Small PPC Phone with WM5

[yanathin]

I used to own an iMate JAM, but I sold it after about a week's use because the phone part seemed more like an afterthought. WM5 seems to have improved this, which is why I'm willing to go back to the PPC Phone combo. Will the iMate JAM get the WM5 upgrade any time soon, or has a version already been leaked? If not, which device would you recommend to me that will get it? I don't want anything bigger than the JAM, but I know a few models have been released sharing similar sizes recently... I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks!

[ADBrown]

I used to own an iMate JAM, but I sold it after about a week's use because the phone part seemed more like an afterthought. WM5 seems to have improved this, which is why I'm willing to go back to the PPC Phone combo. Will the iMate JAM get the WM5 upgrade any time soon

No, never. The company that made it, and the company that sells it, both have a vested interest in having you buy a new device.

If not, which device would you recommend to me that will get it? I don't want anything bigger than the JAM, but I know a few models have been released sharing similar sizes recently... I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks!

The HTC Wizard comes to mind. You can find recent news bits about it on PPCT. It's allegedly coming out in the US October 24th, other places at other times.

[dorelse]

In that size range, you might want to look at the ETEN M500, it will have a WM 5 upgrade released for it (you'll have to purchase it though).

Also, the ETEN M600 (not out yet) will be pretty much the same as the M500 (same size, etc), but will also have WiFi included.

I'm personally waiting for the ETEN M600.

[RussHart]

Following on from this - has anyone got any release dates for any of the WM5 smartphones which have numeric pads - Played with the M500 - just doesn't cut it - can't use with 1 hand easily...

[dorelse]

Following on from this - has anyone got any release dates for any of the WM5 smartphones which have numeric pads - Played with the M500 - just doesn't cut it - can't use with 1 hand easily...

Asus supposedly has one in the works...

Following on with the M500 comment...the poor 1 handed operation is a function mostly of WM2003SE (and prior). WM 2005 is supposed to greatly improve upon this...so the improved OS should inheritently improve the devices as well. I would agree though, having used a Treo 600 for a long while, nothing beats those keys front & center!

I really had hoped for the iPaq to be 480x480...I just don't think I could deal with 240x240.

[Sven Johannsen]

I really had hoped for the iPaq to be 480x480...I just don't think I could deal with 240x240.

Not sure why folks have such a big issue with this. Sure, VGA would be nicer, but there are even only a handful of VGA PPCs. They tend to be bigger to take advantage of the higher resolution. VGA has got to impact battery life, so you may want a bigger battery. (Too bad the Dell guys didn't think of that :( ).

You aren't getting less resolution than typical 240x320 PPCs, you are just getting a little shorter screen. If you left the full size screen, you would get a 4355, which is a bit long for most folks. So, to get a small device and keep the keyboard you cut off the screen a bit. This is a phone, so battery life is paramount, as is size. So you got to make some trade-offs.

Maybe if you are coming off a 4700 or X50v the resolution will be noticeable, but it's no different than the 4155, X30, 2700, etc.

[dorelse]

I really had hoped for the iPaq to be 480x480...I just don't think I could deal with 240x240.

Not sure why folks have such a big issue with this. Sure, VGA would be nicer, but there are even only a handful of VGA PPCs. They tend to be bigger to take advantage of the higher resolution. VGA has got to impact battery life, so you may want a bigger battery. (Too bad the Dell guys didn't think of that :( ).

You aren't getting less resolution than typical 240x320 PPCs, you are just getting a little shorter screen. If you left the full size screen, you would get a 4355, which is a bit long for most folks. So, to get a small device and keep the keyboard you cut off the screen a bit. This is a phone, so battery life is paramount, as is size. So you got to make some trade-offs.


Well, while you're not losing resolution, 240x240, does cut 80 pixel lines off of the bottom. I'm losing real estate to work with... With the new context 'soft' buttons in WM 2005, the top Start menu bar, and the other obligitory bottom bar (like on the today page), I'm left with less room for the apps to actually display data.

That's my issue, IF it was 480x480 AND the app was coded to use it (like the handful of VGA apps), I'd have more screen to work with for displaying the apps data.

I'm thinking of Agenda Fusion's Agenda View (which I use extensively) for a good example. With a 240x240 screen I might get 2 days to display at once vs. a whole week that I have now on my Axim x50v.

Anyway, that's where I'm coming from...I just think that 240x240 won't cut it for my needs..probably why I would LOVE a Benq P50 upgrade to WM2005, or the new Eten M600.... :D

[Chris Spera]

I used to own an iMate JAM, but I sold it after about a week's use because the phone part seemed more like an afterthought. WM5 seems to have improved this, which is why I'm willing to go back to the PPC Phone combo. Will the iMate JAM get the WM5 upgrade any time soon, or has a version already been leaked? If not, which device would you recommend to me that will get it? I don't want anything bigger than the JAM, but I know a few models have been released sharing similar sizes recently... I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks!

The ETEN M500 is supposed to get a WM5 Upgrade. ETEN is also releasing the M500 with WM5, as the M500 Plus in a few weeks/months. They will also release the M600, an update to the M500, also with WM5.

These last 2 devices are either in beta, or about to enter the beta stage, according to ETEN.

[dorelse]

AND the ETEN M600 has WiFi included...so there's a definite bonus to that model!

[mikewchandler]

Yeah, I'm waiting the m500 upgrade to wm5. It was officially announced early this week by Eten and should be available by Dec05.

[HVilorio]

What about the K-JAM? It has WM5 and is just a few mm thicker than the JAM.

[cec]

A little more information would help to make an informed recommendation. Honestly, I don't think WM 5.0 is going to be the panacea you assume. If integration of phone and PDA is most important to you then I would give the Treo 650 a look. No PPC phone can compete with the Treo in that area. Also one-handed operation of the Treo is superior.

Personally I prefer the extra power and flexiblilty offered by high-end PPC phones over the Treo and I am willing to put up with the less than perfect integration of the phone. If you have EVDO coverage in your area check out the Samsung i730 (WM 5.0 upgrade probable) or PPC-6700 (ships with WM 5.0).