Keyboards and Keypads: Sharp and Willcom's "es" W-ZERO3 Pocket PC Phone Edition

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12069-Sharp+%22es%22+W-Zero3+PDA+Phone.html' target='_blank'>http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/new...+PDA+Phone.html</a><br /><br /></div>Today, Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft announced a new <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43818">W-ZERO3</a> device (known as the <a href="http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12069-Sharp+%22es%22+W-Zero3+PDA+Phone.html">"es"</a>) for the Japanese market, and I'm going to be upfront here by saying that this new variant looks hideously Lego brick-like. 8O<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060704-esWZERO3.jpg" /><br /><br />On the bright side, it has a <b>2.8" VGA (480 x 640) TFT-LCD</b> (yes, you read that correctly; no, it doesn't mean that text will be painfully small), and also, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a miniSD slot, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a numeric keypad, a slide-out keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Unfortunately, no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (boo!), but it does have support for a DMB tuner. Note that this isn't your standard GSM phone, so those of you hoping to import one will have little luck. It's only compatible with Japan's PHS network.

[daS]

For me, the big news in this story is that after abandoning Windows CE for Linux for their handhelds, Sharp is back to Windows Mobile - at least for this domestic-only device.

Since the Zaurus line doesn't currently include a phone, perhaps Sharp will start producing a Windows Mobile Phone Edition for the US market. That would be great, since I've always liked Sharp's hardware designs.

[Eriq Cook]

No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and a hideous shape!

[Sven Johannsen]

No BT? Don't they use BT headsets in Japan? At this level of device, you'd think it would support that unless it is just not an important selling point over there.

[Pdaholic]

If only Sharp would run WM on this style of device:
http://x.gadgetmaniac.com/wordpress/upimages/Sharp%20SL-C3000.gif

[saru83]

They do bulid VERY sold cell phones. It looks bulky but it has a VGA screen though

[alese]

Looking at the pictures from the launch, the device does not look too bulky, I could definatelly see myself using something like this, but the best thing is 2.8" VGA screen.

I just hope that this is a sign of things to come, I would love to see/get/use GSM/UMTS devices with 2,8" VGA screen.
OK, maybe the TrueVGA hack would be worthless on such small screen, but having quality VGA screen would be awsome.

[mystickid]

Is there any possibility for this phone to work on a GSM sim card. I live in the USA, is it possble at all to import this phone and have it work with T-mobile or Cingular? :roll:

[Darius Wey]

Is there any possibility for this phone to work on a GSM sim card. I live in the USA, is it possble at all to import this phone and have it work with T-mobile or Cingular? :roll:

Unfortunately, no. As stated in the original news post, it's only compatible with Japan's PHS networks, so you're out of luck with regard to importing.

[inteller]

Congratulations Sharp, YOU FAILED IT.

And to answer another poster's question, no in Asia they dont use a lot of BT headsets, sticking the headset up to their ear is a status symbol and fashion statement. They constantly yearn to show off their handsets.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

And to answer another poster's question, no in Asia they dont use a lot of BT headsets, sticking the headset up to their ear is a status symbol and fashion statement. They constantly yearn to show off their handsets.

Depends on where in Asia - I see a lot of BT headsets where I am.

[Phoenix]

No wifi or BT. Huh. That's weird.

Can't really compete these days without integrating those.

Many of the design (or future design) goals seem to be aimed toward creating four or even five wireless technologies in one device: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSDPA (or CDMA EV-DO), WiFi, BT, GPS, and maybe even DMB-H (or some variant of OTA digital TV).

Of course, we all know not all devices will have the GPS or TV, but WiFi and BT are now critical components for convergent devices to be truly competitive.