Asus works on the device in style of Nokia E90 Communicator

The French-language Mobinaute has reported that Asus is preparing the release of Asus M930, which is similar in the form-factor with Nokia E90 Communicator. The device will be equipped with 2 displays: a big internal and a small on the top cover, and a full QWERTY-keyboard. It might look like this:

According to Mobinaute, Asus M930 will be powered by Marvel PXA27x 520 MHz processor running on Windows Mobile 6 OS. The communicator is meant for GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA (3.6 Mbps) networks. It also features 256 MB flash ROM and 180 MB RAM, a 3.2-megapixel auto focus camera, an FM-tuner, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless modules. The European release of Asus M930 is scheduled for 1Q 2008.

ASUS P527 communicator for travel

ASUS has unveiled a GPS-enabled communicator P527. The manufacturer highlights wide capabilities and the support of both multimedia and business functionality. Being a candy bar device ASUS P527 is packed in a silver aluminum shell. The communicator is powered by Windows Mobile 6 Professional. One of the key features is the Travelog – the user can save and blog trip events: images, routes, points of interest and so on. The function is compatible with Google Earth. In addition there is GPS Catcher (quickly locates the user position and sets the route) and location Courier (user’s position is regularly sent to a specified phone book contact).

The specs of ASUS P527:

Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

OS - Windows Mobile 6 Professional

CPU - TI OMAP 850 (200 MHz)

Display – 2.6” touchscreen, 240x320 pixels, 65K colors

128 MB flash-ROM, 64 MB SDRAM

MicroSD-slot (SDHC)

Built-in GPS-receiver on SiRF III

J2ME support

Camera - 2-megapixel with auto focus and business card recognition

Audio - MP3, WMA, AAC

Video - MPEG4, H.263

Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, USB 1.1, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

Battery – Li-Ion 1300 mAh

Talk time - 4-5 hours

Standby time – up to 150-200 hours

Dimensions – 113x58x15.4 mm

Weight - 129 g

ASUS P750 GPS-communicator for business

ASUS has introduced a GPS-communicator P750, which started as a rumor in July. The new device is positioned as a business solution meant for corporate users, who need a mobile device with GPS-functionality. The P750 can work in 3G networks and has all the specs of an up-to-date communicator. The device is peculiar for Ur Time function – time in different cities and town on the Today screen. Besides there is an integrated camera, which helps recognizing business cards.

The specs of ASUS P750:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 2100 MHz (HSDPA 3.6 Mbps)
• OS - Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• CPU - Marvell PXA270M 520 MHz
• Display – 2.6” touchscreen, 240x320 pixels, 65K colors
• 256 MB flash-ROM, 64 MB SDRAM
• MicroSD-slot (SDHC)
• Built-in GPS-receiver on SiRF III
• J2ME (CLDC 1.1 + MIDP2.0)
• 3-megapixel camera with auto focus
• Frontal VGA-camera
• Audio - MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, 3GP
• Video - MPEG4, H.263
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, USB 1.1, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Li-Ion 1300 mAh
• Talk time – up to 6 hours
• Standby time – up to 240 hours
• Dimensions – 113x58x17.4 mm
• Weight - 130 g

Nokia N82 smartphone officially introduced

Eventually a long-awaited Nokia N82 smartphone got official. The vendor positions the smartphone as a multimedia device optimized for photo capture, navigation and Internet browsing. The smartphone really has powerful features. To top it all the developer has implemented a new 3D multimedia menu in Nokia N82. There is the support of automatic screen orientation (switching between portrait and landscape). Naturally it supports Ovi services, including Nokia Music Store, N-Gage and Nokia Maps. The sales of Nokia N82 have already started on main world markets. The price makes up some €450.

The specs of Nokia N82:

• Networks - WCDMA 2100 MHz (HSDPA), EGSM 900, GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz (EGPRS)
• Platform - S60 3rd edition, Feature Pack 1
• Display – 2.4” 240x320 pixels, 16.7M colors
• Camera - 5-megapixel with Carl Zeiss (Tessar) lens, auto focus, xenon flash and video capture in MPEG-4 with VGA and up to 30 fps
• Frontal CIF-camera for video calls
• Built-in media player (MP3/AAC/eAAC/eAAC+/WMA/M4A, OMA DRM 2.0/1.0 and WMDRM, MPEG4, AVC/H.264, H.264, H.263, RV)
• Stereo FM-radio (87.5-108 MHz)
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• A-GPS with preinstalled Nokia Maps and free maps download
• Java MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1
• 3.5-mm jack
• TV-out
• 100 MB of onboard memory
• microSD-slot
• Battery - 1050 mAh
• Talk time – up to 190 minutes (WCDMA), up to 260 minutes (GSM)
• Standby time – up to 210 hours (WCDMA), up to 225 hours (GSM)
• Video call time – up to 120 minutes
• Video time – up to 200 minutes (VGA, 30 fps)
• Music time – up to 10 hours
• Video capture – up to 110 minutes (VGA, 30 fps)
• Photo capture – up to 290 images (with flash)
• Dimensions – 112x50.2x17.3 mm
• Weight - 114 g

New generation Zune players in stores

Microsoft has announced the sales start of 3 new Zune players from November 13 – based on 80 GB HDD, and 8 and 4 GB flash ROM. In addition the company has launched Zune Marketplace and Zune Social online services and Zune software update (the free version available here). You can buy the new Zune players at Zune Originals online and in the US stores. The users can choose among 27 design versions created by 18 popular artists. There is the Tatto series comprising players with 20 kinds of laser engravings on the shell.

The manufacturer says the all players are equipped with a sensor navigation button – Zune Pad, an integrated FM-tuner and bright and wide display, and support wireless synchronization and sharing. There is the support of podcasts. The price for Zune 80 GB makes up $249.99 and for ultra compact Zune 4GB and Zune 8GB - $149.99 and $199.99 respectively. The HDD Zune comes in black shell only and the flash Zune – in Black, Red, Rose and Green colors.

Apple to unveil its new ultra portable notebook at Macworld Expo 2008

According to Appleinsider, Apple plans to introduce a new ultra portable notebook. The new 13” device is 50% lighter and slimmer than the current 15” MacBook Pro. Among other reasons this is achieved due to the absence of an optical drive.

At the same time the Apple sub-note comes with a solid-state drive featuring lower power consumption and higher protection. Its display has a LED backlight, which ensures higher color saturation and effective light dispersion on the screen surface.

The Appleinsider reports that the new generation MacBook Pro will be unveiled at Macworld Expo in San Fransisco, January 15-18.

Two premium handsets of Nokia 8800 Arte

Nokia has introduced two mobile phones of the premium class – Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte. The first one is know as Nokia 8900: its molds were is online sale at eBay auction in September. Both handsets have attractive design: they are placed in a stylish slide shell of polished steel. Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte is decorated with sapphires and leather. They have a peculiar capability: the sound can be muffled by a single move: turn the handset screen down. In addition Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte come with exclusive content – audio and video tracks by Kruder & Dorfmeister.

The specs of Nokia 8800 Arte:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 MHz and WCDMA 2100 MHz
• Platform - Series 40 3rd Edition
• Display – 2” OLED 240x320 pixels, up to 16M colors
• Camera – 3.2-megapixel with 8x digital zoom
• 1 GB of onboard memory
• MicroUSB-connector
• Bluetooth interface
• Accelerator
• Battery – Li-Ion 1000 mAh
• Talk time – up to 3 hours
• Standby time – up to 12.5 days
• Dimensions – 109x45.6x14.6 mm
• Weight - 150 g

Nokia 8800 Arte is scheduled for 4Q 2007 with the price tag of some €1000. Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte will come out in 1Q 2008 at about €1150 (taxes and discounts excluded).

Garnet VM: Palm OS application on Nokia’s tablet PC

ACCESS has announced the beta-version of Garnet VM for Nokia N770, N800 and N810 tablet PC. This is an emulator of Garnet OS (previously Palm OS). The developer says that with Garnet VM over 3000 applications for Garnet OS could work in Linux environment, for example, Google Maps, Snappermail, DateBk5 and Bejeweld, PacMan and Sudoku games.

According to ACCESS currently Garnet VM beta ensures 50% compatibility with Garnet OS applications. For higher results the developers asks the users to leave comments on the program. At this page you can download your free version of Garnet VM beta for Nokia N770, N800 and N810 till the end of 2007.

HTC Touch Cruise – the first TouchFLO communicator with GPS

HTC has officially announced the Touch Cruise communicator, the third device of the HTC Touch series with TouchFLO finger-oriented interface. The device previously known as HTC Polaris has been rumored much for a long time. Last week O2 operator released its version of HTC Touch Cruise – O2 Xda Orbit 2 (with different design). The European sales of HTC Touch Cruise are set for this month.

The specs of HTC Touch Cruise:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz
• CPU - Qualcomm MSM7200, 400 MHz
• OS - Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• Display – 2.8” touchscreen
• Memory - 256 MB ROM and 128 MB DDR SDRAM
• microSD-slot
• Built-in GPS-receiver
• FM-radio
• 3-megapixel camera with auto focus
• VGA-camera for video calls
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• HTC ExtUSB connector
• USB 2.0
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Battery – Li-Ion 1350 mAh
• Talk time – up to 7 hours (GSM), up to 4 hours (UMTS)
• Standby time – up to 400 hours (GSM), up to 450 hours (UMTS)
• Video call time – up to 2.3 hours
• Dimensions – 110x58x15.5 mm
• Weight - 130 g

Sony Ericsson P5i concept

The Sefanatics has posted an interesting concept of Sony Ericsson P5i smartphone. The device is rumored to be on its way, however the manufacturer hasn’t made any official confirmation or provided official images. Taking into account (unconfirmed) info on an upcoming user’s interface UIQ (UIQ 4?) with figer control, the concept looks like to be true. It is equipped with a big display and has no keyboard. Most likely the mysterious Sony Ericsson P5i will be of this kind.