Orange SPV, Take Two

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.infosync.no/news/2002/n/3108.html">http://www.infosync.no/news/2002/n/3108.html</a><br /><br />Orange is readying a successor to the current Orange SPV Microsoft Smartphone 2002, tentatively name the SPVx.<br /><br />"Orange said its research indicates that the average user of the current SPV model is either a mobile business worker or early adopter, with a high use of e-mail and synchronization with their PC. With the addition of the SPV successor, Orange aims to widen the SPV portfolio to target consumers more directly, with a focus on games, music and entertainment services."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030222-orangespvx.gif" />

[ppcsurfr]

This exact Smartphone is now available in the Philippines and SMART Communications has already released the devices in small numbers to the public.

This Smartphone (Tanager) handles better than the older SPV as it has a Joystick and a button layout quite similar to that of the Sony-Ericsson T68i.

"[14 February 2003/ MANILA] – The Philippines’ leading mobile operator SMART Communications Inc. (SMART) announced today the introduction of the “Smart Amazing Phone” – the first Microsoft Windows Powered Smartphone in Asia that promises to open the door to a world of advanced wireless and mobile internet services"

http://www.smart.com.ph/images/htc.jpg

http://www.smart.com.ph/News/news_corp.asp?Id=285

[mar2k]

While I like the idea of MS Smartphones, it looks like Outlook sync leaves much to be desired - no real category management. Tasks are just listed and apparently you can't even display more than the Task subject and if it is too long it just lops it off if it won't fit on the screen - what is that all about? :? I use Tasks a lot during the day and reading newsgroups and seeing that was very discouraging.

Maybe Smartphone 2003 will fix these deficiencies? I can only hope.

Since MS has already stated that future versions of Pocket PC OS and Smartphone OS will have .NET compact framework built in, and Visual Studio.NET 2003 (April release scheduled) will have the "Smart Device Extensions" built in and their intent is for VS.NET 2003 to be the sole platform for development, wouldn't April be the ideal time to announce Pocket PC 2003 and Smartphone 2003?

[bdegroodt]

As close as this is for a MSFT device that's ideal for my life, I don't get the missing keyboard thing. Especially since Orange's own research shows that the typical user is one "with a high use of e-mail." Surely there's at least one manufaturer that can use the SPV form factor and slap a keyboard into the device.

[MR_E]

Surely there's at least one manufaturer that can use the SPV form factor and slap a keyboard into the device


A matter of time, I guess. I read somewhere (probably on http://www.modaco.com/smartphone/, which has a lot of information on the SPV) that the connector is the same as on recent iPaqs, but that it's wired differently. It shouldn't be too hard to modify an existing iPaq accessory.
I assume that once sufficient numbers of the SPV have been sold, one or more keyboards will come available.

[bdegroodt]

Surely there's at least one manufaturer that can use the SPV form factor and slap a keyboard into the device


A matter of time, I guess. I read somewhere (probably on http://www.modaco.com/smartphone/, which has a lot of information on the SPV) that the connector is the same as on recent iPaqs, but that it's wired differently. It shouldn't be too hard to modify an existing iPaq accessory.
I assume that once sufficient numbers of the SPV have been sold, one or more keyboards will come available.

Oh yeah...It has to be integrated into the unit. No strap on stuff.

[David McNamee]

Since MS has already stated that future versions of Pocket PC OS and Smartphone OS will have .NET compact framework built in, and Visual Studio.NET 2003 (April release scheduled) will have the "Smart Device Extensions" built in and their intent is for VS.NET 2003 to be the sole platform for development, wouldn't April be the ideal time to announce Pocket PC 2003 and Smartphone 2003?

VS.NET 2003 does not support the Smartphone. I'm told that it will be updated "soon after its release" to add Smartphone support. No telling when that will actually be, though.

So, no, April might not be the ideal time to announce the next revisions of PPC and SP. Especially if they want major marketing attention on them. They'll have to slip it in sometime between - or after - the launches of Visual Studio .NET 2003, Windows Server 2003, Office 2003, Exchange Server 2003, a couple of other server product updates, SPOT, and an update to Windows XP Media Center Edition. Right now, I'd say it's anybody's guess when the next revisions will be announced.

My guess, though, is that we'll learn something from the Mobility Developer Conference.

[Jason Dunn]

As close as this is for a MSFT device that's ideal for my life, I don't get the missing keyboard thing.

It does have a keyboard - it's the phone buttons. :D T9 is actually quite decent.

I don't think it's physically possible to cram QWERTY keyboard onto a phone and have it remain a phone - how on earth would that work?

[David C]

What would be really good is if someone tells www.pocketop.net to make a driver for the smartphones. I'd go with an IR keyboard if I have a SPV.

[mar2k]

VS.NET 2003 does not support the Smartphone. I'm told that it will be updated "soon after its release" to add Smartphone support. No telling when that will actually be, though.

So, no, April might not be the ideal time to announce the next revisions of PPC and SP.

Oh, well, so much for my cautious optimism. Does the same apply for Pocket PC? Will VS.net 2003 support Pocket PC out of the box or will that happen after its release as well.

[Robert Levy]

Oh, well, so much for my cautious optimism. Does the same apply for Pocket PC? Will VS.net 2003 support Pocket PC out of the box or will that happen after its release as well.

Pocket PC will be supported in VS 2003 right out of the box.

[bdegroodt]

As close as this is for a MSFT device that's ideal for my life, I don't get the missing keyboard thing.

It does have a keyboard - it's the phone buttons. :D T9 is actually quite decent.

I don't think it's physically possible to cram QWERTY keyboard onto a phone and have it remain a phone - how on earth would that work?Oh right, you want me to give away the solution to the million dollar feature? :P Not sure Jason, I'm seeing more and more non MSFT devices get pretty close to the mark (Nokia, Handspring, Palm) that I have to think with all the brains that are behind the Smartphone, somebody has a good idea how to do it. I like the flip out keyboard idea. I use T9 now for SMS and it's ok, but it's no keyboard. I'm curious to play with the Tungsten W when it comes out this week. I makes me want to cheat 8O !

[Landis]

The buttons look a lot more finger friendly.

Is it just me or does the screen aspect look shorter than the old model? In the last picture, it even looks like the bottom corners of the soft buttons are cut off.

[Robert Levy]

In the last picture, it even looks like the bottom corners of the soft buttons are cut off.

Yes, the bottom corners of the screen are slightly cut off. But in actual use, you never even notice (since the area that is cut off never contains anything).

-Robert Levy
Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices, Smartphone

[ppcsurfr]

In the last picture, it even looks like the bottom corners of the soft buttons are cut off.

Yes, the bottom corners of the screen are slightly cut off. But in actual use, you never even notice (since the area that is cut off never contains anything).

-Robert Levy
Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices, Smartphone

This was needed to make way for some design aspects that were implemented. Since the screen isn't of the touch-screen variety, slightly covering the soft keys shouldn't really pose any problems.

If you will notice, the keypad of the Tanager (SMART Amazing Phone/SPVx) is slightly bigger than that of the Canary (the original SPV). It now has a real joystick and the buttons reside higher on the frame... closer to the screen if you look closely. It is very easy to use and the joystick is quite comfortable too. I played Waterman and Snake on it and it was fun.

ppcsurfr

[Landis]

If you will notice, the keypad of the Tanager (SMART Amazing Phone/SPVx) is slightly bigger than that of the Canary (the original SPV). It now has a real joystick and the buttons reside higher on the frame... closer to the screen if you look closely. It is very easy to use and the joystick is quite comfortable too. I played Waterman and Snake on it and it was fun.

Well, it looks like a fun phone just sitting there and I know there are developers ready to sell games for it that are much more impressive than Snake ;)

Since T-Moble already sells an HTC phone in the US, I'd think they would want to add this device to their US service. Do we know if or when this phone will make it to The States?

[David McNamee]

Will VS.net 2003 support Pocket PC out of the box or will that happen after its release as well.

Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition, and devices based on Windows CE .NET (4.1 or later) will be supported targets for Visual Studio .NET 2003 and the .NET Compact Framework. Windows CE 3 devices (with the exception of Pocket PC OS) are not supported.