10-17-2003, 03:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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New Pocket PCs from HP and Dell, and is Bluetooth Dead or Not?
The big news of the past week is that Dell has released the Axim X3 Pocket PC, and although it doesn't come in at the sub-$200 USD price point like I had hoped it would, the $239 price-point isn't bad at all. The X5 continues to hold out at $199, so I don't think we'll see the X3 drop in price to $199 until the X5 fades away. HP officially released their 4100 and 4300 series iPAQ Pocket PCs, and while they're much more expensive at $449 and $499 respectively, they offer more excitement than the Dell X3. The iPAQ 4300 will have a built-in keyboard, which opens up a whole new paradigm for the device if you pair it with an Exchange 2003 server - instant Blackberry killer. By combining WiFi, Bluetooth, and the size of the 1900 series iPAQ into one, this may be the ultimate Pocket PC. Of course, not everyone is 100% happy - people also want 128 MB of RAM. You can't please everyone I guess. ;-)
We've also had some lively discussions this week, the most notable being the issue of whether Bluetooth is dead or alive. Most people commenting seem to feel Bluetooth is alive and well, but I still believe that it's gasping for breath, and while it's not dead yet, Bluetooth needs one simple thing: built-in drivers and basic functionality from the Windows OS level. Until that happens, Bluetooth on the Windows side of things will continue to be a haphazard and generally ugly experience. Some vendors provide solid, easy implementations that make Bluetooth a painless experience for users, and others leave scars that will last for years and drive the user to RF-based solutions instead (like me).
The Pocket PC Summit is next week, and I hope to see you there. See if you can find me! :wink:
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10-17-2003, 03:12 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 129
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Can't wait to get the iPaq ! Afraid that after 2 DELL laptops with keys falling off I'm weary of their brand (the 2nd had keys falling off straight out the box then the hard drive dies 3 weeks later - great door stop though...). Anybody know what the build quality is like on the Dells ? My HP 200LX still works perfectly 
Dom
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10-17-2003, 03:55 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
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I don't see the iPAQ 4300 being a Blackberry killer with only short range connectivity like Wi-Fi (not to mention the size.) The Treo 600, now that's a Blackberry killer.
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10-17-2003, 03:57 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Re: New Pocket PCs from HP and Dell, and is Bluetooth Dead or Not?
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
The iPAQ 4300 will have a built-in keyboard, which opens up a whole new paradigm for the device if you pair it with an Exchange 2003 server - instant Blackberry killer.
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Unfortunately, not yet - needs to have built in GPRS. (Frankly, I'm a bluetooth fan, but the killer unit is WiFi/GPRS) -- I'll bet someone will do this in the next 6-9 months ...
Otherwise, this does kill my BB, as long as I'm in the office - but once I leave, the BB is the device more likely to be with me when I'm only carrying one ... :|
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10-17-2003, 04:02 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 69
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Ugh
What a nasty, ugly piece of flotsom! I just don't understand A)why people call those ridiculous chicklet-buttoned things keyboards and B) why someone would WANT one instead of a REAL keyaboard. It makes a PDA ugly and much less than it should be. I can use transcriber much faster than anyone can use those silly "thumbboards". I sincerely hope it doesn't become the norm to take up valuable PDA real estate with these wastes of hardware. And I find the comment that these are "Blackberry killers" frivolous. It's like apples and oranges. Not that I even like or have a use for the Blackberry, but people buy them for the specific reason they are made. People buy the PDA for what PDAs are meant to do. People who only need what a Blackberry does will continue to buy them and not waste their money on a PDA. And the only way a PDA would encroach upon that territory is if the network was as ubiquitous. Let the Blackberries have their little toy.
The consumers, and the industry, just can't seem to make up their minds what they want--there is no such thing as an "ultimate PDA". To have that, you'd have to have a consistent inclusive list of requirements that all, or nearly all, consumers want in a PDA. And, on top of that, you'd have to have the support mechanisms in place--infrastructure. Bluetooth is only useful for shortrange and as has been stated manufacturers can't even get on the same page as to implementation. WiFi is laughable until it's at LEAST as pervasive as cell phones--in our area of Texas there are at 5 cell companies and zero WiFi capability (unless you happen to drive by someone's home and their home wireless net is not secured). And even then, cell coverage is sporadic at best once you get outside the cities. Unlike Europe, which is overpopulated and extremely dense, the U.S. still has huge amounts of open space (thank God for that). Communications companies still have a long way to go before anyone can offer "connect anywhere" service, especially reliable data service.
It's fantastic all this competition is breeding newer, faster, better technology, but some of these things they're coming up with are just unfathomable--and the hype surround them is equally unbelievable.
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10-17-2003, 04:05 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 38
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Re: New Pocket PCs from HP and Dell, and is Bluetooth Dead or Not?
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Originally Posted by GadgetDave
but the killer unit is WiFi/GPRS)
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It's also a battery killer unit. :mrgreen:
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10-17-2003, 04:10 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 129
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And I thought I was the only ranter LOL.
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there is no such thing as an "ultimate PDA
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... Anybody beg to differ ;0) Mine is a PocketPCPhone HP1910 but even smaller with optional plug in keyboard
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10-17-2003, 04:38 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,133
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Re: Ugh
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Originally Posted by RobertCF
What a nasty, ugly piece of flotsom! I just don't understand A)why people call those ridiculous chicklet-buttoned things keyboards and B) why someone would WANT one instead of a REAL keyaboard. It makes a PDA ugly and much less than it should be.
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Well, from my point of view, what if you want to enter something quickly? Or without a flat surface? In those cases, a full keyboard would be inconvenient.
Now mind you, I'd prefer a clamshell design... Oh well.
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10-17-2003, 04:58 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by reidme
I don't see the iPAQ 4300 being a Blackberry killer with only short range connectivity like Wi-Fi (not to mention the size.) The Treo 600, now that's a Blackberry killer.
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Oh...right.  ops: I wa assuming connectivity through Bluetooth and a GPRS phone, but you're right, it would need to have GPRS/CDMA on-board for it to be a BB killer. That's what I get for writing my editorials at midnight. :roll:
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10-17-2003, 04:59 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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Re: Ugh
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Originally Posted by RobertCF
What a nasty, ugly piece of flotsom! I just don't understand A)why people call those ridiculous chicklet-buttoned things keyboards and B) why someone would WANT one instead of a REAL keyaboard.
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 + 
= PURE JOY!
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