dra_713@sbcglobal.net

The next hit will need to support USB host mode out of the box. It needs to support all bluetooth pairing functions and ablity to select “advertized/nonadvertized” states. It needs to be speedy enough to view 30fps videos and support all compression formats. It must support Java with its web browser out of the box. It needs to support encryption and SDCard-like security features. It has got to have a standardized PIM functionality with support for POP mail.

Nokia has already pinned down the ideal dimensions and impressive screen resolution (atleast until nano-tube displays arrive). I would have jumped on the bandwagon and placed an order if it supported USB host mode. Now I’ll have to wait until we know the claimed hack would provide full host mode capability including the ability to format and read/write 32GB USB 2.0 hard disks (max supported under FAT32). The processor speed and its inability to play video is also leaves it wanting. Seems like the next hardware revision would be something to wait for. However, it still is a bargain compared to the VGA sized iPAQ. I just have to be convinced to buy knowing that the next version would propably be a must have upgrade.

After using the latest MAC OS Tiger, I now know how good Unix can be with a good graphical front end. Makes Windows seem like a thing of the past. So, I am very favorable on having a Unix like interface on a pocketable device with full multimedia support.

Bottom line, no USB host out of the box, Arrg!!!

Jelp

This argument is moot and totally besides the point.

And I wonder WHEN will manufacturers understand the necessities to settle their choice on ONE SINGLE CARD FORMAT?!!

(did you know there are now over TWENTY-FIVE memory card formats?? with newer formats coming out regularly!!!!!)

And this is why we need ONE STANDARD card format:
- sub-standard cards offer VIRTUALLY NO ADVANTAGE!!, while offering EVERY SINGLE DISADVANTAGE YOU CAN THINK OF:
- a standard SD slot including rails and connectors take approximately 2.5 ccm. Now I can see the advantages of going down from a CF slot that takes 10.5 ccm, down to the 2.5 ccm for an SD slot: you save a huge 10 ccm. But WHAT can you save going further down from a standard SD slot?? Obviously not a further 10 ccm, but a TINY, NEGLIGIBLE, MINUSCULE 1 ccm!! Out of 211 ccm (14.1 by 7.9 by 1.9 cm) for the whole device (Nokia 770) that’s a difference of much less than 0.5% of the Nokia’s size, again VIRTUALLY NO GAIN!!!

OTOH you loose in EVERY COUNT as sub-standard RS-MMC cards, compared to standard SD cards are:
1) much slower
2) offer 4-8 times less capacity
3) don’t offer 2 way compatibilities (as Hans J. Koch pointed out it’s impossible to slide into it standard SD cards from digital cameras, MP3 players, movie cameras, PDAs, voice recorders, etc.)
4) even with an adapter they won’t work in some devices (especially SD based moviecams) as they REQUIRE fast transfer speed that these sub-standard cards can’t support
5) they are MUCH harder to find
6) they cost more than standard cards, especially in higher capacities
- etc.

So to summerize: these literally sub-standard cards (RS-MMC, miniSD, microSD, xD, etc.) offer NO GAIN and ALL LOSSES!!!

For more details about these informations and a way for us the consumers to fight back and make our voices heard and state our choice, visit my site: http://minicards.boycott-it.info

All you need for that is a USB cable, Linux box and a small utility program. Unfortunately, the device needs to be rebooted after USB mode change, but it’s better than nothing, eh? :-)