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allNetDevices: - Wireless Video Trials Called Success
allNetDevices
03/28/2001
German wireless operator T-Mobil said Tuesday that it has successfully conducted trials of streaming video and audio over its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) wireless system.
The operator said it conducted the trials in conjunction with Philips, which provided the server and client playback technology. The company's used MPEG-4 streaming technology, which is designed for mobile systems.
As GPRS systems are being rolled out worldwide, operators and other infrastructure vendors are trying to find applications for the greater bandwidth that are appealing to both business and consumers.
Although there still is relatively little MPEG-4 content available, Philips offers its player free at its Web site.
Motorola’s all-in-one gizmo
Scrap your phone, pager and PDA with the Accompli 009
By John Morris and Josh Taylor
ZDNET
March 28 — The all-in-one communications device remains the stuff of science fiction, but that hasn’t stopped a long line of communications and technology companies from trying to manufacture one.
WE RECENTLY UPDATED you on the Microsoft Stinger phones, slated for release later this year, and look for a column later this week on the now-shipping Kyocera QCP 6035 Smartphone. Both of these start with a phone and add on other PDA functions. Then there’s Handspring, which started with a PDA and added a phone.
Motorola has tried a totally different tack with the Accompli 009 personal interactive communicator, starting with a pager and adding phone and PIM functions. We recently got our hands on an early engineering sample of this innovative little all-in-one device, due in the United States sometime during the second half of this year from GSM carriers.
The Accompli looks likes an overgrown, two-way pager — it measures 3.8 inches by 2.8 inches by 8.7 inches and weighs 5.7 ounces — with a stubby antenna. Open the flip cover and you’ll find a miniature keyboard and a surprisingly readable 20-line, 256-color active-matrix LCD display. Its Home screen displays a series of graphical, color icons for all of the major functions. The Accompli also includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is rated for 125 hours in stand-by mode and 140 minutes of talk time.
So what exactly does the Accompli do? An easier question might be what doesn’t it do.
For starters, like the popular Timeport series, the Accompli is a tri-band GSM phone that works both in the United States and Europe. You make calls using the included earpiece or an optional speakerphone that snaps onto the side of the unit. The speakerphone worked surprisingly well on our test calls — you could easily place it on a table in a small meeting and hold an impromptu conference call.
But the Accompli 009 is also one of six new Motorola models that supports GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), an enhanced version of GSM that offers significantly greater bandwidth (150 kilobits versus 9.6 kilobits) and is “always on,” making it a perfect solution for e-mail and Internet access.
Using GPRS, you can access your POP3 e-mail and browse the Web via the built-in Phone.com microbrowser. With an optional cable, you can even attach the Accompli to your notebook PC and use it as a wireless modem. Not all of these features were available in the engineering sample we looked at.
Finally, the Accompli is designed to replace your PDA. It includes all of the basic PIM functions — contacts, calendar, tasks, and memos — and you can synchronize all of this data with popular applications such as Microsoft Outlook using the bundled cradle or via infrared. Motorola even claims you can use the Accompli’s IrDA port to beam data to any compatible device including other smart pagers, PDAs, and even printers.
The Accompli has its limitations. Those who keep their cell phone permanently attached to their ear will probably have a hard time getting used to a device that requires an earpiece instead. Second, like other two-way pagers, it has tiny, Chiclet-like keys that are really only suitable for quick messages or very simple data input. Finally, the Accompli 009 is expected to be priced (street) for around $600, which sounds a little steep.
But when you consider that for some users, it could replace your cell phone, two-way pager, and PDA, the price doesn’t sound too bad. We’re looking forward to seeing a final version of this promising little gadget.
Motorola Envisions Wireless 'Dashboard of the Future'
By Mike Mayor, Wireless.NewsFactor.com
A new wireless dashboard system from Motorola (NYSE: MOT - news) promises to make life behind the wheel easier and more productive for automobile drivers.
• Motorola To Manufacture Bluetooth Headsets
• Delphi Joins Hands-Free Movement for Mobile Safety
• Volvo Jumps on Wireless Safety Wagon
Claiming it is the "dashboard of the future," Motorola said its iRadio telematics system aims to deliver picture entertainment, information, navigation and communication in a single wireless package.
The company is licensing the technologies that enable the system to car manufacturers, telecommunications carriers, service providers and traditional car-audio electronics providers. The system should be available in new car models in 18 to 24 months, Motorola said.
For All Family Members
Designed to deliver a variety of services, the dashboard system lets users specify preferences on their own Web page, which the system can access wirelessly and apply to car settings.
For example, each member of a family can have an individual user profile -- and users can access their preferences in more than one car, as long as each vehicle is iRadio-enabled, Motorola said.
The Java-based system functions with multiple types of wireless networks, such as analog, digital cellular and two-way paging, according to Motorola. The system interface uses advanced voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies that let drivers activate features by voice commands as well as by turning knobs and buttons.
In Sync
The new system also lets users synchronize their wireless devices -- such as mobile phones, pagers and PDAs (personal digital assistants) -- by incorporating wireless Bluetooth technology and infrared wireless connections.
Sample uses of iRadio include server-based navigation for real-time route planning and instruction; off-route notification; public-interest destination identification; navigation-centered traffic advisories and local information updates; user-specific news and stock portfolio updates; and hands-free telephony services, including emergency notification communications, along with voice mail and e-mail access.
Music 'On Demand'
The system also features a genre music-on-demand function, which accesses a user's personal Web page to find out his or her musical preference, then finds local radio stations that play that particular music.
Jeff Lee, head of the iRadio telematics system team at Motorola, noted the system will let customers tailor their in-vehicle experience so they can move seamlessly from home to work to play.
"We really tried to focus iRadio toward the things that you would want to do in your car, and to the experience you would want to have in your car," said Lee.
OT: IBM and NeTune Communications Bring New Digital Technologies to Film Production
Companies to Display Technologies at NAB 2001
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2001--IBM and NeTune Communications today announced an alliance that includes an equity investment by IBM in NeTune, a strategic $112 million, five-year outsourcing agreement, and a commitment to jointly develop digital solutions for the entertainment industry. NeTune Communications is a new provider of a wide range of turnkey integrated broadband services utilizing digital satellite, terrestrial wireless and fiber networking for the motion picture and television production industries.
The agreement establishes IBM as NeTune's information technology and services partner. A key focus of the relationship will be on the acceleration of the rollout of NeTune's revolutionary proprietary ShowRunner(TM) package of services, allowing for the first time, practical use of high-resolution digital content to and from any location in the world throughout the film and television production process. The offering includes a suite of easy-to-use, Web-based, point-and-click applications for comprehensive data management. This ``go anywhere, anytime'' solution meets both the creative and production information needs of the industry -- whether users are at a remote film location, a studio, a special visual effects house, or even at home. This is accomplished through secure end-to-end support for the digitization, storage and distribution of digital data of all kinds (high-resolution video, production management information, and general communications) as well as the interactive display of creative content using audio and video conferencing.
The NeTune advanced digital network will leverage multiple IBM technologies. Core hardware technology incorporated into the network will include IBM eServers -- pSeries(RS/6000) running the AIX operating system, xSeries servers running the Linux operating system, IBM Enterprise Storage Servers (Shark), Intellistation workstations, and ThinkPad laptop computers. In addition, IBM will manage the supporting IBM systems software and the developed IBM DB2 Universal Databases. IBM will also provide 24x7 technical help desk support and managed operations for the call center, and will oversee the implementation of an asset management system, which will facilitate the accurate tracking of NeTune's global physical asset inventory.
Other terms of the IBM Global Services agreement state that over the next five years, IBM will provide day-to-day operational support, onsite project executive management team support, global systems operation and advanced remote systems management from an IBM Delivery Center.
``Digital convergence has become a main ingredient in the future of entertainment, and now, NeTune's ShowRunner(TM) package is providing the motion picture and television industry with new, imaginative, cutting-edge applications,'' said Dick Anderson, general manager of Media and Entertainment at IBM. ``We believe NeTune's technology, with IBM inside, will transform the current filmmaking and distribution processes, allowing filmmakers to embrace digital technologies such as high-quality digital film dailies, real-time videoconferences, and ubiquitous networks linking all aspects of the creative process.''
``As the first-ever broadband satellite, fiber and wireless communications service, our goal has been to assemble an array of leading high-tech and entertainment industry partners,'' added Curtis Clark, CEO of NeTune Communications. ``The technical support from IBM delivers on that objective, and will help ensure rapid adoption of our service by the industry.''
IBM and NeTune will showcase NeTune services as part of IBM's overall presentation at the annual NAB convention in Las Vegas, starting April 23, in Booth No. L117 - North Hall, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is the first in a series of joint marketing activities that will feature technology integration between the two companies.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is helping media and entertainment companies worldwide take advantage of the business opportunities made possible by digital technology. IBM offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, networking and service offerings that is transforming the traditional creative and business processes of media and entertainment companies and positioning them to leverage their intellectual assets into new commercial opportunities. Additional information on IBM's strategy for the media and entertainment industry can be found at www.ibm.com/solutions/media.
About NeTune Communications
NeTune Communications provides a full range of advanced communications services designed especially for motion picture and television productions including ShowRunner(TM), a proprietary first-ever fully integrated, secure, broadband private network with worldwide capabilities utilizing satellite, wireless and fiber technology. Founded by Curtis Clark in 1999, and based in Culver City, California, NeTune has developed strategic relationships with an array of leading high-tech and entertainment industry partners and team members including Hughes Electronics, PanAmSat, Hughes' DirecTV, Hughes Network Systems, Creative Artists Agency, IBM, Lucent Technologies, the BBC, ORUS Information Services and Eastman Kodak. Additional information can be found at www.netune.com.
The following are either trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both: IBM, IBM Global Services, IBM DB2 Universal Database, the IBM e-business logo, pSeries, xSeries, IBM Enterprise Storage Server, IntelliStation, ThinkPad, and AIX.
All other trademarks are properties of their respective companies.
i was surprised how much little attention this received from the edig longs--
Nokia Music Player - Secure Music Downloads and Great Sounds for Mobile Music Fans
HELSINKI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2001--Nokia today announced a new mobile phone accessory, the digital Nokia Music Player HDR-1. With the Nokia Music Player, users will be able to listen to an integrated FM stereo radio and downloadable audio/music files, as well as use it as a handsfree kit for their phone. The stylishly designed device is compatible with the Nokia 3310, 3330, 8210 and 8850 phones. It will be available during the third quarter, 2001.
``The Nokia Music Player represents a new dimension in mobile phone accessories. With the Nokia Music Player, it is possible to download AAC and MP3 music files via the Nokia Audio Manager PC software installed on your PC. With the 32 MB memory card, the Nokia Music Player can hold up to one hour of audio content, depending on the encoding format and quality. As the Nokia Music Player requires only one AAA battery, it can easily be used as a stand-alone, independent device,'' said Juha Reima, Vice President, Accessories, Nokia Mobile Phones.
The music formats supported by the Nokia Music Player are AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), secured with InterTrust digital rights management technology, and MP3. AAC is a high quality audio coding technology and the solution of choice for many broadcast and electronic music distribution applications. It is supported by a growing number of hardware and software manufacturers.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Two Vendors Pick MS for Phones
By allNetDevices Staff
March 21, 2001
Two vendors announced Tuesday that they will use Microsoft technology for phone/handheld hybrid devices.
Mitsubishi, which previously had announced a device based on Microsoft's Stinger platform for hybrid handheld/phone devices, said it would extend its support for the Microsoft platform to two more wireless devices. Specifically, the company said it would use the Microsoft Mobile Explorer (MME) technology for its forthcoming Trium G520 and GT550 smart phones.
Those GSM phones are expected to be available in the U.S. in early 2002. MME is a browser-based technology that supports Wireless Application Protocol, i-mode and HTML.
Separately, Taiwanese OEM vendor High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) will use the Stinger platform for future smart phones. HTC designed and manufacturers Compaq's iPAQ Pocket PC handhelds. The company said expects to OEM the smart phones to other vendors and that the devices will be available to the public by the end of the year.
While MME provides browsing and related technology, Stinger is a more comprehensive platform designed specifically for so-called smart phones. It is based on Windows CE 3.0. Samsung and Sendo have previously announced they will develop Stinger-based products.
The announcements were made at the CTIA Wireless 2001 show in Las Vegas. At that show, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer emphasized the company's commitment to the wireless arena and demonstrated a pre-release version of the Windows Media Player on the Stinger platform.
TI plans integrated chip for streamlined phone, PDA combo
By Ian Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
November 8, 2000, 4:00 a.m. PT
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-3477783.html?tag=prntfr
Texas Instruments and Microsoft are teaming on technology that will make the combination of a cell phone and handheld computer a lot less clunky.
Gartner analyst Abha Garg says the race is on to create a Weight Watchers version of the so-called smart phone, and it comes as no surprise that Microsoft intends to be thin at the finish.
The companies plan to announce Wednesday that TI is developing a set of chips that reduce the amount of silicon required to build cell phone-personal digital assistant combinations based on Microsoft's "Stinger" operating system, a modified version of Windows CE 3.0 tailored for cell phones. By reducing the number of components, electronics makers will, ideally, be able to make such "smart phones" approximately the same size and weight as cell phones.
Phones using the TI chips and Microsoft operating system are likely to show up in Europe during the second half of next year, TI said. Such phones are designed to run on a next-generation network known as GPRS (General Packet Radio Switching) that carries data in packets, like the Internet, allowing for higher-speed traffic. U.S. carrier VoiceStream Wireless has also said it plans to develop a GPRS network in the United States next year.
Design-wise, the TI-Microsoft approach could be a major step forward, as current cell phones that combine PDAs are rather hefty and crude. Qualcomm came out with a combination of a Palm handheld and a cell phone as early as 1998, although the PDQ was heavy and expensive. A revamped version is on its way from Kyocera, while Palm and Motorola plan to release a jointly developed device in 2002 that marries a PDA and a cell phone in a more elegant way.
In the past, cell phone makers have had to start from scratch when trying to merge the two devices, Microsoft and TI executives said.
"It's just going to make it a lot easier for people who want to develop smart phones," said Mary Starman, product manager for Microsoft's mobile device unit.
The companies did not announce any cell phone makers that are going to use the new design, although marketing materials include a quote from second-tier Taiwanese cell phone maker Acer. Ericsson and Nokia have been using operating systems from Symbian.
Microsoft, TI Combine on Wireless {samsung using}
By allNetDevices Staff
November 08, 2000
Two large companies fighting to make a mark in next-generation wireless technology, Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), have joined forces.
The two companies said they are combining their technology in an attempt to lure wireless phone vendors to their wares. Specifically, the two companies have combined Microsoft's so-called Stinger platform, which combines telephony and handheld functionality, with TI's digital signal processor (DSP)-based GSM chipset technology.
The companies said that TI's 2.5G smart phone technology will be upgradable in the future to faster third-generation (3G) technology using the company's Open Multimedia Applications Platform (OMAP) technology.
The TI integrated chipset is sampling today, with volume production expected in the second half of next year. The Stinger has been adopted, so far, by Samsung. Separately, Microsoft and Samsung announced that wireless operator VoiceStream will make the Stinger-based phone available to future GPRS customers in the U.S.
Stinger competes with other platforms such as Symbian's Quartz platform, which also provides both handheld and wireless voice capabilities.
Samsung Launches New PDA phone
The combination mobile phone and PDA is expected to change the mobile phone culture.
Large touch screen of wide 4 Gray LCD
Internet chatting enabled through touch mail which is capable of sending text and images.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled the new PDA phone, a product that converges PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) functions on to a mobile phone. This PDA phone is the smallest and thinnest such phone developed by Samsung and offers the "Wide 4 Gray Graphic LCD" (120X240 dots) for better picture quality. Samsung's latest mobile phone was designed with the users' convenience in mind. A large-size touch screen allows users to easily type in text messages and send these messages with image files via the touch mail function. In addition, the PDA phone is available with a flash memory capacity of 8MB allowing multiple users to play internet games simultaneously. Moreover, it has various PDA capabilities that allows the users to manage personal data through scheduling, telephone directory and note-taking functions. In addition, DataSync2000 software that allows data compatibility with Microsoft Outlook is provided with the phone. The PDA phone is an addition to Samsung's line-up of multi-function phones which included Watch Phone, MP3 Phone, TV Phone and Camera Phone.
Specification Category Details
Size 110mm x 49mm x 23mm/ 28 mm (Standard/Extended)
Weight 132g/147g
CPU MSM3000 + ARM7
LCD 120X240 dots
4 Gray Graphic LCD & TSP
Memory Flash : 8MB(user Memory: 3.5 MB), DRAM: 8MB
Color Silver
Battery Packaging 2 Batteries(1 Standard and 1 Extended Battery)
Battery Life
Category Standard Extended
Continuous Talk 130 min. 240 min.
Stand-by 75 - 85 hrs. 140 - 155 hrs.
Source: Samsung Electronics Co
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++==
tin- note the cpu used w/ the ARM 7; i dn recognize it but it turns out to be from qcom. i thought qcom involved but i'm not so sure. i think in fact its really TI. recall that qcom and ti recently entered into a 5 yr cross-licensing deal. also i will post a pr between msft and ti how they would be collaborating on the development of the stinger platform. samsung was the 1st OEM to announce it would be coming out with a smart phone based on that platform.
Wireless world hears call of voice recognition software
Tue Mar 27 16:56:00 EST 2001
By Cyntia Barrera Diaz
NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) - Buying or dumping stocks
while driving to a ski resort? Looking for a map to guide you
to the nearest diner on your first visit to a new city? With
just one voice command on your cellphone?
The next generation of wireless infrastructure based on
voice recognition will bring more user-friendly applications to
every-day devices like cellphones and handheld computers on
what many are already dubbing the next Internet-like
revolution.
''All these devices (and) there's one clear problem: There's
no room for a keyboard in them,'' said Michael Phillips, chief
technology officer and co-founder of SpeechWorks International
Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWX), a leading maker of voice-recognition software,
in a recent interview with Reuters.
''Speech as an output and input modality makes a lot of
sense. The key is to use speech in conjunction with other
modalities at the same time: Speak and get a map, for example,''
he said.
THE SPOKEN WEB
Speechworks, with funding from the U.S. Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), responsible for the
development of the principles of the Internet, has been working
on the research of speech-based multimodal access to content on
wireless devices over the last six months, Phillips said.
The company is currently working with Compaq Computer Corp.
(NYSE:CPQ), the No. 1 PC maker, on how to extend the capabilities
of its iPAQ pocket PC. SpeechWorks has also joined efforts with
Auvo Technologies and LOBBY7, both developers of software for
wireless Internet access.
''Before there's a widespread commercial adoption (of the
new technology) there may be commercial applications in more
limited areas, like a telematics device in a car,'' Phillips
said referring to the integration of in-car computer services
with satellite navigation and mobile phone networks.
''This new generation of wireless devices is going to start
to increase the interest and demand for speech as an
interphase,'' or communication vehicle between the user and his
or her PDA or cellphone, he added.
SpeechWorks is not alone in the race for developing the
fastest and easiest-to-use voice-operated technology that runs
over Internet-protocol.
PUTTING VOICE EVERYWHERE
Rival Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NUAN) is also
developing new applications that will help companies get
tighter control of internal and external communications, as
well as to reduce costs.
Last week, Nuance announced an agreement with Cisco Systems
Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) that will incorporate its software into the
networking giant's AVVID products, expected to launch in the
second quarter of 2001.
AVVID -- short for architecture for voice, video and
integrated data -- provides companies with software for
Internet telephony, and network security control and
management.
''Think about the implications from the enterprise
perspective -- dial by voice, access voice mail without having
to touchstone, have access to portal services,'' said Steve
Ehrlich, Nuance's vice president of marketing.
''The speech recognition market is where the Internet was
maybe 12 years ago,'' he said. ''The growth potential is really
significant: at the minimum, what you are trying to do is to
replace every touchstone system out there.''
SOFT ECONOMY TONES DOWN IMPACT
Despite the promising future of this sophisticated
technology, analysts said it may be a while before this has a
strong impact on SpeechWorks and Nuance results, given the U.S.
economic slowdown that is leading technology companies to delay
investment decisions.
''Over time, voice will get layered by almost everything
that touches the Internet,'' said John Corcoran, an analyst with
CIBC World Markets. ''But in this economic environment ...
business is under pressure and the picture is uncertain.''
Nuance shares have recently been battered on the market.
Losses were particularly heavy two weeks ago after the Menlo
Park, Calif-based company warned of disappointing first-quarter
earnings. On March 16, Nuance set a fresh year-low, dragging
SpeechWorks lower in its fall.
''If it's raining, everyone gets a little wet,'' Corcoran
said. ''At the end of the day (voice-recognition wireless
access) will gain significant penetration. It's just that, with
the economy slowing, that adoption curve will take longer.''
SpeechWorks shares slipped 3/16, or 2.1 percent, to
$8-13/16 on Tuesday, more than 90 percent below its 52-week
high of $108-1/2. Nuance shares were off 43 cents, or 3.5
percent, at $12.01, also more than 90 percent off its year high
of $182.
tin- it's been a long time in development; the one i want to look more closely at is samsung's stinger smartphone that will be coming; a small outside chance that edig could end up being involved, imho
IBM puts 48 GB in a laptop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted 2:08pm EST Tue Mar 27 2001
NEWS
IBM has upped the capacity of mobile storage from the previous 32 GB max all the way up to 48 GB. Its newest 2.5" hard drive, the Travelstar 48GH, holds up to 48 GB of data and spins at 5400 RPM with a 12.0 ms seek time. The drive features an internal transfer rate of 241 megabits/second (30 MB/second).
In addition to the high capacity and spin rate (most mobile drives spin at 4200 RPM), the Travelstar 48GH is also one of the quietest mobile drives available. It features sound-dampening padding, platters that spin on liquid (as opposed to metal ball bearings), and microcode that helps the drive arm travel smoothly over tiny contours in the drive platters.
In addition to the 48 GB capacity model (called the 48GH), the new Travelstar is available in 30 and 20 GB models (the 30GN) and also in 15, 10, and 6 GB models (the 15GN). Pricing and availability was not listed, but the drives are expected in Q2 2001.
Read more at the Travelstar general page, the more specific Travelstar 48GH page, or the short press release. Also see CNET for additional info.
ROB'S OPINION
I looked at three or four pages of information on IBM's website and couldn't find any availability or pricing information for its newest mobile drives. The best I could find was in the CNET article that specified that, "The new drives will appear in the second quarter in notebooks from Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Hewlett-Packard and IBM, the company said."
IBM is typically way ahead in the mobile storage arena, which leads me to believe that it is capable of the same in the desktop and server segments--but it doesn't really seem to try as hard in those categories. Perhaps it's afraid of becoming a monopoly once again? It's pretty much unstoppable.
So, the new top of the line laptops in a couple of months will feature 1GHz processors and 48 GB hard drives. Isn't progress great
By: JimC1997 $$$$
Reply To: 649467 by Pokonchi $$$ Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001 at 7:59 PM EST
Post # of 649564
OT: Pok, obviously people have different opinions about the Palm vs PocketPC issue, just as they did in the early Apple vs IBM days.
I don't own either type yet, but the Compaq 3670 Pocket PC seems far superior in every way to any Palm device that I tried (color screen, 64MB RAM/ 16MB ROM, 206 Mhz processor, full suite of Windows programs, expansion sleave, music function, etc.)
They are in very short supply, but if you get a chance, try one out. The display is beautiful, even in daylight, and it is loaded with lots of little features (like a voice recorder) that some nerds like me love.
It is quite small and will easily fit in a shirt pocket.
The price is $499, but you can't find them anywhere for that price.
Well, as I said, this probably has little to do with EDIG, although the company has stated that they are working on something related to a PDA.
I'd guess that there will be no single standard that will emerge in the PDA area. As long as they are user-friendly and can sync with a desktop, I suppose that all types will survive.
One point about processors, however. As VTT/TTV becomes more common, it will take much more powerful processors than the Palm has to function properly. I doubt that even the Compaq processor could handle that type of application.
JimC
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IBM Puts Voice on Palm
IBM announces ViaVoice version for handhelds, non-PC devices (like cars).
Ephraim Schwartz, InfoWorld
Wednesday, March 08, 2000
As mobility moves the market for processing cycles off the desktop and into the palm, IBM Tuesday took a major step in offering a useable interface for devices with limited keyboards. The company announced an embedded version of its ViaVoice speech engine for handhelds and other nontraditional devices.
At the Mobile Insights 2000 conference here, Big Blue demonstrated its speech recognition and text-to-speech technology on a Palm III personal digital assistant. The Personal Speech Assistant prototype shown on stage was attached to the back of a Palm III, similar to other Palm III add-ons. Inside the PSA unit was the Embedded ViaVoice software, optimized for both the Palm OS and an NEC embedded processor.
In the demonstration, billed as only a technology demo, IBM official David Barnes made numerous voice-command and control calls to the unit, which responded by verifying appointments, taking short messages, and translating selected words into Spanish and Japanese.
Barnes reiterated that IBM is not interested in making the hardware but that its speech division will license the embedded speech software development kit to developers working on almost any platform.
The SDK includes recognition for 500 words, enough for most command and control functions, as well as unlimited text-to-speech capability for reading e-mail messages.
As part of the unit, flash memory was used to store longer voice episodes, which according to Barnes could then be hot-synced via the Palm cradle to a desktop that included a full version of ViaVoice. The desktop version would convert the voice .wav files to text and automatically send them back to the Palm.
The Embedded ViaVoice for Multiplatforms SDK, now in beta, will ship by the end of the second quarter, according to Patricia McHugh, director of New Business Development for IBM Voice Systems.
IBM would not say which hardware vendors may create products, but a number of PDA as well as car manufacturers are interested.
tin- i know conversay and TI are working together in the wearable computer area- xybernaut; could easily apply to PDAs.
By: JimC1997 $$$$
Reply To: 649408 by mallride $$$$ Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001 at 6:40 PM EST
Post # of 649495
mallride, Palm suffers from the same problem that knocked Apple off the top of the personal computer world back in 1982-83.
PDA display screens are the primary user interface and the Palm-compatible (Palm, Handspring, Visor, Sony) are very inferior to that of the Pocket PC (Compaq, HP, Casio).
The real problem comes from the fact that they are pushing a proprietary operating system which is unfamiliar to Windows users, running on under-powered processors (compared to the 206 Mhz processor in the Compaq for example) and with insufficient memory (2MB-8MB vs 32MB).
Despite the criticism that Microsoft often receives, its operating systems are far more robust and adaptable for application designers. Consequently, the Pocket PC will eventually have many more applications available to it and most will have a very familiar Windows interface for the user.
What does this mean to EDIG? Perhaps not much, but the more powerful the handheld PC, the more likely it is to support digital audio applications. Any expansion of the market for digital music is ultimately good for e.Digital.
We are still at the stage where most consumers are simply not familiar with digital storage of music. They must become comfortable with that concept.
Pocket PCs may not need EDIG, but they may grow into devices which support dedicated music peripherals and I expect e.Digital to get its share of that business.
JimC
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I read your post with interest. while i may be wrong, i believe that palm is not unaware of the problem and is currently taking steps to remedy this problem with the help of IBM, Intel and (edig?). Remember the voice-enabled PALM from a year ago; rumor has it we will be seeing voice-enabled PDAs in 2001.
http://www.chipcenter.com/ejava/mdp/webscan/mn00f/mn00f6d1.htm;$sessionid$IXQLI4YAAEV3ZJ4Y5XDCFEQ
++++++++++++++++++++++
Palm and IBM Join Forces to Deliver Mobile E-Business Solutions
SANTA CLARA, Calif., and ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2000 - Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced an agreement to collaborate on providing mobile e-business solutions to customers of both companies worldwide.
As part of the agreement, IBM Global Services will create a consulting and systems integration competency to focus on developing and deploying business applications for Palm OS® platform devices, such as the IBM Workpad, and related Palm-based data services, such as the Palm.Net® wireless service.
The technology to deliver these solutions is based on IBM's just-released WebSphere Everyplace Suite, which allows mobile devices to connect to the web. In addition, IBM's DB2 Everyplace database, MQ series products, VisualAge Micro Edition Java technology, and Tivoli Device Manager are available to support the Palm OS® platform.
http://www.palm.com/about/pr/2000/110100.html
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Palm shows new OS with wireless voice, data features
By Ian Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
December 12, 2000, 11:20 a.m. PT
video SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Palm on Tuesday released a beta version of its newest operating system--software it hopes will help take Palm devices from electronic organizers to powerful vehicles for wireless voice and data communication....
The company also is in the midst of a hardware migration. Palm has completed the initial effort to port its operating system from today's Motorola Dragonball chip, which is at the heart of current Palm handhelds, to chips based on designs from England's ARM. ARM processors run much faster than Dragonball chips and therefore will allow Palm devices to run more complex applications more smoothly.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-4115961.html
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XScale allowing Intel to StrongARM into Palm handhelds
By Ian Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
August 24, 2000, 5:25 p.m. PT
update Intel's revamped StrongARM architecture, introduced today as XScale, should offer a significant boost to future generations of Palm devices and other handheld computers, analysts say.
Sources say Palm plans to use the low-power Intel architecture in a forthcoming version of its handheld. Palm chief executive Carl Yankowski said in April that Palm planned to use chips based on designs from England's ARM Inc., though he did not explicitly mention Intel's offering.
Gartner analyst Thomas Starnes says it's hard to predict whether Palm will design new versions of its handheld devices using Intel's new XScale chip architecture. But XScale, he says, would be a good choice for a personal digital assistant.
Analysts agree that Intel's flavor of the ARM design is the only chip powerful enough to offer Palm a meaningful improvement on the Motorola Dragonball chips it uses today.
Intel representatives would not confirm the design win, and Palm representatives would not elaborate on Yankowski's earlier comments.
Both XScale and its StrongARM predecessors make use of the ARM instruction set, but Intel has redesigned the processor to offer far more power than standard ARM designs. ....
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-2597540.html
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IBM and Intel also announced plans Monday to collaborate on a non-proprietary standard for dashboard telematics, which is increasingly the domain of cell phones and the Internet.
IBM will lend its VisualAge Micro Edition Java application and Intel will lend its Xscale chip architecture to the partnership, in hopes of creating a variety of wireless Internet tools for cars.
"Automotive computing is an important and growing market segment that both Intel and IBM serve with advanced technology and products," Skip McGaughey, director of marketing and sales for IBM's embedded system group, said Monday in Detroit. "We welcome this opportunity to join with Intel to increase the availability of standard Java technology across leading automotive platforms."
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-3209486.html
While the only announced IBM and Intel X Scale connection relates to telematics remember this Intel exec's comments in a recent interview:
Telematics is the market segment that includes cellular, voice and Internet services in vehicles. I interrupted you. Please keep going.
RON SMITH: That's right, it's in vehicles. It started out with these emergency services like OnStar, which is actually a call back, a voice service. But now people want to move toward more information services to bring the same kind of capability, Internet access, the location-based services, and so on, to a vehicle. We are actively engaged in that. In fact, just recently we announced a relationship with IBM with their VisualAge capability to help bring some more of that software interface directly to these kinds of devices. We have a number of things going on with a number of manufacturers. Of course, none of them are public yet so I can't really talk about them.{GUESS INTEL IS EVEN SUBJECT TO NDAS!}
KAREN LAKE: Is there really any difference in the technology from a car vs. a PDA vs. a cellular phone? Are they all just adaptations of each other?
RON SMITH: They're all just adaptations of each other. You have the same kinds of requirements. You have to be able to maintain the data when the power goes off.
lgj/tin: lgj-thanks for setting up this board; tin- there is no way to effectively stop the bashers on RB unless every long leaves and the bashers are left to talk among themselves; if that happens i believe they will quickly become very bored.
test; having trouble posting here. hope this works.