Photokina 2004 Photography Tradeshow Showcases...Camera Phones?

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3123.html' target='_blank'>http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3123.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Although located in West Germany, near borders with France, Netherlands and Belgium, this trade show is truly international one: Photokina 2004! A couple years ago it would be crazy to look for cell phones during a trade show about photography (both traditional and digital), but nowadays many cell phones have built-in cameras and some of phones already have 1 megapixel and more megapixel cameras!"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20041004_mobiles.jpg" /> <br /><br />Yes, there were a few Pocket PCs and smartphones with built-in cameras on display at the big Photokina photography tradeshow. I know that many of you loathe the idea of cameras in phones with the burning passion of a thousand dying suns, but it kinda looks like they're here to stay. Apparently the MDA Compact, the tiny, curiously smooth Pocket PC Phone Edition unit is out making the rounds. If you can't get enough photos, there are a few more <a href="http://wolwol.smugmug.com/gallery/203469/1/9375474">over at smugmug.</a>

[MarcTGFG]

I wanted to share my impressions of the MDA compact at the T-Mobile booth at Photokina.

1. Design

The MDA compact looks really small, compared to every other PPC. While I had some reservations about the fron design which leaves a lot of space between the display and the buttons below, it looks pretty good when you look at it in person. The backlight is adjustable but raising it above 50% level didnt make any difference. One rather big caveat from my perspective which still leaves me undecided between the MDA compact and the Motorola Mpx: It would be a smart move by T-Mobile to offer a light and unobstrusive cover to protect the screen when putting the unit into your front pocket.

2. Usability

The unit has a VERY VERY good grip, and feels good in your hand. (Really, the best of any PPC I have ever held in my hand! Better than the soft rubber of the early Toshiba model or the late Jornadas. The sides are made of a hard black plastic with grooves (I dont know if thats the correct word, in german you'd say "Rillen"). The stylus is pretty short and mostly square which makes it a little awkward to hold. Maybe one get used to that. This is the second PPC with a 2,8" screen (after the Yakumo) that I saw in person and I must say that it is still usable. Typing on the soft keyboard is more of a strain obviously but you can always switch to block recognizer or Transcriber imput mode.

3. Speed

The MDA compact was very responsive. The video preview had a pretty fast refreh rate too. Switching to landscape mode is a matter of milliseconds and can be mapped to any button.

4. Connectivity

Since the middle part of the case is all black plastic, I couldnt detect where the IR port is located. It wasnt visible. That may be due to the fact that this still was a prototype unit (according to the T-Mobile staff).


Conclusion: This will be THE hottest selling PPC, due to its relativlely moderate price, dimunitive size and its phone function.


I was a little bit disappointed by the MDA III on the other hand. While I like the concept of an included thumbboard, the tactile feedback isnt very good. The Treo and Blackberry have MUCH better keyboards! Still an impressive unit but certainly too big to carry around in the front pockets of your jeans.

[possmann]

Does anyone have any specs on that slim PPCPE model - I think it's being marketed as the i-jam?

I'm actually considering that over a smartphone...

[MarcTGFG]

What you call the i-jam (thats how its named by one operator in Australia) has many names since it is an HTC unit which will be rebranded all around the globe. German operator T-Mobile calls it MDA compact, ppcw.net sells a version by the name i-mate.

The specs are:

108 x 58 x 18,2 mm
150 g
IR and bluetooth
SDIO slot
Mini USB slot
1,26 megapixel camera w/o flash

price in germany:

499,- Euro w/o contract
199,- with contract

[drj]

Full specs, even a PDF sheet

http://getconverged.com/xoops/html/modules/news/article.php?storyid=17

Pricing being reported as $469 USD

[Kati Compton]

The disscusion of pros/cons of PDAs/phones with cameras has been moved here:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32974&highlight=

Please continue any discussion of that type there.

[Ryan Joseph]

The MDA Compact / i-mate JAM is looking more appealing every day. I love my i-mate but the one problem with it is that it is a little big.

I'd need to wait to see it, but from the pictres, the Compact looks thicker than I imagined.

[rmasinag]

Hmmmm... I'm looking into that MDA compact for sure. Do you guys know if it will come with BT. I'm hankering for HP to come out with their BT headphones. And mobile planet IS selling a BT heaset with and adapter for $199 according to their catalog. :)