Introducing the Dallab dp900

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dallab.com.au/prod_dp9_orview.html' target='_blank'>http://www.dallab.com.au/prod_dp9_orview.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050527-Dallabdp900.jpg" /><br /><br />Anthony (a.k.a. The PDA Guy) recently took the time to check out the latest gadgets at CeBIT Australia and one that was on offer was the Dallab dp900. It has a couple of standout features including: (1) a 180° rotatory VGA camera, and (2) a unique battery changing feature which allows you to replace the battery of the device without it powering down (which is great if you're halfway through a phone call and you need to give the device a little extra juice). Now looking at its specifications, it has an Intel PXA255 300MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM, a 3" QVGA 262K colour screen, GSM/GPRS - Tri-Band 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz, a 1100mAh battery, SDIO, SIR, and Windows Mobile 2003 Phone Edition. Okay, now that I've got that mouthful aside, let's look at a couple of oddities: First of all, it is still not certain if Bluetooth is included. The specifications sheet makes no mention of it, but the company representatives claim that it is there. Secondly, based on the screenshots, it doesn't even appear as though Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition is included as the operating system (once again, there is no mention of 'Second Edition' on the product's specifications page). This device really is a mixed bag of results. :?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

You can find more details at dallab's site here:

http://www.dallab.com/

and there's a long standing thread at mypdacafe.com on this machine:

http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=164

User reaction has been mixed - there's no bluetooth OR wifi, and it's definitely WM2003PE, not SE.

[benyeap]

This device had been in the Asian market for quite some time.

[Raphael Salgado]

The thing that irks me is the PXA255 300MHz processor. We're back in old specs of the Samsung SPH-i700, which also had that rotating camera.

I'm still feeling the painful flashback... I hope Verizon Wireless is beating itself over the head for dealing with a close-minded company like Samsung. Had they released updates in a timely manner and provided an SDK or API for the camera, they could have pioneered handheld wireless videoconferencing here in the US. A 1xRTT (144Kbps) connection with Microsoft Portrait would have been a start... :roll:

[stevelam]

*coughs* *splutters* *dies in horror*

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Actually the big debate going on here now is the relative merits between the HTC magician and the Eten M500, a much worthier machine:

http://www.etencorp.com/products/Communication/500.php

[Darius Wey]

Actually the big debate going on here now is the relative merits between the HTC magician and the Eten M500, a much worthier machine:

http://www.etencorp.com/products/Communication/500.php

Well given the fact that half of the dp900's features seem a little outdated, I'm sure the HTC, ETEN and HP camp will come out on top at the end of the day. Merely failing to include WM2003SE and Bluetooth warrants a strikethrough already. :|

[mr_Ray]

I think the only chance something like this has today is to compete on price. If the price is right it could be a great intro into the platform for many.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Well it IS a little cheaper - about USD80 less than the e-ten, and about USD200 less than the Magician - still not worthwhile if you ask me at over USD400.