HTC Advantage Preview

[Nurhisham Hussein]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcitalia.com/Recensioni/PocketPC-Phone-Edition/Anteprima-HTC-Advantage-X7500/' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcitalia.com/Recen...dvantage-X7500/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"2007 mark the birth of a new type of device. An example of as the convergence between Pocket PC traditional and smartphone the HTC Advantage X7500 (better known with codename the Athena is not the only tendency in action) demonstrates in fact as the convergence between PC and PDA-Phone is not only completed in UMPC (that is Ultra Mobile PC), but above all in the UMPPC (Ultra Mobile Pocket PC). "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/hisham-20070312-smHTC_Advantage-12.jpg" /><br /><br />PocketPCItalia.com have published a nice preview of the HTC Advantage - if you've been following the news about this uber-device there isn't anything really new in the article, though it provides a pretty good rundown of the layout, size and functions of the Advantage plus some closeup shots. Of note however are comparison shots between the Advantage and TyTN (Hermes) and S620 (Excalibur), which should be useful in gauging the real size of this device. You can access the decent Google translation <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pocketpcitalia.com%2FRecensioni%2FPocketPC-Phone-Edition%2FAnteprima-HTC-Advantage-X7500%2F&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools">here</a>. Oh, and I'm not really sure we need <i>another</i> category of Pocket PCs just yet :lol:.

[ricksfiona]

I drool at the thought of that being a XP based UMPC.. Though I wonder how useable that keyboard really is... That form factor is just wasted as a PPC... :-(

[iscogd]

What's the use of such unit? why we need such unit? I don't find any good idea why to buy it.

[Dyvim]

This new category of device would be more appropriately named NPMPPC for "Not Particularly Mobile Pocket PC". Some of the largest Pocket PC's ever made don't deserve the monikor "Ultra Mobile Pocket PC"- those should go to the tiniest of Pocket PC's not the biggest.

That said, I would be happy to receive this device as a gift (I don't think I can afford to buy one).

[TOCA]

If the choice is UMPS vs. Athena, then I would go for the Athena.
If the choice is Athena vs. a PPC, then it would be PPC.

In both caces, the formfactor is the point, A PPC fits in a pocket, Athena fits in a big pocket, the UMPS's need a briefcase, bag, or some other external carrying device, so for that, I might as well bring a Laptop, with all the functions installed, in staed of a machine running XP-Light.

If you want to do more than just PIM, and smalltime Word edditing, then a PPC is a litle too small, if you want to travel light, a Laptop or a UMPC is too big, and right smack in the midle, stands Athena.

Yes I belive there is a market for her, if HTC gets the word out to the consumers.

[alese]

I drool at the thought of that being a XP based UMPC.. Though I wonder how useable that keyboard really is... That form factor is just wasted as a PPC... :-(

Actually, this could be a very nice reader (an expensive one) but nice. Also due to it's large screen it should be a nice GPS unit in the car.

But in general I agree, it's really hard to find real use for such device.
Maybe if it would be cheap I could see it as light laptop replacement, but it's not, it's priced on par with UMPC and UMPCs are running REAL Windows...

[c1oudrs]

I have to go against the flow. In my opinion the form factor is just about perfect. First of all you have a BIG screen for a pocket pc. (Word processing, ebooks, gps). Not too heavy, it weighs about as much as a can of sodapop. And though it's too big for any but a capacious pocket--it is NOT too big to hang on a belt. So in order to make this converged device usable, a good case IS a must!

Its got TV/VGA out (which to my knowledge only the Flame has TV out and the Axim X51v has VGA out). So you can use the cinema glasses with the Athena if you like both the TV out and the harder to find VGA out. Unlike the Axim X51v, you also have USB host, and a 3 megapixel camera! (And uhhh, yeah, a phone . . .)

The only reality check I see is memory (the Athena/Advantage has a mini-sd as opposed to sd, don't appreciate that) and also lacks a CF slot--then there's the price. However, USB host has the potential to take away some of the memory woes, as does the 8GB drive (though--sniff--you can get a 12 GB CF card for a little over $200 now. Oh yeah, then there's the price. Then of course, (cough) there's the price.

But the Athena sure looks nice, though I'll likely have to wait till at least 2008 before I'm in the market.

[nutzareus]

Haven't we seen this before? Rewind back to 2000 and the HP Jornada 720 with Windows CE Handheld PC 2000. Only thing different is a GSM radio, Bluetooth, 802.11g, and about $700 in your wallet...

[Paragon]

Wow!!

I can't believe how many people have missed the point of this device. Yes, it is big, It is supposed to be. It's a bit like complaining that a pickup truck is too big because it has a big box on the back. The Advantage is big because it has a big screen. A big screen, where VGA can be used to it's ultimate purpose. Web surfing on this thing is incredible. Reading books is a totally new experience. Reading documents such as Excel forms is much easier. Viewing Powerpoint presentations is much better not to mention you can easily view them on other screens using VGA out. Watching movies will be hugely better that on a device with a 2.8" screen. Taking notes is far better than any other PPC.

It is much cheaper than a UMPC. It is instant on, so it is much quicker and easier to access information. It is much smaller than a laptop, making it far easier to lug around. It is even easier to sync and share data with this than it would be with a typical UMPC. It is about half the thickness of the average UMPC.....and so on......

Dave

[alese]

Wow!!

I can't believe how many people have missed the point of this device. Yes, it is big, It is supposed to be. It's a bit like complaining that a pickup truck is too big because it has a big box on the back. The Advantage is big because it has a big screen. A big screen, where VGA can be used to it's ultimate purpose. Web surfing on this thing is incredible. Reading books is a totally new experience. Reading documents such as Excel forms is much easier. Viewing Powerpoint presentations is much better not to mention you can easily view them on other screens using VGA out. Watching movies will be hugely better that on a device with a 2.8" screen. Taking notes is far better than any other PPC.

It is much cheaper than a UMPC. It is instant on, so it is much quicker and easier to access information. It is much smaller than a laptop, making it far easier to lug around. It is even easier to sync and share data with this than it would be with a typical UMPC. It is about half the thickness of the average UMPC.....and so on......

Dave

I tried to use my HTC Universal for stuff you mention, but it was painfull experience, not because of screen size or even processor speed, but because WM is just not capable of beeing "desktop" replacement unless you are prepared to accept a lot of compromises.
The device is supposed to cost $1200 without contract. That's not cheaper than UMPC, that is more expensive then some UMPCs. And although typical UMPC is a little larger it also has better resolution on a bigger screen, much more storage and "real" application compatibility.
Yes you can browse on Advantage, but even the best browsers (Opera, NetFront) can't compare to browsers on UMPC.
Same goes for working with Office applications. You don't get full compatibility and all the features. For instance, you can't even create PowerPoint files on WM.
I wonder if MediaPlayer on this thing actually plays in full screen?
Yes, it should be an excelent reader, but for $1200?

[Paragon]

I tried to use my HTC Universal for stuff you mention, but it was painfull experience, not because of screen size or even processor speed, but because WM is just not capable of beeing "desktop" replacement unless you are prepared to accept a lot of compromises.
?

I have to ask you then, why do you even use a PPC?

Windows Mobile devices are not meant to be desktop replacements. If that is what you are after you will definitely be disappointed.

I don't think you are making compromises as much as you are using lite versions of desktop applications. There's definitely some give and take here. Personally I don't find that I need all the full blown features of most desktop applications when using a portable device. As long as they sync well with my desktop I'm guite happy with what Windows Mobile devices can do. Windows Mobile is obviously developed for use on smaller screens. I find WM much easier to use than I find XP, Vista or most desktop apps that are squished down to fit on a small screen. They we developed for use on 15" and larger monitors, not 5" and smaller screens. I'm very willing give up on some features I don't use on a mobile device anyway, for an interface that is much easier and quicker to use.

I'll gladly take a Windows Mobile device such as the Advantage over a UMPC even at the same price, because I find it works better for "non-desktop" computing.....for desktop computing I tend to use my desktop. ;) For mobile computing I like to use a mobile device, with a GUI designed for mobile use. The Advantage takes a huge leap forward in all that with its large 5" screen.

Dave

[alese]

I have to ask you then, why do you even use a PPC?

Windows Mobile devices are not meant to be desktop replacements. If that is what you are after you will definitely be disappointed.
...


I use WM because it fits my needs, I'm using PocketPC/WM since I got my Jornada 545 in 2000 and as a PDA, for PIM, some note taking and reading it works really nice.
I also like the abundance of software, I can find something for almost any task.
I totaly agree with you that WM devices can't be desktop replacements, my experimet with using Universal as an ultra small Notebook instead of my real notebook proved to be a failure and that is my problem with Advantage.
For me Advantage is too big and too expensive to be a PDA (in "clasical" sense) or even a phone. Because of it's size and price in my eyes it competes with UMPCs, but compared to UMPC it's just underpowered and it's software is not even close (with some exceptions) to be able to compete with full XP/Vista on UMPC.
If someone would give me Advantage I would definately find use for it, and if it would be cheaper I could be tempted, but at the moment I just can't find enough uses to justify it.

[Paragon]

If someone would give me Advantage I would definately find use for it, and if it would be cheaper I could be tempted, but at the moment I just can't find enough uses to justify it.

I fully understand that. I think in today's world it has a somewhat limited market. I do think that in the years to come, devices like this are going to become "the" non-desktop computers. We are seeing mobile devices such as PPCs and even Phone Edition devices becoming smaller, more Smartphone like in size and capabilities, all the while cutting down on their overall computer capabilities because on increasingly smaller screens. Many people agree that in the years ahead Phone Edition devices will completely disappear for more "communicator" type devices, leaving the door open for devices like the Advantage. I think we are just seeing the first generation of devices like this.

Dave

[Powderfinger]

This looks awesome to me. I would ditch the keyboard and replace it with a CF and an SD slot so there would be cross compatibility with most digital cameras. Then you could edit and view photos in the field on a big screen. I woud use this a lot. My current Ipaq hx4700 is showing its years of rough field use. I need it for the instant on as I am always collecting data on breeding birds in the field. If I had to wait for a UMPC to boot up after obtaining the weight of a Bald Eagle, I would be sunk. I use GPS and excel to monitor my location on USGS topo's from MapTec. Any of my BT keyboards, even my virtual keyboard would work better than any thumb or slide-out keyboard. Graffiti is a way better option too but most folks are not smart enough to use that. Speaking of following the herd off of the cliff.

[alese]

This looks awesome to me. I would ditch the keyboard and replace it with a CF and an SD slot so there would be cross compatibility with most digital cameras. ...

Advantage has USB host capability, so you should be able to connect either flash card reader or (probably most) digital camera directly to it and access the photos...

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I would ditch the keyboard and replace it with a CF and an SD slot so there would be cross compatibility with most digital cameras.

My one big gripe with almost all new devices!!


If I had to wait for a UMPC to boot up after obtaining the weight of a Bald Eagle, I would be sunk.

Actually, stand-by is a pretty good alternative. WinXP is actually pretty decent at this - while it's not exactly instant-on, you can get from stand-by to fully operational in between 2-5 secs. Vista is supposed to be even better. There's a further advantage that going into standby puts all the components into sleep-mode, which saves on battery life, much like it would with a PDA. Of course, form-factor and weight are the other negative considerations.