NewsBYTES

The iPAQ 51X: HP's first Smartphone

Hewlett-Packard has announced the introduction of its first Windows Mobile Smartphone, the new iPAQ 51X Voice Messenger. The device will run the new Windows Mobile 6 software described later in this issue, which now includes mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The 51X is an EDGE-capable quad band GSM/GPRS phone with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. It includes voice command, which allows you to control the device with spoken commands. It also includes a VoiceReply feature that lets you reply to e-mails without typing. For more information, visit http://HP.com.

Verizon to offer Samsung i760

Verizon has reportedly acquired Samsung's i760 device, which is similar in style to Cingular's BlackJack. The device will be Windows Mobile-powered and has a directional pad on the left side and a number pad positioned on the right. Other features will include a slide-out keyboard, a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, a microSD card slot, 128 MB of ROM and 64 MB of RAM, Wi-Fi, and 1xEV-DO. It is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2007.

HTC to release Athena Phone Edition

HTC is set to release a larger-then-normal Phone Edition called the Athena. It features a 3.5" touchscreen QVGA display and a detachable QWERTY keyboard. Other specifications include 256 MB of ROM and 64 MB of RAM, a 400 MHz processor, Wi-Fi, and a 2 megapixel camera.

The HTC Athena Phone Edition will feature a large 3.5" QVGA touchscreen display.

Cingular acquired by AT&T in deal

The FCC recently approved AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth for $85 billion, paving the way for AT&T to re-brand Cingular. Plans are for Cingular to take the AT&T name early in 2007. Details about the planned change can be found at AT&T's Web site (http://att.com/customer_merger/wireless.html).

Mobile Embedded DevCon 2007

Microsoft will host its annual Mobile Embedded Developers Conference this year on May 1-3 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. The conference is designed for Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded development professionals. It will have more than 80 sessions, which will cover developing client and server applications, building Windows Embedded devices, mobile devices in the enterprise, and business of mobile and embedded devices. To learn more and to register, visit http://medc2007.com.

Voxtel previews W740 Phone Edition device

The Russian vendor Voxtel (http://voxtel.ru/phones/models/W740.html) recently announced its newest Windows Mobile Phone Edition device, the W740. The device is .6" thick, has a metal keypad similar to the Motorola RAZR, and features a 4 mega pixel auto-focus camera. Other specifications include GSM Tri-Band and a 200 MHz CPU. They have no plans on introducing this in the U.S. and there is no word on when and if a similar product will be introduced in this hemisphere.

The Voxtel W740 Phone Edition device will feature a 4 megapixel camera.