* cababarant *

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Geeking out: Phony

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 | comments (3)

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Den Haag to the Moon

Kyle has started up his "living in the Netherlands" blog again, Den Haag to the Moon. (He called it that as a sarcastic reference to Adam Gopnik's Paris to the Moon, one of the most pretentious, terribly-written books ever. If I had the energy to maintain three blogs, I would have one called I-Can't-Stand-Adam-Gopnik.com. But I don't have the energy. And I digress.)

Anyhoo, it is up and running again and he is posting to it. Enjoy!

Kylewood.com: Den Haag to the Moon

posted by sheryl | 5:10 PM | comments (0)

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

I see him!

This is like those posters they used to sell in the mall where if you stared at it long enough the Statue of Liberty appeared in 3D. Or dolphins. Or an eagle.

Not much news in August, huh?

Fry Cook on Venus: Osama bin Laden has been discovered living in Tara Reid's knees!!!

posted by sheryl | 5:33 PM | comments (0)

Monday, August 15, 2005

Welkommen naar Den Haag, Kyle!

So Kyle is back in Den Haag (at least for a stint-- we'll be joining him later). After being there for not even 24 hours, he did two of my favorite things:

1. ate frites from Polleke in Den Haag Centrum
2. went to Paagman bookstore on Frederik Hendriklaan

He also saw about a dozen Bromptons yesterday. And no, he did not go to Puccini Bonbon yet, but I'm sure he'll do it soon, just to make me jealous!

Enjoy, love!

posted by sheryl | 5:52 PM | comments (0)

When you go to nationals, Bring It!

This blogger is on point. He says if you ask anyone what their favorite movie is, they will say The Godfather, or something like that. But deep down, everyone has that show or movie that they'll watch whenever it's on... as long as no one is around to witness. Bring It On and Dawson's Creek fall into this category for him.

I agree, although I'm pretty shameless about my trashy choices. I call them Craptastic media-- because they are crappy, yet fantastic, all at the same time. Whenever Being Bobby Brown is on, I am there. Oh, and I do watch Save the Last Dance whenever it's on cable. Dude-- that movie has Julia Stiles doing that hip-hop/ballet routine audition that is HILARIOUS. And she is a tough white girl proving herself in the hood, yall. And How can you say no to that? Of course I'm there whenever Bring It On shows up on cable too:

Don't slack, just BRING IT.

For TV it was Boy Meets World (that blogger also had it in his list) the most craptastic of sitcoms. It starred Kevin from the Wonder Years ugly little brother (his name was Corey in the show and in real life, I think-- hmm, creative) and he had this little girlfriend named Tupanga and his best friend was named Sean and lived in a trailer. The next door neighbor was his principal, Mr. Feeny and he was played by that guy who did the voice for KITT in Knight Rider. This show is soooo bad. I honestly don't know why I watched so much of it. Kyle watched it too! I'm trying to decide if my addiction to this is better or worse than my brother buying the box set of Saved By the Bell. Every episode of Boy Meets World was A Very Special Episode-- it always had a lesson at the end like "Corey learns not to judge people" or "Corey learns that drinking is bad". I watched so much of it that a few months ago I was watching Law & Order and the criminal terrorist bomber was the kid who played Sean! Kyle and I were watching it thinking, "That guy looks familiar..." I was like "That terrorist was Corey's friend who lived in the trailer!" and Kyle was like "Oh yeah, it is!" Why do we know these things?? Terrrrrible!

As far as music goes, that blogger has Elton John and Phil Collins on there. No no no. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. Hey, Senorita is a good song, yall-- damn that little Pharrell can produce! If you don't like it, then cry me a river.

The Phat Phree: Guilty Pleasures, Embarrassing Truths

posted by sheryl | 5:36 PM | comments (0)

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Why, Darkness?

Charlie Murphy faces facts that Chappelle's Show is OVAH. What did five fingers say to the Chappelle's Show? SLAP!

Yahoo News: Chappelle's Show Is 'Done,' Murphy Says

Darkness!

posted by sheryl | 5:15 PM | comments (0)