Thursday, July 18, 2002
Fujitsu Begins Sales of LOOX in Japan
Posted by Jason Dunn in "HARDWARE" @ 02:04 PM
http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2002/07/16.html
Hot on the heels of the European release of the Fujitsu-Siemens Loox, Fujitsu has released their uni-branded version of the Loox. Nothing terribly exciting here - it's the same device from what I can tell.
"Fujitsu Limited today announced that it has commenced sales of its Pocket LOOX palm-sized personal digital assistant (PDA) in the Japanese market, with general availability from August 2, 2002 (*1). The sleek, 175g Pocket LOOX has built-in BluetoothTM wireless communications capability, enabling on-the-go Internet access via Bluetooth-equipped PDC or PHS mobile phones.Moreover, when linked to personal computers equipped with a Bluetooth USB adaptor (*2), it can be used in the office or at home for wireless data exchange, checking e-mail, surfing the Web and various other business and entertainment purposes."
I give them a nod for being honest about how they measure the battery life though (most OEMs don't tell you that):
"Approx. 10 hours (standard battery); approx. 20 hours (optional expansion battery). Assumes front light off, display in continuous "Today" mode. Battery life will vary depending on ambient temperature and other conditions."
Truth be told, however, that number isn't very impressive. The iPAQ 3870 with the side light off will last 16.2 hours. Perhaps the actual run time of the Loox is better in day to day use? In my tests I've noticed that the Jornada 565, which doesn't last as long as the iPAQ 3870 with the light off, will actually outlast the 3870 on the low backlight setting. Still, I really like what I've seen of the Loox and I'm looking forward to actually seeing one someday...maybe. I emailed the people listed at the bottom of that press release last week, and I received no response. Why can't all the companies be as good as Fossil when it comes to courting the support of enthusiasts? Perhaps someday...
Hot on the heels of the European release of the Fujitsu-Siemens Loox, Fujitsu has released their uni-branded version of the Loox. Nothing terribly exciting here - it's the same device from what I can tell.
"Fujitsu Limited today announced that it has commenced sales of its Pocket LOOX palm-sized personal digital assistant (PDA) in the Japanese market, with general availability from August 2, 2002 (*1). The sleek, 175g Pocket LOOX has built-in BluetoothTM wireless communications capability, enabling on-the-go Internet access via Bluetooth-equipped PDC or PHS mobile phones.Moreover, when linked to personal computers equipped with a Bluetooth USB adaptor (*2), it can be used in the office or at home for wireless data exchange, checking e-mail, surfing the Web and various other business and entertainment purposes."
I give them a nod for being honest about how they measure the battery life though (most OEMs don't tell you that):
"Approx. 10 hours (standard battery); approx. 20 hours (optional expansion battery). Assumes front light off, display in continuous "Today" mode. Battery life will vary depending on ambient temperature and other conditions."
Truth be told, however, that number isn't very impressive. The iPAQ 3870 with the side light off will last 16.2 hours. Perhaps the actual run time of the Loox is better in day to day use? In my tests I've noticed that the Jornada 565, which doesn't last as long as the iPAQ 3870 with the light off, will actually outlast the 3870 on the low backlight setting. Still, I really like what I've seen of the Loox and I'm looking forward to actually seeing one someday...maybe. I emailed the people listed at the bottom of that press release last week, and I received no response. Why can't all the companies be as good as Fossil when it comes to courting the support of enthusiasts? Perhaps someday...
