Why Haven't You Switched To A Windows Mobile Smartphone?

[Ed Hansberry]

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy my Pocket PC. (Ok, for the sake of clarity, when I say Pocket PC, I mean my Pocket PC Phone that Microsoft is now calling Windows Mobile 6 Professional, and when I say Smartphone, I mean what MS is now calling Windows Mobile 6 Standard.) Sometimes though, I wish for the ease of use that my wife has with her T-Mobile SDA Smartphone. So, I looked at possibly switching. Well, I just can't. First of all, my number one used third party application, <a href="http://www.laridian.com?ref=apwzwtzws">PocketBible 3</a>, has a much weaker sister program on the Smartphone platform, with no notes, highlighting and lacking too many of the <a href="http://www.ehansberry.com/pages/laridianpocketbible3review.htm">other features</a> PB3 introduced.<br /><br />That's not all though. There are the occasional needs for things like a terminal server client or access to my HanDBase databases. Still, applications like eReader Pro, ListPro, eWallet and many others are available on both platforms and seem to do a pretty good job on each. I've even thought about getting a Smartphone and partnering my then SIMless K-Jam with it, but now I have two devices, something I got rid of a few years ago. :? What about you? Why haven't you made the switch to the Smartphone platform?

[ctmagnus]

With file synchronization in WM6 Standard and the proper qwerty keyboard devices, nothing's holding me back. Except the investment in current gear.

[OSUKid7]

I have, and I can't wait to switch back. :D Don't get me wrong, I love the small form factor of my Cingular 2125 Smartphone, but in my 1.5 years on using Smartphones, I've continually found applications that either aren't available for the Smartphone platform or don't provide the same level of usability.

[SteveHoward999]

I want my cake, and I want to eat it. The software available to nontouch-screen versions of PocketPC seems to be limited compared to the touch-screen versions.

Plus, right now, there is still nothing available in the US market that combines a phone with all the features (especially the SCREEN) of my aging Toshiba E830. I see no sense in downgrading to get one of the latest devices.

[stuxstu]

Funny, I went from a HP 2495 to HP 6500 to a Cingular 2125 and now I am about to switch to a BlackBerry Curve or 8800. Leaning towards the curve, though if I go with the 8800 I can take it into some of the companies I go to. Who thought the defense industry would have a problem with cameras... :lol:

Though I really like the whole Windows Mobile thing, I just need my email, calendar, and some other really basic functions. With Email being the priority at this point, the blackberry wins hands down for ease and simplicity of use... well that and my company will pay for a blackberry.

The only thing I will miss is Agenda Fusion... It has kept my business life together...

[mscdex]

How about those of us who don't care to have or purchase wireless phone service? Using a smartphone without service doesn't make much sense. That's why I stick to the PocketPC and similar devices (with WiFi access).

[efjay]

I just switched to a T-Mobile Dash after over 2 years with PPC's - a Blue Angel (which I still have) and a TyTN which was sold a while ago. My first Windows Mobile device was a Smartphone so I dont have too many problems switching back. My main application that was used on the PPC platform was GPS and there are just enough to choose from on the SP platform (Garmin, CoPilot, Route 66).

PIE does just about the same job on a SP with some limitations which I find minor. I havent come across any site I visited on my PPC with PIEPlus that I cant access on my Dash.

Email, Contacts, Calendar and Tasks are basically the same though 3rd party apps (some free) are needed to sync notes. I use Smartphonenotes which works well.

With WM6 providing Office Mobile for SP there is practically everything included on the SP OS that I would use in a typical day. Other freeware I have installed provides funtions like registry editing, task management, zip files and folder management.

PPC's are more powerful, hardware-wise and in some functionality. But with the right apps loaded a SP can fulfil just as many needs as a PPC can for a road warrior with the added benefit of smaller size and numeric or qwerty keyboards which some PPC's dont have which makes the SP marginally better to be used as a phone.

[JesterMania]

I can't use Smartphone Edition because there currently is no TomTom for Smartphone. Furthermore, I need my touch-screen to write Japanese Kanji into a dictionary for translation. With the Smartphone version, I can't hand-write characters making it far too complex to use a dictionary program.

[alese]

I like the size of "Smartphone" editions, but my next device will have VGA screen, and I still think that ability to jot down something is one of the killer features for me.
So for now, at least until WM7 I'll stick with "Pocket PC Phone".

[ADBrown]

Why would I want to switch to a Smartphone? Sure, I own two of them, a Typhoon and a Qtek 8500. But as much as I love my Qtek, it's not even close to offering all the things my Axim X51v does, like a large VGA screen, large memory card support, and a video processor.

[Tracy Daubenspeck]

I just got a Q and am amazed at what it will do. Mapopolis works with my BT GPS. Olive Tree Pocket Bible works fine. Calendar functions and contacts are all OK. I still want an HTC Advantage, but the Q is fine for now.

[spdev]

For the last few years I've been using a Dell Axim x50v as my Pocket PC device, primarily for calendar functions, contacts, tasks, occasional web browsing for news reading and watching avi movies and videos. I'd never think of switching to a Smartphone device strictly due to the cost of having such a device and the required celluar service costs.

Recently, my employer switched out my Moto Razr phone for a Moto-Q phone, and I must admit that I love it! The only real bad thing is the battery life (very dismal), otherwise, I find my Moto-Q much more usable than my Dell Axim for everyday use. Having the ability to sync email and appointments with my work's MS Exchange Server is fantastic, as well as checking emails from my various POP3 accounts. Having the ability to use mobile google maps or MS Live for driving directions is also wonderful. Good thing my company is paying for the cellular service!

The only thing I don't do, is watch movies or videos on my Smartphone. Although it's possible, I prefer to not watch a video on such a small screen.

Note, that since I got my Moto-Q phone the only thing I do with my Dell Axim is watch videos in bed and occassionally read the news from IE.

spdev

[gavinfabl]

I get my samsung i600 today :)

I am keeping my Fujitsu Siemens n560, but selling my Sony Ericsson k800i.

The way I see it, I will have the best of 2 worlds. a very usuable phone which syncs my pim data and use of most major apps . My n560 will be used for tomtom6 and vga games.

[Gerard]

Ditto the earlier post regarding the Toshiba e830, BIG screen and all. I can't see editing photos (in Pocket Artist or Resco Photo Viewer) on a smaller screen, while it's comfortable and easy on the e830. And apMemo is always the handiest for scribbling notes while on the phone - an ancient Motorola v220, still doing a fine job of being e telephone. And then there's video... and with my recent addition of YouTubeDownload and TCPMP 0.81, well, I'm likin' it even more.

[dommasters]

Reasons not to change:
1. A touch screen is better - see iPhone.
2. Utilitarian looking devices compared to the exciting offerings of Nokia etc. Not exciting.
3. They're all sluggish compared to Pocket PC's, most having slower processors than the iPaq released in 2000!
4. Very little third party software support.
5. Third party support set to shrink even further with signing.
5. Far less tweaking available in the UI.
6. Low resolution screens.
7. No backwards compatibility with the software I already bought.

[ianl]

I have complained about these silly polls before. Why ?

1) Because they ask a loaded question and do not allow the real answer. That is, they are designed to achieve a particular outcome, not actually ascertain what people really think !

Try a different question "Why Haven't You Switched from a Dumbphone ?"

Now you see the loaded bias inherent in the original question and its insipid allowed answers

2) and the reason I haven't, and won't ? I actually use the COMPUTER section of my PDA as well as the phone section. And I don't mean playing games or watching YouTube junk. My PDA does invaluable field work.

Dumbphones are simply not designed for this, and given mass market proclivities for triviality, are not likely to be

3) This is the real point behind this silly straw poll ... and one which the designer of the poll wishes to avoid

[Ed Hansberry]

I have complained about these silly polls before. Why ?

1) Because they ask a loaded question and do not allow the real answer. That is, they are designed to achieve a particular outcome, not actually ascertain what people really think !

Try a different question "Why Haven't You Switched from a Dumbphone ?"

Now you see the loaded bias inherent in the original question and its insipid allowed answers
you have a grand total of 8 posts here and have spent some of them insulting poll designers. here is a suggestion for you. Go set up your own site and design your own polls.

Meanwhile, let me spend another .7 seconds contemplating the wisdom of your post. {...} Well darn. Can't find any wisdom in it. oh well. :?

[hamishmacdonald]

I have to agree with some of the other posters:

I haven't made the switch because the devices have tiny, low-resolution screens and bulky bodies. That's why I chose the Acer n311, which is all screen, barely any chassis. I use it as a computer, for work, not just as a messaging device or a gadget.

I'd also add that the data plans here in the UK are all still prohibitively expensive if you go for a plan that isn't hobbled (e.g. VOIP and instant messaging are prohibited).

And I agree that the poll should have contained an 'other'. Each of the options was extremely specific, and none described my situation.

[Lex]

I still use a dumbphone and a PPC. I like my cell company and they don't have a full-screen device that has tempted me to upgrade. T-Mobile and Sprint have the cool SmartPhones but spotty networks in my area.

[dommasters]

PS I should add that I just got my S710 HTC and my views are likely to change completely as it is brilliant. WM6 may change things.

[MitchellO]

I have switched primarily to the Samsung SGH-i600 BlackJack, and I have been very happy with the switch, but I still throw a HTC Universal in my bag, and even take the Uni on its own on occasion. While the BlackJack is great for email and IM, the Uni has the edge for websurfing, and typing on its larger keyboard while it is sitting on a desk is fantastic.

So for me a combo of an ultrathin Smartphone and a full featured VGA Pocket PC Phone Edition works pretty well.

[ianl]

Hello Ed

A "grand total of 8 posts" - so never mind the quality, feel the width eh ?

Try addressing the issues instead of indulging in low-level sarcasm - which is just another avoidance technique.

The "wisdom" (your silly word, not mine, Ed) is that such loaded polls are used to try and influence manufacturer's decisions - "68% of people prefer dumbphones" or some such. Improves the standing of the pollster, you know, when their results are quoted as reliable references.

This directly affects my choices and this I do not take kindly to. Simple as that, Ed baby

[SteveHoward999]

If you don't like the poll, nothing is forcing you to take part. Ian. Baby.

If you can't play nice, don't play at all.

[Kamokazi]

I choose none of the above.

I don't have one due to a few reasons, the primary one being:

A) I live in an area where Verizon is the only reliable provider. So this means:
1-The phone choice sucks (And the available ones are ridden with crappy VZW firmware.)
2-The data plans are overpriced
3-I can exploit my KRZR to be able to use BT DUN for free, even at EVDO speeds whevener I venture out of my backwater hometown and off to civilization.

The other reasons would be that there are very few phones powerful enough in comparison to my x50v. And they are VERY expensive to get in the US (Assuming a GSM carrier was an option in the first place).

[paschott]

I tend to agree with Ed's thoughts for the most part, but really dislike not being able to tap the screen. I watched my co-worker struggle to re-setup ActiveSync and all of his stuff after a hard-reset of his SmartPhone and it's painful. The last time took him 4 hours. (Is there even a backup app for SmartPhones? - asking because I really don't know of one)

Also, with the XDA-Dev team and general enthusiasts, I can get a ton of support for my Wizard - extending its lifetime just a little more and greatly enhancing usability. :)

Of course, the attraction of a smartphone (or any other actual phone) is the availability of buttons to press when dialing. I will admit that I miss those. Having to look at the screen to ensure I'm tapping the correct number is really painful, especially when I don't have the # programmed already. That is one thing I'd love to have on something in a similar form-factor to the Wizard/Hermes devices.

-Pete

[dommasters]

Many people will switch to an LG Prada, iPhone or something else with a touch screen. I think Microsoft maybe followed Nokia into Smartphone rather than leading the way with something innovative like the iPhone. Smartphone / Windows Mobile Lite may become a niche product for business users but I think most of us want it to have mass market appeal. My guess is they'll bring touch screen back to follow iPhone. How about stop following and lead instead ?

[Frankie1]

Funny, I went from a HP 2495 to HP 6500 to a Cingular 2125 and now I am about to switch to a BlackBerry Curve or 8800. Leaning towards the curve, though if I go with the 8800 I can take it into some of the companies I go to. Who thought the defense industry would have a problem with cameras... :lol:

Though I really like the whole Windows Mobile thing, I just need my email, calendar, and some other really basic functions. With Email being the priority at this point, the blackberry wins hands down for ease and simplicity of use... well that and my company will pay for a blackberry.

The only thing I will miss is Agenda Fusion... It has kept my business life together...

If my company wanted me to switch to a a blackberry, I think I would um... quit. Seriously. But you had to do what you had to do and I can definately respect that. Sorry to hear about your loss. Keep your head up.

[Frankie1]

double post, my bad

[Frankie1]

Quoted is a post from someone whos IQ is definately in the double digits.

Hello Ed

A "grand total of 8 posts" - so never mind the quality, feel the width eh ?

Try addressing the issues instead of indulging in low-level sarcasm - which is just another avoidance technique.

The "wisdom" (your silly word, not mine, Ed) is that such loaded polls are used to try and influence manufacturer's decisions - "68% of people prefer dumbphones" or some such. Improves the standing of the pollster, you know, when their results are quoted as reliable references.

This directly affects my choices and this I do not take kindly to. Simple as that, Ed baby

Seriously, you said a lot in your post but provided nothing of substance. I've read your post several times and can make no sense of it. lol. What's your deal? And what's your obsession with "poles" (a play on words) :lol: ? And why are you so bitter? You must be a Palm user or a blackberry user.

[bitbank]

A big difference for me is the ability to carry a smartphone in my pocket and not worry about the display getting damaged. A Pocket PC phone requires a protective case which means it will have to hang from my waist which is unacceptable. It's true that there are fewer choices of add-on software for smartphones and the ability to touch the display adds some important functionality, but I don't want to have to use 2 hands to dial the phone.

That's probably the biggest draw to the smartphone platform is its one-handed operation.

L.B.

[MitchellO]

I have to say with my Treo 750v I never felt worried I would crack the screen in my pocket. A lot of the screens on devices are recessed enough to offer adequate protection without needing a case.

[SteveHoward999]

A Pocket PC phone requires a protective case which means it will have to hang from my waist which is unacceptable.

You *have* to hang it from your waist? I've never seen a case that forces you to hang your device from your waist. Seem penty that enable that silly fashion, and even encourage it, but none that force it.

Plus there are plenty of case options that don't enable you to look like a Batman/Stormtrouper wannabe :-)

[bitbank]

My point is that with a protective case it will definitely not fit in my pocket. That's the only way I'll carry a phone, so it rules out using such a phone.

L.B.

[stllhogan]

The only Smartphone I like happen to be the Nokia's which I plan to buy when the next generation comes out, but I'm going to keep a windows mobile, maybe go for one without phone capabilities. I like to have a pocket pc but having the phone capabilities at times can get me in trouble, it'd be nice to have a device I could still use and put the phone away.

[Gerard]

While I agree, limitedly, with ianl's opimion on poll questions (they are usually biased, on any site), of course he's got a huge shoulder chip thing going on personally (why?) and most of hls comments are easily dismissed.

Regarding his rather personal jab, the 'silly YouTube junk' comment (sorry, can't be bothered going back for an exact quote), I'll just pass along a few words of advice. If you, Ian, are so jaded, so bored with life, that you lack interest in educating yourself, I pity you. YouTube receives over 50,000 new videos per day. Most are garbage, I'll not argue with that. What have I watched on YouTube this weekend?

- an 8 part series detailing many stages in a complete restoration of a mid-19th century cello, with much of the work being of very fine quality and one technique being something potentially useful to me, somethng I had not tried

- several performances on the doublebass, especially those of Nils-Henning Orsted Pederson and Francios Rabbath

To me - a luthier specialising in the restoration and construction of the doublebass - this growing library of video will be a fantastic resource, supplementing my 20+ years experience in ways I cannot predict, only marvel at. With intelligently selected search terms, almost any search engine can unveil valuable information. If Ianboy is so dull as to have missed that truism, well, sad little Ian...

[mtmra70]

The only thing I wish is the Windows Mobile (Pro) devices to match the functionality of Windows. I have used Windows and the PPC OS for many many many years and the configuration and setup (especially the networking) of the Windows Mobile OS is a nightmare (when compared to Windows XP).

[ddhsoftware]

Ed, you do know that we have HanDBase for WMSP (er, Windows Mobile 6 Standard ;) ) right? It's been out for nearly a year now. I will say it's probably a similar experience to what you're seeing with PocketBible 3 though (which I also use daily)- the Smartphone version is somewhat like a lite version of the PPC version, missing several features, not all of which are do to the lack of a touchscreen.

On top of that, we're finishing up HanDBase 4 now, and while we did add a bunch of features to the smartphone platform, like custom forms support, floating date filters, etc, we still have spent most of our dev time on the Pocket PC version of HanDBase, just bring the level of polish and UI usability to the highest level we could. I think every product has a 'pet platform' and it's the one that gets the most TLC. In our case, the Palm used to be that platform and thankfully changed to Pocket PC for version 4. Who knows where it will be for version 5?! That all depends on the market.

As for your actual question- I wouldn't switch as while I use one handed navigation for 90% of my work, it's the other 10% that really just needs a touchscreen. And I just love devices with higher resolutions, like the upcoming Toshiba G900 or the Axim X51v (RIP)

Take care.

[ddhsoftware]

Ed, you do know that we have HanDBase for WMSP (er, Windows Mobile 6 Standard ;) ) right? It's been out for nearly a year now. I will say it's probably a similar experience to what you're seeing with PocketBible 3 though (which I also use daily)- the Smartphone version is somewhat like a lite version of the PPC version, missing several features, not all of which are do to the lack of a touchscreen.

On top of that, we're finishing up HanDBase 4 now, and while we did add a bunch of features to the smartphone platform, like custom forms support, floating date filters, etc, we still have spent most of our dev time on the Pocket PC version of HanDBase, just bring the level of polish and UI usability to the highest level we could. I think every product has a 'pet platform' and it's the one that gets the most TLC. In our case, the Palm used to be that platform and thankfully changed to Pocket PC for version 4. Who knows where it will be for version 5?! That all depends on the market.

As for your actual question- I wouldn't switch as while I use one handed navigation for 90% of my work, it's the other 10% that really just needs a touchscreen. And I just love devices with higher resolutions, like the upcoming Toshiba G900 or the Axim X51v (RIP)

Take care.

[Ed Hansberry]

If you don't like the poll, nothing is forcing you to take part. Ian. Baby.

If you can't play nice, don't play at all.

and the chances of manufactures using a poll on an enthusiast site to influence decisions are slim and none, and Slim just left town.

[Ed Hansberry]

Ed, you do know that we have HanDBase for WMSP (er, Windows Mobile 6 Standard ;) ) right? It's been out for nearly a year now. I will say it's probably a similar experience to what you're seeing with PocketBible 3 though (which I also use daily)- the Smartphone version is somewhat like a lite version of the PPC version, missing several features, not all of which are do to the lack of a touchscreen.
no, I didn't know that. thanks for the update. :-)

[dommasters]

If you get a chance then try the HTC S710 with WM6. I'm starting to get hooked on mine 8O. I got rid of my N95 after about 10 minutes and usually do the same with WM5 smartphones but this WM6 is sweet :D

[Gerard]

Ed. do you speak true? You've shattered my illusions! Here I've been contributing my input into a handful of 'enthusiast sites' for almost 7 years, with much of my writing devoted to lending free advice to manufacturers... and now you tell me they just don't listen? How horrifying! Oh well, maybe someone else cares...

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Yeah. I think my opinion echoes what I've read from a lot of folks here.

My HP 4700 has now become my longest tenured PocketPC device ever at 2.5 years and counting. The application functionality on it is too rich and the screen size is too valuable... and the CPU strength is still better than the majority of alternatives today. I've considered moving to an Axim x51v as my 4700 is getting worn.

I guess it says something when the leading candidate for replacement of my current device is of the same generation. I don't use it nearly as I used to, but when I need it, few other options can rival what I need it for.

In terms of phones, It's just easier for me to stay with a simple, hassle-free phone with great reception and an easy-to-view screen (Nokia XpressMusic 5300).

[crimsonsky]

I have an SDA as well, and I hardly use it anywhere near as much as I thought I would. I am not a big cell phone person - I'm lucky if I use 200 minutes a month on my phone and that's mainly from folks calling me. Cell phones just are not a big part of my life. But beyond that, the lack of software is a major issue for me. Like Ed, Pocket Bible is the most used application on my PDAs and the Smartphone edition is just a ghost of the Pocket PC edition.

I still use my Pocket Loox 720 and hx2415 heavily. The lack of a touchscreen on the SDA is a problem and even though it's QVGA, it's still tiny compared to the VGA screen of the Loox and the QVGA screen of the hx2415.

The problem with Smartphones for me is that they are phones first and PDAs as a far distant second. Data input on a Smartphone is painful on a device like the SDA without a keyboard, and even on those devices with a keyboard, the tiny thumb boards are thumb killers and not particularly easy to use.

Quite frankly, I'm sad to see the demise of the standalone PDA, although it was inevitable. I'll keep using my Loox and iPaq until they no longer work before I even think of considering another converged device. Same with my SDA - it's a fine phone and that's what I use it for primarily which means I don't use it much at all!

When I first bought my SDA, I envisioned that I would be able to use it as a replacement for my PDAs, but it hasn't happened - it's just too limited.

[jmjstandin]

What's nice about the Pocket PC is the convergence of so many functions in a single, fairly small, device so you can avoid carrying so many other things. Like a GPS system that can navigate to addresses in your contacts, the ability to take notes with hand-drawn sketches or formulas (rather useful in my work), the choice of WiFi, mail or phone, or Skype via WiFi, etc. to communicate. I particularly like the GPS Photo feature on my HTC P3600. And so on. If you look at what you can do with some of the recent Pocket PCs, it really is quite astounding. The SmartPhones are good too but are relatively limited by the lack of the touchscreen and stylus.

[Ed Hansberry]

Ed. do you speak true? You've shattered my illusions! Here I've been contributing my input into a handful of 'enthusiast sites' for almost 7 years, with much of my writing devoted to lending free advice to manufacturers... and now you tell me they just don't listen? How horrifying! Oh well, maybe someone else cares...
how many 480X480 or small 640X480 devices have you seen with a close button? ;-)

[dh]

Well I have an SP5 (I seem to remember that's what it's called) and have not used it at all since I got my current 6940.

I like the fact I can write on the screen if I feel like it and I also prefer the PPC apps to the SmartPhone ones.

I'm not sure what the future will hold - I don't see me rushing off for an iPhone, although I have no real loyalty to MS (my last PDA was the Zaurus which I really liked in lots of ways).

The new Vox thingie could perhaps tempted to SmartPhone, but I also have a demo MC35 on order (wish Symborola would hurry up with it).

[Gerard]

how many 480X480 or small 640X480 devices have you seen with a close button? ;-)

Well to be fair, don't HTC's own branded devices come with a Settings option to enable a real close butfon? Somebody must be listening in Taiwan.

[crispeto]

Once I got my Dash I sold my Dell X30 and I've never looked back. I do virtually everything on my Dash that I did on my X30. I love the size and that it's one-handed. I don't miss a touch screen at all. I sold the X30 to a friend who is a school nurse. She often needs to jot down information so the Dell is perfect for her where the Dash wouldn't be. Just all depends on what you want/need.

[sto-helit.de]

I checked out a SP, mostly for test purposes. It's been with WM2003, so some things might be outdated...
What I really loathed about it was the start menu. No way to sort the entries, so when one of the most used apps vanished from the today plugin, you had to click through pages... Oh, and being at today plugins: customizing the today screen is another major PITA (and very limited) on Smartphones...
However, there are some things I really miss on my P525, like the easy profile switch and especially the good implementation of T9 and keyboard navigation in all dialogs. Even though Asus did a quite good job with it's implementation, a real system support simply is far better. And why doesn't MS offer a simple launcher plugin for the "professional" devices?
Esp. as developer, the missing system DLLs and touchscreen are another problem. It makes writing applications far more complicated - the few dialogs in MortScript for Smartphones took me about 2-4 times the efford compared to the PPC version, and they're not even very complex.
If it were for me, MS should migrate profiles, native T9 (without having to select a "T9" input method), and the launcher plugin to "Professional" and dump "Standard". If T9 and key navigation work fine, a "professional" Smartphone with a smaller touchscreen display (2.2"-2.4") shouldn't be a PITA any longer, too. Usually, precise touches are only needed for input, to tap an icon, a small dispay doesn't matter.
Oh, and enforce a hardware key/screen lock like it's done on my Asus...

[MultiMatt]

There are still several apps that I use a stylus on, such as Pocket Artist (http://tinyurl.com/37bcnc), which I could not do without.

Believe me, there are times I am tempted!

Matt

[WorksForTurkeys]

I have both, but I can't make a complete switch (and I would if only for the difference in size and weight) until the bare minimum application suite is available for the smartphone. eg. Quicken (and there simply are no equivalent alternative programs available) is only available for the pocket pc, and although Landware says they are working on it (since February) not even an early beta is on the horizon...

[Bittermormon]

I have both the Dash and MDA. Right now I'm currently using the MDA solely because I think a touchscreen is sorta fun to use. For the most part I don't mind the additional bulk. I dislike having to slide it open to answer a quick text or and find myself using the onscreen keyboard more and more. Maybe thats why the Elf/Touch look so cool to me.

On teh other hand, the Dash is so slick to use. i have made TT6 work pretty well on it. Texting and emailing is a breeze. The way I sum it up is that the Dash can do all I need it to do, but the MDA is more fun to use. (But I still use my Dash when I need a slim device. I can't imagine ever going back to a "dumb"phone)

-edit: Sorry I can't type

[Len M.]

Show me a Smartphone that has both a CF and SD card slot, and I might consider buying one. Until then, it'll be our Dell Axim X50v, X51v and iPAQ hx2795. And when those die, a SoMo 650.

[MitchellO]

Hmm CF in a Smartphone - not this century. Biggest phyisical sized card you *might* find is SD, but these days that is even pushing your luck.

I never thought I'd be saying that SD cards were big, but SD card are big! mini and microSD cards are ultra cheap now, and they allow manufacturers to shrink devices further, so you will be hard pressed to find an SD-equipped smartphone let alone a CF one.

[mightymission]

Being in outside sales, I'm a power user and have had the 5000 min plan with T-Mobile since they launched in '02. When the original PPCPE debuted in Aug of '02 I bought one and have upgraded when each new device came out. With the growth of my business by spring '06 I was regularly going over my 5000 mins and when the Dash debuted I decided to take advantage of the Windows Mobile discount program with T-Mobile and add a personal line - One of the best decisions I've made! Once you get used to the one handed operation you don't go back. I've even considered getting a Smartphone for my business account. Don't get me wrong my MDA is still very productive for me but I will say once you get used to the ease of use of a smartphone pulling out that stylus makes less and less sense. Can't wait to get my hands on the new Touch when it get's here to the US.

[Fellwalker]

When they get a decent size screen, maybe.
My iPAQ hx4700 has 4 inches - i can actually use it to see my appointments, to use TomTom, to read books, to browse the internet fully with Opera.
Can't do that on a smartphone.
Smatphones keep advertising how small tehy are - I do not want small.

[MitchellO]

When they get a decent size screen, maybe.
My iPAQ hx4700 has 4 inches - i can actually use it to see my appointments, to use TomTom, to read books, to browse the internet fully with Opera.
Can't do that on a smartphone.
Smatphones keep advertising how small tehy are - I do not want small.

You sound like the perfect candidate for a HTC Advantage ;)

5" VGA display, 3G and GPS built in.

[davea0511]

When they get a decent size screen, maybe.
My iPAQ hx4700 has 4 inches - i can actually use it to see my appointments, to use TomTom, to read books, to browse the internet fully with Opera.
Can't do that on a smartphone.
Smatphones keep advertising how small tehy are - I do not want small.

You sound like the perfect candidate for a HTC Advantage ;)

5" VGA display, 3G and GPS built in.
Not if it's as sluggish and has as poor reception and poor battery life as the HTC Universal which also at first looks appeared to be the smartphone killer. Don't get me wrong - a large touch screen is the way to go, but I'm afraid nobody has done it right, or will have done the interface and all the integration right until Apples iPhone hits the streets - but sadly it will be running the entirely wrong OS.

[MitchellO]

Not if it's as sluggish and has as poor reception as the HTC Universal which also at first looks appeared to be the smartphone killer. Don't get me wrong - a large touch screen is the way to go, but I'm afraid nobody has done it right, or will have done the interface and all the integration right until Apples iPhone hits the streets - but sadly it will be running the entirely wrong OS.

Are you in the USA? If so the Universal only supported the 1900Mhz GPRS band in the USA, which is probably why you had such poor reception issues.

I have no trouble with my Universal here in Australia on the 900/1800GSM and 2100UMTS bands.

[davea0511]

Being in outside sales, I'm a power user and have had the 5000 min plan with T-Mobile since they launched in '02. When the original PPCPE debuted in Aug of '02 I bought one and have upgraded when each new device came out. With the growth of my business by spring '06 I was regularly going over my 5000 mins and when the Dash debuted I decided to take advantage of the Windows Mobile discount program with T-Mobile and add a personal line - One of the best decisions I've made! Once you get used to the one handed operation you don't go back. I've even considered getting a Smartphone for my business account. Don't get me wrong my MDA is still very productive for me but I will say once you get used to the ease of use of a smartphone pulling out that stylus makes less and less sense. Can't wait to get my hands on the new Touch when it get's here to the US.
Sounds like the ideal solution is a PPCPE with smartphone features (like one-handed operation) built-in. It seems to me they could get a PPCPE sized touchscreen in a much smaller smartphonish form factor if they stretched the screen to the edge of the device. That's pretty much what they're doing with the iPhone. Once again, Jobs doing nothing particularly original ... just doing it right and charging a premium Get a clue Bill Gates.

[davea0511]

Not if it's as sluggish and has as poor reception as the HTC Universal which also at first looks appeared to be the smartphone killer. Don't get me wrong - a large touch screen is the way to go, but I'm afraid nobody has done it right, or will have done the interface and all the integration right until Apples iPhone hits the streets - but sadly it will be running the entirely wrong OS.

Are you in the USA? If so the Universal only supported the 1900Mhz GPRS band in the USA, which is probably why you had such poor reception issues.

I have no trouble with my Universal here in Australia on the 900/1800GSM and 2100UMTS bands.
You are precisely right. It's almost enough to make me want to move.
;)

[Fellwalker]

You sound like the perfect candidate for a HTC Advantage ;)

5" VGA display, 3G and GPS built in.

It certainly does seem that way. Same processor speed. Here in the UK its Quad band plus 3G. Seem sto be same length, a centimetre wider and similar depth.

BUT, I have just had to pick myself up off hte floor. £684.95 without a contract. THat's something like USD1370. Sorry my tiping has gone all funni. 8O [/quote]

[markradams]

I want a 3.5 - 4 inch screen. I want VGA. I want to be able to see the data from my apps, excel, handbase, listpro. I want wi-fi. I want terminal server. I want to play Mille Bornes, sudoku, hearts, shang-hi, doom. I want to make my ppc part of my home wi-fi network. I want to have search functions and find functions. I want to be able to choose whether to write in my handwriting on the screen or tap out on a keyboard. I want to look something up on my pda while I am still talking on the phone. I want to be able to store 2gigs of my music in my ppc. I want to watch whatever video format I want. I want to store some home movies on my ppc so I can play 'em for my family. I want to be able to view pdfs in a readable format. I want to be able to easily backup all my portable data. I want to be able to zip files to save space. I want to wirelessly send appointments and contacts to someone else (either by blue tooth, wi-fi, or infrared). I want bluetooth to work with whatever devices I choose. I want to be able to drag and drop.

I don't want to have to pay a cell phone company every month just for the privilege of accessing the internet. I don't want to be stuck accessing the internet via one cell phone company's network, cause if I'm not in coverage, I'm out of luck. I don't want the phone company telling me I can use this bluetooth device but not that one. Or that I can't use gps unless, you guessed it, I buy their service. I don't want to have to carry my phone every where I go with my pda. I don't want games to look like pong. I don't want my actions limited to left, right, up, down. I don't want to have to stop talking on the phone just to write down some notes about a conversation. I don't want to have to pay just to stream video that I already own. I don't want to have to pay to stream music I already own (3 or 4 times, 8 track, 45 rpm, album, cd). I don't want to have to worry about losing my phone means losing my portable data. I don't want an all in one cr***y device that has a cr***y camera, an cr***y pim, and a cr***y phone.

It doesn't surprise me that lots of smartphones are announced all the time and ppcs are rarely announced anymore. The money is in smartphones, recurring income, not pay once ppcs.