 WATCHING | READING | EATING |
|||
|
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Geeking out: Phony
Comments: (3)
So having worked on mobile interfaces at my last job, I have become even more of a gadget geek, if you can believe that. With Kyle in the Netherlands, I have the chance to actually get a phone I want for free (or cheap) with a plan. For whatever reason, phones released in the US are LAME compared to what is currently in Europe. Or, when they are available here, they are crazy expensive. For example, the RAZR and the Audiovox SMT5600 are free with plans in Holland, but cost crazy amounts here, even with a contract. So now that I also know what I need to do to unlock a GSM phone, this is an opportunity to get a sweet phone for nearly nothing, and I'll be able to eventually use it here in the States later (except of course, I'll probably be onto a new toy by then). Of course, picking one is the hard part. I have a couple of requirements: 1) It has to have a Windows Mobile OS. Once I started using WM, I can't go back to proprietary interfaces like Sony-Ericsson's for example. Especially for web surfing and things like Hotmail, you can't beat an actual IE browser for the display quality and interaction. Plus the syncing with your machine is awesome-- if you can't live without your email, this is the interface to use. And as an interaction designer, I have to say, WM 5.0 is the best looking mobile interface I've seen-- the best type, the best layout and spacing, etc. 2) Bluetooth. A must have for syncing, communicating and possibly using the device as a modem. 3) Landscape mode. I don't care how high screen resolution is, websites are easier to view in landscape mode. The latest release of WM has this built in, and of course so does Windows Mobile 5.0. 4) As small a size as possible. 5) WiFi. I loooove me some WiFi, especially after trying to connect and bid on an eBay item using my SmartPhone connection. (Yes, it was too slow to actually win the item.) What I've heard, is that providers are super reluctant to carry WiFi phones because people might get creative and start using their phones with VoIP (Voice over Internet) rather than signing up for plans. A message to mobile providers: You guys are LAME. That is a really dumb excuse. I think technology and demand will trump the desires of mobile providers-- as we are already seeing in Europe, where there are a few phones with WiFi already available. So the Windows Mobile thing being the most important requirement, it automatically narrowed my choices by a lot. HTC Universal First I was obsessed with upcoming HTC Universal (to be released in Europe in September). It has everything including a full-size QWERTY keyboard. It has 4 out of 5 of my requirements above. Basically, it's a baby laptop. Cute!  But the thing is freakin HUGE. I might need a separate purse just to lug the thing around. Yikes! And hello, I already spend too much money on Coach bags as it is, without having to have a specialty case for my mobile phone. Also, imagine putting this thing up to your ear to talk. It would be like holding up a shoe to your ear. That is so retro, like those phones from 1989. Oh and speaking of, remember car phones?! Orange M2000 I next thought about the Orange M2000. It is slightly smaller, and has a pull-out keyboard and is on the market now in the Netherlands (so no waiting for some mythical "Q3" release date). It also has WiFi.  But again, the size is a restraint (forget about carrying it in your pocket, ever), and the pullout keyboard is in vertical mode only, which for me, defeats some of the purpose of having it. Especially if it's web access in landscape mode that I would be using it for. Audiovox SMT5600 So then back to the old standby, the trusty Audiovox SMT5600 that I had when I worked at Microsoft:  This is a great little phone and in Europe, it's free with even the most basic contracts (like 22 euros/month) . Crazy. Especially because here in the States it's still $199, even with a rebate. What is up with that? How come Europeans get the hookup on the mobile devices. Frustrating! So my biggest gripe with the SMT5600 is that it has a WM SmartPhone OS rather than PocketPC, and no stylus. Having used both devices, it is much easier to get to full-fledged websites on the PocketPC (which I actually do a lot, surprisingly), and it's easier to actually write messages with a PocketPC. It also does not have built-in WiFi. But for a free phone, you can't beat this one. MDA Compact Finally, I started looking at the MDA Compact (which is T-Mobile's name; Orange's name is the M500. The plain vanilla (i.e. not provider connected) names are HTC Magician, and IMate Jam):  This one seems to have most of my requirements, except for WiFi. However, I found some really tiny WiFi SD cards that are made specifically for this device, so it's something I could plug in whenever. It has the WM PocketPC OS (check), Bluetooth (check), landscape mode (check), tiny (check). And with the WiFi card, it would have that too (check). It'll cost between 60 and 120 euros with a 1 year contract with either T-Mobile or Orange. And it's cute to boot! I think this is the one. I'll see what Kyle ends up with, especially since he's the one who's going to have to negotiate with those famous Dutch salespeople! :) Links MSMobiles.com: CeBIT 2005 coverage (This one has pictures of the MDA Compact next to the HTC Universal) HTC Universal: EPrice: Some translated page, but with lots of pictures Jason Langridge's WebLog: Universal (ly acclaimed) mother digital: Vodafone VPA IV - 3G Pocket PC Phone Edition Orange M2000: newswireless.net: HTC 'Blue Angel' Wi-Fi PocketPC phone - review Audiovox SMT5600: CNET.com: The Audiovox SMT5600 is an awesome device. MDA Compact (i.e. HTC 'Magician', or Orange M500): PDAGold.com: Big review of T-Mobile MDA Compact The Register: HTC 'Magician' PocketPC phone posted by sheryl | 5:30 PM | Interesting to follow the logic of choosing your mobile, but what role does a camera in the phone play? None? Or do you have a minimum resolution you want it to have? So. Totally. Geeky. So all the phones I'm looking at have cameras, but I never use them because the resolution is too low and the pictures are generally pretty crappy. Instead I carry around a tiny Canon SD20 with me to handle my photo needs. |
|
Welcome to Sheryl's website, where I talk about my family's travels and the joys (and ordeals) of living as an expat. Oh, and to read more about my obsession with food, check out my food blog, Crispy Waffle. ARCHIVES FRIENDS NETHERLANDS/EXPAT DAILY READS FOOD OBSESSED
|
|
| © Sheryl Cababa 2004. Powered by BLOGGER | |||
