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Compact Flash Accessories enhance the Axim's capabilities.
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Engineers have an inherent need to put as much functionality in as small a package as possible. The artistry comes in determining
the proper balance between them. The various designs of pda's reflect the different priorities in pursuing that goal.
In a number of new pda designs, such as the Dell Axim X3 and most of the HP Ipaq series, manufacturers have chosen to reduce the size (primarily
the thickness) of the pda at the expense of eliminating the once ubiquitous compact flash slot.
The introduction of the SDIO-capable Secure Digital slot and the integration of embedded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have reduced much of the need for having dual slots.
But, there are still a great many more expansion devices available throught compact flash than secure digital.
Two new accessories in the CF form factor are a TV tuner from EOps Technology and a USB Host expansion card from TwinParadox.
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The TV tuner has:
TV tuner for the reception of over-the-air analog broadcast US NTSC UHF to VHF TV Channels 2-69
CompactFlash Type I I/O card
Supports Microsoft Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC
Telescopic rod antenna folds down when not in use
RF-IN jack for connection to external antenna in poor reception area
Displays in selectable portrait (208 x 160) or landscape (320 x 240) orientation
(up to 30 frames per second)
AV-IN jack for connection to camcorder, DVD player or video game console
(NTSC / PAL composite video and audio signals)
Stereo earphone jack for discrete listening (stereo earphones included)
Powered by 4 x 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries or AC-DC adapter (not included)
Carrying pouch (included)
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While the USB Host adapter:
• Adds two independent USB Host ports to your Pocket PC for attaching full-size USB keyboards, mini flash hard drives, USB keyboards, and other peripherals
• Supports standard-A USB Host connectors
• Dongle-less Type I CompactFlash Card design
• Pocket PC supplies USB low power to each Host port (5v @ 100ma)
• Provides full USB Host Port power to each port with AC adapter
(5v @ 500ma)
• Internal Power Auto-Switch (Switches CF Card and USB Host power
from Pocket PC power to AC adapter power automatically.)
Includes
• SolarExpress® PDA CF Card
• USB Host extension cable
• Installation Guide
• CD-ROM with CF USB Host Card driver
• AC adapter (optional use)
Specifications
• Compliant with USB 1.1 specifications (audio microphone, speakers
and video webcams supported on future driver release)
• 2 USB Host port connectors on CF Card
• 5 Volt DC Power Jack for full USB Host power support
• 12 Mbps maximum transfer rate
• Windows Mobile 2003 Plug n Play
• Runs off Pocket PC power
System Requirements
• Windows Mobile 2003 (Pocket PC 2003)
• Pocket PC with 16 bit CompactFlash slot
• ActiveSync 3.7 or higher
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These are just two examples of Compact Flash accessories that give consumers the capability to enhance their pda's to meet their needs.
Hopefully, these and others like them will give the pda manufacturer's a little pause in eliminating the CF slot from
future designs, because some of us still put a premium of flexibility over having the smallest form factor. |
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