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Pocket PC manufacturer ASUS has a free software update on its website for its a MyPal A716 handheld.

The update fixes the Wi-Fi utility on the device. With the it, the device can display a whole MAC (Media Access Control) address rather than the initial ten letters, allowing the A716 to be recognized on Wi-Fi networks that require a full MAC address to be recognized.

The $500 MyPal A716 includes both 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking. So users can connect locally to a Bluetooth-enabled printer or phone, for example, as well as to hot spots and a wireless network. Either way, users can get Internet access wirelessly. The MyPal A716 also supports dual memory and peripheral expansion with both Compact Flash and Secure Digital slots.

According to the ASUS, it has implemented a proprietary technology called Smart Power Saving, which it claims allows the A716 to operate continuously for up to 19 hours. The 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is also removable, which is always a plus, should it need to be replaced. A 3000mAh battery is also available as an option, which doubles the length of operation of the unit on single charge.

Inside, the MyPal A716 includes a 400MHz Intel PXA255 processor, Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC operating system, 64MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM with 53MB available to the user. The handhelds 240x320 pixel and 65,536 color 3.5-inch display is the standard type found on most Pocket PC.

The Future

Back in March, at CeBIT 2004 in Hanover Germany, ASUS unveiled its next generation Pocket PC, the MyPal A730.

Significantly, the MyPal A730 will be the second Pocket PC to include a VGA display. And it will probably run on Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition which supports 640x480 in both landscape and portrait modes. The first Pocket PC is the Toshiba e805.

A 640x480 resolution allows users, for example, to view whole Web pages on a PDA without scrolling. Reports place the release of the MyPal A730 in the June time-frame. Significantly, the unit's screen will measure 3.7 inches and will be run at 18-bit for 262,144 colors, surpassing all current Pocket PC models.

Another major feature of the MyPal A730 will be a Intel 520MHz XScale CPU, which is 120MHz more powerful than the fastest XScales found in current handhelds. This means that the processor in the MyPal A730 will be part of Intel's latest series of XScale CPUs announced in April.

Other features include 128 MB of RAM, a CompactFlash Type II slot and an SDIO slot for peripheral and memory expansion. The Pocket PC also includes a 1.3 million-pixel camera for up to 1280x960 resolution size pictures, as well as both integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.