Engadget Mini-Reviews Sharp's W-ZERO3

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://engadget.com/2006/01/13/sharp-w-zero3-mini-review/' target='_blank'>http://engadget.com/2006/01/13/shar...o3-mini-review/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Engadget Japanese brings us some hands-on impressions of Sharp's W-ZERO3 for Willcom in Japan. Opera v8.5 (with an improved rendering engine) is available for the unit, and it is the first version of Opera designed specifically for Windows Mobile 5.0. The W-ZERO3 also takes advantage of Willcom's new W-SIM technology. The browser offers a pleasurable experience with tabs and smooth operation even while loading pages, yet the keyboard takes some getting used to. And there's still no Bluetooth."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20060113-EngadgetZERO3.jpg" /><br /><br />We've covered the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43818">VGA-enabled W-ZERO3</a> before; size discussion aside, the W-ZERO3 looks slick, and so does the Opera implementation on it. I can't wait for Opera to be generally available. For lots of pics and a discussion, hit the link and check it out for yourself.

[miterb]

Will this item ever be released in the USA? I must confess that I still maintain a battery set in my refurbished Sharp Zaurus ZR-3500X which I purchased in 1998 to take on an extended bike tour in the UK. It is still operational after 7 years of constant 'on'. It allowed for dial-up email with Compuserve at the time. Now would I be willing to give up my Dell X50V for this item? Don't know, but I would be tempted.

[Darius Wey]

Will this item ever be released in the USA?

Not likely. The W-ZERO3 uses W-SIM cellular technology, which if I'm not mistaken, is only really used in Japan.

[Phoenix]

It also doesn't have Bluetooth, which is an odd omission for a device this large.

Could you imagine having to hold this brick up to your head everytime you wanted to talk? Devices this big need BT earpieces, IMO.

[Ed Hansberry]

Will this item ever be released in the USA?
I hope not. It is all backwards. The keyboard should slide from the left edge if you are in portrait mode, not the right. :D

[miterb]

Will this item ever be released in the USA?
I hope not. It is all backwards. The keyboard should slide from the left edge if you are in portrait mode, not the right. :D

It should slide from the left only in the Southern Hemisphere! :mrgreen:

[shivafool]

I have Opera running on my HTC Universal thanks to folks over at xda-developers, and it is significantly better than PIE. :)

[Magallanes]

It also doesn't have Bluetooth, which is an odd omission for a device this large.

Could you imagine having to hold this brick up to your head everytime you wanted to talk? Devices this big need BT earpieces, IMO.

WHY?... Why always the same.. they (it industries) show a new product almost perfect but a "little" important missing or wrong feature.