PGAgold Review Yakumo Omikron – Cheaper Phone Edition Pocket PC

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdagold.com/articles/detail.asp?a=194' target='_blank'>http://www.pdagold.com/articles/detail.asp?a=194</a><br /><br /></div><i>"When you hear Pocket PC Phone Edition, most of you will imagine MDA or one of the other XDA-based devices packed with cutting-edge hardware. However, there is a pocket device with an integrated GSM/GPRS module at the opposite end of the performance spectrum, which sells for an unbelievably low price. At first sight, it attracts attention by its small size but some other parameters are noteworthy, too. Surprisingly, it offers an integrated digital camera and an extensive software package."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/0000000194_cYKi1391882447.jpg" /><br /><br />PGAgold have done another thorough hardware review (as usual) and this time the device under scrutiny is the Yakumo Omikron. It's a new low end Pocket PC Phone Edition produced by the German company <a href="http://www.yakumo.de/home/index.php?lang=2">Yakumo.</a> Corners have been cut by specifying a 12-bit colour depth (4096 colours) 2,8” transflective screen etc., but the unit still offers a lot for your money. You get a Samsung 200 MHz ARM processor, 64 MB RAM (not completely user accessible), 32Mb ROM, a SD/MMC (SIDOI) slot, a Built-in digital camera, a GSM tri-band phone with GPRS and a 1050 mAh removable battery, for less than 350 Euros. The full technical spec is <a href="http://www.yakumo.de/produkte/index.php?pid=2&amp;artnr=1032433">here,</a> while you can get the pdf datasheet <a href="http://www.yakumo.de/docs/dbl_1032433_12_2_yakumo_pda_omikron.pdf">here,</a> which includes a picture of the snazzy cradle. <br /><br />OK, so the Omikron has not got the spec of more highly specified Phone Edition devices, but then again, it does not have the large price tag either. As PDAgold (almost) say, you pays your money and you makes your choices. The eternal triangle of Price, Features and Quality. Chose any two. Chose... wisely. :wink:

[maximus]

In asia, this device has been marketed under the 'ETEN' brand for 6+ months already. But there are some complaints regarding the signal reception strength. When put side by side to a motorola with full 5 bars signal, the ETEN only produces partly full signal. Things get worse when you go inside a building.

[Dolphin]

5.2 oz.

Too bad about the reception!

Would this device work in the USA?

[ppcsurfr]

Hmmm... what time was this posted?

Looks like a ton of typos...

Anyway.. the Eten P300 has been available in the Philippines since October last year...

That's nearing a year already... and now we have the BT version out too. :-)

Carlo

[bnycastro]

Hmmm... what time was this posted?

Looks like a ton of typos...

Anyway.. the Eten P300 has been available in the Philippines since October last year...

That's nearing a year already... and now we have the BT version out too. :-)

Carlo

I thought it looked familiar... so it's a re-branded ETEN... my friend used one for awhile but got really irked with it's reception good thing I didn't jump the gun and purchased one as well.

Hey Carlo would you say that getting an XDA2 from Globe for 17K PhP (300+ USD) is a good deal? My dad has this promo thingie cause he's a platinum member of Globe and the XDA2 is offered at 17K... I might get the nokia7610 for PhP 3,780 (70 USD)though cause I wouldn't know what to do with my iPAQ and all my accessories. What I do know is... I wouldn't want to carry 2 PPCs. And all my accessories save for my SD card would be useless on the XDA2. Any advice?

[Pocket PC Dubai]

In Dubai this device is known as Everex E500 and it was released since November 2003 as well. But it is not popular in our region.

[omikron.sk]

Hmmm, device named by me?

...so the Omikron has not got the spec...
Do I?

:D

[Ryan Joseph]

The eternal triangle of Price, Features and Quality. Chose any two. Chose... wisely. :wink:

That's deep, man.

Words of wisdom right there. We need to get that printed on a t-shirt (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29980).

[possmann]

Neat - of course we never see those here in the USA - sigh - frankly I'm happy that other companies are out tehre exploring the other sides of the triangle ;)

[ppcsurfr]

Hmmm... what time was this posted?

Looks like a ton of typos...

Anyway.. the Eten P300 has been available in the Philippines since October last year...

That's nearing a year already... and now we have the BT version out too. :-)

Carlo

I thought it looked familiar... so it's a re-branded ETEN... my friend used one for awhile but got really irked with it's reception good thing I didn't jump the gun and purchased one as well.

Hey Carlo would you say that getting an XDA2 from Globe for 17K PhP (300+ USD) is a good deal? My dad has this promo thingie cause he's a platinum member of Globe and the XDA2 is offered at 17K... I might get the nokia7610 for PhP 3,780 (70 USD)though cause I wouldn't know what to do with my iPAQ and all my accessories. What I do know is... I wouldn't want to carry 2 PPCs. And all my accessories save for my SD card would be useless on the XDA2. Any advice?

That's a very good price for any Xda II... I don't think you can get anything that attractively priced outside the Philippines...

Go for it. :wink:

Carlo

[Scott R]

Is 350 Euros cheap? I wouldn't think so. I think the cheapest PPC phone deal going is probably the Verizon-compatible Audiovox Thera which can be had for as little as $130-150 online. Of course, I think that thing runs on the now ancient PPC 2000 OS and you need an earpiece to use it as a phone. :(

Scott

[Janak Parekh]

Is 350 Euros cheap? I wouldn't think so. I think the cheapest PPC phone deal going is probably the Verizon-compatible Audiovox Thera which can be had for as little as $130-150 online. Of course, I think that thing runs on the now ancient PPC 2000 OS and you need an earpiece to use it as a phone. :(
It's actually Pocket PC 2002, but with their proprietary Phone Edition. However, given the Thera's terrible battery life, I don't think it's a very good choice. There's a reason it's so cheap...

--janak

[bnycastro]

That's a very good price for any Xda II... I don't think you can get anything that attractively priced outside the Philippines...

Go for it. :wink:

CarloHmmm... I'll think about it. Thanks man :D