The Asus P505 - Hands-On!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5795.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5795.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Having been so fortunate as to have had the opportunity to play with nearly every advanced mobile device in the Western hemisphere, I can honestly say that I'm not easily impressed. All the more surprising was it then, when I not only quite unexpectedly stumbled across ASUS' new P505 communicator here at the ongoing 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, but also found myself unexpectedly intrigued. Originally slated for a launch in late 2004, I've long had my eye on the ASUS P505. Now slated for an introduction in early 2005, the device was at the time of its unveiling in early 2004 the sole Windows Mobile communicator to promise a truly pocketable size - but a lot has happened since then, including the introduction of the equally petite T-Mobile MDA Compact."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050219-AsusP505.jpg" /><br /><br />Jørgen from infoSync World managed to get a hands-on look at the upcoming Asus P505 at Cannes. Some noteworthy features are the 2.8" QVGA screen, SDIO slot, USB connectivity, 1.3MP camera, and flip-keypad. The quantity of RAM is no celebratory matter, and once again, this Pocket PC Phone Edition lacks Wi-Fi. Sure, the P505 is cute, but in a side-by-side comparison with the i-mate JAM, I still think the JAM will come out on tops at the end of the day. Your thoughts?

[Dolphin]

Wow! Will this be available in the USA?

This is a nice device even without wifi. I think I will put my Audiovox SMT 5600 up on EBay if I can get this to work with Cingular. Will the tri-band be a problem?

[T-Will]

ARGGGGGG!!! Why do they need to have a FRICKEN antenna?!?!?!? Make it internal. Jeez... :roll:

[T-Will]

Looks cool otherwise...I think I'll probably go the convergent route with my next Pocket PC.

[4ru]

One more p505 review, we published a month ago...
http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/review/asus-p505-en.shtml

Live picture:
http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/review/asus-p505-live-en.shtml

[surur]

This phone is bl**dy brilliant!! (as a phone)

It does voice dialling via bluetooth. It has a hard keypad. It has a custom UI that is actually useful, with e.g. the current battery charge level for heavens sake on the screen!

In functionality this device is much better than the Jam. The jam (like an ipod) is prettier, but if I was going to recommend a pocketpcphone to some-one who mainly wants to use it as a phone, I would steer them to this one.

Its about time some-one did some usability engineering with these pocketpcphones. Pity it looks so pedestrian. I hope they market the h_ll out of this device, because from the work they have done on the software and hardware, it deserves to succeed.

Surur

[beq]

Wait, so is the HTC Magician (MDA Compact) tri-band or quad-band?

Linked infoSync article says the Magician's quad-band is an advantage over the Asus P505's tri-band, whereas the recent PPCThoughts thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=327992) about the SmartMobileAssets review says the Magician is tri-band and that the 850MHz version is not out yet?? (I could not find mention of frequency support in the Mobile-Review articles)

[Jason Lee]

Wait, so is the HTC Magician (MDA Compact) tri-band or quad-band?

Linked infoSync article says the Magician's quad-band is an advantage over the Asus P505's tri-band, whereas the recent PPCThoughts thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=327992) about the SmartMobileAssets review says the Magician is tri-band and that the 850MHz version is not out yet?? (I could not find mention of frequency support in the Mobile-Review articles)

the magician is tri-band. 900, 1800, 1900. but i've heard several places that an 850, 1800, 1900 is soon to be out. which would be really cool!

[intwtl]

There is a lot of noise about this item.

BUT, when is it going to be available ??????????????????????

[Kowalski]

there are a few things about this device:

strange D-pad location
the keypad is not deattachable
external antenna

if you dont mind using windows mobile or not, SE p910 seems a better choice

[intwtl]

Yes, agreed that it is certainly not perfect.

I prefer to use Windows based PDA's and this seems to be the smallest one with a keyboard.

The problem is the release date varies from Feb (late) to September.