Using an MPx200...Finally!

[Jason Dunn]

Well, I'm only eight months behind everyone else in the Smartphone world :lol:, but I recently was sent an MPx200, and I've been using it for a few weeks now. I wanted to see if it was really all I was hoping it would be before posting comments about it. So, does it live up to my expectations? Yes and no.<br /><br />The hardware itself is great - amazing design! The difference between the build quality of a consumer electronics company like Motorola, and a "computer" company like HTC, is light years apart (even if it's the same factory in China building them). Motorola knows how to build a phone - the plastic is sturdy, the screen is excellent, and everything about the phone says "quality". The black, high-gloss plastic they chose gets smudged too easily, but other than that I love the way it looks.<br /><br />I haven't noticed any reception differences between the MPx200 and the Tanager I was using before (both on the <a href="http://www.fido.ca">Fido network</a>), but I have noticed that the MPx200 doesn't have as sensitive of a microphone - I've had several people comment that it was hard to hear me when using the MPx200. The lack of Bluetooth is somewhat frustrating, but not terribly so - the only reason I want it is to get GPRS access for my Pocket PC so I can use it for email access when I don't have WiFi access for my 4150.<br /><br />The MPx200 feels much faster in most cases than my Tanager, and doesn't suffer from the "slowdowns" as often (though it still happens now and then). I have noticed that pressing the power button once doesn't bring up the profile screen as you'd think - you have to hold it in for a second or two, but not too long, or the phone will power off. This is irritating because that's the fastest way to put the phone into silent mode.<br /><br />The biggest frustrations I have with the MPx200 stem from the operating system - Smartphone 2002 just doesn't cut it for me. I was using a Smartphone 2003 phone for a few months, so going back to the crippled Inbox of Smartphone 2002 is frustrating - I find it very irritating to only have access to one email account, and I didn't even get a choice about that because I have the phone set up to sync against an Exchange server, so my one Inbox account is already the Exchange one. I have five other IMAP accounts that I need to check, so Smartphone 2002 doesn't allow me to be as productive as I want to be.<br /><br />Overall, I've found the battery life on the MPx200 to be quite good - it lasts three to four days, although that depends on how much I use it. I've gotten into the habit of actually powering down the phone when I know I'm not going to be going out for the day, so that obviously extends the battery life. Because of the limitations in the version of Windows Media Player that they put on the phone, I don't use the phone for much in the way of multimedia - WMP lacks a full-screen mode. :-(<br /><br />Gripes aside, the Smartphone OS still has all the things I love about it - easy synchronization with Outlook, and great third party applications and games. What I'm really looking forward to though is a Smartphone with Windows Mobile 2003 on it, and improved hardware offering Bluetooth and a faster CPU. Hopefully I'll get my hands on an MPx220 faster than this MPx200. ;-)

[freitasm]

The lack of Bluetooth is somewhat frustrating, but not terribly so - the only reason I want it is to get GPRS access for my Pocket PC so I can use it for email access when I don't have WiFi access for my 4150.


You see, this is why I'm reluctanct to go to a Smartphone. I rely too much on a nice BIG touchscreen to change to a multi tap entry solution using the little keypad - even though the only data entry I make is URL for Pocket Internet Explorer or Access Netfront, and a couple of short e-mails.

I rather write than tap. I have to overcome my fear of changing paradigm to really try and see the use of a single device. I'm currently trying the i-mate Phone Edition, instead of my h4150 + P800 combo. If it works ok, I might try the i-mate Smartphone2.

I realise that since I don't write that much, and I always have access to the internet where I am, I can use a smartphone. And if travelling then I can take my PPC.

Yes, it's a change.

[deavod]

...
I have noticed that pressing the power button once doesn't bring up the profile screen as you'd think - you have to hold it in for a second or two, but not too long, or the phone will power off. This is irritating because that's the fastest way to put the phone into silent mode.
...


Press and hold the "home" button. :)

[bibap]

I am a big PPC user, but I have found that if you look at the Smartphone the right way it can be very helpful.

I use my Smartphone to carry all my contacts, read books with Mobipocket and carry a few MP3s. Before getting it I would carry both a PPC and my phone. Now I still carry both, but on the weekends, for example, I can go to the coffee shop for lunch and carry just my Smartphone. I use it to read a book at lunch and listen to some MP3s to block out the noise. I only have to carry one gizmo. During the week, I'm back to carrying both.

Now that Mapopolis is releasing a Smartphone GPS application, I can also carry street-level maps of NJ with me and always get directions, even if I leave my PPC at home.

I used to think of it as a replacement for the PPC, but this is wrong. It is a supplement that enables you to leave the PPC behind in certain situations and still have access to the information you need. I'm still learning how to divide the tasks between the two units.

[Kris Kumar]

The lack of Bluetooth is somewhat frustrating, but not terribly so - the only reason I want it is to get GPRS access for my Pocket PC so I can use it for email access when I don't have WiFi access for my 4150.

The last weekend...I decided I will not crib about lack of Bluetooth...I thought I had found an alternative..there was hope.

USB cable connection between Pocket PC and Smartphone.
IR needs line of sight. USB cable is reliable, though not elegant.

But unlike the "USB Modem Driver" which is available for Windows desktop OS, no driver is available for Pocket PC.

Why hasnt microsoft released a USB Modem Driver for Pocket PCs?

:-(

Does anyone know of such a driver. It will be a nice thing to have while the world is waiting for Bluetooth.

I would love to write one, but not finding enough Developer material.

Kris

[skjelnes]

The biggest frustrations I have with the MPx200 stem from the operating system - Smartphone 2002 just doesn't cut it for me. I was using a Smartphone 2003 phone for a few months, so going back to the crippled Inbox of Smartphone 2002 is frustrating - I find it very irritating to only have access to one email account, and I didn't even get a choice about that because I have the phone set up to sync against an Exchange server, so my one Inbox account is already the Exchange one. I have five other IMAP accounts that I need to check, so Smartphone 2002 doesn't allow me to be as productive as I want to be.


Have you tested Xmail by Xetra?

http://xetranet.free.fr/spv/xmail/

Works great on my Qtek 7070 (SPV100) with pop3 accounts.

[TANKERx]

I haven't noticed any reception differences between the MPx200 and the Tanager I was using before (both on the Fido network (http://www.fido.ca))

:?: What build does your phone have?

[possmann]

WHEN or when will the 220 be availible? :onfire:

[kennyg]

I recently had to go back to using my Tanager after having a mpx200 for a number of months (lets just say coffee and cellphones don't mix).

I found the contruction of the mpx200 to be much more solid than the Tanager and the flip phone form-factor is nicer as well. I also found the spped to be much greater. But unlike Jason I have found the reception to be on the average one bar greater and less likely to drop out of coverage. Additionally, the sound quality is MUCH better in general, the Tanager sound crackles and cuts where I've never had that problem with the mpx200.

[brntcrsp]

I really liked the hardware of the Mpx200, just not the signal - although it's not much better using the T616. I'm just going to bide my time and wait for a US carrier to issue a Smartphone 2003 device (not holding my breath for this anytime soon :oops: )

[jkovacs]

I tried the MPx200 on AT&T here in NJ and I LOVED the phone. I was able to completely give up my old Jornada 568 and I never missed it once. But then a couple of things started to bother me. Bluetooth was one, poor AT&T coverage was another... a BIG one. But mostly it was the OS. From what I've read Smartphone 2003 addresses all my issues but I really doubted there would ever be an update for the MPx200. I have a fundamental problem buying a new product with an "old" OS even though I know that's the nature of this beast and I'm probably going to have to get over it at some point. But I'm not quite there yet. There's just something not right about an upgradeable device that likely will never be upgraded.

Anyway, my point is I think Motorola has a FANTASTIC piece of hardware and with Bluetooth and Smartphone 2003 I would be thrilled. So I'm hopeful about the MPx220 coming to life soon, or the MPx100 coming to market.

Joe K.

[Jason Dunn]

Press and hold the "home" button. :)

Wow - cool, thanks! :-D

[TANKERx]

You learn something new every day, eh?

[bitbank]

Jason,
I just got my MPx200 for testing and really like the phone. I paid a service to unlock the ATT "Service Provider" lock and am happily using it on T-Mobile. I get tons of spam and use SpamNet to filter my email in Outlook. I would really like to be able to sync with ActiveSync over my GPRS connection when I travel to avoid loading up my phone with hundreds of spams. Is there a nice step-by-step guide to setting up ActiveSync to work on a SmartPhone over GPRS without exchange server?

L.B.