Riding the Windows Mobile 2003 wave, MiTAC has introduced two new Pocket PCs based on Microsoft's newest mobile platform: the Mio 339 and 558.
MiTAC has announced the release of two new models in its Mio line of Pocket PCs, both based on the latest incarnation of Microsoft's Pocket PC platform in the shape of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC. Sharing 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processors, the Mio 339 and 558 are respectively aimed at consumers and business users - emphasized by the inclusion of a digital camera in the former, and integrated Bluetooth and 802.11b in the latter.
 | MiTAC's new Mio 558 is one of the most powerful Pocket PCs available, currently surpassed only by HP's newly released iPAQ h5550
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Sporting 64 MB of RAM and a 3.5", 16-bit (65,536 colours) transflective TFT display, the Mio 339 is a successor to MiTAC's 338 and 338 Plus models and bears a close resemblance to these design-wise. In addition to having had its specifications upgraded, however, the Mio 339 also includes a brand new integrated digital camera which lets users both shoot still pictures and record limited amounts of video.
Uniquely, the VGA-resolution (0.3 megapixel) camera of the Mio 339 offers flash, which enables users to take pictures under poorly lit conditions. Simple picture editing functions can be carried out directly on the handheld, including tweaking brightness and digital zoom levels, as well as adding date information and rotating pictures. The video software lets users record at 10 frames per second (FPS) in 320 x 240 format to MPEG4 format in real time, or alternatively 15 FPS at 220 x 176.
Also included in the Mio 339 is an SDIO capable SD/MMC Card expansion slot, as well as a MiTAC first in the shape of a joystick for navigation rather than a directional pad. Additionally, the handheld boasts a consumer-grade infrared port and comes bundled with software which allows it to serve as a universal remote control for a variety of home appliances.
Powered by an exchangeable 900 mAh Lithium Ion battery, which according to MiTAC provides up to 10 hours of use, the Mio 339 weighs in at 120 g and measures 121 x 73 x 14 mm.
The Mio 558 shares many of the specifications of the Mio 338, including the speed of its processor and the amount of RAM available. However, there are also significant differences, represented by the processoring being a PXA263 rather than a PXA255 model, its display being a LED rather than transflective TFT, the additional inclusion of a CompactFlash Type II expansion slot, as well as integrated support for Bluetooth and 802.11b - uniquely, without implementing an external intenna.
Similar to the Mio 338, MiTAC estimates an operating time of approximately 10 hours for the Mio 558, however no information was provided on the mAh capacity of its exchangeable battery. The added functionality does, unsurprisingly, make an impact on the weight of the Mio 558. Still, it is comparatively minute at a weight of 159 g and measuring only 125 x 72 x 15 mm.
Additional hi-res pictures of the Mio 339 and Mio 558 are available on the following pages.
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