Gizmodo: PDA

Question of the Day: What Gadgets Do You Use to Keep Your Life Organized?

Sean Fallon — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:20:00 EDT

I have to admit, I am nothing without my cellphone—my whole life is crammed into that thing. Back in the day I wandered around aimlessly—my appointments scribbled down here and there on random scraps of paper. Fortunately, I manage to keep up these days because the software makes it easy and my phone is always close at hand. That having been said, I'm curious to know what tools you use to keep your schedule organized.

BlackBerry Javelin Photos Leak Out

Kit Eaton — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:52:00 EDT

A few months ago while talking about the rumored BlackBerry Niagara we mentioned the Javelin. And now it looks like a RIM insider has managed to sneak a few photos of a prototype copy of the phone. It's a standard quad-band GSM/EDGE cell, with 480 x 360 LCD, GPS, Wi-Fi, a 3.2 megapixel camera and it'll run the 4.6 OS. It's slated for release "next year" apparently, which sounds like a pretty long way away for something that sounds like a dumbed-down Bold. [BGR via Pocket Lint]

miBook PDA is for Ladies Doing Lady Things...WTF?!

Benny Goldman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:40:00 EDT

The miBook is a $130 PDA with a 7" screen that teaches skills to people through step-by-step videos and other multimedia. Now, we don't like to reinforce gender stereotypes, but the pictures of each $20 title in the gallery below, such as cooking, gardening and home decorating show a woman learning the job—all except the diaper changing lesson, which shows a man. It's sold without onboard memory, ~~but they must think women are pretty stupid if they expect to charge $150 for 128MB~~. The rest of miBook's specs are gender neutral:UPDATE: That's a typo in the spec sheet, the 128MB memory is a much more reasonable $1.50, but it's for retailers only.

It works as a digital picture frame and supports MPEG video, MP3 audio and SD/xD/MS/MMC cards for much cheaper storage. We're holding out for the guy's version, when we can learn how to clean gutters, take out the trash and scratch our balls. Coming soon, spec sheet and press release after the jump. [miBook]

Portable Take anywhere! Battery & AC capable
LCD Size 7" (16:9)
LCD Type New advanced TFT
LCD Backlight New LED! (same as on new high-end laptops, for amazing brightness & color accuracy) (not CCFL)
Graphic Interface Highly advanced - including hot spots, pop-up menus & file preview shots for fun, easy, graphic navigation
Player Controls Tactical switches
Remote Control Yes
Battery Yes, Lithium

Additional Features
Shows Photos All formats (jpeg, etc.)
Photo Zoom 5 zoom levels
Photo Thumbnails Yes
Photo Rotation Yes
Photo Aspect Ratio 16:9 & 4:3 modes
Image Controls Brightness, contrast, color
Shows Videos All formats (MPEG-I, MPEG-II, MPEG-IV, etc.)
Plays Music All formats (mp3, etc.)
Slideshow + Music Simple click links desired music & photo files
Calendar & Clock Yes, incl photo display & alarm
Speakers Two
Headset Jack Yes
Computer Compact PC & Mac; usb 2.0 cable included
Card Readers SD/MS/MMC/XD (96% of mkt)
Built-In Storage No, add 128MB +$150
Warranty 1 year
Phone Support Toll-free & U.S.-based

miBook, the First Multimedia Book, Launches

Portable multimedia book initially targets cookbooks and other "how-to" titles with help from Food Network, HGTV, the DIY Network and ParentsTV

CLEVELAND, OH –- miBook, the first multimedia book, has begun shipping to retailers. miBook brings genres like cookbooks, parenting primers, and travel guides to life with video clips, images and sound, changing the way people cook, fix things up around the home, travel, parent and more.

Using miBook's slim 7" portable player, home cooks who have long struggled to translate recipes into meals can now follow step-by-step video clips showing exactly how a dish should look at every turn. Similarly, travelers long stuck with only a sentence or two to go on when choosing a restaurant can take a video tour and judge the ambience and signature dishes for themselves.
miBook titles, which come on memory cards that slide into the player, are produced in conjunction with television networks including Food Network, HGTV, the DIY Network, and Parents.tv. Initial titles, now numbering 25 but soon to top 100, cover cooking everything from quick and easy meals to party appetizers, home decorating and gardening, home projects and repairs, pregnancy, parenting, and travel to popular destinations. Individual titles have a suggested retail price of $19. 99.

Unlike electronic books that focus on text alone, miBook stands out in that it combines text with video and sound, fusing the strengths of books and TV. Why read it, when you can also see it? Like books, miBook titles are organized into distinct parts that users can access whenever they want and at their own pace, and like TV, they come alive with video clips, images and sound. Highly interactive, miBook stops automatically after each step, allowing users to easily follow the recipe or activity at their own pace. miBook’s charm is in its ability to bring subjects to life in new ways and make everyday activities easier. For example, in addition to letting home cooks see a dish at each step, miBook helps plan menus by instantly sorting recipes based on main ingredient, available time, cooking method, and nutritional concerns.

The miBook player, packaged with one or more titles, starts at a suggested retail price of $129.99. miBook is available at retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Bon-Ton, Borders, Circuit City, HSN, Linens ‘n Things, QVC, and The Source.

miBook Title Topics

Cooking

Not since the Joy of Cooking was published in 1931 has there been a major update to the cookbook – until now. miBook takes the guesswork out of translating a recipe on the page into a feast on the table. Step-by-step, miBook shows home cooks exactly how to cook a recipe, including what the dish should look like at every stage and how to do everything from sauté to flambé. miBook stops automatically after each step to allow the cook to perform the action. When ready, the cook pushes play to move on.

miBook also aids in choosing a recipe, which can be a task in itself. Simply select your desired main ingredient (beef, chicken, fish, pasta, etc.), cooking method (grilling, pan-frying, broiling, etc.), and the amount of time you have, and miBook automatically serves up the recipes that match your criteria.

miBook cooking titles include: Quick & Easy Meals, Irresistible Desserts, Healthy Cooking, Pastas Pizzas & Salads, Amazing Party Food: Appetizers & Desserts, and Healthy Cooking for Kids. Each title features 150 recipes, including ones featured on popular Food Network shows such as 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray, Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller, Cooking Class with Wolfgang Puck, Ace of Cakes, Food 911, and Food Nation with Bobby Flay.

Home and Garden

Whether trying to fix a leaky faucet, redecorate a room, plant a tree, or build a deck, it helps to see exactly how it’s done. miBook goes step-by-step with up-close video clips to ensure that home projects get done correctly the first time.

Decorating and gardening titles guide users through both design and execution. The Home Decorating title, for example, helps decorators choose from suggested room styles, color palettes, furniture layouts, wall treatments, and more. Then it helps users complete the makeover with step-by-step guides on stenciling, wallpapering, staining, and applying faux finishes.

miBook home titles include: Decorating, Gardening, Simple Home Organizing, Home Projects, Home Repairs, and Outdoor living Projects. Project assistance comes from HGTV and the DIY Network, including such shows as Design on a Dime, Mission Organization, First Time Gardener, and Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean.

Parenting

Next time dad conveniently whines that he doesn’t know how to change a diaper, hand him one of miBook’s parenting titles. You’ll hear no more excuses. With content from Parents.tv, the sister network to Parents magazine, miBook brings every parenting activity vividly to life. See and hear how it’s done, from basic baby care like swaddling to fostering cognitive development. Each month, pregnant moms can see how a baby develops in the womb. Video interviews with OB/GYNs, pediatricians, nutritionists, parents, and kids help to illustrate tasks and development. miBook parenting titles include: Your Pregnancy, Baby’s First Year, Your Toddler, Your Child’s Health (0-12), Potty Training, and Games & Activities for Babies & Toddlers.

Travel

In a travel guide come to life with video clips, images and sound, travelers can explore attractions and museums, tour neighborhoods, and preview restaurants interactively and at their own pace.

miBook has a guide for every type of adventure. City guides include neighborhood walking tours, which show historical footage that bring the past to life. Inside museums, the miBook guides visitors to must-see exhibits, shows interviews with artists, clips of their hometown, and examples of their other works. Attraction guides highlight top rides and events. Highly interactive, miBook stops after each step, letting travelers proceed at their own pace. When it’s time to eat, by simply inputting preferred cuisine, neighborhood, ambience, and price range, the miBook instantly serves up the best choices. Discerning diners can even choose their meal locations before leaving their homes with video tours of each restaurant, including interior and exterior views, signature dishes, and menus – even hearing an interview with the chef.

miBook travel titles include: Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and The National Parks.

miBook can also be used as a digital photo album and frame, allowing users to show their photos individually or as a slideshow. miBook also plays home videos, Internet videos, and MP3s; it can either be wirelessly powered through its changeable lithium battery or with the included AC adaptor. The miBook menus can be conveniently navigated either with controls on the device or via the included wireless remote.

Cobalt Pocketwatch Gadget Concept Revolutionizes Foppery

Jason Chen — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Even before wrist watches—and now cellphones—replaced the pocket watch in the everyman's wardrobe, pulling something out of a pocket and flipping over a cover just to tell the time was known to be inconvenient. (Wait, isn't that how cellphones work now?) This Cobalt concept, on the other hand, improves the pocket watch by shoving a small computer inside, letting you get temperature, your email, the time, the date, text messages and all kinds of nonsensical crap inside. Yeah, the interface is a bit cluttered, but the idea of shoving a connected PDA inside a pocket watch is something we could get behind—that is if our cellphones didn't already do the same thing. [Yanko Design]

Triforce Touchscreen Pointer Combines Tchotchke With Surprising Functionality

Jack Loftus — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:30:28 EDT

The Triforce Touchscreen Pointer is a marketing ploy destined for swag-bag oblivion, but it could also be a rare case where functionality and tchotchke coalesce into something genuinely useful. First, the lanyard-pointer from Specialdesign eliminates the act of fumbling with your PDA's lanky stylus. Second, the lanyard means no more dropped devices. Finally, when Specialdesign promises the Triforce pairs up with "hip hop" devices you just know the transformation from vanilla roadwarrior to white party-throwing music mogul is close at hand. No info on pricing, sorry. [Triforce, via GeekAlerts]

LionKing 800 Cellphone Has One Year Standby Time, Manufacturer Says (Verdict: Manufacturer May Smoke Too Much Skunk)

Kit Eaton — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:39:06 EDT

The lion engraving on the back of this Chinese all-in-one cellphone/PDA is presumably what gives it its strange name. The strangeness doesn't end there though: it takes dual SIM cards ... and has a standby time of 365 days? Yes, this is what the manufacturer says. One year chaps.

A typo error, perhaps. But it does claim to have a "16800 mAh super-long standby" lithium battery, giving a three to five day talk time. It also packs in Bluetooth 2.0, e-book reading, MP3 and MP4 playing, four speakers, PDA functions and a 3.5-inch 240 x 320 pixel screen into one package. It even has dual 0.3 megapixel cameras and a transflash slot for memory expansion, including a 256MB one for free in the package. Though it looks fairly small, its going to feel pretty large in your pocket: it's 0.79 inches deep.

Its apparently available for $145. Sounds unlikely? Most probably. What do you think? [Solomobi]

i-Mate Creating Palm Foleo-like UMPC With i-Mate Shell?

Jason Chen — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:29:19 EDT

According to Ubergizmo, i-Mate's working on a Palm Foleo-like UMPC/PDA device that has a 1024x768 display, a built-in keyboard, an 80 (!) hour battery, and a price point of only $300. However, this shell is just a "shell" (like its name), and uses one of i-Mate's Windows Mobile Ultimate smartphones as a base/processor. That makes sense with the VGA and XVGA display out on the phones, and is slightly more reasonable than what the Foleo was trying to do. [UberGizmo]

iPaq 110 and 210 Apparently Cost Money

Mark Wilson — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:29:51 EDT

From rumor to fact, we've watched as HP has revived their iPaq line. The first two units will be coming out in just two days, on October 8th. Featuring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, identical 624mHz processors and WM6 Pro, the cheaper 110 will run $299 while its older brother the 210 will cost $399.

Of course, with contract, they'll cost you a lot less. Wait. They're just PDA's, or, "phone companions" as the models are called in HP's press release. And there are no contract rebates for "phone companions."

Damn. [HP and HP via engadget]

Linux Based Palm OS Pushed Out to End of Year '08

blongo3 — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:20:16 EDT

Yesterday during Palm's Q1-08 Conference call, CEO Ed Colligan dropped some tidbits about their release schedule for the Linux-based Palm OS

"[The Palm Centro] team is now totally focused on delivering our next generation platform, which we expect to have available by the end of the next calendar year."

By the end of 2008? Are you serious? This OS needs to be out right now, not a year from now. Hopefully with the addition of the Centro & Foleo team they will be able to get it out the door a little faster. [Palm Info Center]

LevelStar's Icon Mobile Manager is a Screenless PDA

Charlie White — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:40:56 EDT

The Icon Mobile Manager by Levelstar is designed with a different clientele in mind: the visually impaired. Instead of a screen, the Icon features audio menus to help the user navigate, and acts as a hub for daily technology-related activities. This thing is just a great idea, designed specifically to give functionality to a user base that hasn't enjoyed a PDA this full-featured. Despite being a niche product, the Icon Mobile Manager doesn't skimp on power.

With Linux under the hood, it's fueled by a Lithium Ion battery, and the Icon boasts a sizable 30GB HDD with room for expansion via a Mini SD slot. The device is fully wireless, sporting both Bluetooth and 802.11b, which is nice for users on the go who want to keep up with their audio books, podcasts and music.

It's a little large at 5"x3", but it only weighs half a pound so it's still portable. The Icon Mobile Manager also has stereo speakers built in, though the package comes with a set of earbuds to take advantage of the unit's headphone jack.

To fully use of some of the Icon's more advanced features, such as Web browsing, we imagine users will want to buy the dock that comes with a Braille or QWERTY keyboard. Besides that, the device does everything you'd expect for a handheld. Be ready to pay a lot more, however. The Icon Mobile Manager costs $1,395 for the unit alone, and is available only inside the United States. – Kevin Hall

Product Page [LevelStar via popgadget]

Tablet PC Concept Folds Up and Doubles as Cellphone

Louis Ramirez — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:58:32 EDT

Design-wise, the Flexi PDA concept may be one of the most interesting Tablet PCs I've seen in a while. When its unfolded, it works like a tablet and features its own QWERTY keyboard. Thanks to the handheld's flexible screen, you can also fold it in half and use as a cellphone.

The device, which was designed by Daniel Alexander, is also water-resistant, making it a nice companion for outdoorsy types who want to remain connected without being bogged down by a laptop. Overall, it's an interesting concept that we hope manufacturers pick up on. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page [via Sci-Fi Tech]

New York Times Garden Expert Solves Those Puzzling Petunia Questions

Travis Hudson — Tue, 01 May 2007 18:00:51 EDT

Come on, Times. Not only are you guys one of the top newspapers in the world, but now you are taking over the portable gardening database gadget market with this thing. The Garden Expert is a database chock-full of information about gardening. The device scours decades' worth of gardening factoids from Times gardening columns to find the tough answers you are looking for. Oh, and it looks like a watering can—how cute. $20. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via bookofjoe]

Dell Getting Into Smartphone Business

Jason Chen — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 11:30:36 EDT

Remember when Dell dropped the Axim PDA and the world yawned like a slutty hippopotamus? Well, it looks like it was because even Dell knew that PDAs were out and smartphones (PDAs with calling capabilities) are in. They've contracted Quanta Computer—which incidentally supplies Dell's laptops as well—to build them a smartphone for launch in Q4 2007.

There aren't many details to be found, but "sources" claim that it's codenamed "Fly" and will have Windows Mobile 6, HSDPA, and possibly a QWERTY. Since we're loath to use a smartphone that doesn't have a keyboard, we hope that last part's true.

In a market dominated by HTC, we'll just have to see what Dell needs to do to bring something new to the table. – Jason Chen

Quanta may be developing PDA handset for Dell [Digitimes via Mad4mobiles]

Teague Breathes New Life into PDAs with Rugged Concept for HP

Louis Ramirez — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:52:37 EDT

PDAs are pretty much in a coma nowadays, but Seattle-based design firm Teague is giving them a dose of CPR with the above concept created for HP. It's a rugged PDA designed to "streamline day-to-day tasks. It synchronizes with the user's PC to track inventory, communicating through RFID and Bluetooth." It's meant for for the IT crowd, but should HP ever decide to enter the rugged PDA/smartphone market, this design would certainly be a nice start. Especially since it just won CeBIT's If Design Award. – Louis Ramirez

HP Rugged Data Center Assistant/PDA Concept [Unwired View]

Wrist PDA Gives You the Magic Touch

Louis Ramirez — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 11:00:21 EST

I've never been a big fan of wearable tech and the mere thought of strapping a PDA this big onto my wrist ain't helping, but fortunately this PDA comes with a twist. It creates a body area network (BAN) that lets you communicate with other peripherals by touching them. So for example, you could print documents from your PDA by touching a compatible printer or transfer files from your PDA by touching a computer. The concept is still in development, but seems promising (as long as they don't make you look like an android in the process).

Click though for some close up shots.

– Louis Ramirez
Transmit Data Through Human Body [via AVING.net]

HiPDA Combines Tablet PC with TV and HSDPA

gizcontrib — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 13:46:45 EDT

I doubt this one will ever leave Korea, but it sounds cool: the HiPDA combines a PC with a touch screen and a digital DMB TV receiver, plus a HSDPA high-speed data connection into a package weighing just 1.3Kg. The processor is a rather slow 500MHz AMD Geode, so I wouldn't expect it to be a speed racer. You can get a Google translation of the review here. – Richard Baguley

HiPDA [Akihabara News]

HiPDA [TPCC]

Torq N100 GPS PDA Phone

Jason Chen — Tue, 02 May 2006 01:05:19 EDT

Torq's new GPS enabled device not only allows it to function as a navigation unit, there's also a receiver onboard that allows it to support Traffic Message Channel (TMC) functionality. This means real time traffic conditions which allow you to make changes to your route accordingly.

Other features like GSM quad band (850, 900, 1800, 1900Mhz), Bluetooth 2.0, 2.8" touchscreen display and a 1.3 megapixel camera make this pretty much the only device you have to carry out the front door. Its Windows Mobile 5.0 OS also allows portable Microsoft Office applications for working on the road. Torq, you had us at hello.

Torq N100 PDA with GPS on board [GPS News via uber gizmo]

Acer MP-500 PMP/PDA

johnb — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 12:59:28 EST

Acer is planning a PMP with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, and interesting departure from the usual "dump and watch" PMPs we've been seeing. The MP-500 will come in 20GB and 40GB flavors and offer four hours of video playback on one charge. No info on Wi-Fi et al, but this would be a nice competitor to the Nokia 770 Internet tablet.

Acer MP-500 PMP Features Touchscreen [eHomeUpgrade]

Mitac Mio A701

johnb — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 06:56:55 EST

If you ever wanted to multi-task to the point of insanity AND know where you are, the Mitac Mio A701 is your new favorite toy. Arriving in March according to this translated page, the Mio runs on Windows Mobile 5.0, has Bluetooth and USB and is yet another PDA that doubles as a phone but nifty addition of an internal antenna for GPS, based on the SiRFStarIII chip.

Specs on A701 [GSMArena]
The Mitac Mio A701 will arrive to[sic] March [Navigadget]
SiRFStarIII [EMTAC]

Check pricing on Mitac Mio [Shopping.com]

Garmin iQue 3000 at CES

tgrumet — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 09:13:28 EST

Here's another feather in Garmin's GPS cap. The iQue 3000 rounds out the company's iQue Palm OS PDA product line and is being marketed as an entry level PDA offering fully integrated GPS technology. Includes Garmin's where to or view maps interface and once you put in a destination, the 3000 will calculate the shortest and quickest route for you to take. In the event that you can't take directions, it will also recalculate a route if you miss a turn. Other features include complete integration between organization and GPS navigation functions, so it connects the Palm Address Book and Date Book to the GPS electronic map, letting you navigate directly to a specific address from your contact database or date book. Not a bad little trick. Retails at $400 and comes with a mini-USB synchronization cable, AC wall charger, suction cup mount auto cradle, microSD Card, 12-volt car charger, companion CD or DVD (US only) with owner s manual, City Navigator North America NT CD, and quick-reference guide.

Garmin s iQue 3000: GPS Power in the Palm of Your Hand [Garmin]

Gotive H42 Channels Apple Newton as Ghost of PDA Past

tgrumet — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:19:27 EST

It's a little more colorful and generally more exciting-looking, but doesn't this Gotive H42 wireless PDA look remarkably like the old Apple Newton that expired back in 1998? Of course, it does add some interesting twists to the PDA pack: a 500MHz Intel CPU powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 and the ability to accept up to 1GB of non-volatile memory. The shell of the PDA is tough and protective and the 6.2-inch widescreen makes it even more hearty. Works with WiFi, Bluetooth and GSM and it can also use an optional GPS add-on. Comes with a docking station with serial and USB ports and runs from about $1,600 to $3,000.

Gotive H42: Widescreen Tough PDA [Ubergizmo]

Mio A201 GPS and PDA in One

tgrumet — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:34:50 EST

Is the Mio A201 a GPDA or PDPS, because this PDA that is designed to function as a GPS sure needs a new acronym. Being touted as the first Pocket PC with integrated GPS receiver, it's got a 20-channel SirfStar III GPS chipset as well as Microsoft Windows Mobile on board and features such as Outlook Mobile Contacts and Calendar, Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, games and Windows Media Player. There is a rotating GPS antenna for navigating in both portrait mode or landscape mode, and you can swap screens just by rotating the antenna or touching a button. Because it's a PDA, you can choose what kind of navigational software you want to use, whether for street or survey mapping, and it will work with any software compatible with Windows Mobile 5. The latest version of the Mio Map software, version 2 for Pocket PC, will be bundled in with the price. Of course the beauty of this product is its portability, letting you take it on camping trips, use it in the car or just bring it with you when you're walking the streets of a new city and want to make it very clear that you are carrying an expensive device worth stealing. Hopefully your insurance will cover the full $460. Also included is power adapter, car charger, USB sync cable, car mount and carry case.

Mio Technology A201 Sat-Nav PDA [Bios Magazine]

Specs and pricing for Mio GPS devices [Amazon]

Newgen Keyless Candybar Phone

tgrumet — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 12:42:40 EST

Newgen's latest PDA, called the T3, is a standard candybar cell sans keypad. The company seems to like to stick to touchscreens on their products (like the earlier edition, the T1), so it's up to you whether you think you can get used to the idea. The T3 also comes with a 2.2 inch TFT LCD, 1.3-megapixel camera with flash and 3D stereo speakers. Of course, there are a few keys hanging around, like the one for unlocking the display, and some shortcut keys on the side. One caveat: the T3 has only 64 megabytes of built-in memory and with no Bluetooth or IR, it can only transfer data via USB.

Newgen T3, the candybar handset without any keys [Phoneyworld]