Anyone bought the new V37 ??

[netBEUI]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Dodd

I'm first! I'm first! :multi:

I just received my new Viewsonic V37. I haven't even opened the box yet - I just had to share the joy.

Strangely, the web site still says Sumbission Review Completed. I guess they aren't updating it after that point.

I'll write some more details of the device later today. I will also be glad to entertain any specific questions anyone has.

Congrats!!! So many questions, so little time:

1. Is the carrying case useable? How ugly is it?
2. Does the new processor feel zippier compared to your current device? (What were you using before BTW?)
3. Is there a button under the DPad? I know for sure the V35 doesn't have one but I wanted to know for sure about the V37
4. Is PPC 2003 preinstalled?
5. How much free space/memory does the unit have out of the box before you install anything?
6. How detailed is the battery meter level? IE - my 568 shows 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% and I'm hoping the V37 is much more detailed.

[netBEUI]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Dodd

I'm first! I'm first! :multi:

I just received my new Viewsonic V37. I haven't even opened the box yet - I just had to share the joy.

Strangely, the web site still says Sumbission Review Completed. I guess they aren't updating it after that point.

I'll write some more details of the device later today. I will also be glad to entertain any specific questions anyone has.

Congrats!!! So many questions, so little time:

1. Is the carrying case useable? How ugly is it?
2. Does the new processor feel zippier compared to your current device? (What were you using before BTW?)
3. Is there a button under the DPad? I know for sure the V35 doesn't have one but I wanted to know for sure about the V37
4. Is PPC 2003 preinstalled?
5. How much free space/memory does the unit have out of the box before you install anything?
6. How detailed is the battery meter level? IE - my 568 shows 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% and I'm hoping the V37 is much more detailed.

[gcherian]

First of - Thanks Smitty

To the Questions above, although I did not open the box -

4. PPC 2003 is not installed - it is still 2002 (yup !!!!! the old one)

[ppcpete]

They carrying case is a black slipcase. I can't say it's ugly, just a basic vinyl case.

The new processor seems pretty fast to me, but this is my first PocketPC. I've played with other ones in the past and seems at least as fast as those.

There is no button under the D-Pad. The machine looks just like a V35. It has PPC2002 installed.

The unit had 36.45 MB free right after I initially powered it up.

The battery meter isn't very detailed at all. It doesn't seem to register more than full, half, low, and very low. I could be missing something though. I've only played with it for a little while.

Overall I'm pretty impressed with the unit. The screen is very clear and the unit comes with a rather substantial cradle. You can also plug the AC adapter directly into the handheld and bypass the cradle.

[Jimmy Dodd]

Originally Posted by netBEUI

Congrats!!! So many questions, so little time:

1. Is the carrying case useable? How ugly is it?
2. Does the new processor feel zippier compared to your current device? (What were you using before BTW?)
3. Is there a button under the DPad? I know for sure the V35 doesn't have one but I wanted to know for sure about the V37
4. Is PPC 2003 preinstalled?
5. How much free space/memory does the unit have out of the box before you install anything?
6. How detailed is the battery meter level? IE - my 568 shows 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% and I'm hoping the V37 is much more detailed.

Take your time, I've got all day.

1. Yes it's ugly, but useable. It's a plain black slipcase with Viewsonic imprinted on the front. It seems to be somewhat rigid as it retains its shape even empty (i.e. it doesn't flatten out as most do).
2. I have a Toshiba e740 and the V37 does feel a bit zippier than that. It may be due to not having the memory loaded to the point of bursting, but it definately seems faster. Opening Pocket Word is almost instantaneous, while the e740 actually gives me the Wait cursor.
3. There isn't an "Action" button under the D-Pad, if that's what you mean. The jog dial on the left presses in for that purpose.
4. No. Plain old PPC 2002. It does have the .NET Compact Framework installed to ROM, so for me (as a developer) that's a big plus. Of course SQL Cerver CE isn't preinstalled, so you still lose a big hunk of RAM when that downloads.
5. I have 36.45 MB of RAM, plus an additional 36.43 MB available as a Flash Disk.
6. The battery meter is kind of strange. It has a bar indicator but no values. I'll let it drain today and see if I can figure out what increments it moves in.

Additionally:

1. The screen looks really nice. It's a lot less washed out than my e740. The color saturation is really impressive (to me, at least).
2. The speaker is loud. I haven't quite got it adjusted to where screen taps and wavefiles aren't annoyingly loud. I haven't played MP3s on it yet.
3. It is really light compared to the e740. No surprise there, I guess.
4. It comes with some additional software for developers. A suite of .NET classes and APIs for accessing the hardware (the screen, speed, etc.). Also included are APIs for Viewsonic's Tablet PC and AirPanel.
5. It is SDIO Now! compatible. They are even advertising a SD WiFi card in the package, although I don't think it's available yet.
6. The Record button works differently than I am used to. TYou press it in and hold it to start recording. When you release the button the recording process stops. I use Pocket Informant on my e740 and at least it works different than this.

[gcherian]

>> 6. The Record button works differently than I am used to. TYou press it in and hold it to start recording.

That is interesting...more like my nextel PTT (Push to Talk)

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Dodd

6. The Record button works differently than I am used to. TYou press it in and hold it to start recording. When you release the button the recording process stops. I use Pocket Informant on my e740 and at least it works different than this.

Are you sure about this? On all the Pocket PCs I've used, if you press and release Record the first time, it will launch the app associated with that button. A second press will start recording, and a third press will turn it off. In addition, a press-and-hold will immediately start a record, until you let it go.

--janak

[sullivanpt]

:sunny:
My V37 arrived yesterday too. It is "really" small and light. Lighter than the iPaq 1910; although more brickish and not as stylish. The screen is bright, although difficult to see indoors if the backlight is off (unlike my XDA). There are almost no "extra" applications installed, except for a backup application which I presume backs up to the flash memory (haven't tried it yet).

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it though...

[Jimmy Dodd]

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

Are you sure about this? On all the Pocket PCs I've used, if you press and release Record the first time, it will launch the app associated with that button. A second press will start recording, and a third press will turn it off. In addition, a press-and-hold will immediately start a record, until you let it go.

--janak

Absolutely! I thought it was strange, but then again I rarely use the feature. To sum it up:
- Pressing (and releasing) the record key takes you to the Notes app and it is ready to record.
- If you press the record button again nothing happens.
- If you press and hold the record key (whether you are in Notes or not) recording takes place until you release the button.

[Janak Parekh]

Weird! Mind you, I so rarely use the feature I remap the record button, myself. :lol:

--janak

[netBEUI]

Can anyone comment on the battery life? Also, I'd still like to know about battery granularity. A V35 user told me that he saw 100%, 82%, 75%, 58%, 42%, 14% on his unit. Just wondering if this is as granular as it goes.