BostonPocketPC

HP announced the arrival of a new quadband handheld running Windows Mobile 6.1 at its "Connecting Your World" event in Berlin called the HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger, will begin shipping on June 30 aimed at keeping mobile professionals connected in a nice glossy piano black finish.

It comes chock full with WiFi (b/g), Bluetooth 2.0, 3G UMTS/HSDPA, GPS, 3MP camera with AutoFocus,with a QWERTY keyboard and an LED backlit 2.46-inch (320x240),scrolling trackwheel,touch screen combining the best features of a Professional(Pocket PC) and a Standard (Smartphone) into one device. It also comes loaded with a ton of applications ready for the enterprise.

Specifications:

Wireless Integrated Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and Tri Band UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 1,2,3,4, Mbps
Integrated WiFi – 802.11 b/g with WPA2 security
Integrated Bluetooth® v2.0 with EDR
Integrated multi-mode GPS navigation
Operating system Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Mobile Microsoft programs included: Office Mobile, Office Outlook Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile
Processor Marvell PXA270 Processor, 416 MHz
Display 2.46-inch transmissive TFT 65,000 color 320x240 pixel touch panel display with LED backlight
Memory 128 MB SDRAM 256 MB flash ROM
Dimensions 114 x 64 x 15 mm (4. 5” x 2.5” x 0.6”)
Weight (with battery) 154g (5.4 oz)
Power 1940 mAh Li-polymer rechargeable, user changeable battery
Interfaces USB 2.0 connector for sync/ charge and headset , micro-SD card slot
Audio Integrated microphone, receiver, speaker and mini-USB wired stereo headset
Camera 3 Megapixel, autofocus, 4X digital zoom, codec supports .jpg image file format
Image resolution support: QVGA (320x240), VGA (640x480), 1280x960, SXGA (1280x1024), UXGA (1600x1200),QXGA (2048x1536)
Video resolution: 176x144 (QCIF), 320x240 (QVGA)
Hardware buttons Alphanumeric keyboard, scroll wheel, 5-way navigation, 2 soft keys, volume control, send /end buttons, reset, voice command
Value-addedapplications HP Photosmart Mobile;Bluetooth Manager; HP Help and Support; HP Voice Reply; Cyberon Voice Commander6; HP iPAQ GPS QK Position; HP Enterprise Mobility Agent; HP Keyboard Indicator; HP iPAQ Tips; HP AssetViewer; HP Keyguard; HP Certificate Enroller; HP iPAQ DataConnect; HP Printsmart Mobile; ClearVue PDF; Sun Java; MMS Client/Composer; OMA DRM Client (forward lock); SIM ToolKit; HP iPAQ Audio; Ringtone Manager; HP iPAQ Power; HP iPAQ Keyboard; Factory Recovery
In the box HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger, standard battery, mini-USB sync/charge cable, AC adapter, mini-USB wired stereo headset, HP iPAQ Getting Started CD, and documentation kit
Warranty One-year parts and labor in most regions; 90 days technical support for software in most regions. Additional offers may vary by region.

Currently no price has been announced, but we will keep you informed when we know. :)

Edit:

Ted wrote in to tell us that it is listed on the HP website for $499.99 unlocked, so no carrier contracts. Thanks Ted.

Handheld US introduced today the new Algiz 13 rugged convertible notebook computer that has a 13" XGA(1280x800) indoor/outdoor display with a magnesium casing for extra protection, and easily meets IP54 and MIL-STD-810F military standards for accidental drops, dust and water. It also operates in temperatures ranging from -4 to 122 °F.

The Algiz 13 features a powerful 1.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Merom ULV processor and up to 4 GB of DDR II 667 industrial-grade RAM. The Algiz 13 includes a shock-mounted 120 GB (up to 160 GB optional) 2.5-inch hard drive with G-Sensor Protection, and it runs either the Windows XP Tablet PC edition or Windows Vista Business operating system.

Users can choose from a host of communication options when they’re out in the field, given the Algiz 13’s multiple integrated wireless capabilities. It offers up to three simultaneous radios modems, WLAN 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth and optional WAN/GPRS, and a fully integrated GPS receiver – providing highly reliable connectivity across the range of wireless networks. Designed for expansive radio frequency coverage, it features internal antennas, and the magnesium case provides RF shielding and extensive RF noise filtering.

It looks like a pretty tough and powerful Tablet for the field. I just think they could have come up with a better name.

Specifications:

Size

13.54" (344 mm) x 9.96" ( 253 mm) x 2.28" (58 mm)

Weight
8.38 lb (3.8 kg)

Environment

Operating:

-4 to 122 °F (-20 to 50 °C)

Storage:
-40 to 158 °F (-40 to 70 °C)

Drop:
MIL-STD-810F, 26 drops from 3 ft (0.9 m)

Sand & dust:
IP54

Water:
IP54

Condensation:
5% to 95% RH, non-condensing

Processor/
memory
Intel Core 2 Duo Merom ULV 1.06 GHz CPU; Intel 965GM Integrated Graphics;
512 MB to 4 GB SDRAM

Data storage/disk
Shock-mounted 2.5" drive; 120 GB (up to 160 GB) with G-Sensor Protection and optional 32GB Solid State Disk

Operating system
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista

Screen
13.3" WXGA, (1280x800) TFT with convertible function. Digitizer touchscreen and outdoor sunlight-readable LCD display optional

Keyboard
Waterproof keyboard, SAS key, screen rotation key, virtual keyboard, RF switch, brightness up/down, onscreen QWERTY soft keypad

Battery
Nine-cell (7800 mAh) Li-ion battery runs six hours. Charging time 2.5 hours to 80%

Connections
3 x USB 2.0 A port
1 x RS-232 port;
1 x DC-In
1 x Microphone, 1 x Earphone, 1 x Array Microphone
1 x Sim card (optional)
1 x RJ-11
1 x LAN RJ-45
1 x VGA/D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
1 x Docking connector
1 x PCMCIA supports Type I/II slot
1 x SD card slot

Communication
WLAN: Integrated 802.11a/b/g, Modem 56kps (V.92)
PAN: Integrated Bluetooth EDR 2.1, Class II
WWAN: Optional HSDPA/GPRS/GSM/WCDMA
GPS receiver

Options

• Docking station
• Vehicle mounting with port replicators

Xavier Lanier at Notebooks.com is currently in Berlin and has some pictures and video  of Voodoo's latest notebook called the Voodoo Envy 133, which is thinner at.70-inch thick than Apple’s MacBook Air, which measures .76-inch at its thickest point...and that's not all! Squeezing into its svelt chasis is a removable battery with about 3.5 hours of battery life, support for HDMI, 13.3" LED backlit display, low-light VGA webcam multi-touch trackpad, eSATA support, a backlit keyboard.

Hey did you notice that the device is missing an Ethernet port? Well its included in the powerbrick and it includes its own Access Point for coverage up to 50 feet away. Yeah that's pretty sweet. You also have the option of having a broadband card added as an option if you need a connection wherever you go.

The Envy 133 (starting at $2,099-yes it's more expensive than a Macbook Air and heavier too- but you do get a free $99 matching external optical drive) using Voodoo IOS (powered by Splashtop) enables the thinnest laptop to have instant on web access,IM, listen to music, and make Skype calls- no movie support with the matching external optical drive. Its no gamer PC with an onboard Intel GPU, just a thin, workable business laptop under a hood of carbon fiber in a choice of 14 Voodoo Allure paint finishes with a selection of laser engravings that weighs in at 3.4 lbs. You also have an option to add an SSD if you like at 64GB or a slow 4800 platter based 80GB hard drive.

Specifications:

DIMENSIONS
• Width (cm): 32.2 = 12.65 inches
• Depth (cm): 23= 9.04 inches
• Height front & rear (cm): 1.79 = .70 inches
• Weight starting at: 1.53Kg = 3.373 lbs. (with SSD & battery)
PROCESSOR
• Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core™2 Duo
processor SP7700 (1.8 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core™2 Duo
processor SP7500 (1.6 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
DISPLAY
• 13.3" WXGA High-Definition Widescreen LED Backlit Display (1280x800)
• Ambient light sensor
USER INTERFACE
• Large touchpad with multiple finger tracking, supporting chiral scrolling,
pinch and momentum gestures
• LED backlit Keyboard
• Proximity sensor for touchpad disable
GRAPHICS
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (shared)
HDD
• 64GB Solid State drive or 80G HDD 4200RPM
EXTERNAL ODD
• ID coordinated
• External slot-load eSATA Super Multi drive
• Dual format DVDRW, including both +R and -R in double layer: 24X CD
Read/ 24X CD-R Write/ 24X CD-RW Write/ 8X DVD Read/ 8X DVD+R/R/RW
Write in single layer, 6x dual layer. 5X DVD-RAM Read and Write.
NETWORKING & WIRELESS
• Integrated Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
• Bluetooth™
• Voodoo Aura PowerConnect – 56W AC Power, plus integrated
802.11b/g wireless personal access point + RJ45

EXPANSION
• 34mm ExpressCard
I/O PORTS
• Video: HDMI video port (max resolution 1920x1080)
• Audio: Headphone out shared with Microphone in
Digital array microphone with beam-forming and noise
cancellation capability
2 speakers
• Additional I/O: DC
1 x USB 2.0
1 x e-SATA / USB 2.0 combo
POWER
• 3-Cell, 33 Whr Lithium ion polymer, user replaceable
• Up to 3 hr 45 min battery life, depending on usage
• 56W AC Power (Voodoo Aura PowerConnect)
SECURITY
• (2) Kensington® lock slots
ACCESSORIES
• Included HDMI-VGA adapter (ID coordinated)
OS AND SOFTWARE
• Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium 32-bit
• Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Business 32-bit
• Voodoo IOS – Instant On Solution
• Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe
• Cyberlink YouCam
PRODUCTIVITY
• Microsoft® Office Pro 2007
• Microsoft® Office Small Business Edition 2007
• Microsoft® Office Basic 2007
SECURITY
• Grisoft AVG Professional (1 year base standard)
• Computrace LoJack for Laptops, 1 and 3 year (activation required)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCS
• Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Installation DVD
• Driver and Applications Supplemental DVD

Laptop Magazine has mini review here and more info on the VooDoo Envy 133 can be found at VooDoo 's redone website with a bold new fresh look, a step up from the flames that were left burning a few days ago.

I've been spending a lot of time on the road as of late, meeting with a number of great companies with ideas and desires around mobility. While the focus during this time has been on Windows Mobile, the realization is that a lot of these same organizations also support RIM/Blackberry users and environments and (in some cases) are also considering Apple iPhone support as well. It is with this in mind that I (like so many others) paid close attention to yesterday's keynote speech at the Apple WorldWide Developers Conference ("WWDC"). As anticipated, much of the focus of the keynote was the announcement of the Apple iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 operating system.

From strictly a consumer perspective, the newest iPhone will undoubtedly create much buzz, interest and sales (and all very rightly so). I was, however, very focused on how this new iPhone incarnation would meet the demands of two specific groups -

1. Enterprise application developers creating Line of Business applications for their enterprise workforce, and
2. IT organizations charged with ensuring that mobile devices meet with security, compliance and support standards.

That being said, I was less than enthused about what was discussed yesterday regarding a device that has repeatedly been touted as "ready for the enterprise". Some reasons for my disappointment -

• The answer to the "no background processing for 3rd party applications" issue. For those of you that are unaware, the iPhone Software Development Kit ("SDK") for 3rd party application development almost immediately raised a "red flag" among developers several months ago when it was announced that no 3rd party applications would be allowed to run in the background. In other words - switching between your 3rd party application and another application would cause your application to shut down. From a data-centric application perspective, this could be devastating if extra application coding did not take place to persist data whenever the user switched applications. In a side note - Apple does allow their own applications to run as background processes; it's the 3rd party applications that cannot.
  
  Yesterday's event found Scott Forstall addressing issue - sort of. Apparently, Apple perceived the background process issue as being important to developers of instant messaging solutions and not much else. The answer to the background process issue was apparently to respond with "background processes are bad." Specifically bad for battery life and performance. OK, I'll grant that, but gasoline-burning cars are bad for the environment. Does unilaterally banning them solve all your problems? What about the problems created by that decision? How about alternatives that do not cripple and potentially worsen the problem beyond the original issue?
  
  Forstall did propose a solution (again, "sort of"). Apple is proposing an application server architecture (maintained by Apple) that apparently will allow an application to register and receive push notifications. I'm not sure if the scope of this even applies to anything other than the instant message developers, but even if it did it seems to leave a lot to be desired. My application would now rely on the occasionally-connected nature of the cellular world and the scalability and availability of a service outside of my direct control to provide me with an application "wake-up call". Listen - I have trouble trusting the hotel front desk for a wake-up call, and you are asking me to accept this proposed architecture for mission-critical applications? In the end, this whole topic and proposed solution came across as something similar to "We believe flying to a destination via commercial jet is very inefficient from a a resource perspective. So, here's a better solution - a giant catapult..."
• Enterprise Line of Business application distribution. A few months back, Apple acknowledged that the consumer-focused application distribution model of the Apple AppStore would not work for most enterprise IT organizations wishing to control distribution of their home-grown applications. Apple is allowing distribution of applications through their corporate intranet, and these applications will be synced to the iPhone - using iTunes. So if I understand this correctly, Apple will require iTunes on enterprise computers? Was anyone at Apple ever talked to a real IT organization responsible for regulatory compliance and security auditing? Wow - I see this as a MAJOR show-stopper for a lot of organizations.
• Device provisioning/configuration. This is one area that I do give Apple some credit with, if for nothing more than clarifying what can be configured via both Exchange Server and Exchange Active Sync (note to Phil Schiller, Apple's VP of Worldwide Marketing - before you bash a technology like "ActiveStink", spend 5 minutes to ensure that your company hasn't licensed the technology as a cornerstone in a major market push. My 7 year-old son thanks you for making him look mature) and Apple's Configuration utility. Essentially, the iPhone will be configurable from an Exchange policy enforcement perspective in the areas of Remote Wipe and Password policies. Other configurable areas can be performed using an Apple-supplied GUI tool that creates the appropriate configuration for distribution via either website or e-mail attachment. If you are interested in more information around this, you can visit Apple's iPhone Enterprise Integration web site for the details.
  
  While I would like to see a larger expansion of policies over time and more information on the configuration internals (is the device provisioning OMA-DM compliant, for example), there is some tangible progress here.

All in all, Apple is making some attempts to address the issues most relevant to the eventual "go or no-go" people in the enterprise world. I really do think a lot of the issues here could be resolved if Apple gains a better understanding of the needs of these IT organizations. Apple has (and likely will always be) a consumer-focused company. Unfortunately, those consumers can only demand so much of their employers when it comes to making iPhones (and other Apple hardware, for that matter) "corporate computing citizens". If sometimes rigid (and often very legal) standards cannot be met to guarantee the security, integrity and management of iPhones, acceptance will end at the front door.

On a related note -  Peter Burrows has written a wonderful piece on Apple and the Enterprise for Business Week entitled "The Mac in the Gray Flannel Suit". It really does talk to so much of what I believe are the root problems with Apple and the enterprise today.  

The folks at SlingMedia have been working hard on coming up with a SlingPlayer Mobile client for the iPhone and have come up with a proof of concept running on a jailbroken iPhone while they await Apple's stamp of approval. Looks like the folks at Engadget got an early look at it and posted up about it here. Dave Zatz also has some pictures of it in action here.

If you are attending Apple's WWDC.  Sling Media's Product Manager Vicky Shum will be close by hanging out at the Starbucks at 120 4th Street, San Francisco (right across from the Metreon) between 10:00 and 16:00 (10am and 4pm) on Monday, June 9th.  So if you'll be in town attending WWDC, please stop by for an SPM demo you won't be disappointed. :)

Now that the last winner of the 31 Days of the Dragon contest has been announced by the very mobile folks at GottaBeMobile you can still get one at a very low price. Wayne Schulz from Gear Diary found a great deal that is available for an HP Pavilion HDX Core 2 Duo 2.1GH.

They even included Jack's picture of me at Panera Bread. Man that thing is huge. I wonder if our winner Duane Laflotte has gotten any sleep after winning his. :)

Here are details of the deal:

New $450 Stackable HP Notebook coupon- Save $650 on the purchase of an HP HDX Entertainment Notebook PC with $450 coupon NB1297 and $200 Instant Rebate. Also receive Instant Savings on printers, warranties and accessories and Free NEXT BUSINESS DAY SHIPPING on all HP ink, toner and paper from the HP Home & Home Office Store.

$450 off web-only coupon for the purchase of a customized HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook PC at the HP Home & Home Office Store. Coupon code: NB1297. Offer expires 6/14/2008 or while supplies last. Maximum 4 redemptions per person or address. Not valid with other promotions. Restrictions apply. Combinable with instant rebates. For complete conditions, see "Coupon Information" in the "Customer Service" section at www.hpshopping.com.

HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Series Notebook

256MB ATI(TM) Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 2600 XT

Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.10 GHz) 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)

Integrated HP TV Tuner w/ 4 Speakers + 1 Subwoofer 

Microsoft(R) Works 9.0 

20.1" WSXGA+ HP Ultra Brightview (1680 x 1050) 

240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2) LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer 

2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth 

HP Imprint Finish (Dragon) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone

9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery 

Power Pack software - Roxio, Muvee and Serif

$1799.99- $450  = $1349.99

If you are looking at Entering the Dragon at a very low price you better do it quick since this offer expires on the 14th of June.

HTC announced its latest handset at formerly known as the HTC Raphael, will now be known as the HTC Touch Pro.

HTC Corp., a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today unveiled its advanced next generation business phone, the HTC Touch Pro™. Bringing a beautiful new angle to mobile business productivity, the HTC Touch Pro utilizes similar styling and functionality of the highly anticipated Touch Diamond™ and introduces a variety of business-focused enhancements that make getting work done on the go quick and easy.

The rest of the Press release is here. HTC also announced some accessories for both the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro with similarly designed desktop cradles,a travel charger accessory pack, an extended battery and slim collapsible case for the Touch Diamond.

Compared to the HTC Touch Diamond, which is available this week online for the price of $795.95 (Check some great videos of it on YouTube), Touch Pro is basically the same device with a 5 row keyboard which only adds 6.77mm about 60% thickness. The Touch Pro also has a larger battery (1350mAh vs. 900mAh), but it also has less storage space due to the fact that the Touch Pro adds a microSD slot for expansion,which is more aligned for Power Users and people like myself, who like the ability for expandability.  Another interesting thing that is added is the HTC Ext USB that is 11-pin miniUSB 2.0 port, audio jack and TV out so you can display your PowerPoint presentations on the big screen. I don't know if the Touch Pro has the same magnet in the stylus like the Touch Diamond, that turns the device on when removed, but one can only assume it does. It looks like HTC is covering all their bases and has another nice looking device on their hands and looks to be the sole competitor to the Sony Xperia for my next device.

Also before you ask, HTC won’t be releasing this in the US yet due to the lack of the 850 band support, but I am sure many will still order one via online retailers according to HTC in late 2008. Hopefully retail outlets like BestBuy will also make these available in the US for easy purchasing of nice unlocked phones.

HTC Touch Pro Specifications:

• Processor:Qualcomm® MSM7201A™ 528 MHz
• Operating System: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
• Memory: ROM: 512 MB and RAM: 288MB
• Dimensions: 102 mm (L) X 51 mm (W) X 18.05 mm (T)
• Weight: 165 g (with battery)
• Display: 2.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with VGA resolution
• HSDPA/WCDMA: in Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz - Up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
• Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE in Europe/Asia: 900/1800/1900 MHz (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)
• Device Control:
  TouchFLO™ 3D
  Touch-sensitive navigation control
• Keyboard:Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
• GPS: GPS and A-GPS ready
• Connectivity:
  Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR
  Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
  HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0, audio jack, and TV Out* all in one)
• Main camera: 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus and flash light
• Second camera: VGA CMOS color camera
• Audio:40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI
  Built-in microphone, speaker and FM radio with RDS
  Ring tone supported formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV, and AMR-NB
• Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-ion or Lithium-ion polymer battery
  Capacity: 1340 mAh
• Talk time: Up to 397 minutes for WCDMA /Up to 485 minutes for GSM
• Standby time: Up to 503 hours for WCDMA / Up to 406 hours for GSM
• Video call time: Up to 201 minutes for WCDMA
  (The above are subject to network and phone usage.)
• Expansion Slot:microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
• AC Adapter:Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
  DC output: 5V and 1A

* HTC TV Out cable needed.

There are more pictures of the Touch Pro in their gallery here.

While I was on the T-mobile website this week re-adding my wife's data plan (she tried it, didn't think she needed it, went through data withdrawal, and now has it back) I was looking at the plans with maybe the chance of upgrading our minute plan since we are using our cell phones more and noticed that you can now get a Family Time Unlimited plan for 2 people for $149 with each addition user for $49.

Here is the text if you can't read it from the picture:

T-Mobile now offers families an Unlimted Nationwide Calling & Messaging Plan. This plan lets you connect the way you want to, without worrying about minutes or unpredictable bills. You get unlimited nationwide calling and text, IM, picture and video messaging to anyone on any network, even landlines for just $149.98 per month for two lines. Up to three additional lines are just $49.99 each.

If data was included it would have been even sweeter, but its still a very great plan for families or two users that share minutes and go over their monthly allotment.

Looking to make strides in the public sector and SMB markets AMD launched a new laptop platform called Puma targeting users that want to take their HD content with them wherever they are. Utilizing both the AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile(Griffin) processor and AMD M780G with the ATI Radeon HD 3000 graphics chip the new platform promises to deliver a “Full HD Experience”. With Intel's delay of its new Centrino 2 Laptop system, this could be a golden opportunity for AMD during the back-to-school purchase season.

There are several new notebook designs based on Puma coming from leading OEMs including Acer, Asus, Clevo, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, HP, MSI, NEC and Toshiba.

The AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile processor includes top enhancements including AMD Independent Dynamic Core Technology, a new mobile-optimized memory controller, and power-optimized HyperTransport™ 3.0. The new mobile AMD 7-series chipset, AMD M780G and AMD SB700, features integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics and delivers support for Microsoft DirectX® 10. The integrated graphics deliver up to three times the 3D graphics performance of comparable competitor graphics and offer ATI Avivo™ HD Technology for smooth video playback in hi-def format.

Complementing the video capabilities to deliver a rich visual experience, the platform also offers the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 series discrete graphics, including the previously announced ATI Mobility Radeon 3400 and 3600 Series, and the new ATI Mobility Radeon™ 3800 Series, also introduced today. The 3800 Series delivers the highest levels of graphics performance in the ATI Mobility Radeon HD family, with support for PCI Express® 2.0, the only graphics processor with DirectX 10.1, integrated digital output support for HDMI, DVI and Display Port, and multi-monitor functionality with native support for up to 4 monitors for mainstream notebooks. When using notebooks with both integrated and discrete graphics, users can also benefit from ATI CrossFireX™ Technology, a feature of ATI Hybrid Graphics Technology designed to boost graphics performance up to 70 percent by running the integrated and discrete graphics together.

“Windows Vista enhances the overall performance and productivity of the personal computer, offers rich visual experiences and makes the digital lifestyle easier, safer, more entertaining and better connected than ever before,” said Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the OEM division at Microsoft. “The next-generation AMD notebook platform provides optimized technologies that will provide an even richer visual experience for customers running Windows Vista and other graphically demanding applications.”

...Business users increasingly are recognizing the need to support today’s graphics-rich applications and operating systems in a more mobile business world. Small- and medium-sized businesses also recognize the ability of notebook PCs to increase productivity, and require improved security to prevent data loss. With designs that enable industry-standard security and manageability such as Trusted Platform Module and Enhanced Virus Protection™^*, small- and medium-sized businesses will find the next-generation AMD notebook platform helps meet their needs...

For more of the press release head here.

Features:

• Full HD¹ Experience: Get the ultimate in HD visual performance with ATI Avivo™ HD² Technology for full 1080p³ playback of Blu-ray⁴ and other HD content.
• Superior Technologies: Optimized technologies for improved graphics performance, fast wireless and long battery life.
• Greater Value: Secure, integrated, smart designs that bring everything together to give you more now and looking ahead.

AMD also announced the AMD Changing the Game Signature Program
which is an initiative of the AMD Foundation designed to connect AMD’s industry leading graphics processing power with the power of developing and playing digital games to educate young people and affect positive social change in an increasingly technology driven society. The new program champions the evolution of digital gaming toward becoming a more dynamic entertainment AND educational experience for youth by working with nonprofit organizations, foundations and other companies to use digital game design to teach disadvantaged youth essential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and life skills.

To check out AMD's Press Conference at Computex head here.

Our good friend Arne Hess over at the::unwired posted up an article about Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile, something that many people have been waiting for when Windows Vista was released (recently mentioned an update to it here). Well its still not ready for the mass-market yet, Microsoft’s Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile Developer Preview v0.01 is an application for both Windows Mobile 5 and Windows Mobile 6 Profesional/Classic/Pocket PCs and Smartphones/Standard devices that allows you to use your Windows Mobile device as a Bluetooth SideShow-compatible device. Basically using a Windows Gallery Gadget that runs on your computer as another window or remote control that allows for two-way communication between your computer and the information on your Windows Mobile device. If you do happen to fall out of the 30m range or if you shut off/sleep/hibernate your computer you can still view the content sent to the phone previously.

System Requirements

• Windows Server 2008; Windows Vista Business; Windows Vista Enterprise; Windows Vista Home Premium; Windows Vista Ultimate
• A Bluetooth-capable Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, or Windows Mobile 6 Professional device with the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 installed.
• A Bluetooth-enabled PC. Note: this release is not compatible with computers running Toshiba Bluetooth drivers. See the “Troubleshooting” section below for more information.

Instructions

1. Download and run WindowsSideShowForWindowsMobile.exe on your PC, and open the folder it was installed to.
2. Connect your phone to your computer over USB and select "Open device to view files".
3. If the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 or later is not installed on your device (it is not on most Windows Mobile 5 devices), install it:
   1. Copy NETCFv2.wm.armv4i from the installation folder to the My Documents folder on your device.
   2. On the phone, open File Explorer.
   3. Open NETCFv2.wm.armv4i in File Explorer, and follow the instructions to restart the device.
4. Connect your PC to the Internet if it is not already connected.
5. Drag WindowsSideShowForWindowsMobile.CAB to the My Documents folder on the Windows Mobile device.
6. On the phone, open File Explorer.
7. In File Explorer, select WindowsSideShowForWindowsMobile.CAB in the My Documents folder. Click OK if you get a publisher warning. The program will install on your phone.
8. From your PC, pair and connect your phone over Bluetooth.
   1. On the device, click the Start button, click Settings, click Connections, and then click Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on and make the phone discoverable.
   2. On your Windows Vista PC, open the Bluetooth Devices control panel, and then click Add.
   3. Select your device and click Pair. If you do not see your phone, make sure it is in discoverable mode, and that there is a Bluetooth adapter connected to your PC and turned on.
   4. Select "Let me choose my own passcode", and then enter a passcode.
   5. A dialog box will appear on the phone asking you to enter the passcode.
   6. Enter the passcode and then press return. If notifications to enable other services come up, click Allow All Connections.
9. When a message appears on the PC to install driver software, click Locate and install driver software.
10. After the drivers install, go to your phone's home or today screen, where you will see the SideShow logo with the text not connected (you may have to scroll to see this). Select the text. If you do not see this text, click the Start button, click Programs, and then click Windows SideShow.
    1. If you get an error saying you do not have the latest version of the .NET Compact Framework installed, perform step 3 to install the .Net Compact Framework. Remove and reinstall Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile by clicking Start, clicking Settings, clicking Remove Programs, clicking Windows SideShow, and then clicking OK. Then start again at step 7.
11. Wait a few seconds for the phone to connect. If it does not connect automatically, click the Connect button on the lower left. Your phone may take up to 30 seconds to connect. If the phone does not connect, try turning it off and on, and see the“Troubleshooting – Phone fails to connect” section in the readme.
12. Choose your user account on the phone, when prompted. You can change this later by clicking Menu.
13. 
    Open the Windows SideShow control panel to pick gadgets to use on your phone. You can click the "Get more gadgets online" link at the bottom of the screen to access the Windows SideShow section of the Windows Live Gallery.

The Power Point Remote control application is great. Its also pretty cool to control your Media Player via Bluetooth. I can't wait to see more gadgets like some Media Center based ones. :)