Pocketables

Previously only a concept, a Taiwanese company called Camangi is now on the verge of launching its WebStation MID in early December according to the official website. Featuring an Apple-esque design, much like the Boeye MID 700, the WebStation is also an Android tablet running version 1.5 of the mobile OS. The device features a 7-inch, WVGA (800x480), glass touchscreen, and comes with a choice of either a black or white bezel. Other known specifications include 802.11 b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, a microSD slot and two cameras; a 2MP front-facing camera, and a 0.3MP webcam for video conferencing.

A variety of inbuilt apps, such as the web browser, email, and VoIP are included in the system. In addition, the WebStation can also serve as an e-book reader, digital photo frame and music/video media player, with a retractable stand helping to facilitate these roles. The tablet should be cost around $399 when it launches early next month. Interested parties can register at the official website for the latest updates and a chance to receive an "early bird" discount coupon. The site also mentions they are looking for Android developers to contribute new apps for the device.

When the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 was unveiled, one of the things that stood out for me was the new UI that SE had created running on top of Android, much like HTC's SenseUI system. The company has now christened the new system the Nexus UX platform and has suggested plans to bring it to other devices, including the possibility of introducing it into Symbian and Windows Mobile phones.

A WebSDK has been released online allowing developers to create applications specifically for the Nexus UX platform, which SE hopes will differentiate the handsets from competitors. Examples of apps on Nexus UX are the inbuilt Timescape and Mediascape interfaces demonstrated at the X10 unveiling. SE aims to have a couple of hundred apps and plug-ins available when the XPERIA X10 launches early next year  and has hinted at adding a "PS3" Remote Play app allowing users to access media on their PS3s directly through the phone via the internet. 

What do you think of the Nexus UX platform? How does it compare to HTC's SenseUI and the Motorola Droid's more "plain" Android interface?

[Pocket-lint]

As of today, there is now one more variation of the UMID mbook M1 that we have reviewed a few times, and it comes with limited-edition appeal and color. Yes, the picture to the left is correct. That is the new mbook Pink, not to be confused with the pop artist of the same name. Even though we have seen this color before, since there originally was going to be a rainbow of colors, this is the first time the two-tone design is available from Dynamism. It appears to have a matte finish, keeping the same theme as the black mbook M1 recently seen here.

Normally I wouldn't be posting about a pink device, but since Jenn is busy with other things right now, I'll go ahead and accept the responsibility. Continue reading past the break for the specs and a few more pics if pink is your thing.

Before the announcement of the Android OS, when everyone was talking about the rumored "Google Phone" or "G-Phone," I remember thinking that Google would follow Apple's lead in creating both the hardware and software elements of a phone. This mythical device never materialized when Android was announced, and Google stated that it was staying firmly on the software side of things, leaving the established phone manufacturers to create the devices that would use its operating system.

A new report on TechCrunch now states that Google is indeed developing its own complete Android phone from the ground up, including the complete hardware package to be sold under the Google branding. All the information is mostly unconfirmed rumors, but the information indicates that the device will be produced by a major phone manufacturer (possibly one of the Korean companies) and that Google will be in charge of everything, including the design and hardware specification. If true, the Google phone is expected to be released early next year backed by a major marketing push.

Nokia has been holding a series of meetups across the globe over the past month as part of its efforts to support the launch of the new N900 smartphone and Maemo 5 operating system. At yesterday's meetup in London, members of the Maemo marketing team unofficially revealed Nokia's plans to drop the current Symbian (S60) OS from the flagship N-Series range of smartphones and switch to the Linux-based Maemo OS. Symbian will be retained, likely to be used in second-tier smartphones such as the E-Series and X-Series. We've heard about this possibility before, but this latest report is the first time Nokia has indicated how it intends to split its two operating systems across its product portfolio.

The report indicates this will be a gradual process with upcoming N-Series handsets running Symbian already in development. Nokia currently views the N900 and Maemo as "bridge" products mainly targeting developers and enthusiasts, but aims to develop Maemo into a mass market platform to compete with the iPhone OS, Android, and Windows Mobile, competitors that Symbian has been losing market share to.

Archos has today released updated firmware for the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet. The new firmware, version 1.3.07, has a long list of changes and fixes, including improved support for MP4 and MKV videos, fixed playback resolution issues, and most notably fixed support for full screen playback of YouTube and YouTube HD content. Output of that content using the device's TV-out capability is supported using either the battery dock or mini dock that Jenn reviewed last year for SD quality, or the HDMI mini dock and DVR station for HD quality.

Archos 5 Android owners can either download the update directly using the firmware update function in the device settings or get it manually from the Archos website.

Thanks, Jenn!

Many of our regular readers may have noticed my continual posts regarding the long-awaited Nokia N900, and they may have come to the conclusion that I seem to be an N900 fan. Well, I'm here to say "guilty as charged." I've been eagerly awaiting the availability of the newest Maemo device for years now, ever since my N800 started showing its age.

I haven't preordered mine yet and after seeing this latest price drop thanks to a $50 rebate from Nokia, I'm glad I waited. Now through Amazon, the price of the N900 has dropped to a lowest-ever $509.99 after applying said rebate, which is also valid when the purchase is made through other retailers.

Hopefully there is an N900 with my name on it somewhere out there, on its voyage from wherever that has seemed to take forever, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it gets to Amazon soon so I can click that "add to cart" button.

[Nokia N900 @ Amazon]

After the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace for Mobile at the beginning of October, users of phones running WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 have been eagerly waiting for news of when their devices would be able to join the Windows Marketplace party. Support for the older OS to access the app store by the end of this year was originally confirmed in July.

Microsoft have now announced the availability of the service to all WinMo 6.x users, with around 90% of the apps compatible with the older OS versions and support for both free and paid titles. WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 users simply need to access http://mp.windowsphone.com/ from their phone's browser to download the Windows Marketplace for Mobile app. For users in the US, an alternative method is to fill in this form and have the direct download link sent to your phone by text message.

[The Windows Blog via SlashGear]

A new HD-capable PMP launch is usually a routine affair with most devices having similar specifications and featuring WVGA (800x480) screens only suitable for displaying standard definition 480p video files. Hence in most cases, the extra resolution of HD video is wasted when viewed on the device unless you output the video to an external HD screen using HDMI for example.

That's about to change with the launch of the first HD-capable PMP with an actual HD screen. The Hallods F43 from Japan features a 4.3" screen with a resolution of 1280x720 complying with the 720p HD standard. Behind the impressive screen, the F43 includes 8GB of internal storage, support for microSD (16GB), and battery life for 10 hours of music and 4 hours of video. Codec support includes all the usual suspects for video, audio, and images including MPEG4, FLV, H.263, AVI, RM, DivX, MP3, FLAC, APE, and WAV.

Now I don't want to get everyone overly excited about something that is strictly a rumor at this point, but according to the Commercial Times, Dell has supposedly already decided on Qisda from Taiwan as its partner to make the Streak MID a reality. Not only that, they have apparently thought enough of AT&T to bring them into the fold, so those of us here in the US have yet another Android device to look forward to in the upcoming months.

The article doesn't specifically mention the Streak, but we do know that Dell has prototypes running around out there, so it would be the likely choice to compete with the Nokia N900 that will be strutting its stuff on T-Mobile. It could also be interesting to see how AT&T manages the Streak so as not to ruffle any feathers over at Apple with its cash cow iPhone.

AT&T currently is the only US wireless provider without a single Android device in their lineup, so they have quite a bit of catching up to do. The Streak, which was running Eclair when we last saw it, would be a great way to get into the game, especially if it comes early enough in 2010.

[DigiTimes via Engadget]

Following last week's announcement of its ZMS-08 media processor for low-power handheld devices, capable of decoding Blu-Ray quality 1080p video, Creative is set to show off a range of OEM-ready devices powered by Zii technology at the Zii Summit 2009 conference in China on the 1st and 2nd of December.

Apart from the MediaBook revealed earlier this month, the most interesting devices to be shown include a touch tablet PC and a Zii-optimized Android mobile phone platform. Based on information on the Zii Summit website, Creative will demonstrate a handset running Android powered by their ZMS-05 processor. The advantages of this should include more processing power for the Android OS and its applications, as the ZMS-05 is a multi-core chip with dual ARM processor cores, seamless OpenGL ES 3D graphics, and 1080p high definition video playback/output.

The thought of an Android smartphone having such capabilities is a very exciting prospect, but we'll have to wait and see exactly what the Zii-powered phone can do and whether there are any compromises to achieve it. We will bring you the latest developments as they happen. Bring on December!

[myCreative Fansite]

A brief update today on the possible launch date of the recently announced SE Xperia X10.

Previously, we were told the X10 would be launched in Q1 2010. While this is still true, there's now a firmer date involved than a vague three-month quarter. According to the Coming Soon section of Sony Ericsson's UK online store, we can now expect the Xperia X10 to launch there in February 2010. Those of us in the UK can elect to pre-register to receive the latest updates for the X10 direct from Sony Ericsson.

Alternatively, I highly recommend a visit to the Sony Ericsson Product Blog to feed your interest in this highly anticipated smartphone. Previously known as the Satio blog, covering the development and launch of the SE Satio, the site will now focus on the Xperia X10 from now until its launch early next year. Some of the recent updates of interest to X10 followers include sample photos and videos taken by the 8.1MP auto focus camera, a discussion of the X10's Android OS and OpenGL capabilities, and a Q&A of some of the most frequently asked questions.