03-29-2005, 07:07 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Some Call it The Orange SPV M2000
"I'm on holiday right now. In fact, I'm about 50 metres from the beach. It's bloomin hot and I've read through pretty much every magazine we brought. Now, not being a terrific book-reader, I'd normally spend this time drinking some Banks beer (it's a beer they do in Barbados). However, I've brought the Orange SPV M2000 with me. I can work wherever and whenever I choose without having to lug around my laptop (which doesn't exactly fit into my pocket), plus I can use it as a regular phone or simply browse the net on GPRS or Wi-fi. I also brought it along so that I could write this review on it as I'll probably never get time at home!  "
Some bold statements appear in this review of a device we know better as the HTC Blue Angel. What makes this review unique is the fact that the author has never owned a PPC before, so some of his thoughts and perspectives may refresh our memories of how it was to be a PPC "newbie"! Bursting with photos, here is a review with some fresh ideas and helpful insights. Not to mention probably one of the only reviews we've posted that was written at a beach...
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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03-29-2005, 07:38 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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I don't think Microsoft, or the Pocket PC manufacturers have done a very good job at telling the public what the Pocket PC can really do.
I'm always using my Pocket PC when having lunch in a diner or somewhere out in public. People ALWAYS come to me saying "that's so cool" and when I tell them I haven't used my laptop in over 2 years, they get this look of awe. I tell them I can get my e-mail, play MP3, create documents and include the usual contacts and calendar stuff... It's also a way for me to give out business cards if they want any more information on these devices!
But, these devices are not for the newbie types. They are certainly not easy enough that the average non-techie can get through and not get frustrated. If this is explained to them, then they can make the right decision for them.
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03-29-2005, 07:53 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
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Reading the article its clear that one of the main reasons he got on so well with the device is because of the keyboard.
Its clear that keyboard=ease of use, and that this is the best way to attract and serve new users. (look at the success of the blackberry and treo).
Surur
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03-29-2005, 09:00 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Surur
Reading the article its clear that one of the main reasons he got on so well with the device is because of the keyboard.
Its clear that keyboard=ease of use, and that this is the best way to attract and serve new users. (look at the success of the blackberry and treo).
Surur
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In my opinion, the keyboard on the HTC Blue Angel could stand to be a bit better. It doesn't have the tactile qualities (i.e. you aren't always sure if you hit the button or not..) that I'd want. I suppose the point is, any built-in keyboard is better than no keyboard for power users.
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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03-29-2005, 09:11 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jon Westfall
I suppose the point is, any built-in keyboard is better than no keyboard for power users.
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Actually I disagree. Its newbies who benefit most from keyboards. More experienced users would long have gotten used to fitaly or transcriber or have gotten a wireless folding keyboard. New users need the keyboard to get have confidence in starting to use the power of the device.
Surur
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03-30-2005, 08:59 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 398
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I think they like keyboards because there is one on their desktop 
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03-30-2005, 09:26 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 539
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i'm amazed.
not only did he write a whole lot of text on his pocketpc, but he added screenshots and photos. i notice they're all resized to fit, so i guess he also had to browse through his digital camera's memory card, find to pics, crop and resize and then publish them.
to be honest, that would be too much of a hassle for me.
that's why i think the review is cool.
i also like the fact that it's from a newbie point of view.
except, some things like the "wow, it lasted for 24 hours without charging" statement are not really helpful
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03-30-2005, 03:51 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 25
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Quote:
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I'm on holiday right now. In fact, I'm about 50 metres from the beach
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Yeah... well don't drop it in the ocean like I did my XDA II in Phuket last year.  ops:
Strangely enough, they don't have warning labels that say "device is not waterproof... do not drop into salty corrosive ocean water". I think I should sue.
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03-30-2005, 03:53 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,389
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I post to my blog all the time from my pocket pc. Pictures included. I always off load my pics to my pocket pc, or just take them with my ppc to start, for viewing with resco photo viewer. When I find one i want to post a can crop and/or resize it with resco and then use resco file explorer to ftp it to my server the post the blog via email. That is actually the primary way i post to my blog. I very seldome do it from my desktop.
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03-30-2005, 10:45 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 157
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Surur
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jon Westfall
I suppose the point is, any built-in keyboard is better than no keyboard for power users.
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Actually I disagree. Its newbies who benefit most from keyboards. More experienced users would long have gotten used to fitaly or transcriber or have gotten a wireless folding keyboard. New users need the keyboard to get have confidence in starting to use the power of the device.
Surur |
I am a big fan of thumboards and have owned most of the PDA's out there that have them, (4355, Tungsten C, various Clie's and my current Treo 650.) I think that the success of the Blackberry and the Treo has shown that there are a lot of people out there who would be that much more apt to purchase a PDA/Smartphone if it included a useable thumboard. Thumboards do not have a steep learning curve, the way Grafitti, Transcriber and Fitaly do; they work well out of the box. Also, there is this misconception out there that real "power users" only use Grafitti, Fitaly or someother stylus-driven means of text entry. In fact, I would surmise that there are many "power users" out there who find thumboards to be a much more efficient means of text entry.
The other interesting point, I took away from this review, was the shock and dismay that the reviewer had over the fact that a dead battery would lead to the loss of all of his files. This sort of data loss is a fact of life for long-time PDA users, but remember that for most people who are used to a desktop or laptop computer, this is something new (and unsettling) to have to deal with. For all of the problems that PalmOne had with the new non-volatile memory in their Tungsten T5, I think that there is a real issue here that PDA manufacturers need to be thinking about. At the very least they should include a good backup program and make it easy to use.
Anyways, it was a good review, and I enjoyed the unique insights of someone new to the PPC world.
TMann
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