Travel Technology - Need help picking PocketPC-Phone/Smartphone

Ok... so I need to get a new phone. And it MUST be based on either the Smartphone or PocketPC phone technologies (there is no wiggle room in that one).

I would like intl coverage ability, but I can't seem to find anything out there yet that will do that. I DON'T want it to look like a PDA, want it to look like a normal cell phone. My home will be in DC, but it will need to have good coverage all over the US. I don't much care which carrier, I currently have Nextel and will have to switch and Nextel doesn't have such a phone. My contract with them has ended so I'm free to go wherever without penalty. I do like the idea of getting a good deal with the Verizon Jetconnect tie-in promo thing.

Thoughts?

Ok... so I need to get a new phone. And it MUST be based on either the Smartphone or PocketPC phone technologies (there is no wiggle room in that one).

I would like intl coverage ability, but I can't seem to find anything out there yet that will do that. I DON'T want it to look like a PDA, want it to look like a normal cell phone. My home will be in DC, but it will need to have good coverage all over the US. I don't much care which carrier, I currently have Nextel and will have to switch and Nextel doesn't have such a phone. My contract with them has ended so I'm free to go wherever without penalty. I do like the idea of getting a good deal with the Verizon Jetconnect tie-in promo thing.

Thoughts?

[Edit: Sorry, by Smartphone I now presume Symbian OS is ruled out. So the following is probably not applicable.]

I use the SonyEricsson P800 as a combination device using T-mobile for voice and data. Roaming internationally is easy enough, with only a few rare issues (such as no GSM network in a handful of countries, the excessive cost of roaming, and an occassional GPRS problem). T-mobile data speeds are not nearly as good as Verizon or even Sprint. In DC, T-mobile does not work in the Metro stations.

I was considering the Treo 600, but the blackberry feel is too far from the normal cell phone for me.

Are you in a hurry? The Motorola MPx should be out around June.

Personally I WOULD NOT pick a phone with the Microsoft Smartphone platform, it's completely CRAP, is full of bugs and has very little support, a lack of decent software and almost no hardware.

Your best bet would be a phone using the PocketPC platform like the XDAII or one of the new devices from ETEN or Samsung.

If you really don't want a Symbian or Palm device then perhaps it's best to stick to a seperate phone and PDA and use Bluetooth between them.

Verizon is pretty useless for you when it comes to international coverage as there are no phones that will do GSM/GPRS and their network...

I would like intl coverage ability, but I can't seem to find anything out there yet that will do that.
Thoughts?

They are all worldphones (except the couple of redheaded-stepchild CDMA ones). :confused:

I've spent the last 2 months screwing around with two different MS Smartphone models. Even if you can get hardware you like, I have to say that the software platform really, really sucks. The UI is several steps regressed from what's coming out on bottom-of-the-line SonyEricsson models now - it looks like Windows 3.0. It's unreliable. They eat batteries. You can't even add words to the T9 dictionary! If you're determined that this is the only platform that will work for you, then have at it I guess. But honestly I wish people would listen to the advice of a wise man (ScottC), who told me when I was about to buy one, "that thing is a POS!" That being said, I'll make you a heck of a deal on an unlocked Mitac Mio. ;)

Of course, I'm not a fan of Symbian either. Prying off a sliver of plastic to scratch out an SMS is not my idea of usability, and exactly why my P800 hit eBay after a month.

So, I have ordered a Treo 600. I got rid of my last one (the original, black-and-white) because the screen was so bad. I didn't want to pay the price, but ultimately, I think it's going to be the best bet.

They all have a mountain of software that run on them (certainly much more for the Treo).

I am assuming that you want a MSFT based phone to do the over the air ActiveSync stuff via Exch2k3 (which is very cool).

We have been looking at just about everything out there and none of the devices are really all that great. I am holding out hope that the new MPx300 will finally get the smartphone platform a decent device (and an upgrade 2003 OS version). I have the MPx200 and it works just fine for most little things and does the ActiveSync stuff just fine.

Are you in a hurry? The Motorola MPx should be out around June.


I have to have it in and invoiced by June 30th... So, it would be tight. I'm personally not in any hurry to get it bought, but that's my deadline to get re-imbursed for it. Do you think they will actually hit that timeline? And any idea on rought prices?

As for the MPx300, any release dates?

I have to have it in and invoiced by June 30th... So, it would be tight. I'm personally not in any hurry to get it bought, but that's my deadline to get re-imbursed for it. Do you think they will actually hit that timeline? And any idea on rought prices?

As for the MPx300, any release dates?

Pricing is expected to be between $699 and $899 with carrier prices around $499 (connected). T-mobile is seemingly first in line to offer it with ATT and the others having to wait 3 months for it. You MIGHT get it around that date, although there are of course stores that will invoice you pro forma and ship it when it's available.

The XDAII would fill the bill if you can handle your phone having a PDA form factor (when you get used to it it rocks). The only issue is that it's still pretty much a grey-market item in the US, and you don't get any carrier subsidy.

Also: It doesn't support GSM 850, so if you're on AT&T or Cingular you might run into coverage issues.

The HP ipaq 6300 is expected soon, it'll kick the XDAII's butt.... Optional keyboard, built in WiFi and Bluetooth and it's quadband. It'll also have a 1.3Mp camera. BUT, it's still a PDA form factor and I personally don't like having to dial on a touch screen.

The HP ipaq 6300 is expected soon, it'll kick the XDAII's butt.... Optional keyboard, built in WiFi and Bluetooth and it's quadband. It'll also have a 1.3Mp camera. BUT, it's still a PDA form factor and I personally don't like having to dial on a touch screen.

...add to that when it has the keyboard attached it appears to be roughly the size of an ironing board.

You can always pre-order an MPx from ACS. They'll be happy to charge and bill you now, I'm sure.

The HP ipaq 6300 is expected soon, it'll kick the XDAII's butt.... It'll also have a 1.3Mp camera...I think I've read that there will be a variant available WITHOUT the camera - given workplace restrictions on cameras (like my employer) plus camera-phone restrictions in health clubs, I'm hoping that they'll see the market. I have the PocketPC phone from T-Mobile, but it's a bit slow (206 MHz) and low on RAM (32 MB), although an SD card helps with the storage issue.

I think I've read that there will be a variant available WITHOUT the camera - given workplace restrictions on cameras (like my employer) plus camera-phone restrictions in health clubs, I'm hoping that they'll see the market. I have the PocketPC phone from T-Mobile, but it's a bit slow (206 MHz) and low on RAM (32 MB), although an SD card helps with the storage issue.

Yes, there is also a "6700 business" version announced. If it' only the camera thats missing is unknown yet...

ScottC, you've probably seen this but for the benefit of others, here (http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page746.html)'s a page with "draft specs" for the iPAQ 6300.