Smartphone Discussion

[archer6]

I'm a huge mobile computing and communications enthusiast, thus smartphone's are a topic of interest to me.

Currently I maintain three lines for testing, business and fun. One each, with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. I have a vast selection of smartphone's some are US domestic market phones from the various carriers and others are from a distributor I use in Taiwan. I like to buy phones that are unlocked, unbranded and otherwise unavailable here in the US. There are a lot of great phones to try. Here is a link for those of you who are interested. It lists every phone available worldwide and is a great place to see what you never get to see here in America: http://www.gsmarena.com/

It's also a great site for comparing phones side by side. They include reviews and all specs.

On the domestic front, the three favorite models I'm currently using are:
1) BlackBerry Bold 9000
2) Droid
3) iPhone 3Gs

Each of these has it's own set of pros and cons, as usual. Going forward I see a lot of promise in the Android OS as implemented in the Nexus One Google phone and the Droid. Apple being so closed it's bound to have some of it's luster knocked off, as various handset makers bring out their own versions of Android phones. The BlackBerry is great for business emails and such, but as of late they have been slacking off and delivering phones with buggy OS's. A problem they never used to have. It's a similar degradation of quality control, and somewhat like Lenovo they seemed to be resting on their past laurels.

HTC is a company that is rising up to the top of the heap in my opinion as they have embraced Android as well as Windows Mobile. And while WinMo is not my favorite OS, the HTC Touch Pro 2 is a first class smartphone and one of my favorites. It's got a beautiful display, a good qwerty keyboard and a nice form factor. In super high demand I see this as the best of the WinMo powered phones presently available. I've been using one since they were released and I truly enjoy it.

On the foreign front, I have a pre-production Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10, powered by Android, thanks to a good contact I have within the SE corp. This phone is fantastic and about to be released soon in their online retail sales channel. Here is a link: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_x ... s-2964.php

I'm leaning heavily in the direction of Android as my smartphone OS of choice, and expect it to be mature enough in the next six months or so, to truly challenge the iPhone. What I like best about the Android platform is the huge number of big name handset makers that are working hard to compete in this arena.

My next favorite foreign model is my N900 by Nokia. I've always enjoyed Nokia even if the Symbian OS has been less than stellar. Here's a review: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n900-review-421.php

Last on my list of top three in this category is my Toshiba TG01, this phone has a huge 4.1" display, as compared to the 3.5" of the iPhone. Great for web browsing and multimedia this is another very interesting model. I've had this one for several months and it's very responsive, has great call quality and a light and bright display.
Here's the link: http://www.gsmarena.com/toshiba_tg01-pictures-2662.php

Please check in with your comments, thoughts and experience with your smartphones.

Cheers...

[pianowizard]

Archer6, thanks so much for this highly informative post. In fact, I doubt I have ever come across a better review of smartphones anywhere.

I really wish I could get the Motorola Droid but unfortunately my carrier Sprint doesn't have it. Hardware-wise, the HTC Touch Pro 2 (which Sprint has) is comparable, though it is ridiculously expensive and its Win Mobile 6.1 is becoming obsolete. I am sticking with Sprint because I have SERO ($30/month for everything) but this plan only supports Win Mobile and Palm OS, so my choices are very limited.

[A31]

HTC Touch HD with Windows Mobile 6.1 is a very good smartphone. Appartently iPhone is also good, but I've never tried one.

[jdhurst]

I am still using my Blackberry because I have never really gotten my head around a smartphone that can do all I want. Having used a Palm long ago (no phone) and Lotus Notes, I have grown gun-shy of anything not 100.000% Windows and Outlook compatible. But Windows Mobile has not really taken over the market.

So for the time being, I have a Rocket Stick with my T61p that can do *everything* with no problem. I will continue with my Blackberry, and sometime, I will look at Windows Mobile.
... JDH

[loyukfai]

How about the web OS and the newer Palm devices...?

[archer6]

I am still using my Blackberry because I have never really gotten my head around a smartphone that can do all I want. Having used a Palm long ago (no phone) and Lotus Notes, I have grown gun-shy of anything not 100.000% Windows and Outlook compatible. But Windows Mobile has not really taken over the market.

So for the time being, I have a Rocket Stick with my T61p that can do *everything* with no problem. I will continue with my Blackberry, and sometime, I will look at Windows Mobile.
... JDH

What has happened in the last few years, is Microsoft has squandered a terrific opportunity. The Windows Mobile OS is actually the worst of the lot. In typical behind the scenes fashion Microsoft has been scrambling in a near panic mode as they've watched Apple, RIM, Android & Symbian, all continue to develop very competitive, easy to use OS's. If not for MS's sheer might, deep pockets, and influence with HTC, the WinMo OS would be dead. Shortly we will see WinMo 7, a new version that I've done some beta testing with, and which is a lukewarm OS update, at best.
.
Having 3,200 contacts in Outlook, representing years of business, I too rely on my BlackBerry 9000 with its stellar & fast sync to keep my Laptop & BB on the same page. That said, its the only real strength of the RIM platform, as the others become true handheld computers. The smartphone space is a crowded one at the moment and getting even more competitive. This year in particular promises to be an exciting one which will reveal some great new devices, and a continued shift toward the open source platforms of Android, and now Symbian.
.
Cheers...

[archer6]

How about the web OS and the newer Palm devices...?

Great question!
I've followed Palm, and used their devices before they had phones built in. As you may, or may not be aware of, they have been on a real roller coaster ride in recent years. Struggling not only financially, but with their image and devices. This new web OS is actually quite good, as in their latest device. The underlying problem being the momentum and trendy image of Apples iPhone, Rims plethora of models, all the Buzz surrounding Android and the Nexus One Google phone, as well as the Android powered Droid from Motorola, well...you get the picture. Palm is lost in the shuffle so to speak. They are woefully under capitalized, and behind the curve. Yet that said, anything is possible and they are hanging on for now.
.
Cheers...

[ZaZ]

I have an original iphone running on T-Mobile pre-pay. Overall it's been a good phone and does everything I want it to. The only that rubs me the wrong way is at some point it will be obsolete. I've already invested $100+ in apps/downloads for it, which will be useless on another platform. I guess that's true of all computer/phones. Getting another unlocked iphone in the future is probably going to be much more expensive since I got it fairly inexpensively the first time and I don't like being locked into a data plan. I very rarely feel the need to use and of the internet apps while I'm on the go. I mostly use it for texting, calls and games.

The loss of the broadband isn't a huge issue for me. The two places I want internet are work and home, both of which have free wifi already. There's a few people at work who've got the 3g plans and because of where we are, their speed is almost worst than dial-up. I'm going to pay $70 month for that? I don't think so. Maybe they'll come down in price and have better speed where I'm located by the time I'm ready. I'd be more inclined to go with an Android based phone the next time as my apps/downloads are much likely be portable to another device, but I don't like how it's Google centric.

[emeraldgirl08]

I have a Virgin Mobile pay-as-you-go phone. I'd like to get me a Palm Tro 750 Unlocked. I'm in a pickle here b/c I have a Dell Axim x51v that has everything I want on a portable device.

Wifi, Bluetooth, Infra-red, unlimited SD/CF storage capacity (have 16gb so far), WM6.1, 640X480 VGA screen, and has a consumer-replaceable battery. The only thing it's missing is a phone! I'm fairly content with the Windows Mobile OS so far. It runs apps fine and is fairly easy to get the hang of. The thing is now that I've looked at some affordable phones the Palm is affordable, has an SD card, is touchscreen, and is unlocked. I'm thinking of sticking a pay-as-you-go SIM in it and I got my future phone there. The only thing I'll be missing is the great resolution of a VGA screen.

[pianowizard]

Struggling not only financially, but with their image and devices...The underlying problem being the momentum and trendy image of Apples iPhone, Rims plethora of models...Palm is lost in the shuffle so to speak.

I have had my Palm Centro since Nov 2007, 3 weeks after its release. Not having high-speed internet or a landline phone at home, I use this Centro almost nonstop, and I have dropped it dozens of times, but it still works as well as it did on day 1 -- most of my messages on this forum were typed on this smartphone, including this one. Palm's Treos (which include the Centro) are good products, so I suspect the lack of marketing was the main factor for their decline in popularity. By contrast, I haven't come across any Blackberry that I like (I especially HATE their trackball), and yet "Blackberry" has almost become synonymous with "smartphone", so I attribute that to successful marketing.

This new web OS is actually quite good, as in their latest device.

I have played with the Pre and found WebOS excellent. The web browsing experience is exceptional. Too bad the keyboard is on the short side of the screen, making it hard to view web pages in landscape mode. And upgrading to the Pre would require me to give up my SERO plan for a plan that's twice as expensive. So, I am sticking with my Centro for now, until the HTC Touch Pro 2 becomes more affordable. It's currently the most expensive smartphone in the U.S., I think.

I'm in a pickle here b/c I have a Dell Axim x51v that has everything I want on a portable device.

I just sold my X51v locally for $100.

The thing is now that I've looked at some affordable phones the Palm is affordable, has an SD card, is touchscreen...

Good choice. The touchscreen is very important for smartphones, which is another reason I don't like Blackberries -- most don't have one.

[jdhurst]

<snip> What has happened in the last few years, is Microsoft has squandered a terrific opportunity. The Windows Mobile OS is actually the worst of the lot. <snip>
Cheers...

Yes, which is why I wait.

What I want in a smart phone is:
1. A quad band phone for worldwide use. <--- I have that in my current Blackberry
2. GSM SIM technology unlocked. <--- I have that in my current Blackberry
3. Fast (faster than 3G). <--- it's coming.
4. A document store that is a true replicated mirror of my 20Gb document store. <--- still waiting.
5. Full version (no giveups of any kind) of Office 2007 Pro or newer including Outlook email <--- still waiting.
6. Windows 7 Pro index and search capability. <--- still waiting.
7. Adobe Acrobat.
8. WinZip
9. IPSec VPN
10. RDP.

And by the time all this comes, I will want more. Really, this is why my T61p goes everywhere with me.
... JDH

[pianowizard]

And by the time all this comes, I will want more. Really, this is why my T61p goes everywhere with me.

The breakthrough that I am waiting for is a pocket-sized laptop running Windows 7 that has smartphone capability, combining the two into one small device that doesn't require a carrying case. There is already a laptop like that, the Sony P-series. It shouldn't be that hard to add smartphone features to it, i.e. phone, camera, camcorder, instant on/off, etc. (the P-series already has GPS). I wonder how popular such a device would be.

My Centro can view and edit Word and Excel documents, and view PDF documents, but it's slow, the screen is too small, the keyboard is not suitable for prolonged typing, I can't attach documents to web-based email accounts, and PowerPoint files can't be edited. In other words, it can't replace a laptop, not even my 9-year-old Pentium 3 Thinkpad 240Z. There aren't any smartphones that can, which is sad because I am sick of lugging around laptops in carry cases!

[archer6]

What I want in a smart phone is:
1. A quad band phone for worldwide use. <--- I have that in my current Blackberry
2. GSM SIM technology unlocked. <--- I have that in my current Blackberry
3. Fast (faster than 3G). <--- it's coming.
4. A document store that is a true replicated mirror of my 20Gb document store. <--- still waiting.
5. Full version (no giveups of any kind) of Office 2007 Pro or newer including Outlook email <--- still waiting.
6. Windows 7 Pro index and search capability. <--- still waiting.
7. Adobe Acrobat.
8. WinZip
9. IPSec VPN
10. RDP.

And by the time all this comes, I will want more. Really, this is why my T61p goes everywhere with me.
... JDH

Your "wish list" of features is a near mirror image of mine.
.
Of even greater similarity, is that I too, never fail to leave home without one of my ThinkPads...literally. Despite current and future trends, it will be quite some time before I leave my ThinkPad behind in favor of a handheld computer. I get too much enjoyment out of the variety of sizes and models (one for every scenario) of laptops I've invested in. To wit: I've just taken delivery of a 1.2lb Sliver Thin, Carbon Fiber VAIO X. It nearly disappears in the lightest of backpacks or small messenger bags I use on the weekends. Perfect? No, Excellent? Yes!
.
Cheers...

[emeraldgirl08]

@ Pianowizard You ever try a Bluetooth keyboard???

I have one for my Axim and I also have a VGA cable that will let me connect my Axim to a monitor if I need to. Tried it once and watched an AVI that way. Kinda neat

[jdhurst]

<snip> There aren't any smartphones that can, which is sad because I am sick of lugging around laptops in carry cases!

True. Myself as well.

Now having said that, I have a superb leather bag that has been repaired on several occasions, making it stronger and more robust as time passes.

It is truly a Dr. Who Tardis that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. By the time I load my T61p, charger and cord, portfolio with pad for working, personal paper file, two client paper files (varies by client), HP RPN calculator, pens, pencils, erasor, Rocket Stick, laser mouse, network cable, phone charger, and assorted other miscellaneous gear, it weighs just under 20 pounds loaded. One needs to be in good physical condition to sling it over one's shoulder.

The flip side of this is that I can put it down, open it, take out what I need and I have a complete office all there. I need only a work surface, a power outlet and a network printer.

I have been on my own now long enough to know deep down that less that this is unproductive and unworkable.
... JDH

[emeraldgirl08]

True. Myself as well.

Now having said that, I have a superb leather bag that has been repaired on several occasions, making it stronger and more robust as time passes.

It is truly a Dr. Who Tardis that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. By the time I load my T61p, charger and cord, portfolio with pad for working, personal paper file, two client paper files (varies by client), HP RPN calculator, pens, pencils, erasor, Rocket Stick, laser mouse, network cable, phone charger, and assorted other miscellaneous gear, it weighs just under 20 pounds loaded. One needs to be in good physical condition to sling it over one's shoulder.

The flip side of this is that I can put it down, open it, take out what I need and I have a complete office all there. I need only a work surface, a power outlet and a network printer.

I have been on my own now long enough to know deep down that less that this is unproductive and unworkable.
... JDH

@JDH This strikes a nice visual and you must be in robust shape to be carrying an office around

[jdhurst]

<snip>
@JDH This strikes a nice visual and you must be in robust shape to be carrying an office around

Thanks. I would say decent physical shape. I walk a fair bit to use public transit and also between downtown clients. If I sling the bag toward my back (still over my shoulder), I can put my hands behind me and support the bag. This vastly lessens the load on my shoulder.

I have this page open right now as I wish to look up the VAIO X. I keep looking at X's as well, and I am nearly at the point of not travelling with a CD. This could be dangerous, but the need is ever decreasing as all my clients have networks. But I continue to be completely seduced by my 7200-rpm 500Gb hard drive, and will not give that up. Also, the smallest machines provide Windows Basic or Home, and that won't cut it.

... JDH

[archer6]

Palm's Treos (which include the Centro) are good products, so I suspect the lack of marketing was the main factor for their decline in popularity. By contrast, I haven't come across any Blackberry that I like (I especially HATE their trackball), and yet "Blackberry" has almost become synonymous with "smartphone", so I attribute that to successful marketing.



The touchscreen is very important for smartphones, which is another reason I don't like Blackberries -- most don't have one.

I've always liked Palms devices, had a few Treos then migrated to BlackBerrys for the slightly better keyboards which are even better today. I travel so extensively I end up like today (a travel day)...every single post I've composed including this one is from the keyboard of my BlackBerry Bold 9000. The dead giveaway when reading my posts is when you see the period I use as a "spacer" to separate paragraphs like this.
.
If I don't include that period above, for some reason the space is not recognized by the forum software, and I end up with one giant paragraph. It doesn't do that when composing emails or texts. Only when posting to a forum.
.
Speaking of BlackBerrys & touchscreens, RIM really blew it when they created the Storm for Verizon. A horrible example of a very poorly designed touchscreen. Now in its second generation it's better but far from as good it needs to be.
.
Cheers...

[pianowizard]

@ Pianowizard You ever try a Bluetooth keyboard???

I looked into getting one about a year ago. But the vast majority of reviews pointed out major compatibility issues, so I ended up not buying one. There could be better BT keyboards for the Centro now, but I am about to upgrade to the HTC Touch Pro 2, so it makes no sense to buy any more Centro accessories.

For a smartphone of this size, the Centro's keyboard is actually remarakbly good. The keys are indeed very small, but the shape and rubbery texture make them surprisingly easy to press. With practice, 25 words per minute is easily attainable -- some people can't even type that fast on a full-sized keyboard! Still, I avoid typing very long messages if possible.

I've just taken delivery of a 1.2lb Sliver Thin, Carbon Fiber VAIO X.

Are you referring to the X-series Vaio on dynamism.com? That one weighs 1.6 lb.

it weighs just under 20 pounds loaded.

That's heavy -- and you are strong! Even when I travel for 5 days or longer, I carry just a small backpack with my 240Z, clothes, umbrella, shaver, and all other essentials, with a total weight of under 10 lb.

[archer6]

Yes I've had a decade long relationship with dynamism.com, they've supplied me with all kinds of small VAIO's, Sharps, and other unique Laptops not offered in the USA. The X they sold me, has a tiny 3 cell. I weighed it on a small industrial scale I have at work which is calibrated annually. I knew it would be light but 1.2lbs was a bit lighter than I expected. The power supply is also very small, much smaller than even that of my Unibody MacBook Pro. When I put the laptop & power supply together on the scale it reads 1.55 lbs. Its a good thing the thin rubber pads are grippy, and there's six. Otherwise it would move around on the desk.
.
Cheers...

[paul*robertson]

I dont really get the whole mobile phone thing. Phone calls and texting is where i'm at, and half the time, i go out without my mobile. I like the fact that there are times when no-one can contact me. As for the rest, who wants to watch a film on a 3 inch screen, or listen to music without bass. Not knocking it, but its just not me.

[jdhurst]

<snip>
That's heavy -- and you are strong! Even when I travel for 5 days or longer, I carry just a small backpack with my 240Z, clothes, umbrella, shaver, and all other essentials, with a total weight of under 10 lb.

I know that 20 pounds is heavy. But the T61p is 5 pounds, so say 6 pounds with charger and line cord. As best as I can tell the bag is 2 pounds on its own. Allow another pound for pencils, calculator and stuff - total thus far is 9 pounds. That means the paper files weigh a total of about 10 pounds. I often have two clients a day, plus I need my business file almost daily.

If I can dump my paper files and portfolio, I can get down to near half weight and it is like I am carrying nothing. If I worked only for one company, I could easily be down to about 13 pounds and still be ready for action. But what I do each day is the quintessential truly mobile office.

.. JDH

[jdhurst]

Hmmm - I am always in danger of painting a one-sided picture, so I hauled out my bag, emptied it and then dumped the portfolio (I can live without it) and at least one half the paper. Some filed and some thrown out. The end result is a bag with everything but the T61p at just under 10 pounds. That means with computer, under 16 pounds.

All that as a result of reading this thread. Thanks. ... JDH

[t140568]

The breakthrough that I am waiting for is a pocket-sized laptop running Windows 7 that has smartphone capability, combining the two into one small device that doesn't require a carrying case. There is already a laptop like that, the Sony P-series. It shouldn't be that hard to add smartphone features to it, i.e. phone, camera, camcorder, instant on/off, etc. (the P-series already has GPS). I wonder how popular such a device would be.

I would, at least, be in line right behind you to get the second if you got the first. The closest I've seen to this that I've liked is the now out of business OQO PCs. Though, not quite smartphone-ish enough, had their latest model OQO model 2+ made it to market, I might have picked one up.

As far as Palm is concerned. I've had the Treo 600, my friend has had the 650 before moving to the Centro, and my wife had the 680. ALL of which have been great phones (even for my wife who finds faults in EVERYthing that's not Apple/Cingular). Easy to use, pretty durable, and just all-around great devices. Only real complaint I had about my 600 was that the infrared wasn't strong enough to use as a TV remote like my old Sony Clie PEG-T415, but nothing is perfect. If I can ever find a working demo of the Pre in a store, I'd be willing to give it a chance.

While my wife is very happy with her iPhone2g, I hate dealing with the thing. Since we're on T-Mo, I have to unlock the thing every time Apple decides to update firmware. Granted, this is not an issue everyone will have.

Overall, I still prefer my G1 running Cyanogen's Android build with an 8gb partitioned Class6 MicroSD. Swift, tons of Apps, very customizable, and continually has a great deal of potential (in spite of nay-sayers continually saying nay). Insufficient battery life is the only major downside of this phone for me. Nexus and Droid are also VERY nice.

While I've never really had my hands on a WinMo device they just doesn't interest me.

[jdhurst]

I came very close to buying an OQO. I didn't really like the sliding keyboard feature (IIRC - something slid), and the battery life was poor. I was still willing to consider, but three things stopped me:
1. It was pricey for what was offered.
2. eBay prices were over the moon.
3. OQO finally went out of business.

... JDH

[pianowizard]

The X they sold me, has a tiny 3 cell. I weighed it on a small industrial scale I have at work which is calibrated annually. I knew it would be light but 1.2lbs was a bit lighter than I expected.

So, are you saying the "1.6 lb" listed on the dynamism web site refers to a model with a bigger battery? 1.2 lb is shockingly light for a 11.1" laptop. However, because it can't fit into a jacket or pant pocket, the travel weight (i.e. laptop + AC adapter + carrying case) is still going to be heavier than that for the 1.4-lb Sony P Series (no carrying case needed). But of course, the X Series' screen and keyboard are easier to use than the P Series'.

I dont really get the whole mobile phone thing. Phone calls and texting is where i'm at, and half the time, i go out without my mobile. I like the fact that there are times when no-one can contact me. As for the rest, who wants to watch a film on a 3 inch screen, or listen to music without bass. Not knocking it, but its just not me.

Being able to access the internet anytime anywhere is extremely convenient, and sometimes even essential, for example if you get lost while traveling.

The closest I've seen to this that I've liked is the now out of business OQO PCs. Though, not quite smartphone-ish enough, had their latest model OQO model 2+ made it to market, I might have picked one up.

I was once interested in the OQO as well. For me, its main shortcoming is the thumb keyboard. I would rather have a typable keyboard. Dynamism has several devices that are somewhat similar to the OQO -- see http://www.dynamism.com/#CategoryID=71 . If those UMID mbooks had a larger keyboard, I would be more interested in getting one. The Sony P Series keyboard is just a little smaller than the Thinkpad 240/240X/240Z keyboard, and so it should be possible to type comfortably. In fact, I did play with a Sony P Series at Sony Style but that was almost a year ago and I don't remember how its keyboard felt like.

[micl9]

Big Nokia fan - spent 10yrs working there. Finally had to break down and get a new one (unlocked E63 for $120). While I am quite adept at T9, as I get older I need things to be easier so a qwerty has become a must. While I agree S60/Symbian has never lived up to its potential and was not marketed enough in the early days (S60 already had a music player from the start, but was never pushed as such) it is the OS I am used to. Now that Symbian is open source lets see what Nokia can do.
I have tried some other S-E non-smart phones, OK but not great, and the SE P1, absolutly hated it! How could they F up symbian that bad!
For the past year I have had a RIM 8830, must say not a big fan of the OS, but it does what it does well - EMAIL. I just don't get people buying them for personal use.

Have played with a Droid and I am impressed. If it wasn't for the fact that for the last 12-13 years I have never payed for a cell phone (The E63 purch was my 1st EVER cell phone purchase) and can't imagine spending that much, even with a contract.

[qviri]

[Palm] are woefully under capitalized, and behind the curve.

How do you figure? I see no signs of them having not enough money (except for perhaps not pulling an all-stops-out Appleesque ad campaign), Elevation seems to have no problems pumping more in, and webOS is right at the apex of the curve. They don't have the market and perhaps the mindshare at the moment, but these things take a while to grow.

The Windows Mobile OS is actually the worst of the lot. In typical behind the scenes fashion Microsoft has been scrambling in a near panic mode as they've watched Apple, RIM, Android & Symbian, all continue to develop very competitive, easy to use OS's. If not for MS's sheer might, deep pockets, and influence with HTC, the WinMo OS would be dead.

You are forgetting a key aspect and that is the enterprise friendliness. RIM and Microsoft have been slow to react to iPhone and Android but that doesn't matter because when you're a CTO you don't want a product that will be discontinued and abandoned the moment the next shiny idea gets put on national TV. Android and iPhone have had no problems in the fickle customer market, but try suggesting that Android with its total lack of remote management or iPhone with an unfortunate history of lying to the central servers about its capabilities get deployed and folks get less enthusiastic.

For anyone at all thinking about having in-house apps on mobile, development for Windows Mobile is probably the best of the lot right now if your target can run .NET CF and you've got some .NET or Java experience. You can't even load in-house apps onto the iPhone without going through the app store unless you're willing to do it manually for every single device or you have more than 500 employees.

I dont really get the whole mobile phone thing. Phone calls and texting is where i'm at, and half the time, i go out without my mobile. I like the fact that there are times when no-one can contact me. As for the rest, who wants to watch a film on a 3 inch screen, or listen to music without bass. Not knocking it, but its just not me.

The bass is solved with any good earphones. Decent IEMs are under $100 these days.

As for the rest... it's not about others contacting you. It's about being able to check a bus schedule or traffic levels in 15 seconds. See at a glance what the weather forecast for later is. Take down a note without carrying a pen. Get reminded of an appointment, where it is, and get a map of how to get there. Quickly multiply 523 by 0.37. Take a decent picture and upload it in a minute. Look up whatever you like, wherever you like, for any reason you might have.


I've an older BB Pearl right now, biding my time for things to clear up both for me personally and in the mobile arena at large before I decide if I want something more and if so what. So many appealing choices -- several Android handsets are quite lustworthy, as are the Nokia E series (except for the OS), the N900, the Blackberry 9000 (not a big fan of post-9000 designs), and I've got high hopes for the Pearl 3G...

[archer6]

So, are you saying the "1.6 lb" listed on the dynamism web site refers to a model with a bigger battery? 1.2 lb is shockingly light for a 11.1" laptop. However, because it can't fit into a jacket or pant pocket, the travel weight (i.e. laptop + AC adapter + carrying case) is still going to be heavier than that for the 1.4-lb Sony P Series (no carrying case needed). But of course, the X Series' screen and keyboard are easier to use than the P Series'.

Yes, the model that they sell to the public has a 6 cell battery. The owner of the company knows my preferences well, and in a laptop of this type, battery run times are not important to me, he had a 3 cell model come in and offered it to me. I have a VAIO P which is not bad, but the keyboard is very cramped, whereas the X keyboard is quite nice. Also since I always carry some type of bag, I've found a more traditional laptop form factor that is very thin, is the best for me.

Cheers...

[archer6]

How do you figure? I see no signs of them having not enough money (except for perhaps not pulling an all-stops-out Appleesque ad campaign), Elevation seems to have no problems pumping more in, and webOS is right at the apex of the curve. They don't have the market and perhaps the mindshare at the moment, but these things take a while to grow.

One of my best friends from college is a senior executive with them. He's been with the brand from day one. They "used" to own the PDA space per say, but lost it, then in the years since have been up and down largely due to the fierce competition in the segment and their internal struggles. Palm, began as Palm Computing, then was acquired by U.S. Robotics, then later sold to 3Com. Each of these transitions have taken their tool on the company and 3Com has not allocated the funds to that division that it will take for them to succeed in the long run. Now emerging once again with a good product, their success will largely depend on whether they can sell enough to generate the revenues to stand on their own.

You are forgetting a key aspect and that is the enterprise friendliness.

When I created this thread the idea in mind was to discuss smartphone's from the users perspective and use. If you want to talk about the enterprise, this is still owned by RIM. They have the largest installed base of customers, the BES server infrastructure, and the trust of the corporate and government entities.