02-29-2004, 02:00 AM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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AnexTEK Pocket PC Phone SP230 Review
Last month, Janak posted about the AnexTek Pocket PC Phone photographed At CES. Now PPCT member Phoenix sends word that this design has surfaced as the HugeBee Pocket PC Phone SP230, on sale for $599 at the web shop of the HugeBee group here, while Ryaninc has pointed us to the review at PocketPCReviews.net.
"A first look at the surprisingly handsome AnexTEK SP230 reveals a top-notch design that makes few compromises to either phone or PDA functions. If you are looking for an all-in-one device this unit might serve you well. It features a Tri-band phone with video transmission, GPRS as well as fairly standard PPC specs but with a generous 64 MB of user-accessible RAM." Hmmm, I'm not so sure that 64Mb is 'generous' these days. :? That amount is standard, expected, a minimum perhaps.
"The core unit is about the size of an iPAQ 2210, but thicker. It also feels heavier but not by much (158 gms vs. 144 but adding the numeric keypad notches it up to 170 gms and adds a few more mms in thickness). What makes the unit larger than the iPAQ is its protruding antenna. It sticks out by about 20 mms but, cleverly, also incorporates a full-size stylus (and comes also with a spare one!). Sometimes it�s the little things that count. The large capacity 1480mAh battery clips on securely and bulges just slightly, aiding the grip on the unit." Ah � so the bulky parts are clever and aid grip. Indeed. That's one of those irregular verbs isn't it? "My unit has clever aiding grips, yours is bulky, his makes house bricks look skinny." :lol:
"This is not a phone with some or most PDA features. It is a fully-featured, albeit basic, PocketPC. It might lack Bluetooth or WiFi capability but it scores really high on that more important form of connectivity: the phone. Of course, it also has infra-red, SDIO, a full and brilliant 3.5� TFT screen with no yellowing. On bluetooth: the software has the BT functionality already built-in so the unit is BT-ready so to speak and can handle BT devices. With a 400 MHz Cotulla XScale engine and 64MB memory the SP230 is no slouch either." Which is nice.
So, check out the review to get the full specs of the unit and view the pictures.
Update: We previously linked to a review linked from HugeBee's website, but have since replaced the link with the original (more balanced) review at PocketPCReviews. The HugeBee version was apparently an unauthorized copy. :|
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02-29-2004, 02:24 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 598
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This looks to me like a re-cased, maybe slightly updated, original XDA/Wallaby (even the name is similar, HugeBee, well, kind of  ). Antenna/stylus design the same, same right-hand side screen offset, same accept/end call buttons. Battery life is also on a par with the XDA, which was quite exceptional.
I am curious about the flip though. I guess it must be like a pseudo-thumb-board or something?
If it really supports SDIO this will address one of the major drawbacks of the XDA - it never did, which was a killer for me, forcing me back to a two-device system with my 5450 and T610.
The review certainly sounds a little home-grown, IMHO. I also don't like the way the picture with flip closed has been kind of stretched out to make it look more phone-like...unless my eyes deceive me. Hmmm.
J'bm
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02-29-2004, 03:04 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 602
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As interesting as I think this device is, and I remembered the salt while reading the review, there is something about this device that just doesn't sit right with me and the heck if I can figure out what it is. Maybe it's just because I am eagerly awaiting the release of the iPaq 6xxx series and I am just biased.
Of well, I will admit it is a nice looking unit but the size and the wieght leave something to be desired. Large screens are nice but I like to be able to keep my pants around my waist while carrying it on my belt.
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02-29-2004, 03:23 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 56
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'Huge Bee'?? That's just asking for it.....Huge it is.
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02-29-2004, 04:46 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 130
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I guess the IR port is behind the Sd card slot. I could not see it in the photos. :?:
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02-29-2004, 05:07 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 555
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Re: HugeBee Pocket PC Phone SP230 Review
Quote:
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It is a fully-featured, albeit basic, PocketPC.
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Hmm...I read the review.
It was a good review, albeit a biased, contradictory, inaccurate, uninformative, sugar-coating, over-descriptive, review.
:roll:
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02-29-2004, 05:28 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 559
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I actually have one of these. I ordered it from Huge Bee last week and it arrived yesterday. I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions about it.
Personally, I think it's awesome. It's certainly the best Pocket PC I've owned. The flip cover is really cool and the unit is much smaller than I expected. And actually, the battery does add grip. :-)
I'm surprised no one else caught this, but the text of the review on the AnexTek web site is identical to the review on PocketPCReviews.net: http://www.pocketpcreviews.net/revie...4/anextek2.htm.
Again, feel free to ask me any questions about the unit. I love it!
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02-29-2004, 05:51 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 73
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ryaninc
I actually have one of these. I ordered it from Huge Bee last week and it arrived yesterday. I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions about it.
Personally, I think it's awesome. It's certainly the best Pocket PC I've owned. The flip cover is really cool and the unit is much smaller than I expected. And actually, the battery does add grip. :-)
I'm surprised no one else caught this, but the text of the review on the AnexTek web site is identical to the review on PocketPCReviews.net: http://www.pocketpcreviews.net/revie...4/anextek2.htm.
Again, feel free to ask me any questions about the unit. I love it! |
Is there anyway for you to post pics of this device next (or stacked) to a TMobile PPC Phone? Or maybe a 2215?
This looks like a great PPC competitor to the P800/900, actually. No gamepad, but I'm sure that results in a more compact frame. I owned a P800, and the removable numeric keypad flip is more welcome than you can imagine in actual use. How does the phone act with the keypad attached? Is there a "mini" phone screen to view calls and SMS? Does the keypad support T9?
The size specs on this are very similar to a Treo 600, albeit a bit wider. I want to hear about battery, gaming, and video performance on this thing. Thanks.
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02-29-2004, 05:59 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 403
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They ommitted one very important thing in the review....who can use it. Is it 900 or 850 on GSM???
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02-29-2004, 06:21 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 332
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900
It was at the bottom of the second review
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Linear Mode
