How Bad Do You Want a Smartphone?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/developer/smartphonedeveloperkitoffer/' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/dev...eloperkitoffer/</a><br /><br /></div>Microsoft has started shipping their Smartphone developers kit, which includes a non SIM-locked Smartphone. The problem is that it costs $499 US - but if you <i><b>really</b></i> want a Microsoft Smartphone, here's your chance... :wink:<br /><br /><b>UPDATE</b>: As someone correctly pointed out, this is a product aimed at developers, not end-users, so you have to be prepared for some quirks and possible issues. This means it's not for the faint of heart, only the hardcore.

[entropy1980]

Must.... resist.....urge......otherwise my fiance will...... :twak:

[Sparkomatic]

Okay, I'm must be a junkie. Suddenly, my mind is thinking things like... hmmm, what could I sell so I can buy this?... what would my girlfriend do to me?... how much trouble will I get into...

[Peter Foot]

Before you do jump in, be aware that the hardware that ships as part of the kit is not a release product, although you CAN use it with your own sim card it may have some quirks still in it. You may want to check out the smartphone developer newsgroup (microsoft.public.smartphone.developer) to hear about some of the issues, rom patches etc

So just a warning, you might need to get your hands dirty...

[kagayaki1]

I saw one appear on campus here, excellent-looking device!

[David McNamee]

I have to second Peter's comment. This is not a production-quality telephone. It's getting close, but there are a few quirks yet that I would not put up with in a day-to-day telephone. I can say that, because I am using it day-to-day.
This is for developers who are building or learning to build applications for Smartphone 2002.
If you are not a developer and want a Windows Powered Smartphone, I recommend either waiting for it to ship through the (US) carriers, or go through a European or Asian carrier that is already shipping the HTC- or Mitac-made phones.

[lurch]

Okay, I'm must be a junkie. Suddenly, my mind is thinking things like... hmmm, what could I sell so I can buy this?... what would my girlfriend do to me?... how much trouble will I get into...

Sounds more like a junkie on a tight leash! :mrgreen:

(I've been there)

[brntcrsp]

One also has the option to buy Orange's developer kit.
http://www.developers.orange.com/workingwith/2003/03/04/development/ which i believe costs more, but you do get a real production SPV.

[freitasm]

I think the Orange SPV looks much better. And it's field tested :wink:. The EverLink Wireless is a developer's unit, not production quality. And beware of their "ten minutes" warranty...

I really thought of buying the SPV Developers kit...

Have a look in my article with a screenshoot (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=851).

[rbrome]

They call it a "pre-commercial" device, and from my experience, that's an understatement. Haven't had the chance to try the updates, but the unpatched device is pretty close to a brick in usefulness. It simply doesn't work most of the time. Bottom line - this is NOT a product I would recommend for anyone who simply wants a Smartphone.

[bamse]

I heard that Orange have stopped delivery of the smartphones. But I could be wrong.

Either way, Everlinks website doesn't really give the impression that they even know what they're doing. On the info page (which is flashy enough)you find stuff like:

"GPRS Class 8"
A display that is "220xRGBx176 pixel"
Email that supports "TC/PIP" and "SMAP4"
And supposedly three different apps for media playing, namely MS Media Player, MP3 Player and "Microsoft ISO-MPEG4, WMA".

Who on earth wrote that stuff!?!?

[aussie]

I have had my Red-e for about a month now and while I agree it is not for the faint of heart (I have had some growing pains) it is a fantastic phone.

With the aid of www.modaco.com and the microsoft smartphone news site you can find your way through any issues you may come across.

I will be honest it has replaced my IPAQ from my essential things to carry around. It has yet to replace my RIM though.

[David McNamee]

They call it a "pre-commercial" device, and from my experience, that's an understatement.
Do try the firmware updates. I've stopped carrying my e740 while I'm carrying the Red-e. It's mostly great, but it has a tendancy to not fail gracefully.

[SteveNYC]

*The enclosed SIM card will enable the phone in developer mode (no GSM/GPRS services). This device is not certified for network access.

Wouldn't this seem to imply that even if you inserted your own SIM card that it might not work on any US GSM network?

[David McNamee]

*The enclosed SIM card will enable the phone in developer mode (no GSM/GPRS services). This device is not certified for network access.

Wouldn't this seem to imply that even if you inserted your own SIM card that it might not work on any US GSM network?

That is the implication, yes. No US carriers have certified this telephone for use on their network. They will not support this telephone if you have a problem using on their network.

That having been said, I use it on AT&T's network, and I have seen reports on modaco.com of it being used with T-Mobile's network.

[Duncan]

Switching into 'make Americans jealous' mode - I've had my Orange SPV for a week now and (heh, heh...!) it was FREE on contract. Apparently Orange now consider it to be an 'older' phone! 8)

[David McNamee]

Switching into 'make Americans jealous' mode

Not too hard when it comes to cell phones. North America has been getting the rest of the globe's mobile phone table scraps for years.

[jmbneaf]

Okay, I'm must be a junkie. Suddenly, my mind is thinking things like... hmmm, what could I sell so I can buy this?... what would my girlfriend do to me?... how much trouble will I get into...

I just went through the same thing! - only I did sell some stuff and got a SPV on eBay. Its due to be in my hands next week. :twisted:

I have a friend that has the Microsoft developer phone - it works great on T-Mobile and so far his only problems are hardware items. One in particular is that MP3's won't play through the hands free head phones only the external speaker. His other complaints are a lack of reader that can read both palm and PPC books & not being able to use his Avantgo account with it.

In any event, I am psych'd about getting the SPV. Also the SPV has been better proven and more people using them - good feedback on the MoDaCo site!
-Jim

PS: oh - I have read about a sync and charge cradle hack for the SPV too! :D

[ctmagnus]

Not too hard when it comes to cell phones. North America has been getting the rest of the globe's mobile phone table scraps for years.

You think you have it bad? Check out (http://www.telusmobility.com/content/pcs/handset_comparison.html) the selection of phones provided by the only carrier that has coverage in most areas around here. :bad-words: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/cry.gif :razz: :pukeface: :cry:

[TheNewSteve]

Not too hard when it comes to cell phones. North America has been getting the rest of the globe's mobile phone table scraps for years.

You think you have it bad? Check out (http://www.telusmobility.com/content/pcs/handset_comparison.html) the selection of phones provided by the only carrier that has coverage in most areas around here. :bad-words: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/cry.gif :razz: :pukeface: :cry:

I like that Samsung that looks like a container of birth control pills.

:)

-Steve

[kaiden.1]

Great! from what I'm reading it sounds like we should all buy into Microsofts "not really quite ready to sell" software phone that doesn't work all that well without a bunch of tweeks. This way they won't have to forkout all the money themselves to fund their research until they can get a real final product out that does work.

What's with that?

And does this excite me?

Hell No! I'm not missing out on anything. My world runs just fine as is. :wink:

[freitasm]

Great! from what I'm reading it sounds like we should all buy into Microsofts "not really quite ready to sell" software phone that doesn't work all that well without a bunch of tweeks. This way they won't have to forkout all the money themselves to fund their research until they can get a real final product out that does work. :wink:

You're right... Why buy a pre-production model of something that is not working right, and requires lots of patches, but still prone to freezes during the night, if you can buy a very reliable Nokia GPRS with Bluetooth and use a Pocket PC (that we know works better than these phones so far) or a Palm to connect?

That's the problem: mobile phones are sold by million units, and people expect then to work. Mobile phone users do not have to be carefull like Pocket PC users.

Selling 1,170,000 (Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola, Handspring, MS included) converged devices while mobiles sell 107,000,000 (Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Siemens) is a long way to go... The numbers are here (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=796)

[Crystal Eitle]

Not too hard when it comes to cell phones. North America has been getting the rest of the globe's mobile phone table scraps for years.

You think you have it bad? Check out (http://www.telusmobility.com/content/pcs/handset_comparison.html) the selection of phones provided by the only carrier that has coverage in most areas around here. :bad-words: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/cry.gif :razz: :pukeface: :cry:

I like that Samsung that looks like a container of birth control pills.

-Steve

Totally! :lol:

Brings new meaning to the phrase "multi-function device"

If devices keep converging like this, pretty soon I'll be able to carry a purse the size of a credit card!

[Newsboy]

Aw, that would be so cute! And it would have a little handle/strap, and a Prada logo!

[Janak Parekh]

You think you have it bad? Check out (http://www.telusmobility.com/content/pcs/handset_comparison.html) the selection of phones provided by the only carrier that has coverage in most areas around here. :bad-words: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/cry.gif :razz: :pukeface: :cry:
This is very similar to Verizon's lineup of phones; not surprisingly, because I think both are CDMA. So don't feel too depressed. ;)

It's sad to see that, though; it's not like advanced phones don't work here, it's the carrier's mentality. You can get most of the most advanced GSM phones, get a T-Mobile SIM, and it works fine. CDMA isn't too far behind; there are some awesome phones manufactured and sold in Korea; unfortunately, I think they use different frequencies so you can't import them. If the carriers just got the ball rolling with respect to the phones themselves, we could have the same variety as Europe. Coverage, though, is a different matter.

--janak