Pictures From Motorola's MDC Presentation

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=12555#12555' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/ind...c&p=12555#12555</a><br /><br /></div>Mobile Gadget News was at MDC, and they've taken pictures of virtually every slide that Motorola showed, as well as comparison shots of the MPx versus the MPx200 smartphone. I think this picture really shows off how compact the MPx is:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040325-MotorolaMPx.jpg" /><br /><br />As if I needed any more confirmation that the MPx should be my next device... :lol:

[Phoenix]

Wow. That's really amazing. I really don't know what else to say about that. Could you imagine having all of that AND GPS, too? Not to mention everything else they mentioned in regards to their roadmap.

Really incredible. Moto seems to have really thought this out.

[Michel]

Cudos to Motorola for not cutting any corners on this baby: besides from GPS (which I don't think is high on many people's wish list) it will have all the latest technology, and for once there will be very little reason to complain about missing features.

The only possible debate will be about its esthetics.... but that discussion has already started here at PPCT :D

[T-Will]

The only missing feature is the VGA screen, right?

[Michel]

The only missing feature is the VGA screen right?
On a reduced display such as that one? 8O

Personally, I'd rather not.
Also, a VGA screen would seriously impact on the battery life.

[David C]

Just because something has VGA resolution doesn't mean you have to set the font to be the smallest allowable font possible till you can't bearly see anything. Infact, having higher resolution on smaller screen would probally make it easier to read things. I would imagine things like Maps with GPS would benifit from having even higher resolution then what we have right now. Little things like lines for street don't show up on low resolution screen.
I don't get it, why do people keep wanting to have lower resolution? When something with higher resolution comes out, there are people screaming "I won't be able to see anything!" It's like saying: gosh, I wish my PDA only has 120x160 resolution, then I'll see everything because the letters will be bigger!

Honestly, I'm actually pondering wheather if I want to buy the MPx or not because eventually, I'll wish it had a VGA resolution.

[darrylb]

I've got the Second edition emulator running now on my machine, and when it's running in VGA mode, it still has the same real estate as 240x320. The only difference is that the environment is richer (icons and images are richer, fonts thicker and better defined, etc)

So if you are expecting this to deliver the same screen real estate as the e800 - you are out of luck as it is not natively provided by WM2003SE.

It may be made available by device vendors, but the default screen seems to have the same real estate.

[surur]

Just wondering if I understand this slide (http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/PNphpBB2/files/dsc01170.jpg)right.

The MPx will have 32 Mb of volatile ram (program memory), and 64Mb nonvolatile flash ram for program storage. This seems restrictive, as if you need more memory for running programs, you will not be able to increase it. Its the one draw back I see so far with this device.

Am I reading that right?

Surur

[Ravenswing]

What I'd need to know is, have Motorola improved the pitiful reception of the MPx200 for this new model?

Don't know what it's like in the US, but on GSM in Europe, the MPx200 can't hold a less than perfect signal in a bucket.

[jonathanchoo]

This only confirmed what I said in a previous thread. After looking at the photographs of the MPx, I still say that it is one ugly phone. Functional but ugly. Personally I don't mind using ugly PDAs but god, this will fail to win many consumers who prefer form and good looks over functionality. The keyboard looks awful too. Come on Motorola you can do better in the design department.

I always hate putting down a product because of the design. Credit should go to the engineering department of Motorola who are capable of producing the clever hinge but apart from that, this is a normal PPC mobile with one ugly case.

Surur, 32Mb of ROM for the OS and 64Mb RAM for storage and running programs. That is normal and nothing groundbreaking. You can increase storage through SD cards.

[apeguero]

$900.00 bucks for the MPX though??? I don't know. I thought it would've been more like $350.00 to $400.00 for new subscribers. At that price I would've justified spending an additional $175.00 to drop my Sprint contract and jump into a new one with whichever GSM carrier would have this. But now the price could be as much as $1075.00 plus tax?? Guess I'll have to stick with my Sanyo 5500 and iPAQ 2200 a little longer, which may not be a bad thing 0X

[DaleReeck]

I think I'm still liking the HP 6300 better. While the MPX is more feature rich, the small screen and overall "weird" design turns me off. Plus, has Motorola ever produced a PocektPC device before? A first timer device is always risky, especially one this complex.

[maximum360]

What's missing:

GPS
VGA Screen (plus it needs to be larger)
More memory.

Get those things right and it would be almost perfect.

[Rudolf]

Just wondering if I understand this slide (http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/PNphpBB2/files/dsc01170.jpg)right.

The MPx will have 32 Mb of volatile ram (program memory), and 64Mb nonvolatile flash ram for program storage. This seems restrictive, as if you need more memory for running programs, you will not be able to increase it. Its the one draw back I see so far with this device.

Am I reading that right?

Surur
I have spotted that too. Interesting concept. We should wait and see how this would affect battery (for good) and program load and exetution speed (for bad). I don't know, but I guess, the flash storage is slower than SD ram, but who knows... maybe they did their homework and it's really a better solution. (at least you don't have to worry, if your battery runs flat)
As for having more than 32MB program memory, yes that might be a limitation, but personally I have never crossed even the 24MB barrier for program memory... So for the most of the user this will not be the problem.

[Zensbikeshop]

What I'd need to know is, have Motorola improved the pitiful reception of the MPx200 for this new model?

Don't know what it's like in the US, but on GSM in Europe, the MPx200 can't hold a less than perfect signal in a bucket.

Funny, I had an MPx 200 for a weeks or so and found it's reception to be good - better than my T610.

[thunderck]

Please :!: Can a brother get a CDMA module in a MPx 0X

[Rudolf]

Please :!: Can a brother get a CDMA module in a MPx 0X
Don't hold your breath. The OMAP73x core does not support CDMA. It's for GSM only, so the radio is integrated with the processor, so it's not a separate module... Sorry.

[yslee]

US$900 is from a German figure. I'm not going to repeat myself over the price differences between the two sides of the Atlantic.

Darn, not a lot of memory. Was hoping for more. Using flash is a nice approach for programs (think Sharp's SL5600), but a hassle for data. Time to go SD card shopping soon, methinks.

[ignar]

I don't get it, why do people keep wanting to have lower resolution? When something with higher resolution comes out, there are people screaming "I won't be able to see anything!" It's like saying: gosh, I wish my PDA only has 120x160 resolution, then I'll see everything because the letters will be bigger!

I agree. I'm sick of people making the same arguments in Treo forums. They don't understand high-res not only let them see more, but also let them see better. As soon as iPaq 6000 or Mpx hits the market, I will ditch my Treo 600. (Oh wait, Treo 610 might be out by then. :lol: )

[thunderck]

Just got a look at the roadmap. unless I am wrong the roadmap talks about UMTS and DO which inclueds CDMA baseline. they say under dev. a glimmer of hope until someone post after me and crushes my spirits. :roll:

[Janak Parekh]

The only missing feature is the VGA screen, right?
I don't think we're quite at the technology today to pack 480x640 on a 2.8" screen.

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

This only confirmed what I said in a previous thread. After looking at the photographs of the MPx, I still say that it is one ugly phone. Functional but ugly.
Again, this is your opinion. ;) I don't think it looks ugly... who's the final arbiter?

--janak

[Kati Compton]

From the few pics I've seen, I like how it looks. But the real test would be to see it in person.

I prefer phones (and gadgets in general) that are more "rectangular" than "oval" in shape.

[milklok]

Does the MPx have a headphone jack? :roll: I cannot find anything similar in the photos...

[Janak Parekh]

Does the MPx have a headphone jack? :roll: I cannot find anything similar in the photos...
I think it has to. You might want to go back and look at the earlier photos, just in case. ;) It might be "covered" by a cap.

--janak

[shawnc]

ANYBODY can design a great product if you give them a blank check. If Motorola could not build this product at a much more reasonable price-point, they get no kudo's in my book.

I do think this is a good looking device (other than the keyboard design :?: ), but no way do I have any interest in spending close to a grand on a handheld, regardless of functionality. Unfortunatly for Motorola, I think most of the buying public will agree with me.

[ignar]

I remember Treo 600 was estimated to be in the $1000~$1100 range when it was first released in Italy and the price was directly converted from Euro to Dollar. So, I highly doubt Mpx will be sold at $900 in the States. $500 or $600 before promotion sounds reasonable to me.

[Jeff Rutledge]

I can't get the site to load. It may have been Thoughts'd. 8)

[Deus]

This is a great solution for those who want an all in one solution. I rather have two different devices. I WANT my phone as small as can be and I want my PDA with a nice size screen. The old Casios I concider big. The PPCs we have today seem just perfect! ;) Just keep cramming features without increasing size and I'm happy.


I cannot say how tired I am of 64MB devices. 128 ALL READY!!!!!!

[redifrogger]

I just bought the MPx200 PDA phone for $0 dollars after rebates with a plan. Tough to beat if you're plan will expire soon. I just love the looks of it, and the functionality too. Everyone who sees it oogles over it as well. As far as reception, I've had no problems with it so far (less than 1 week).

[Sean Murphy]

It's not like being slashdotted but Thoughts does drive some traffic. The server bit-it today, the sql server is coughing up a fir ball. I have been working on it for 7 hours now an hopefully we will be back in action soon.

Sean
MobileGadgetNews.com

[Will T Smith]

ANYBODY can design a great product if you give them a blank check. If Motorola could not build this product at a much more reasonable price-point, they get no kudo's in my book.

I do think this is a good looking device (other than the keyboard design :?: ), but no way do I have any interest in spending close to a grand on a handheld, regardless of functionality. Unfortunatly for Motorola, I think most of the buying public will agree with me.

There are TONS of people out there with enough cash to drop on such a device PROVIDED that it does what it's supposed to do.

Effectively, it needs to replace a desktop planner and a cell-phone. There are traditional paper planners that cost $500.

Besides, We've seen more than one pricepoint mentioned. And the $900 device likely represents an "unlocked" device that can be used on any network. Cell providers will likely drop a couple hundred off the device with contracts.

I think you'll see boatloads of these devices going into the corporate environment. They'll be very effective with mobile professionals who need both a PDA and a cell-phone.

[darrylb]

ANYBODY can design a great product if you give them a blank check. If Motorola could not build this product at a much more reasonable price-point, they get no kudo's in my book.

I do think this is a good looking device (other than the keyboard design :?: ), but no way do I have any interest in spending close to a grand on a handheld, regardless of functionality. Unfortunatly for Motorola, I think most of the buying public will agree with me.

There are TONS of people out there with enough cash to drop on such a device PROVIDED that it does what it's supposed to do.

Effectively, it needs to replace a desktop planner and a cell-phone. There are traditional paper planners that cost $500.

Besides, We've seen more than one pricepoint mentioned. And the $900 device likely represents an "unlocked" device that can be used on any network. Cell providers will likely drop a couple hundred off the device with contracts.

I think you'll see boatloads of these devices going into the corporate environment. They'll be very effective with mobile professionals who need both a PDA and a cell-phone.

If this device can supplant the P800/900, I agree that it will be very popular with corporates and executives.

[shawnc]

There are TONS of people out there with enough cash to drop on such a device PROVIDED that it does what it's supposed to do.

Effectively, it needs to replace a desktop planner and a cell-phone. There are traditional paper planners that cost $500.

Besides, We've seen more than one pricepoint mentioned. And the $900 device likely represents an "unlocked" device that can be used on any network. Cell providers will likely drop a couple hundred off the device with contracts.

I think you'll see boatloads of these devices going into the corporate environment. They'll be very effective with mobile professionals who need both a PDA and a cell-phone.

I'm not saying folks don't HAVE the cash. I'm saying they won't SPEND close to a grand on a PDA/Phone. Also, IMO ther is no way this thing gets a high level of corporate adoption with the way IT budgets are being stretched. Granted they are projected to rise slightly in 2004, but not to this level. Obviously if you get this to around $500-$600 then thats a different story. But at $900, no way!

[yslee]

Aiee, I feel like what I've been saying is falling on deaf ears.

[Janak Parekh]

Aiee, I feel like what I've been saying is falling on deaf ears.
You mean about the price? Yes, I've been saying the same thing. It's way too early to know what the actual MSRP will be. Guys, your opinions are appreciated, but let's not yet assume that Motorola will actually charge that much when the device hits the market. ;)

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

It's not like being slashdotted but Thoughts does drive some traffic. The server bit-it today, the sql server is coughing up a fir ball. I have been working on it for 7 hours now an hopefully we will be back in action soon.
Well, Engadget linked to you guys through us too. Traffic is such a double-edged sword. ;) Good luck.

--janak

[JonnoB]

Does the MPx have a headphone jack? :roll: I cannot find anything similar in the photos...
I think it has to. You might want to go back and look at the earlier photos, just in case. ;) It might be "covered" by a cap.

--janak

Yes, there is a stereo headphone jack.