Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- devices:groupsense [2020/04/25 16:56] – [M98] pinchies
+++ devices:groupsense [2021/07/02 00:19] (current) – pinchies
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ===== Company History=====
-Group Sense Ltd. (GSL), an international company, based in Hong Kong. GSL manufactures translation dictionaries ("Instant Dict") and other Chinese PDA's under the brand 快译通, which translates as "Express Translation".
+Group Sense Ltd. (GSL) was an international company, founded in Hong Kong in June 1988.
+**Early days (1988~2000)**
-In 2000, they developed their own bi-lingual PDA product line, named Xplore [2]. This included [[https://web.archive.org/web/20030730181804/http://gspda.com/product5.html|Linux PDA's]] and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021223201941/http://www.gspda.com/product11.html|early smartphones]].
+Before the rise or PDAs and smartphones Group Sense's main businesses included:
+  * Translation dictionaries, branded as "Instant Dict" (快譯通) in Hong Kong and Taiwan), and as "快译通" in China, which translates as "Express Translation"
+  * ODM Designs and Manufacturing electronic dictionaries for the Japanese market (1990s to 2010s)
+  * Pager devices [[https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E4%B8%AA%E4%BA%BA%E6%89%8B%E6%8C%81%E5%BC%8F%E7%94%B5%E8%AF%9D%E7%B3%BB%E7%BB%9F|小灵通]] based on the Japan PHS system (1990s to early 2000s).
 {{:devices:xplorelogo-old.gif?direct|}}
-On 4 September 2000, the business restructured into three divisions; Electronic Dictionary, PDA/Smartphones, and ODM services[14]. The PDA division was called Group Sense PDA Limited (GSPDA). In late 2002, GSPDA signed a licensing agreement with PalmSource for permission to develop Palm OS PDA's [1], with 5 Palm OS devices eventually developed. The license was initially only for devices to be marketed to the Asia/Pacific market [10], before they later pursued a full ODM license with worldwide distribution rights [11].
+**PDA Era (2000-2002)**
+After 2000, the company faced new challenges, with the pager business in decline due to the rise of SMS, and with new competition arising in the PDA market from other Chinese companies.
-The Singapore branch of GSPDA incorporated as a subsidary called "Group Sense Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd.", before renaming as [[https://www.sgpbusiness.com/company/Oswin-Technology-Private-Limited|Oswin Technology PL]]in 2004, when they [[https://web.archive.org/web/20041104031005/http://www.gst.com.sg/prof.asp|began trading as Oswin Technology]], eventually moving to a new[[http://www.oswintech.com/|own domain name]] in Nov 2004.
+On 4 September 2000, the business restructured into three divisions; Electronic Dictionaries, PDAs & Smartphones, and ODM services.
+In May 2001, a join venture was formed between GSL, Intel, SB China (Softbank subsidiary) and UTStarcom to develop devices for the PDA market.[14] The PDA division was named **Group Sense PDA Limited (GSPDA)**.
-In 2008, the Xplore brand (and Palm OS device lineup) was depreciated, and Group Sense Mobile-Tech Ltd. (GSML) was created, initially produing GPS units, VOIP handsets, and later focusing on POS PDA's and systems.
+In 2001, GSL released their Xplore V series of PDA. The first model, the V88, came with 8MB RAM, and had the appearance of a typical PDA of the time.
+The company envisioned that wireless-data enabled PDAs would be popular in the future, and in their annual report they explicitly indicated that this market would be a primary focus going forwards. In October 2001, the i-Xplore 938, was announced and shown to the press. This was a Bi-lingual PDA with integrated GSM mobile connectivity, and featured an in-house developed proprietary OS [2].
+[[http://www.gsl.com.hk/file/upload/ir/file/First_Bi_lingual.pdf|i-Xplorer938]]
+[[https://web.archive.org/web/20021223201941/http://www.gspda.com/product11.html|e968 early smartphones]]
+**Smartphone Era (2002-2007)**
+In late 2002, GSPDA signed a licensing agreement with PalmSource for permission to develop Palm OS PDA's [1], with 5 Palm OS devices eventually developed. The license was initially only for devices to be marketed to the Asia/Pacific market [10], before they later pursued a full ODM license with worldwide distribution rights [11].
+During this period, a new Xplore was being developed and released yearly.
+A flip cover device codename "Onyx" was reportedly being developed in 2001-2002, with the design of this device appearing similar to the original GSM PDA series, and unlike the later Palm-OS based Xplore series. However, this device was axed eventually before release.
+GSPDA were also in development on possibilities of other operating systems.
+[[https://web.archive.org/web/20030730181804/http://gspda.com/product5.html|v2002 Linux PDA's]]
+The Singapore branch of GSPDA incorporated as a subsidiary called "Group Sense Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd.", before renaming as [[https://www.sgpbusiness.com/company/Oswin-Technology-Private-Limited|Oswin Technology PL]]in 2004, when they [[https://web.archive.org/web/20041104031005/http://www.gst.com.sg/prof.asp|began trading as Oswin Technology]], eventually moving to a new[[http://www.oswintech.com/|own domain name]] in Nov 2004.
+In early 2005, an Oswin device running Palm OS 6.1 ("Cobalt") was show to the press and demoed [25], and it appeared likely that this would be the first Cobalt-based device to ship[17].
+{{ :devices:jasper-s20.jpg?direct&250|}}
+However, with the sacking of the PalmSource CEO in mid-2005, and the sale of PalmSource to ACCESS in late 2005, it appeared that Palm-OS 6.1 would be cancelled. In response, in 2006 GSPDA announced that they would continue to ship new devices with PalmOS 5.4, such as the Xplore M70 (announced Sep '06), alongside a second series of smartphones running a new[[https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded-revolution/article/21776185/pure-java-platform-powers-smart-phone|Java-based]] OS developed by company [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SavaJe|SavaJe]]. The first new device announced with this Java OS was the Jasper S20 (shown right), for future release in 2007.
+However, by 2007, the Xplore M70 international release was canceled, while plans for the Jasper S20 were disrupted with financial troubles at SavaJe, seeing them acquired by Sun in April 2007. In 2008, the GSPDA joint-venture were closed, the Xplore brand and [[http://xplore.com.hk|website]] was retired, and the Palm-OS device lineup was depreciated. In-place of this, a new brand called Group Sense Mobile-Tech Ltd. (GSML) was created, initially producing GPS units and VOIP handsets, and later focusing on point-of-sale (POS) PDAs and systems.
+----
@@ Line 25: / Line 58: @@
 Initially, GSPDA announced two models, a candybar model "[[https://web.archive.org/web/20030410004718/http://www.gspda.com:80/product12.html|Zircon Z3]]", and a clamshell model "[[https://web.archive.org/web/20021229200421/http://www.gspda.com:80/product13.html|Onyx]]" [12][13]. The Zircon model was released in July 2003, renamed as the Xplore G18, while the Onyx was promised for later release in Q3 2003. However, the Onyx release did not eventuate, and in early 2004 was quietly removed from the GSPDA website. Photos of the Onyx device are on the right.
 Common Features:
@@ Line 36: / Line 66: @@
   * G18 - July 2003, Candybar touchscreen phone, CIF Camera, 16MB, codenamed "[[http://www.gst.com.sg/Zircon.asp|Zircon]]".
   * "Onyx" - Slated for 2003Q3, but was cancelled. Clamshell, CIF Camera (see photos on right column)
-  * G88 - 2004, Candybar slider phone , 48MB, CIF Camera
+  * G88 - 2004, Candybar slider phone, 48MB, CIF Camera, codenamed Zircon I
 ====Palm OS 5.4====
-  * M28 - Candybar slider phone, VGA Camera
+  * M28 - Candybar slider phone, VGA Camera, codenamed Zircon II
-  * M98 - Clamshell, 1.3MP Camera, Micro-SD expansion, 96x96 external screen,  [4]
+  * M98 - Clamshell, 1.3MP Camera, Micro-SD expansion, 96x96 external screen, codenamed Onyx II [4]
   * M68 - Candybar, 1.3MP Camera, SD expansion, bluetooth ($699SGD / $430USD)
   * M70 - Candybar, 1.3MP Camera, SD expansion, bluetooth
@@ Line 56: / Line 86: @@
 Launched July 2003 in Asia, Q3 in EU.
 Sold over 100,000 units[15].
+  * Codename Zircon, HAL ID zicn, Device ID zicn
   * The Xplore G18 was sold in Singapore as the Zircon Z3.
   * Sold in Germany through Quelle as the Universum Xplore G18.
+  * Also know as X-PRO P168 in Taiwan
 https://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=1162
@@ Line 93: / Line 125: @@
 Promoted as "Still the smallest Palm Powered Phone".
 https://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2375
+  * Codename Zircon I, HAL ID zicn, Device ID zicn [22]
+  * Also known as Zircon G88 in Singapore
 ==== Specifications ====
@@ Line 121: / Line 155: @@
 {{ :devices:m28.jpg?direct&120|}}
 Announced Nov 2004
+  * Codename Zircon II, HAL ID zcn2, Device ID zcn2 [22]
 https://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3710
@@ Line 162: / Line 197: @@
   * Sold in UK as Hagenuk S200.
   * Sold in Italy as Xplore M68.
+  * Codename Unknown, HAL ID zcn5, Device ID zcn5 [22]
 [5][6][8]
@@ Line 229: / Line 265: @@
 ===== M98 =====
-Announced Feb 2005, Released in Aug 2005, and discontinued in Sept 2006 [4]
+  * Announced Feb 2005, Released in Aug 2005, and discontinued in Sept 2006 [4]
-Attractively priced, but poorly marketed [7]
+  * Attractively priced, but poorly marketed [7]
-Sold as [[http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/7760/new-xpro-p368-palm-os-smartphone/|XPRO P368]] in China.
+  * Sold as [[http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/7760/new-xpro-p368-palm-os-smartphone/|XPRO P368]] in China.
+  * Codename Onyx II, HAL ID UNKNWON, Device ID UNKNOWN [22]
 {{:devices:m98_1.gif?direct&120|}}
 {{:devices:m98_2.gif?direct&120 |}}
@@ Line 276: / Line 312: @@
 Almost identical to the M68. Ann. Sept 2006, rel, early 2006
+  * Codename UNKNOWN, HAL ID zcn5, Device ID zcn5 [22]
+{{:devices:m70-small.jpg|}}
+A minor update, the M70S was later released in Oct 2007 with a firmware update.
   * https://www.engadget.com/2006-09-19-the-other-palm-os-smartphone-gspdas-xplore-m70.html
@@ Line 282: / Line 323: @@
   * https://web.archive.org/web/20061114155757/http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/2006/09/19/gspda-launches-m70-smartphone/
   * http://theopoon.rinnovative.com/2006/12/08/itu-2006-hong-kong-for-palm-lovers/
+  * https://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=62&t=250197
 {{ :devices:m70_on_hand.jpg?direct&600 |}}
@@ Line 342: / Line 384: @@
-===== Zircon Axia A108 =====
+===== Oswin Zircon Axia A108 =====
 {{ :devices:axia_main.jpg?direct&200|}}
-Sold by Oswin Technology (GSPDA Singapore Subsidary) , the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20051106024001/http://www.oswintech.com/default.asp|Zircon Axia A108]] was announced in early 2005, but discontinued by 2006.
-Advertised as [[https://web.archive.org/web/20050405234530/http://www.oswintech.com/Detail.asp?PID=46|"The world's smallest PDA Phone on Win CE .NET OS".]]
+The [[https://web.archive.org/web/20051106024001/http://www.oswintech.com/default.asp|Axia A108]] was announced in Nov 2004, but discontinued by 2006. It was launched under the brand name [[https://web.archive.org/web/20050206045022/http://www.myaxia.com/|Axia]], separate from the Xplore devices. It was also sold under the Zircon brand name, as the Zircon Axia A108 [26].
+http://tech.sina.com.cn/mobile/n/2005-05-19/1742612387.shtml
+. This device was advertised as [[https://web.archive.org/web/20050405234530/http://www.oswintech.com/Detail.asp?PID=46|"The world's smallest PDA Phone on Win CE .NET OS".]], in a similar fashion to the Xplore devices.
 In Feb 2005, at a local GSPDA public meeting, a representative indicated that GSPDA indicated to release a Palm OS 6 (Cobalt) based smartphone by the end of 2006[16] - over a year after Cobalt 6.1 was announced in 2004[17], and almost two years after [[http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=6568|Cobalt 6 was announced in Feb 2004]].
-In April it was indicated that the Zircon Axia A108 device would be available with a range of different OS platforms, including Palm OS 6 Cobalt [18][19].
+In April it was indicated that the Oswin Axia A108 device would be available with a range of different OS platforms, including Palm OS 6 Cobalt [18][19].
-These plans were confirmed in May 2005, during an [[https://linuxdevices.org/executive-interview-michael-kelley-and-john-cook-of-palmsource/|interview with PalmSource exectutives]].
+These plans were again confirmed in May 2005, during an [[https://linuxdevices.org/executive-interview-michael-kelley-and-john-cook-of-palmsource/|interview with PalmSource exectutives]].
-In late May, a prototype device running Cobalt 6.1.1 was shown at the PalmSource DevCon [20][21].
+Finally, in late May, a prototype device running Cobalt 6.1.1 was shown at the PalmSource DevCon [20][21].
+However, after this date, no news was heard about the Cobalt version of the Axia, and the launch never materialised.
 {{:devices:oswin_coral_01.jpg?direct&200|}}{{:devices:oswin_coral_03.jpg?direct&200|}}
 {{:devices:cobphonefront.jpg?direct&100|}}{{:devices:cobphonentreo.jpg?direct&200|}}
+Additional Photos provided by [[http://dmitry.gr/|Dmitry Grinberg]] (creator of [[http://www.palmpowerups.com/|Palm Powerups]]) :
+{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-1.jpg?400|}}
+{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-2.jpg?400|}}
+{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-3.jpg?400|}}{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-4.jpg?400|}}{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-5.jpg?400|}}{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-6.jpg?400|}}{{:devices:oswin-zircon-axia-a108-7.jpg?400|}}
 ==== Specifications ====
@@ Line 370: / Line 420: @@
   * Mobile: GSM TriBand 900/1800/1900MHz
   * Data: GPRS Class 10
+  * MiniSD expansion
   * https://mobile.softpedia.com/phones/Oswin/Oswin-Zircon-Axia-A108.shtml
@@ Line 429: / Line 480: @@
   * [20] https://web.archive.org/web/20060219020700/http://www.allaboutpalm.com/news/item/Oswin_Technologies_Demonstrate_Cobalt_Powered_Smartphone.php
   * [21] https://www.geek.com/blurb/pics-of-the-cobalt-phone-559082/
+  * [22] http://blog.compuseum.de/sitemap/palmos-codenamen/
+  * [23] https://www.eweek.com/mobile/sun-blesses-java-phone
+  * [24] https://www.engadget.com/2006-05-13-savaje-releases-jasper-s20-java-phone.html
+  * [25] http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/7874/palm-os-cobalt-phone-shown-at-devcon/
+  * [26] https://web.archive.org/web/20050526190750/http://it.asia1.com.sg/reviews/pda/por002_20050503.html