Sunday, July 10, 2005

Pocket PC Vs Palm: What to Choose

Submitted by eugenia on Sun, 2005-07-10 08:12. I am a known PDA/gadget junkie and having used devices with WinCE PPC2002/2003/SE and PalmOS 3.5/4/5 for years, I thought I should write a comparison article between PocketPCs and Palm/Clies (there's no comparison between PalmOS 6 & Windows Mobile 5 as these are not available on real commercial devices yet).

Let's start first with Windows Mobile and PocketPCs.

Advantages:
1. It has some form of protected memory and so when applications crash the OS stays alive (well, most of the time).
2. It looks better, more modern, than PalmOS. Support for Clear Type.
3. It has good support for the Exchange server that most businesses care about.
4. Internet Explorer and Outlook are more robust than WebPro, Mail and Blazer.
5. More input options than PalmOS (e.g. transcriber, speech addon from MS).
6. "Today" default screen more relevant than "Applications" (because of the very nature of PDAs in the business world).
7. WMA/WMV and ASF built-in support.
8. Automatic support for USB host connector, when available.
9. Runs on faster XScale hardware than PalmOS usually.
10. DirectX/3D support, more multimedia capable.
11. Apps use the full 320x240 resolution (instead of the 160x160 that most PalmOS apps use and double-pixel at 320x320).
12. Able to run more complex games, some 3D games too.
11. Better office format compliancy, MS Office is usually bundled with the PDA.
12. ActiveSync rocks, it allows for direct internet connection and can mount the PDA to your desktop (PalmOS' drive mode is a hack, and only available to recent models)
13. Programming APIs similar to Win32, porting is easy, development too.
14. Basic and .NET available if C/C++ is not desired.
15. Able to install/run apps from flash addon cards and built-in storage.
16. Better localization than PalmOS (e.g. support for Greek, and support by MS' office there)
17. More PocketPC devices include a microphone for voice notes. 18. Supports resolutions up to VGA and there are already at least 5 devices shipped with it.

Disadvantages:
1. Usually more expensive than basic PalmOS devices, however prices go down
2. You need to find .cab installation files if you want to use it with a Mac or Linux. No ActiveSync for other OSes.
3. Cab files by default install in the memory, which is not desireble most of the time (freeware cabinst helps the situation a bit)
4. Drivers are not always compatible between major versions of the OS.
5. Internal file manager and image viewer are crap (Total Commander and XnView save the day).
6. Some optimizations to the UI could be done to save an extra 10-15 pixels vertically (without making it look squashing).
8. Not as efficient as PalmOS in battery life.
9. No easy way to close applications without navigating to "memory" utility (freeware vBar to the rescue).
10. No way to view the memory & battery status on any given screen (again, vBar).
11. Not possible to use more than one keyboard layout (commercial Resco Keyboard to the rescue).
12. Not compatible with Smartphone apps or older Pocket/WinCE devices.
13. Requires 7.5 MBs of RAM to start up with, PalmOS 5 can run on 2 MBs (admitedly, that's nothing in front of the 16+ MBs Linux requires with Qtopia).

And now, PalmOS' turn:

Advantages:
1. Designed from the ground up to be used with one hand.
2. More apps than PPC (~30,000 over ~20,000)
3. Better Mac & Linux compatibility and support.
4. Battery, bluetooth and other information easily viewable through the status bar.
5. More versalite when it comes to network connections
6. Smaller, lighter devices than PPCs.
7. Compatible with very old PalmOS apps, as far as back to 1998.
8. Much faster than PocketPC, it runs well on slower hardware.
9. Doesn't need much memory.
10. When Palm uses the standard resolutions your input is outside the window area, so you can enter data easier, without taking over the active window.
11. Palm devices are usually more stylish than PocketPCs.
12. Great battery life.
13. Real Player support on some models.
14. 4 GB of storage for the Lifedrive model.

Disadvantages:
1. OS crashes too easily, too often, when apps are crashing.
2. Most apps run at 160x160, even if the screen is capable of 320x320 or more (they double-pixel).
3. Palm's sync software sucks, doesn't share internet and can't mount the PDA automatically (requires "drive mode"). And it's unessarily complex and confusing.
4. If you have more than 1 Palm, especially a mix between Clies and Palm devices, it can be a nightmare because of the drivers needed for each device (PocketPCs use the same driver, regardless the manufacturer).
5. PalmOS doesn't let you install applications on built-in storage or flash cards, at least not without third party, nasty, hacks. Only data can be installed on flash cards.
6. The Clie & Palm modifications to the OS has left many third party apps not working with all devices.
7. No OpenGL or other accelerated 3D support built-in in the OS (Zodiac's is a home-brewed solution).
8. No compact flash to be found on most Palm devices. This means, considerably less accessory support (e.g. cameras, radios, ethernet, modem, wifi, gps etc).
9. Hey PalmOS, the mid-90s called, they want their UI and fonts back.
10. Doesn't use memory as efficiently as PPC does.
11. No VoIP support from third parties. Usually Skype or Stanaphone require 300 Mhz and a microphone and only few PalmOS devices feature these.
12. Driver API is problematic. Even PalmOne's WiFi card doesn't support all of their own PalmOS 5 devices.
13. Its C API is archaic.

Conclusion:
If you are after gaming, multimedia, good WiFi+Bluetooth support, a lot of accessories and versatility, go with Pocket PC.
If you are after small and stylish devices with good battery life, simple interface and simple PIM apps, go with PalmOS.
There is room for both, however most modern or tech-oriented new PDA users are more likely to opt for PocketPC instead. In fact, PocketPC's market share *growth* is bigger than Palm's the last few years, but Palm is still ahead in overall market share. This is changing rapidly though, especially with the many PocketPC phones that are scheduled to be shipped later this year.

source:http://tuxtops.com/?q=node/241


# posted by dark master : 7/10/2005 12:24:00 PM  0 comments

Zlib Security Flaw Could Cause Widespread Trouble

"Whitedust has an interesting article posted about the new zlib buffer overflow. It affects countless software applications, even on Microsoft Windows. Some of the most affected application are those that are able to use the PNG graphic format, as zlib is wildely used in compression of PNG images. Zlib was also in the news in 2002 because of a flaw found in the way it handled memory allocation. The new hole could allow remote attackers to crash the vulnerable program or even the possiblity of executing arbitrary code."

source: http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/10/0346218&tid=172&tid=128&tid=152&tid=218

# posted by dark master : 7/10/2005 12:23:00 PM  0 comments

Body scan machines to be used on Tube passengers

TUBE passengers are to have their bodies scanned by machines that see through clothing in an attempt to prevent further terrorist attacks. The millimetre wave imagers will be used to carry out random checks as people enter stations after services resume today.

Police and transport officials are also considering installing the equipment permanently at stations across the network. The technology is already used to catch illegal immigrants who hide in lorries at Channel ports but has not previously been used on the Underground because of the high cost and concerns about privacy.

The scanners can spot the waistcoat bombs usually worn by suicide bombers and automatically send an alert to nearby officers. Unlike other scanners, they can cover crowded entrances without the need for people to be stopped for individual checks.

The system works by measuring the solar radiation reflected by people’s bodies and measuring anything which interferes with the reflection.

It can be linked to closed- curcuit television cameras that will automatically pick out and follow a suspect until he can be stopped and questioned.

QinetiQ, the privatised former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which developed the technology, said the scanners could be fitted to all 270 Underground stations within 18 months.

Each station would cost from £150,000 to £2 million to fit depending on its size and the number of entrances.

Simon Stringer, managing director of QinetiQ’s security division, said: “We have been asked to deploy some of this equipment.

“It would certainly assist in preventing this sort of thing from happening again.

“After today, I expect the travelling public will be more prepared to put up with a greater level of surveillance.” Mr Stringer said.

Philip Baum, managing director of the security consultancy Green Light, said the advantage of millimetre wave was its ability to scan large numbers of people simultaneously and produce an instant moving image. He said that conventional airport scanners were impractical because the Tube handled three million passengers a day.

“As the Israelis have found, if you cause huge queues for security checks you merely create prime targets for terrorists. They just detonate their bombs in the queues.

“But there will be huge civil liberties questions because you will have to accept that people will see you walking round semi-naked.”

Mr Stringer said there were various techniques for protecting people’s privacy.

“We can solve the modesty issue by overlaying the body with graphics except for the area which causes concern.

“The computer can also be set only to show those people who are carrying something suspicious.”

Mr Stringer said that the devices could either be deployed covertly or made prominent at station entrances as a visible deterrent.

Dummy devices could be installed at some stations to reduce the overall cost.

As with speed cameras, people passing would not know which ones were live.

QinetiQ has also combined the devices with software which detects anomalous behaviour, such as people changing direction inside mainline or Underground stations. Covert studies of terrorists have detected typical patterns of movement as they carry out reconnaissance or seek the best position for their attack.

Mr Baum said vigilance by passengers would play a greater role than any technology in detecting terrorists.

Even if the Tube and mainline stations were all covered by scanners, it would be impossible to protect all 8,000 buses in London.

After last year’s Madrid train bombings, there was a high degree of awareness in London of the risk from suspect packages.

But the number of alerts had dwindled in recent months and Tube managers believe that many passengers had become reluctant to delay services with what they assumed would be false alarms.

Some staff had also begun to take the threat less seriously.

In February, a woman was reprimanded by platform staff after blocking the door with her foot when she saw an unattended bag on a train at Bank station on the Northern Line.

  • The return to service on London Underground was delayed last night after Tube drivers refused to carry out security inspections on trains. The drivers argued that police or army officers should give the all-clear before services could resume. The Rail Maritime and Transport union said that drivers had been asked to carry out security inspections on Tube trains, which was “completely unacceptable”.

    Bob Crow, the RMT union’s general secretary, said: “We don’t believe drivers should be checking trains until police or army officers have given the all clear.

    “We obviously apologise for any delays this will cause, but the threat is too serious for such crucial inspections to be done by untrained staff.”

    The union said that it had been kept in the dark over security plans and called for a review of the arrangements that would involve the trade unions.

    • ARTERIES FOR THE CAPITAL
  • 3 million journeys on Tube each day
  • A record 976 million journeys last year

  • 500 trains operate at any one time at peak periods

  • 275 Tube stations
  • Victoria is busiest, with 76.5 million passengers a year
  • In the three-hour morning peak, 34,000 people enter Victoria Tube station
  • Each train carries up to 900 people
  • The Piccadilly Line is 100ft below the surface at Russell Square

  • 1,400 CCTV cameras on the Tube
  • All modern buses have internal cameras
  • London has 8,000 buses, each carrying up to 140 people
  • 4.5 million bus journeys are made each day in London

    • source: http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20409-1686151,00.html


    # posted by dark master : 7/10/2005 12:20:00 PM  0 comments

    Wolfgang Puck self-heating can hacking...

    Slide12
    Awhile back I wrote about the new Wolfgang Puck self-heating coffee containers that took 10 years and $24 mil to develop. Well, I managed to find them in a local store and bought them to take apart to see how they work. Once activated, they reach 145 degrees in about 6 minutes. This isn't a review of the beverage, it's all about the stuff that makes the liquid hot, how it works, pictures and links to patents....

    The self-heating cans are made by a company called OnTech. Their technology section talks a it about how their heating works.

    The OnTech self-heating container is built from two main parts: the container and the actuating "puck." The container is composed of an inner cone that holds the mineral (Calcium Oxide), and the outer container body, which holds the beverage product. The puck holds water and is sealed by a foil membrane. All components are made from FDA-approved materials.

    On to the dissection...
    Dsc05385-1
    The container looks like there's a lot of liquid in it, but I later found out that it's actually a lot of heating material.


    Dsc05386-1
    Simple instructions, pop the bottom, press it in. Watch for the pink spot to turn white.


    Dsc05388-1
    It worked fine, it was warm, took about 6 minutes and heated to about 140 degrees. I then used a can opener to pry to the top off.


    Dsc05390-1
    Here's the container without the fancy outside, I like this design better.


    Dsc05391-1
    Here's the pressed in bottom. Once pressed the foil inside breaks and water drips down to the calcium oxide and starts the reaction.


    Dsc05392-1
    Here's the inner heating element, I sawed off the outside to reveal the inner chamber.


    Dsc05394-1
    This thing is constructed of extremely heavy duty plastic, and it's quite dense. Which makes sense; it's filled with minerals.


    Dsc05395-1
    I chopped the top off and poured some of the powder / mineral in to a glass.


    Dsc05396-1
    Then poured more out.


    Dsc05397-1
    It fills about 8 ounces, it's white and powdery, but contains little multi-colored rocks.


    Dsc05398-1
    Here's the water release system.


    Dsc05399-1
    The inner ring presses through the foil.


    Dsc05400-1
    The calcium oxide, dry.


    Dsc05401-1
    The calcium oxide wet.


    So there it is, an exothermic reaction (gives heat off) with water and calcium oxide. You can easily remove the liquid and use it for something else. I'm not sure what, but I think there are some uses for this. It's constructed like a tank, so I bet military and outdoors people might be using these.

    One of the best uses might be to remove all the materials (before they're heated/water added) and show how chemical reactions can be used for something tangible for students. You could also likely do some neat things with the materials for experiments that require a small amount of heat.

    The patents
    On the bottom of the can there are two patent numbers, here's what the patents are for.

    United States Patent 5,461,867
    Scudder , et al. October 31, 1995
    Container with integral module for heating or cooling the contents

    Abstract
    An outer container for holding a material, such as a food, beverage or medicine with a sealed thermic module inside the container. The thermic module contains chemical reactants that mix upon actuation of the container by a user. Mixing of the reactants produces an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction, depending upon the reactants selected. The contents of the outer container surround a portion of the outside surface of the thermic module, thereby facilitating conduction of heat. The thermic module has a hollow module body that is closed at one end and a module cap that seals the other end of the module body. The module body contains the solid reactant, and the module cap contains the liquid reactant. The module cap has a tubular section with a flexible member closing one end and a breakable barrier closing the other end. With the exception of the barrier, the cap is of unitary construction. The cap has one or more integrally formed prongs extending from the inner surface of the disc toward the barrier. The prongs move in an axial direction toward the barrier and may also spread apart radially when the outer surface of the flexible member or an actuator connected to it is depressed by the user's finger. The dual motion of the prongs in both axial and radial directions promotes complete puncturing of the barrier and thus fast mixing of the reactants.
    Link.

    5,626,022
    Scudder , et al. May 6, 1997
    Container with integral module for heating or cooling the contents

    Abstract
    An container for holding a material, such as a food, beverage or medicine, includes a cap and a container body. The container body has a material cavity unitarily formed with a reactant cavity. The reactant cavity contains a solid reactant, and the cap contains a liquid reactant that, when mixed, produce an endothermic or exothermic reaction, depending upon the reactants selected. The cap has a tubular body section with an actuator disc closing one end and a breakable barrier closing the other end. With the exception of the barrier, the cap is of unitary construction. The cap has one or more prongs extending from the inner surface of the disc toward the barrier. When a user depresses the actuator disc, it flexes inwardly and moves the prongs toward the barrier. The reactants mix when the prongs puncture the barrier. Heat transferred between the two cavities heats or cools the material. The wall of the container that defines the reactant cavity may be pleated or corrugated to promote heat transfer.
    Link.

    Click the link(s) to read more and to see the images. I'm somewhat fascinated by self-heating and cooling technologies and how they're going to be entering our food distributing and consumption in the next few years. I think these types of containers might change the vending machines with the types of beverages and foods they distribute, and of course there are also some recycling strategies for these new cans? Anyway, if you come up with any cool projects let me know. I have a couple I'll be posting up soon.



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    # posted by dark master : 7/10/2005 12:12:00 PM  0 comments

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