I keep hearing about a pogo, what is it

Asks marmalade

A. Presuming you don't mean a pogo stick (a bouncing stick that you climb upon and bounce up and down with, massive cult toy of the 1970s) or the pogo dance (loosely termed "dance" it simply means jumping up and down to your favourite band, big with punk fans in the late 1970s) - you must be referring to the new gadget, not uniquely called the Pogo, that is due to hit our shops for Christmas. It is a small hand-held device that combines the workability of a PDA and a mobile phone using existing GSM (it is GPRS-ready) networks.

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Q. So what is new about it

A. It will deliver what WAP phones have promised but as yet cannot do effectively - that is provide access to the whole of the Internet in colour on a mobile device. Its compression technology will allow access to HTML and Flash content at effective speeds exceeding 56Kbit/s. In effect, it is a phone with PIM and web browsing functionalities, it also allows SMS text messaging and has a removable multimedia card that can store up to 64MB of memory so you can record music, play games etc.

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Q. What functionalities of the PDA does it have

A. It allows the user to create what it calls a personal information channel, which is basically a place to store all your personal information e.g. diary, timetables, addresses, messages, alerts, notes etc. All the information is synchronised, so you are kept up to date with everything throughout the day.

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Q. If it provides you access to major websites, how does it show so much information on a small screen

A. It compresses the information from a larger HTML web page onto the small screen or Micro browser, so it appears that you get everything you can access via your PC - which is basically a lot more than is currently available from Wap-only sites. That said, Pogo is currently working with a number of web content providers to provide branded mobile services specifically designed for Pogo users, but they have yet to announce what these are. It groups it content and services into six channels - lifestyle, news, shopping, travel, business and finance - so you can check on share prices, train timetables, online shopping, local restaurants and shops etc.

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Q. How will it provide local information

A. Pogo has recently completed a deal with Maporama to provide maps and other local content specifically tailored to the location you specify.

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Q. Can you list everything the Pogo provides

A. Yes, you get a diary, contact list, alerts, full operator and type approval, stylus or touch-screen input, unified search capability (a search device for a network or the web or a combination of both), hands-free phone operation (with caller ID and speed dial), built-in GSM modem for web access, email, SMS text messaging, mapping services, PC access to input personal information, automatic back up and synchronisation of all data, a built-in MP3 player and a removable multimedia card (up to 64MB).

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Q. What does the Pogo look like

A. It is a small square pad (similar in size to a pack of cigarettes), measuring 150x20mm with a 3.8" front-lit reflective colour touch screen. It weighs 240g (8.5oz).

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Q. How much will a Pogo cost

A. Depending on the operator you sign up with, it will be in the range of �150-200.

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By Karen Anderson