The first part of our 2007 3GSM highlights focused on the exciting new Windows Mobile devices we will be seeing throughout the year.  Surprisingly however, 3GSM isn't solely a Windows Mobile device conference it showcases a variety of new and unique devices, software and hardware.  With that in mind the second part of our 3GSM highlights will seek to showcase a broader range of highlights that whilst not Windows Mobile specific, are vibrant and eye-opening pieces of news none the less.   

Index

Ready for the 'Readius': The Italian Market is...
I can't believe it's not Microsoft:  Linux ACCESS steps up
Nvidia's GoForce 5500 GPU takes off:  PSP, what?
OMAP:  coming soon in High Definition
More Choice:  Opera already installed...

Ready for the 'READIUS':
The Italian Market is....

All the way back in 2005 a subsidiary of Philips Electronics, 'Polymer Vision' showcased a working prototype of a compressible / rollable display.  We're talking the stuff of science fiction here, Mobile devices capable of being compressed to the size of a lipstick container (7.5mm thin), yet unroll to reveal a much larger (much cooler) screen and working device.  It has only taken Polymer Vision two years to make a mass producible and affordable version of the device, and whilst this technology has some present limitations, most would agree its a great start to a new generation of Mobile devices.  The Polymer Vision research team describes the Readius and its aim below:

The Readius is the world’s first prototype of a functional electronic-document reader that can unroll its display to a scale larger than the device itself. With four gray levels, the monochrome, 5-inch QVGA (320 pixels x 240 pixels) display provides paper-like viewing comfort with a high contrast ratio for reading-intensive applications, including text, graphics, and electronic maps....“Making displays thinner and flexible will have advantages in power and weight. But the only way to add the key advantage of size—allowing larger displays in smaller, pocket-size mobile devices—is by actually making the displays rollable,” Source

Prototype Model Show Above

Despite having a greyscale display, next generation devices have to start somewhere and the Italian communications giant Telecom Italia seems to think the Readius is the ideal place to start.  Later in the year the telecommunications company will offer the Readius for use on its networks personalised services via UTMS/HSPDA, the services available will include:  News, Email, Weather and mapping.  On top of an interesting line up the Readius contains 4G of storage space for all your documents, files and e-books.  Slashgear got their hands on the Readius at this years 3GSM conference and has this to say:

"Fitting a five-inch monochrome screen into svelte chassis takes some doing, and it’s been a three year labour of love for the Eindhoven-based company. Now they’re ramping up production at a new UK plant, using Thin Film Transistor equipment which gives the high-contrast, high-reflectivity display an e-book friendly 16-levels of grey. Currently screen refreshes take 1-2 seconds, meaning it’s not really suitable for video, but the super-clear text and the fact that it only consumes power when changing the display, not for maintaining an image, makes it ideal for a dynamically updated text-news source."  Source

Its nice to see how close to the futuristic devices of our dreams we really are sometimes.  One can't imagine it being much more then a few years before this devices successors contain sound, colour screens and Windows Mobile, not to mention excessively longer battery life via the screens diminutive power requirements. Enough day-dreaming for now, here is a video of the Readius in Action and a photo gallery of the Readius opening up:
 

Pictures courtesy of SlashGear

I can't believe it's not Microsoft:
Linux ACCESS steps up...

Linux unveiled their new Mobile device offerings at 3GSM this year, firstly by officially naming the platform 'ACCESS' then by releasing its SDKs for Mobile phones and convergent devices.  The Linux based platform besides having all the open source advantages of Linux it will also be a much cheaper option for device manufacturers and ceteris paribus cheaper devices with more choice for consumers.  Access looks suprisingly user friendly and feature packed certainly qualities consumers have come to look for in their devices.  Microsoft haven't commented on Access; busy showcasing Windows Mobile 6 and after virtually five years of successful consecutive growth in the Windows Mobile device market (and the expansion into Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phones) it is unlikely the software titan will be too concerned at present.

The Linux Access Interface

In any case, more competition from Apple, Linux or Blackberry in regards to high end convergent devices is ultimately good for the consumer.  Microsoft have often been criticised for being behind the ball in regards to Windows Mobile features - its taken the software giant up until Windows Mobile 6 to implement a settings option for the infamous 'X' button, something users have complained about since day dot - so if competition in the form of open source adds to the pressure or incentive for improved feature rich and innovative Windows Mobile platforms then consumers of all creeds should be happy with the news of viable alternatives.  Click here to go to the official ACCESS page.

Nvidia's GoForce 5500 GPU takes off:
PSP, what?

Like most things, from humble beginnings the Windows Mobile games market has slowly expanded; consumers can now find and play every sort of game on their devices from miniature versions of console hits like 'Call to Duty' or 'Nascar rally', to a plethora of creative and entertaining RPGs, arcade classics, or sporting games all in the palm of their hand on the same device they use for their business needs.  Courtesy of Nvidia for acknowledging a growing games and mobile entertainment market combined with the power of innovation, the mobile world and Windows Mobile in particular, is about to be revolutionised.  The GoForce 5500 GPU brings true 3d style console graphics to the palm of your hand as well as previously unseen video playback capabilities and to top it off vastly improved battery life for the next generation of high end devices and their displays.

"The introduction of the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 handheld GPU marks the beginning of a new era for 3G mobile phones," said Michael Rayfield, general manager of the handheld GPU group at NVIDIA. the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 GPU delivers high-quality video playback and capture, high-resolution camera support, and stunning 3D graphics—all at impressive performance levels that we believe consumers are going to demand in the next generation of mobile devices."

The Nvida press statement reveals the following features:

OpenKode Interface featuring the 5500's capabilities
 

This GPU practically provides something for everyone, as business users probably won't be too concerned with having 3d capable devices (although there's a lot of times a couple of games come in handy) they will be delighted at the power-savings and reduced battery consumption the device brings, all with their new VGA screens.  The growing youth market in convergent devices is likely to look favourably on having 3d capabilities as well as the increased demands on high end video playback and the emerging TV Tuner devices.   In the coming weeks O2's XDA Flame will be the first Windows Mobile device to hit the market with the GoForce 5500 with the GPU (expect videos and picture of the Flame and its GPU in action soon).  With all the feature improvements and impressive specs this GPU adds to any device it would be a pleasure to see the GPU in some of the many VGA devices we will be seeing come out this year.

The OMAP strikes back:
Imagine this processor with the above GPU...

Texas Instruments the producer and designer of the OMAP processor have always seemingly opted for features and multi-threading chip architecture over raw MHz power, and whilst the new OMAP 3430's that will begin rolling out in 2007 are expected to be delivering more Mhz, the new features these processors will be delivering is nothing short of impressive.  Without further ado the extract for the purpose of the new processor followed by a rundown of its features

"OMAP 3 application processors will power a new class of mobile phones that will improve entertainment and productivity features and integrate capabilities of cameras, gaming devices, portable video and music players, laptops and PDAs. TI's first OMAP 3-based device, the OMAP3430 processor, will be the industry's highest-performing application processor and is believed to be the first wireless processor to use 65-nanometer (nm) process technology".  Source

High definition to the left of me, High speed USB to the right...

Much, much more detail on these processors and their capabilities is provided here and here.  If this processor could be combined with Nvidia's GoForce 5500 GPU (discussed above) the next plateau in Mobile devices would certainly be upon us with both chipset and GPU working to provide unparalleled multimedia functions.  Even if such a combination isn't possible less power hungry CPUs combined with new security features, faster USB and HDD access and ameliorated multimedia capabilities and possibilities still make this new High Definition processing power something to look out for in 2007.