Pocket PC Phone - $299 with activation!

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/wireless/B00006IIRQ/jasondunn-20">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/wireless/B00006IIRQ/jasondunn-20</a><br /><br />(affiliate link) Wow! Free shipping, Pocket PC 2002 Phone <b><i>and</i></b> your favorite PDA site gets a little help when you buy this. This price is just too good to pass up. If you already have one, buy a second one as a backup. Buy them for friends and family. Buy one and make a Christmas ornament out of it. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif" /> Thanks to pt for the link.

[ipaq-PHD]

Wow! 8O Too bad it is not available in my area :cry:

[Jonathon Watkins]

WOW! What's the catch???

(For me the catch is that I live in the UK and can't get one of these myself. But, it's tempting, very tempting to get a US friend to get me one and ship it to me. Ah - is this a dual-band US version only?)

[vetteguy]

Too bad those of us who already have one/already have a Voicestream contract can't get this price. Voicestream will not allow you to extend your current contract as a substitute for a "new" one...believe me, I've tried.

[Jonathon Watkins]

OK - it's a GSM phone but you need a US contract. OK - bad catch for me. Back to the drawing board. :?

[Fattizzi]

Buy one for your friends and family, use one as an ornament, and buy one as a backup.

Is 300 bucks plus a monthly fee that cheap? Dont get me wrong, it is a great price, but to make it sound like it is the deal of the century is a little exaggerated.

Just my daily rant!

[Ed Hansberry]

Buy one for your friends and family, use one as an ornament, and buy one as a backup.

Is 300 bucks plus a monthly fee that cheap? Dont get me wrong, it is a great price, but to make it sound like it is the deal of the century is a little exaggerated.
In the time you spent posting that message you could have ordered one. :wink:

I was being a bit sarcastic. $300 is a great price, but I don't expect you to buy one for each member of your entire family. Just your immediate family. :wink: :lol:

[jeff]

Son of a b****! I just switched from Sprint to Voicestream last Friday and paid $100 for a Samsung N105. If I had known about this rebate, I could have gotten a Sony T68i for the same amount. They only give a 72 hour trial period, so I can't cancel and start new. How very disappointing.

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi

This is some deal. In the UK the current price has just been reduced from £499 to £399. Question is can you buy one and replace the SIM card with the SIM from your existing phone. I suspect that the device is locked to the specific US phone company. Why oh why can the US sell stuff like this half the price of stuff in the UK. The Toshiba e310 is selling for £299 yet on Amazon I think it is $270.

Martin

[Chronos]

Perfect- just purchased one from CompUSA two days ago!!! ARGH!

Jason, thanks for the tip though...

[griffin911]

The voicestream phones are SIM locked. Unfortunately you can't even use it on the AT&T or Cingular GSM networks. In order to get the SIM unlock code you must meet very strict requirements ie: time in contract and no late bill payments.

[HughesShoppe]

I think I'll buy my little brother one since he's in college now. Boy what I deal. I only wish current VS/TMO customers could receive some sort of rebate or discount (Well, I sort of did last week when I got my PPC Phone for $524).

Shoot, I might as well buy my son one. He's eight yrs old and wants a PPC too (Mainly for games and listening to music) .

[welmoed]

Maybe I'm missing something, but what is the real advantage to bundling functions in one device? :? I have my PDA and I have my cell phone. Yes, if they were one device I could surf the web and get email on my pda without searching for a wireless access point. But putting both devices in one unit can be an inconvenience! There are times when I go out with just my wallet and cell phone -- no purse required, traveling light. If my cell phone were part of my PDA I would have to either get a Scott E-vest or always carry a purse. Sorry, sometimes that's just not convenient.

Great price or no, I think I still prefer to have them as separate units. Also, that way if my PDA conks out I still have a cell phone, and vice versa (same reason I won't buy a television set with a built-in VCR).

--Welmoed

[schergr]

Umm...somethings missing here. Why aren't they offering any of the GPRS service plans? And why does it say that it only runs on the GSM network? Is this just ignorance by whoever typed this up for Amazon or is this intentional?

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Because if it doesn;t have the capability for the GPRS service or if they charge you extra for the GPRS upgrade, IMHO it's a waste o money.

- greg

[Sean Murphy]

If you want a good laugh take a look at the “see more phone data” link;

“Display Size: 4 lines “
“Phone Book Capacity: 250 entries “
“Extras: Personal Information Manager”

I think someone is a bit mixed up.

[schergr]

If you want a good laugh take a look at the “see more phone data” link;

“Display Size: 4 lines “
“Phone Book Capacity: 250 entries “
“Extras: Personal Information Manager”

I think someone is a bit mixed up.

Yeah but that doesn't change the fact that they are not offering any of the data plans in the bundle. Thats my main concern. I'm sure that they're not selling a non GPRS version, it could just be locked. But I can't imagine someone doing something that stupid when the whole idea is to generate data revenue with these devices. So back to the main question...why aren't they offering data plans as part of the bundle?

[Hx4700]

Am I missing something here???
Can you just get the phone with the Amazon $200 rebate and skip the activation and $50 rebate???
Then you would have a reasonable PocketPC (with a funny appendage) for $349???
Will someone explain if the above analysis it right.
Thanks...Ron...

[schergr]

Am I missing something here???
Can you just get the phone with the Amazon $200 rebate and skip the activation and $50 rebate???
Then you would have a reasonable PocketPC (with a funny appendage) for $349???
Will someone explain if the above analysis it right.
Thanks...Ron...

The only thing that your missing is that T-Mobile bundles voice and data services separately. If you just want voice than your fine. But if you also want data, beyond WAP, in other words real (more or less) web browsing, then you need the data services provisioned as well. Go to the T-Mobile web site and try and buy one of these devices and you will see. You need two separate plans, one for Voice(per minute) and one for data (per mb).
Hope that clarifies.

- greg

[Pony99CA]

Why is there a $200 mail-in rebate? Why not just give a $200 price reduction?

At a store like Staples, I can understand a mail-in rebate so they can get your name and address and other personal data. If they're nice, they just use it for sending you Staples information; if they're not, they sell it to mail list scumbags.

However, Amazon already has your billing and shipping information, so they don't really need your personal data (unless the rebate doesn't need to conform to Amazon's privacy policy).

If this is a cash flow issue, I guess I can understand, but I'd still rather not have to fool around with rebates.

Steve

[Aly]

so just how hard is it to unlock a SIM lock yourself?

I mean can you flash the whole unit? or do you acctually have to replace some hardware chip`?

greetings

[st63z]

So what's a good T-Mobile voice plan? I signed up last month for ATTWS national network GSM $35/mo:
- 500 anytime mins
- 250 national mobile-to-mobile mins (or 500 local mins)
- unlimited nights/weekends
- free domestic long distance and in-network national roaming
- 2 free months of an mMode GPRS data bucket plan
- $200 Sony-Ericsson T68i color Bluetooth phone

Then I read that T-M has 1000 anytime mins for $40/mo national plan with unlimited weekends (+$7/mo for unlimited nights).

THEN I read ATTWS's new Charter national plans has $40/mo for 1000 anytime mins. Thought it would include all the current bonus promotions, but apparently not. But they do have $100/mo for unlimited anytime mins (awesome if you can afford it or plan to drop home landline). The question is if these Charter national plans have free in-network national roaming.

In terms of data, T-M is cheaper than ATTWS mMode, but I think Sprint's PCS Vision 1x service has got everyone beat. Heck you can get unlimited 1x data for $100/mo from Sprint and Verizon (again great if you can afford).

[st63z]

Why is there a $200 mail-in rebate? Why not just give a $200 price reduction?

At a store like Staples, I can understand a mail-in rebate so they can get your name and address and other personal data. If they're nice, they just use it for sending you Staples information; if they're not, they sell it to mail list scumbags.

However, Amazon already has your billing and shipping information, so they don't really need your personal data (unless the rebate doesn't need to conform to Amazon's privacy policy).

If this is a cash flow issue, I guess I can understand, but I'd still rather not have to fool around with rebates.

Steve

Mail in rebates are the devil's invention.

[Mobile Mike]

I have received conflicting info on the T Mobile plans. Anyone out there know for sure?

1. I called the company and was told that you can sign up for data only. A salesman in the store said you have to have voice also. Anyone sign up for just data?

2. which other carriers is this phone compatible with? I read through this thread but was not completely clear on this one.

3. For $300 to have a built in modem (with a $19.99 a month service fee if you do not also need voice) sounds great if you want the web. Are there anythings that make this device inferior to other PPCs out there? Screen, memory, etc...

4. Just want to make sure, if I order it from Amazon, I should have no problem taking it to a T-Mobile store and having them activate it?

Thanks.

[Ed Hansberry]

Why is there a $200 mail-in rebate? Why not just give a $200 price reduction?
They are counting on you not to do it. If only 5% of customers forget or lose their info, that would be a $10,000 savings on 1,000 customers. Add another $10,000 if the company "loses" another 5% of the forms that the consumer has forgotten about 2 months later. I hate rebates too but I use Microsoft Money to track them. I do the paperwork immediately then enter a future deposit 8 weeks ahead into the BILLS section with the 800 number in the notes to call if I don't have the info yet along with all other info. If I don't have the check by then, I call.

[yawanag]

WOW! I've been drooling for this product since I first read up on it! I love the features! So did I jump at this offer? You bet I did! I was charged shipping on the invoice, though. I'm getting on the phone immediately to check on this. I was going to wait for them to upgrade to 64 MB RAM but I read somewhere that you can buy up to 128 MB. (Forgot where I saw this so I've got to look it up again.) Anybody know?

[hopeful797]

does anyone know if you buy a 39.99 voice plan through amazon, can you call or take it to a voicestream (t-mob) store and have them add a data plan for an additional $XX a month?

[griffin911]

so just how hard is it to unlock a SIM lock yourself?

I mean can you flash the whole unit? or do you acctually have to replace some hardware chip`?

greetings

All you have to do is call and request a SIM unlock (its just a code you type in) However if you don't meet certain criteria ie: time on contract, payment history and so on...they won't give you the unlock code.

[JornadaJ]

Did I miss that? No hands-free device outlet?

Otherwise, I do see the point one person made. If you have a cell phone AND a PDA, if you lose one, you have the other.

[Hx4700]

To Greg Schergr

Thanks for the reply....
But what I meant was no phone service... not voice or data...
Just a PPC for $349....
Would it make a good PPC???

Thanks...
Ron...

[jdhill]

To Greg Schergr

Thanks for the reply....
But what I meant was no phone service... not voice or data...
Just a PPC for $349....
Would it make a good PPC???

Thanks...
Ron...
Both of the rebates require activation. Therefore, the price of the device is $549 with no voice or data service. At that price, you would be much better off with a Toshiba e310 ($300 to $400) with similar specs.

(Actually the price is even higher without activation since the $549 price also requires activation. It's even higher without activation).

[DaleReeck]

The T-Mobile PocketPC phone is intriguing. But the device is rather weak. Only 32MB memory (not 64MB), 12 bit screen and SD slot (no CF).

It wouldn't replace my current Toshiba e740 and that's my goal - to have only one device. The PocketPC end of the T-Mobile just doesn't do it for me.

What is also intriging is that I have Sprint and in about a month, a company called Yiso is releasing a CF card that works on Sprint's PCS Vision network (I currently use a Treo 300 Palm unit on the PCS Vision network as my phone). Unlike other phone add-in cards, this one does voice too and it's only $229 and should work with most PPC's. The only drawback is that unlike the T-Mobile, you can't put it up to your ear - you must use the earbud or speakerphone.

*grrr* I seems like every phone-PDA device or solution out comes up just short. For instance, why didn't they put 64MB of memory and a 16 bit screen into the T-Mobile? Why go cheap on it? Oh well...

[mookie123]

if that is so important and SD card cannot cover your need, you can always do an after market alteration. The XDA has been altered to 128Mb internal.

[schergr]

The T-Mobile PocketPC phone is intriguing. But the device is rather weak. Only 32MB memory (not 64MB), 12 bit screen and SD slot (no CF).

It wouldn't replace my current Toshiba e740 and that's my goal - to have only one device. The PocketPC end of the T-Mobile just doesn't do it for me.

What is also intriging is that I have Sprint and in about a month, a company called Yiso is releasing a CF card that works on Sprint's PCS Vision network (I currently use a Treo 300 Palm unit on the PCS Vision network as my phone). Unlike other phone add-in cards, this one does voice too and it's only $229 and should work with most PPC's. The only drawback is that unlike the T-Mobile, you can't put it up to your ear - you must use the earbud or speakerphone.

*grrr* I seems like every phone-PDA device or solution out comes up just short. For instance, why didn't they put 64MB of memory and a 16 bit screen into the T-Mobile? Why go cheap on it? Oh well...

Of course it wouldn't replace an e740, it doesn't have 802.11 built in, nor does it have (presently) expansion capability to address that. This is not a corporate GEEK device, this is an executive "flashy" device.

To your first point, not everyone wants CF. CF is larger, and although some would argue this, it is not more robust. If they had done this right they would have made this an SDIO slot to make it just as robust, instead of just a vanilla SD slot. Sure there is a wider selection of CF I and II cards, but how many of them have PPC drivers? But forget about CFII (to thick). CF IMO is dying, except in digital cameras, but it may be replaced by SD or some other (yet to emerge) format, as SD is presently acheiving higher and memory densities. The majority of people are telling device makers that they want smaller and more integrated devices. meanwhile when they get them, they complain that they don't have all the functionality. CF doesn't really help them to achieve smaller/lighter. Unfortunately what is working against SD is that very few companies are making SD cards that take advantage of the SDIO functionality. Its a vicious cycle, and no one, other than Toshiba and that SD camera (can't remember the manufacturers name) are making SDIO compatible cards really. Has anyone seen a production version of an 802.11 SD card? This is sort of like the way bluetooth started out, product announced, but not yet being sold en masse. Slow at first, but it will pick up speed.

As an aside...does anyone know if SD slots are ROM upgradeable to SDIO or if it's in the hardware? I've heard differing points of view on this. I suspect it depends on the SD reader manufacturers hardware/software implementation. Anyone have any info on this?

As far as the PERFECT device is concerened...Every single device is a trade-off between cost, size and functionality (battery life and functionlity have an inverse relationship, so whenever you get more functionality either you get larger batteries, therefore larger devices or shorter battery life, thats a call they make). Thats also why they didn't put 64mb ram (more space) and a 16bit (more expensive) screen and CF (more space), SDIO and blah blah. This device needs to be small, flahsy and get good battery life. a 16bit screen would have probably cut 10/15% off the battery.

Everyone seems to feel that there is a "perfect" device. They say..."well if it only had X, y, and Z it would be perfect!". X, Y, and Z are differnet for everyone. Once we stop asking for a perfect device (which doesn't exist and the manufacturers know it), then they will start making more targeted devices that are less expensive (eg. the toshiba devices). Compaq/HP hasn't figured this out yet, SONY sure has, but wait for the 5000 line. IMHO this is were Compaq/HP finally get it and start getting back into the game. Right now the market, for a variety of reasons, mostly economic, is virtually DEAD.

This is all just a combination of my humble opinion and experience in a large organization with thousands of devices and usage scenarios. Beyond that though...a lot of this seems to be self evident. Sorry for the rant folks. Have a good one

- greg

[Aly]

All you have to do is call and request a SIM unlock (its just a code you type in) However if you don't meet certain criteria ie: time on contract, payment history and so on...they won't give you the unlock code.

well for one I life in another country. I would have my friend buy it. Could I just use it as a PocketPC at least? I want one... but this is the first time that the price is OK

[Janak Parekh]

well for one I life in another country. I would have my friend buy it. Could I just use it as a PocketPC at least? I want one... but this is the first time that the price is OK
Only if your friend would be willing to be saddled with a 1-year T-Mobile contract. I'm pretty sure they won't give out the SIM unlock code until the trial period's up.

--bdj

[Pony99CA]

3. For $300 to have a built in modem (with a $19.99 a month service fee if you do not also need voice) sounds great if you want the web. Are there anythings that make this device inferior to other PPCs out there? Screen, memory, etc...

The screen is 12-bit color (4096 colors) and the memory is 32 MB (although you can get more added via after-market service -- which will probably void your warranty).

Most Pocket PCs coming out today are 16-bit color (65,536 colors) and have 64 MB memory.

Also, you'll be getting a 206 MHz ARM processor, not an XScale (if you care).

Steve

[Pony99CA]

WOW! I've been drooling for this product since I first read up on it! I love the features! So did I jump at this offer? You bet I did! I was charged shipping on the invoice, though. I'm getting on the phone immediately to check on this. I was going to wait for them to upgrade to 64 MB RAM but I read somewhere that you can buy up to 128 MB. (Forgot where I saw this so I've got to look it up again.) Anybody know?
I know, I know. :-) Check out Pocket PC Techs (http://www.pocketpctechs.com/PPCPup.asp). Be prepared for sticker shock, though. $129 for 64 MB and $299 for 128 MB (yes, as much as you pay for the device itself with this deal)!

Steve

[yawanag]

Anybody see the TODAY show this morning 9/10? Discussion: Which phones are best in an emergency(like passengers calling relatives on 9/11)? The guy with Al Roker had three examples. Wanna know what one of them was? You guessed it - T-Mobile. Can't wait to open the box when mine arrives.

By the way, I've been reading all the negatives and anyone who has been in this business long enough should know that you can't have HEAVEN here on earth. This especially applies to computers. The ink won't be dry on your check when they'll have something newer and better.

[starfire]

The pocket pc phone is still not in stock. Now Amazon website says "Usually ships in 1 to 2 weeks". And we have to postmark the rebate request with the first month bill by 10/31. Do you think we can get the first bill before the deadline?

I asked Amazon the question by email yesterday and have not got an answer yet.

You can order one and cancel it if you think you can not get your first bill by 10/31.

My friend bought a phone from Amazon and did not get his first bill before the rebate deadline.

[starfire]

I got the response from Amazon on Sunday:

Should you not receive your first month's bill in time, please just
mail in the rebate directly after you get the bill. You may then
just send us a quick e-mail to let us know that the rebate was not
postmarked in time to insure that you receive your rebate.