News

TI won't actually mass market this device, but it would be pretty sweet if they did. Code named "Wanda," it runs on Pocket PC and features WiFi, Bluetooth and GSM/GPRS and allows for multiple wireless actions at the same time.

Here are the specs from the Wanda site -

Specifications:

• OMAP1510 application processor
  • TMS320C55x™ DSP and TI-enhanced ARM925 
• Memory
  • 32/64 MB NAND Flash
  • 64 MB SDRAM
• Display 
  • 240x320 QVGA transreflective
  • 0.24 mm pitch
  • HR TFT touch sensitive
• Keyboard/buttons
  • Four programmable
  • Dial and End call 
  • Two volume
  • Power, backlight, reset, and record
  • Navigation pad
• Communication ports 
  • USB
  • IrDA SIR
• Wireless connectivity
  • Tri-band GSM/GPRS: TCS2100
  • 802.11b: TNETW1100B
  • Bluetooth: BRF6100
• Indicators
  • Red LED for power/charge
  • Green LED for event alarm, message, email
  • Vibration for event alarm, message, email or incoming call
• Audio
  • Built-in microphone, speaker (speakerphone and audio playback)
  • Handsfree earphone/microphone jack
  • Stereo headphone jack
• Camera 
  • 800x600 (0.5 MPixel) images 
  • YUV format output
• SD/MMC expansion support
• USB and Infrared synchronization support
• Special Features
  • Backup/restore facility (persistent storage)
  • Voice recorder
  • Speakerphone
• Microsoft® Pocket PC 2003 OS
• Battery Usage (estimates)
  • 8 hours GSM talk time; 450 hours GSM standby 
  • 6 hours GPRS browsing
  • 12 hours PDA constant usage
• Battery: Lithium Polymer, 3.6 V at 1900 mAh capacity
• Charging via USB and AC adapter
• Physical Dimensions
  • 117.7 mm (H) x 74.4 mm (W) x 20 mm (Thick), excluding antenna
  • Weight: 174 g

"By empowering device manufacturers to bring Pocket PCs with integrated GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, this concept design provides a powerful, versatile, ready-to-manufacture platform for anytime-anywhere connectivity," said Andy Haon, director, for Microsoft's Mobile Devices Marketing Group. "With this concept design, Texas Instruments raises the industry bar on the wireless capabilities of Pocket PC devices."

Sadly TI won't make this device for the consumer audience. The whole point is to show what their processors can do, to spur sales. The good news is that concept designs like these will let hardware manufacturers scale production much more quickly. I can only hope we see more devices like this on the market in the near future.Wanda will be available to manufacturers in April.