Posts in Handhelds

Palm releases firmware update for Treo 650

Reuben Lee  |  Jan 25, 2006

Palm Inc. today announced a new firmware update for its Treo 650 smart phone customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The Updater 1.20 includes several enhanced features such as the new Versamail 3.1E with Gmail support, Gmail attachment downloads using the Web browser as well as optimized Bluetooth performance and added support for headsets and car kits.

The latest firmware update also promises improved memory handling when opening large Web pages, better device performance for heavy data usage and improved voice quality. It will come with the option for masked password entry in the browser and improved customizable voice or sound recordings for specific callers. The Updater 1.20, which can be downloaded from the Treo 650 support Web site, is available now.
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BlackBerry service to shut down?

Reuben Lee  |  Jan 24, 2006

According to recent news reports, the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a petition by Research In Motion to review a patent infringement ruling against the company. Many industry observers believe that this rejection could lead to a wide-scale shutdown of the BlackBerry mobile email service.

However, it seems that the BlackBerry users outside of the U.S. have nothing to worry about as the injunction against RIM will only affect its U.S. customers. A statement issued by StarHub confirms that "the case has no relevance outside the USA, including any effect on StarHub's BlackBerry service or customer in Singapore". RIM has also annnounced that in the event of an injunction, it "has prepared software workarounds designs which it intends to implement if necessary to maintain the operation of BlackBerry services in the United States without customer service interuption". More details are expected soon.
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Smart phones overtake PDAs

Juniper Foo  |  Jan 18, 2006

PDAs aren't going to die anytime soon. Still, they're being given a run for their money by smart phones. Canalys reported global shipments of smart phones up 75 percent year-to-year in Q3 2005. Next to them, shipment for standalone handhelds dropped 18 percent, while converged devices more than doubled in volume during the same time frame.

In all, the worldwide market for "disconnected" handheld devices recorded its seventh consecutive quarter of year-to-year decline in Q3 2005.

Meanwhile, take a gander at the following stats PDABuzz has compiled

  • Nokia ships a record 7.1 million smart phones, up 142 percent year-to-year.
  • Palm shipments were down 2 percent overall, although Treo smart phones went up 71 percent, overtaking its handhelds for first time.
  • 20 million smart phones and 13 million PDAs are expected to ship in 2006
  • Global PDA shipments are expected to grow 22 percent in 2006
  • Smart phone shipments were up 288 percent in Q2 2005
  • The global handheld market fell 16.9 percent in Q3 2005
  • 50 percent of new PDAs sold in Europe have a GPS unit
  • In 2008, 56 percent of all handsets will have Bluetooth
  • Most important functions in a mobile device: Voice, address book, text messaging

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    • Hardy handheld that'll endure

    Juniper Foo  |  Jan 18, 2006

    It's no surprise the rugged MC9097 handheld computer looks like a barcode scanner. That's because Symbol Technologies is best known for its barcode scanning devices. The MC9097 is among the heavy-duty wireless products that the company is rolling out in an aim to extend its reach into new markets, including the healthcare sector.

    So what's hardy about the 32-ounce MC9097? For one, it's waterproof. For another, you can drop it 6ft down onto solid concrete and run it over with a truck, and it'll still bounce back into action. Now all that's needed is for it to get smaller and smarter looking.
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    Motorola Q gets slight tweaks

    Bonnie Cha  |  Jan 06, 2006

    Here's what our US counterpart had to say at CES 2006: "We went to CES hoping to hear more about the Motorola Q (that is, when we can get our hands on one of these suckers) but left disappointed. Motorola didn't have a release date for us except for the generic 'Q1 2006', but the reps did show a slightly improved version of the smart phone.

    "Now in its fourth or fifth iteration, the new hardware features a better keyboard that boasts slightly larger keys and brighter backlighting. Motorola has also confirmed that the Q will be shipping on CDMA first but won't disclose a carrier, but if all the speculation is right, it'll be Verizon."

    Here's an update: The GSM version is expected in the second half of 2006.
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