PC World's Digital Duo take on the Treo and Sprint Pocket PC

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/digitalduo/video/0,segid,5,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/digitalduo/v...,segid,5,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"In each episode of PC World's Digital Duo, Stephen Manes, esteemed columnist for PC World and Forbes, teams with veteran tech editor and product doyenne Angela Gunn of USAToday.com to evaluate, explore, and--when necessary--deplore the world of digital technology. With fairness and flair, the Duo takes on the world of consumer electronics and technology, offers real-world advice, and mercilessly mocks whatever deserves it most."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/digitalduo.jpg" /><br /><br />Digital Duo is a new online show from PC World. I watched a few segments, and much to my surprise, it's pretty good. Their irreverence is isn't exactly late-night TV grade, and the performances are too heavily scripted to be funny, but for mainstream media, it's a start. ;-) The segment I'm linking to is where they talk about the Treo 650 and the Spring PCS Pocket PC (a.k.a. a modified PDA2K). The review is fairly high level, and Manes spends a bit too much time gushing over his Treo, but it's worth a look to see how the devices measure up. <br /><br />Having used a PDA2K for a few months, I can agree with Gunn about how poorly integrated the d-pad is with the operating system. It can be greatly improved, and I think a simple procedure would allow Microsoft to improve it: one of their testers should set up a new Pocket PC out of the box, including setting up a couple of email accounts, configuring all settings...all without taking out the stylus or touching the screen. The problems would become very obvious, very quickly. ;-)

[R K]

It can be greatly improved, and I think a simple procedure would allow Microsoft to improve it: one of their testers should set up a new Pocket PC out of the box, including setting up a couple of email accounts, configuring all settings...all without taking out the stylus or touching the screen. The problems would become very obvious, very quickly.
Windows Mobile 2005 should fix that since it looks like they're including phone-type soft-keys for all their Pocket PC Phones.

[emuelle1]

Very interesting.

I took my wife and her sister to the mall last Saturday, and while they were looking at "girl stuff" I wandered around. I ended up spending a lot of time at the Cingular booth, since I have to decide if I want to renew my contract or move on to another company soon. They guy there showed me his Treo, and I can say I was pretty impressed with the functionality of it, and the web browsing ability. Not enough to switch to Palm, of course. I like my x30.

[jproudfo]

Windows Mobile 2005 should fix that since it looks like they're including phone-type soft-keys for all their Pocket PC Phones.

Does anyone know if the 2K will be upgradeable to 2005? Or will it vary, carrier by carrier?

[R K]

Does anyone know if the 2K will be upgradeable to 2005? Or will it vary, carrier by carrier?
It will be upgradeable but the upgrade itself will depend on the vendor.

[seaflipper]

The Treo650 is a great phone. The keyboard is a tiny bit cramped at times, the hw6500 looks like a nice upgrade, IF it can be used with one hand.

Is the problem with the 5 way rocker on the PDA2k a problem with the device itself or is it a problem with Windows Mobile?

In other words, will the hw6500 have the same problem of having to grab the stylus all the time?

On the Treo650 there are very very very few times that you actually have to pull the stylus out. One handed use of the Treo is just phoenomenal. If they could have that type of ease of use in a Windows Mobile device with a QWERTY keyboard that would be awesome.

[Jason Dunn]

Is the problem with the 5 way rocker on the PDA2k a problem with the device itself or is it a problem with Windows Mobile?

It's a problem with Windows Mobile itself. :?

[seaflipper]

Is the problem with the 5 way rocker on the PDA2k a problem with the device itself or is it a problem with Windows Mobile?

It's a problem with Windows Mobile itself. :?

so unless they delay the hw6500 and release it with Windows Mobile 2005 (which is hoped and suspected (but not known for sure)) to fix this problem the hw6500 will be just as bad at one handed navigation as other 2003SE PPCPE devices! :cry:

This seems like such a no brainer to me. I agree with your idea on how to fix it. I have been out to Microsoft for product testing before on devices in this division (I can say no more than that) and they always seem so interested in ideas about usability that I provide, but I have yet to see any of these actually implemented in a device! Maybe 2005 is where they finally implement some good changes. I will give them the beneift of the doubt until Magento comes out and we all get to play with it ourselves

[whydidnt]

I have to agree with the bit about the 5 way pad. It seems obvious to me that the HW6500 should not be released unless it includes WM2005. It's not often convenient to whip out the stylus for one screen tap, something you have to do in abundance with the current version of WM.

Until MS fixes this issue, PPCPE devices will always receive poor marks compared to the Treo in usability as a phone. Putting my rants about the low res of the 6500 aside - without true one handed operation, this probably won't win too many Treo 650 converts which is an obvious target market of the device.

[DaleReeck]

Even if the 6500 releases with WM2003, that doesn't mean that better pad control is impossible. For example, WM2003 and VoiceSignal for PPC do not support voice dialing over bluetooth, but Motorola modified WM2003 and Voice Signal to allow it to work on their MPX. HP may have customized WM2003 to support better one-handed use too. Of course, this is HP, where ingenuity seems to have been missing the last few years, so I wouldn't count on it though ;)

[galt]

Is the problem with the 5 way rocker on the PDA2k a problem with the device itself or is it a problem with Windows Mobile?

It's a problem with Windows Mobile itself. :?

And boy is it a pain... The lack of itegration of the d-pad is pretty painful, I'm too used to navigating on my Sidekick (often without looking at it) by d-pad, scroll wheel, and keyboard shortcuts. Having to always look and poke at the screen requires two hands and too much time/focus. It should be easier.

The other thing that bugs the crap out of me about Windows Mobile is the lack of fully integrated text cut/copy/paste options in different programs or even within the base OS. Drives me nuts!!
:twisted: