Press Release: ARM Announces Next Generation ARM11 Microarchitecture
ARM11 microarchitecture leads way for embedded SoCs targeted at next generation of wireless and consumer applications
CAMBRIDGE, UK ? Apr. 29, 2002 ? ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry’s leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today announced at the Embedded Processor Forum in San Jose, Calif., the launch of the ARM11? microarchitecture, designed to address the needs of next-generation wireless and consumer devices. The ARM11 microarchitecture targets a performance range of 400 to 1,200 Dhrystone MIPS, while meeting the low power needs and cost requirements of battery-powered and high-density embedded applications.
The ARM11 microarchitecture is the first implementation of the ARMv6 instruction set architecture (ARM Announces Technical Details of Next-Generation Architecture — Oct. 17, 2001), and is designed to address the requirements of embedded applications processors, advanced operating systems (OS), and multimedia, such as audio and video coding and decoding. The ARM11 microarchitecture forms the basis of a new range of ARM11 CPU products, and builds upon the success of the established ARM9E? and ARM10E? families of cores.
“System developers demand continual innovation to enable the creation of world class digital products,” said John Rayfield, director of R&D, ARM. “The ARM11 microarchitecture is the foundation of our next generation of CPU cores, and delivers new levels of performance and efficiency for leading-edge wireless and consumer devices.”
Applications
The ARM11 microarchitecture is particularly suited to next-generation wireless and consumer devices, where high levels of system performance and low-power consumption are required. These include 2.5G and 3G mobile phone handsets, PDAs and multimedia wireless devices, home consumer applications such as imaging and digital camera applications. The microarchitecture is also designed to meet the needs of home gateway and network infrastructure equipment including voice over IP and broadband modems.
Technical details
The new ARM11 microarchitecture implements the ARMv6 instruction set architecture that includes the Thumb? extensions for code density, Jazelle? technology for Java? acceleration, ARM DSP extensions, and SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) media processing extensions.
High performance is delivered using an 8-stage integer pipeline, static and dynamic branch prediction, and separate load-store and arithmetic pipelines to maximize instruction throughput. The ARM11 microarchitecture will deliver 350 to 500+ MHz worst case on 0.13u foundry processes, and over 1 GHz on next-generation 0.1?m processes. The ARM11 microarchitecture achieves optimum power efficiency single-issue operation with out-of-order completion to minimize gate count, consuming less than 0.4 mW/MHz on 0.13u foundry processes.
Multimedia performance is accelerated through the enhanced integer pipeline, new SIMD media instructions, high-performance 64-bit memory system, and hardware support for unaligned data access. Real-time performance is enhanced by using vectored interrupts, and low-interrupt-latency operating modes which, together with ARMv6 architecture enhancements, reduce interrupt handling overhead by 70 percent.
The new ARM11 microarchitecture also provides considerably improved operating system performance by use of physically addressed caches, and new ARMv6 architecture instructions that accelerate context switching. The ARM11 microarchitecture was developed in close consultation with leading operating system vendors and supports the WindowsCE, Symbian OS, Palm OS, and Linux operating systems.
Availability
The first CPU using the ARM11 microarchitecture will be publicly announced and released to licensees in Q4 2002.
Notes
“ARM architecture” refers specifically to the architectural instruction sets and programmers models, such as the ARMv5TE architecture, the ARMv5TEJ architecture, and the ARMv6 architecture. The term “ARM microarchitecture” refers specifically to the implementations of those architectures, such as the ARM9? family of cores and the ARM10 family of cores. The ARM926EJ-S? core and the ARM1020E? core are CPU products based on those earlier microarchitectures.
About ARM
ARM is the industry’s leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-on-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM’s microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming a volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com.
ARM and Thumb are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM9E, ARM926EJ-S, ARM10, ARM10E, ARM1020E, ARM11 and Jazelle are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. “ARM” is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Limited; ARM Taiwan; and ARM France SAS.
No Definite Ship Date For Palm Web Browser
It appears that the Palm Web Browser, which was supposed to ship on April 8, 2002 for $19.95, won’t see the light of day for at least a few months. I have called Palm Support several times and finally got an answer from someone who gave me more than the “we don’t support unreleased products” line. The one lady I talked with mentioned that PalmSource has delayed shipment of the product in order to iron out some small remaining problems, possibly add some features, and do compatibility testing. The Palm Web Browser is supposed to work with the Palm i705 as well as any of the “new” (i.e., Palm m125, m130, m50x wirelessly enabled) Palm devices.
Press Release: MARWARE Sale On iPaq Cases
HOLLYWOOD, FL, APRIL 28, 2002: For a limited time, MARWARE is offering its popular CEO for iPAQ at 40% off the regular price. These fine quality leather cases offer a flip-top lid, a swivel belt clip, and come in black or dark brown leather. These slim cases fit the iPAQ 3600 and 3700 series and come in three sizes: iPAQ only, iPAQ with compact flash sleeve, and iPAQ with PC card sleeve.
The cases normally retail for $34.95, but are on sale for a limited time for $20.97, while supplies last. All sales are final.
MARWARE specializes in products for handheld and laptop computers. For more information call (954) 927-6031 (voice), visit their website at http://www.marware.com email MARWARE at info@marware.com, , or write to MARWARE at: 1611 Mayo Street, Hollywood, FL 33020 USA.
A Rant: Why Do People In The USA Hate Success?
I was noticing the other day that Bill Gates was back in court, defending his products against the DOJ. I’m still trying to figure this one out, and why there are so many people who hate Microsoft with a white-hot fury. I think the answer is that for some idiotic reason, Americans just hate it when someone else is more successful than they are.
Think about it. Here’s a guy who has managed to take PCs from being godawful boxes that you had to type arcane command line phrases into to get ‘em to do anything, to fast devices that do just about anything you want. Mac users really drive me up the fucking wall, if you’ll pardon my language. I was a Mac geek from 1984 until the time that Windows 95 came on the market. My Mac constantly bombed, it was hard to customize, there wasn’t a lot of software available, and the damned things were always slower and more expensive than their PC counterparts. From what a friend of mine has told me (and he just bought one of the new iMacs about three weeks ago), they’re still rather temperamental, there’s still not a lot of software available, and yep, they’re still quite a bit more expensive for an equivalent PC. Yet Mac owners are probably the most virulently anti-Microsoft group out there. Why? Are they just “insanely jealous” that Windows XP looks better than OS X, that you can buy a loaded 1.8 GHz XP PC for less than what a cheezy little iMac will set you back, or that a lot of their software (what little there is) won’t run under OS X and that forces them to reboot and load an older version?
For some stupid reason, I became a radio amateur (ham) a few years ago. I think it was mainly to make my dad happy in his old age, since he’s been enamored of the hobby for 50 years. While there are some things I like about the hobby, I still find it ridiculous that in order to get the “right” to talk to someone in certain frequency bands, I have to know Morse Code. NOBODY uses Morse except for hams now - it’s been officially deemed obsolete by the military, shipping lines, and just about everyone else out there. Well, I still have rights on the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands, which basically means line-of-sight transmissions over a repeater. The people who tend to clog up these local bands are for the most part very anti-Microsoft. It never ceases to amaze me how many nasty comments I hear on a daily basis from this crowd. Why? Well, you have to understand hams - they tend to make everything as difficult as possible so that they can be insufferably superior to their friends, co-workers and relatives. I think for THIS particular group of people, they hate Microsoft because they’ve made computing EASY and understandable, and with XP, even reliable. Hams for the most part would love to go back to the days when personal computing meant soldering together your MITS Altair kit and then programming it in hexadecimal through a set of toggle switches.
One of these cretins was talking the other day about how he doesn’t like a particular new variety of Linux because it is too Windows-like. He growled about the user interface and the fact that StarOffice had actually stooped so low as to provide compatibility with Microsoft Office products, then got very excited about the fact that some friend of his had hacked a piece of the Linux kernal so that the damned thing compiled about 20% faster. Yeah, there’s MY idea of a user friendly OS…
Anyway, now I’m starting to hear crap from my Palm-owning buddies at work. Don’t get me wrong; I like Palms AND Pocket PCs equally as well. But when the reason for not owning a Pocket PC is simply hatred of Microsoft, there’s something seriously wrong.
This hatred of success seems to take place in other venues than personal computing as well. Take Martha Stewart, for example. Here’s a very successful woman who has built up a home design empire, has TV shows and magazines, and has been kicking butt in the home furnishing marketplace, yet vindictive people who wouldn’t know the woman if she was standing in front of her are now talking about her personality flaws. Lovely. Or how about another successful woman - Carly Fiorina of HP? Here’s someone who has been bringing HP back from a few bad years, who engineered a huge merger with Compaq, and now they’re aiming at her for allegedly pressuring banks and investment houses to approve the merger. How about Tiger Woods? The guy wins the Masters Tournament again and the papers are filled with screeds about how awful it was that there wasn’t even any competition…when they SHOULD have been praising the man’s incredible golfing ability.
Maybe it goes against the American grain nowadays to actually admire someone for being successful, but I intend to start being a lot more vocal in my support of Microsoft products and technologies. They may not be perfect, but they’ve sure done a hell of a job in terms of making my life better technology-wise.
Press Release: Bachmann Software Introduces Desktop File Management for Palm Powered Devices
FilePoint Pro allows PDA users to manage their data with “Explorer-like” ease from their PC
SPARTA, NJ (April 25, 2002) — Today, Bachmann Software introduced FilePoint(TM) Pro, a versatile file management tool that allows Palm Powered (TM) device users to manage their data from their PC. FilePoint Pro takes all the features of the popular handheld version and makes them available on the desktop as well.
FilePoint, previously only available on the Palm OS (R) platform, has won acclaim for its intuitive design and features, including a 5-star rating from PC Magazine and Finalist for Best Utility of 2001 from Handheld Computing Magazine. FilePoint Pro extends the functionality of the Palm OS version to Windows-based desktop PCs. It presents views of the data on both a user’s handheld device and PC, including the same folder structure. In short, FilePoint Pro enables users to organize their device’s data on their desktop PCs, and all changes to the file organization will take place during synchronization with the handheld.
“FilePoint has given users of Palm Powered handhelds a new way of efficiently managing their files in a familiar folder-tree format and accessing critical data when it is needed,” said Gabriel Acosta-Lopez, PalmSource, Inc.’s senior director of Platform Development Services. “FilePoint Pro provides a powerful expansion of these capabilities by enabling users to manage their handheld data
from their desktop.”
FilePoint Pro enables users to perform a wide range of file management actions at their desktop, including “drag and drop” organization of documents, applications, or even entire folders that users wish to move to their handhelds’ expansion cards, RAM, or specific FilePoint folders. By providing both desktop and handheld versions of the application, FilePoint Pro is able to fulfill the roles of launcher, file management system, install tool, and card reader, all in one.
“The PC is really ‘command central’ for the management of data,” said Dan Reuvers, Bachmann Software’s vice president of business development. “We access our hard drives, CDs, floppy disks and corporate servers, all from our desktop or laptop computers. It only makes sense that computer users are able to enjoy the same kind of access and file management on their handheld computers. FilePoint Pro allows mobile professionals to manage their data just as easily from the convenience of their desktop PCs in a familiar file management structure they have all used with Windows Explorer.”
With so many devices equipped with expansion memory slots today, the amount of data on handheld devices continues to grow. FilePoint Pro makes using the expansion feature of a handheld device as practical as accessing data stored on a CD or floppy disk.
FilePoint Pro retails for US$49.99 and is available on Bachmann Software’s Web site, www.bachmannsoftware.com, or any of the Web sites that sell Palm OS applications, such as PalmGear and Handango. The Palm OS version of FilePoint is still available for US$29.99. Current users of FilePoint will be able to upgrade to FilePoint Pro for US$29.99. Bachmann Software is offering a free copy of its PrintBoy application to anyone who purchases FilePoint Pro before May 31, 2002.
About Bachmann Software & Services
Bachmann Software & Services is a leading provider of software products and development services for handheld computing and wireless applications. Based in Sparta, N.J., the company primarily develops applications for the Palm OS platform. Its premier products include PrintBoy (TM) Developer Kit, which provides a standard text and graphics printing engine that can be used by virtually any Palm OS application, and PrintBoy (TM), a suite of applets that allows users to wirelessly print highly readable output of most information stored on a Palm OS based device. Bachmann also produces the InfraReady adapter, designed to convert virtually any printer’s parallel port to accept an infrared beam. The company’s newest product line, FilePoint, extends many of the “Windows-style” file management conveniences to Palm Powered devices that desktop users have long enjoyed.
Bachmann has also been a leading contributor to the overall Palm Economy by producing over 50 products on the platform. The company has been engaged by many Fortune 500 companies to develop mobile computing solutions. The company’s president, Glenn Bachmann is also the author of the book, “Palm Programming; The Authoritative Solution,” published in 1999.
For more information, visit www.bachmannsoftware.com.
Palm OS is a registered trademark, and Palm Powered is a trademark of Palm, Inc.
All other products, services and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or services marks of their respective owners.
Press Release: Handheld Media Group Introduces Handheld Computing Developers Newsletter
A Free Monthly Publication that Will Cover Every Aspect of Creating Products for Palm Powered Handhelds
San Mateo, Calif., April 25 — Handheld Media Group today introduced its premiere issue of Handheld Computing Developer, a monthly publication that will cover every aspect of creating products for Palm Powered handhelds. While the central focus of this newsletter will be tutorials and tips for creating Palm OS applications, Handheld Media Group will also cover other topics that are of vital interest to the development community.
Handheld Computing Developer is a publication not only for developers, but by developers as well. Developers are given the chance to share their expertise, lessons learned, and tips and tricks with the Palm OS development community. Handheld Media Group will be looking for article submissions of every sort, including: share your favorite Palm OS programming tips, review the programming
tools that made your life easier (or miserable), tackle the challenge of helping developers migrate to C++, describe a development project that went well (or went awry), help new programmers with contract negotiations, or even provide tutorials on your company’s own programming tools.
“We see Handheld Computing Developer as a core resource for Palm OS coders,” added Editor Denny Atkin. “It’s an independent voice for the development community to share not only coding tricks, but also to talk about all aspects of creating products for the Palm Powered platform. Where to sell software, lessons learned from earlier successes and failures, issues with the various Palm OS
hardware platforms–all topics that are of interest to beginners and experts alike.” In the premiere issue, which is now available online at www.hhcenterprise.com, readers will find articles by noted Palm OS developers on programming for the VFS file system, as well as the dos and don’ts of Palm OS application development. The current issue includes the first installment of a ground-up tutorial on building a handheld application and an example of how various Sony Clie applications are able to share data.
Subscribe free to Handheld Computing Developer by visiting www.hhcenterprise.com. Developers are invited to submit an article idea that they think would be of interest to the development community. Submit your article idea to: editor@hhcmag.com.
About Handheld Media Group
Handheld Media Group is the leading information resource and marketing solution provider in the area of handheld and mobile computing. Established in 1997, Handheld Media Group produces the best know media properties for handheld enthusiasts, including Handheld Computing magazines and newsletters and the leading industry web site and community discussion boards at PDABuzz.com. Handheld Media Group produces print and online publications and websites and produces SyncFest, a series of consumer events for the handheld computing industry. For more information on the company, visit the Web site at www.hhmgroup.com.
iPaq Bluetooth Patch
Compaq released v1.1 of the iPaq Bluetooth Service Manager earlier this week. This release fixes a bunch of issues and provides a number of enhancements as well.
Some of the fixes and enhancements include reduced radio startup time, better reliability through repeated power cycles, an improved method of selecting files for file transfer, improvements in the install/uninstall routines and compatibility with more Bluetooth devices. The download is 2.28 MB in size and works on any iPaq using the Bluetooth Wireless Pack or with integrated Bluetooth.
Posted wirelessly from a Palm i705
Press Release: Toshiba Releases New Consumer-Friendly PDA
Mobile Pioneer Expands PDA Product Line-up with the New Pocket PC e310 Geared for Value Seeking Buyers
IRVINE, Calif., April 22, 2002 ? Spearheading Toshiba to the forefront of the Pocket PC industry and extending its mobile and wireless strategy one step further, Toshiba’s Computer Systems Group (CSG) today announced the expansion of its successful PDA product line with the new Toshiba Pocket PC e310. Value-priced at $399, the newly designed color PDA is enabled by the Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC 2002 operating system and a host of expansion capabilities, surpassing the needs and expectations of the customer.
Easily transportable and weighing less than five ounces, the sleek Toshiba Pocket PC e310 is best suited for first-time PDA buyers, or second-time, price conscious buyers looking for enhanced capabilities beyond simple calendar and address book functionality to help organize their valuable data.
“The Toshiba Pocket PC e310 is the perfect companion to manage work-life requirements,” said Oscar Koenders, vice president of product marketing, Toshiba CSG. “Its price appeal coupled with rich functionality empower users to manage their working and personal lives.”
Easy to use right out of the box, the Toshiba Pocket PC e310 uses a simple and familiar user interface and comes fully equipped with a 3.5 - inch dia. high-resolution 64K color display; Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC 2002 operating system including Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Microsoft ActiveSync, Microsoft Pocket Media Player for Pocket PC 2002; and an integrated Secure Digital? (SD) expansion slot.
Whether a user is in the office or on the go, the Toshiba Pocket PC e310 provides a host of benefits and handles busy lifestyles with the greatest of ease, all packaged in a lightweight form factor that can go just about anywhere. Indoors or outdoors, the new PDA displays brilliant images using thousands of colors. Multimedia enthusiasts will enjoy its ability to play audio and video files, or simply organize and view digital photography and images.
The Toshiba Pocket PC e310 also offers flexible expansion options via the SD card slot, perfect for adding extensive data storage, transferring digital and audio files, or for adding Bluetooth wireless connectivity for the exchange of information between other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
“Toshiba’s Pocket PCs have continued to generate positive feedback since the Pocket PC 2002 software launch last year,” said Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Mobility Group. “The e310’s slim new form factor is a great value, offering users a low-cost mobile solution that will meet both their personal and business needs. We are thrilled to welcome this device to the existing Pocket PC product lineup.”
Pricing, Warranty and Availability
The Toshiba Pocket PC e310 is competitively priced at $399 with a one-year standard limited parts and labor warranty and is available at computer superstores, consumer electronic stores and mass merchandisers; www.shoptoshiba.com; and Toshiba’s traditional distribution channels, VARs, and mail order partners.
About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
Toshiba Computer Systems Group is one of the world’s leading vendors for portable computers. In addition to notebooks, the company offers portable and wireless accessories, a Pocket PC device, and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For more information call 1-800-TOSHIBA or visit the company’s Web site at www.csd.toshiba.com.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS) is comprised of multiple divisions that provide computer, communications and imaging products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, PDAs, mobile computing accessories, servers, including communications and portable servers, storage subsystems, cable modems, digital business telephone systems, voice-mail, digital cameras, security systems, and projectors. TAIS provides sales, marketing, services and manufacturing for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $50 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
Press Release: A Hit with Users, Two-Year-Old iPAQ Pocket PC Reaches Two Million Mark (Abridged)
Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC Revenues Grew 330 Percent From 2000 to 2001
HOUSTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Since its introduction exactly two years ago, the iPAQ(TM) Pocket PC has driven to the two million unit sales mark faster than any mobile personal technology product in the history of Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ - news), extending its reach into the enterprise, eliminating the boundaries of business, and enabling anywhere, anytime access.
iPAQ Pocket PCs have placed unprecedented power, content, and mobile capabilities in the hands of workers including physicians, educators, police officers, sports enthusiasts, Olympians, firefighters, people with disabilities, entrepreneurs, and many others. iPAQ Pocket PC revenue growth increased more than 330 percent between 2000 and 2001, illustrating the success of Compaq’s strategy to expand mobility and driving increased momentum and customer acceptance across all major industries.
“During the first quarter, iPAQ unit shipments increased 14 percent and revenues increased 18 percent from the previous year,” said Peter Blackmore, Compaq executive vice president for Worldwide Sales and Services. “But the more important measure is the tremendous ‘pull through’ effect as the iPAQ drives revenues several times that with related hardware and services. Again and again, Compaq’s ability to deliver innovative handheld technology solutions is proving a key to winning large, multi-year tenders to deliver complete, integrated solutions for global companies and other major organizations.”
Compaq recently announced a three-year global project — with an estimated value of $100 million — with Kimberly-Clark Corporation that includes delivery of iPAQ Pocket PCs. Under the agreement, Compaq also will provide a range of services and other products, including desktops, notebooks, and industry-standard ProLiant servers to 28,000 users in 35 countries.
“Compaq is committed to working with customers to understand their full range of needs and deliver end-to-end, integrated solutions,” Blackmore said. Based on the most recent quarterly reports, even as year-over-year revenues for the iPAQ Pocket PC increased 18 percent, other major handheld vendors showed significant year-over-year revenue declines — on the order of 40 to 50 percent.
Providing Growing Strength in Wireless Initiatives
The innovative iPAQ Pocket PC — with its versatile Expansion Pack system — continues to demonstrate market momentum and broad customer reach. In Bellevue, Wash., city officials just launched what is being hailed as America’s first-ever “wireless city,” using iPAQ systems with wireless PC cards, connectivity software, and Expansion Packs to access mission critical information. The initiative will allow city employees to complete previously paper-based tasks while out in the field, and will offer public safety personnel greater access to information in emergencies.
“Wireless data communications can help us provide a level of service that used to be unattainable,” said Bellevue city manager Steve Sarkozy. “As we add these technology tools, we believe we can make our staff more productive, provide better customer service, and in some cases improve public safety,” Sarkozy added.
In Tempe, Ariz., technology MBA students at Arizona State University are being equipped with iPAQ Pocket PCs to keep connected to course work. Firefighters in the Western U.S. are using GPS-equipped iPAQ systems to outsmart wind-whipped fires and minimize destruction to the environment, property and lives. (See related news release.) In Portland, Providence Health Systems is improving access and mobility for field healthcare workers by replacing some PC desktops with iPAQ handhelds, so that important data is available to them away from the office.
“Compaq’s engineering and technology development capabilities are the best in the industry,” said Mike Winkler, Compaq executive vice president, Global Business Units. “Our relentless pursuit of innovative technology created the hottest personal technology product in the industry — the iPAQ Pocket PC. Now that it’s passing the two million unit mark, the Compaq iPAQ has become an absolutely indispensable tool for thousands of companies throughout the world.”
According to IDC (1), Compaq posted significant gains in the handheld companion market share during 2001. The latest IDC data shows that Compaq reached 8.6 percent unit share in the U.S. in 4Q 2001, an increase of 1.4 unit share points from the third quarter and a full 6.4 unit share point gain from 4Q 2000. On a worldwide basis, Compaq achieved 9.6 percent unit share in 4Q 2001.
West Midlands (UK) Police Using Handspring Treo To Fight Crime
Dean Jung of Pickled Parrot Media sent an article about the West Midlands PIMS (Police Information Management System) that his firm has developed. To quote his article, “The Handspring? Treo? is one incredibly compact communicator that combines everything the modern police force requires. The Treo with PIMS installed brings tomorrow?s technology today, allowing officers to stay connected, organised and in-touch with HQ and other colleagues. With a host of applications the PIMS calls information from any main server / database direct to the hand held unit in seconds, supplying text and imagery like no other unit can. For the first time officers can have a computer assisted command system collecting information from every available source 24 hrs a day anywhere in the world.”
PIMS provides West Midlands officers with real-time wireless access to the following applications:
* Stolen goods database
* Criminal records data base
* Form integration & remote printing
* Scene of crime data base
* Road traffic data base
* Stop and search data base
* Integration to national data base
* Known repetitive young offenders
* Police protocol and procedure manuals
* Known suspected terrorist organisations
* Web cam module for live arrest
* PPM scanner for stop & search finger print recognition
* A-Z style GPS road map & route planner
Though this mobile is working on the GSM system as of now, PPM has been in development for the launch of GPRS networks that will be available shortly. Police ?airwave? data carrier compatibility is also being investigated.
The article goes on to describe how the device and databases are used in day to day usage, and how a fingerprint scanner can be attached to the Treo. It “utilizes a mobile miniature, extremely high resolution finger print recognition system which can be used with any finger print data base, additional prints can be added direct to database via the Treo by any officer on the beat during stop and search, off station interviews or even to assist traffic police in airport security.
There are many applications available from PPM including the SOS calling for example. The system will have a GPS unit already fixed in the device. If an officer needs to contact the station urgently for backup, all he has to do is press a button and his current location will be sent to the Local police station with his location message.”
It is fascinating to see how some system integrators/developers are beginning to use the power of wireless devices to create applications that can have an enormous impact on how those in law enforcement and other industries perform their duties.
Press Release: Cutting Edge Software and Corsoft Enable Mobile Professionals to Send Wireless E-mail Attachments from Palm Powered Handhelds
Users can now send and receive documents and spreadsheets from Palm OS handhelds
DALLAS (April 16, 2002)…Earlier this year, Cutting Edge Software and Corsoft Corporation teamed to enable mobile professionals to receive documents and spreadsheets as email attachments on Palm Powered(tm) handheld computers via Corsoft’s Aileron wireless email application and Cutting Edge Software’s Quickoffice productivity suite. Today, Cutting Edge Software is pleased to announce that users will now have the ability to send Quickoffice documents and spreadsheets from their wireless Palm OS(r) devices as well. With the integration between Quickoffice and Aileron, users of Palm Powered handhelds now have a simple means of sending and receiving spreadsheet and document attachments via e-mail.
One of the key challenges faced by companies deploying Palm OS handhelds among employees is the conversion of files from MS Excel and MS Word, the industry standard spreadsheet and word processing applications for desktop PCs, to Quicksheet and Quickword, the leading spreadsheet and word processing applications for Palm Powered devices. The integration of Quickoffice and Aileron provides a comprehensive solution to this challenge. Users of Microsoft Excel(tm) and Word on the desktop are able to e-mail spreadsheets and documents to users of Palm OS devices with Quickoffice installed — and the files will seamlessly convert to Quickoffice formats during transmission. Likewise, Quickoffice users will be able to email spreadsheets and documents to MS Office users, and the files will automatically be converted to the appropriate format for viewing and editing on desktop PCs.
“Our close relationship with Corsoft has greatly expanded the capabilities of mobile professionals to share and exchange information,” said Michael Compeau, Cutting Edge Software’s vice president of business development and planning. “E-mail access is critical for today’s mobile knowledge workers, and the teaming of Aileron with Quickoffice makes sending and receiving business documents very efficient between mobile professionals and their office-bound colleagues.”
“We are pleased to provide greater flexibility and extended value to mobile professionals,” said Chirag Patel, president of Corsoft Corporation. “Cutting Edge Software’s Quickoffice integration with Aileron enables users to maximize productivity with their business documents even when they are away.”
Availability and Distribution
Cutting Edge and Corsoft are offering solutions aimed at both individual users and enterprise deployments of Palm OS handhelds. Individuals can subscribe to Corsoft’s e-mail service starting at $30 per year and automatically receive the benefits of being able to receive Excel and Word attachments as Quicksheet and Quickword documents on their Palm OS handhelds. Corporations can install an enterprise-edition of Aileron Server on their corporate network to enjoy end-to-end security of the information being transmitted via the handheld devices. Corsoft Aileron Enterprise Server starts at $2,495 and includes a five-user Client Access License. Additional licenses are available at $495 for a 10-set license pack.
As part of the co-marketing agreement between Cutting Edge Software and Corsoft, the firms will each provide information and access to trial versions of both applications at their respective Web sites. Quickoffice is available for purchase online at Cutting Edge Software’s web site, www.quickoffice.com, as well as from leading online and retail locations including PalmGear.com and CompUSA, for $39.95. Quickoffice and Aileron are also available at Handango.com as a bundled solution for $49.95.
Press Release: Bachmann Software Partners With Corsoft to Add Printing to Mobile Email Solution
PrintBoy to support wireless printing of email and attachments from PDAs
SPARTA, NJ (April 16, 2002) — Today, Bachmann Software and Corsoft announced the addition of printing support for Corsoft’s Aileron email service. Aileron provides an easy means for users of Palm Powered devices to access their email while on-the-go. The addition of PrintBoy support to Aileron adds the practical function of printing emails and document attachments.
While many envisioned the day of the “paperless” office, the reality is that the use of email in an organization has been demonstrated to increase paper consumption by an average of 40%. People simply prefer to print their emails and attachments for easier reading, editing and sharing, and the addition of printing support to Corsoft’s product brings it closer to the kind of solution to which office-based workers are accustomed. PrintBoy supports printing of email messages, as well as document attachments saved by Documents to Go, Quickoffice and Wordsmith, all of which are partners of Corsoft.
“Our customers have been vocal about the absence of the ability to print their email messages,” said Chirag Patel, Corsoft’s president. “The addition of PrintBoy strengthens Aileron as a complete mobile messaging solution.”
“With more than 108 billion tons of paper consumed in the U.S. alone, workers’ behavior proves that being able to print their data is important,” said Dan Reuvers, Bachmann Software’s vice president of business development. “PrintBoy makes it easy for mobile workers to access hard copies of their data — no matter where they are.”
Both companies will provide reciprocal access to each other’s products, via website links, as well as the ability to order both products from either site. Corsoft is a service which sells for as little as $30/year. PrintBoy Deluxe is available for purchase for just $29.99. For details, visit www.bachmannsoftware.com/cor.
Press Release: Ilium Software Updates Popular DockWare Applications
ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 19, 2002–Ilium Software? today announced the release of DockWare? and DockWare Pro 2.0 for Pocket PC and Handheld PC mobile devices.
DockWare is a personalized desk clock and calendar for mobile devices. The application will show photos in the background, cycling through them at a preset interval. The product includes several images and users can add additional pictures simply by dragging them to the DockWare folder. DockWare’s auto-start feature will launch the product whenever the mobile device is idle and running on external power.
The new DockWare Pro 2.0 version gives the user additional control over where pictures are stored, including options to store pictures on Compact Flash and SD memory cards. The new version also includes a cradle alarm and additional options for transitions between pictures and color optimization. Users can now also control the order the pictures are displayed. DockWare and DockWare Pro 2.0 are currently available for Windows? Powered Pocket PCs, Handheld PC Professional and Handheld PC 2000 devices.
DockWare is available at no charge from Ilium Software. DockWare Pro, which adds additional configuration options and password protection, is available for $9.95 from Ilium Software and selected retailers and distributors worldwide. More information can be found on Ilium Software’s website, http://www.iliumsoft.com/dockware.htm.
More on the OQO Ultrapersonal Computer
OK, here are the specs that I promised last night for the OQO Ultrapersonal Computer:
? Powered by Crusoe 0.13 micron TM5800 processor at up to 1GHz
? 10GB hard drive with storage for thousands of songs or three full length movies
? 256MB memory
? four inch, high-resolution super bright VGA color LCD
? Synaptics touchscreen
? Advanced lithium polymer battery
? 1394 FireWire, USB, audio out, OQO-link docking connector, microphone
? Built in 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless networking
? 4.9″ x 2.9″ x 0.9″ / 105mm x 74mm x 22mm; less than 9 oz. / 250 grams
I’m really curious as to how the touchscreen is going to work, and if there will be pen extensions to XP or the Tablet PC version of XP running on this device. In that case, you could leave the port replicator at home and just write on the OQO to do most of your work.
IBM is apparently working on a similar device that will emerge in a few years - it will not only feature the small size of the OQO, but they’re supposedly working on very good speech recognition and speech-to-text functions to make keyboards and mice obsolete. The idea that both OQO and IBM seem to be aiming at is that for truly mobile computing, you just take the little PDA-sized box with you and do most of your work with a pen. When you get home or to the office, you take the device and plop it into some sort of docking station that gives you a keyboard, connection to a printer, and a big screen to look at. If I can have full-fledged Microsoft Office applications (Outlook for e-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) in my pocket, use the built-in 802.11b networking to access home or work networks, and use the built-in Bluetooth to print to Bluetooth-enabled printers, why the heck would I need or want to carry a Pocket PC or Palm with me? The penalty is in size (slightly larger, but still smaller than the old Newton MessagePad) and weight (yeah, about 3-4 ounces more). Big deal. This is a first generation device - can you imagine what will be available in five years?
So why the heck are we wondering about whether Palm or Pocket PC is going to win the PDA race? We ought to be wondering when PDAs are going to disappear totally. I’m frankly very happy I never bought stock in either Palm or Handspring, ’cause devices like this have a very good chance of killing PDAs completely within a few years.
Picture 1: Yep, that’s how small it is (this guy should have trimmed his fingernails…)
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Picture 2: The OQO Ultrapersonal Computer and the attached port replicator
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Who need a PDA when you can put a PC in your pocket?
I saw an announcement today about an upcoming mobile PC that might just make PDAs obsolete. OQO (http:/www.oqo.com) will be shipping a $1000 PC in the 2nd half of 2002 that is about the size of most Pocket PCs - roughly 3″ x 5″ - although a hair thicker.
What you get is a full fledged PC running Microsoft Windows XP, a 10 GB hard disk, a Transmeta Crusoe CPU capable of operating up to 1 GHz, with a highly readable touch-sensitive screen. It weighs about 9 ounces, can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, and comes with a port replicator that you can hook a monitor, keyboard and mouse to, making the device a fully functional PC. Wireless networking options (GPRS, Bluetooth, etc…) are available.
There’s no word on whether OQO’s device will run Microsoft’s Tablet PC version of WinXP, but it seems logical… I’m away from the office but will post pictures soon as well as muse on how this device could spell doom for all PDAs.
Posted wirelessly via Palm i705
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Joy of Tech!
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MacLevelTen
