Most Popular Operating Systems for PDAs

PDA's come mostly in two flavors: the Palm operating system (OS) and Microsoft's operating system, known as Windows Mobile. PDAs with Windows Mobile operating systems are known as Pocket PCs. Your initial effort at narrowing the field will start here. If you have a Mac computer, know that only the PDAs with a Palm OS will "synch" or connect to a Mac right out of the box. If you choose a Pocket PC PDA you must get third party software to enable the two to speak to each other. Although this is not insurmountable, remember that ease in usage becomes crucial as you seek to streamline your actions. The ability to drag and drop files from PDA to computer and vice versa is very appealing. Struggling with third party software to accomplish this is not. Know your technological aptitude and tolerance for extra software installations.

Palm OS

PalmOne is the originator of the Palm OS, but Sony also uses this technology. There is a "pen" or "stylus" that you use to tap the onscreen keyboard or to write on the window in "Graffiti", a quick shorthand notation system. If the information is on your computer, just download it to your PDA and save yourself the time and effort. Sony's Palm OS PDAs are not quite as straightforward and easy to use as the PalmOne offerings. Plus their email system is not as versatile.
New models have expansion slots that allow you to add extras such as memory or special accessories. There is a significant amount of software applications available for use on your Palm PDA, but keep in mind that the more software applications you download, the more memory your PDA will need.
The batteries in the PalmOne options are rechargeable but not replaceable. Once the batteries are gone by and large, so is the PDA and the information on it.

Pocket PC

As the name suggests, the Pocket PC is more like a tiny version of your computer with all its work processing and spreadsheet software. Usually, an email program is available that accommodates basic Microsoft attachments such as Word and Excel documents. However, in order for your PDA to become an extension of your home computer, you will need those programs installed on your computer to utilize the information on your PDA. And while you are handling all your day-to-day data, you can listen to your favorite tunes as an MP3 player is now standard on Pocket PCs. The batteries, lithium ion, are rechargeable and replacing them is fairly obvious. (Source: www.abbysguide.com)

Random Access Memory (RAM). How fast is your computer?

It is short of Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU (central processing unit). When people refer to a computer's memory, they usually mean its RAM. If you add more RAM to your computer, you reduce the number of times your CPU must read data from your hard disk. This usually allows your computer to work considerably faster, as RAM is many times faster than a hard disk. RAM is volatile, so data stored in RAM stays there only as long as your computer is running. As soon as you turn the computer off, the data stored in RAM disappears. When you turn your computer on again, your computer's boot firmware (called BIOS on a PC) uses instructions stored semi-permanently in ROM chips to read your operating system and related files from the disk and load them back into RAM.

SDR, DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 RAM

There are several types of RAM used in modern computers. Prior to 2002, most computers used single data rate (SDR) RAM. Most computers made since use either double data rate (DDR), DDR2, or DDR3 RAM. DDR2 is able to achieve faster transfer rates to prevent limitation of your CPU's performance, and DDR3 technology takes these advancements even further. Note that these RAM technologies are not interchangeable. One type of RAM will not function if installed with another type, and physical differences in the RAM modules prevent them from even being inserted in the same computer. (Source: UITS – Indiana University). - AC Mahendra K Datu

3G Mobile Technology. What is it?

3G Mobile or also known as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is one of the third-generation (3G) cell phone technologies, which is also being developed into a 4G technology. Currently, the most common form of UMTS uses W-CDMA as the underlying air interface. It is standardized by the 3GPP, and is the European answer to the ITU IMT-2000 requirements for 3G cellular radio systems.
To differentiate UMTS from competing network technologies, UMTS is sometimes marketed as 3GSM, emphasizing the combination of the 3G nature of the technology and the GSM standard which it was designed to succeed.
Since 2006, UMTS networks in many countries have been or are in the process of being upgraded with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), sometimes known as 3.5G. Currently, HSDPA enables downlink transfer speeds of up to 21 Mbit/s. Work is also progressing on improving the uplink transfer speed with the High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). Longer term, the 3GPP Long Term Evolution project plans to move UMTS to 4G speeds of 100 Mbit/s down and 50 Mbit/s up, using a next generation air interface technology based upon Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing.
The first national consumer UMTS networks launched in 2002 with a heavy emphasis on telco-provided mobile applications such as mobile TV and video calling. The high data speeds of UMTS are now most often utilised for Internet access: experience in Japan and elsewhere has shown that user demand for video calls is not high, and telco-provided audio/video content has declined in popularity in favour of high-speed access to the World Wide Web - either directly on a handset or connected to a computer via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared or USB. (Source: Wikipedia and other references) - AC Mahendra K Datu

WIMAX Technology - One Breakthrough

WiMAX (Worldwide inter-operability for microwave access) is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks". WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3 - 10 miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 100 - 300 feet (30 - 100m). With WiMAX, WiFi-like data rates are easily supported, but the issue of interference is lessened. WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies, providing a regulated environment and viable economic model for wireless carriers.

WiMAX can be used for wireless networking in much the same way as the more common WiFi protocol. WiMAX is a second-generation protocol that allows for more efficient bandwidth use, interference avoidance, and is intended to allow higher data rates over longer distances. The IEEE 802.16 standard defines the technical features of the communications protocol. The WiMAX Forum offers a means of testing manufacturer's equipment for compatibility, as well as an industry group dedicated to fostering the development and commercialization of the technology.

WiMax.com provides a focal point for consumers, service providers, manufacturers, analysts, and researchers who are interested in WiMAX technology, services, and products. Soon, WiMAX will be a very well recognized term to describe wireless Internet access throughout the world. - AC Mahendra K Datu

TaboraWORLD Gadget Review

Check it at http://www.taboraarga.com/ Website dedicated to educate people on technology issues especially those related to electronics and gadgets development. TaboraWORLD also open for other readers contribution. Please mind to the copy-rights issue, and make sure quote your sources when you submit reference articles. - AC Mahendra K Datu

Push Email and BlackBerry

Push e-mail is used to describe e-mail systems that provide an "always-on" capability, in which new e-mail is instantly and actively transferred (pushed) as it arrives by the mail delivery agent (MDA) (commonly called mail server) to the mail user agent (MUA), also called the e-mail client. E-mail clients include smartphones and, less strictly, IMAP personal computer mail applications. Although push e-mail had existed in wired-based systems for many years, one of the first uses of the system with a portable, "always on" wireless device outside of Asia was the BlackBerry service from Research In Motion

BlackBerry uses wireless Mail User Agent devices and a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) attached to a traditional e-mail system. The BES monitors the e-mail server, and when it sees new e-mail for a BlackBerry user, it retrieves (pulls) a copy and then pushes it to the BlackBerry handheld device over the wireless network.

BlackBerry became very popular, in part because it offers remote users "instant" e-mail; new e-mails appear on the device as soon as they arrive, without the need for any user intervention. The handheld becomes a mobile, dynamically updating, copy of the user's mailbox. As a result of the success of BlackBerry, other manufacturers have developed push e-mail systems for other handheld devices, such as Symbian- and Windows Mobile-based mobile phones. However, IMAP synchronization through BlackBerry Internet Service is not two-way. (Source: Wikipedia) - AC Mahendra K Datu

What we need to know about HSDPA (3.5G)

HSDPA is acronym for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, is a new protocol for mobile telephone data transmission. It is known as a 3.5G (G stands for generation) technology. Essentially, the standard will provide download speeds on a mobile phone equivalent to an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line in a home, removing any limitations placed on the use of your phone by a slow connection. It is an evolution and improvement on W-CDMA, or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, a 3G protocol. HSDPA improves the data transfer rate by a factor of at least five over W-CDMA. HSDPA can achieve theoretical data transmission speeds of 8-10 Mbps (megabits per second). Though any data can be transmitted, applications with high data demands such as video and streaming music are the focus of HSDPA.
HSDPA improves on W-CDMA by using different techniques for modulation and coding. It creates a new channel within W-CDMA called HS-DSCH, or high-speed downlink shared channel. That channel performs differently than other channels and allows for faster downlink speeds. It is important to note that the channel is only used for downlink. That means that data is sent from the source to the phone. It isn't possible to send data from the phone to a source using HSDPA. The channel is shared between all users which lets the radio signals to be used most effectively for the fastest downloads.
The widespread availability of HSDPA may take a while to be realized, or it may never be achieved. Most countries did not have a widespread 3G network in place as of the end of 2005. Many mobile telecommunications providers are working quickly to deploy 3G networks which can be upgraded to 3.5G when the market demand exists. Other providers tested HSDPA through 2005 and are rolling out the service in mid to late 2006. Early deployments of the service will be at speeds much lower than the theoretically possible rates. Early service will be at 1.8 Mbps, with upgrades to 3.6Mbps as devices are made available that can handle that increased speed.
The long-term acceptance and success of HSDPA is unclear, because it is not the only alternative for high speed data transmission. Standards like CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and WiMax are other potential high speed standards. Since HSDPA is an extension of W-CDMA, it is unlikely to succeed in locations where W-CDMA has not been deployed. Therefore, the eventual success of HSDPA as a 3.5G standard will first depend upon the success of W-CDMA as a 3G standard. (Source: Wisegeek.com) - AC Mahendra K Datu

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

Main specs: GSM Quadband (850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900) and HSDPA Triband (850/ 1900/ 2100), dimension: 110.5 x 52.6 x 17 mm/ TFT Touchscreen 3.0 inches 65 K colors and 800 x 480 pixels. Powered by QualcommMSM 7200, 528 MHz., 256 MB RAM. TransFlash (Micro SD) slot and internal memory of 400 MB. Features: 3.15 MP camera with autofocus, VGA video 30 fps, flash and secondary video-call camera. Built-in GPS receiver, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP, mini USB. This gizmo is powered with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, complete with Pocket Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and PDF viewer, OneNote, etc. What else? Standard MP3/ AAC/ MPEG4 player.

This is Sony Ericsson’s breakthrough to compete with iPhone class PDA-phone. Almost all-screen surface only with few main buttons available in the front. This sliding out phone has a complete mini QWERTY keypad, comfortable enough for typing as there is room enough to accommodate our finger-tips navigation on it. The price is somewhat dearly, even compared to iPhone 3G, yet it offers more that just a phone. Internet navigation and business works seems to be the major leading factors for XPeria X1 to leave its rivals behind. With complete office documents reader and editor, it’s flying above the rest. Its optical toystick functioning similar to touchpad in most laptops. I recommend this gadget for those want to do their business anywhere regardless the place and space. The casing is made of metal, makes it stronger and better-look than the rest. The sliding keypad will add the benefit for those working with the office documents. Of course it won’t replace the convenience of normal QWERTY keypad in the laptops or desktop, but it helps a lot. Contenders: HTC Touch Pro, T-Mobile G1, BlackBerry Bold and Nokia E71. (AC Mahendra K Datu)

More on BlackBerry STORM 9500/ 9530

Why is this gadget so intriguing to me? One of the Gadget Review magazines asking the somewhat strange question - a rather similar to the one I was about to ask: What makes STORM BlackBerry? Yes, what?

Research In Motion (RIM) the manufacturer which creates BB might deliver the same. Is it the screen size? Color quality? A 3.5 G HSDPA functionality? Design? Overall performance maybe? Well, could it be that all the above answers correct? YES. Like other brands that tend to have a full-screen surface (Samsung OMNIA, Nokia XPress Music 5800, LG Prada, iPhone, SE Xperia X1, HTC Touch HD, etc.), BB Storm employ the maximum multimedia experience by maximizing the screen size, and this is where the uniqueness plays its part: BlackBerry is the business PDA-Phone, or rather smart-phone, no need the cutting-edge multimedia sophistication, yet, another thing - an important thing - is missing. The Wi-Fi capability. One BB Storm model, 9530 is produced for European and US markets, bundled with the Verizon subscription plan, is not equiped with Wi-Fi due to its capability vof working in both GSM and CDMA systems, thanks to its Qualcom MSM 7600. With this processor, the device could work on CDMA 2000/ 1 eEV-DO complete with HSDPA/ ESGE/ GPRS/ GSM. For some, this is the minus point of BB Storm, for others, practicality is more important. BB is always a 'push-email' king of all gadgets, and it works very well in this area. Why should BB Storm be like another iPhone? WHY? (AC Mahendra K Datu)

Panasonic Camcorder S10

Is smaller more beautiful? Probably in most cases it won’t turn out to be true. But the mini camcorder launched by Panasonic called Panasonic's SDR-S10 will tell you all differently. Weighed at only 0.40 lbs or around 182 grams, it turns out to be the giant killer. With it's black color and and it's "water resistant, capability" ... well, it’s affordable, too, (around US$399). It's also drop-protected from a height of four feet - so feel free to knock it off your table every once in a while - just don't drop it off the ski lift. The choice of SD/SDHC memory cards for video recording made it possible for the company to pack a full-fledged camcorder into PDA-sized body (slightly thicker but slightly narrower than a Treo), and it echoes the company's drift away from traditional removable media like cassettes and DVDs. The SDR-S10 encapsulates Panasonic's flash memory strategy in a slimmed-down body design optimized more for ease, style, and speed than performance or video quality. It's a quirky camcorder that makes the kinds of compromises you'd expect to see in an ultra-compact - but it's also one of the smallest, coolest-looking cams around. We think the SDR-S10 will serve the YouTube generation well, even if Panasonic die-hards shake their heads at its pedestrian imaging and uptown looks.

Spec. Summary:

Optical Sensor Size and Type 1/6" CCD
Optical Zoom 10X
Digital Zoom 700x
Digital Still Camera Function Available
Focal Length 2.3 - 23 mm
Focus Adjustment AF/Manual
Anti Shake System Available
Display Size 2.7"
PC Connectivity USB 2.0
Memory: SD Memory Card / Flash card
Batery: Li-ion
Power Consumption 2.9 w
Dimensions (WHD) 2.48'' x 1.22'' x 4.49''
Weight: 182 g

(AC Mahendra K Datu – from various resources)

Gadgets Review in Other Website

The business gadgets review is also available at www.taboraarga.com and for further inquiry for other (unpublished) new gadgets, please send email directly to info@taboraarga.com.

This website is actually reviewing great management and business books as well. In the future, this site will be the one-stop-shop for all books and gadgets reviews.

Tabora Arga or TABORA WORLD is the Associate Marketer for AMAZON.COM.

(AC Mahendra K Datu)

(in Bahasa) Menjadi Kaya Dengan Bisnis di Internet

Anda bisa mengetik dan memiliki akses internet di rumah? Stop waktu anda menjelajahi situs-situs yang tak bermutu dan tak bermanfaat. Alihkan energi, fokus dan keseriusan anda dengan berbisnis via internet. Anda hanya perlu tahu caranya. Temukan jawabannya di http://www.formulabisnis.com/?id=masmahe dan mulailah dengan tekun berbisnis melalui internet.

Do you have any internet access at home? You don't have to be a gadget or IT-savvy to be able to make money through internet. What you need to know is the right way, the right technnique. Find it in http://www.formulabisnis.com/?id=masmahe

Now or never!

(AC Mahendra K Datu & Joko Susilo, ST)

HTC Touch HD

Priced around US$ 950 – US$ 1000. HTC Touch HD is the latest member of HTC Touch family, released on the first quarter of 2009, just barely months after HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Pro (with sliding keypad) being launched and stormed the market as contender to its rivals such as iPhone 3G, Samsung OMNIA, Nokia N97 and Nokia Xpress Music 5800, not to mention the BlackBerry STORM which has rivals face-to-face with its own brother, BlackBerry BOLD. All the just mentioned names are the ultimate business machines that fit into our pocket but may not so into our wallet. Priced at the average of US$ 1,000 each, young executive might think it’s just way too dear to have such gadget for business. But it may not be the case for HTC Touch HD. The trend of giving the whole-screen-surface pioneered by iPhone, HTC Touch HD offers the superb performance of multimedia enjoyment through its clear super-bright wide screen (3.8 inches TFT-LCD). Web browsing? We might think that technology will find its breakthrough to its internet navigating experience. Its 5 MP camera will give HTC Touch HD a boost above the rest. Its integrated TouchFlo 3D Software will give us the vibrating sensation as if we really press the physical keypad. What more? It virtual QWERTY keypad will minimize the mistake when we press ‘way too small’ virtual button by zooming-in the pressed button. Great, isn’t it? This gadget is powered with Windows Mobile 6.0. Specification summary: dimension: 115 x 62.8 x 12 mm, weighed at ‘only 147 g, network: HSDPA (7.2 MBPS)/ WCDMA/ QUADBAND, and connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB 2.0. HTC Touch HD has secondary VGA camera for video-calling. (AC Mahendra K Datu)

Blackberry STORM

Type 9500 (GSM) for Europe, Type 9530 (GSM & CDMA) for USA
Priced at around US$ 950 – US$ 1000
Main feature: 3G/ HSDPA, with dimension of 112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm. Weighed at 155 g with screen of 360 x 480 pixel, a little inferior to what BB Bold can offer color-wise, 3.5 inches with accelerometer, 128 MB RAM, 1 GB internal memory. Its SurePress sensation when we press the virtual keypad will give a sensation of physical pressing. The STORM is powered with 624 MHz CPU. Connectivity: Blouetooth 2.0, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA (3.5G) and USB 2.0. Operating System: BlackBerry. Camera: 3.15 MP with autofocus, video and flash. Standard battery: Li-ion 1400 mAh. Available applications: Built-in GPS, A-GPS function, BlackBerry maps, DataViz Document viewer/ editor, Java, Media player MP3/WMA/AAX+, with 3.5 stereo audio output jack and video player MPEG4/ 3gp/ H.264/ WMV and standard organizer as well as built-in handsfree. This gadget is also equipped with MicroSD Slot for the freedom of storing data/ files. I recommend this business-class gadget for those working as sales-executive of business consultant. Compact, versatile and somewhat, ... stylish! A Vercolish Gizmo worth buying. (AC Mahendra K Datu)