Office Suite

[Torque]

Greetings,

Do any of you know of an Office suite that will work on the MPx 220? I realize that there are readers, but I'd like to be able to edit documents on the phone if possible. Also, are any of you aware of a QWERTY keyboard for the phone?

Thanks,

Torque

[Mike Temporale]

Here's a Bluetooth keyboard http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7043

As for office software, I can't think of anything that allows you to edit.

:)

[Torque]

The MPx220 is not listed among compatible smartphones for this keyboard:

http://www.javoedge.com/simtrix/productMtce/productDetail.do?state=init&productId=454&productRef=PKYB-61118-01&category=KEYBOARD

I suppose Microsoft would not want their smartphones competing with stand alone handhelds and this may be why they didn't include Word and Excel among the built in apps on smartphones, but if you think about it- If they believed that the smartphone is the future of the handheld, then why not complete the package with the ability to edit/create documents, and a bluetooth or infrared keyboard that works with the smartphone? Just a thought.

[Mike Temporale]

I suppose Microsoft would not want their smartphones competing with stand alone handhelds and this may be why they didn't include Word and Excel among the built in apps on smartphones, but if you think about it- If they believed that the smartphone is the future of the handheld, then why not complete the package with the ability to edit/create documents, and a bluetooth or infrared keyboard that works with the smartphone? Just a thought.

I don't think they left it out because they are worried about competing with handhelds. Handheld shipments aren't growing at the same rate as smartphones are. So if anything, you would want to add the feature to the phone.

I would guess that it was left out because when you buy a Smartphone, out of the box the only input method you have is multi-tap or T9. This would be a huge pain for anyone trying to use Word or Excel. At least the Pocket PC has a touch screen making it really easy to move around, highlight text, and modify things.

If office was included on every phone, I'm sure we would be seeing posts about people complaining that you can't use Word/Excel on these phones. It's too hard to do this, or that.

I don't imagine we'll see anything released until the market has grown, and alternate input methods have popped up. :D

[Torque]

Hmmm....

Well if someone produced an office suite and a working external keyboard, I'd buy them and use them daily.

[jimfee]

I have been tempted to try a full size bluetooth keyboard but I doubt that would be supported by Win Smartphone 2003, I wonder if an IR keyboard could be supported? Not having a styls or a mouse for input I would have thought there would have been better support for keypad cut and paste function while navigating the GUI.

I would realy like to see some sort of device like an InkLink or Smartpad that could bridge the gap between the Smartphone and a PDA, then shed it when there is no need.