Wireless Archive

PalmSource is preparing to launch an OS for budget-priced cell phones--but the devices that use it won't be true Palms.

Named CommWarrior.a, the new virus attacks smartphones running the Symbian OS based Series 60 platform, replicating over both MMS and Bluetooth.

Take a look at this pie chart and keep in mind that these results (in german) are from 3rd quarter of 2004 only and are global results.

Sharp has always been an innovator with the Zaurus line of PDAs and the newest member of that family is no exception. The Zaurus SL-C3000 takes the utility of previous generations and extends it even further. The C3000 is a clamshell device that resembles a miniature laptop when opened and has a bright vivid screen that is wonderful to work with.

Sony Corp. is calling an end to its Clié line of PDAs (personal digital assistants) in Japan, the company said Tuesday. The move comes eight months after the company said it would no longer sell new models of PDAs overseas and puts the cap on a product line first announced by the Tokyo company in mid-2000. Elsewhere, here's a review of the Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox 420.

If you own a Pocket PC, you gotta be using one of the Resco applications. Resco has become synonymous with high-quality utitilies for primarily the Mobile Windows platform (while some of their products are available for PalmOS and Symbian). We take a look at their Media Suite for PPC, File Explorer and PhotoViewer for PalmOS 4/5 and the Guardians 2D game for PPC (with screenshots).

I own 3-4 PDAs and yet my favorite one remains the legendary PalmV. There is something about its design & looks that makes me feel nostalgic of another tech era. As much as I enjoy using the PalmV when away, its lack of direct internet connection capability is bothersome. The only way I can directly connect to the net with it, is via a modem. Enter Pegasus III: The smallest modem of its kind today, able to serve both via infrared and a serial port. This is a modem that's supported by most PDAs, PC, laptops and virtually every operating system out there.

Valentine's day is just around the corner and your geek personality has trouble picking up a gift for your (semi-geek) girlfriend? Look no further! FiraCosmetics has released lip-gloss and shadow make-up kits that look like the legendary PalmV PDA!

Anton Tomov distributes a number of capable programs for the Windows Mobile platform including Pocket Hackmaster and Pocket Mechanic. It appears that Mr. Tomov recently distributed an update to the Pocket Mechanic program that includes some 'malicious' anti-piracy code. The program apparently detects if the executed program is a legally licensed one and if not it erases your entire Windows Mobile device by hard-resetting it. It has reportedly wiped out a removable storage card, too. Update: Anton Tomov disregarded this report in a private email as "nonsense" and as "a campaign led by a couple of people who are trying to hurt the perfect reputation of my name and the quality of the products I write".

The global handheld market continued to slide in 2004, with shipments slipping to below 10 million for the first time since 1999, according to a new IDC report. Update: The German division of T-Mobile today unveiled the latest addition to its venerable line of Windows Mobile based communicators, the MDA IV, with a swiveling VGA display and a 520 MHz Intel XScale. It offers not only GSM, GPRS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but also adds support for WCDMA-based 3G. It will also include two integrated cameras, as well as a unique swiveling screen concept. The device can either be used laptop-style with both its screen and integrated thumbboard accessible, or tablet-style with only its screen accessible.

Dell has released a 24 MB ROM upgrade for its x50/x50v range of handhels with fixes in many drivers, including faster 2D/3D performance and read-from-memory-cards performance. The x50v has been greeted as the most full-featured PDA of its class, selling for less than $420 and including a 624 Mhz CPU, 16 MB Intel 3D card (!), gorgeous 640x480 3.7" screen, CF and SD slots, 64 MB RAM, 128 MB ROM, WiFi+Bluetooth and more. My Take: I recently got one of these babies, and it's indeed a tech marvel. Only two peeves: no camera and 3.5 hours battery life (double battery life: available as extra, for $99 - sold with a free 256 MB SD card for a limited time). 128 MBs of RAM would have been nicer too.

Making its first foray into the handheld market, Olympus has launched the R1000, a rugged handheld capable of running both Windows- and Linux-based operating system. Adhering to IP54 Category II specifications on dust and water splash resistance, the new ruggedized handheld is targeted towards the enterprise.

Verizon Wireless said that it will use Microsoft's Windows Media technology as part of the foundation of its new cell phone streaming video service. My Take: What took them so long? Even in Greece you can watch TV via your mobile phone via Vodaphone's service for some time now. And why Europe has more advanced phones & services than US has? Trying to find a Bluetooth phone at Sprint for example, it's already an exersize in patience.

NetFront v3.3 browser engine delivers new features that provide a more functional Internet browsing experience on mobile devices. Key elements include enhanced support for Dynamic HTML, intelligent frame handling, pop-up blocking and support for Really Simple Syndication (RSS). Additional key features include Atom Feed support, encryption and saving of Web data with a specified URL, and management of Web data and passwords. Elsewhere, we have a review of the Nokia 9300 (series 80 device) running the Symbian 7.0S OS.