E-TEN P700 Phone Edition With Windows Mobile 2003

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1520">http://ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1520</a><br /><br />"Probably the most powerful E-TEN offering is the P700 running on the latest Microsoft® Windows Mobile™ 2003 software for Pocket PC Phone Edition operating system. It not only adds Tri-Band GSM GPRS to a PXA255 powered device but adds two slots for both CF (Type I) and SD expansion slot offering a suite of productivity add-on devices such as a Global Positioning System, a bar code reader for inventory management, and a Wi-Fi (802.11b) for various industry applications."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030925-etenp700.gif" /><br /><br />Features include:<br />• USB host capabilities<br />• Intel® PXA255 400 MHz Processor <br />• Memory 32 MB Flash RAM, 64 MB SDRAM <br />• Communications GSM tri-band 900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS Class B / Multi-slot Class 10 <br />• Bluetooth™ (option) <br />• SD card slot and CompactFlash™ type I slot <br /><br />The expected price is around $650 US. You can read more details at <a href="http://ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1520">Arne Hess' site</a>. My question are 1) will it be sold in the US and 2) will they actually write drivers to make the USB host option mean something?

[Stephen Beesley]

At last a Phone Edition that I actually like the look of.

I also like the fact that it has a pretty standard button layout - just for those times when you might want to kill some time with a bit of game play :D

Of course whether we will actually see it in Europe and what the price would be if we did is another matter.


Goldtee

[DaleReeck]

With SD AND CF AND no attenna sticking out, this is definitely the most feature packed Phone Edition out. If the build quality is good and of course it becomes available in the US, I have my new phone :)

It says that Bluetooth is an option. Do they mean a built in option? The article initially implied that WiFi was built in too, but I don't think that's the case. They were talking about adding WiFi to one of the card slots I think.

One concern though. Is it a "hold it up to your face" phone, like the I700 and XDA? Or is it an Audiovox-like "must use a headset" type? If its the latter, that's a deal breaker.

[Stephen Beesley]

One concern though. Is it a "hold it up to your face" phone, like the I700 and XDA? Or is it an Audiovox-like "must use a headset" type? If its the latter, that's a deal breaker.

Well it looks like the speaker is at the bottom of the device so I am guessing it is a Headset that would be neeed.

Goldtee

[Merlion]

It says that Bluetooth is an option. Do they mean a built in option? The article initially implied that WiFi was built in too, but I don't think that's the case. They were talking about adding WiFi to one of the card slots I think.
From the specs at E-TEN, I don't think BT or Wi-Fi would be built-in.

Well it looks like the speaker is at the bottom of the device so I am guessing it is a Headset that would be neeed.
Goldtee
Is that a speaker or a mic? I hope it's a mic. :)