[Updated 12:00 noon, PDT] YOPY.AT, the St. Poelten, Austria based European distribution partner of the Korean manufacturer G.Mate Inc., today announced a new YOPY Linux PDA model, the YP3500. Compared to the earlier YP3000, the new YP3500 increases Flash memory from 16MB to 32MB, RAM memory from 64MB to… 128MB, and adds a backlight to the device's full-color quarter-VGA display.

The new model continues to be based on a 206 MHz StrongARM processor, because “Xscale does not offer any advantage to the user yet,” said YOPY.AT sales manager Claus Pfleger.

The display provides the same resolution (320 x 240 pixels at 65k colors), but it now includes a backlight — thus eliminating a major shortcoming of the earlier model. The backlight can be disabled by the user when desired, to conserve battery power.

In addition to input methods of stylus and handwriting recognition, the new Yopy model has a redesigned QWERTY keyboard which some special keys. Other enhancements are said to include an improved speaker, a visualized alarm, and an attachable stylus pen.

With the exception of the serial cable, all accessories of the YP3000 can also be used with the YP3500.

The YP3500 comes with the latest YOPY Linux distribution, called Linupy 2.0. One interesting software addition is web-based PIM synchronization, which is enabled via inclusion of a Boa webserver and mySQL database on the YOPY. Web-based PIM data syncing allows any web-enabled PC (running any OS) to synchronize data with the YOPY. Linupy's Internet access features include a built-in email client and the Dillo web browser.

In addition to its earlier comprehensive application suite, which included multimedia player, voice recorder, graphics, notepad, PIM functions, etc., Pfleger expects the YP3500 to include a full office suite, Hancom Mobile Office.

Most of this year's planned YP3500 production is already pre-sold to SK Telecom, an Asian telecommunications company, said Pfleger. However, YOPY.AT has established an “Early Sunrise” program in order to ensure that European early adopters can reserve a YP3500 for delivery by the end of 2002. Through this promotional program, the YP3500 is being offered for 639 Euro, a 60 Euro discount from the normal price of 699 Euro, will include a free 'classic' stylus pen. Orders can be placed online.

 
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