12-30-2003, 10:35 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Smartphone Thoughts Managing Editor Admits Defeat and Buys Pocket PC
This is an interesting column from Robert Levy, the Managing Editor at Smartphone Thoughts, about how he needed to go back to using a Pocket PC. I know this will generate some interesting comments, so let's hear what you think!
"Ok � it�s time for me to come clean. There is a personal battle that I have been fighting over the last several months and last week that battle was lost. It was my belief that life would be easier if I only carried around a single device. Since getting my first Smartphone, I pushed myself to do this and for the first couple of months it brought about a great feeling of freedom. I could entertain myself, stay on top of my email and the news, plus keep in touch with people wherever I went with just one gadget that I could easily operate with one hand. Everything I ever needed to read while on the road was never more than a few taps of the thumb away. But then I saw the 4350 iPAQ Pocket PC from Hewlett Packard and everything changed. For those that don�t know, the 4350 is a thin device with 64 MB of RAM, a 400 MHz XScale processor, the latest Pocket PC operating system, built in 802.11, built in Bluetooth, and a built in QWERTY keyboard..."
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12-30-2003, 10:53 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 199
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I guess this means convergence to a single device is pretty much out. That's my struggle. I'm so close to jumping on a Pocket PC phone to converge my HP 2215 and Sony Ericcson T616 I can't see straight. However, I'm trying to project forward once I have it what are the negatives? Well one I thought of is most of the time while I am at my desk my HP 2215 sits in its cradle being constantly updated until it is time to grab and run. My cell phone sits next to me at my desk. Here comes scenario #1 with what's wrong with this picture. The phone rings and I answer the phone. With the converged product - Pocket PC phone - I have to un-cradle it and answer the phone. When I'm done it goes back into the cradle. Oops! I have to make a call. Out of the cradle it comes again. No, no, no. I can't be doing that.
Then its bigger than my cell phone which sits nicely in my pants pocket. How about multi-tasking? Taking notes while on the phone? Surely there is something in the Pocket PC phone that will cause it crash. Thus ends the phone conversation. How about when I use my HP2215's Mapopolis program? Can I still use the maps and use the phone? What about when a call comes in and I'm in the middle of negotiating turns and directions.
Nope. I think I've answered my own questions and save a bundle of money. You can't do it all with a converged device. What do you think?
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Chris Sterns
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12-30-2003, 11:03 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 810
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by csterns
I guess this means convergence to a single device is pretty much out. That's my struggle. I'm so close to jumping on a Pocket PC phone to converge my HP 2215 and Sony Ericcson T616 I can't see straight. However, I'm trying to project forward once I have it what are the negatives? Well one I thought of is most of the time while I am at my desk my HP 2215 sits in its cradle being constantly updated until it is time to grab and run. My cell phone sits next to me at my desk. Here comes scenario #1 with what's wrong with this picture. The phone rings and I answer the phone. With the converged product - Pocket PC phone - I have to un-cradle it and answer the phone. When I'm done it goes back into the cradle. Oops! I have to make a call. Out of the cradle it comes again. No, no, no. I can't be doing that.
Then its bigger than my cell phone which sits nicely in my pants pocket. How about multi-tasking? Taking notes while on the phone? Surely there is something in the Pocket PC phone that will cause it crash. Thus ends the phone conversation. How about when I use my HP2215's Mapopolis program? Can I still use the maps and use the phone? What about when a call comes in and I'm in the middle of negotiating turns and directions.
Nope. I think I've answered my own questions and save a bundle of money. You can't do it all with a converged device. What do you think?
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Those are excellent points. How about when you're using your PPC with your Stowaway XT keyboard?
Although I can see myself carring a PPC with WiFi, BT, and GPRS built in for all purposes of wireless connectivity, I can't say that I'd use the GSM portion of it. At least not on a regular basis, although it might be nice for a backup for whatever reason, and I suppose for a few bragging rights. But for me, for the time being, I will always carry around two devices. For a phone, I like hardware keys as well, not just a touchscreen when dialing numbers, which is why I like my P900 with the flip.
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12-30-2003, 11:05 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 9
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Pocket PC vs. SmartPhone vs. Pocket PC Phone
I have an iPAQ 5555 and a Motorola MPx200 SmartPhone. Both are great tools (I am a Nursing Administrator). At work in the hospital the Pocket PC is in my lab coat pocket and the SmartPhone is clipped to my belt. After hours, the SmartPhone has enough information stored and available to get me by.
Each device has its strengths and weaknesses. It is up to the user to carefully research and see what is going to work best for them. One of my colleaguse dumped her Pocket PC Phone as it was too cumbersome as a mobile phone (but a great PDA).
eNurse
Nursing Pocket PC User Group
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12-30-2003, 11:22 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 103
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Quote:
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Surely there is something in the Pocket PC phone that will cause it crash.
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There is, its called "PocketPC 2002" (sorry, couldn't resist).
I have an iPAQ 5455 currently, and I recently acquired an MPx200 (on T-Mobile - ask me how...). Both have their place: having one phone directory (>1000 active contacts with multiple numbers for each), one day-runner, and one encrypted password storage application (CodeWalletPro) across the two devices means I don't have to carry both devices all the time, which is especially nice after work and on weekends. Even with a high-end PDA (or GPRS-enabled phone, once they're available), the MPx200 allows me to do most everything (except extensive text entry) discreetly, and I don't have to carry a Podzilla for the iPAQ with me to the movies....
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12-30-2003, 11:42 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 533
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Funny, we just dicussed this topic here at PPC Thoughts very recently: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/foru...c.php?p=197382
I'll re-state what I said there: I can see owning a laptop, Pocket PC, AND a MS Smartphone all at the same time, with the main point being, I wouldn't carry all of them with me on a daily basis. Different scenarios would require different combinations of those three devices (or singular device, as the Smartphone with ListPro is more than adequate for a weekend trip to the grocery store).
While the PocketPC Phone editions are sure seductive (especially the XDA II), one potential issue with them that no one has addressed is: I've had a number of extremely busy days where I've been talking on my cell phone (T616) *all* day long, and by 3pm or so, my cell phone was dead. No problem, as while I couldn't use the cell phone anymore, I could still use my iPaq, and once I found myself back in my car (with my car charger) or other power jack, the phone sprang to life again. NOT so with a PPC Phone edition right? If the battery goes dead there, you've erased the PPC memory. True, you can restore from a recent backup you've made (yea, right.....as most of us backup as often as we should), but even that's one more step you don't have to go through with say, a T616 or other two device solution (not sure how an MS Smartphone behaves under dead battery scenarios).
-Brian
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12-30-2003, 11:55 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by brianchris
While the PocketPC Phone editions are sure seductive (especially the XDA II), one potential issue with them that no one has addressed is: I've had a number of extremely busy days where I've been talking on my cell phone (T616) *all* day long, and by 3pm or so, my cell phone was dead. No problem, as while I couldn't use the cell phone anymore, I could still use my iPaq, and once I found myself back in my car (with my car charger) or other power jack, the phone sprang to life again. NOT so with a PPC Phone edition right? If the battery goes dead there, you've erased the PPC memory. True, you can restore from a recent backup you've made (yea, right.....as most of us backup as often as we should), but even that's one more step you don't have to go through with say, a T616 or other two device solution (not sure how an MS Smartphone behaves under dead battery scenarios).
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All Pocket PC's have backup batteries specifically so you won't lose data if the main battery dies. I think the XDA II has in internal rechargeable backup battery. The XDA II also has a user-replaceable main battery. Personally, I'd just buy another battery, and when the one you're using drops down to about 10%, swap in a fresh one. Should last you 7-8 hours easy. :mrgreen: 8)
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12-30-2003, 11:56 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 199
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Well this is pretty much confirming carrying multiple devices for multiple reasons depending upon the individual's requirements. For me the Pocket PC is worked hard when in work mode. Mapopolis is very much needed for getting around.
I too can expend the life of a battery on a daily basis which is why BT is important to me. Got to have that wireless headset connection. I burn through two Jabra's a day due to their limited battery life (2 hours). So when I am in the office I cradle my T616 in a fast forwarding device and all calls are routed to my office phone (no minutes charged) and it charges as well. Then when it is time to grab and run I have a power adapter for it in the car. Same as for my Pocket PC but I have never had to use it.
So combined with my Tablet PC (wi-fi, BT, Aircard slot), my Pocket PC and my T616 I guess I'm set.
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Chris Sterns
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12-31-2003, 12:00 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 33
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I'm glad to see others skeptically viewing this "convergence" fad the same way I am - for the same reasons. My only problem with the PPC + SmartPhone together is the data. I would like either a PPC-to-PPC syncing option (contacts, calendar, tasks and files), or a way to store all "data" in one location - a removable card (SD?). When I want to go small, the card comes out of my PPC and gets put into my phone, and the PPC stays home. I know I can sync them both with Outlook and Activesync, but I am looking for a more direct approach.
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12-31-2003, 12:01 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by csterns
I guess this means convergence to a single device is pretty much out. That's my struggle. I'm so close to jumping on a Pocket PC phone to converge my HP 2215 and Sony Ericcson T616 I can't see straight.
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Remember that a Pocket PC Phone != Smartphone, though. I carry an i700 with me and it's pretty close to a perfect converged device... on the other hand, it doesn't have WLAN or BT built-in. I'm tempted to get an e805 for the WLAN and VGA resolution, although I've survived with just the i700 for quite some time. 
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Taking notes while on the phone? Surely there is something in the Pocket PC phone that will cause it crash.
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I've never had this problem.  The phone part is decoupled anyway, so if the PDA part were to crash, chances are you'd be able to keep on talking for a bit.
--janak
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