Liam on Linux

Because I'm obsessive like that, and because I'm putting off doing the housework, curiosity has led me to work out the screen resolutions and aspect ratios of all the PDAs and smartphones I've used over the last couple of decades. I've not counted my Newtons because to be honest I never really used them.

It's been a real effort sometimes to ensure that each move is a kaizen-style continuous upgrade - a distinct step up - from the previous machine. (The SonyEricsson doesn't count! It was a gift from a client, following an unfortunate incident between the Nokia 7710 and a glass of orange juice in the night...)

(Speaking of obsessive, this has also led to some substantial editing of the Wikipedia page about the Psion 3 series. *Sigh*)

I also find it interesting to note the steady fall in aspect ratios, and that it's the European ones that tend to go for letterbox screens - the Psions and Nokias - whereas the mass-market American/Asian machines tend to go for a squarer, TV-resolution aspect ratio (i.e., well under 2.) I wonder why that is?

I haven't got an Acer yet - indeed, I may not do; it's not being launched for a couple of months, and I'll still be in contract, so I won't unless I'm feeling particularly flush - but this will break this trend. If it appears at all, of course! I wonder if it will start a new direction?

Device	Screen width	Screen height	Aspect ratio	AR as a single value
Psion 3	280	80	7:2	3.50
Psion 3a	480	160	3:1	3.00
Psion 5	640	240	8:3	2.67
Nokia 7710	640	320	2:1	2.00
HTC Universal	640	480	4:3	1.33
SonyEricsson P910i	320	208	20:13	1.54
Nokia E90	800	352	25:11	2.27
HTC Desire HD	800	480	5:3	1.67
Acer Liquid Metal	1024	480	32:15	2.13