More on the Gigabyte g-Smart i120

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.sogi.com.tw/newsogi/sogiIndex.asp?pro_no=2457' target='_blank'>http://www.sogi.com.tw/newsogi/sogi...asp?pro_no=2457</a><br /><br /></div>Adding to yesterday's <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,49173">brief overview of the Gigabyte g-Smart i120</a>, here are some additional details.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060607-gsmarti120.jpg" /><br /><br />The i120, like Gigabyte's other g-Smart devices, is a Pocket PC Phone Edition. It's a tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) and GPRS device with 64MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 802.11g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2, infrared, a 2.4" QVGA (240 x 320) 262K-colour TFT-LCD, a 2.1-megapixel camera, a TV and FM radio tuner, and Windows Mobile 5.0.<br /><br />Without question, we're starting to see a trend toward more Pocket PC Phone Edition devices with built-in number pads. What do you think about them? Worth including, or better left to the Smartphones?<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> More i120 eye-candy available <a href="http://www.phonedaily.com/news/?news_id=4429">here</a>.

[wouterk]

I'm in great favor of Phone Editions with number pads. :D
With my MDA II and now my K-Jam, I still got a greasy screen from calling using my fingers. Also it is hard to hit the software numbers when driving (I know it is not allowed... :wink: ).
My ideal PPC would be:
number pad, touch screen (I'm very fast with Fitaly) and a better battery.
I guess I've to keep on dreaming.... :mrgreen:
Wouter

[xdev]

people in asia dont really like thumb boards, they prefer keypads.....can text extremely fast with them. same in europe. whithout question the younger generation prefer it

thumb boards are mainly an american hit

[alese]

I don't care about keypad. I know some are very quick using it, but to me it's just stupid to try to memorize how many presses on the 3 is F...

I would much rather have some kind of thumbboard, for the rest I can use on screen buttons or hardvare navigation buttons...

[Robb Bates]

Oooooo, me like!!

That's a rather unconventional layout, but I think I like it!

There's something comforting in pressing real hardware buttons rather than virtual touch screen buttons. That's exactly the reason I bought the MX-500 remote (http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/) rather than something like the Pronto (http://www.remotecentral.com/pronto/index.html).

It's so easy to txtmsg someone using T9 and a real keypad. Once you get good at it, you don't even have to look at the screen. Try THAT with a touchscreen!

Robb

[phreaker18]

well id like to say 2 things...

first they should include quad band GSM but i suppose since this device is specifically targeted towards the asian market they did away with it.

Secondly i really liked the concept of the numeric pad but i would rather have it a lil smaller and the LCD a bit bigger if u ask my honest opinion.. smaller keys for a numeric pad work well for smartphones and the same would also apply to these.

Darius bro is it true that they have 802.11g Wi-Fi?? they could have had Bluetooth 2.0 and do they have push email??

[Darius Wey]

It's so easy to txtmsg someone using T9 and a real keypad. Once you get good at it, you don't even have to look at the screen. Try THAT with a touchscreen!

Yeah, I'm a T9 junkie, so I can certainly see the point you're making. I should mention, though, that the Fitaly input system is equally as fast - if not, faster. Of course, adaptation is the key.

[Darius Wey]

Darius bro is it true that they have 802.11g Wi-Fi??

Of course it's true. I wouldn't make this stuff up now, would I? 8)

...and do they have push email??

Not sure, but if I find out, I'll let you know.

However, considering Gigabyte's past g-Smart devices have the MSFP, I'm pretty sure this one would too.

[phreaker18]

thanks a lot Darius.... i think text entry using T9 is actually pretty fast if ur used to it.... makes a lot of sense...

[brianchris]

Numeric keypads on PPC Phone edition devices are a HUGE plus for me. There are times you just want to dial a phone number using a regular keypad. T9 benefits are in addition to that.

However, I disagree with most everyone else here that we HAVE to choose between a numeric keypad and QWERTY thumb board......we can have both (the thumb board slides out from behind as it already does on so many devices). The device just needs to be made.

[Tye]

(disclaimer: I am only speaking for myself here. I know others might feel differently)

My Opinion: Leave the hard keys off and just give me a big touch screen.

I'm really growing frustrated with the direction all of these devices are moving. Why can't we get a phone with the screen and resolution of my beloved HP 4705? It has plenty of room for a big battery and I am sure that manufacturing methods have improved to the point that a 4705 could be made smaller--keeping the screen, of course.

My current phone is an MM-A900. For a phone, I have to admit, it's been quite good. It is fast, has bluetooth, gets me on the online no matter where I am. But for personal information management, there's no Pocket Informant. For browsing, no Opera.
I'm quite fast with T9 too, but I dread the thought of creating an appt. with it. I want that big touchscreen. Please someone give me everything and the kitchen sink! (but make it small and put it on the Sprint network, please).

[alanmeister]

when is gigabyte going to come up with 3G capable devices?
the g-smart i120 has an excellent feature set but it would have been
much better if 3G has been included....

[Kursplat]

Like brianchris, I was going to suggest a keypad under the screen with a slideout keyboard (landscape). The problem is, putting a keypad under the screen is either going to make it a taller, bulkier device or make the screen smaller.

So, if it's technically feasible, I'd like to see a big screen with just the basic WM5 buttons under it and a slide out keyboard from behind that acts as a thumbboard if slid out in landscape and a keypad if slid out in portrait. And, of course, since it will have a HUGE screen, it should be VGA. :)