BenQ and HTC to Speed Up HSDPA Phone Launch... in Europe

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/MailHome.asp?datePublish=2006/5/2&pages=A1&seq=2' target='_blank'>http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/M...&pages=A1&seq=2</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Taiwan-based BenQ and High Tech Computer (HTC) are speeding up the respective launch of their HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) phones, with BenQ expected to deliver its first HSDPA phone, the EF91, to T-Mobile in July and HTC to begin shipping its model, codenamed Muse, to Qtek (Model S300) in the third quarter, according to market sources."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_htc_muse.jpg" /><br /><br />Raphael kicked off a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47111">great discussion</a> a couple months back where he was debating whether to go with EVDO (Verizon's high-speed data network) or wait for one of our GSM carriers to finally introduce HSPDA. Unfortunately, while T-Mobile has been upgrading nearly every country outside of the US to HSPDA, there's no confirmed report that I know of that states when they'll support it in the US, so Cingular may still be our best bet right now for those of us in the US that prefer a GSM solution.

[Pdaholic]

All I will say is anyone considering a BenQ should think twice. I went the BenQ P50 route a few months ago, and the company had to send me three new units before I got one that was fully functioning. The units had big issues, like the keyboard backlight wasn't working, the IR port wouldn't work, and one PDA couldn't write to the SD card. BenQ QA is very lacking, IMO.

[KTamas]

Square screen without a hardware keyboard? That is a really big no-no for me...

[Raphael Salgado]

If I might add, the HTC Muse has a 240x240 display and Windows Mobile 5. Just in case someone's looking at that pre-WM5 QVGA screen that's been superimposed and squished into the photo.

So far, I have no regrets in being a Verizon customer once again, and still shocked (no offense) that I'm extremely satisfied with the Palm Treo 700w.

One thing that would make me itch to return to GSM would be the fact that these new UMTS/HSDPA phones, granted they are US-3G-friendly, would support video telephony. Of course, Cingular/T-Mobile would have to allow it on their network, and I hope they don't charge an arm and a leg for it. If it's done over the Internet via a future version of Skype or Microsoft Portrait, then it wouldn't matter to the carrier.

Eventually with our mobile devices, I really want to be able to see my wife and kids at home (or elsewhere and equipped with another video telephony device) while I'm out on a job or traveling.

[Skoobouy]

My thought exactly, Ktamas. 240x240 screens are "the Debil!" for me; creating a PPC which doesn't even have the whole reason for square screens in the first place is just insulting. Even understanding that 640x480 isn't for everyone... is 240x240 for anyone?

[KTamas]

My thought exactly, Ktamas. 240x240 screens are "the Debil!" for me; creating a PPC which doesn't even have the whole reason for square screens in the first place is just insulting. Even understanding that 640x480 isn't for everyone... is 240x240 for anyone?
You got me wrong a bit. I said, 240×240 is pointless without a built-in keyboard. With a built-in keyboard and WM5 (Palm Treo 700w, HP 6915 and the upcoming devices), it can be quite a nice PPCPE device.