Windows Mobile, Phone Edition, Smartphone...what is the difference?

[Prevost]

I ask this just to learn. Phone Edition or Smartphone devices are not close around here to learn by myself...

[David Prahl]

A regular Pocket PC is just a handheld computer.
http://www.compusa.com/product_images/images/full/33/303833_f.gif


Phone Edition Pocket PCs are the same PPC operating system but with built-in telephone functions.
http://www.dedigitalerevolutie.nl/images3/o2-xda.jpg


A Microsoft Smartphone is a cellular telephone that runs a version of windows like the PPC, but does not have a touch screen.
http://www.corriere.it/Hermes%20Foto/2003/02_Febbraio/17/smartphone--180x230.jpg

[Wiggster]

Smartphones get the chicks, since it doesn't look like you're holding a clipboard up to your ear :mrgreen:

[Prevost]

A Microsoft Smartphone is a cellular telephone that runs a version of windows like the PPC, but does not have a touch screen.

So, it is having windows as the phone's operating system instead of the operating system any cell phone has. Am I right?

Also, I understand a MS Smartphone will enable the owner of it of certain functions (as the manufacturer wants - just like any other cell phone), but with no integrated capabilities to install and run aditional programs as we could with a PPC or a PPC Phone Edition. Is it so?

[c38b2]

Also, I understand a MS Smartphone will enable the owner of it of certain functions (as the manufacturer wants - just like any other cell phone), but with no integrated capabilities to install and run aditional programs as we could with a PPC or a PPC Phone Edition. Is it so?
Tis not so. I have heard about 'locked' vs. 'unlocked' programs but I think that it has something to do with signing. Your best bet is to check out Smartphone Thoughts:
www.smartphonethoughts.com :wink:

[David Prahl]

There are quite a few programs you can install on a Smartphone. If I had one I'd install PDAMill's Snails© game first. :)

I don't own a Smartphone, so you might want to follow c38b2's advice and visit that site.

[Mike Temporale]

Smartphones get the chicks, since it doesn't look like you're holding a clipboard up to your ear :mrgreen:

Ya Baby! :lol:

Smartphones and Pocket PC's are based on the same code base. There are some major differences because of the form factor. Smartphones have a smaller screen, and no touch screen. Any application that has been developed for one platform will need a little adjustments to allow it to work on the other device.

The best description is this: Smartphones are a phone first and data second. Pocket PC PE's are data first phone second.

You can check out this thread --> http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=36492 that links to an article by Chris @ CEWindows.net in which he talks about the differences between the 2 devices. It's a good intro article to the Smartphone platform.

[Mike Temporale]

Tis not so. I have heard about 'locked' vs. 'unlocked' programs but I think that it has something to do with signing. Your best bet is to check out Smartphone Thoughts:
www.smartphonethoughts.com :wink:

Locked vs Unlocked is not specific to Smartphones. Instead it has to do with all mobile phones. Baiscally the carrier locks your phone to their network so that you can't just up and switch carriers. There are ways to get these unlocked.

[Janak Parekh]

Locked vs Unlocked is not specific to Smartphones. Instead it has to do with all mobile phones. Baiscally the carrier locks your phone to their network so that you can't just up and switch carriers. There are ways to get these unlocked.
I'll defer to you Smartphone experts, but isn't SIM-unlocking and Smartphone code-unlocking separate features inside a Smartphone?

--janak

[Mike Temporale]

I'll defer to you Smartphone experts, but isn't SIM-unlocking and Smartphone code-unlocking separate features inside a Smartphone?

--janak

erm.. Ya. I posted that late last night, and I guess I didn't fully read the discussion. I see now that the talk was around the application signing feature.

Application signing is meant to protect you from evil little programs. There are plenty of signed applications available, and I'm not certain on the number, but I think there are only a couple phones that have this level of locking enabled.

This thread here (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4085&highlight=) has a nice detailed explanation.

And thanks Janak for catching that. Time to get some more caffeine into my system! :morning:

[Candygogo]

I thought Symbian Series phones (Like Nokia 3650, 9xxx Communicator, N-Gage, etc...) were considered smartphones as well.

Unless we were just talking about Microsoft products, then nevermind... :oops:

:wink:

[David Prahl]

I thought Symbian Series phones (Like Nokia 3650, 9xxx Communicator, N-Gage, etc...) were considered smartphones as well.

Unless we were just talking about Microsoft products, then nevermind... :oops:

:wink:

Smartphones are going to way of the "Palm Pilot". Anything that looks like a phone and can do more than dial a number is considered by the masses to be a "Smartphone". Didn't Kyocera actually coin the term?

[Prevost]

I suppose there is no way to use, say, a word processor within an Smartphone since there is not any easy letter input method, perhaps besides T9 :roll:

[Mike Temporale]

I suppose there is no way to use, say, a word processor within an Smartphone since there is not any easy letter input method, perhaps besides T9 :roll:

The VOQ (http://www.voq.com/site/default.voq) from Sierra Wireless has a full Qwerty keyboard. (Mouse over the image in the lower left hand side for an example of how it works.)

[Prevost]

I suppose there is no way to use, say, a word processor within an Smartphone since there is not any easy letter input method, perhaps besides T9 :roll:

The VOQ (http://www.voq.com/site/default.voq) from Sierra Wireless has a full Qwerty keyboard. (Mouse over the image in the lower left hand side for an example of how it works.)
Well, but, how about any other model?

[Mike Temporale]

Well, but, how about any other model?

I'm sorry, how many PPC's have a built in keyboard? 1, and another one due out something this year, maybe. :roll:

As I stated before, the Smartphone is a phone first. Not like the PPC-PE devices which are data first. It's not meant for typing an essay. It's meant for reading, viewing and the casual reply.

[Prevost]

Take it easy! I'm just asking to learn what are the "normal" limits in the capabilities of each Windows Mobile incarnation, not flaming any of them...I just wanted to know if, apart from that keyboarded model, how could anyone imput words in a word processor working with an Smartphone.

This is the main sense of my original question, since in one of the Motorola MPx threads someone said "don't forget this is WM Phone Edition", leaving me with the impression that this fact makes the device less powerful than a simple WM PPC.