New Pictures of Microsoft’s Project Pink Smartphones

25 09 2009
Micrsoft PInk Phones

Micrsoft Pink Phones

New pictures have surfaced of the new Project Pink smart phones in development from Microsoft. The smartphones have been developed as a result of their Zune player’s Multimedia platform. Both of the pictures been released have qwerty keypads and one of them has a touch screen. They will be built by manufacturer Sharp and are expected to be cobranded by Microsoft and the Japanese manufacturer. This has been no surprise as Microsoft acquired the Sidekick smartphone family from Sharp two years ago. It has been no surprise also that the Project Pink smartphones have been aimed at the same audience as the Sidekicks were developed for.

Not much information has been released regarding the spec of the smartphones, but as far as the pictures are to go by, there is nothing groundbreaking here. Looking very similar to what has been released previously from Sidekick, not much is very different with the new Project Pink smartphones. What is noticeable though is the similarity between the smartphone that is completely black and the phones that have been released by rival maker HTC. Looking very similar to the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the HTC Touch2, we suspect that not much thought has been placed on the design element of the phones. With no specification sheets been released as of yet, we will have to wait to see if they are as good as previous smartphone releases.





Motorola introduce the rugged MC9500 Handheld

16 09 2009

Designed to enhance, not replace, the MC9090 series, the MC9500 comes with a raft of unique and new features.

Modular design allows you to change keypads from a range of different options, including a new “Calculator” format. The WWAN module is also modular so you can simply add GSM or CDMA or switch between the two if you need to. For the US market this means easily swapping between the two standards, but back here in the UK it still means that you can add GSM later without having to worry about buying new devices.

Battery technology has been vastly improved not only by allowing the user to easily monitor the battery charge status but also its health so that you can quickly identify failing batteries

Modular or “Agnostic” accessories also mean that the density of Rugged PDA’s to cradles will be able to increase as 1 cradle will fit all. Buy adaptors for older equipment and they should fit. This will be a big winner with companies facing up to big bills to replace or add new infrastructures along with new device choices.

Windows Mobile 6.1 will be standard, as is VGA, b/g Wifi and IR. The new Marvel 802Mhz processor, 128/512RAM and a MicroSD slot make this an up to date and high specified device.

Lastly an accelerometer has been added which is aimed at helping software developers improve the software experience on the MC9500. Flip the device and the screen will flip with it, we’re not too sure if this is a big bonus but hey i’m sure we’ll find a use for it here! However the same technology is used to monitor and record shocks or drops so that you can monitor who’s taking care of your devices and more importantly who’s not!

No word as yet on prices for the UK but we have been told its available from the 18th September so come back soon for an update





First Look – The New Motorola MT2000

4 09 2009

Hi everyone,

Just a quick heads up to Motorola’s new MT2000 Mobile Terminal. This product has been developed to bridge the gap between users with day to day operations consisting of scan-intensive automated data capture, but don’t need a full featured mobile computer.

B2B_Product_MT_2000_MD_US-EN

Ideal for users within the manufacturing, retail, warehouse, healthcare and supply chain industries, the MT2000 is rugged with an IP rating of 54 and offers an ergonomic and easy to use alternative to a mobile computer.

Depending on specification the MT2000 is capable of reading 1D, 2D and even RFID (with the addition of a RFID module). The scan engine is omnidirectional eliminating the need to align the device perfectly to a barcode. This device can also capture signatures, still photos and video.

Using a Windows CE 5.0 operating system will come as good news to most companies currently using in house developed software as it will ease the pain of implementation. Connectivity comes in three forms to best suit your needs, wireless, cordless and corded. Those of you who require ultimate freedom throughout the workplace will love the 802.11a/b/g option. Bluetooth® allows connectivity up to 300 feet (91.4m), ideal for shop floor environments. Finally the corded (via RS-232 or USB) is purely for workstations and supply chain purposes.
We are looking forward to getting hold of this product so we can give it the Rugged and Mobile test and share our experience with you! Keep your eyes out for a product review coming soon.

Check back

Liam