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View Full Version : Gotive H42: Ruggedized Wide-screen PDA


Jonathon Watkins
12-31-2005, 08:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/gotive-h42-channels-apple-newton-as-ghost-of-pda-past-143922.php' target='_blank'>http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/porta...past-143922.php</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>It’s a little more colorful and generally more exciting-looking, but doesn’t this Gotive H42 wireless PDA look remarkably like the old Apple Newton that expired back in 1998? Of course, it does add some interesting twists to the PDA pack: a 500MHz Intel CPU powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 and the ability to accept up to 1GB of non-volatile memory. The shell of the PDA is tough and protective and the 6.2-inch widescreen makes it even more hearty. Works with WiFi, Bluetooth and GSM and it can also use an optional GPS add-on. Comes with a docking station with serial and USB ports and runs from about $1,600 to $3,000."</i> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/Gotive_H42.jpg" /><br /><br />So, does the Gotive, H42 remind you of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton">Apple Newton</a>? Personally speaking, ummm no (apart from the reassuringly expensive price-tag of course :twisted: ). Oh and the size of the thing, which is 230x94x34mm and it's weight of 600 grams. Ouch. You can visit the <a href="http://www.gotive.com/products/42.htm">Gotive website</a> for more details and you can click <a href="http://www.gotive.com/webH42/pictgal/Gotive%20H42%20-%20communicate%20LO.jpg">here</a> to see a hilarious picture of someone use one of these leviathans as a phone. And you think your Pocket PC is large????? ;-)

msafi
12-31-2005, 08:58 PM
the screenshot shows Windows CE and not Windows Mobile 5.0. it probably is running Windows CE 5.0, which i personally prefer because it resembles the full windows operating system. also keep in mind that most Windows Mobile 5.0 applications won't run on Windows CE 5.0, even though Windows Mobile 5.0 is based on Windows CE 5.0.

there are only a handful of devices running windows ce 5.0, though. it's not that popular.

more info here: www.hpcfactor.com

pdantic
12-31-2005, 09:59 PM
Is this guy on drugs? This looks nothing like a Newton, and I owned every model from the "Original MessagePad" through the MessagePad 2100. Not only that, the Newton wasn't this large! This thing is a freakin' brick!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Steve

http://www.gizmoranch.com

MitchellO
12-31-2005, 11:59 PM
http://www.gotive.com/webH42/pictgal/Gotive%20H42%20-%20communicate%20LO.jpg

Dork :lol:

CookieKid
01-01-2006, 12:41 AM
For some reason, it reminds me of a nerf football.

Jonathon Watkins
01-01-2006, 03:45 AM
the screenshot shows Windows CE and not Windows Mobile 5.0. it probably is running Windows CE 5.0, which i personally prefer because it resembles the full windows operating system.

Yup, it's Windows® CE 5.0. Gizmodo were indeed a little inprecise in calling it Windows Mobile 5.0.

Happy new year everyone. :)

Eriq Cook
01-01-2006, 05:16 AM
That's just as lethal as a baseball bat

MitchellO
01-01-2006, 10:04 AM
That's just as lethal as a baseball bat

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/3488/wincebatmedium0lx.jpg

:lol:

Jonathon Watkins
01-01-2006, 03:02 PM
:lol:

Very good! :lol:

Muntasser
01-01-2006, 05:23 PM
wow, wish my cricket bat had that much meat!

pocketpcadmirer
01-01-2006, 06:27 PM
I dont know why the company added gsm support..perhaps to give more expandibility options in 'extreme' conditions.

But on the other hand, it shouldnt have posted that picture..now look, everybody is making fun of the 'PHONE'.. :wink:

Sunny

Eriq Cook
01-01-2006, 06:34 PM
LOL :lol:

saru83
01-01-2006, 11:05 PM
this brick could have easily been designed in a much smaller form factor, coz in this kind of size its really not that practical :|

Fishie
01-02-2006, 07:12 AM
this brick could have easily been designed in a much smaller form factor, coz in this kind of size its really not that practical :|

Urm yes it is, to pack in a huge battery to last a working day using its advanced functions, to add the ruggednes and make it withstand extreme condiions and make it large enough to be actually useable on the field.

It IS the right size, bigger and its too big, smaller and its too small to be useable in a work enviroment and will lack batterylife.

saru83
01-02-2006, 08:11 AM
Urm yes it is, to pack in a huge battery to last a working day using its advanced functions, to add the ruggednes and make it withstand extreme condiions and make it large enough to be actually useable on the field.

It IS the right size, bigger and its too big, smaller and its too small to be useable in a work enviroment and will lack batterylife.

Chill out dude, i still stand to my point where it could have been designed a bit smaller, the screen could have been 5" like the one in the OQO but still wide screen, they still could have packed all these features in a 20% smaller form factor where it would have been more usable and would have appealed to more people :!:

MitchellO
01-02-2006, 08:30 AM
I agree about the size being fine. For a device like this, it isn't a problem for it being larger than the average PDA. Its likely to be held by people wearing gloves, and a tiny PDA wouldn't be good for that.

Its design is to be rugged, long lasting (batterywise) and practical for outdoor use. Its not designed to be used for an exec.

saru83
01-02-2006, 09:04 AM
I agree about the size being fine. For a device like this, it isn't a problem for it being larger than the average PDA. Its likely to be held by people wearing gloves, and a tiny PDA wouldn't be good for that.

Its design is to be rugged, long lasting (batterywise) and practical for outdoor use. Its not designed to be used for an exec.

Well MitchellO, Different ppl haave different tastes :wink:

MitchellO
01-02-2006, 09:19 AM
I don't believe I suggested otherwise.

eckounlimited
01-02-2006, 10:48 AM
Looks like an outdoor-jungle-survivor-handy with ape-beater-function...
I think its too expensive as cricket rack. :lol: :lol: :lol:

saru83
01-02-2006, 07:01 PM
Looks like an outdoor-jungle-survivor-handy with ape-beater-function...
I think its too expensive as cricket rack. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Good job :devilboy:

Jonathon Watkins
01-02-2006, 09:35 PM
Looks like an outdoor-jungle-survivor-handy with ape-beater-function...
I think its too expensive as cricket rack. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Welcome Eckounlimited. Good to see you. :)

I think this unit is solid enough to be used as a bat! (Backhanded compliment):wink:

squeeze
01-03-2006, 08:24 AM
It's all about vertical/industry use. It should never have been posted on this site...there are tons of devices out there that are for vertical solutions. Posting it on this site takes it out of context.

This is a "consumer site" with consumer apps and hardware and not professional, commercial or vertical apps.

Jonathon Watkins
01-03-2006, 11:48 PM
It's all about vertical/industry use. It should never have been posted on this site...there are tons of devices out there that are for vertical solutions. Posting it on this site takes it out of context.

This is a "consumer site" with consumer apps and hardware and not professional, commercial or vertical apps.

We've been posting on industrial Pocket PCs and Windows CE devices for years. They do belong on the site thanks. :wink:

squeeze
01-04-2006, 12:33 AM
Yes, that's true.

But the way it was posted by you opened up the doors for it to be taken out of context (i.e. and you thought your blah blah was huge). It's all about context.

My point is - please post within context. Would have been something like...

"Device suitable for field force automation in highly environmental, blah blah, with large gloves or through a haz mat suit". It's all about context.

The newton thing and 600 grams just opened it up to false criticizm. It's all about context.

I have a Symbol PPC device with a pistol grip and laser scanner on it on my workbench - do you think that's too big and heavy as well? No worries, I have a leather holster. It's all about context.

Anyway - I'm all about context and other websites do a great job putting into context their particular devices. I saw one that posted something on the H6315 HP PPCPE and they said the device was too small, not heavy enough and easy to loose in service truck.

I'm sure I'm being picky ... but the user comments and clip art was just ridiculous and totally out of context.

Put it in context.

Janak Parekh
01-04-2006, 08:04 PM
But the way it was posted by you opened up the doors for it to be taken out of context (i.e. and you thought your blah blah was huge). It's all about context.
And, of course, it's not that simple. There's multiple contexts to this device. There's the industrial/ruggedized context, and then there's the CE context. We've typically focused on the latter, not the former.

The newton thing and 600 grams just opened it up to false criticizm. It's all about context.
Jonathon's comment on it not looking like the Newton was a refutation of the Gizmodo post, which I believe is accurate. As for the weight - several people did so in the thread. In retrospect, could we have stressed the industrial aspects in the original post? Probably.

I'm sure I'm being picky ... but the user comments and clip art was just ridiculous and totally out of context.
That's bound to happen on a site that crosses so many boundaries and user groups. There's lots of news we post on where people ask "why would anyone use this?" when it's focused on commercial use. Maybe we need a different article category for "CE/INDUSTRIAL" devices or something - I believe Jonathon has made this suggestion in the past. A revamping of the Thoughts Media forums is coming fairly soon, and maybe that will open up more cross-sections, long-term.

--janak

squeeze
01-05-2006, 04:14 AM
If you were to create such a topic - call it "Enterprise" - that's how they do it at PocketPCMag.com.

Thanks. Settled.

Janak Parekh
01-05-2006, 05:38 AM
If you were to create such a topic - call it "Enterprise" - that's how they do it at PocketPCMag.com.
Thanks for the feedback - I'll pass it onto Jason. It probably won't happen until the next site refresh, but that should be happening in the next few months anyway. :)

--janak