06-08-2005, 04:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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San Diego Daily Transcript Reviews Verizon's XV6600
"I've been trying out the new Audiovox VX6600 from Verizon. It's a Microsoft Pocket PC PDA with a phone equipped with EV-DO high-speed wireless. It's Microsoft's latest challenge to the hugely popular Treo 650 from PalmOne. The VX6600 ($550 from Verizon/$399 from Amazon) packs a lot into a relatively compact package that's 15 percent larger and a half-ounce heavier than the Treo 650. It has a large color screen and a slide-out membrane thumb keyboard. (The phone is also available from Cingular as the Siemens SX66 for $399, but without the high-speed technology). It comes with a charging cradle and a cheesy slipcase."
It's always good to read balanced reviews from the "regular press", and, product name typo aside, this is a pretty decent summary of the XV6600's advantages and disadvantages. If you've been eyeing this unit, take a look at the review.
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06-08-2005, 06:51 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 495
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I've been very close to buying a 6600 (so much so I checked Amazon today). It sounds like this review may be on the money....
So what are peoples opinions on this device?
Anyone know when Amazon is going to have the back in stock?
Why isnt it going to be upgradable to WM5?
Is the battery life as bad as people are telling me (I use an old T-Mobile PPC now thats already pretty bad)?
When is the HTC Universal due?
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06-08-2005, 07:54 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 717
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I am looking at this in Canada with Telus. At $449 CDN, about $350 USD on a 1 year contract your can't go wrong with this device even if it is missing WiFi. Add $90 CND about $70USD for unlimited Data and 350 min of voice, free voice mail and evenings and weekends, you simply can't go wrong. I am sure that somewhere out there there is 2003 SE rom available for CDMA phones, and I wonder if 2005 will show up as well. It is all just a matter of time before the rest of the options surface for this phone, who knows perhaps there is a wifi radio on the circuit board waiting to be enabled. I think this is the best deal going, at least in Canada, where our only other option is the old Audiovox or HP 63xx from Rogers.
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06-08-2005, 10:05 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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This review certainly seems less biased towards the Treo than most, however, I'm not sure how much the reviewer really used the XV6600.
First off, I don't have one, but I'm about 90% certain the XV6600 supports bluetooth DUN out of the box. If not, I've must have read way too many reports about 'hacked' units that now support this.
Second, dialing a contact can be accomplished in 4 clicks - probably about the same as the Treo - in the phone application, click the contacts button (I use my finger to do this), scroll up or down using the D-Pad to the name you want - press the center button to select the contact - press it again to dial the primary number for the contact. Of the phone issues with these devices, I would say dialing a contact is the least of the issues. Maybe I haven't played with the Treo enough, but is it easier there? The only way to make it easier would be to use a "smart dialer" that would allow you to simply type the name on the number pad and use T9 to suggest a name. I know this functionality should be built into the PPCPE, but it is available via third parties.
How do MSM reviewers get their jobs? It seems to me very few of them actually seem to do a thorough review of the devices they write about. I guess that's why we love sites like PPCT!! 
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06-08-2005, 10:43 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Not exactly a glowing endorsement
"But its short battery life and poorly designed phone interface make it difficult to recommend as a phone. I'd wait for the new MS software and the phone's sequel before considering it. Or better yet, buy a Treo 650, which is now available from Verizon."
I was interested in this device until Verizon verified they would carry the Treo 650 and now the Samsung i730.
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06-08-2005, 10:44 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 651
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Cortex
So what are peoples opinions on this device?
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I've been using two of the PPC6600's for over 3 months, it's the Sprint version but next to my ipaq 4350 it's the best device I've ever had and i've had everything from the ipaq 3650 on up.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by whydidnt
I'm about 90% certain the XV6600 supports bluetooth DUN out of the box.
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Yes it does and it works great.
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06-09-2005, 03:30 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 717
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I just jumped on this wagon this afternoon and now finally got me a shinny 6600, so far so good, 1x is pretty fast and the device was easy to configure. Much to my surprise it comes with WM2003SE not what Telus site said yesterday which was a nice surprise.
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06-09-2005, 06:48 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 6
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I just got a XV6600 today. I am still playing, but I am quite pleased. I especially like the fact, that a new EVDO tower just recently fired up a few blocks from my home and I am in a full EVDO coverage area, most everywhere I need to go.
EVDO Guy
EVDO Info :: EVDO Forums
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06-21-2005, 12:32 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 77
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Looks like the XV6600 is being offered for $299 now at Verizon. It's unfortunate that it's not VGA.
__________________
Regards,Matt
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