PDAntic.com Reviews the Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6601

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdantic.com/reviews/ppc6601.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.pdantic.com/reviews/ppc6601.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The PPC-6601 is a Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone running the Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC Phone Edition. As such, it’s quite a bit larger than the svelte smart phones that Sprint sells. The PPC-6601 comes with a Lithium-Ion battery, DC converter, AC adapter, a dual-slot USB Sync cradle (so you can charge the device and a spare battery pack simultaneously), a carrying case with belt clip, a stereo headset with Microphone, 2 styli, an installation guide and an installation CD. I have to admit I was glad to see the sync cradle is included since there seems to be a trend of using cheaper sync cables instead. The carrying case works well, holding the PPC-6601 sideways in a "holster" with a magnetic coupling on top. The phone could fall out if jostled, but during my tests I had no issues with the carrying case."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo650-7.jpg" /><br /><br />When I read this review and the constant mentioning of the Treo 650, I couldn't help but think of good ol' Walt Mossberg, Hater of All Things Microsoft. The Treo is a big player in this arena though, so the comparisons are natural (if a bit unfair in some places).

[DaleReeck]

Hmmm. Interesting. Unfortunately, whenever you do a Palm vs PocketPC type of review, which is essentially what this is when you get down to it, you have to wonder if the reviewer was prepositioned to dislike the Microsoft product ;) But he did seem more interested in it as a phone than a PDA and the 650 is a more usable phone IMO.

Unless I missed it, he also seemed to have missed that the 6600 supports EV-DO while the Treo 650 doesn't. Once EV-DO becomes more widespread in the next year to 18 months, the need for built in WiFi will be diminished. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it with bluetooth, EV-DO and WiFi. I had the GSM cousin of this and it was a decent device. The three-integrated radios was great. But EV-DO makes the argument that you don't need WiFi finally (somewhat) legitimate.

Sadly, the one "perfect" device is still eluding me. I'm still clinging to a Treo 650 and an iPaq 4700. When a PocketPC phone like the MPX comes out, but with way more memory (like 128MB), faster processor, EDGE or EV-DO (depending on the service, GSM or CDMA) and VGA screen, then I'll finally be able to go to one device :D

[surur]

It actually seemed like a pretty fair review. There needs to be some further INNOVATIVE work in the pocketpcphone department, of which the Jam is one example, and the SDA music smartphone is another, and some more UI work and thoughfullness, to increase one handed utility. How about getting rid of connection manager?

At least the OK button indicates that some-one who uses pocketpc's regularly had some input in the recent design of these devices.

Surur

[tthiel]

I thought it was a fair review as are Mossbergs. I guess if you don't drool over every Microsoft offering your a Microsoft hater? I think it's pretty obvious that Microsoft has not put their best effort into the Pocket PC OS or apps. If it weren't for all the add-ons that make the Pocket PC usable I would still be using a Palm.

[yslee]

Just to add on the EV-DO thing:

I'd still want wi-fi, because I can use it at free hotspots. Here, even with 3G being launched, it'll probably kill your bank account to use data services that way!

Strange that the review never mentioned price.. some folks (like me) are rather price sensitive. Wonder how much that Treo 650 is.

[surur]

Just to add on the EV-DO thing:

I'd still want wi-fi, because I can use it at free hotspots. Here, even with 3G being launched, it'll probably kill your bank account to use data services that way!

Strange that the review never mentioned price.. some folks (like me) are rather price sensitive. Wonder how much that Treo 650 is.

Besides free hotspots, wifi would also let you stream movies and music from your pc, which you would not really want to do over 3G.

I assume the Ev-Do is actually unlimited, unlike here in the UK where , even with 3G, Im paying £2.35 per megabyte :(

On sprint btw the treo 650 is available for $415.

Surur

[that_kid]

Besides free hotspots, wifi would also let you stream movies and music from your pc, which you would not really want to do over 3G.
Surur

I do this all the time over 1xRTT and have been doing so ever since it was available. I'm looking forward to Sprints EvDO rollout cause that means I can get even better quality video to my device. I just hope they do like verizon and keep it the same price. I have an unlimted data plan and I use the crap out of some data, if they started charging by the megabyte I'd be in some real trouble.

[r3media]

Sprint sent both units to us for review - I got to play with the Treo 650 and PPC-6601 for roughly 3 days before sending them out to my reviewers to review. I honestly would not give my SMT 5600 up for the PPC-6601. I got tired of it after about 6 hours of lugging it around.

Now for the Treo 650 - I may flirt with the idea of trading up from the SMT 5600 but not just yet. I've gotta see if the MPx is any better :).

We ran a whole series of reviews of the Treo 650 and PPC-6601 on X-Gadget. If you want to read more here are the links:

http://www.x-gadget.com/articles/54/1/Audiovox-PPC-6601-versus-palmOne-Treo-650-review
http://www.x-gadget.com/articles/73/1/Sprint-Audiovox-PPC-6601-smartphone-review
http://www.x-gadget.com/articles/44/1/Treo-650-versus-Treo-600-on-the-Sprint-PCS-Network

Vincent