06-23-2005, 10:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Verizon Releases Samsung i730 to Businesses; Mossberg Reviews It
"For Americans who want a smart cellphone with a built-in keyboard for typing email, the best choice by far has been PalmOne's Treo 650, sold by most major U.S. wireless carriers...Starting today, Verizon Wireless will introduce in the U.S. the first Microsoft-based smart phone with a built-in keyboard that is about the same shape, size and weight as the Treo. This new phone, the $599 Samsung i730, has one major capability the $399 Treo lacks -- the ability to surf the Web and to send and receive email at broadband speeds."
Mossberg has a pretty decent review of the i730; unfortunately, it's only available via business channels right now, with consumer availability on July 7. Good news? WiFi is there, EVDO is very fast, and the thumbboard is apparently "comparable" to the Treo's. Bad news includes mediocre battery life (seems to be endemic to Samsung; I had to use the extended battery in both my i600 and i700 for heavy use), only WM2003SE (so it's not one-handed), WiFi can't be used at the same time as the cellular network (power issues?) and, while not explicitly stated, it looks like it lacks the Bluetooth DUN profile.
I'm mixed about this -- I really want a new Pocket PC Phone, especially one with EVDO -- but I think I'd like to wait and see if a WM5 upgrade comes out for this unit first, and I'd like to get some more data on the unit's battery life (was he using WiFi or EVDO heavily, etc.). And, as usual for Verizon, the unit's initial price is way too high. I have seen it at various places, though, and it's amazingly compact.
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06-23-2005, 10:08 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,305
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Nice looking device for Samsung. Looks like it comes up way short though in a few areas. Another crippled Verizon Bluetooth device!?
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06-23-2005, 11:35 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 44
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From what I understand Bluetooth is fully enabled so that headsets and in car devices work fine.
I am Very disappointed that I can't connect my laptop using the phone as a modem! 
Mine is Already on order, 
Karl
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06-24-2005, 01:20 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Looks like the Treo 650 for me. $600 WITH a 2 year contract? That's ridiculous and a deal breaker.
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06-24-2005, 01:32 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,305
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by byteme
$600 WITH a 2 year contract? That's ridiculous and a deal breaker.
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Yeah but you forgot the "worry free guarantee" :lol:
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06-24-2005, 04:29 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 621
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is a GSM version underway for this device?
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06-24-2005, 12:36 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 357
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Re: Verizon Releases Samsung i730 to Businesses; Mossberg Reviews It
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
[i] -- but I think I'd like to wait and see if a WM5 upgrade comes out for this unit first --
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Haha! Don't hold your breath! Remember how long it took to get the i700 upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003SE?
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06-24-2005, 01:54 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 53
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06-24-2005, 03:34 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Re: Verizon Releases Samsung i730 to Businesses; Mossberg Reviews It
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Originally Posted by Adamz
Haha! Don't hold your breath! Remember how long it took to get the i700 upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003SE?
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It only got WM2003, not SE, and yes, trust me, I remember. :cry:
So that's the thing. I'd buy it if I knew a WM5 upgrade was coming, even if it was next year. Choices, choices. :| I might just have to give up my EV-DO dreams and wait for a Universal.
--janak
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06-24-2005, 04:29 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 357
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Re: Verizon Releases Samsung i730 to Businesses; Mossberg Reviews It
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Adamz
Haha! Don't hold your breath! Remember how long it took to get the i700 upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003SE?
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It only got WM2003, not SE, and yes, trust me, I remember. :cry: |
:) That's my point. People are still waiting. When it came out, Windows Mobile 2003 had already been announced. Just like this one is coming out with WM2003SE long after WM5 has been announced.
At any rate, the i730 probably doesn't have the right ROM/RAM configuration for Windows Mobile 5.
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Linear Mode
