Filed under: GPS, Handhelds

It’s been a little while since we’ve heard much about Fujitsu-Siemen’s lightweight Pocket Loox N100 GPS/PDA combo, but thankfully the folks at Lordpercy.com have come through and quenched our curiosity with a fairly thorough review of the device. The N100’s vitals, if you need a refresher, include Windows CE 5.0 Core Version as the OS, a 2.8-inch TFT, 300MHz processor, SiRFstar III chipset, 64MB RAM, and an included 1GB microSD card — all in a slight 2.4 x 3.5 x 0.6-inch package weighing just under four ounces. As for how it all comes together, Lordpercy came away mightily impressed with the device, praising its slimline design and, most importantly, its accurate GPS system, which managed to guide them through the streets of London without any trouble. They were also digging its capable audio player — with support for MP3, WMA and AAC files — along with the unit’s decent battery life, which clocked in at just around four hours. For those less concerned with productivity, you’ll be please to know that the Loox also comes pre-loaded with versions of Pac-Man and other retro games — which we’re sure will be the tipping point for more than a few of you.

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Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Speaking of unholy abominations, Sony decided to take some design tips from their own PSP, functionality from the OQO, usage scenarios from Nokia’s 770 (and a wee dash dash of inspiration from Ixi’s OGO), and mash it up all together into a single device: the mylo. The name refers to “my life online,” ahem, which we assume probably has a little something to do with the Sony’s old school MYLO / My Life Online, a wireless service Sony launched launched at PC Expo 2001 “to offer mobile users an original and personalized way to access information and entertainment content for work and play.” (Yeah, that’s specific.) This blast from the past now takes shape as a $350 WiFi-centric handheld features a slide-up 2.4-inch screen, VoIP capabilities via Skype, web access, media playback capabilities, 1GB flash, and a Memory Stick slot — just think of it as a UX180P, you know, for kids.

[Thanks to Eric and everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Gaming

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Although the SonyStyle site still lists it under pre-order, the Vaio UX180P non-UMPC is apparently already en route to ecstatic US customers, as at least two of our readers have received shipping confirmations from Sony via email. The Core Solo-powered machines are scheduled to arrive on the sixth of next month, which jibes with Sony’s promise of a July release, but we’re still a bit surprised that they’re getting them out this early — as you know, we’ve been burned by Sony a few times before.

[Thanks, Lee and Leland B]

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Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

We’re not nearly as into DualCor’s cPC Windows convergence device now that we found out it doesn’t come with any built-in wireless radios, but we’ve still been looking forward to catching it in the wild just the same, because any pocket-sized machine that sports both XP and WM5 is more than a little bit noteworthy in our book. And luckily for us, our partners-in-crime over at Engadget Chinese have just captured some nice photos of this two-processor machine as part of their extensive Computex 2006 coverage, although our contribution of copying and pasting the pics for you to peep should not be overlooked. More cPC snaps are available after the break, and more VIA-powered products from the CPU manufacturer’s booth tour can be found by following the Read link…

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Filed under: Handhelds

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

As much as we'd like to blame other parties for the long wait for Palm's Treo 700p (and we will, we will), there's one source for at least some of the wait: the FCC. According to public filings, the smartphone just cleared the government agency, paving the way for its impending rollout. Of course, Palm did file a confidentiality request with the FCC, so we're not entirely clear exactly when this baby got the thumbs up, but the important thing is that it did, which means nothing (short of mobs at Sprint and Verizon's stores) should stand in your way if you're planning on picking one up very soon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Now that Verizon has started boasting of its exclusive deal to sell the Motorola Q (at least until Sprint pumps out their version), what’s VZW’s next move? Why, to deny that they smartphone is coming out anytime soon, of course. According to Brighthand, a Verizon spokesman stated that the company does not have a “launch event scheduled for next week.” Hey, we’ll parse that one a bit. Maybe Verizon’s shipping it without an “event.” Or maybe the spokesman was out of the loop (wouldn’t be the first time). Or, more likely, he was just doing his job, issuing a denial in an effort to maintain some sense of suspense, and the Q will indeed show up next week, with some kind of event. But just in case, don’t start camping out in front of VZW stores just yet, m’kay?

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile

Now that Verizon has started boasting of its exclusive deal to sell the Motorola Q (at least until Sprint pumps out their version), what’s VZW’s next move? Why, to deny that they smartphone is coming out anytime soon, of course. According to Brighthand, a Verizon spokesman stated that the company does not have a “launch event scheduled for next week.” Hey, we’ll parse that one a bit. Maybe Verizon’s shipping it without an “event.” Or maybe the spokesman was out of the loop (wouldn’t be the first time). Or, more likely, he was just doing his job, issuing a denial in an effort to maintain some sense of suspense, and the Q will indeed show up next week, with some kind of event. But just in case, don’t start camping out in front of VZW stores just yet, m’kay?

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

We’ve been hearing for some time now that the Motorola Q would be coming to Verizon and Sprint first, with versions for other carriers out later in the year. Now, it looks like Verizon may have scored a coup, and shut Sprint out of that initial launch. According to a teaser that’s now up on Verizon’s site, the long-awaited smartphone will be available “exclusively from Verizon Wireless.” We don’t know how long that exclusive is going to last; we still expect Sprint to roll out a version pretty quickly. In the meantime, though, if you absolutely must get your Q next week, it looks like you now know where to go.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Digital World Tokyo got an early hands-on look at the Sony Vaio UX50 micro PC when launched in Tokyo earlier this week. The obvious difference between this and those much maligned first gen UMPCs is the sliding keyboard. However, it's not  exactly a tactile wonder as DWT reports. The reviewer found the keyboard "difficult to use" as the keys are almost flush with the case and don't move much when pressed. Still, he managed to enter text without any misspellings. The 4.5-inch screen was "sharp and bright" and its 1,024 x 600 resolution (UMPCs go 800 x 480 on a 7-inch display) made full screen web browsing possible if you don't mind uh, "squinting" a bit with those "handy" buttons along the right-side of the case giving a quick zoom when necessary. Although the reviewer notably only had a few minutes with the device, it's certainly a promising start for this micro device with massive features mirrored in its expected $1800 price tag. We'll reserve judgment, however until some proper full-reviews hit the sheets or we nab a UX for ouselves when they drop Stateside in July.

Filed under: Handsets, Palm, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA

If you were hoping to play Sprint and Verizon off of each other and try to get a better deal on the Treo 700p, the jig is up. Verizon's pricing is now out, and the company is charging the same price as Sprint for the new Palm-based smartphone: $400 (with a two-year contract, that is). Calling plans with unlimited data start at $80 a month, and if you want to use your Treo as an EV-DO modem with your laptop (which we suspect you just might), be prepared to add an extra $15 a month. And, no, it still doesn't have WiFi.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

As expected, Nintendo has announced the US launch date and pricing for the DS Lite. The handheld gaming system will arrive on US shores on June 11 for about $129.99, and will come in an "inaugural color" of white. Since we've already seen the Lite in other colors, we assume those and more will make their way to the US soon enough, and the Wii factory is just teasing us by making us wait. Everything else you already know about the Lite remains unchanged, including the fact that, if you really can't wait a whole month to get it, your favorite gray market dealers can still get it for you sooner for about $200 plus shipping.

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

Parking meters have made huge strides in recent years, with some of them -- such as pay-by-cell systems -- providing increased convenience to change-starved consumers, while others -- like auto-resetting meters -- have made it harder to get away with modest infractions like picking up a previous parker's minutes. Now, what may be the ultimate in parking convenience, the "personal meter" is starting to catch on in more major cities. The small card readers have been around for several years, but have recently become more popular; last month, Buffalo expanded its pilot system from a service for handicapped drivers to a citywide program. Buffalo's system, like many others, relies on the Smart Park reader, from Israel's Ganis Systems. The card reader can hang from a car's rearview mirror, and can be programmed with a city's parking rules. When a driver parks, he inserts the card into the meter, sets it for his location, and the meter starts ticking away. Enforcement officers with handheld receivers spot-check cars, and issue tickets based on data they download via an IR link. The system definitely sounds convenient, and could eliminate all of those tickets for underestimating how long you're going to be parked. However, we can't help but think it could be improved by adding wireless communication with servers that can automatically track violations and issue tickets. This could be more efficient than the spot-check system, even if it would put Lovely Rita out of a job.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

So we don't actually have any new information on the U.S. pricing and release date of Nintendo's DS Lite; rather we're simply here to pass on the fact that these important details will supposedly be available on Thursday. Our hot sister blog Joystiq is reporting that a recent 1UP podcast revealed both the May 4th announcement as well as the actual pricing/launch info, but the latter deets were bleeped out in order to conform with pesky embargoes and non-disclosure agreements. You can be sure that we'll be on high alert later this week to bring you all the info as soon as it's available, and remember, the sooner you start standing in line for your new DS, the sooner we can post amusing pics of people suffering for their hobby.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

src="http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/04/motorola_q_verizon.jpg" />

Alright Q fans, we’ve got some good news
for you. We’ve received word that Verizon and href="http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=motorola">Motorola are holding a joint news conference in New York this May
22nd — no, not May 22nd 2007, though we should qualify that — to announce the Q. We know, wipe the look of shock off
your face; we don’t really have much more info to give you than that, but really, what more do you need? By this point
you’re either completely sick of hearing about this thing, or have some insane pent up urge to get one, so for the
latter crowd: keep your eyes and ears tuned to May 22nd.

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops, Tablet PCs

What do you get when you mix one part OQO, one part Sidekick, and add a touch of UMPC? Apparently you get Averatec's new AHI concept device, that's what. Expected to be launched this fall for as little or as much as €500 or €900 ($600 or $1,090 US) depending on options, Averatec's aiming to launch their device with XP, a touchscreen (which we assume will take advantage of Microsoft's Touch Pack UMPC suite), WiFi, GPS, 3G data, and a six hour battery life in a 7.3 x 3.5 x 1.3-inch 24 ounce package. So yeah, basically this device might single-handedly solve just about every complaint the UMPC community (and we) have: price, battery life, keyboard, and wireless data. We'll believe it when we see it though, so keep your eyes out for Averatec this fall.

[Via The Reg, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Handsets, Others, Windows Mobile, GSM

No word as to a date or even the possibility of a US release for E-Ten's G500, but at least the FCC thinks everything is looking good with the unit, so we've got that going for us. Announced in Europe this January, the quad-band GSM phone features Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC, GPS, Bluetooth, and a QVGA display. Its lack of WiFi makes us think the unit would be a good fit for those WiFi haters over at Cingular, but your guess is as good as ours.

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Video, Tablet PCs

We've seen the official price for the TabletKiosk eo ($900). Now another UMPC has gotten its first official price, and it's an even further cry from the original "about $500" price point once expected for these devices. The Korean version of the Samsung Q1, expected to go on sale next month, will go for close to W2 million, or roughly $2,000. Sure, the Korean version comes bundled with a DMB TV receiver, USB keyboard, auto adapter and other accessories, but considering that just about every phone, PMP or electric toothbrush sold in Korea seems to include DMB, and you can get a full-fledged tablet PC for well under $2,000, we really have to wonder who Samsung's targeting with this (other than, of course, the usual coterie of fans who will pick up anything promoted by a team of spokesmodels).

hspace="4" border="1" align="right"
src="http://img.engadget.com/common/images/3060000000053641.JPG?0.06874663556524296" alt="" />Let’s face it, with
more and more content being created for the third screen (i.e. your cellphone, handheld, portable, multimedia device,
etc. — whatever you want to call it), it was obviously time for the href="http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/11/a-new-emmy-award-for-small-screen-entertainment/">Emmys to create yet another
award for a new kind of small screen: the award for outstanding original programming for computers, cellphones and
other hand-held [sic] device (or that’s what we understand it’s called, anyway, they didn’t officially acknowledge it
on their site so far as we could tell). So whose programming’s up for an Emmy? You’ve got Fox Mobile’s 24:
Conspiracy, MTV’s mtvU Stand In, AOL’s Live 8 on AOL, Orrin and Jerry Zucker’s It’s Jerry
Time!, CB Films’ Sophie Chase, and interactive puzzle program Stranger Adventures. To be
announced April 22 with the Daytime Emmies, the Academy will be reviewing and voting on the nominees with what we can
only hope is the utmost reverence and sincerity for the category, similar to how we imagine they vote on the Emmy for
Sound Mixing - Nonfiction Programming or Outstanding Game Show Host.

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Filed under: Multimedia

Let's face it, with more and more content being created for the third screen (i.e. your cellphone, handheld, portable, multimedia device, etc. -- whatever you want to call it), it was obviously time for the Emmys to create yet another award for a new kind of small screen: the award for outstanding original programming for computers, cellphones and other hand-held [sic] device (or that's what we understand it's called, anyway, they didn't officially acknowledge it on their site so far as we could tell). So whose programming's up for an Emmy? You've got Fox Mobile's 24: Conspiracy, MTV's mtvU Stand In, AOL's Live 8 on AOL, Orrin and Jerry Zucker's It's Jerry Time!, CB Films' Sophie Chase, and interactive puzzle program Stranger Adventures. To be announced April 22 with the Daytime Emmies, the Academy will be reviewing and voting on the nominees with what we can only hope is the utmost reverence and sincerity for the category, similar to how we imagine they vote on the Emmy for Sound Mixing - Nonfiction Programming or Outstanding Game Show Host.

Filed under: Wearables

The last time we heard anything about the OnHand wrist PDA was probably close to two years ago. So, given its almost complete lack of marketing, distribution, buzz or sales, we're not exactly surprised that manufacturer Matsucom has decided to call it quits and stop producing the device, which managed to incorporate a full set of PDA functions into a fairly ugly watch. The OnHand was hobbled not just by a laissez-faire approach to marketing and a poor design, but by its use of proprietary technology and limited PC support (despite being introduced in 2003, it used a serial cable instead of USB). The small OnHand community did come up with some decent hacks, including a GPS hookup and an external keyboard, but that wasn't enough to keep this going. If you're still dying to get a wrist PDA, though, all hope isn't lost. Despite constant rumors of its death, Fossil's Palm-based Abacus wrist PDA is still available from TigerDirect for about $50.