microsoft's defense for xscale

[spursdude]

just read this at pocketpc.com (microsoft's site). it's quite interesting, defending the x-scale saying that everything is practically instantaneous, so the disappointing performance increases don't matter that much.

Users of any Pocket PC 2002 device have a near instantaneous experience when using built in PIM functions or most other applications. When the speed differences between devices can barely be measured in fractions of seconds, it no longer is a useful decision factor. But because this is how we rate and compare PCs as well as some other computing devices, benchmarks are still the tool that reviewers choose.

Now that new devices with XScale processors are appearing on the scene, reviewers expect these to be appreciably faster. Some reviewers have been disappointed with the improvement in performance because it wasn't as great as they expected. But when performance is near instantaneous already, how much more speed is really necessary? As with PCs there will always be power users who need more from their devices, but the majority of us will never exceed the capabilities of our Pocket PCs. Before you buy any device, try it to be sure it has all the power you need, but do not make your decision on specs alone as you will surely miss the device that has that certain "something" you will fall in love with.


http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/club/chatter.asp

[Jason Dunn]

Yeah, I read that too, but tell that to the people who are seeing 50% slower video playback...

[billresso]

Hi

Well OK there has been enough reporting of the 'multimedia' problems.
Bad frame rates for video and bad play-back for music files. There is common consensus in this matter, or so it seems.

These units are being made, advertised and sold as 'multimedia' devises. Which multimedia exactly are they supposed to play - out of the box and without anything extra added? Is it as advetised MS wmv/wmp?

If it is a provable case that these devises will NOT perform as advertised
specifically for 'mulitmedia apps' using MS player programs as advertised, without ANY patches/updates/or special configurations etc. Then there will be a strong case for legal action - as with any goods or services NOT conforming to acceptable standards or practise as advertised by the companies concerned.

In short: They (Owners of software programs - in this case MS) are in breach of advertising standards code of practice. and the manufacturers are liable if they do NOT deliver goods 'fit for function and purpose' as advertised.

Just one provable example is all that is required............


Regards

[spursdude]

you are right in one sense - out of the box, a pocket pc can play very few multimedia formats - mp3, wma, wmv, wav?, maybe a few more.

however, pocket pc's have incredible multimedia capabilities (with free downloaded software like pocket tv or pocket divx). and, the fact that they can do this with a few free software titles still shows the power of pocket pc - both the OS and the hardware.

if MS said "play multimedia straight out of the box" then i would feel that that was a pretty blatant lie. however, there's plenty of potential for multimedia in a ppc (for free).

[JonnoB]

if MS said "play multimedia straight out of the box" then i would feel that that was a pretty blatant lie. however, there's plenty of potential for multimedia in a ppc (for free).

The Windows Media player can play more than one format... Even if it is limited in scope of all the formats available, the term multimedia means more than one media (and that is satisfied by the media player)

[billresso]

Hi

WMP/WMV by MS are the media players put into most PDA and of course the new XSCALE units.

The point being which media exaclty will MS wmp/wmv play now, in an Xscale unit without any problems? Pocket TV or DivX? what about music files? wma/mp3? maybe there ARE other formats and files they will play?
But what are they? how come no one's pointing them out to the frustrated new users of Xscale??

There is no doubt about what the term multimedia means - But right now the program applications of WMV/WMP as made by MS will not play the standard format media files, as is commonly used with out some software re-write.

These will NOT work straight out if the box, that's why there has been such a disappointing reaction to the new Xscale chip in the new breed of PDA'S

Until there IS a re-write of what is considered to be standard programs
(there is a rumour that the FS Pocket Loox will get an 'improved wmp')

Many will be waiting for the 'optimised' applications to fully realise the benefits of the new chips they were expecting to use - straight out of the box.

Regards