Recently I decided to upgrade my Nokia 770 up to OS 2006. The procedure of upgrade is very simple. There is a Windows utility which make this procedure easily for Windows guys. But you can use flasher under Linux as well.
My first impression of OS 2006 is very positive. It looks much better than OS 2005. But the most significant change is an application installer. It works now similar to apt-get utility. So, it’ll be easy to update installed packages. Also, the application installer uses dependences for packages.
But after playing with the new OS I returned back to OS 2005. Because the OS 2006 has a new architecture – ARMEL and there is not way anymore to install Debian packages for ARM. Well, I’m going to work with OS 2005 till all packages needed for me (mainly related with SDL) will be ported to the ARMEL.
Category: Gadgets
Brando case for Nokia770
Nokia 770 is shipped with aluminium cover and stylish bug. But it doesn’t allow to wear it on the belt. Also, Nokia can be switched on/off spontaneously because power button is not covered at all. This problem can be solved by using the Brando hardcase. The brief review and more photos after jump.
Tablet PCs Wiki
Tablet PCs wiki is started. It might be interesting for both beginners and professionals who likes UMPC and want to get more infomation or share experience:
This is a place where you can find, add, and edit knowledge about your Mobile Technologies. The initial focus is on Tablet PCs, Ultra Mobile PCs (Origami) and Media Center PCs. As various technologies converge, we may see articles on other gear, but for now our focus will be on Windows Tablet and Touch Technologies.
eo v7110 vs Nokia 770
I came across this post about comparison Origami UMPC eo v7110 and Linux-based Internet Tablet Nokia 770:
The Nokia 770, coupled with a Brando case and a ThinkOutside Stowaway Universal Bluetooth Keyboard is now my “go everywhere” machine. It’s always in my pocket or geek bag. It can even mount to my windshield for GPS use – something I never expect to do with my TabletKiosk eo. However, it is not the end of my portable computing needs.
..
The TabletKiosk eo v7110 has wholly replaced my laptop for all my mobile computing needs. Indeed, my laptop hasn’t left the desk since the eo arrived. Again, coupled with the Stowaway keyboard, I can now do all my research, reading, and writing on the road (at the local internet cafe) on my eo.
Qtopia Greenphone
The well-known company Trolltech, which develops Qt, has announced his Qtopia Greenphone. This smartphone is unique because it’s open for development and upload new mobile applications. The specification is quit similar to others: quad band GSM/EDGE handset that boasts a QVGA touch screen display, 1.3-megapixel camera, 317MHz XScale processor, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth, and a miniSD card slot.
Greenphone will ship with source code for all the native phone applications in addition to development tools and the phone itself
It’s cool and geek smartphone but the price is also cool – $700! So, if you have this money and want to develop for mobile Linux phones go ahead! The Greenphone is expexted to sell on the middle of this September.
Updated: Trolltech announces pricing for Greenphone kits: from $695 to $890
The Virtual Piano
Once I wrote about Virtual Bluetooth Keyboard for Nokia 770. Here is another “laser-based” device – Virtual Piano. Using a red semiconductor laser module and holographic optical element, the device projects a 25-key 2-octave keyboard (a virtual 88-key grand piano can be created by increasing the size of the device.) onto the surface in front of it. The surface shouldn’t be black because it absorbs the light. A CMOS camera module and infrared (invisible) red semiconductor laser module detect which keys are touched, and the corresponding notes are emitted from speakers built into the device.
The keyboard has 3 other voices in addition to piano — organ, pipe organ and harpsichord. It is scheduled for release in Japan in November 2006 and is expected to cost around 15,000 yen (US$130).
The box-shaped device is extremely compact: measures about 10 x 3 x 3 cm and weighs about 100 grams.
[via TechEBlog]
Samsung SCH-B450 gaming phone
Samsung rolls out SCH-B450 – geek andcool gaming mobile phone. The following features characterize this phone: TV-out, A2DP, a motion sensor for Wii-like interaction, a game-friendly keypad, 3D acceleration, S-DMB reception, Immersion’s VibeTonz, and that clever dual hinge design.
The SCH-B450 is released only for Kerean market but you can try its congener – SGH-D307 which oriented to business application.
[via Engadget]
gSmart i128 from Gigabyte
Gigabyte has announced a new Windows Mobile 5.0-powered Smartphone – gSmart i128. It features a 2.4-inch TFT display, 2.1-megapixel camera, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, MiniSD card slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity. Additionally, gSmart includes NTSC/PAL TV receiver to provide a real-time TV broadcasting on one’s favorite game or show.
Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
[via SlashPhone]