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
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.
Cell-iPod "Mobile Me" combo appears likely
ZDNet staff | Jan 18, 2006
It appears quite likely that Apple is getting ready to release a cellular-enabled iPod. Either that, or an iPod-enabled cell phone. If not, then why did Apple, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Ryan Kim, file four trademark applications earlier this month, covering such terms as "digital music", "cellular" and "communications"?
In a blog posted on ZDNet by Russell Shaw, he notes that the four trademark applications in question are Word Marks Apple has filed for the term "Mobile Me".
Additionally, Shaw notes that lots of people are speculating. Albert Lin and Shaw Wu of American Technology Research think an iTunes phone in the mold of the Motorola ROKR could be in the offing. So could a cellular-enabled iPod where Apple would act as a cellular reseller, buying bulk minutes from an established carrier and then reselling them to users.
With such technology, iPod users could download tunes over the air, from the iTunes store. That would mean an iPod phone would need to have enough browsing functionality to process secure micropayments.
Shaw adds that not everyone agrees Apple is necessarily headed toward making itself a cell phone reseller. Julie Ask, senior analyst for Jupiter Research, told the Chron's Kim that "Apple sells hardware and software. They don't have an existing subscriber base like cable companies, and they don't have content like ESPN that people have an affinity to."
But what if Apple were to launch streaming music channels that an iPod cell phone could offer access to? Now that would be the crunch.
Here kitty, kitty
Edvarcl Heng | Jan 18, 2006
Unlike Tweety Bird, we absolutely lurrve kitty cats, especially those that can sing like a canary. iPod in a pussy suit? Bring it on, we say. Meow. Feline fetish notwithstanding, it's a good thing we are not into calicos because this silicon pouch comes in only two colors--black or white. Available only in Japan.
More info here
Sony's Skype mouse
Juniper Foo | Jan 18, 2006
It's a mouse. It's a phone. Holy moly, it's a phouse/mhone! Whatever this gizmo is, we just love Sony's wacky hybrid VN-CX1. After all, a USB optical Skype mouse makes complete sense when you consider it's VOIP. When a call comes, just flip the mouse open like a clamshell. To end, just shut it. The scroll wheel acts as a volume button, while pressing it mutes the call. Now we'll just sit back and watch for the copycats, er, mice to come out to play. Oh wait, there's one out already. Check out Yiyi's Skype Travel Mouse.
See opening the mouse | attached to notebook | inside | one of five colors
Via Akhiba News
Price: About US$65 (8,000 yen)
Availability: Japan, February
Device: Skype mouse
Basic specs: Built-in echo cancellation, 45.5 × 23.9 × 89.2mm, 67g, choice of five colors, USB 2.0, 800 counts per inch resolution, Windows 2000/XP only
Crave is...
The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.
Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.
Crave for...
» Mobile Phones (575)
» Digital Cameras (356)
» Notebooks (367)
» PC & Peripherals (372)
» Handhelds (213)
» Printers (37)
» Home AV (394)
» Music & Play (358)
» Gadgets (844)
» Future Tech (124)
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
Copyright © 2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
