Flashback 2004

[Kris Kumar]

In a few hours from now, we will all be celebrating the arrival of the new year. And before we say bye bye to 2004, let's travel back in time and take a look at the news stories and events that made headlines in the Smartphone world.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-Flashback2004.jpg

The year 2004 will be remembered as the year in which Microsoft Smartphone became a mainstream smart phone. Much of the credit goes to HTC for developing the world's smallest yet the most powerful smart phone, the C500/SMT5600. The much hyped and eagerly awaited Smartphone, the Motorola MPx220 was also launched in the last quarter. I will not go into the details because a lot of our readers are still recovering from the wounds. :-) But regardless of the lackluster launch, this model strengthened the Smartphone choices available to the customers. <!>

Verizon managed to complete the prolonged testing of the Windows Mobile 2003 update for its Samsung i600 customers, and tried their best to offer "Worry Free Guarantee" service. All the major carriers in the US, except T-Mobile, now carry a Smartphone model. T-Mobile launched the SDA and SDA Music in Europe, and the customers in this part of the world were hoping that it would hit the local stores by December 2004. But now it is clear that we will have to continue our wait into 2005.The cell phone carriers in the US underwent consolidation. Cingular and AT&amp;T Wireless merged to become the nation's biggest carrier in terms of subscribers. Sprint and Nextel have announced their plans to merge.

New software applications ranging from games to personal productivity tools to navigations software, were launched on a daily basis. Last but not the least, the readership at Smartphone Thoughts grew significantly this year and is growing every day. We would like to thank out readers for their active participation.

Here are some of the interesting 2004 front page posts, that kept our readers and us hooked:

Verizon i600 WM2003 Update Available Online (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5916)

Audiovox SMT5600 Available On AT&amp;T Now For $199.99 (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6454)

Motorola's MPx220 Still Has Problems? (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6439)

One Smartphone, One Carrier, One Store And An Unsolved Mystery (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6607)

Please do share the news stories or front page posts that grabbed your attention in 2004.

[mbranscum]

The year 2004 will be remembered as the year in which Microsoft Smartphone became a mainstream smart phone.

Hmmm....I think the MS OS has a way to go before calling it "mainstream" :wink:

Give it another couple of years and we'll talk. :D

[Jason Dunn]

The biggest story from my point of view was that 2004 was the year when multiple carriers were offering multiple Smartphones, and some very cool, functional phones hit the market. The C500/iMate phone was the first Smartphone I didn't like I had to apologize for: it has great battery life, is quite small, has a wonderful screen, a camera, and Bluetooth. Everything you'd expect from a top-end phone.

2005 is going to be a great year for the Smartphone! :-)

[Mike Temporale]

I think this (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4827) story, and this (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5372) story were the highlight of the year for me. :wink: :lol:

In all seriousness, the biggest story IMHO, is HTC's Typhoon, C500, Audiovox, or whatever you want to call it. This phone has raised the bar for smartphones, and not just Windows Mobile based smartphones. We're talking all smartphones.

Here's to all of you, Thanks for a great year, and I'm looking forward to the fun we're going to have in 2005!
:) :drinking: :beer:

[mbranscum]

the biggest story IMHO, is HTC's Typhoon, C500, Audiovox, or whatever you want to call it. This phone has raised the bar for smartphones, and not just Windows Mobile based smartphones. We're talking all smartphones

anyone heard if cingular is picking this up???

[Jerry Raia]

My friends, the event of the year was obviously the rise of the MPx220 from the primordial slime and ooze.

Ok so it didnt rise up, we had to reach into the ooze to get it, worth it though eh? :)

[Kris Kumar]

Hmmm....I think the MS OS has a way to go before calling it "mainstream" :wink:

Give it another couple of years and we'll talk. :D

No doubt...MS OS has a long way to go. But I believe this year it got the visibility in the main stream media and among non-geeks.

Though have to admit, that the visibility is not anywhere near the BlackBerry and Treo levels. :-(

[Kris Kumar]

I think this (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4827) story, and this (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5372) story were the highlight of the year for me. :wink: :lol:

For some reason I was thinking that you came on board last year, I mean the year before 2004. Hmm..so that means pretty much the entire Smartphone Thoughts team joined this year.

[Jerry Raia]

I hate to break up the party but it should be obvious to all that <a href=http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6755>THIS</a> was the event of 2004. 8)

[Kris Kumar]

I hate to break up the party but it should be obvious to all that <a href=http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6755>THIS</a> was the event of 2004. 8)

I think this one (http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6956) is the one. I goofed up in my original front page post. :oops:

[Mike Temporale]

I hate to break up the party but it should be obvious to all that <a href=http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6755>THIS</a> was the event of 2004. 8)

Well, in all seriousness, I agree. That was when the North American Smartphone market really started to take off. We had just seen the MPx220 and Audiovox get released. Which meant that every major carrier in the US now offers a Windows Mobile device, and if you want to get specific to Smartphones, T-Mobile is the only one without.

So, ya. It was a pretty significant event in '04. :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

It would seem Kris that you are the only one here without the inflated ego that Mike and I have. :rotfl:

[Kris Kumar]

It would seem Kris that you are the only one here without the inflated ego that Mike and I have. :rotfl:

Oh..Oh..now you are making me feel guilty. :oops:

Check out the four links in the main post. 3 out 4 are mine. :oops: :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

Yeah but they arent about YOURSELF like ours are! :lol:

[Bacco]

But Jerry, have you forgotten what you are? Taltos!!!

You're entitled to feel that way...Need I say more? :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

Ahhh, good catch my friend :)