“NVIDIA Corporation the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today

unveiled the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 handheld graphics processing unit (GPU)—the industry’s first handheld GPU to enable true, fluid digital TV, high-fidelity surround sound, rapid multi-shot photography, and console-class 3D graphics. For many years, these capabilities have been the domain of function-specific devices such as the home entertainment system, the digital still camera, or the Sony® Playstation®. Today, this new GPU brings all these features, and more, to the mobile phone.

“High-quality multimedia services are a key revenue growth driver for the world’s carriers and content providers and we believe we’ll see significant uptake of these services in 2006,” said Mario Morales, semiconductor analyst for IDC. “Companies like NVIDIA, whose products deliver compelling and tangible improvements to the overall end user experience of these new services, are well placed to take advantage of this surge in demand.”

The newest member of the NVIDIA GoForce family of handheld GPUs, the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 delivers a host of multimedia features, including …

True, fluid digital TV and video

• The industry’s first handheld GPU to playback H.264, WMV9 and MPEG-4 video up to D1 resolution¹ at 30 frames per second (fps)
• Compatible with major mobile TV standards including DVB-H, ISDB-T, and DMB networks

High Fidelity Surround Sound

• The industry’s first handheld surround sound processor to deliver an immersive audio experience in the palm of a hand
• Crossfade and multistream technologies help to prevent annoying breaks between songs and music cut out when the ringtone is activated

Console-class 3D gaming

• Experience console-class games, such as Quake III Arena, at unrivalled speeds on a handheld device
• 3X the performance of the previous generation²

Sharp, crystal clear digital photography

• Rapid multi-shot capabilities so users never miss a photo
• Support for up to 10 megapixel resolution

Ultra-low power consumption

• Dedicated low-power hardware design delivers more hours of entertainment on the phone with less drain on the talk time

“The introduction of the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 handheld GPU marks the beginning of a new era for 3G mobile phones,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager of the handheld GPU group at NVIDIA. “The NVIDIA GoForce 5500 GPU delivers high-quality video playback and capture, high-resolution camera support, and stunning 3D graphics—all at impressive performance levels that we believe consumers are going to demand in the next generation of mobile devices.”

Phones based on the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 handheld GPU are expected to be available from key handset manufacturers before the 2006 holiday season.

Press Release

Digitalreviews.net have a review of the new PocketPC phone from Anextek.

“Hot from Taiwan, hot on specs and hot in performance: the new AnexTEK moboDA 3360 PocketPCPhone. And, for a change, the English-speaking world is to get this phone before Asia does!

This latest incarnation from the Wistron company is a far cry from its earlier SP230 model for which we had the scoop review last year.

With Windows Mobile 5.0 running on a 520 MHz XScale PXA272 and all the connectivity you’d want plus a 1.3 MP camera this would be a serious contender if you’re looking for an all-in-one device.

How does it perform, how does it feel and how is the quality of the phone, the camera and the PDA?

Those questions we will look at in this First Impressions review.

We’ll have another, more in-depth review, in a few weeks.”

Read the full review @ DigitalReviews.net

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that its award-winning BlackBerry® wireless platform has passed another major industry milestone by exceeding two million active wireless subscribers. BlackBerry continues to lead the industry and becomes the first integrated wireless data platform to reach the two millionth subscriber mark. This rapid growth illustrates the widening popularity of BlackBerry and the increasing market potential for converged devices and wireless data connectivity.

“This is a significant milestone, especially when you consider it took five years to establish the market and attract the first million BlackBerry users and less than ten months to double that number,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “Together with our partners around the world, we continue to build upon this momentum and expand the market opportunity for BlackBerry.”

Today’s news follows a busy ten-month period whereby RIM and its partners executed well and continued to pave the way for future growth. Several new and innovative BlackBerry devices were launched. Services were broadened and enhanced. RIM and its carrier partners expanded into many new countries and channels. RIM expanded its BlackBerry licensing programs with many of the world’s leading device manufacturers. BlackBerry Enterprise Serverâ„¢ v4.0 and support for Novell Groupwise were readied. A new BlackBerry handheld for WLAN networks was previewed. RIM introduced new tools for developers and BlackBerry ISV Alliance partners continued to build upon the BlackBerry platform…..

Full press release @ blackberry.com

This looks like a killer device. Look at the quality of that VGA screen.

INtel CPU 520MHz
OS: Pocket PC 2003 with Ozone Update
Memory: 64 MB Flash ROM, RAM 128/64 MB SDRAM
Display: 3.7 inch VGA TFT LCD
CF Slot: Compact Flash II, Type II
SD: SD-IO
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in
IrDa (infrared): SIR, Remote Control Support for CE
Camera: 1.3 M Pixel CMOS Camera
Battery: Main 1150 mAH / Large 1800 mAH Removable
Size: 73×113x16.8 mm, +/- 0.3 mm
Weight: Less than 190 g
Accessory: Cradle, AC Adaptor, USB Cable

More pictures @ http://www.slashphone.com/67/555.html

New! Pocket MSN for Windows Mobileâ„¢ 2003 Pocket PC and Smartphone devices!
Be among the first to try Pocket MSN! You get mobile access to popular MSN services plus a richer experience with these new features*:

* Familiar & Integrated MSN Experience – Enjoy one-click access to MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger, MSN Alerts, and browse MSN sites including Maps & Directions**. With Pocket MSN your Hotmail is conveniently integrated into your device inbox and using the MSN toolbar icons you can see how many new emails you have received.

* More Reachable – Remain available to the people & information that matter most to you, even when your device is in your pocket or handbag. You will be alerted on your device when new email or instant messages arrive. Using these alerts you can immediately join the conversation or read your new Hotmail.

* Expanded Mobility – With offline Hotmail capabilities, you can read and compose emails when no data connection is available, like on an airplane. Also, send email to offline MSN Messenger contacts.

* Personalization – Set Hotmail filters to only receive email from the people you designate. Pre-select who can send instant messages to your mobile device and whose Messenger status changes you want to see.

* Maps & Directions – On-the-fly mapping means finding just about anything on the go.

More info @ mobile.msn.com

“PhatNet is the ultimate LAN and WLAN analyzing and monitoring tool for Windows Mobile powered devices. It is ideal for network administrators and security auditors, as it gives a clear picture of all network data in real-time. In addition to analysis and monitoring, you can also detect security flaws in wireless LAN segments using a wireless Windows Mobile Pockt PC device.

Once your device is linked to the network (Ethernet, Wi-Fi), PhatNet can give you complete information about the network state and activity within a given segment. PhatNet monitors all network traffic. It can display virtually any information about the network activity. More importantly, PhatNet can display only user-specified information by filtering out the information you don’t need.

PhatNet is available in 2 editions – Personal and Professional. While Personal Edition supports network packet collection in PPP mode only, Professional Edition also offers low level Ethernet support with promiscuous mode.”

More info @ http://www.phatware.com

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Specifications:
• 520MHz Processor (Wow)
• Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for PPC PE
• MMS
• Bluetooth
• Smart Keeper (automatically backs up existing system status when power is running low)
• GSM/GPRS
• Excel, Word and PDF support
• Java
• QVGA LCD Screen with Touch Screen
• MMC/SD Storage Card Support
• 2.5mm Audio Jack

Source:msmmobile

“The Dell Axim x3i is very lightweighted and small, its easy to even carry it in the pocket of my shirt. It comes with a bright display, a little smaller than that of most competitors (same size as the MDA/2 display). Even in bright light the contrast is very good. I placed a WriteShield protector onto the display, even this didn't reduce the readability.”

Read the review here

Related Link: PDAToday

There have been many complaints about the rubber side grips coming off the iPAQ 2200. PocketPCTechs have come up with a solution to fix the problem with the use of aircraft quality aluminum while ensuring that they will never fall off again. Right now, you can preorder a kit for $39.99 + shipping.

“Tired of the OEM side covers falling apart or even worse, falling off? Wehave tooled Anodized aircraft quality aluminum side covers that screw on andcan be installed in a couple of minutes. They are guaranteed not to falloff! They have two finger grips and are textured for extra gripping power.This is a complete kit with tools and instructions.”

Related Link: PocketPCTechs

We have another review of some great cases by iProducts. These cases are called iHolsters. This roundup review will give you a good taste of what the iHolster products have to offer. They are meant for those who truly use their PDA.

“At the price of about $30 for each case, all three cases are affordable and are competitive with leather cases. This case is intended for those who use their Pocket PC constantly and are on the go. The only flaw that this product has is that much of the Pocket PC is exposed when in the case. This will either make it or break it for the person wanting to buy the case. The addition of the belt clip for the aluminum case is an excellent feature which places it above other aluminum cases.”

Read the review here

Related Link: iProducts