Sony Ericsson has brought a new series of wireless PC modem cards to the Middle East. The credit-card-size wireless PC cards slot neatly into the side of laptops to provide access to e-mail, Internet, and corporate Intranets wherever and whenever mobile professionals may be.

The PC cards fit into any laptop with a Type II PC card slot running Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, NT4.0 or XP. They are easy to install and compatible with all familiar software applications. The triple band GPRS PC Card Modem GC75e offers data speeds similar to that of fixed-line modems. It is the essential traveling tool, providing online access in all five continents using GPRS, HSCSD or CSD.

The GC79 is the world’s first combined tri-band GPRS and Wi-Fi PC card. The combo features of the GC79 PC Card give you the best of two worlds with global access with GPRS/HSCSD and fast local connection with Wi-Fi (up to 11MB). Office workers on the move can have fast Internet connections at hotspot locations such as airport lounges, coffeeshops or hotels. The GC79 is based on the most widely used Wi-Fi standard — 802.11b. The GC79 is Wi-Fi certified and supports EAP-SIM authentication.

Lastly, with the launch of the GC85 EDGE PC Card users can now enjoy a 3G technology data card that delivers broadband-like speeds over GSM networks — average data speed of 130 kbps with burst up to 247 kbps. The GC85 card also provides global coverage because over 100 operators in 64 countries around the world deploy EDGE. Where there are no EDGE networks available, mobile workers will continue to have seamless connectivity via the widely abundant GPRS technology.

Toshiba Launches Qosmio Series

Toshiba has launched the Qosmio series which merges high-quality audiovisual performance with cutting-edge notebook technology to provide the most advanced personal home entertainment experience available.

Qosmio notebooks run on the Pentium M Processor with speeds of up to 2.0GHz, Intel PRO wireless network connection 802.11b/g, and the Intel 855PM chipset family. The machines offer either a 15.4-inch widescreen (F10 model) or 17-inch widescreen (G10). The notebooks give users a unique “4-in-1” multimedia experience with integrated audio, DVD player, HDD storage and PC functionality. All models carry Toshiba’s unconditional three-year international warranty.

The Qosmio notebooks feature the QosmioPlayer which allows DVD and CD content to be played after just a few seconds with the simple touch of a button without booting the operating system. Toshiba’s TruBrite display technology and the QosmioEngine — a high-quality video engine — deliver crisp images, brighter colors, higher contrast and smoother entertainment than many of today’s high-definition TV sets.

Featuring one of the largest, most powerful set of speakers to be integrated into a notebook PC, the Qosmio’s Harman Kardon speakers, combined with industry leading SRS technology, ensure a real-life entertainment experience when watching DVD films, playing games or enjoying music.

Handling digital content is equally easy. With dual hard disk drive support, the Qosmio G10 provides users with up to 200GB of optional storage capacity. The Qosmio F10 has up to 100GB of hard disk drive capacity, leaving ample room for interacting with and creating digital music, film, video and photography. The Qosmio G10 retails for $2,700 and the F10 for $1,700.

MPIO Makes Mideast Debut

MPIO (www.mpio.com), the world-leading brand of portable digital audio devices based in Korea, will be marketing its MP3 players for the first time in the Middle East through its local distributor Delta Business Products. The company said that as of this month its products will be available in Dubai with further regional rollout in the coming year. The new products coming to the market include the MPIO FL300, MPIO FG100, MPIO FY400, MPIO HS200, MPIO HD200 and MPIO HD300.

In 2003, MPIO represented up to 7.5 percent of the global marketshare for portable digital audio devices; accounted for 10.63 percent of the US market and 8.5 percent of the EU market, defeating traditional large vendors such as Sony and Panasonic. By the end of this year, the company expects its global marketshare to reach 10.62 percent. MPIO considers its MP3 players to be fashion items or digital accessories, not just electronics.