News

Free memory card, Office software for MPx200 buyers

An additional bonus for all those that got the MPx200 for free after rebate from Amazon. Fill out and mail in the following form, and get a free copy of ClearVue's Word and Excel viewer software for the MPx200, as well as a free 32 MB MultiMedia Card. The offer requires photocopies of your sales recipt or invoice, and IMEI number/barcodes. Anyone who bought an MPx200 from an authorized representative or reseller since October 21st is eligible, and the promotion will continue until April 15th, 2004.

http://www.attwireless.com/media/downloads/Clearvue_Rebate_final.pdf

Extended batteries for iPaq 4150/4155

HP's online store now lists an extended 1800 milliamp-hour battery for the iPaq 4100s, product number FA192A#AC3, and a 3600 mAh battery that is listed as compatible with both the 4150 and the 2210, product number FA197A#AC3. I really wish HP would tell us these things, rather than leave us to find out from their store.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/

USB Host CompactFlash card coming Feb 2004

Available for some time in Asia, USB Host CompactFlash cards are coming to North America and possibly Europe. The card provides two USB Host ports which are powered at 100 milliamps each during normal operation. When used in conjunction with the included AC adapter, each port provides 500 milliamps.

Some possible uses include connecting USB portable hard drives, flash memory readers or drives, keyboards, GPS, and cell phone connections. The press release states that the card is designed for PocketPCs running Windows Mobile 2003, but it does not specify whether or not 2002 devices will be supported. The cards are expected to be released in Febuary.

BusinessWire.com press release

New embedded Bluetooth Class 1 module

Socket is now offering a new embedded Bluetooth module in their KwikBlue family. Called the Kwik Blue 1, the module provides Class 1 Bluetooth communication. All the current handhelds with Bluetooth feature a Class 2 transciever, which is limited to a maximum 10 meter range--about 34 feet. A Class 1 transciever can transmit and recieve at ranges of up to 100 meters, or ~340 feet. The trade off is that this requires much more power than short-range Bluetooth communication. It will be awhile before we begin to see these in handhelds, but it is likely.