Author: Tarandeep Kaur

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Viliv S5 officially announced, pricing details [MID/UMPC]

The Viliv will be launching the higher spec model of the S5-series for $649. The premium model that will be launching in US will come with:

  • standard Windows XP
  • 1GB RAM
  • Intel Atom Z520 processor clocked at 1.3GHz
  • 60GB HDD
  • 1024 x 600 resolution
  • GPS
  • Haptic feedback

It is a fairly decent UMPC for those who can live without keyboard. Personally, if I’m out to buy a MID/UMPC for myself, I would get one with keyboard as it makes the URL entry and document-editing so easy.

3G and WiMax versions are in the works.

Here is a video of it running iTunes. The screen seems to be very sensitive and the unit feels snappy too.

The Viliv S5 will be available in March 2009 for a price of $649.

Commentary: Price is acceptable for those who do not want to enter a lot of data. If you enter a lot of data, look for something else. Fujitsu U820 is a good choice for those who want to have a small device with built in keyboard

Note: Fujitsu U820 is available in Asia as Fujitsu U2010

[via umpcportal]

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Watchout when you are buying an External HDD for your OQO! [UMPC]

There are many people who struggle to run their external HDD in their OQOs. Why? Because the OQO has only 1 USB port and some of the external HDDs require two USB ports to power themselves.

Some people think that the OQO does not provide enough power via its USB port. No, that is not the case. The OQO models are fully USB 2.0 compliant and provide upto 500mA of power to the USB device for them to work. If your device requires more than that or if it requires two USB ports, then you are out of luck.

Make sure that the peripheral that you are buying works with the power provided by the OQO and uses only one USB port.

[related OQO forum post]

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TomTom 6 working on HTC SHIFT! [UMPC]

In HTC Shift, you will find Vista and Windows Mobile under the same hood. Unfortunately, it is stripped down version of Windows Mobile. It also does not let you access storage card when you are in Snapvue (Windows Mobile side). Also, the size of maps are big and there is no way you could squeeze them in Snapvue unless you are using a very tiny and less detailed map.

Here is a video of TOM TOM 6 working inside Snapvue:

Now, there is a little hack to make the Snapvue see the storage card. Here is how to do it:

– Install Total Commander (make sure you have liberated the Shift).

Continue reading “TomTom 6 working on HTC SHIFT! [UMPC]”

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Fresh Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots – MarketPlace by Microsoft CONFIRMED [Windows Mobile]

Here are some fresh screenshots of the leaked ROM taken from HTC TOUCH HD. I’ve given explanation for the screenshots wherever it was required. First is the rumored sliding panel interface. Also, notice how nicely the wallpaper blends with the start menu. Next is the lock screen.

Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots

Honeycomb interface is working on HTC TOUCH HD. Here are couple of screenshots. You can customize the positions of the hexagonal boxes. Also, the first screenshot shows the soon-going-to-launched Marketplace by Microsoft. It is rumored to be launched at MWC, 2009.

Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots

Incoming Call interface has been a huge facelift. It now shows two sliders: one to answer the call and other to reject the call. Also, the menus are a lot more finger-friendly. That will let you to use your device without taking the stylus out of its silo.

Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots

The best news according to me is the CONFIRMATION of market place in those screenshots. Only Microsoft has the funds and the resources to make the application store for Windows Mobile successful. We hope that it is real and it is not a simple link to the Mobile Application store

Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots

UPDATE: Although the market place is not working yet, but its presence in the ROMs gives us an assurance that it will be available and working in the final release.

credit: juelu at pocketpc.ch (submitted via contact form)

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Comparison pictures of 900mAh and 1340mAh batteries [HTC DIAMOND] [Windows Mobile]

The HTC DIAMOND does not win any awards for its battery life. Let’s face it, even with average use, you won’t be able to last a full day with the stock battery, which has just 900mAh juice. HTC chose style over function on this device and I support their decision. Here is a picture of the extended battery sitting side-by-side with the stock battery.

Here is another one:

[xda-devs post] [pocketpc.ch blog]

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Opera Turbo to speed up your (mobile) web browsing [Windows Mobile]

Just when you thought browsing couldn’t get any faster, Opera unveils its latest innovation for better browsing, Opera Turbo. This all-new, turbo-charged way to surf will make its exclusive appearance at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 16-19, 2009.

Currently, the mobile web browsers like Opera Mobile do all the heavy-duty jobs like downloading the webpage; optimizing the webpage and then rendering it on the device. This takes a lot of CPU power, whcih means faster battery consumption. Opera Turbo takes away the much of the load by optimizing the webpage at the Opera servers and then it send the optimized data to the device. This speeds up the operations and makes the device use suck less power. Overall, it also reduces network traffic.

Due to Opera Turbo, even the people with devices with weak hardware configurations will be able to enjoy better performance.

The Opera Turbo will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress

[related press release]

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The new imate 810-F has lifetime warrenty! [Windows Mobile]

Imate is going to unveil a truly peculiar phone for the consumer market, which is weatherproof, shockproof and can withstand extreme temperatures. On the top of scoop, it runs Windows Mobile and comes with all the latest bells and whistles like digital compass and accelerometer coupled together with WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G. Imate also promises to give you lifetime warranty on it. What more do you want?

Special emphasis is given on its security side. It comes with an application called Secure i-Q, which lets you lock the device; erase data and even trigger an alarm in case it gets stolen. The 810-F will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress next week in Barcelona, Spain

[via mobilechoice]

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EEE S101 vs Sony Vaio TZ – not a netbook battle

We know it would be unfair to battle Asus Eee PC S101 against Sony Vaio TZ, which is actually a highend ultra-portable. Although the S101 is considered expensive in the netbook world, but it is around $1000 cheaper than the VAIO TZ. The Vaio TZ has strong points like higher resolution screen(1366*768) and steller 7 hour battery life, but S101 has its strong points too. The EEE S101 is slimmer and it has a larger and better trackpad. Although the resolution is netbook-ish (1024 x 600), but then, it will save you a $1000 too!

[via EEEuser]