Sharper Image Selling Their Own Pocket PC?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__AL761' target='_blank'>http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/c...duct/sku__AL761</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Upgrade your 'locked' SIM-card Smartphone to a Sharper Image® "Unlocked" PocketPC Executive Pack — without changing anything else (phone number, service provider*, current contract). Cool GSM phone features a 240x320 TFT touch screen with 65K colors; 2MP camera; Internet Explorer® Mobile Web browser; GPS software with built-in receiver; text messaging; Bluetooth® 2.0; mini-Bluetooth headset; PDF viewer; voice recording; stylus and more."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20080123-SharperImagePocketPC.jpg" /><br /><br />Nope, I'm not kidding -- Sharper Image sells their own branded Pocket PC now, and unlocked at that. 8O I'm guessing one of the regular OEMs manufactured it for this one. Specswise, it's got WM6, a 2.8" screen, GSM/GPRS, GPS, 128MB of "memory" (whatever that means) and a usual complement of software. Somewhat strangely, it's triband (which bands!?) with nary a mention of EDGE (although there's an "E" on the screen). A Bluetooth headset is included in the package, and it can be yours for $500. At that, it's little overpriced, IMHO. What do you guys think?

[Rod3]

There's a little EDGE "E" showing on the screen in the picture. :|

[Janak Parekh]

Good catch! Updated my post.

--janak

[superrrguy]

It's also a massager, nose hair trimmer, and air purifier.

[Underwater Mike]

It's also a massager, nose hair trimmer, and air purifier.

What? No built-in cutting tools? Forget it then. :roll:

[Jason Lee]

It is nice to see that Windows mobile has become popular enough to be sold in this fashion. Now the technology clueless with too much money can get their gadget status needing hands on a cool phone. ;)

[cgavula]

Actually, you've got one small error in your report. You say that it has 128MB RAM, but the ad actually only says it has 128MB of memory - not exactly the same thing. It could well be that the 128MB is split between RAM and storage - the specs don't say. But we've seen this kind of vague - possilbly deceptive - advertising many times before.

Generally, I've found that if the specs are vague or even a little misleading, then it probably is to hide weakesses or limitations. If the specs were really good, they'd be shouting them out.

Along those lines they talk about what a great "upgrade" this is for T-Mobile and/or AT&amp;T users in the U.S, but, depending on which band is missing, someone's not going to find it such a great "upgrade".

I'd like to hear from someone who has played with one of these to clarify how the memory is really set up and help us understand which bands are actually supported.

--Chris

[Dyvim]

Along those lines they talk about what a great "upgrade" this is for T-Mobile and/or AT&amp;T users in the U.S, but, depending on which band is missing, someone's not going to find it such a great "upgrade".
I'd guess that it has both U.S. GSM bands but only 1 European band.

[Janak Parekh]

Actually, you've got one small error in your report. You say that it has 128MB RAM, but the ad actually only says it has 128MB of memory - not exactly the same thing. It could well be that the 128MB is split between RAM and storage - the specs don't say. But we've seen this kind of vague - possilbly deceptive - advertising many times before.
I noticed that, and you're right, it's possibly not RAM. I thought it might have been due to the poor Sharper Image spec writing, but I'll update my post.

Along those lines they talk about what a great "upgrade" this is for T-Mobile and/or AT&amp;T users in the U.S, but, depending on which band is missing, someone's not going to find it such a great "upgrade".
Exactly.

--janak

[redraiduzz]

this sounds like a great deal to me.
AFAIC, this would be a winner...it's got all I'd need! :D

[mightymission]

>What do you guys think?>

NEVER do business with Sharper Image. Period.

When they stop advertising their latest "toys" in their sorry catalog they completly cease warrenty support and ANY Extended Warranty YOU PAID FOR.

[Stik]

When they stop advertising their latest "toys" in their sorry catalog they completly cease warrenty support and ANY Extended Warranty YOU PAID FOR.

Might be lucky if one can even obtain a ' sorry catalogue ' much less warranties in the future.

Sharper Image files for Chapter 11

" Struggling electronics and specialty gifts retailer Sharper Image Corp. filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code on Tuesday, a week after it named a crisis-management expert as its new chief executive. "

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UU2P8O1.htm