06-08-2007, 06:00 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 571
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Are Smartphones Losing Their "Wow!" Factor?
Have you noticed lately that the creativeness in smartphone designs and functions is losing ground? As I think about the new touch screen devices such as the HTC TouchFlo, the LG Prada, and the iPhone, the one thing they all have in common is that they are breaking new ground in innovative technology. But what about Windows Mobile smartphones? We have the Vox, Blackjack, Q, and the Dash. The Dash (which I own) is nearly eight months old and is still considered the latest in technology for smartphones. At the time I bought it, the Dash was considered one of the coolest new devices available. Now it seems that the specs on these devices are getting old and boring. Looking into the future, I don't see any new devices coming that make me say "wow!". So I'd like to hear from you. Considering that smartphones are non-touch screen devices, what new designs or functions can be added that would make us think "wow!". What would you add, what would you take away, or would you leave things just the way they are?
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iPhone
Tmo Dash
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06-08-2007, 06:16 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
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The iMate Ultimate series has the potential of really kicking WM6 devices up a notch.
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06-08-2007, 06:34 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,213
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I've never been excited by SmartPhone ... I always felt it was second best to touch-screen versions. I'm happy to see more innovation in the touchscreen devices.
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06-08-2007, 06:43 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 305
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Smartphones are very much the red-headed step-child of the Windows Mobile world. They get all the hand-me-downs from their Pocket PC brethren.
I don't like how everyone is going to QWERTY keyboards and making devices wider or fatter. I want a slim, 10-12mm candybar phone with a regular keypad and 3G (EV-DO). Don't care about wifi. Or a flip that's not ugly like the Star Trek.
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06-08-2007, 06:54 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 114
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We need more RAM, more processor power, and more battery power. Everything else like WiFi, 3G and such has to be related to the phone. But the things I mentioned are generally related to Smartphones.
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06-08-2007, 07:28 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,074
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It's time for one of the manufactures to really up the ante. Why not something that is more media centric. How about a blackjack with 8 GB of flash embedded, so it could compete with the iPhone? I'd love to see a flip phone like the Motorola A260 with a number bad one the outside of the flip that you use when dialing, but inside include a thumb board for data entry, with a 240 320 screen above the board. Oh yea, you could see that screen through a window above the number pad.
How about something along the lines of BB pearl. The same size as a standard mobile, with lot's of goodness packed in to go with a small combined letter thumboard? My 15 year old daughter has been asking for one of these, and she's NOT a geek, just likes the looks and easier text messaging capabilities. I think she's a good barometer of the 15-25 year old demographic that could easily be targeted with a similar device.
I wish they would also provide support for touch applications. Let's be serious here, nobody is making windows "classic" device anymore. Why not just have Windows Mobile that allows for a touch screen and provides the same functionality across the entire line. I can't believe one is that much more expensive than the other.
All-in-All I really hope the iPhone is a big success and it pushed MS and it's partners to start innovating again. The HTC touch is a joke, it's simply a front end program with big icons so you can use your fingers. Once you start using most apps the touch interface is gone.
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06-08-2007, 07:35 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 589
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I have two phones, Qtek 8500 (HTC StrTrk) and the new HTC S710 (HTC Vox).
I think the StrTrk still is one of the best phones out there, and I don't think it's ugly at all! To bad WM6 will not be available as an upgrade.
But I have to say I love the QWERTY keyboard on the Vox, and I think it is really inovative when talking about design 8)
Now if it only had a stronger CPU, UTMS and GPS... that would be a really inovative phone!
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06-08-2007, 07:59 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 504
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I like my Q (more so than previous PPC and PPC phone devices) because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles and other things that break. It just works (usually - I have a problem charging every now and then). At my last place of employment we got the XV6700 and it seems like I had to reset/reboot that thing at least 3 times a day (usually more like 10). I rarely have to do the like on the Q, and I have close to the same apps on it. I just think about the iPhone users who will be SOL when they sit on their screen, etc. They couldn't dial, etc.
IMHO, the Smartphone (or WM6 Standard) is a nice compromise that doesn't get in the way of what I consider its primary purpose - to be a phone. (Although it would be nice to have wifi at times.)
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06-08-2007, 08:09 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 153
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What about the competitions? Were you wow'ed by any of the new Blackberries, Nokia Symbian phones, Treos, lately?? Which one and why?
(I admit that I laid my eyes on the Curve once or twice more than I anticipated :wink: )
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06-08-2007, 08:12 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 59
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I've been back and forward between PPC and Smartphone for ages (a lot of us have I expect). I want the functions of the PPC, but the phone in the Smartphone.
For me, right now, my Blackjack (I600) is about perfect. Well, the battery could be better, but...
I don't need all the bells and whistles (I might want them, but I don't need them). My Smartphone is a tool to do a job, and it fits the needs I have.
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