Microsoft and Flextronics announced that they have jointly developed a GSM/GPRS smartphone "platform" based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile software. "Peabody" is described as a low-cost, feature-rich design that will be customized and resold by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and service providers under their respective brands.

The Peabody platform is based on a TI OMAP730 GSM/GPRS processor with 32 MB of RAM and 64 MB of Flash. The device's 1.9-inch color LCD has a resolution of 176 x 220. Communication ports include USB, IrDA, and a Pendant Bus. A miniSD slot provides expansion, and an integrated 1.3 megapixel camera is optional.


Flextronics lists the following features and specifications for Peabody:

    * Processor -- Texas Instruments OMAP730 GSM/GPRS processor
    * Memory -- 32 MB RAM; 64 MB Flash
    * Operating system -- Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 second edition
    * Display -- 1.9-inch diagonal, 65K-color 176 x 220 pixels TFT LCD
    * Communications:
          o GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Tri-band optimized at 850/1800/1900 or 900/1800/1900)
          o GPRS Class 10
    * Bluetooth version 1.1
    * Other I/O ports -- USB, IrDA, Pendant bus
    * Expansion -- miniSD slot
    * Camera -- 1.3 megapixel camera (optional)
    * Speaker -- polyphonic speaker
    * Battery:
          o Type -- removable 940mAH Lithium Polymer
          o Talk time -- up to 5 hours
          o Standby time -- up to 200 hours

Flextronics also announced that it is developing a family of devices, based on a platform called "Astro," for deployment on GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. The Astro platform will incorporate next-generation Windows Mobile software and will use TI's OMAP850 processor, which includes EDGE support.

Flextronics is a major electronics manufacturing company based in Singapore, with divisions in numerous other geographical areas including the US. The company claims to be one of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers.

Microsoft says that its collaboration with Flextronics is further evidence of growing traction for its Windows Mobile software, which is now offered by 40 device makers and more than 65 mobile operators shipping devices globally.

Customizable Windows Mobile smartphone designs for sale to OEMs and service providers are also available from HTC, a Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer). Examples include the "Harrier" (also called "Blue Angel") and "Wallaby", which have each been used as the basis of many rebranded Windows Mobile smartphones.



Izvor:windowsfordevices