TamsPPC - the PocketPC Blog

The German telefon-treff.de forum has been extremely active when it comes to rumors - an user recently managed to get his claws onto a 16GB MicroSD card. He immediately popped it into an i780 - here goes:

While no information on shipment dates is available as of now(and on how much this thing will cost when it drops), it’s good to know that 2 and 4GB memory card prices will drop a lot in the near future…and…well..we now know about yet another way to waste excess money…

P.S. In case anyone of you has the same thoughts I have…yes; it looks like we are looking at one of the first ITW-photos of the i780 we wrote about a few days ago. It does have a touchscreen after all…

Ever since the first handhelds with VGA screens hit the market, users began to debate about the virtues and values of high-res screens. In fact, one of the earliest editorials on TamsPPC was about why VGA screens for mobile devices didn’t catch on quite as fast as originally expected.

So far, so good - the Turkish web site Mobil Yazilar has now posted a “photo comparison” between VGA and QVGA screens - needless to say, the VGA screen wins, big time. In fact, it almost looks as if the Pocket PC operating system was designed for VGA screens(smallest font)…

Anyways, visit the folks via this link(seems to be the only English article on the page):
http://mobilyazilar.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-is-difference-between-vga-and-qvga.html

The screenshots in this review were supplied by the developer, as the game is incompatible with our screenshot program

Resco’s Defender can be credited with starting the tower defense craze - Azgard Defence plans to dethrone the king. Will it get out on top?

Unlike Resco Defender, Azgard Defence(written with a c(!!!)) retains the actual ‘level’ concept - maps are bigger than the average PocketPC’s screen. Also,the terrain actually influences where creatures walk and where towers can be built:

All of the towers are based on one of the four initial towers that can be built via a toolbox on the right of the screen(and a hardbutton press). Clicking a tower sometimes brings up the ‘tower info’ dialog - it allows you to ‘level up’ or upgrade the tower. Leveling up a tower boosts stats and usually is much cheaper than upgrading, but does not change the tower’s behavior. However, higher-level towers are more expensive to upgrade(should you ever wish to).

Some updates change a tower’s behavior dramatically - for example, the tiny little archer tower at the left can be transformed into things like a corrosion tower with stacked damage. Here’s a picture of the game’s tech tree:

MoreGames included a decent set of creeps with various properties - the images below show a few samples:

Azgard Defence has excellent graphics and a well-done sound track - here are few images showing some of the visual effects:

Last but not least, the program contains an excellent level editor that can be used to ‘replenish’ your level supply:

This review looked at version 1.03 of the program on a HP rx4240. The game was stable and caused no major glitches. It needs k of memory and can be installed onto an external memory card.

Cutting a long story short, Azgard Defense brings true WarCraft 3 feeling to the Pocket PC. While the game is a bit difficult to control, true Tower Defense freaks(e.g. yours truly) will marvel at the huge levels and the level editor. Casual gamers, on the other hand, will be overwhelmed by the interface. In case you love Tower Defense, this 10$ app is an absolute must-have!

The folks at WMExperts have managed to find an insider willing to speak out more about the issues related to the HTC driver story.

Cutting a long story short, the issue essentially is centered about Qualcomm’s licensing method. With Q., a chip purchase does not entitle you to use all features found on the silicon - instead, extra licensing fees are needed for some features.

Now, the problem is that the ARM core in the current generation of Qualcomm CPU is too weak - and needs the video accelerator…but HTC wasn’t willing to pay the extra licensing fees, thinking that the performance would suffice.

Tune in for a bit of extra info on camera resolutions and aGPS - visit them here.

Samsung has recently confirmed to the::unwired that the SGH-i780 is coming to Europe. It will be carried by Orange UK and Telefónica in the beginning, with new carriers coming soon. Also, sales to the “open market” will begin ASAP:

In case anyone of you feels like some specs, the machine will run Windows Mobile 6. It has a 320×320 touchscreen and

We are currently bugging Samsung about a sample…stay tuned!

P.S. The German retailer handit already lists the device…for 489€.

Some weeks ago we wrote about graphic problems on some HTC smartphones, including the HTC Kaiser. These phones have  video acceleration capabilities, but no optimized drivers for them.

Now, after almost 10000 petition signers, HTC has announced that they are developing a new driver for their graphic chips. The comany’s CEO stated that the new driver will be availible at the end of March.

A hungarian blog recently leaked a few images showing Sony Ericsson’s new Windows Mobile Smartphone - displaying loads of system specs. We now know the following:

• Windows Mobile 6.1
  
• Qualcomm 7200@528MhZ
  
• 128MB RAM, 256MB Flash
  
• 122.66MB usable storage space

• 800×480 screen(ipaq 310, anyone?)
• 1500mAH battery

In case you wish to see the pictures yourself, why not visit them here.

BrightHand’s Adama Brown has just completed his review of HP’s latest VGA-screen PDA(available here).

The review generally is very positive about the device and rates it better than both Palm TX and Dell Axim x51v - the main complaints are related to minor things like the speaker and slightly slow startup times.

Adama especially praised the bright, large screen and the truly insane battery life…stay tuned - our unit should hit our offices soon!

The images below show the “revamped” keyboard as found on the X7510:

It looks like we are looking at a “touchscreen” keyboard of some sort, where the classic mechanical keys are replaced by a touchscreen membrane. While this definitely offers advantages in terms of weight, thickness and possibly durability, I consider this a very bad idea nevertheless.

Mechanical keyboards offer (at least basic) tactile feedback while typing - something a touchscreen keyboard never can replicate. When typing on a touchscreen keyboard, nothing tells you if you have hit the right key or not - when touching “discrete” keys, you can immediately feel if you are on the key or not.

What do you think?

Image via Engadget.

The very moment Apple announced the iPhone/iPod touch, the world was turned upside down. No longer were interfaces judged by their effectiveness - no, people began to demand visual ‘oomph’. VITO’s GoodWin promises to emulate the iPhone’s UI on the PocketPC - can ii stack up?

After installation, GoodWin immediately installs itself into your Today screen - tapping the leftmost icon starts GoodWin after a 5-10sec wait:

GoodWin essentially consists of a very long list - running applications are listed at the top, all apps are below, and preference panels are at the very bottom:

A quick tap on an app icon launches the program - tapping the x at the top takes you back to GoodWin. Tapping an icon for approx two seconds pops up a menu that allows you to perform various actions:

Some programs(the ones marked with an x at the bottom) can even be un-installed right from GoodWin - do not ask me how the removability is determined though, as many of the apps without an x still can be removed in the Software Prefs:

Of course, finger scrolling is possible in all modes. VITO Software also included loads of transition effects - in fact, there actually are more effects than on an iPod. Last but not least, the product also emulates the ’slide-to-unlock’ mechanism found on an iPod touch.

Here is a small Google Video showing the app in action(finger scrolling, visual effects):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3911632362137352370&hl=en

This review looked at version of GoodWin on an hp ipaq rx4240. The program needs 1700KB of memory and can be installed onto an expansion card. While no stability issues were encountered in the testing process, GoodWin apparently has slight problems running on non-smartphones(aka non-fatal errors like the one below):

In the end, GoodWin makes for a nice toy. If you wish for some ’scrolling’ action, get this program for 20$. If you, on the other hand, are satisfied with the way you currently handle program launching on your device, stay clear…there’s nothing in this for you…

Toshiba will release a new Windows Mobile Smartphone next month in Europe. The G810 comes with:

• 2.8 inch display (touchscreen)
• Qualcomm Processor at 400 MHz
•  GSM, UMTS, WLAN (b/g), Bluetooth
• 3 MP camera with auto focus
• FM radio
• 128 MB RAM/256 MB ROM, Micro SD expansion slot
• USB2 client (Mini B)
• GPS built in

Currently, there are no information about the price, but I’m sure Toshiba will publish the pricing soon.

(via SolSie.com)

The folks at Brighthand’s have found out that HP has finally stopped the US-rollout of its recently-delayed hp ipaq 610 business navigator Due to recent legal issues between suppliers of mobile phone technologies.

As of now, our friends at HP’s have not informed us about what this means for the 610 - will the roll-out in the rest of the world(Germany planned Feb 2008) continue as planned?

Please stay tuned - further info coming as soon as our friend at HP’s gets up!

I am currently working on “porting” my VB.NET test application from Pocket PC to Windows Mobile Smartphone(two binaries, but one code base) and have found the following links very useful. Treat it as a “collection of resources” for now - a detailed writeup comes in the near future!

Share Source Code Across Platforms (Devices)
This article gives you a broad overview at what’s needed.

Verify Platform Support for Code in Device Projects
A single line can kill your app - this article tells you how to tell the VB compiler to make sure that no “unedible” code is compiled.

Change Platforms in Device Projects
This little writeup tells you how to switch your Visual Studio between the two “platforms”…

If you find any other useful resources, please post them here!

The box pictured below is very afraid of being thrown into the bin by this lovely critter - she has grown tired of it sitting on our TV set and now wants to throw it out:

Please have mercy with the box - it contains a perfectly-ok and completely unused Proporta Alu-Leather case for the hp ipaq 514 business messenger. It was intended to be reviewed along with the unit, but somehow the review wasn’t completed in time. It has never ever been used, but the screw for the belt clip has been lost:

I am now willing to give it away for free to anyone who is willing to cover the posting fees(about 7€, can be paid via PayPal).

Jokes and Doris aside…our friends at Proporta’s have allowed me to give away this sample as I personally don’t have such an iPaq. In case you feel like giving it a pop, just email me at Tamog@gmx.at and we’ll figure out how to get it to you the fastest/cheapest way.

HTC has announced a few new devices recently - here’s the list:
HTC P3470 - GPS for the masses
The P3470 - which is just 108mm tall - is one of the smallest devices in HTC’s portfolio. Combining TomTom Navigator 6 and the TouchFLO interface into a small package to create the ultimate smartphone, blah, blah…well, you get the idea.

Specs-wise, the P3470 is rather weak. It is powered by a measly OMAP™ 850 running at just 201.5MHz(!!!!!), has a MicroSD card slot and a 2MP camera with manual macro mode(more on that Symbol invention another day). The machine does have bluetooth, but lacks WiFi. Music is output via HTC’s 11pin connector - no MiniUSB here.

Even though HTC claims immediate availability in Europe, eXpansys Austria does not list the device as of now. In fact, the image gallery doesn’t even contain any images….

HTC Advantage x7510 - updates for the monster box
HTC’s Advantage - aka the monster box - has redefined the standards for mobile computing when it first hit the road. Now, HTC has given the machine a slight facelift - image below:

Under the hood, the machine now tugs along 16GB of internal flash memory. Additionally, it comes preloaded with Opera 9 and TouchFLO. The keyboard has also received some sort of improvement:

a new improved keyboard with haptic feedback

As with the P3470, the press image gallery does not contain any pictures as of now. Expansys does not have the device listed ATM, either.

We have contacted HTC for samples and are currently waiting for their response…

Further reading:
P3470 specs
Advantage x7510 specs