The Register Reviews Bsquare Power Handheld

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/04/bsquare_review/' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/0...bsquare_review/</a><br /><br /></div>As a user of Handheld PCs (both previously with the Philips Velo 1, and currently with a HP Jornada 720), I was pretty interested when I first saw the <a href="http://www.bsquare.com/products/powerhandheld.asp">Bsquare Power Handheld</a>, code name "Maui", mentioned. A retractable QWERTY keyboard. A 640x480 screen resolution. GSM/GPRS. Would this be the ideal crossover between a Pocket PC Phone Edition and a Handheld PC? <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/vodafonemaui.jpg" /><br /><br />If you're as curious as I was, you should read the review over at The Register. In spite of flaws like limited battery life and the lack of either WiFi or Bluetooth, Tony Smith sees a lot of good in this device: "[...] mobile computing isn't a one-size fits all market, and there's room for a variety of form-factors. Bsquare's device does meet the need of users who want a portable data terminal that can offer a less crammed display and text entry system than a PDA or smartphone yet can offer such a laptop-like experience without the weight."<br /><br />Still, I'm not so sure if this is something I'd get, esp. not with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and system wide VGA resolution in Pocket PCs around the corner. What about you? What do you think the benefits of a device like this could be?

[arnage2]

I think the only bennifits of this device is the gprs mixed with the keyboard and vga is that it could be laptop replacement for some business men traveling short distances. The gprs would allow a business man to communicate and send files to their office. Other than that, I see no reason to get this over an asus a730.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

It's an innovative and interesting device to be sure, but I can't see this specific device catching on. I do believe that future devices will incorporate many of the same features as this device WITH the inclusion of WiFi, BT, or both. It seems that more and more manufacterers are flirting with the slide-out keyboard as well, though this is the first time I've seen one slide out "landscape-style" (which I think is pretty cool actually). And of course, we all know that VGA resolutions are right around the corner from being available en masse.

If this device had come out a couple years earlier, I think it might have been considered a killer device, but now, it doesn't provide enough punch.

[Kacey Green]

It's an innovative and interesting device to be sure, but I can't see this specific device catching on. I do believe that future devices will incorporate many of the same features as this device WITH the inclusion of WiFi, BT, or both. It seems that more and more manufacterers are flirting with the slide-out keyboard as well, though this is the first time I've seen one slide out "landscape-style" (which I think is pretty cool actually). And of course, we all know that VGA resolutions are right around the corner from being available en masse.

If this device had come out a couple years earlier, I think it might have been considered a killer device, but now, it doesn't provide enough punch.

This device has been on the front page 2 or 3 times. Maybe you missed it.

[Pat Logsdon]

If this device had come out a couple years earlier, I think it might have been considered a killer device, but now, it doesn't provide enough punch.
This device has been on the front page 2 or 3 times. Maybe you missed it.
Your point being....? I happen to agree. It seems like they took too long fiddling with the form factor and missed the boat on some important current tech. WiFi is kinda important these days. :wink:

[Kacey Green]

Your point being....? I happen to agree. It seems like they took too long fiddling with the form factor and missed the boat on some important current tech. WiFi is kinda important these days. :wink:
Me? I was pointing out it was kind of taking a long time with this device, so I was esentially agreeing with what you just said and J. Wat
Edit: Seems J. Watkins wasn't here yet. Who ever said it wasn't seeming to be very viable was the one I was talking about.
Edit 2: two the one I was talking about was ekkie

[Kati Compton]

Just from an ergonomics/usability point of view, I think the layout of this device has two big pluses, and probably one minus.

Plus #1: Has buttons on BOTH sides of the screen. Landscape is great, but playing games with ALL the controls on one side of the screen would suck for a lot of games. Yay for this. I think all PPCs should move (or better yet, add) ~2 buttons "above" (from the portrait viewpoint) the screen. Then, depending on whether a game is landscape or portrait, it could use different buttons.

Plus #2: Has a keyboard.

Probable minus: I think the slide-out keyboard design, at least with my small hands, would be very uncomfortable to use.

Let me say it again...

Clamshell! Clamshell! Clamshell!

[Kacey Green]

If we could see a few landscape defaulted PPCs running WM 2003SE that would be so awsome, you just push the rotate button if you can't use landscape at that time..

[Shadowcat]

Plus #1: Has buttons on BOTH sides of the screen. Landscape is great, but playing games with ALL the controls on one side of the screen would suck for a lot of games. Yay for this. I think all PPCs should move (or better yet, add) ~2 buttons "above" (from the portrait viewpoint) the screen. Then, depending on whether a game is landscape or portrait, it could use different buttons.

I agree! To the best of my knowledge the only Pocket PCs that have two buttons above are the XDA and XDA II. I would much prefer 6 buttons too.

[dh]

Let me say it again...

Clamshell! Clamshell! Clamshell!
For you Kati - anything :D
http://www.rfidnews.net/z.jpg

[Kati Compton]

For you Kati - anything :D
http://www.rfidnews.net/z.jpg
Don't think I haven't been tempted! If it were much cheaper, I'd probably get one. But they're relatively expensive (at least, the new ones with the cool specs), and I couldn't use all of my Pocket PC software. I have a bunch of (legal) commercial software that I really like. So for me, there's two barriers to entry.

[dh]

Don't think I haven't been tempted! If it were much cheaper, I'd probably get one. But they're relatively expensive (at least, the new ones with the cool specs), and I couldn't use all of my Pocket PC software. I have a bunch of (legal) commercial software that I really like. So for me, there's two barriers to entry.
I though long and hard before going ahead and ordering an 860. Should be on it's way from Japan any day now.

I plan on using my Axim as my main PDA for a while yet, the Z is going to be a project to see how good I can make it. The hardware's great, the OS is fine (even several versions to choose from) and many apps are available. Having Textmaker will be a good start.

Once I've had a chance to play, I'll post some thoughts on how things are working out.

Of course, this device would be perfect for the new SE version of VM. :D

[kamodt]

Just a clarification, Maui was defined (by me) over 2 years ago and we considered multiple wireless scenarios at the time. The problems were interference (BT and 801.11) and cost. These issues have been dealt with by now but that doesn't mean that Maui has been able to take advantage of them. The device was finalized sometime last year and the first devices are hitting the market now. Given the time between MRD and shipment, a lot of things change. Hopefully, Bsquare will be able to get enough interest in these devices to create the next version and correct some of these problems.

Just for the record, I don't work for Bsquare anymore (downsizing?) but I do wish them the best and hope Maui does well.

Keith Amodt
Father of Jupiter