To be available from the end of July, Kyocera's new all-Java PDA is powered by software form the Tao Group and sports a unique interface utilizing 3D movement. Meet the Pocket Cosmo.
Amidst the battle raging between the major platforms for handheld devices - Palm OS, Windows CE and Symbian OS (and Linux, some might say), there still seems to be some room left for innovation. Kyocera's new Pocket Cosmo PDA is based on software from the Tao Group, sports a user interface that incorporates 3D navigation and is the first product from a major manufacturer in a while - except for Sharp's Zaurus line - to be based on an alternative operating system.
 | The Pocket Cosmo resembles handhelds based on Microsoft's Pocket PC platform, but looks can deceive
|
The Pocket Cosmo will go on sale from the end of July, initially targeted for sale through carriers and at corporate users. The device uses Tao Group's intent embedded application environment including its native operating system, and due to the performance of intent runs Java applications many times faster than any other client device - with levels of multimedia functionality never before seen on mobile handsets, according to Kyocera.
Signaling other versions might follow later, Kyocera said the first version of the Pocket Cosmo supports Tao's intent PersonalJava edition, which is Sun Microsystems-branded and compatible with PersonalJava 1.2.
Further distancing itself from other and more mainstream PDA products, the user interface of the Pocket Cosmo is according to Kyocera entirely original with rich menus supporting 3D movement, smooth scrolling and instantaneous switching of applications (although the latter is more of a requirement rather than a feature nowadays).
Apart from its software base, the Pocket Cosmo also features rather up-to-par hardware specifications with its 206 MHz Intel StrongARM SA-1110 processor, 40 MB Flash ROM, 32 MB RAM, a Compact Flash Type II slot, a 3.5" 16-bit TFT touch-sensitive display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a rechargeable Lithium ion battery.
Additional applications for the Pocket Cosmo include an application launcher, a file viewer, contacts and calendar PIM applications, a world clock, alarm clock, a calculator and a memo pad. As if that wasn't enough, there's also an add/remove applications feature, the option to do backups, a tutorial on how to use the device and a connectivity feature that allows the device to make use of various connectivity options. To top it all off, there's also a HTML browser and an e-mail application that supports both POP3 and IMAP4.
Kyocera has bundled Pumatech's Intellisync Lite to provide synchronization of e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks, notes and expense data between the Pocket Cosmo and Microsoft Outlook and Palm Desktop PC-based software applications, and will also provide advanced synchronization capabilities such as intelligent field mapping, custom filtering, and full conflict resolution.
Unfortunately for the rest of the world, the Pocket Cosmo will only be available in Japan for the time being. Kyocera did not disclose the expected retail price of the device.
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Top 15
|
|
|
» Search (New!)
Search by cell phone features
|
|
|
» Manual comparison (New!)
Select up to 4 cell phones side-by-side
|
|
|
» By release
October 2008, November 2008, December 2008
|
|
|
» Top 15 by carrier
Unlocked, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Helio, Alltel
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by user type
Average Joe, Business users, Calling addicts, Fashion conscious users, Globetrotters, High-res addicts, Internet addicts, Multimedia enthusiasts, Music aficionados, Outdoor enthusiasts, TV addicts, Video lovers, More...
|
|
|
» Top 15 by brand
Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia,
BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Other
|
|
|
» Top 15 by platform
Palm OS, Symbian S60, Symbian UIQ, Windows Mobile
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by cell phone type
Business smartphones, Multimedia smartphones
Consumer QWERTY phones, Multimedia phones
Concept phones
|
|
|
|
|
_it00.jpg)
|
Archive