Will a Pocket PC user be happy with a Windows Smartphone?

[twestley]

I've been using a Toshiba Pocket PC w/VGA (e805) for several years, but I'd really like to carry a smaller device and, ideally, combined with my phone.

I'm willing to give up the VGA. I used QVGA for quite awhile on the Toshiba so I'm thinking perhaps I might be happy with the new Cingular 2125.

I regularly do the following with my Pocket PC: PIM tasks, reading (email, Mobipocket, Avantgo, Laridian DailyReader and PocketBible), password storage (Two Peaks FlexWallet), and mapping (MS Pocket Streets).

If you're a former Pocket PC user that has switched to Windows Smartphone, are you happy with the switch?

[squeeze]

I went from the Samsung i730 Pocket PC Phone on Verizon to Cingular's 2125 on Monday. I officially ported my number last night - so now I'm committed.

I think as long as your tasks are related to viewing/retrieving information (reading/lookup/check-off todos/etc.) then you should be okay. It's still a bit painful for me to do the T9 and other methods of entry but I'm getting better.

What I really like (which I missed on the Pocket PC Phones) is that it is a real phone with the real form factor and real indicators - VM, missed calls, text, etc.(that work all the time).

I'm slowy porting over my apps (read - repurchase) that I can't live without (like eWallet) and also discovering new ones like AutoKeyLock and FizzTraveller.

Overall, I'm a happy camper. I converted my Verizon Samsung i730 to a pure data device only that I keep stuffed in my bag/car/desk for intense email (MS Exchange) feedback or other data input intensive tasks.

Hope you enjoy the 2125 - you'll be pleased. I just ordered my 1 GB mini-sd from zipzoomfly and should be here on Friday.


EDIT

Okay, I'm totally in the hole. I just picked up the Verizon XV6700 WM5 Phone...looks great...sits really nice next to my 2125.

Over the last 2 days...I've had my 2125 forwarded to my 6700 to test out. So far - the truth remains, if you need data entry (heavy lifting as referred to below) then you need the Pocket PC. I'll keep everyone posted. But my main number (the one that gets ported from carrier to carrier) is on the 2125.

EDIT

Just returned the XV6700 VZW - I'm all about the 2125!

[twestley]

I think as long as your tasks are related to viewing/retrieving information (reading/lookup/check-off todos/etc.) then you should be okay. It's still a bit painful for me to do the T9 and other methods of entry but I'm getting better.

Thanks. This is exactly the kind of input I need. I do very little data entry on my Pocket PC. Data entry is almost entirely via laptop/ActiveSync, including use of MS Remote Display Control. I do use T9 a little on my current phone, Moto V600, so I'm familiar with how to do it (though not quickly).

[slylamb]

I have just migrated from a HP H6315 PPCPE device to the 2125 and absolutely love the form factor and functionality. As was mentioned in another post, as long as you aren't doing alot of content creation it will be great. I have been a long time PPC user (Started with a HP Jornada 320), and have had about 7 devices, and this comes as close to perfect for me that I've found so far. I still will hold on to my iPaq 4700 for those times that I need a PPC, but for the past week that I've had the 2125 I have not found anything that I don't like about it (hump included). Also it is nice to have all the phone functions work perfectly for a change!!

[squeeze]

Also it is nice to have all the phone functions work perfectly for a change!!

Absolutely!!! I love actually knowing that I missed calls and that I have voicemail waiting.

[juni]

I thought I'd be very disappointed in the QVGA screen on the Qtek 8310 after using my hx4700. But I have to say it is very very sharp. I guess being so small makes it look good :).

I also discovered the joy of quickly taking it out to read an ebook ( http://www.goldencrater.com/software/phone/TinyReader.htm ) or watch a movie ( http://www.dvdcatalyst.com/ and http://www.xvid.org/ and http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/about ) when on the bus or waiting in line for something :).

The phone functionality is excellent and very intuitive.

[xultar]

I'm going to start leaving my PPc @ home this week when I travel. I think the 2125 is a PPc killer. I really really do. Now there may still be a market for PPc phones. But this may be the death noll for PPcs as a standalone device without EDGE, UMTS, or HSDPA.

[Mike Temporale]

I haven't carried my Pocket PC in ages. :mrgreen: In fact, I've been meaning to list it on ebay for at least 4 months now. Hopefully February will bring with it the sale of all my old gadgets. :lol:

[twestley]

My brand new Cingular 2125 shipped today. I also ordered a 1GB mini-SD card from Buy.com and downloaded the Clearvue Suite from www.htcamerica.net.

Time for some research on the best registry hacks and software apps.

[pocketpcadmirer]

Looks like you people are giving people like me(I own htc magician) lust for smartphones.
I've really liked the form factor and functionality of imate SPm. Didnt know that the smartphones were really so smart :wink:

Sunny

[Tony Rylow]

I started out with a T-Mobile PPC Phone Edition a few years ago, and I loved it. For a while, then I started a new job and needed something smaller for daily use. Switched to AT&T, and got a Nokia 6820 for free. Used that for a few months and got bored with it.

Got a Razr when they were first popular. Transferred to the HelpDesk dept, and realized how much I missed having a PDA to use. (The PPC Phone was nearly dead, number of buttons wouldnt work and I couldnt sync) I bought a Dell Axim X30 wit the 624MHz/BT/WiFi and was quite happy with it and the Razr until the last couple months.

After seeing a friend of mine go through numerous ppc phones, ppc's, and a Moto mx220, I had to switch to a single device. The K-Jam and SP5 were out of price range, and I didnt want to sit around and wait for Cingular to get the 2125 back in stock along with an added contract.

Picked out the SP3i and it has been the best device for me. I can still use my e-wallet, sync with exchange to read emails, and pair with the Axim for heavy lifting. Really have no need for wifi on my phone.

[twestley]

OK, I've taken the plunge, buying a Cingular 2125. I really, really like it except for two things:

- ActiveSync is very unreliable (Cingular is replacing my phone), and
- Why is there no universal page up/down in every program?

[shindullin]

Active sync has been reliable for me so your problems really may be device specific. One thing I would note is that the PPC/smartphone issue doesn't have to be an either or. I have recently buttered up my wife and bought both an Axim x51v and a 2125. I use both, but for slighly different purposes. The phone is for every day and the PDA w.bluetooth keyboard is for when I'm in court and may have to do more intensive data entry. I subscribed to 4smartphone two days ago and sync everything together over the web as my office bans outlook on our desktops.

[twestley]

Active sync has been reliable for me so your problems really may be device specific.

I was wrong; it wasn't my device. On another topic in this forum (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=65272#65272), several posters diagnosed the problem as a firewall problem. I had assumed that, since my Pocket PC with WM2003SE worked OK, it must not be a firewall issue. One poster told me that WM2003SE devices still connect the old AS 3.8 way and that the firewall could be interfering with the new WM5 device. Sure enough, after killing all firewall processes, AS 4.1 works fine for the new smartphone.

[mipaul260]

Just bought the Audiovox 6700 through Verizon (same as the HTC, iMate KJam, etc.). This phone rocks. Blows the Treo 700 out of the water, if only because of the full keyboard and big screen. Great great phone, especially in black color from Verizon.

[shindullin]

I thought of getting that when I was still with Sprint, but I tired of their spotty coverage. Decided against Verizon because their data plans are really expensive and the didn't allow you to legally tether through bluetooth at the time. Read somewhere that this policy is changing but would rather have a plan where I can freely tether my phone without breaking any contracts.

[Richard76]

Will a Pocket PC user be happy with a Windows Smartphone?

Only on weekends!

[sracer]

Here's a link to my experiences using a smartphone as a ppc/notebook replacement. It is from 8+ months ago, but even more valid today.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8488

[jimfee]

I delved into the world of smart-devices with an MPX220 and was hooked. After a year I had a hardware issue and thought it might be time to try something new. I had a 6515 for about a week, but ended up having a bad mic. And I am currently learning the ins and outs of the 8100 (8125). Hardware issues aside, I think it depends on the end user.

I myself am moving from Smartphone to PPC and possibly Tablet in the Future. I have a craving for screen size and can handle the bulk of devices. Other people are finding the increased functionality in smaller and smaller packages and are following that trend.

[ditch_azeroth]

just my two cents worth.

it entirely depends on what you use your phone for. if you use it only for calls, and maybe some text, stick with the cheapest "green screen" phone that you could get your hands on... and leave the rest to your PC/mac.

you could also do the combo: get the cheapest phone that has bluetooth and get a compatible PPC (or is it the other way around... :lol: ). some people are more comfortable with this setup.

personally, i see a smartphone as the best of both worlds. besides, most of the apps that you mentioned are available in smartphones (even my HTC e200 voyager could support apps like those)... some of them are freewares :) so if you get a cingular 2125, that would be perfect.

[Mark Larson]

I was going to be a PPC+Phone user, but then I got a great deal on an SDA and now I'm a PPC+SP user. :lol:

I can do most of the things on the SDA that I can on the PPC, but I have the luxury of an easier-to-use UI and bigger screen on the PPC. When I remember to bring it along. :?

I don't think I'd like to downgrade to a 2.8" screen - a 3.5" screen is small enough, and I really don't mind the size, even in the aluminum case. I just don't like having to dedicate one pocket to the phone, one pocket to the wallet and keys, and the Pocket PC needs its own pocket as well.

[twestley]

Thanks for all your inputs. All things considered, I'm very happy with my switch from PPC to WM5 Smartphone (Cingular 2125).

[Pete Paxton]

Within the last few days I sold my Dell Axim X30. I got my Tmo SDA back in the middle of Feb and almost two months later I barely touched my Axim. I watch lots of movies (StarWars), tv shows (Flintstones), MP3 player, and pictures and slideshows of my family. It's my calendar, contacts, and email device, I have the NIV Bible on it as well as an RSS feeder. I too use Flexwallet for my passwords. The one thing though, I am a wifi nut which is the only reason I'd choose the SDA over the 2125, otherwise, I heard they are practically the same unit. I love my SDA and haven't really missed my Dell at all. :D

[ditch_azeroth]

...yet another convert 8)

[Terry Pickett]

Also it is nice to have all the phone functions work perfectly for a change!!

Absolutely!!! I love actually knowing that I missed calls and that I have voicemail waiting.
I am glad you like the 2125. I really didn't like the 8125, took it back. What did you think of the Treo 700W?

[jacklf]

I really didn't like the 8125, took it back.

what didn't you like about the 8125? It's currently the next thing on my purchase list...

[Terry Pickett]

I really didn't like the 8125, took it back.

what didn't you like about the 8125? It's currently the next thing on my purchase list...

The 8125 was awful!! WiFi didn't want to work at first. Several days later it worked, at home, not at work. The unit would crash, would have to reboot. It wouldn't allow me to synch my music with Windows Media, said I didn't have a storage card, it was working fine. Cingular was no help. Didn't even know the phone was released. Asked me how I got it. I told them at a Cingular store. The phone wouldn't ring loudly. They told me to set it to the outdoor setting, like my 5600. I told them there was no outdoor setting. I took the phone back and got my $430. After all the trouble, it was sort of nice going by to the Audiovox 5600.

[jacklf]

sounds like you had a very rough experience.. I may still go for the 30 day trial and see what happens, but thanks for the feedback!

[Terry Pickett]

sounds like you had a very rough experience.. I may still go for the 30 day trial and see what happens, but thanks for the feedback!
I wasn't very happy about it. I really expected so much more from the phone. It sort of worked when it felt like it <smile>! I couldn't get used to no keys to dial a number without sliding out the keyboard. I didn't like Windows on the Pocket PC platform. The OS for Smartphone seems easier to use, day and day out. Cingular offered to swap out the phone which could have been some of the problems, but I told them it couldn't have solved all the problems!