z500 clocked at 800MHz, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 512MB RAM, a 4GB SSD (solid state disk), and dual cameras. Details PMP SPORTS HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY Nikon announced a head-mounted PMP (personal media player) that includes WiFi and a web browser. The Media Port UP, which reportedly runs Windows CE, incorporates an extensible VGA-resolution display, headphones, five-way controller, 4GB or 8GB of storage, and optional motion sensor. Details VEST-POCKET VISTA PC UNVEILED Asus announced a MID (mobile internet device) that uses Intel's Atom Z520 processor and runs Windows Vista. The Asus R50A includes a "sunlight readable" 5.6-inch touchscreen display, from 8GB to 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, dual cameras, GPS, and optional TV tuner. Details WINDOWS CE PNDS HAVE CELLULAR MODEMS Using its Insignia house brand, Best Buy has launched two Windows CE GPS devices that include built-in cellular modems. The "Insignia Internet Connected GPS" systems provide real-time traffic updates, allow searching Google, and let users email destinations to the devices from desktop PCs. Details HYBRID PC/PHONE USES ATOM The Korean company Miutech announced a device claimed to squeeze an Atom-powered PC and a mobile phone into a single package. The HDPC (hybrid dual portable computer) runs Windows XP on the Atom and Windows CE on an unspecified ARM processor, sporting dual displays. Details WINDOWS CE PND SPORTS HEADS-UP DISPLAY Asus announced a "revolutionary" Windows CE PND (personal navigation device) that projects directions, speed, and other information onto a car windshield. In addition to its HUD (heads up display), the "R710" includes a five-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, a microSD expansion slot, plus A/V playback. Details NOVEMBER WINDOWS MOBILE PHONE GETS 800 X 480 DISPLAY Samsung has announced a Windows Mobile 6.1 phone that includes a touchscreen display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. The T*Omnia has 8GB or 16GB of flash storage, a five megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, and a DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) TV receiver. Details RFID HANDHELD SCANS DISTANT TAGS Convergence Systems Limited (CSL) announced a Windows CE 5.0 handheld computer with an RFID reader claimed capable of "breakthrough performance." The CS101 reads over distances to 36 feet, has a 3.5-inch display and QWERTY keyboard, includes a barcode scanner, and features 802.11b/g wireless networking. Details HTC ANNOUNCES "FIRST" WIMAX PHONE HTC and Russian carrier Yota have announced a Windows Mobile phone billed as "the world's first integrated GSM/WiMAX handset." The HTC MAX 4G includes a 3.8-inch 800 x 480 display, tri-band (900/1800/1900MHz) GSM, WiMAX, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a five megapixel camera. Details VOIP HANDHELDS REPLACE DESK PHONES Motorola announced a pair of Windows Mobile 6.1 devices that, while billed as "business smartphones," don't include cellular capabilities. The EWP1000 and EWP2000 instead use WiFi and VoIP, providing access to PBX-based telephony, PTT, text messaging, email, the Internet, and enterprise applications. Details TINY PMP INCLUDES WIFI, CAMERA The Korean company Mintpass announced a tiny PMP (personal media player) with WiFi, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and web browsing capabilities. Based on Windows CE 5.0, the "Mintpad" has a 2.9-inch touchscreen display, 128MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a microSD expansion slot. Details WINDOWS MOBILE SMARTPHONE IS "WORLD'S FASTEST" Asus announced a Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional smartphone claimed to be the world's fastest. The P565 features an 800MHz Marvell Tavor processor, a 2.8-inch touchscreen with VGA resolution, GPS, HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) connectivity, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a custom "Glide" user interface. Details HTC ANNOUNCES "FIRST" WIMAX PHONE HTC and Russian carrier Yota have announced a Windows Mobile phone billed as "the world's first integrated GSM/WiMAX handset." The HTC MAX 4G includes a 3.8-inch 800 x 480 display, tri-band (900/1800/1900MHz) GSM, WiMAX, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a five megapixel camera. Details WINDOWS PND SPORTS CELLULAR MODEM TeleNav announced a Windows CE GPS device that includes a built-in GPRS cellular modem. The Telenav Shotgun offers real-time traffic updates and "intelligent rerouting," provides online map and POI (points of interest) updating, and lets users send destinations to their devices from desktop PCs. Details DANISH MUSIC SERVER SWITCHES TO WINDOWS Danish stereo equipment vendor Bang& Olufsen (B&O) has announced a digital music server that runs Windows XP Embedded (Xpe). The BeoSound 5 appears to be a high-profile design win for Microsoft, since B&O reportedly used embedded Linux in its past digital music servers. Details SMART CAMERA SPORTS ATOM Matrox Imaging announced a Windows CE "smart camera" that uses a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. The Iris GT features 256MB of RAM, 1GB of flash storage, a gigabit Ethernet port, USB 2.0 and RS232 serial ports, plus an opto-coupled trigger input and strobe output. Details DECEMBER TRI-FOLD PHONE CAN BE WORN ON WRIST Scottish firm Medical Phone Ltd. Announced an unusual Windows Mobile phone that unfolds into three sections. Sporting a touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, and secondary keypad for gaming, the "Icephone" has quad-band GSM connectivity, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, and a 3.1 megapixel camera. Details WINDOWS MOBILE PHONE HAS EVIL ANDROID TWIN Chinese firms TechFaith Wireless and Qigi Future Technology announced a smartphone that will be offered in both Windows Mobile 6.1 and Google Android versions. Known as the i6-Win and i6-Goal, respectively, the devices reportedly include 2.8-inch touchscreens, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WiFi, GPS, and two megapixel cameras. Details WINDOWS PHONE SUPPORTS RUSSIAN SATNAV Russian company RoverPC has announced a Windows Mobile 6.1 phone that reportedly works with the country's GLONASS (global navigation satellite system). The "G7" includes a VGA-resolution touchscreen display, an FM receiver, accelerometer, dual cameras, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 624MHz processor. Details WINDOWS HANDHELD COLLECTS IN-FLIGHT PAYMENTS GuestLogix announced a Windows CE handheld computer that lets airline flight attendants accept payments via credit or debit cards. The "OnBoard PowerSeller 2" includes a PIN entry keypad, an MSR (magnetic strip reader), a Smart Card reader, an imager/barcode scanner, and a thermal printer. Details "MUSIC NETTOP" HAS ATOM INSIDE Japanese computer manufacturer Sotec and audio specialist Onkyo announced a co-branded "music nettop" based on Windows XP and Intel's Atom 230 processor. The HDC-1L features 1GB of RAM,a 160GB hard disk drive, four USB ports, Ethernet, and a slot-loading DVD writer. Details WINDOWS MID FOR UNDER $500? Trigem announced a Windows XP MID (mobile internet device) that reportedly will sell for under $500. The "Lluon Mobbit" offers a 4.8-inch screen, Intel Atom CPU, WiMAX, 1GB of RAM, a 30GB hard disk drive or 16GB solid state drive, and a television receiver. Details
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