Mobile Devices Make Their Debut

The new PC is very portable, weighing only 3.2 lbs., and is .88 inches thick, said Fujitsu. The Stylistic ST4110 Tablet PC, the first offering in the series, includes the Intel Mobile Pentium III Processor 800MHz-M. There is also a shock-mounted hard drive, and up to 768MB of memory.

According to Fujitsu, the Stylistic Tablet PCs "can be used in places where traditional notebook PCs are not practical or widely accepted." The units can be used as a notepad to enter data or take notes or access information "unobtrusively." They can also serve as a notebook or desktop computer by adding a keyboard or placing the device in the optional docking station.

The ST4110 includes a 10.4-inch display, which can be rotated between landscape and portrait modes, said Fujitsu. Also offered are IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN capability and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery.

Pricing for the Tablet PC begins at $2,199 for a base configuration, the company added.

Sharp Electronics Corp. introduced the Zaurus SL-5600, the latest addition to its PDA (personal digital assistant) family. The company, based in Mahwah, N.J., described the unit as an "expandable Linux-based business PDA and wireless capable solution."

The SL-5600 features a color-reflective LCD screen, integrated QWERTY keyboard, and expandable memory. Also featured are an Intel XScale 400 MHz processor and an integrated speaker and microphone, said Sharp.

According to the company, the keyboard "is ergonomically arched to allow for quick thumb access and handwriting recognition, and on-screen keyboard options make data entry fast and easy for every type of user." The device also offers 64MB of protected storage memory and a virtual mobile hard drive that ensures that data and files will not be lost, even if the battery runs out.

Pricing information was not provided. Further details are available at www.myZaurus.com.

Samsung Telecommunications America announced the SPH-i330, a Palm Powered phone with the latest data capabilities.

According to Richardson, Texas-based STA, the unit "combines standard and advanced wireless phone capabilities with the functionality of the Palm operating system platform."

With a 256-color touch screen panel, the i330 enables users to utilize Palm OS features to schedule meetings and reference downloaded e-mails while talking on the phone, Sharp explained. The unit is equipped with 16MB of memory and several Palm software programs, including Address Book, Date Book, Expense Report, Calculator, Mail, To Do List, Memo Pad, HotSync and Games. It is compatible with nearly all of the 15,000 Palm OS applications available, the company added.

The i330s Blazer multi-mode browser allows viewing of HTML Web sites and lets customers download applications that fit their specific needs, the company noted. "Not only does the i330 have hot keys enabling the consumer to dial numbers from the phone book without using the stylus, but it is also equipped with voice-activated dialing, voice memo, speed dialing and call logs," said Sharp.

The i330 also offers a categorized phone book, speakerphone capabilities, and the option to mute conversations during calls, the company said.

Pricing was not provided. Further information is available at www.samsungusa.com/wireless.

PC Wave Inc. showed its PC CHIPS DeskNote series of portable PCs, featuring a top model with an Intel Pentium 2.2GHz processor.

"Although this product looks like a notebook externally, it is architected like a desktop internally," claimed Fremont, Calif.-based PC Wave. The units feature an external power supply, thereby avoiding heat problems that can restrict performance in a standard notebook.

Processors in the series range from 1GHz to 2.2GHZ, and memory begins at 128MB and supports up to 512MB, the company said.

The top-end A928 model also features a 20GB hard drive and DVD-ROM drive, with a DVD+CD/RW combination option. Weight of the models ranges from 6.1 lbs. to 7 lbs., said PC Wave. Pricing begins at $699.

Further details are available at www.pcwave.com.

Logitech introduced its new line of corded mobile phone headsets. The new line includes four different ear-bud headsets and two over-the-ear headsets that allow people to pick the product that best suits their needs, said the Fremont, Calif.-based company.

The ear-bud headsets use Logitechs FlexLoop design"ambidextrous soft rubber stabilizers that fit comfortably within the outer ear"to hold the earpieces in place. The FlexLoops come in four different sizes to accommodate individual differences, the company said.

The new headsets work with virtually all popular mobile phones, including Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, and all standard 2.5mm jack phones such as Motorola and Samsung, said Logitech.

The products range in price from $14.95 to $39.95, and may be purchased at retail outlets or online at www.logitech.com, the company noted.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, January 20, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.