Next-generation Pocket PC devices on the way

By Matthew Broersma, ZDNet.co.uk, 30 May, 2002 17:01

NEWS

The next few weeks should see the launch of a new generation of more powerful Pocket PC handheld computers with longer battery life, as several manufacturers prepare the first devices based on Intel's XScale embedded processors. XScale Pocket PCs are on the way from manufacturers including Casio, Hitachi, Toshiba, Acer, HP and Fujitsu Siemens. The latter's Pocket Loox wireless handheld was originally expected to be the first XScale handheld, but in February the device was delayed to the end of July because of power management problems. Intel began shipping XScale prototype devices to manufacturers this spring, and the first handheld computers using the chips are expected to appear on the market as early as June. The XScale line will replace Intel's StrongARM line, with Intel promising that they will consume one-quarter to three-quarters less power than the StrongARM SA-1110, while delivering faster clock speeds. HP is to release a successor to the Jornada 560, which will have similar specifications to the unannounced 570, but will bear the iPaq brand name and run on a 400MHz PXA250 XScale processor. The device is likely to appear next month, as HP has committed to an XScale Pocket PC by mid-year. Toshiba is also planning to release an XScale handheld in June, and this is likely to be the e740, details of which have already been leaked by resellers. The e740 will run on a 400MHz PXA250, with 64MB of RAM, 32MB of ROM, CompactFlash and Secure Digital expansion slots, integrated Bluetooth, and a 240 x 320 pixel TFT LCD display, according to sources. It is expected to sell for about $599. Toshiba has already announced an XScale device for the Japanese market, the Genio e550G, which has similar features to the e740. The e550G may be the first XScale Pocket PC device available, as it is expected to ship at the end of May or in early June. Casio, Hitachi and Acer are expected to begin shipping new Pocket PCs based on XScale in June, as Hitachi makes its debut in the Pocket PC market with an integrated wireless device. The three manufacturers will all use the PXA250, and Acer will also ship a lower-end PXA210-based device, according to industry reports. Intermec Technologies, a less-known hardware maker, is planning to begin selling a ruggedised XScale Pocket PC in the third quarter. The new processors using XScale technology will be available in two different lines, the PXA250 and the PXA210. The PXA250 will come in speeds of 200MHz, 300MHz and 400MHz and will be aimed at the handheld market. Clock speeds for the PXA210 will be 133MHz and 200MHz -- lower than clock speeds for Intel's StrongARM processors -- and will be aimed at entry-level handhelds and mobile phones. Products with the new chips will be able to run software for devices fitted with StrongARM SA-1110 processors, including gadgets like Compaq Computer's iPaq and Hewlett-Packard's Jornada. Both processors will come with 64KB of on-chip cache -- allowing for improved performance -- as well as integrated components such as a memory controller, an LCD (liquid-crystal display) controller and an expansion controller, which will reduce power consumption. The PXA250 includes a power management application that better regulates the chip so that it only uses an appropriate amount of power for a certain activity. CNET News.com's Richard Shim contributed to this report.

If it moves, we cover it. See ZDNet UK's Mobile Technology News Section for the latest news, reviews and price checks on mobile phones, PDAs, notebook computers and anything else you can take away. Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Go to the ZDNet news forum. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

ZDNet UK Live

How dare film makers, artists or anybody that invests in creativity stop us pirating their works for free. I want to be able to walk into my local...

14 minutes ago by JCB33 on ACTA stumbles in Germany

@GrueMaster. I prefer horses for courses rather than one size fits all. I, and I suspect most other computer users, do not really wish to have...

2 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

The product that scares me every time I have to use it is the Office 2007 version of Excel. The first bug that I found was applying the median...

2 hours ago by greycynic on Ten flawed products that derail productivity

Nice review and very informative. One thing I'd like to add (in reply to whs001's 1st question), the main reason to have the same interface from...

4 hours ago by GrueMaster on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

I'be been using Mint 12 since the RC came out, and I am far more happy with the Cinnamon, the Mate, and, yes (with extensions), theGnome 3...

5 hours ago by Frederick Wrigley via Facebook on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Excellent article. One small correction, though--although a fresh installation of Linux Mint 12 will, indeed, provide the user with a version of...

5 hours ago by bdantas on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

6 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

6 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material

For Gnome 2 die-hards, it is possible to add icons to the bottom panel (or top top panel, if you prefer) which provide the exact Gnome 2...

7 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Your comments would seem pretty naive and immature. Your 'solution' appears to be, "gee, let's all just give in to the hackers and give them...

7 hours ago by ramwellian on Cloud computing security: no more oxymoron?

"Interesting thought ... If you installed Win7 as a dual boot on a machine that previously only had Linux, and it wrecked your Linux installation,...

7 hours ago by BugStalker on Windows 7 Declares War on GRUB

This is an excellent summary of Ubuntu and Mint and the interface differences between them. Most such articles take a very partisan position for...

7 hours ago by whs001 on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

@ewallace. Not so clear. Anyone can obtain the text, for example from here http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/2379. I support ACTA so long as it and...

8 hours ago by Moley on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions

I think WinRT is fantastic. I just wish it was an option for people that didn't want to go through Microsoft's App Store with its attendant...

11 hours ago by 45283 on Why Windows 8 needs architectural hygiene for WOA

Nine people? £30m? Who's back pocket is that lot going in? And IF they say it is for new buildings, what about all the ones the government has...

12 hours ago by Burn-IT on Police set to launch three £30m e-crime hubs

Just to be clear, nobody knows what is in the text of ACTA, here is a photograph of the text of ACTA http://twitpic.com/8h9iju as submitted to the...

12 hours ago by ewallace on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions

Unfortunately main issue is that ASUS is refusing to accept that they make some mistake on this version of asus Transformer prime. 1 - GPS sensor...

13 hours ago by fgvrg56 on Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Wi-Fi & GPS problems?

@Marcus A fair question. Just talked with Archos which said it was working on an announcement for next week....

14 hours ago by Ben Woods on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule

Any update on this, considering the claimed "first week of February"?

15 hours ago by Marcus Karlsson via Facebook on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule

Bill Goodrich : Just as al_langevin pointed out, with Windows Server 2008 there is no Services for Macintosh anymore. It's gone, not available....

24 hours ago by apexwm on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility

Featured white papers

Latest jobs

Next-generation Pocket PC devices on the way

Daily Newsletters

Topics

Related stories

Intel's XScale chip gets Mira votes

Intel calls up new XScale chips

Intel to ship portable demo in handheld push

AMD looks to ARM itself for low-power tablets

Apple tops list of semiconductor buyers

Post your comment

ZDNet UK Live

Latest in Processors

AMD looks to ARM itself for low-power tablets

Apple tops list of semiconductor buyers

Featured white papers

Latest jobs

Test Analyst - Business Intelligence /Data Warehousing

Test Analyst - Business Intelligence /Data Warehousing

Technical MI Manager - 50-60k - Leeds

Inside ZDNet UK

A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

2012 Predictions: VCE FastPath, VI SAN Probe & Hadoop

BlackBerry Bold 9790

Case study: How cloud enables growth

Ten factors that make Ubuntu 11.10 a hit

Toshiba Portégé Z830-10P Review

BT's archive: Pictures from the vault

News & Analysis

Reviews

Blogs

Resources

About Us

Member Services

Special Features

Advertising Features

ZDNet UK / News and Analysis / Workspace IT / Processors

Next-generation Pocket PC devices on the way

Daily Newsletters

Topics

Related stories

Post your comment

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

Latest in Processors

Featured white papers

Latest jobs

Inside ZDNet UK

Resources

About Us

Member Services

Special Features

Advertising Features