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View Full Version : PDAdb.net's Comprehensive Online PDA Database


Darius Wey
08-02-2006, 07:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdadb.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.pdadb.net/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"After two-year data acquisition term and several month development period, PDAdb.net is now online. An independent site where everything is about PDAs... The PDAdb (PDAdb.net's PDA database) contains detailed technical specifications of almost six hundred PDA, PDA Phone, PNA, Smartphone, Handheld PC as well other handheld/pocket-sized mobile devices. PDAdb is accurate and up to date due to daily refresh."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060802-pdadbnet.gif" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pdadb.net/">PDAdb.net</a> has just about every Pocket PC, Smartphone, and Handheld PC you can think of - even the obscure ones from Computex and the HTCs that haven't been released yet. Search and comparison functionality is included, so if you need to do some device research, or you're just curious, head over to PDAdb.net and see what all the fuss is about.

sweb3028
08-02-2006, 11:18 PM
My initial impression .... This is a very nice database. It is very un-complicated and well organized. The PDAmaster is really nice for finding the PDA/Phone that is right for your needs. I also like the PDAcomparer. It is nice to have so many model numbers (at one time) to compare. I will definitely bookmark this for my future use.

JesterMania
08-03-2006, 12:51 AM
I agree, it's a nice site to be sure. My only gripe with it is that it doesn't have detailed pictures of these handhelds. Even if I click on "enlarge", it just opens up a new window with a same-sized image. If they can make preview photos such as those found on gsmarena.com, that'd be nice.

ipaq_wannabe
08-03-2006, 02:15 AM
just out of curiosity, i tried checking out the Sharp W-ZERO-series of handhelds in Japan (the WS003SH, the WS004SH, and the WS007SH) - and they gotten some things REALLY wrong.

for one, the OS is not the "Phone Edition," but the same Windows Mobile 5.0 that you find in "regular handhelds," just like the Axim X51V, for example. though it is considered a smartphone in Japan, it does NOT run the "smartphone"-version of the OS.

another would be - the cameras are not 2-megapixel ones, but rather in the 1-meg range.

which brings me to my point - who verifies the accuracies of these datasheets?

PS: btw, ive had the Sharp WS003SH, and the WS004SH (after selling the 3SH).

_

ipaq_wannabe
08-03-2006, 02:20 AM
also, they dont contain any references to PalmOS/Symbian/Linux-based devices.

so, basically, when we say "PDA" - then it just means "Micro$oft-based"...?

hhhmmm....

Phoenix
08-03-2006, 03:47 AM
The funny thing about this is that a couple of years ago I was seriously considering starting up a website that provided exactly this type of info. Just a simple reference site providing specs on every kind of handheld out there.

Good for them. This will be a handy site to bookmark.

JesterMania
08-03-2006, 05:46 AM
for one, the OS is not the "Phone Edition," but the same Windows Mobile 5.0 that you find in "regular handhelds," just like the Axim X51V, for example. though it is considered a smartphone in Japan, it does NOT run the "smartphone"-version of the OS.
_

Actually, I see WM5 commonly referred to in 3 flavours:

- WM5 (for regular PDA non-phone devices)
- WM5 Pocket PC Phone Edition (for PPC-based phones)
- WM5 Smartphone Edition (for PPC smartphones)

The difference between "plain WM5" and WM5 PPC Phone Edition is that the Phone Edition comes with dialing/SMS software. So they did get it right, Pocket PC Phone Edition is not the same as the Smartphone Edition.

griph
08-03-2006, 08:36 AM
I agree, it's a nice site to be sure. My only gripe with it is that it doesn't have detailed pictures of these handhelds. Even if I click on "enlarge", it just opens up a new window with a same-sized image. If they can make preview photos such as those found on gsmarena.com, that'd be nice.
At least there is a picture - enough to identify the particular PPC - with so many listed perhaps the issue was bandwidth? There is an old saying "Do not Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth"

griph
08-03-2006, 08:57 AM
The difference between "plain WM5" and WM5 PPC Phone Edition is that the Phone Edition comes with dialing/SMS software. So they did get it right, Pocket PC Phone Edition is not the same as the Smartphone Edition.
All the web sites I have seen list the device as a Smartphone. From the photos it definitely has a phone built in, and it is definitely a Pocket PC and not a Smartphone as MS would define it. The sites all seem to refer to the OS as WM5 Japanese Version, and nowhere I've looked have I seen it referred to as having WM5 Phone Edition or WM5 Smartphone Edition. Its not surprising therefore that there is some confusion. But clearly it is a phone, and not like the Axim X51V cos that is a plain WM5 Pocket PC without phone.

ipaq_wannabe
08-03-2006, 09:15 AM
for one, the OS is not the "Phone Edition," but the same Windows Mobile 5.0 that you find in "regular handhelds," just like the Axim X51V, for example. though it is considered a smartphone in Japan, it does NOT run the "smartphone"-version of the OS.
_

Actually, I see WM5 commonly referred to in 3 flavours:

- WM5 (for regular PDA non-phone devices)
- WM5 Pocket PC Phone Edition (for PPC-based phones)
- WM5 Smartphone Edition (for PPC smartphones)

The difference between "plain WM5" and WM5 PPC Phone Edition is that the Phone Edition comes with dialing/SMS software. So they did get it right, Pocket PC Phone Edition is not the same as the Smartphone Edition.

no, what im saying here is that the W-ZERO series from Sharp is NOT loaded with the "Phone Edition," but the "WM5 (for regular PDA non-phone devices)."

the dialing software in the Sharp-series is NOT from the OS - but is proprietary...

why do people mistakenly assume that it uses the "Phone-Edition," or the "Smartphone Edition," or whatever just because it looks and has the functionality of a phone? the OS of the Sharp-series is ONE and the SAME plain vanilla-type of the Axim X51V...

JesterMania
08-03-2006, 03:51 PM
At least there is a picture - enough to identify the particular PPC - with so many listed perhaps the issue was bandwidth? There is an old saying "Do not Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth"

Perhaps you're right about the bandwidth issue, I'm just posting my constructive criticism on the site, that's all. It just seemed odd to me they have a "Click on the image to enlarge!" link below each image but when I click on most of them, it didn't seem it was enlarged at all.


no, what im saying here is that the W-ZERO series from Sharp is NOT loaded with the "Phone Edition," but the "WM5 (for regular PDA non-phone devices)."

the dialing software in the Sharp-series is NOT from the OS - but is proprietary...

why do people mistakenly assume that it uses the "Phone-Edition," or the "Smartphone Edition," or whatever just because it looks and has the functionality of a phone? the OS of the Sharp-series is ONE and the SAME plain vanilla-type of the Axim X51V...

Thanks for clarifying. I assumed it had the Phone Edition OS simply because most devices of this type use the Phone Edition version and not the plain vanilla one. Obviously, I have never had a W-ZERO before and have been misled :wink: .

kazbluesky
10-02-2006, 12:29 PM
Im working here in Japan and am thinking about buying one of these phones. Does anyone know whether it would be possible to change the Japanese OS to an English one? Or is there a little program that would change the text to English?

Also, anyone know if this has IR ? I liked being able to change my TV/satellite with my last PDA's IR.

Hope you can help,

Kaz

Nurhisham Hussein
10-02-2006, 07:59 PM
Does anyone know whether it would be possible to change the Japanese OS to an English one?

It's not possible I'm afraid, nor legal.

kazbluesky
10-03-2006, 04:20 PM
im sad to hear it's not possible.

Why is it illegal? cant I just buy a new English system ? No one has wriiten a program to do it?

Anyway, thanks for letting me know.

Darius Wey
10-03-2006, 04:32 PM
Why is it illegal? cant I just buy a new English system ? No one has wriiten a program to do it?

Each device ships with a license that grants the user the right to use the version of Windows Mobile provided. Any attempts to switch over to another is seen as a breach of the user agreement, and thus considered illegal.

In the future, Microsoft will allow users to switch their version of Windows Mobile over to other languages, but it will be up to OEMs to offer that service to its users.

Nurhisham Hussein
10-03-2006, 06:02 PM
Why is it illegal?

If I had a dollar for every time I answer this question, I'd be richer than Bill Gates, but Darius' answer is right on.

cant I just buy a new English system ? No one has wriiten a program to do it?

I could go into why it's not possible, but since its a legal grey area and morally and ethically questionable, I won't. Trust me, with this particular device, it's not even theoretically possible. You can of course, purchase localisation software for particular applications, but the base OS will remain in Japanese.

kazbluesky
10-04-2006, 12:39 PM
Gosh, it all sounds very strict. I guess I should just start learning Japanese!!

Thanks for your help,