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View Full Version : Welcome Pocket PC Phones to CDMA


Andy Sjostrom
01-06-2003, 09:53 AM
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces03/default.asp">http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces03/default.asp</a><br /><br />Microsoft just officially announced their entrance into the CDMA business. Two new Pocket PCs (Phone Edition) are introduced in the announcement. Check out the integrated camera and keyboard!<br /><br />"With this announcement Microsoft broadens the availability of its Windows-powered software to the more than 100 million CDMA subscribers in the world. In October, Samsung made a cross-platform commitment to the Windows Powered mobile device platforms. Today, Samsung will unveil the first half of its October cross-platform commitment with the i700, a wireless Pocket PC for CDMA networks with one of the first integrated picture messaging cameras. Additionally, Hitachi will join Samsung as one of the first manufacturers to take advantage of the Pocket PC software for CDMA networks with its Multimedia Communicator: the first-ever Pocket PC with integrated keyboard and one of the first Pocket PCs with integrated digital camera. Both devices will be showcased at the Microsoft booth at CES."<br /><br />You can read more and see high-resolution images of the devices in the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces03/default.asp">three press releases.</a> (link will be live at 6 AM PST)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/samsunghitachi_01.jpg" />

proutpa
01-06-2003, 10:33 AM
Sweet, I hope Sprint picks up one of these.

Corn Bread
01-06-2003, 10:45 AM
Very cool. I wonder how large the Hitachi model is..........

fgarcia10
01-06-2003, 12:36 PM
Can I go to Sprint and buy one right now? :onfire:

Daniel
01-06-2003, 02:16 PM
Looks like Sprint is in testing phase here:
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?id=191
The i700 looks like a very cool device! :)

Does anyone like the Hitachi? I've never been into built in thumb-pads myself, but I'm curious about what people think.

Daniel

John Cody
01-06-2003, 02:44 PM
I don't see a flash for the built-in camera - In my experiance, any digital camera without a flash is virtually useless for taking indoor pictures :(

ihatephones
01-06-2003, 03:27 PM
I would think the flash is on the other side of the ppc if the lens rotates 180 degrees so you can use your screen as a preview. Can a ppc power a flash? I wonder if this thing has a replaceable battery.

I don't like thumb keyboards. If I really need to type I bust out my foldable thing.

the samsung seems more thought out, the sides are trimmed to the screen and the buttons are still in a decent gaming position. Not sure why some ppc makers think people won't play games.... Where is muli-player doom/quake for the ppc???

canadapocketpc
01-06-2003, 03:38 PM
Hey folks,

Looks like HTC has a CDMA version ready to go as well.

I have some pics on my site if you're interested.

- Dual Band CDMA
- Integrated GPS for ground based locating services
- Pocket PC Phone Edition.

http://www.canadapocketpc.com/htc_cdma.htm

Cheers.... Peter

fgarcia10
01-06-2003, 03:45 PM
The Samsung model looks better, but I need a thumb keyboard to type while I walk doing my inspections (apartment inspections). I miss my Jornada with the pocket keyboard, last year the company bought us the Toshiba 2032sp, and even thoght I like the connected device they don't have a thumb keyboard for it. Hopefully the Hitachi won't be bigger than the Jornada with the clip on keyboard.

Jason Lee
01-06-2003, 04:03 PM
Oh! Oh! I NEEED one! :o

Perry Reed
01-06-2003, 04:18 PM
Those are both pretty nice looking. Although for me, personally, I love my Jornada a lot and would rather see someone come out with a CF-card CDMA 1xRTT phone attachment. Or even better, one that replaces the battery and leaves the CF slot open. (I know, it'll never happen, but I can dream...) :)

Janak Parekh
01-06-2003, 04:20 PM
Sweet, I hope Sprint picks up one of these.
Sprint's definitely picking up the Hitachi. I'd guess this summer; MS is probably going to confirm during CES.

Those are both pretty nice looking. Although for me, personally, I love my Jornada a lot and would rather see someone come out with a CF-card CDMA 1xRTT phone attachment. Or even better, one that replaces the battery and leaves the CF slot open. (I know, it'll never happen, but I can dream...) :)
It already exists - the Yiso (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?selectSkuId=yisocf2031), but it's gotten terrible reviews.

--janak

Janak Parekh
01-06-2003, 04:21 PM
I don't see a flash for the built-in camera - In my experiance, any digital camera without a flash is virtually useless for taking indoor pictures :(
My experience disagrees with yours. Indoor works just fine without flash for a CCD with a sufficiently-fast time. In fact, we tend to use flashless pictures with digital cameras during presentations here to avoid being obtrusive, and they come out great. Outdoors in the evening, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter. I'd guess this doesn't have flash. :(

This is not going to be a hi-res camera, in any case. Witness the N(R|X)70V series.

--janak

bcre8v2
01-06-2003, 05:02 PM
This is pretty cool stuff. We have been playing around at my company with 10 different Pocket PC's, WLAN's (802.11b), and device management.

MS Portrait will allow you to VidCon much easier as long as you have a strong signal :robot:

bcre8v2
01-06-2003, 05:10 PM
http://research.microsoft.com/~jiangli/portrait/

vincentsiaw
01-06-2003, 05:16 PM
hey does anybody knows whatkind of processor this thing uses ?

vetteguy
01-06-2003, 05:18 PM
Is it just me, or does the Samsung one look very much like the iPAQ 1910?

MultiMatt
01-06-2003, 05:24 PM
Something that I find disappointing:
If you look at the FFC approval date for the Samsung i700 on PhoneScoop, it was August of 2002...
Damn! They take forever to get things moving!

With the FCC approval of the HTC Falcon just recently announced, that would lead one to believe that it will be Q3 or Q4 of 2003 before we even see one of those HTC devices available on Sprint or Verizon!

These bureacracies (FCC, Telecoms, etc) move way too slow for the technology age. With the expression "That was so five minutes ago" becoming the norm in this day and age, I find it hard to deal with "That was so five months ago"!!!!

Just my impatience venting! :roll:

Matt

vetteguy
01-06-2003, 05:26 PM
Something that I find disappointing:
If you look at the FFC approval date for the Samsung i700 on PhoneScoop, it was August of 2002...
Damn! They take forever to get things moving!

With the FCC approval of the HTC Falcon just recently announced, that would lead one to believe that it will be Q3 or Q4 of 2003 before we even see one of those HTC devices available on Sprint or Verizon!

These bureacracies (FCC, Telecoms, etc) move way too slow for the technology age. With the expression "That was so five minutes ago" becoming the norm in this day and age, I find it hard to deal with "That was so five months ago"!!!!

Just my impatience venting! :roll:

Matt
Well I've been waiting for a Smartphone for 2 years now, so I know what you mean.

szamot
01-06-2003, 05:34 PM
WOW it looks like they both have the speaker on the top and the microphone on the bottom, imagine that, you could use it like a real phone! I want me one, any one interested in a new Axim?

nirav28
01-06-2003, 05:59 PM
This sucks

I just cancelled my SprintPCS account and went to T-mobile. SprintPCS had crappy reception, (atleast for me). Also, I wanted Bluetooth support. The wife is going to be pissed if I switch back. But I really the like the looks of these PPC.

Argh!!!..why does life have to suck so bad!!

MultiMatt
01-06-2003, 06:02 PM
I wonder if the HTC Falcon is going to come with built-in BlueTooth. It certainly would be handy for using a headset!

I also hope (fingers crossed) that the SD slot will be SDIO.

Anyone know about these two details?

Matt

bdegroodt
01-06-2003, 07:33 PM
A keyboard! Huge step in my opinion! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I may even consider dumping my T-Mob service for Sprint or Verizon (Depending on who puts that phone to service.). :D

Cornerstone
01-06-2003, 08:08 PM
The HTC Falcon looks much more interesting to me than the other two. I currently have the T-Mobile PPC Phone, and the one thing I wish it had was an integrated GPS. The GPS is far more useful in my opinion than a low res camera. Do people really use those cameras for anything?

Just like MultiMatt, I wonder if the Falcon has integrated Bluetooth and SDIO. It looks like they added the hardware button for voice note taking. I also wonder how sensitive the GPS is. I would almost switch my cell service to whichever one picks up this phone. I think it currently has the best form factor out there.

scrinch
01-06-2003, 08:12 PM
Does anyone know if the dark part covering the top half of the Hitachi is a screen protector?

Daniel
01-06-2003, 08:42 PM
Do people really use those cameras for anything?

I'm afraid so, as bcre8v2 mentioned earlier, Microsoft Portrait may be able to utilize this camera for wireless video conferencing. That'd be impressive.

Daniel

apeguero
01-06-2003, 08:53 PM
I just bought the Sanyo 5300 and love it. It has the built in camera and I actually use it to load the phone up with Picture Caller ID and to also take pictures on the go. I can hardly wait for these to come out. Although I must say, I sure hope the Samsung supports Picture Caller ID as I actually returned my T-Mobile Samsung V205 because it didn't have that. Sprint reception has gotten a lot better. I'm in the Eastern Massachusetts area and always get a good connection. I love Sprint's Web service too. It has graphics while T-Mobile didn't...I used to be a Sprint hater now I'm a Sprint optimist :wink:

dean_shan
01-07-2003, 12:43 AM
Looks great. Now if only Alaska would get some CDMA networks. :D

dznylvr
01-07-2003, 02:10 AM
O man I can't wait to see these things @ CES this week!!!!! :onfire:

JMountford
01-07-2003, 03:49 PM
I am betting that the slow turn around for CDMA Windows Phones has less to do with beurocrasy and more to do with Microsoft. I am at three years with Sprint PCS so I am looking forward to some good CDMA phones. My sister works for Verizon so I can get the hook up there too.

So for right now I am just waiting to see what happens. The Hitachi device is just scary looking, but I think that the samsung and HTC phones are very sharp. I have to say the Samsung device actually LOOKS like a phone.

MultiMatt
01-07-2003, 03:55 PM
Here is a question that I have yet to hear a good anwer to:

Why is it that neither Sprint nor Verizon carries a BlueTooth-enabled phone* so that those of us with BT Pocket PC's could connect in that fashion until the CDMA Pocket PC phones are available?

For the most part, I have been hard-pressed to find a Sprint or Verizon customer service rep who even knew what BT was!


* - I know - there was the Motorola 270c that had a battery/Bluetooth add-on, but those phones are no longer offered...

I'm all ears! :?

Matt

Jason Lee
01-07-2003, 04:35 PM
The more i think about it the more i like the Hitachi. Have any of you ever tried to have a conversation with more than one person in MSN Messenger while using character recognizer... or worse, transcriber? I did it quite often until i got tired of carring around my cellphone, ppc, and all 6 meters of required cables to connect the two...

For me it will all come down to which one will roam to analog. I know the Samsung will and the HTC won't. No news on the Hitachi but it looks (appearance wise) like their only other phone that sprint carrys. Which is a great phone but digital only. So i assume it will be the same for this just like the Toshiba and Treo. There are still quite a few places here in backwaters Missouri that you just can't get digital signal no matter how you hold your arms.. :wink:

So most likey i'll get the samsung. It lookes the best IMHO. I do like the built in thumb pad though.

MultiMatt
01-07-2003, 05:29 PM
Jason,
Would you elaborate aboutFor me it will all come down to which one will roam to analog. I know the Samsung will and the HTC won't.

This is enlightening...
Thanks!
Matt

Jason Lee
01-07-2003, 08:48 PM
Sprint networks have three different "bands". PCS/CDMA 1900/800 MHz, which is their digital. The 1900 is, i believe, used for the new higher speed voice and data. All of sprints old network is 800. Most has been upgraded to 1900 and all their new expansion is already 1900 for their PCS Vison. They also use AMPS (800/900 MHz can't remember which. pretty sure 800) which is analog like ALL old cell phones used to be. There is no data capability and the sound quality sux but almost ever in the country is covered because this was the first big cellular standard in the US. Sprint's digital coverage is only good along major highways and larger cities. We only got sprint service here about a year ago when the rest of the providers started popping up here. Before that only at&t and altel.
Sprint markets their phones and single or dual band on the website. Dual band means digital and analog. Single band means digital only which will only work in the aforementioned cities and highways. However now if you look closer at the specs on new sprint phones some are called tri-band, meaning they do both digital frequencies and the analog one. This means your phone will work almost anywhere but you may have to pay horrid roaming and long distance charges. To me this is the only choice. One of the reasons i got a cell phone in the first place is incase of and emergency on the road or something. With out analog you are sol many places.

I think is funny how times have changed. Years ago people didn't want nextel because they built their own digital network and had no analog. So your phone only worked on and where they had their network setup. Now the trend of AT&T, Cingular, and company switching to GMS/GPRS puts everyone in that boat. There really isn't decent GSM coverage in this country and won't be for some time. I'll admit it is growing surprisingly fast but current GSM networks have a way to go to catch nextel and especially Sprint and Verizon.

I had Nextel and switched to Sprint for this very reason. I HAD to have data services on my phone (*grin*) but also wanted it to work at my house or anywhere around the community not just downtown or near the interstate.

Anyway..... back to the point. :lol:

All new samsung phones have been tri-band. Even the new palm that just hit the website a few days ago, the i330. A tri-band phone will allow you to use all of sprints network, roam to verizon's easier and allow you to use your phone on analog if absolutely necessary.

The FCC report on the new HTC model only tested and approved the 1900 and 800 MHz frequencies for the phone and the documentation about the phone says that is all it will do. Just like ALL of the cool Vision phones. The Toshiba, the Treo, and the Hitachi p300. This is also why i assume the new Hitachi PPC will only do digital.

Having a single band phone is kinda like having a car that can ONLY drive on concrete roads. NO asphalt no matter how bad you need it. You really couldn't get very far that way. Unless you live in or near a major city where ALL the roads are concrete. People who live anywhere near New York or LA or any place like that have probably never seen asphalt.... eer, analog. :lol:

However there is a lot for country out here that doesn't have that luxury and probably never will because they will keep changing standards.

I flipped my truck in a horrible snow storm a little over a year ago. I was MILES from anything. Fortunatly my phone roamed to analog and i was able to call my insurance company who then called the sherif.
In my case having or not having an analog capible phone was the difference between life and death. Not so much on most cases though. :lol:

Hope my incoherent rambling helped. :D

MultiMatt
01-07-2003, 10:35 PM
Wow - Thanks for the overview! And the analogies!

Glad to hear that a useable signal was available for your accident - sometimes we only think of the "nice" side of convenience with mobile devices (aka I want to surf and have fun with my device).
That was a fine example of the "emergency/SOS" side of the coin...

Something to keep in mind when purchasing...

Matt

JMountford
01-07-2003, 10:55 PM
I have to say Oh brother guys, but any how. For the BT gripe, Sony Ericson does have a CDMA BT phone in the works. It is assumed it will be for Sprint but I am doubtful. It is listed on Phonescoop so go check it out. I will be honest. I really like the Samsung styling, but I am holding out for the Smartphone device, which WILL be for Verizon, at least in the beginning. Sprint is charging unreal good prices for Vision right now so I do not see them carrying any type of phone that will link with a computer and allow that wireless connection to be used for massive data.

Also I bet dollars to donuts that on the PPCPE devices Sprint will charge regular Vision Rates instead of their phenomenal Handset rate. So you are looking at 99.00 for unlimeted usage.

Just my bets.

JMountford
01-07-2003, 10:57 PM
PS I am currious as to whether the HTC CDMA device makes use of the GPS chip for full GPS utilities or just your standard CDMA Location based Services....

Just a Hmmm I wonder.

Jason Lee
01-07-2003, 11:23 PM
PS I am currious as to whether the HTC CDMA device makes use of the GPS chip for full GPS utilities or just your standard CDMA Location based Services....

Just a Hmmm I wonder.

That would be so nice. I mean, if you're gonna build it in why not make it useful.
It may actually be usable. I remember reading that Sprint's location based services use the same radio stuff as regular GPS but only communicates with the towers and not salalites. But still with the apropriate software you should be able to get a decent triangulation from cel towers. But that's just dreamin'. :)

MultiMatt
01-07-2003, 11:32 PM
After reading the full press releases for both the Hitachi and the Samsung models, there is no mention of Verizon whatsoever!

What the hey?!!!

Come on! What is the deal with that? Is Verizon going to be the last carrier on the planet to have a Pocket PC Phone Edition or what?!!!

Matt

Jason Lee
01-07-2003, 11:39 PM
OOH! OOH! I just read them as well. The Hitachi will be tri-band! WOOT!

8O :D

400 MHz xscale with SDIO... ooooooooo

I still like the look of the Samsung though... Tough choices i must make, yes...

mccollin
01-18-2003, 08:18 PM
Jason Lee,

What you described is why my wife keeps her now disconnected Verizon phone in the car with her. She uses a T-Mobile all the time, but if she were in an analog area and had an emergency, I'd want her to have some backup plan. All phones work for 911 calls, even when they aren't connected to a plan.... so thus, she has the phone and car charger in her glove box for an emergency.