Mio A701 GPS-Enabled Pocket PC Revealed

[Ploobers]

But If two hardware buttons can hide the software buttons, I definitly prefer two hardware buttons.

Having buttons won't eliminate the need for the soft buttons because without seeing what function that button is performing at any given time, the key functionality is completely lost and you just have 2 normal hardware buttons.

[Ploobers]

But If two hardware buttons can hide the software buttons, I definitly prefer two hardware buttons.

Having buttons won't eliminate the need for the soft buttons because without seeing what function that button is performing at any given time, the key functionality is completely lost and you just have 2 normal hardware buttons.

[Phillip Dyson]

Originally Posted by MarcTGFG

If this really is a WM5 device then I think it is pretty stupid by Mio to leave out to additional keys for the two softkeys.

The whole reasoning behind WM5 is onehanded operation without thumbs or stylus.

I don't recall thumbs being targeted in the "one-handed" approach. Just styli. I for one have a thumb on both my hands.

No slight to those who don't.

[huangzhinong]

Originally Posted by sojourner753

I don't recall thumbs being targeted in the "one-handed" approach. Just styli. I for one have a thumb on both my hands.

No slight to those who don't.

Right. I like my thumbs too. Also I need my thumb to push HARDWARE buttons too.

[encece]

Beautiful phone. I especially like how they handled the GPS antenna....the black thing at the top....which I am assuming is the GPS antenna!

[Ainvar]

Whoa daddy likes!! Daddy likes a lot!!

Now a company who is willing to make a device that people do want to buy and not some clumpy put together device that has 50% of what the tech world wants and 50% of pure junk.

Can I get a price tag on this and a place to buy here in the U.S.?? (Wait I need to wake up and join the real world on the buying in a store in the U.S. part)

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by Paragon

Yeah....it's a Phone Edition device.....not an MS Smartphone. The Register is just a bit confused, like most of the world when it comes to Phone Edition devices.

And 99% of the time (yes, there have been exceptions), we wouldn't post on Smartphone news anyway. That's a job for Smartphone Thoughts.

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by huangzhinong

Right. I like my thumbs too. Also I need my thumb to push HARDWARE buttons too.

Don't forget that the left and right softkey functions can be mapped to existing hardware buttons. I know, I know - but then you lose the potential function of two other buttons, but it's food for thought.

[Camp]

Originally Posted by encece

Beautiful phone. I especially like how they handled the GPS antenna....the black thing at the top....which I am assuming is the GPS antenna!

Fianlly, a proper antenna. Manufacturers please take note.

[ricksfiona]

I love it, but WiFi is absolutely necessary. It's useless to me. I'd rather get a Jam.

The Eten M600 looks pretty sweet. I wish it had a faster processor, but 400MHz is workable.

With all the multitasking that I do, I wonder how well WM5 will hold-up. Looks better than WM2003/SE and I hope so.

Currently, I have a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and headset that I use with my phone and iPaq 5550. When I'm using my gear and listening to MP3 at the same time, people wonder what the heck I'm working using. Certainly a cool factor. I can't wait for people to watch me make/take a phone call at the same time!

[griph]

Originally Posted by ricksfiona

I love it, but WiFi is absolutely necessary. It's useless to me. I'd rather get a Jam.

I dont understand that conclusion - the Jam doesn't have WiFi either.:?
And as a Jam (variant) owner - I think that had I had the choice between the MDA Compact or the MIO I would have gone for the latter because of the integrated GPS. Hope its got a damn good battery though - GSM/GPRS/BT/GPS is going to give it a real caning! Perhaps that is why (in such a small form factor) why it doesn't also have WiFi?