11-06-2002, 01:24 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,177
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Pocket PC Phone Edition Reviewed
http://writingonyourpalm.net/XDA_Review.htm
Jeff Kirvin has written a solid review of the Pocket PC Phone Edition device known as T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, AT&T Siemens SX56 and O2 XDA. Jeff is thorough and to the point. A great review to read if you need to catch up on one of the two coolest phones available today!
"Regular readers know it doesn't matter much to me how cool a device is if I can't read it comfortably. I'm happy to report that the screen on the XDA is gorgeous. ... The battery in the XDA is a massive 1,550 mAH, and I generally get about seven hours of on time with both the frontlight and radio on. ... Not surprisingly, since the device is also a speakerphone, the volume levels are much better than most Pocket PCs. The XDA works great as an alarm clock - with SuperAlert installed, natch - and the sound level through the headphones is more than adequate for my WMA and Audible usage. ... The software load is mostly the standard Pocket PC 2002 build, but with extra phone/network stuff. The integration between the PDA and the phone is really slick. ... The phone application runs like any other Pocket PC application. The virtual on-screen buttons are big enough to press accurately with your finger, although I do recommend a good screen protector, especially if you have longish fingernails. ... On the XDA, you can use any .WAV file as your ringtone. The possibilities are endless. Forget the obvious Star Trek or South Park clips. How about a recording of you discretely clearing your throat for use during meetings? ... A connected device is a completely different experience from unconnected PDAs. While I've still got my Toshiba e570 around for emergency backup purposes, I really don't see myself ever using an unconnected device again."
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11-06-2002, 02:42 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
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Good review, but..
Quote:
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As my device was flashed by Microsoft with the latest build of the Phone Edition operating system - rather than T-Mobile's version...
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Argh, when do we get this update?!?!
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11-06-2002, 03:43 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 209
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I like the form factor. I like the battery. I like a lot about the O2, T-Mobile, AT&T PPC Phone. There are only three things that will hold me back from them.
- Memory
- CF is still the defacto standard for memory and I/O devices. Until SD I/O grows and bacomes affordable, but that seems to be a stalling cause.
- SCREEN COLORS! At my last reading these units were 12 bit. Must have at least 16 bit.
So, give me an (HTC unit name here) with 16 bit screen (transflective better), CF slot, and more installed RAM and ROM and we're there!
Oh. User changeable battery is a plus for something used as heavily as a phone as well. If only for the reality that phone batteries die because of their sheer use and frequency of recharge.
__________________
And there you are.
I was just thinking, "What could take this headache I have over that edge to a full blown migrane?"
And there you are.
- Dr. Cox, Scrubs
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11-06-2002, 03:55 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 168
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What I would like to see is a Phone Edition PocketPC with both CF and SD slots. Or, substitute one for built in WiFi. The Maestro's dual slots have spoiled me. I can never go back.
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11-06-2002, 03:56 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 278
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What I would like to see is the PPCPhone come to Canada. (I know, I know, I'm repeating myself)
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11-06-2002, 04:04 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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Paul,
Now that the GPRS module for the Pocket Loox is cancelled I don't believe there is a single Pocket PC PE in existence or coming up that has both CF and SD slots. Both the current PE PPCs - the HP J928 and XDA/HTC/SX56 etc. - are crippled in their slots - either just SD or just CF type I. Can't see why this has to be...
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11-06-2002, 04:51 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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As a user of a T-Mobile XDA I can say that the 12 bit screen is not that big a deal. In all honesty I think the screen on my XDA blows the screen on my HP568 right out of the water. The Jornada is very washed out compared to the XDA. Battery life is not a problem either. It quite easily lasts through a days use. If battery life is a concern there is an addon battery for it.
IO, I think is going to have to be a must in the future. As to CF I have been a very outspoken individual in favor of CF slots. I do miss it, BUT not near as much as I thought I would. I think as every day goes by we see less, and less need for CF cards, as we see more SDIO cards coming on line, and SD memory increasing. Two SD slots may work quite well in the future. One for storage one for IO. Keeping the size down.
I'm sure jpaq has read some of my rants on the need for internal CF slots, and removable batteries on the pPCp Jornada forum to give some validity to how the XDA has changed my outlook.
Dave
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11-06-2002, 05:05 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 194
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I fantasize daily for *my* dream PPC Phone Edition:
64-128MB RAM
64bit "backlit transflective screen" (power savings) (3.8-4"?)
400MHZ Xscale (not speedy, but power frugal)
Integrated BT
CF(IO) & SDIO or atleast SDIO
Great ClearType
Standardized USB sync connector (Use a any common USB cable)
USB Hosting?
Shape at least as attractive as the current HTC model
And an affordable data plan: $5 for 10MB/mo. with $1/MB overage.
And my current Voice plan: T-Mobile $39/mo.
Is there anything I forgot? Or am I asking too much?
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11-06-2002, 06:28 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by RickP in AZ
Is there anything I forgot? Or am I asking too much?
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See through, talk through, flip lid?
Dave
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11-06-2002, 06:53 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 194
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See, I knew I forgot something!
(Actually, it didn't cross my mind because I would immediately order a Vaja case for it.)
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Linear Mode
