Bluetooth

HP unveils two new iPAQ smartphones

Paul Mah — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:07:50 -0400

HP has announced two new smartphones: the iPAQ Data Messenger and the iPAQ Voice Messenger. Both of the new devices will run Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1, though the iPAQ Data Messenger runs the Professional Edition and will come with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, while the Voice Messenger runs the Standard Edition and come in a candy-bar form. Screen resolution is a rather standard QVGA; other hardware features includes HSPA capabilities, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3.1 megapixel cameras, and microSD slots. Both smartphones are expected to debut next month on Vodafone. Neither, though, provides anything more than evolutionary updates to the hardware; it appears as if HP is still attempting to play catch-up with some of HTC's newer designs.

For more information about the new iPAQs:
- check out the article at Brighthand

Google drops Bluetooth and GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

Paul Mah — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:57:57 -0400

According to the Android Developers Blog, Google has dropped the Bluetooth and GTalkService instant messaging Application Programming Interface (APIs) from the first version of the Android phone operating system. What this means is that developers will be unable to build third-party applications that interface with or utilize Bluetooth on an Android phone. Handsets based on the Android OS will still be able to work with other Bluetooth devices, with the programmatic interface the only aspect affected. While the Bluetooth API was "pretty far along," some clean up was still necessary. Unfortunately, the team "plain ran out of time" noted Android engineer Nick Pelly. In addition, GTalkService in its current iteration might have resulted in privacy breech, or even a device hijack, and was also pulled as a result.

For more on the story:
- check out this article at the Android Developers Blog

First Atom devices coming in June

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Remember that Sharp-Willcom D4 WS016SH UMPC, the first production device to pack Intel's Atom inside? Well, looks like it will be landing in the States on June 20th, with a hefty $1,526 pricetag attached. If you do choose to pay the early-adopter tax, you'll get a 1.33Ghz Atom Z520 CPU, 40GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g, a 5" WSVGA touchscreen and Windows Vista. While the Sharp-Willcom D4 isn't exactly the most exciting piece of kit on the block, it does make you wonder what other Atom devices we'll be seeing come June.

For more on the Sharp-Willcom D4:
- see this Boy Genius Report article

HP UMPC 2133 specs revealed

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:54 -0400

While we still don't have an official announcement from HP, and while the device is nowhere to be seen on the CTIA show floor, despite the fact that it's said to go on sale in a week, the UMPC 2133 from HP allegedly is still on the way. According to the latest leaked info, we can expect an 8.9" WXGA display, a 1.6Ghz Via C7-M CPU, 2GB of RAM, WiFi, a 120 GB 7200 RPM hard drive, Bluetooth and Vista Business on the flagship model. There also will be a cheaper version with no Bluetooth, a 1.2Ghz CPU, only 1GB of RAM and either Vista Home Basic or SuSE Linux. Prices are set to range from $549 to $749--quite a bit more expensive than other devices in this category.

For the full spec sheet:
- see this Engadget article

QUICKLINKS: Gphone with a twist; Bluetooth goes WiFi;

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:55 -0500

> Gphone with a twist. Article

> Tech in Congress. Article

> Mobile security circles Microsoft. Article

> Bluetooth goes WiFi. Article

Ready for PAN

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

While the consumer wireless world waits for the iPhone, many sections of the wireless industry aren't waiting for anything. Nokia's Wibree, when considered along with Zigbee and Bluetooth, provides the overall foundation for a real revolution in personal area networks (PANs)--a network that connects all the devices we carry and the accessories that let us use those devices. In the same way that the Department of Energy is using a wireless network to protect a national lab campus, the PAN will enable security and productivity applications that we haven't yet considered. It's an exciting time to be looking at the wireless market--and the perfect time to be making sure that policies and procedures are ready to take the technologies yet to come into account. -Curtis

Wibree takes Bluetooth tiny

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:01:37 -0400

Bluetooth is the wireless technology that has cut the cord between accessories and their devices. The problem is that even the smallest Bluetooth implementation has been too large to build into very small accessories like medical devices or watches. Now, though, an agreement has been reached for Wibree--a technology developed by Nokia--to be built into a variety of wireless devices. Well-connected micro-devices are coming soon--get your Personal Area Network (PAN) ready.

For more on Wibree:
- read the technology analysis at CIO-Today

ZigBee: Bluetooth, take 2?

Mon, 28 May 2007 20:01:36 -0400

An inexpensive, low-powered wireless network aimed at providing communications for small auxiliary devices. Sound familiar? Bluetooth has changed the way devices communicate without cables, and now Zigbee promises to build on Bluetooth's success with a wireless topology that can link as many as 65.526 devices into a network using electronics that can add as little as $1 to the cost of each connected device. Zigbee has begun to make marks in the building-automation field, but is poised to expand into general device communications. While it's not the only alternative to Bluetooth, Zigbee has great industry support. Get ready to Zigbee your wireless devices.

For more on Zigbee:
- read the technology update at Network World

Nokia defends the high end

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:01:37 -0400

Consumers may be waiting for the iPhone, but handset vendors aren't. Nokia has released the N95, a $775 smart phone that runs the Symbian operating system and sports a wide variety of media applications. The N95, which Nokia describes as an "all-in-one media computer", is clearly aimed at customers whose interest in smart phones has been piqued by the iPhone--but who are ready for enhanced capabilities now. With a 5 megapixel camera, media support, a keyboard, and compatibility with 3G (HSDPA), WiFi and Bluetooth networking, the N95 brings a lot of capability for a lot of money. When considered alongside other recent Nokia announcements like the N800 tablet and E61 smart phone, the N95 is proof that Nokia has no plans to cede the high end of the market to Apple or anyone else.

For more on the N95:
- Read this article at InformationWeek

10 things we need in mobile handsets

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:01:36 -0400

What do we need in our next mobile handsets? You could roll the whole list up in "phones that work better," but it's more helpful to have some way to define "better." Since the discussion is on a phone in the future (even if it's the near future), not all the items on the list are available now--but that doesn't mean they wouldn't help make for a killer mobile platform. What are some of the things that would help move us toward an ultimate mobile platform?

1. Linux or Mac OS X
2. Large Screen
5. Faster-than Bluetooth (more secure, too)
7. Super-powerful processor
10. Dual-mode handsets

There are 5 more qualities, and some refinements mentioned for many, but put them all together and you could have the beginning of a beautiful specification.

For the rest of the 10 things list:
- Read the complete article at VoIP Now