Toshiba Sprint PCS Pocket PC Phone Edition Device?

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://144.226.116.29/PR/CDA/PR_CDA_Press_Releases_Detail/1,3245,00.html?ID=1111288">http://144.226.116.29/PR/CDA/PR_CDA_Press_Releases_Detail/1,3245,00.html?ID=1111288</a><br /><br />Sometimes amidst the PR churn machine, you find a little gem of information. So it looks like Sprint PCS is getting ready for a big push into the data world:<br /><br />"Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS), the company that for years has delivered unmatched clarity with crystal-clear service, today brings clarity to a whole new level by introducing PCS VisionSM, a next generation wireless service that is headed to retail stores and Sprint business channels nationwide beginning next week. Wireless customers want advanced wireless services that keep them connected to people, images and information wherever they work, learn, play and communicate. PCS Vision will offer those services nationwide, along with peak data speeds 10 times faster than available previously and improved applications, thanks to the strength of the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network."<br /><br />And guess what one of their data devices will be? A Pocket PC Phone Edition by none other than Toshiba.<br /><br />"PCS Phone by Toshiba 2032 - The first integrated Pocket PC phone from Sprint, the 2032 by Toshiba offers a large PCS Full Color display, 206MHz Intel StrongARM Processor with 32 MB RAM and an array of software, allowing customers to be as productive with their PCS Phone as they are at their desktop. Suggested retail price: $799.99." Source: sullivanpt

[jpaq]

OK.
Everyone at once!

T H E R A!!!

I can't think that Toshiba would invest time and R&D into anything totally new when they already have the Thera being sold as an Audiovox.

The question should be battery life and if it is improved, why don't they put that battery in the Maestro/e570?

[sullivanpt]

I've never heard of Yiso but this picture looks cool to me:

http://www3.sprint.com/PR/PressKits/Attachments/85_819.jpg

I can put it in my iPaq!

"PCS Connection Card by Yiso (CF 2031) - A PCS Connection Card that allows mobile employees to access their company network, send and receive e-mail, access the Web wirelessly and make voice calls when inserted in a computing device using a hands-free earbud. Suggested retail price: $229.99. " - source: sprint.com

[scrinch]

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The StrongArm processor and 32 MB of RAM suggest that this may be the same product as the Audiovox Thera being sold by Verizon Wireless (manufactured by Toshiba). Is this the case of Toshiba rebranding a product that is already on the market as a rebranded PocketPC? I saw at the Sierra Wireless site that Toshiba had contracted for 30,000 embedded CDMA 1x modules for PocketPC's. I hope some of those 30,000 will go into next generation devices, not just 32MB-SA1110 Theras.

[brntcrsp]

The $800 pricepoint is going to turn away far too many people. The Verizon AudioVox was proof of that fact. Until they realize that we will not pay top dollar for a sub par device that is already dated, the Pocket PC Phone will never be a market performer.

[rlobrecht]

The press release doesn't mention PPC phone edition, so it probably is just another Thera.

[Jason Dunn]

The press release doesn't mention PPC phone edition, so it probably is just another Thera.

Good point - I jumped the gun a little I suppose. :oops:

[Dave Conger]

It is in fact the Thera, just under the Toshiba name. Audiovox always lists the Maestro as the 1032 and the Threa as 2032

[mginsberg]

I have been waiting for Sprint 3G. I called them today and they do NOT have any unlimited data plans. You have to pay per megabyte:

20mb = 39.95/month
70mb = $79.95/month

This sounds like it can get pretty expensive and I think will turn off many users.

Verizon Wireless has an unlimited plan for $99/month. The only problem is that that AirCard 555 is currently incompatible with iPAQ 39xx's and I have a 3955. I guess, I will have to wait.

Michael

[sullivanpt]

Just to be contrary. I read on Sprint's site that they not only do have unlimited data at $99 a month but they also have a $50/month for the first three months sign on bonus.

[scrinch]

Anybody know if the YISO CF card is a type-1 or type-2? Will it fit in a Jornada? For $799 you can get this card and an up-to-date PPC! Battery life will be another question, though.[/i][/b]

[ThomasC22]

Is it just me or is Sprint off to an aweful start as far as promoting this. I mean, I don't really know what products I can use with it, how much it is, or anything really.

As far as their web site is concerned, I can honestly say I've never seen so much text say so little.

[jeffmckean]

Yeahhh, it's a Thera. 1xRTT at least. Sprint also plans to have 1xRTT PC Cards too.

Hold on, I'm sure there will be other cool things.

[JMountford]

This is obviously a type II card.

[possmann]

Maybe I am just in a rant mood today...

OOOHHH - cool "new" thing. They spends tons of marketing dollars on this selling a sub-standard solution and a barely able to perform network for tons more than what it should be. No wonder people question technology development.

I have had nothing but bad luck with Sprint PCS service, coverage and overall products. You can have it. I've been a solid supporter of VoiceStream since December of last year. Yeah, they have some issues to, but the fact is that their network still beats the pants off of anyone elses out there where speed is concerned. First ones up with GPRS. No there is an under-marketed company...

I'm willing to say that it won't go anywhere. Kinda like that Verizon deal too....

[kettle]

Does anyone else find this a little too pricey?

[ThomasC22]

Does anyone else find this a little too pricey?

No, it is. I mean, no combo device should be any more expensive than the devices it replaces. In this case, you can get a good cell phone for $199 and a Audiovox costs $299 making this device a full $300 more expensive than the sum of its parts. Almost makes you want to consider a Treo doesn't it?

[jdhill]

Does anyone else find this a little too pricey?
Yup !!! The T-Mobile Spaceneedle is $250 less (and a heck of a lot better looking too!!!)

[jdhill]

Almost makes you want to consider a Treo doesn't it?
Almost.

Then I remember the Treo's very small thumb-board, the 160 x 160 pixel screen, and the Palm OS and I snap back to reality !!! :wink:

[Jason Lee]

Am I correct in thinking that you cannot use the thera(and probably the new toshiba) as a phone with out a hands free thing? I don't think I would not like to look like an FBI agent all the time... I don't mind hands free (always use it in the car) but it is just one more thing to carry around...

I am also assuming the same for the CF card. It probably won't even ring unless the ppc is on and the software is running...

You know the treo is no replacement for my ppc and my cell phone but it would make a great replacement for my cell phone and i shouldn't have to carry my ppc around constantly.. maybe. ;)

what do you guys think? It isn't really considered going to the dark side it if i replace my _PHONE_ with a palm, not my PPC. The pocket pc would still be my pda(computer, i use it for way to much).

:|

[kettle]

I'm curious, why would you want to go with the Treo instead of the T-Phone? The only thing I could think of is if your signed with SPRINT.

[JMountford]

I thought og going with a Treo for a whole,... uh no I didn't. It is still a Palm. And it is ungainly and all.

I went around the corner Thursday after seeing the Sprint post to look at the new phones all they have are the Sanyo 4900 and the Samsung a500. Both are nice phones. Traditionally I do not like Samsung Phones and I do not like Flip Phones, but the a500 was beautiful. The Sanyo was blockier than usual, bigger than usual and did not have as nice a screen as the Samsung. But when you consider the 170 dollar price difference is that something that matters. It does to me but might not for some. The guys at Sprint said that the new services could not even be provisioned until Sunday whether you signed up earlier or not due to some glitch.

I was all ready to sign up, but none of the phones even have a data kit available to sync do a device which is all I am realy interested in anyway. So I continue to wait.

[ThomasC22]

I'm curious, why would you want to go with the Treo instead of the T-Phone? The only thing I could think of is if your signed with SPRINT.

A lot of reasons, but here are just a few:

Its got an integrated screen cover. This is very important if I'm going to be using it as much as a cell. phone.

It has a built in keyboard. I hate to be all Walt Mossberg about it but I'd rather have a thumb keyboard after using it on my blackberry.

Better integration with the phone. Don't get me wrong, from everything I've seen PPC2k2PE is a big improvement but the Treo still does it better.

Its smaller. If this thing is going to be my cell. phone I want it small.

Those are just a few of the advantages. Honestly, I'm almost prepared to say the Treo is better in every way but one. It isn't a PocketPC (hence the avatar of my dream PocketPC btw)

[Jason Lee]

The main reason I was even considering the Treo was coverage area. There is a dot of GMS coverage here. It really is very iritating. However, after visiting my local sprint store I discovered that the treo was not only very "palm" (yuck) but it is only single band. Meaning it only works on sprint's digital network. That would still be better than GSM in this area but the ability to roam to analog in an emergency is the reason I switched from Nextel to Sprint in the first place... *sigh*

Maybe I should go with AT&T. They have the wonderful Simens phone that works with GSM and TDMA. Then I could get one of those cool PPCPE devices and just swap sim card when needed.

Or just get on of the new Sprint Samsung phones and wait until a ppc phone device comes out that can replace my phone and my Toshiba e740. Don't see that happening anytime soon... :(