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Surwin Technology has introduced a PDA for mobile data collection applications. The PD-264B is a compact PDA with a built-in scanner and is targeting Original Equipment Manufacturers and system integrators for field support, retail and inventory applications. It runs on Windows CE.NET and not the more popular PocketPC packaged OS, which is an interesting decision. This allows developers and integrators to keep up with the lastest OS enhancements (Windows CE.NET 4.1) and offers a wider range of devleopment and software selections to include on the device. The selection of the OS as well as the PDA's design were made to offer a low cost PDA for verticle market solutions.

The PD-264B offers most of the options found on a typical Pocket PC device. The standard software bundle includes Pocket scheduler, Pocket Word, Internet Explorer, Voice Recorder, Messenger, media player and more. Surwin has also integrated barcode scanner software to interact with the built-in barcode scanner. The scanner can read from distances up to 45 cm. The scanner can decode barcode types such as:

UPC(A/E)/EAN(8/13)/JAN
Code 39 Standard
Code 39 Full ASCII
Codabar
Interleaved 2/5
Code 128
Code 93
S 2/5
Code 11
MSI
Code32
EAN-128
ISBN

The processor used on the PD-264B is a 206Mhz StrongARM which is a generation off of most Pocket PC systems today which are using XScale processors. This was probably done to lower the cost, conserve battery life and because the PDA would be dedicated to vertical solutions. A PDA geared to specific applications won't need the horsepower of a general purpose PDA unless its running data intensive applications. So in most applications this trade-off should work out well.

The standard unit comes well stocked with memory. It has 32 MB of flash storage and 64 MB of SDRAM. For additional storage the PDA includes a SD/MMC expansion slot for memory modules. There is also a CompactFlash (CF) expansion slot that can be used for communications cards, memory cards or I/O cards. Surwin also provides WiFi, Bluetooth and GSM/GPRS communication cards for wireless connectivity.

The PC-264B is compact and lightweight and isn't bulky like most handheld scanners on the market. The battery is a rechargable Li-Polym rated at 1200 mA. The display is a typical Pocket PC 3.5 in. reflective TFT LCD display with 65,536 colors and 240 x 320 resolution. Additional peripherals include stereo headphone jack with speakers and microphone.

I/O ports include USB, serial port and IrDA. The serial and IrDA ports can be used to communicate to other systems to collect information or send control commands. The USB port is used in conjunction with ActiveSync to synchronize the PDA with a host PC.

Pricing and Availability

The PD-264B is offered through Live Solutions, Inc. (www.livesolutions.net) with single unit pricing of $550 with barcode scanner included. Add $50 for the WiFi accessory card.

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Surwin PD-264B