Upcoming US Smartphone

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?area=story&story=1045665038' target='_blank'>http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?area=...tory=1045665038</a><br /><br /></div>Arne seems to have the scoop on the first Smartphone 2002 unit hitting the US.<br /><br />"According to a red e spokesman here on the 3GSM Congress, the SC1100 will be available commercially during the next 3 months in the US! Developers can order a pre-production device during next week! Isn’t this amazing folks, seems you will get into touch pretty soon with a great device. This Smartphone was last year the TI/Microsoft/Orange reference platform and I really like the size of the phone, even if it has an external antenna which might be a con. However, the keys are what I expect on a mobile phone, large enough with enough space to press every key pretty easy."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/compal-us-20030219.jpg" /><br /><br />It's based on the Compal reference design, which is a little bigger than the HTC/Orange SPV. I've seen it, though, and it's still a really nice, compact little unit. Arne has comparison photos, and more info on the provider that's bringing this Smartphone is <a href="http://www.everlinkwireless.com/">here</a>.

[brntcrsp]

Here's me not holding my breath.

But, I must say that there are more and more murmurings of a Smartphone release. And I definitely like this form of the smartphone.

[Sheynk]

saaaweeeeeeeeeeet

[Mike Wagstaff]

It's certainly not much of a looker, but it's interesting that Arne says that he would "would exchange [his] Orange SPV with the Compal/red e SC1100!"... so it's got be doing something right.

In terms of ergonomics, it definitely looks better than the SPV. I sometimes wonder if the SPV's designers were deliberately trying to make the keys and joypad as hard to use as possible... :roll:

[Jonathan1]

I just can't get excited about the Smartphone. I got to play around with one at our local Pocket PC user group the last 2 meetings. The interface, IMHO, seems sluggish and slow to navigate esp since there is NO touch screen interface.

Am I the only one that thinks that the more functionality you add into a device that more you should have a touch interface. *shrugs* Guess that's the price you pay for such a small device.

[jizmo]

I just can't get excited about the Smartphone. I got to play around with one at our local Pocket PC user group the last 2 meetings.

Same thing here, they seem very uninteresting to me. I don't know if things would be different if I didn't own a PocketPC, but at the moment I just can't get excited about these ms smartphones.

/jizmo

[Mike Wagstaff]

I'm lucky enough to have both an O2 xda (Pocket PC Phone Edition) and an Orange SPV (SmartPhone). The xda goes everywhere with me, the SPV tends to sit at home.

For me, there's no comparison. The xda can do so much more, it's far more responsive, and its increased screen resolution and stylus input means that web browsing and email checking is pleasant, not painful.

However, having said all that, the xda's relative bulk and fragility is only just tolerable compared to the smaller and far more rugged SPV. But I guess that's the price I have to pay for wanting a superior device at my disposal.

[Jason Dunn]

Am I the only one that thinks that the more functionality you add into a device that more you should have a touch interface. *shrugs* Guess that's the price you pay for such a small device.

You're not the ONLY one, but I think the Smartphone team did the right thing in focusing on the one-handed scenario. If you have a touch-screen, you're going to end up needing to use the device with two hands, which to me, is a failure. A phone should be a one-handed device in almost every case...

[kennyg]

I just can't get excited about the Smartphone. I got to play around with one at our local Pocket PC user group the last 2 meetings. The interface, IMHO, seems sluggish and slow to navigate esp since there is NO touch screen interface.

Am I the only one that thinks that the more functionality you add into a device that more you should have a touch interface. *shrugs* Guess that's the price you pay for such a small device.

Yes, that was my phone you were playing with and at the last meeting I brought one with an updated ROM image that greatly improved the speed of the device. Just remember that this is a 1.0 version OS and you have to expect some of this. I've also heard rumors of Smartphone 2003 within a very short period of time, but I can't confirm this...

[ThomasC22]

The reason I was given for not having a touch screen was that it allowed them to use a sturdier plastic for the screen so it wasn't as easy to break.

Given that scenario, I have to agree with the Smartphone team, I don't really want to baby my Phone like I do my PocketPC.

[Pony99CA]

I just can't get excited about the Smartphone. I got to play around with one at our local Pocket PC user group the last 2 meetings. The interface, IMHO, seems sluggish and slow to navigate esp since there is NO touch screen interface.

Am I the only one that thinks that the more functionality you add into a device that more you should have a touch interface. *shrugs* Guess that's the price you pay for such a small device.
No, you're not the only one. That's probably why the Pocket PC Phone Edition has a touch screen. However, I think SmartPhones have less function than a Pocket PC. :-)

As for the SmartPhone, I'd have to play with one to see what I thought, but, if it's not a clamshell system, I'm not really interested. One-piece phones have problems for me -- the screen isn't protected, the keyboard buttons can get pressed accidentally and the phone itself hangs down too far.

Steve

[Delta737]

Well, I think Smartphones are great, but not this one. Boy, it's ugly!!!

[ricksfiona]

No Bluetooth, no sale.

[Pony99CA]

No Bluetooth, no sale.
Good point, but I guess Bluetooth isn't quite as important when you have a SmartPhone (with built-in E-mail and Web browser). Yes, you could still want to connect a Pocket PC (or laptop) to the phone for the larger screen, but it's not as important. However, why not just get a Pocket PC Phone if you want the larger screen?

Steve

[surur]

No Bluetooth, no sale.

Well said!!!

what about bluetooth handsfree sets, bluetooth phone car kits, bluetooth laptops needing modems etc....

Surur
Happy T68i owner

[ThomasC22]

Good point, but I guess Bluetooth isn't quite as important when you have a SmartPhone (with built-in E-mail and Web browser). Yes, you could still want to connect a Pocket PC (or laptop) to the phone for the larger screen, but it's not as important. However, why not just get a Pocket PC Phone if you want the larger screen?


My only problem with that logic is that I would (ideally) like to reply to E-Mail which the smartphone is simply not capable of (ok, technically it is, but it's unrealistic to think that you could type out a whole email on the keypad).

The question for me is going to be "is it compatible with 3rd party Bluetooth SD Cards?" If so, I think I'll be willing to throw down the money to completely outfit myself (although I hope Tanger reaches the US because this thing is ugly)