NerdBeach

Pocket PCs Live On

Pocket PC PictureIn the past, my faithful traveling companion was a Pocket PC that carried more information and had more capability than most of my early desktops (yeah, I started computering way back then).  I was secretly delighted that I could carry with me an entire encyclopedia (copy of Wikipedia, to be exact), a cookbook of 70,000 recipes, AND any kind of imaginable application that I happened to write to make my existence in this world just a bit easier. I was an empowered nerd.

Flash forward to today, where I usually pack an iPhone with a wireless connection.  The memory is nice, and yes I am still writing my own apps to do what I want it to do (and it does a lot, trust me).  But when the smoke clears, it is still referred to as a phone.  I sometimes miss the dedicated mini computer that sticks with me between phone upgrades.

HP recently brought back the dedicated Pocket PC, but at a War price in my opinion.  Sure, I could see spending the bigger buck for one back in the day, but when you have a $99 iPhone with 8 gigs of memory you need to be a little competitive.  Luckily, the third party vendors are stepping up to the plate.

ChinaVasion, the China based importer of electronic goods, has brought a nice little unit that seems to fit great in the category of which I speak.  Their Mobile Internet Device (CVFB-PC04), or MID, is a mobile multimedia PC with a touchscreen.  The device runs Windows Mobile 5.0, so there are literally tons of software available for it.  The 4.3 inch display is much better than the current offerings from many of the WinMo vendors, and the price is sweet at around $230.  Now, this is Chinavasion, so you can rest assured that there are volume discounts on top of that.  The device also sports an integrated SIRF STAR III GPS device, so hooking it up to your favorite navigation software is a breeze. The ergonomics are strong with this one, and the stylsu equipped device also features a built in kickstand for hands free use – such as when you are watching a movie or using it for GPS navigation.

The unit ships with "Office Productivity Applications", which I assume, being Windows Mobile 5.0, means the pocket office suite.  And the unit has a wireless connection, which I will again assume means 802.11.  There is also an SD Card slot for storage.  And, if I read correctly, there is 4gb of internal storage – a MUCH welcomed improvement over the low memory Pocket PC units of the past. Below is a copy of the tech specs from the website:

Hardware Specifications

 

  • Size (mm): 150 (L) x 85 (W) x 21 (H)
  • Processor Type: ARM926EJ-S 32-Bit RISC CPU
  • Operating System: Windows CE 5.0
  • Battery type: Built-in rechargeable 1550mAH lithium (rechargeable)
  • Battery life: 4 hours
  • Screen resolution: 480×272 resolution
  • Storage capacity (internal): 4GB Nandflash (built-in)
  • Storage capacity (external): Takes up to 16GB capacity SD/MMC Card

 

GPS Hardware Parameters

 

  • Chipset: SIRF STARIII
  • Frequency: 1.575GHz
  • C/A Code: 1.023 MHz Chip Rate
  • Channels: 20
  • Tracking Frequency: -159dbm
  • Precision: 10m 2D RMS, 5m 2D RMS, WA AS Enable
  • Rate: 0.1m/s
  • Data update: 1Hz
  • Requisition time: 0.1s on average
  • Hot start time: <3S
  • Warm start time: 30S on average
  • Cold start time: <100S
  • Internal antenna: Ceramic antenna embedded Active

 

Compatible File Types

 

  • Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, OGG
  • Video Formats: AVI, MPEG4, WMV, ASF, 3GP, XVID
  • Image Formats: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIFF

 


Input/output/connectivity

 

  • Mini USB port
  • Headphone jack
  • Microphone jack
  • USB port
  • SD/MMC Card slot

 

Camera

 

  • Resolution: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1600×1200 and 2560×1920
  • White Balance effects: Auto, Cloudy, Dark, Morning, Flash Light
  • Serial Shooting: Close, Two, Three, Four
  • Auto Focus: 5 seconds, 10 seconds and 15 second
  • Time-lapse: 5 seconds, 10 seconds and 15 second
  • USB port
  • SD/MMC Card slot

 

Buttons

 

  • Navigation pad
  • Power ON/OFF button
  • Screensaver On/OFF
  • Shoot/take picture
  • Video record/Camera mode changeover
  • Multifunction key

 


OS Language: English

Manufacturer Ref: F74BGRX7XUEK

Product Notes

 

  • Can be recharged from the power adapter, the car charger or by USB.
  • Superb wireless functionality with wireless internet access capability
  • Core Pocket Media Player and Macromedia Flash Player 5.0 pre-installed for multimedia playback
  • Comes pre-installed with NES Games Emulator and a free Real-Time Strategy Game

 

Package Contents

 

  • Model CVFB-PC04 Portable Multimedia PC
  • User Manual – English
  • Quickstep Guide – English
  • Stereo in-ear headphones
  • Drivers CD
  • USB cable
  • USB to mini-USB cable
  • AC charger
  • Car charger
  • Mounting bracket
  • Car Mount
  • 2x Rechargeable 3.7V 1550mAH Li-ion Battery

 

I have to say, considering what you get in the package (incorporated GPS, car charger, mounting bracket, etc.) the price is nice.  But you do want to read the specs carefully, since things change pretty fast in the import world. Interested in checking it out for yourself, you can find it at the ChinaVasion site. 

Cy-Fi wireless bike boom box

Having tunes playing while riding a bike is nothing new, but the mechanics of getting tunes and biking together often meant single handed riding or cables to contend with.  The Cy-Fi wireless speaker ($199) aims to make this much easier, and more modern than a hoisted boom box, by providing a wireless speaker system that mounts on your bike of choice.

 The unit tends to lean toward minimalist perfection, and such items as a Driver CD or USB chord will not be found in the box.   Instead you will find what you need to charge it (a wall charger), what you need to mount it (two mounting clips) and what you need to use (in this case an iPod transmitter, but there are Bluetooth models as well, which I would expect to use the A2DP profile).  To use the speaker requires you to only attach the transmitter to your iPod, and the transmitter only adds about an inch to its length.  This will keep your iPod pocket friendly, and not add excessive bulk to it.

The speaker itself has buttons for volume adjustment as well as play/pause and track selection. The really cool thing about the setup is that you can get off the bike and walk around with the iPod securely tucked away in a pocket while the speaker is playing.  This gives you a virtual remote controlled sound system, and the transmitter is rated for around 30 feet of travel from the base unit.  The system uses "Kleer" sound transmission technology which claims low power consumption and 100 percent lossless sound, which at least sounds very nice (and if it uses a digital process no doubt there is very little degradation in the audio quality from the transmission process itself).

The wireless speaker system is rated for six hours use from a single charge, and for most people this will probably work quite well.  The exception will be for those people who travel cross country on their bikes-   But then again six hours of music may be enough on a given day.  If you travel in fairly tight groups while biking up to four units can be connected to a single transmitter.  This lets you share you music across everyone's mounted speaker. 

The Cy-Fi is Apple Certified and it is available online, so a new method of bike tunage is as close as the buy button (well, that and the delivery van, but you get the ideal).  Just be SURE that the music is used in a sensible fashion, and not in areas where the sound could mask out other vehicles that you should otherwise be aware of.  It would seem that an external speaker system turned down low would be a bit safer than earbuds, since they do not actually block other noises out completely.

Cross Country Bike riders would need more than 6 hours 

Cross Country riding, where you take a bicycle and head out across the highways and byways, appears to be a popular way of seeing the country.  One such example of this type of marathon biking can be shown by an intrepid traveling parrothead (and coincidentally my brother), whose log of biking adventures can be found at www.parrotpartyadventures.com.  For these hardy folks six hours of charge would not be enough to accompany them the entire day, but could no doubt be a welcome treat on some of the more open travels. 

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Get your USB mini rad gaming on with Actiga

Actiga is offering cool controllers for computers that include built in games.  The games, dubbed Mini-Motion, sell for $20, and come in versions like skateboarding, RC cars, baseball, and more.  Each game has a USB controller that is suited for the game, and the price is not bad.  The games are compatible with Mac and PC (so even those two guys on the PC/MAC commercials can play together.)

Personally I would like to see some really rad mini games, such as a wicked compiler button where the object of the game is to make the project build and link without upending, but I am not sure if many could handle the stress of such an intense game…

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StellarWindow hardware and software duo helps with stargazing

If you are into Astronomy, this might be of interest. A group of Waseda University students in Japan have developed a software/hardware combo called StellarWindow to help with you stargazing activities.  The special USB dongle features tilt sensors and an electronic compass to pinpoint your view in the sky (once your overall position is calibrated). 

The software will describe the night sky laid out before you, and there is even voice recognition to help with the desired gazing requests.  The system should be available the end of this year from  Fairy Devices Inc. for about $244.

The only thing I would like to see added to it is a GPS so that you would not have to add position information , but if you tend to stargaze in the same location (i.e. your backyard), then that would probably be superfluous.  Nice looking setup, from the description at least.

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