Pocket PC magazine, October/November 2004 Read online

  Microsoft’s upcoming Portable Media Center builds upon Apple’s iPOD concept, letting users view video and photos, as well as listen to music

  by Diane Dumas and Rich Hall

  Entertainment has been the driving force behind portable electronics since the introduction of the transistor radio in the 50’s. In the years that followed we’ve seen the release of the Walkman, mini-TVs, portable CD players, and most recently the Apple iPOD. The Pocket PC has always incorporated some multimedia capabilities. But Microsoft has been more focused on ubiquitous connectivity, believing it to be the single most important capability to make Windows Mobile devices appealing to consumers and business professionals.

  Ubiquitous connectivity may not be a reality yet, but the major pieces of the puzzle have been developed. They include the integration of mobile phone, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies into Pocket PCs and Smartphones, and the expansion of broadband WAN and wireless LAN networks in the U.S. and around the world. With these capabilities in place and growing, Microsoft is turning its attention to mobile entertainment. They have high hopes that this will be the next huge growth area for technology, and they believe that a new Windows Mobile device will play an important part in the future of mobile entertainment.

  Portable Media Center—entertainment in your pocket!

  The Portable Media Center (PMC) is a Windows Mobile-based handheld that is slightly larger than the Pocket PC, but focused on storing and playing back visual and audio media. These powerful devices include color displays. In addition, they include 20, 40, or 60 gigabytes of media file storage, provided by a small, internal hard disk drive. Its massive storage capability allows you to bring all the media you want with you, wherever you go. For example, a 40 GB disk can hold 160-180 hours of video, 10,000 songs, and tens of thousands of digital photos.

  Music, video, and photos are transferred to the Portable Media Center from a Windows XP desktop, laptop, or tablet PC running Windows Media Player 10. If you have a Windows XP Media Center Edition with a TV connection, you will be able to transfer all of the television shows you have recorded to the Portable Media Center. The Portable Media Center plays Windows Media Video (WMV) and Windows Media Audio (WMA) files, and displays images in the Windows Media Image (WMI), JPEG, and TIFF formats.

  The software that powers the Portable Media Center was developed by Microsoft, but the physical devices are designed and manufactured by "original equipment manufacturers" (OEMs). Initially, the Portable Media Center will be a closed system. You will be able to play/view media content with it, but not install third-party games and applications as you can with the Pocket PC. Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sanyo and ViewSonic have already announced plans to introduce a Portable Media Center device. The devices will be priced at $400-$700 and be available sometime in the second half of 2004.

  Creative PMC (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=9882)

  Samsung PMC (http://www.samsung.com/DigitAll/GlobalExhibition/Exhibition/ICES2004/ppk/YH999/ppk_YH999_over.htm).

  (above) Samsung YH-999 Portable Media Center. The display on this device measures 3.5 inches diagonally.

  (above) iRiver PMC-100 Portable Media Center. The specs on this device were unavailable.

  (above) Creative’s Zen Portable Media Center. The display on this device measures 3.8 inches diagonally.

  Window Media Player 10 beta available for download

  Microsoft has released a beta version of Windows Media Player 10 (WMP 10) for PCs running Windows XP. This version of the popular media player application comes with a sleek new design that places feature controls in a more prominent position, allowing you to access them while browsing the library. WMP 10 also includes new Digital Rights Management and Auto Synchronization features, as well as the ability to access Microsoft’s new Digital Media Mall.

  (above) Info Center view, beta version of Windows Media Player 10.

  New Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology has been added which may make it possible for rented and purchased movies to be transferred to a portable device and played.

  Auto Synchronization technology will allow the transfer of a wide range of content—including movies, TV, photos, and music—to a wide range of portable players including Portable Media Centers. When these devices are connected to your PC, WMP 10 automatically recognizes them and transfers pre-selected digital content to the device. The Auto Sync technology is more sophisticated than the simple copying feature included in previous versions of Windows Media Player for desktop PC. Although not mentioned for this release, our guess is that a future release of WMP may include Auto Sync for Pocket PCs and Smartphones.

  This technical beta release is intended for early adopters and digital media enthusiasts only! Some features are not fully implemented and other functions may not work. As with all beta software, download at your own risk from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx). The final release version of WMP 10 should be available soon.

  Digital Media Mall

  The Digital Media Mall concept is aimed at centralizing movies and music that you can purchase in one easily accessed area. Napster and CinemaNow are currently available in the Digital Media Mall, with additional content providers coming soon, including BestBuy.com, BuyMusic.com, and MusicNow.com. Disney announced last February that they will use the Windows Media format, which incorporates Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection, to distribute movies and shows to personal computers and portable devices. We’ll probably be seeing Disney’s films being made available in WMV format sometime soon. CinemaNow is one of the few digital movie providers at this time, but as DRM issues are ironed out, you can expect many more in the next year or two.

  The Digital Media Mall will list sites that partner with Microsoft, but there are other great content sources online, including Wal-Mart (http://musicdownloads.walmart.com/catalog/servlet/MainServlet), which has a music download section with over 300,000 songs in Windows Media Audio format, at 88 cents each.

  Microsoft’s new darling may influence the development of the Pocket PC

  The Portable Media Center is Microsoft’s new darling, but its design borrows from the successes of the Pocket PC. It’s roughly the same size as the Pocket PC. It uses screen technology that is nearly identical to the next generation of Pocket PCs. Most importantly for Pocket PC users, it’s based on the Windows Mobile operating system. This means that it will be relatively easy for developers to incorporate successful features from the Portable Media Center into future releases of the Pocket PC (or vice versa). There has already been speculation about the two platforms merging, but we doubt that will happen any time soon. In all likelihood, what will happen is that the success of the Portable Media Center will lead to a Pocket PC with greater multimedia capabilities.

  European Connection

  Cheaper, Clearer Calls with Project Bluephone

  by Becky Benfield

  European users could soon see a dual-mode mobile phone that connects via Bluetooth to your home or office network and then switches to GSM or 3G when you’re moving around.

  Phone calls using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

  Dubbed "Project Bluephone," the concept was developed by BT Group in partnership with major mobile phone vendors such as Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Vodafone and Alcatel. The group will work towards a joint goal of creating a single handset with a single end-user phone number for voice and data access via mobile wireless service and Bluetooth- or Wi-Fi-equipped local area networks.

  Project Bluephone—the name was inspired by the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi technology it uses—began in April 2003, and a second wave of beta trials is underway now.

  "Bluephone is a BT-developed product and is the first in the world that’s being done this way…," the head of the project said. "It means you can use a mobile phone when in Bluephone-enabled sites—that could be in homes, offices or public places—and you make your call via your mobile phone over the fixed network rather than the mobile network.
This gives improved voice quality and improved coverage plus very good reception over your low-cost, fixed network. You’ll still get your mobile voice and data—SMS messages and voice mail—over your fixed network."

  (above) No images of the prototype Bluephone were available, but BT offered a similar system in the late 90s. The Sony Ericsson P900 (pictured here) works with that system.

  Successful trial of system in London

  Currently, the project has undergone a successful trial at BT Centre in London, suggesting that the technology and the prototype device works as promised. An invitation to implement the network infrastructure technology has gone out to 65 suppliers, the widest BT has ever put out. To date BT has received a large number of responses from around the world. A full business case will follow, leading to further internal and external trials.

  Bluephone requires a handset containing specially developed software. The intention is that the customer will be able to choose from a variety of BT or supplier-branded handsets, although some DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) products may be able to be used with the new service.

  "We want to make this as cost-effective for the user as possible," said BT. "For a reasonable initial outlay, it will improve the quality of mobile calls, be easy to use, and will ultimately save you money. We will be offering significant cost savings against today’s mobile spend."

  The Bluephone team is expecting sales to rocket as the UK catches on to the benefits. They predict that thousands of Bluephones will be in use by next year.

  The benefits of using such a service would be cheaper and clearer calls. The eventual goal is to equip users with phones that are compatible with both mobile networks and wireless local networks. Like a smartphone, this would let them make phone calls and surf the Web at high speed when within range of a network hotspot, and use GSM/GPRS or 3G services at other times.

  Dual-mode solutions

  Some predict that a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi combination won’t work because they use the same radio frequencies and can interfere with each other. However, Intersil and Silcon Wave have announced they have created a board that will allow both technologies to co-exist peacefully! The goal of the Intersil/Silicon Wave co-development effort is to make a series of dual-mode solutions, all of which combine Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11b on the same platform, using the same antenna.

  * * *

  Becky Benfield is co-owner of Pocket PC Life (http://www.pocketpclife.co.uk), a leading European PDA review site. She has won many high-profile UK business awards including Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002. In addition to PPCL, Becky runs and owns several other companies within her Utterly Group. A newcomer to the PDA world, Becky is learning fast and now can’t seem to live without her PDA organizing her life! Becky can be contacted at [email protected]

  Dell’s New Axim X30 Pocket PC Sports Intel’s Next Generation Processor and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Software

  by Chris Leckness

  Dell just released the Axim X30—the closest thing to Pocket PC perfection available at this time.

  (above) The Dell Axim X30

  Actually, they’ve introduced three versions of the X30, and the high-end model sports the fastest processor available—the 624 MHz Intel PXA270. On top of that, it comes with integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an SDIO-compatible card slot, and the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software with portrait and landscape display capability (Figs. 1 & 2). All things considered, this is one smokin’ Pocket PC.

  (above) Figs. 1 and 2: Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software lets you switch between portrait and landscape display.

  I give the X30 a 7 out of 10 for its overall design. It’s small and compact with plenty of features, but it’s based on the design of the Axim X3 and the look of the device is just a little too generic for my taste. I much prefer the sleek style of their original Pocket PC, the Axim X5. The X5 also comes with two card slots: one SD and one CF. The lack of a CF slot on the X30 might be a deal breaker for some users, but it’s not that important because of the integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. A big plus about the X30’s design is that there will be no shortage of cables, cases, and other accessories. Almost all accessories developed for the X3 will work with the X30. In addition, Dell will be offering an external keyboard and GPS receiver that interface with the X30 via Bluetooth.

  Excellent performance

  This is what everyone really wants to know about, right? The X30 is the first device I’ve tested with the new Intel processor, so I couldn’t compare it with other PXA270 devices. But I did run Spb Benchmarks (http://spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/benchmark) and compared the results with results from the older 400 MHz devices. The tests were performed with all units set to max performance. The 624 MHz version of the X30 was faster in almost all of the benchmark tests. For example, in the overall Spb benchmark index, the top-of-the-line X30 measured 1895. The next closest device was the Asus A620 running a 400 MHz processor, which clocked at 1573. The X30 had higher benchmark scores in the CPU index (Fig. 3), graphics index, read speed, write speed, copy speed, Pocket Internet Explorer performance, and more. The complete results of the benchmark tests are available on my Web site (http://www.aximsite.com/x30review/benchmarks.html). My conclusion: the new Intel chips are blazingly fast!

  (above) Fig. 3: Tests run with Spb Benchmarks show that the PXA270 processor is significantly faster than the previous Intel PXA chips.

  The IrDA port on the X30 (and the X3 before it) is more powerful than the X5’s. I had no problem using the X30 with remote control software to change channels and control my TV from 20 feet away. As I did with the X3 before it, I now use the X30 to control my entire entertainment center.

  I was also very satisfied with the X30’s built-in Wi-Fi capability. I turned it on and within seconds it detected the D-Link DI-624 Xtreme G wireless router (http://www.dlink.com) attached to my network. I tapped on "Connect," opened Pocket Internet Explorer, and was able to open the mobile version of Aximsite immediately. I did not have to fiddle with settings at all! The range is excellent—I can connect to my router from neighbors’ houses—and the connection seems just as fast as the broadband connection on my desktop. However, I do have a few minor complaints.

  First, when you enable wireless on the X30, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both enabled. I would love to be able to enable one or the other, which might reduce the drain on the battery. Next, if I have wireless on and let the X30 power down automatically, the wireless shuts down and stays off, even after I have pressed the X30’s power-on button. To get it to work again I have to turn the wireless off and then on again. It should automatically come back on in this situation.

  Battery life: All these features come at a price

  The amount of time you can use a Pocket PC on a fully-charged battery is an important issue for many users, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the faster processor all make extra demands on the X30’s 950 mAh battery. I tried to test as many usage scenarios as I could to give you a realistic idea of the battery life of these units. The results below show how they held up. These tests were run and recorded using the Battery Test section of Spb Benchmarks from Spb Software House.

  Test: Axim X30 312MHz with built in WiFi/Bluetooth (Mid-Range Model)—Processor set to Max performance

  5 hrs 7 min: Brightness set to highest level; regular use.

  3 hr 13 min: Brightness set to highest level, Wi-Fi

  5 hr 51 min: MP3 playback via Media Player; screen disabled while music was playing.

  Test: Axim X30 624MHz with built-in WiFi/Bluetooth (High-End Model)—Processor set to Auto performance.

  3 hr 24 min: Brightness set to highest level; regular use, wireless not enabled.

  3 hr 11 min: Brightness set to highest level; Wi-Fi activated and in use.

  6 hr 15 min: MP3 playback via Media Player; screen disabled while music was playing (wireless not enabled).

  Test: Axim X30 624MHz with built-in WiFi/Bluetooth (High-End Model)—Processor set to Ma
x performance.

  3 hr 1 min: Brightness set to highest level; regular use, wireless not enabled.

  2 hr 29 min: MP3 playback via Media Player; screen disabled while music was playing, wireless not enabled.

  Based on these results, I think it’s safe to conclude that the 950 mAh battery may not get you through an average day of use, especially if you have the high-end X30 and are using its wireless capabilities. Fortunately, there are solutions to remedy this. Dell offers an optional 1800 mAh battery ($99) as well as a 950 mAh spare ($49).

  You can also decrease the speed of the processor to conserve battery life. On the high-end model you can set the speed to Maximum Performance (624 MHz), PowerSave (208 MHz), or Auto (speed changes according to the needs of the system).

  Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition

  All versions of the Axim X30 incorporate the Microsoft Pocket PC OS and applications—Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, which adds a landscape display view and supports the VGA screens coming to future Pocket PCs. Second Edition also made some minor improvements to the existing set of applications. For more on this, read the review of Second Edition in the August/September issue of Pocket PC magazine.