Smartphones - hello, anyone listening?

[sundown]

I just read yet another article about how smartphones are probably going to bring an end to the PDA. Listen - I DON'T WANT A BRICK ON MY BELT AND I DON'T WANT TO SURF THE INTERNET ON A 1 INCH SQUARE SCREEN!!! Hello, anyone listening? Geez, I mean I must be in the minority here but every Phone-based PDA looks stupid to me when someone is trying to use it as a phone. Hold your Ipaq up to your ear and talk. See what I mean? Alternately the screens on the new smartphones all seem tiny to me in comparison. So just how is a phone that is light and fits easily between my fingers going to compete with a 4 inch VGA screen? Huh?

Anything less than brick size (modern pda size is what I mean) is too small to use for portable applications and anything bigger than my Nokia cell phone is too big to use as a phone.

Drives me nuts. Here's the article that set me off if you're interested:
http://www.azfamily.com/sharedcontent/ptech/techfiles2/071504ccjrptechfiles.2ff6440f6.html

</rant>

[Janak Parekh]

That site needs registration. :(

In any case, you should try playing with a Microsoft Smartphone-enabled device. Large screen, yet not touch and fairly compact. (Personally, I disagree; my i700 makes for a pretty decent phone, and you do get used to holding it up to your ear.)

--janak

[sundown]

Oop, sorry. Here's the text of the article:

Will smart phones bring the death of pocket PCs?

July 15, 2004

Mike GoldfeinTech Files are video reports examining popular topics about technology and the Internet. Links to helpful Web sites are listed. Mike Goldfein reports from the Belo Washington bureau.

STORY
There was a time when some people carried a pager, cell phone, handheld computer — even a laptop. Now, cell phones seem to be the gadget of choice, and pocket PCs may be on their way out.

Here's Mike Goldfein:
Also Online

Watch this video

Palm

Microsoft smart phones

Who would have thought that the hot tech toy just five years ago, would now be threatened with extinction? That seems to be the looming fate for handheld computers a.k.a. Pocket PCs. Once king of the beasts, now a tech pussy cat. Why?

Cellphones are rapidly incorporating all the functions that once could only be found in handheld computers. E-mail, calendars, and contacts all sync to your desktop pc.

They are called smart phones. In Asia people are using them to hold video conferences, track each other down and buy drinks from vending machines.

In the United States they are just beginning to catch hold with phones like this one, running a version of Microsoft windows.

"So you have really taken it up a notch," says Microsoft representative Tracy Overby. "it is more than a phone; it is more than a PDA."

Microsoft powered smart phones cost between $250 and $500 depending upon the wireless carrier.

Virtually anything you could do on a handheld computer you can do on a smart phone, plus — this is the big plus — make phone calls.

"But the great thing is this is an all in one gadget," Overby says.

That may be the biggest selling point.

Sony has announced that it will stop selling its handheld pc line — called Clie — in the united states by year's end.

Handheld PC sales worldwide fell by a staggering 21 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Manufacturer Handsrping has been purchased by palm, which has been staying afloat thanks to sales of its Treo smart phone.

In other words, we like gadgets; we just don't like lugging them around.

[Chucky]

I totally agree with you. My next PPC is going to be a highend VGA/BT/WF/CF....try putting all that into a phone that I can actually hold to my ear ;)

What I would really like is a very slim, simple and nicely designed 3G phone with Bluetooth so I can enjoy broadband speed internet from my PDA.

[Sven Johannsen]

While I agree with the two postrs other than Janak ;) I have been tempted to try a single device. For me that one would have to be PPC sized. I know Janak is killer on T9, but I'm too old to get it and need my touch screen HWR.

There was mention of getting a BT phone. Would that be for a headset? You know you can use a BT headset with your PPCPE. Kind of removes the brick to the head issue. That even gives you the opportunity to talk on the phone while taking notes or looking up info.

[Janak Parekh]

I know Janak is killer on T9
No, no, I'm not that killer. :P I won that "competition" we had with Fitaly. Paul (Modaco) was the killer T9er. I think he can do it two-handed. The only alternative I'd consider for input is a thumbboard (or real keyboard) -- T9 doesn't cut it much for me either.

--janak

[surur]

With a GOOD PDA/phone the size of the device would not matter, as all the phone stuff will be done from the bluetooth headset, which btw is an incredibly natural way to talk to some-one. You get a much better sense of speaking to some-one present, (e.g just behind you) as apposed to in some virtual phone land where you both are.

Currently the pocketpc OS makes a pretty poor phone (its at least 5 years behind), and I dont know if they have the will to catch up. If they do however they have the potential for a really great do-it-all device.

Its like the personal gateway concept, with the phone, the screen and the radio all being separate components, linked by e.g. bluetooth.

Anyways, smartphones are the future, and micro-phones :) will become a shrinking market, as they can only do voice, and thats not a really big earner for the phone companies (so they wont promote it).

Surur

[Kati Compton]

With a GOOD PDA/phone the size of the device would not matter, as all the phone stuff will be done from the bluetooth headset, which btw is an incredibly natural way to talk to some-one. You get a much better sense of speaking to some-one present, (e.g just behind you) as apposed to in some virtual phone land where you both are.
But it's so much more confusing for everyone around you! I *hate* when I think someone is talking to me, but it turns out they're on a hands-free. ;)

[Janak Parekh]

But it's so much more confusing for everyone around you! I *hate* when I think someone is talking to me, but it turns out they're on a hands-free. ;)
You quickly get used to it. Most people have picked up the visual cues of staring at the wall or the floor to help others understand they're on a phone.

--janak

[maximus]

To my personal taste, I really dislike seeing people leaving the headset hanging on one's ear in public places (malls, libraries, cubicles, etc.) while he/she is not making a call.

I mean, using bluetooth headsets are good (especially when driving), but leaving it hanging on your ear while walking on a mall is a bit tasteless.

[kosmicki]

I'd go with the headset/handsfree thing as well.

Think of how many times you would have to clean off earprints alone...

[Sven Johannsen]

I mean, using bluetooth headsets are good (especially when driving), but leaving it hanging on your ear while walking on a mall is a bit tasteless.

You obviously have not seen the Dior models. These are fashion statements, not tech accessories ;)

[maximus]

There is a nokia promotion booth on the lobby of my office building several weeks ago. All the models are wearing bluetooth headset on their left ear, and a MMC card on their right ear.

So Christina Aguilera-ish.