07-04-2006, 11:45 AM
|
|
Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
|
|
Keyboards and Keypads: Sharp and Willcom's "es" W-ZERO3 Pocket PC Phone Edition
Today, Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft announced a new W-ZERO3 device (known as the "es") for the Japanese market, and I'm going to be upfront here by saying that this new variant looks hideously Lego brick-like. 8O
On the bright side, it has a 2.8" VGA (480 x 640) TFT-LCD (yes, you read that correctly; no, it doesn't mean that text will be painfully small), and also, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a miniSD slot, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a numeric keypad, a slide-out keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Unfortunately, no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (boo!), but it does have support for a DMB tuner. Note that this isn't your standard GSM phone, so those of you hoping to import one will have little luck. It's only compatible with Japan's PHS network.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 05:55 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 484
|
|
For me, the big news in this story is that after abandoning Windows CE for Linux for their handhelds, Sharp is back to Windows Mobile - at least for this domestic-only device.
Since the Zaurus line doesn't currently include a phone, perhaps Sharp will start producing a Windows Mobile Phone Edition for the US market. That would be great, since I've always liked Sharp's hardware designs.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 06:30 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 359
|
|
No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and a hideous shape!
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 07:21 PM
|
|
Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
|
|
No BT? Don't they use BT headsets in Japan? At this level of device, you'd think it would support that unless it is just not an important selling point over there.
__________________
Sometimes you are the anteater, sometimes you are the ant.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 07:37 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 150
|
|
If only Sharp would run WM on this style of device:
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 07:39 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 376
|
|
They do bulid VERY sold cell phones. It looks bulky but it has a VGA screen though
|
| |
|
|
|
07-04-2006, 08:15 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 541
|
|
Looking at the pictures from the launch, the device does not look too bulky, I could definatelly see myself using something like this, but the best thing is 2.8" VGA screen.
I just hope that this is a sign of things to come, I would love to see/get/use GSM/UMTS devices with 2,8" VGA screen.
OK, maybe the TrueVGA hack would be worthless on such small screen, but having quality VGA screen would be awsome.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-05-2006, 05:50 AM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 9
|
|
Is there any possibility for this phone to work on a GSM sim card. I live in the USA, is it possble at all to import this phone and have it work with T-mobile or Cingular? :roll:
|
| |
|
|
|
07-05-2006, 06:09 PM
|
|
Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by mystickid
Is there any possibility for this phone to work on a GSM sim card. I live in the USA, is it possble at all to import this phone and have it work with T-mobile or Cingular? :roll:
|
Unfortunately, no. As stated in the original news post, it's only compatible with Japan's PHS networks, so you're out of luck with regard to importing.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-05-2006, 06:42 PM
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 372
|
|
Congratulations Sharp, YOU FAILED IT.
And to answer another poster's question, no in Asia they dont use a lot of BT headsets, sticking the headset up to their ear is a status symbol and fashion statement. They constantly yearn to show off their handsets.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
