TamsPPC - the PocketPC Blog » Hardware News

HTC Touch Diamond gets “cheaper” sibling called Victor

Tam Hanna — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:38:45 +0000

An Asian web site called pda-king has managed to get world-exclusive photos of another HTC device that is currently codenamed Victor - here are two shots:

As of now, little is known about the device’s specs - except that other photos at pda-king’s show that its front side is very similar to the HTC Diamond’s.

I personally think that we are looking at a budget/business version of the aforementioned device. HTC’s Touch Diamond currently is a licence to printing cash (just look at the insane OTC prices) - while this may make HTC nice spare cash, it won’t help to keep the market share up (as the original Touch devices are now starting to show their age).

Thus, a very likely course of action would involve the release of a “mid-range” unit…which the Victor could very well be. We’ve seen some agressive rebating of the Touch recently…could the replacement be upcoming?

What do you think?

Meizu M8 shipment dates announced as Apple/PsyStar lawsuits commence

Tam Hanna — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:17:27 +0000

So far, our coverage of Meizu’s WM-Powered iPhone clone has been limited to a report about the manufacturer’s CeBit booth - it was raided and closed due to some kind of copyright quarrel. So far, so good - now, Meizu’s CEO J Wong claimed the following release roadmap:

…a first cut of the M8 will arrive next month — along with plenty more pictures and details — but it’ll be a somewhat neutered rendition that features just 128MB of RAM and zero flash. October will bring the real deal, a 256MB baddie that rocks 8GB of storage for 2180 yuan, which works out to about $320…

I am sure that Meizu’s attempts to bring the device to the USA will lead to loads of litigation: Apple has never been too tolerant about product clones and has recently started to fight Psystar, a manufacturer of Mac clones.

As of now, little more is known - I’m waiting for news anxiously!

Samsung Omnia hits Italy on July 22

Tam Hanna — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:59:52 +0000

Samsung’s latest Windows Mobile-powered iPhone clone has been covered on TamsPalm before - BrightHand reports that it will finally become available on July 22.

Don’t ask me why Samsung chose Italy as the device’s launch market - nevertheless, the rest of Europe will get the box in July/August. As for the US launch - the box is said to hit AT&T in September…

First Treo 800w reviews pop up

Tam Hanna — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:03:22 +0000

Various US-based analysts now have their Treo 800w’s in their claws - and hav e begun to post reviews/first impression reports. Here is a little overview for your enjoyment - click the titles for the full scoops:

PalmInfoCenter
Ryan Kairer’s team posted a “first impressions” report with loads of photos. The boys generally liked the device, but were unhappy about the dim screen and slow processor (which led to very slow web browsing).

PocketNow
The folks at PocketNow have posted a 5min video that shows the Treo 800w in use. They praised the “application launch shortcuts” and generally seem to be pretty happy with the performance of the box.

Treonauts
The folks at TreoNauts praise the “fast +TI OMAP 2431 processor the Treo 800w” which they claim to be one of the fastest processors currently on the market (weird - didn’t they use a QualComm CPU that runs at just 333MhZ???). The analyst generally didn’t prove himself to be too tech-savvy…this is a review that can IMHO be ignored…

As of now, no further reviews are available - should you find another one, please leave a comment!

HTC Touch: down to 100$ with Sprint contract

Tam Hanna — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:59:42 +0000

In case anyone of you still wants the original HTC Touch: the price of the box has fallen to 99$ with a 2yr contract:

Further information is available from the Sprint/Nextel web site via the link below:
http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPhones

P.S. Should you meet an annoying ZIP input box: enter 60001 to bypass it…

Palm Treo 800w drops at Sprint’s

Tam Hanna — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:17:59 +0000

Palm’s Treo 800w can be considered one of the worst-kept secrets ever (sorry, Georgie..but that’s how it looks). Anyways, the box has now hit Sprint - the “terms of engagement are as follows.

The device has 128MB of program memory and 256MB of user data storage. External memory can be added via a MicroSD slot. The camera has a native resolution of 2MP, the screen indeed is 320×320. Finally, WiFi and GPS radios have been integrated for prosperity…

P.S. Should anyone of you want to access Sprint’s web site directly: use the ZIP code 60001 to bypass the ZIP entry box…

HP ipaq 910 drops

Tam Hanna — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:20:32 +0000

The last of the 5 upcoming ipaq’s has now materialized - US readers can now purchase the 910 from HP for 499$ via the URL below.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/handheld/Phone/1/storefronts/FB068AA%2523ABA

This UMTS handset has a landscape QVGA screen and a dedicated keyboard and can be considered HP’s “Treo-killer”. We have contacted HP asking for a sample and expect one to be delivered soon…

Asus chaus - Lamborghini ZX1 canceled

Tam Hanna — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:30:43 +0000

I handled the Asus Lamborghini ZX1 at the last CeBit - even though the unit’s 5way nav felt horribly cheap, the box looked ready for sale.

Modaco now reports that the folks at Asus may prove themselves too stupid to ship an already-complete (and pre-announced) phone. The reason?

This is due to Asus wanting to ensure that more important devices scheduled for Q4 are released on time.

Even though I have expected little more from a company that wilfully decepts its customers and has a long story of making false promises to journalists, the story above literally lays the camel flat.

The company definitely has problems with its eeePC success - they now behave as if they were the kings of the world…which they unfortunately (for them) aren’t. My house is free of all Asus-branded Crap, and I live a fulfilled and happy life - and can recommend you all to do the same.

P.S. Looks like Expansys will get a nasty kicking from customers who have preordered the device for 800 pounds - serves them right for trusting the wannabe king of the world. Hail Asus!

Palm Treo 800w user’s manual rears its head

Tam Hanna — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:44:17 +0000

Engadget reports that the full manual of Palm’s upcoming Treo 800w device was somehow leaked by Sprint - they even have a few screenshots to prove their point.

Chris Ziegler states that the Treo 800w’s manual

…unveils no real surprises that we can see. The usual Windows Mobile 6.1 interface with Palm customizations, conservative styling (we’re being generous there), and typical array of Sprint add-ons like Sprint TV are going to make this a safe, easy choice for the well-starched suit in your life, and that’s about it.

Stay tuned for further info as we get it!

P.S. Don’t bother clicking the link - it brings up a one-page PDF stating nothing except Coming soon…

New HTC devices for CDMA carriers

Tam Hanna — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:58:46 +0000

So far, people on CDMA networks have had to miss out on many interesting smartphones - for example, the latest HTC boxen (and most S60 machines) have been GSM-only so far. This is now set to change - here’s the latest bit of news:

HTC Touch Diamond hits Telus
The CDMA carrier Telus now lists the HTC Touch Diamond as upcoming:

HTC Touch Pro passes FCC
The HTC Touch Pro (originally known as Raphael) has now passed the FCC - the label location information for Exhibit ‘NM8RAPH800′ proves that the Touch Pro is coming to CDMA networks:

HTC Neon400 passes FCC
Finally, Engadget claims that the HTC Neon400(which passed the FCC a few days ago) is a CDMA-powered Touch Dual(an original HTC Touch with a keyboard)…

It looks like smartphone manufacturers start to see that CDMA carriers are in dire need of compelling boxen (seeing that the iPhone is GSM-only), and set out to fulfill the demand…