03-10-2006, 10:00 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 349
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Countdown At the Crossroads of CDMA and GSM
Those who know me will say I have a passion for the latest gadgets, while others dare call it an addiction. Either way, I've come to grips with reality that it's a downright expensive hobby. Like my brother-in-law whose labor of love is tweaking an old Mazda RX-7 with parts on eBay, or my uncle who collects exotic fish in a humongous aquarium in his den, my endeavours have been in obtaining the best Pocket PC devices over the last few years.
But, there comes a time when you ask yourself if you're doing anything productive with that device, or are you just happy with its features until the "honeymoon period" is over? I've been a Cingular customer since December 2004, and have popped my SIM card in nearly a dozen Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones I purchased, then eBaying or selling off the device towards the purchase of the next every few months.
After all the devices I went through, I finally realized that it was time to settle down with these basic necessities: a fast, compact device with fast Internet access and an integrated keyboard. At the time of my revelation, I happened to have stumbled into a Verizon Wireless store in my local mall. There, similar to the HTC Wizard, the HTC Apache (in the form of the Verizon XV6700) sat on its display stand. I powered it up and sampled their internet connection on their EV-DO network. Needless to say, I was awestruck with the performance of the device and their network; yet, at the same time, I felt jaded after all the GSM devices I went through, even those with EDGE capability.
So, here I stand at the crossroads of CDMA and GSM. It has been discussed here nearly a year and a half ago, and now, still with so many uncertainties (such as the unknown timeframe of Cingular's 1900MHz UMTS/HSDPA nationwide rollout, possible repeat hangups of such a rollout - now that Cingular will become AT&T Wireless again, and upcoming devices such as the HTC Hermes with conflicting rumors to have/not have US-friendly UMTS/HSDPA support), one thing is certain: I'm on a 15-day countdown to a two-year contract with what feels like an awesome device on an incredible network. Yes, we all know that Verizon Wireless has been depicted as "The Empire," locking down their devices and their network, and have been known to move at a slower pace to accept new phones. I've made so many moves in the last 14 months, should I break my Cingular contract and make this my last jump? Or, should I hold out for the US' uncertain times trying to get 3G in the GSM domain? Will any of these upcoming 3G GSM devices work to their fullest capability in the US?
If there was a time I needed your thoughts most, now is the time. :|
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03-10-2006, 10:13 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,097
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Re: Countdown At the Crossroads of CDMA and GSM
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Originally Posted by Raphael Salgado
...and have popped my SIM card in nearly a dozen Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones I purchased, then eBaying or selling off the device towards the purchase of the next every few months.
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This is the primary reason I've stayed with Cingular. The ability to change my phone at a moments' whim. I like that Cingular's in the dark about which device I'm currently carrying. In addition, I've been a customer since 1999 when Cingular bought PacBell Wireless. This means everytime Cingular makes me mad, I call them and remind them of how long I've been a customer and that lately I've been looking at T-Mobile's plans and then I watch them scurry!
So basically, I'm willing to wait until Cingular's got true 3G in the pipe so I can continue to take advantage of their willingness to keep me as a customer...
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03-10-2006, 10:29 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 147
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You actually hit on the number one reason I won't buy anything from Verizon anytime soon. The fact that they lock down their devices. I acknowledge that Cingular is slower than Verizon. But I can do ANYTHING I want with a Cingular device. ANYTHING. Wanna transfer files via bluetooth? - No problem. Wanna use it as a modem (cabled or wireless) to my laptop or Pocket PC? No problem. And of course, the freedom of the SIM. To me, that is what a mobile device should be and until Verizon "GETS IT", I won't go with them. Now Sprint, that's another story. If they had better coverage, I'd be there. But not right now. Cingular is the only game in town that gives me what I want. And I couldn't care less that they're going to be called AT&T again. I've had the same great plan for 2.5 years and I expect to have it for another few. Coverage and features - that's what does it for me...
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03-10-2006, 10:36 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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So, I agree in principle with the GSM supporters, but I have a Treo 700w, with EVDO... and I'm hooked. Great coverage everywhere I go, and web browsing is finally useable on a Pocket PC. I never realized what I missed beforehand, be it GPRS/EDGE or 1xRTT, but EVDO is so fast, I actually pull out the 700w in casual conversation to look up things, and have the answer in 2-3 seconds. Plus, Verizon simply has the best coverage, bar none, for my daily routine.
That, for me, is why I'm staying with Verizon, despite all of the other limitations. Well, that and the fact I really like the 700w.  The question boils down to whether the GSM providers have enough coverage and if you can wait for a 1900MHz UMTS Pocket PC and corresponding UMTS service.
--janak
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03-10-2006, 10:48 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 349
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That's just it. We've all waited for things before, but there are too many factors and too many unknowns to make a fair judgment. If Cingular came out and said "we'll have national HSDPA in 6 months" and HTC said "out UMTS/HSDPA chips are dual-band capable for US compatibility," then the decision becomes more clear.
I suppose when you have to settle for something, it has to be tangible, real, and in front of you. After all, that's what settling is about, no? Verizon has EV-DO and it rocks. The HTC Apache was the device that the HTC Wizard should have been. Even the Palm Treo 700w is a fantastic device (which I'm in a little debate over, but the Wi-Fi and full 320x240 screen really are the pluses I need), so what is in front of me and working is Verizon Wireless.
I guess their commercials were right. A little brainwashy, but true - "they have the most reliable network, it just works, etc. etc."
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03-10-2006, 10:52 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 91
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I would have bought the 6700 on its first day of availability if I lived in the US. Terrific device, best keyboard ever, superb speed. The Hermes is announced for early summer which many translate into June. But it was said to be available in May during 3GSM. I think its more realistic to expect it in July earliest. The same happened with the MDA Vario here in Germany.
And then again: You wont have a guarantee, that the Hermes is actually compatible with WCDMA 1900.
No, I would clearly opt for the 6700!
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03-10-2006, 11:29 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
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Raphael, consider it a right of passage
I was reading your article and understand exactly what you were talking about. Is the time really upon us? Where phones have finally emerged into what we've been dreaming and talking about for the last 5 years?
Last month, Verizon was at my work peddling their phones as they usually do once a month and while I was walking by, I saw a PocketPC in the middle of all of the phones. I picked it up and soon realized that this wasn't a PocketPC but a SmartPhone. I asked if it had Wifi in it and the CSR said that it did. This is really important to me because I currently have two IPAQ 4155 PocketPC's that I use at home to wirelessly control my home automation project and my home theater and audio.
I'd like to just list the things I am doing with my smartphone:
1. The built in Wifi makes it a 'remote control' for my home automation. With this I control lights, blinds, fans, etc.
2. Provides me with an HTML interface to my home audio jukebox server.
3. By calling a local webpage I can view webcams I have set up around my house.
4. I can port a gig's worth of music or videos from home to work by pulling stuff off of my wireless local network at home and putting it on a miniSD card in the phone.
.. and that's just because it has Wifi capabilities. I'll be selling one of my 4155's because I don't need three controllers for my house.
because the XV6700 runs on the EVDO network, I can:
5. have access to all of my mp3's, pictures, and videos that are on my local network at home. I can even watch live TV that's being broadcasted from my house from anywhere I am. I can do this because of the broadband wireless network the XV6700 runs on and an application called ORB. Check out orb.com... it's free!
6. of course, I have internet access wherever I am so I'm never without email, instant messenger, SMS or MMS. The phone is also a camera/video camera so I can shoot something and literally in a minute or so, have it sitting on my home network where I can distribute it as I need.
7. I am always up to date as far as my work and play schedule because of the syncing capabilities with outlook and other online calendar apps.
I feel like I should be a salesman for this phone but I see so many benefits of having this phone. I've been building my home automation infrastructure with this device as the main controller in mind and I see it being so much more than even that. Your imagination is it's only limitation!
Raphael, If you're a happy customer with Cingular than by all means stay with them. All I'm saying is Verizon is rolling with EVDO and this is the time great things are created; when there's a convergence of technologies. It's happening, right now.
Cheers!
Eric
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03-10-2006, 11:49 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Raphael Salgado
I suppose when you have to settle for something, it has to be tangible, real, and in front of you.
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I can't only agree here half way. As someone who on occasion finds himself having to plan a software architecture, I understand that you have to consider the future as much as it makes sense. Often trying to postion yourself to be in an acceptable place when the partially unknown shows up.
Here's some of the things we do know.
1. You have a tech addition. You'd be locking into a single device. For 2 years. !
2. High speed GSM will come... eventually.
3. New devices show up about every 6 - 8 months.
Its like the marriage question. Sure, there's something special about this device. But can you really see yourself with only one device for such a long time?[/list]
__________________
Phone: Nexus one Backup Phone: AT&T Samsung Jack; Future Phone: I'm Watching WP7; Media Player: Platinum Zune HD 32GB; Home Server: HP MediaSmart Server LX195 Console: XBox 360, PS3, Wii |
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03-11-2006, 12:27 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by RacerX
But I can do ANYTHING I want with a Cingular device. ANYTHING. Wanna transfer files via bluetooth? - No problem. Wanna use it as a modem (cabled or wireless) to my laptop or Pocket PC? No problem.
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Interesting. I can do all that with my RAZR V3c and soon to have XV6700. Been a happy Verizon customer since 2000 and have no plans to change. Simple things like call quality and the best coverage in the US are important to me. Back on topic . . . you may have another option. Verizon will let you go on a month to month basis once your contract expires. Does Cingular allow this? If so that may be an option to think about.
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03-11-2006, 12:35 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Phillip Dyson
Here's some of the things we do know.
1. You have a tech addition. You'd be locking into a single device. For 2 years. !
2. High speed GSM will come... eventually.
3. New devices show up about every 6 - 8 months.
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1. He could opt for a one year contract (Device discount lower)
2. Eventually isn't today, tomorrow or even this year.
3. Sounds to me he's found a device already :wink:
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