07-15-2004, 03:45 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Sony Ericsson Announces The P910
This is a pretty sweet-looking device -- they took the P900 and boosted it just a little bit. The most notable addition is a thumbboard underneath the dial pad -- in other words, flip it up and it feels like a phone; flip it down and you have a full PDA-sized screen with a thumbboard. There will be three different triband versions, including an 850/1800/1900 for North America.
My biggest problem with this setup is the seemingly-microscopic size of the thumbboard. I'm not sure how useable that's going to be. Nevertheless, I'd love to see more PDA phones try and adopt both keyboard styles. There's more info on the device in SE's press release; Gizmodo has a few good pictures as well. I wonder if any wireless carrier here will ever offer it, though... and I'm not sure if I'd want a Memory Stick Pro Duo-capable device with no WiFi support. :|
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07-15-2004, 03:57 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 258
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It is sweet...I am a fan of Ericsson so I might need to check whether o2 will have this in stock by the time my one year contract is up and upgrade time ensues.
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07-15-2004, 04:04 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,133
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I think having a combo phone-pad and alpha keyboard is fantastic! My first thought was that this was the coolest thing I'd seen in a while. BUT... with the user holding the "lighter" side of the hinge - doesn't that seem really prone to breakage? I also hope they have some sort of stopper to make that the farthest the hinge opens (which would probably also help structural integrity) so that after about 3-6 months of using it like that the LCD part doesn't just swing down.
I guess my current verdict, like with most new devices, is "I'll have to see/touch it in person". Not that that phone would probably be available in my cellular wasteland area.
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07-15-2004, 04:05 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 830
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thats one slick unit. Its good to know that sony ericsson is still allive and well. (unlike the clie) if nextel carried it, id buy one.
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07-15-2004, 04:05 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kati Compton
I think having a combo phone-pad and alpha keyboard is fantastic! My first thought was that this was the coolest thing I'd seen in a while. BUT... with the user holding the "lighter" side of the hinge - doesn't that seem really prone to breakage?
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That's part of the reason I picked that picture to post.  It's a weird setup, isn't it? And how would you hold something like that? Wouldn't it be terribly uncomfortable?
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I guess my current verdict, like with most new devices, is "I'll have to see/touch it in person". Not that that phone would probably be available in my cellular wasteland area.
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Well, given support for GSM 850, it might eventually be useable where you live. 
--janak
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07-15-2004, 04:12 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 87
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What would have made some sense stability wise, would have been if they made the keypad a "flip-and-twist" so it would be flush up against the screen for stable use and typing..... or at least an option to do so. Sure it would cover the screen up ... but at least you wont break the damn pad off!
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07-15-2004, 04:13 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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I agree on the lack of WiFi support. One thing I really dislike about the Treo 600 I'm using is the lack of WiFi (and in that case: even Bluetooth). Yes it has SDIO. But no, there aren't any cards currently working in that slot. Sure, GPRS is a way to connect to the internet as well, but with the lack in speed, and the lack of a flat fee plan in my country, this is not my connection of choice for a good surfing experience, even with mobile sites.
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07-15-2004, 04:38 PM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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Nice, but memory stick= deal breaker for me.
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07-15-2004, 05:00 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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While I love the concept, and think that SE makes some of the best Cell Phones in terms of style and features, it looks to me that the thumboard is so small it will be next to worthless for anyone with average or larger hands.
Right now it still looks like the MPx will be the best blend of phone/PDA with keyboard out there....and don't get me started the Treo 600 - low res, small keyboard, no bluetooth, etc. I still don't get everyone's excitement over that unit.
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07-15-2004, 05:07 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,055
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jonathon Watkins
Nice, but memory stick= deal breaker for me.
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I agree completely. However, in general, this unit looks very nice. I'm wondering what it would feel like to hold and type on that keyboard. It looks like the PDA would be trying to fall out of your hand while you type... I just can't see that being a stable surface.
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Linear Mode
