Microsoft Wants Sub-$300 Pocket PC Phone Edition Devices

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20051209A2005.html' target='_blank'>http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20051209A2005.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft plans to team up with Taiwan ODM handset makers and own-brand handset vendors to manufacture sub-US$300 PDA phones in a bid to help the company expand its share of the global OS (operating system) market for mobile devices, according to sources at Taiwan makers and vendors. Microsoft has already exchanged ideas about the potential project with its major partners in Taiwan, including High Tech Computer (HTC), Quanta Computer, Asustek Computer, Acer, Mitac International, and BenQ, the sources noted. Most Taiwan makers generally support Microsoft's plan to optimize its mobile operating system, but they said there still is a long way to go before the software vendor and local handset makers can jointly bring down overall production costs for PDA phones."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051118-WM.gif" /><br /><br />As long as these budget devices aren't complete failures (say, iPAQ rz1715 sort of failure, ahem), it sounds like an awesome idea - but is it feasible? The president of Dopod International thinks it will be very difficult to manufacture such devices without losing money, while the chairman of E-TEN thinks it will be very possible in the next couple of years. You decide. Wouldn't it be nice to upgrade your Phone Edition device every couple of years without sacrifcing your kidneys?

[surur]

If they can sell an Axim x50 for $300 at a profit, they can sell a lower specified phone with GSM circuitry at a profit too. The problem is that there is very little value add for the consumer with a poorly specified WM device, so they might as well go for the highly specified feature phone for the same price.

Surur

[rlobrecht]

Most people just want a phone that can sync appointments and contacts with Outlook. I can definitely see a cheaper phone edition being doable, but it will probably have less memory (flash and ram.) I can't imagine too many people here buying them. The real issue will be to come up with a sexy design, and to team with enough carriers. Normal consumers aren't going to buy their phone from someone called Mad Monkey Boy.

IF you think about it, a $300 phone could be less than $100 with a contract.

[dMores]

the mda compact (htc magician) is available for under 300 bucks.
when it was launched on t-mobile, it was 149 euros with a contract, and now you can get it for 49 euros with a contract!

that's pretty cheap!

[IpaqMan2]

Most people just want a phone that can sync appointments and contacts with Outlook. I can definitely see a cheaper phone edition being doable, but it will probably have less memory (flash and ram.) I can't imagine too many people here buying them. The real issue will be to come up with a sexy design, and to team with enough carriers. Normal consumers aren't going to buy their phone from someone called Mad Monkey Boy.

They already have this... it's Microsoft's smart phone OS. I don't see the point in going with a Pocket PC OS if people are only going to use the handset as a Phone and synce a few things at their desktop and not really input any other data while in the field.

[fmcpherson]

This reminds me, what ever happened to the cheap Smartphones that Microsoft was pushing to come out? I'll have to dig through my weblog, but I swear about a year ago they announced (with HTC?) that they are working with vendors to develop a sub $200 Smartphone.

[PatrickD]

Well Dell is selling Desktops for $399 Cdn. I think a sub $300 PPCPE is only a matter of time.

[CoreyJF]

If they want to increase there ubiquity they will need to make devices that are affordable to the masses. Most people aren’t going to Drop 500 or more (with Contract) on a phone. I am lucky my wife understands my obsession with gadgets. Many other spouses wouldn’t be that understanding.

[aNiMeMaN14]

I get pissed off at my phone for only having 64mb RAM... and I paid $700 for it. The LAST thing I need is to get a "budget" phone with uglier specs. Here's my kidney, gentlemen!

[ricksfiona]

Yes, definitely possible to have a Pocket PC Phone Edition sell for less than $300. 8 years ago, I paid about $2500 for a good laptop. You can get a 'good' laptop now for half that now. Fortunately, technology pricing falls pretty fast.

[pocketpcadmirer]

The best part will be that PPCPE will no more be a kindda "status symbol"..they will surely reach 'normal' and non-smart consumers..I mean if non-smart consumers can use nokia smart-phones, then they also use 'typical' windows mobile pocket pc phone editions.

Sunny 8)

[bbarker]

They also need a non-phone Pocket PC model for close to the $100 for which you can now get a new, color Palm. Is there even a new Pocket PC available for less than $300?

[Darius Wey]

...they will surely reach 'normal' and non-smart consumers..I mean if non-smart consumers can use nokia smart-phones, then they also use 'typical' windows mobile pocket pc phone editions.

I hope so. :?

I've shown many Windows Mobile devices to the average Joe before and one of the things they commented on was the complex UI. Windows has always been a complex shell with a complex OS underneath. I feel major changes need to take place before standard consumers embrace Windows Mobile devices as something that's as easy to use as a standard phone.