Pocket PC magazine, Apr/May 2004 Read online

  A real plus for technology addicts is Samsung’s decision to use the same connection port on the i600 Smartphone as on their i700 Pocket PC Phone Edition. This means that the AC adapters, the sync cables, and the external keyboard I mentioned earlier fit both devices, so I can carry fewer accessories with me when I travel. I hope that Samsung continues this compatibility in the future.

  Microsoft feels that mobile users can be divided into two groups. One group will favor larger, more feature-rich devices with integrated phones, such as the Samsung i700 I reviewed in the September 2003 issue (http://www.PocketPCmag.com/sep03/sprint.asp). The other group will want smaller devices that look and feel like cell phones, but include personal information managers and productivity applications similar to those found on Pocket PCs. I believe that they underestimate the overlap of these two groups. I still use the i700 for my daily medical routines, but have adopted the i600 for my more mobile and less data-intensive activities. The fact that both devices use common accessories makes this easy. As the wireless mobile market matures, many power users will opt for both devices.

  The Samsung SCH-i600 is available through Verizon Wireless for $499.99 minus a $100 mail-in rebate (as off 12/23/03). In addition to this, you would have to pay from $30-$50 per month for a wireless service plan from Verizon.

  * * *

  I Miss My Touchscreen

  As much as I love the Samsung i600 Smartphone, it could be improved upon with the addition of a touchscreen. One of the reasons Microsoft originally gave for not going with a touchscreen is that they wanted the Smartphone to have a durable screen that would resist cracking and breakage. I accept that argument for Smartphones of the solid “candy bar” design, such as the Orange SPV e200. Screens on these Smartphones are exposed and extremely vulnerable to damage. However, with the advent of the clamshell design, this risk of damage is greatly reduced.

  While I was waiting for the U.S. release of the i600, Samsung let me use their Palm OS-based i500. This clamshell device is nearly identical to the i600 in size, shape, and layout. I’m not a big fan of Palm OS devices, but I found the i500 extremely functional and a pleasure to use because of its touchscreen.

  In my day-to-day routine, I frequently use healthcare-related software on my Pocket PC, from companies such as Skyscape, ePocrates, and PDR.net. Their programs are not currently available for the Smartphone. But when they are, I can’t conceive of using them with only a navigation pad and an alpha-numeric keypad. Navigating through these and other programs is much easier on a device with a touchscreen. If Microsoft would change the Smartphone specifications so that touchscreens could be used, I believe they would have a more usable device on their hands—and in ours!

  * * *

  Spec Sheet

  Samsung SCH-i600 Windows Mobile Smartphone

  Price $499.99 (minus $100 rebate as of 12/23/03)

  Contact http://www.verizonwireless.com

  Hardware

  CPU

  200 MHz Intel PXA250 processor with XScale technology

  Display

  Main: 2 inch diagonal, 176x220 pixel 65K-color transflective display (not a touchscreen)

  Secondary: 128x32 pixel monochrome display on the outside of the clamshell case

  Memory (RAM / ROM)

  32 MB RAM; 32 MB flash ROM

  Input

  Application launch keys, alpha-numeric keypad, send and end call keys, voice memo button, home button, backspace/clear button, left and right soft keys, navigation pad, OK/select key, microphone

  Built-in communications

  Dual band/single mode CDMA (800 MHz, 1900 MHz), IrDA

  External ports

  USB port with integrated power input port for connecting to PC, 2.5mm headset jack to accept hands-free headsets

  Card slots

  One SDIO-compatible card slot accepts MMC and SD cards

  Battery/continuous use on fully charged battery

  Rechargeable 900 mAh/4 hrs talk time, 240 hrs standby (mfg. est.); built-in rechargeable backup battery

  User-replaceable battery

  Yes

  Dimensions/weight

  3.5 x 2.0 x 0.9 in (89 x 53 x 23 mm)

  5.0 oz (141 g)

  In the package

  Samsung i600 Smartphone with 900 mAh battery, extended lithium-ion battery (1700 mAh), hands-free stereo headset, leather case, sync-cradle/charger with slot for charging an extra battery, hand strap, user guide, companion CD

  Warranty

  Smartphone, batteries, other accessories: 1 year; leather case: 90 days

  Optional accessories from manufacturer

  Extended lithium-ion battery (1700 mAh), travel charger, USB sync cable, hands-free car kit, car power adapter, portable flex keyboard

  Software

  Microsoft software

  Windows Mobile for Smartphone (Smartphone 2002 software)

  Operating System

  Windows CE 3.0

  BUILT-IN applications: Windows CE 3.0 OS, Today, Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Inbox), Smartdial, MSN Messenger, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, ActiveSync, File Manager, Task Manager, Space Maker, System Information, variety of setup and configuration utilities

  USER-INSTALLABLE applications (on CD or links to download): ActiveSync (desktop PC software for device synchronization), Outlook (desktop PC version), Windows Media Player 9.0 for desktop PCs running Windows

  Mfg & 3rd party apps.

  USER-INSTALLABLE applications (on CD or links to download): FULL VERSIONS: Advanced Voice Recognition.

  Comments

  Clamshell device with relatively large and easy-to-read screen, and large keys. SDIO-compatible card slot enhances expandability.

  * * *

  Edward M. Zabrek, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is our staff medical writer, and a full time, practicing Ob-Gyn at Memorial City-Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, USA. He has an ambitious dream to “evolutionize” the practice of patient care with a Pocket PC. Ed may be reached at [email protected].

  Motorola MPx200 Windows Mobile Smartphone

  by Ed Zabrek

  I had the opportunity to test drive the Motorola MPx200, a Windows Mobile Smartphone based on the Smartphone 2002 software. It’s an attractive clamshell device with features similar to those of the Samsung i600. Rich Hall and Dale Coffing described and gave a brief review of the MPx200 in the December/January 2004 issue of Pocket PC magazine (http://www.PocketPCmag.com/Jan04/smartphones.asp). I’ll describe the device briefly and focus on my impressions of it and the differences between it and the Samsung i600.

  Similar to but sleeker than the i600

  The basic design is similar to, but a little sleeker than, that of the i600. The device has two displays: a 176x220 pixel 65K-color transflective display (not a touchscreen) and a secondary monochrome display on the outside of the clamshell case that’s used to display the time, date, and caller ID when the clamshell is closed. Like the i600, the MPx200 has a user-replaceable lithium-ion rechargeable battery. A replacement standard battery is available, but an extended-life battery has not been announced.

  The left edge has a jog wheel that controls volume only—it can’t be used for application navigation. The IrDA port and the on/off button are also located on the left edge. The headset/hands-free jack and SD card slot are located on the right edge. The USB/charger port is located on the bottom edge of the device. (Note that the device can draw power from a host PC via an optional USB connection cable, without the use of the AC power adapter.)

  The main color display and the speaker are located on the top half of the inside of the clamshell. The keypad, application launch and function buttons, and navigation pad are located on the bottom half.

  Two “soft keys” are located on the top of the lower half, to the left and right of the navigation pad. These are context-sensitive keys whose functions change depending on the active application. Below the soft keys are the Call and End Call buttons. Below them are the Home and Back key
s. In the center of this cluster is the navigation pad with an action key at its center. The navigation pad lets you scroll around the screen and the action key selects an item or function.

  Backlit keypad and color display

  Below this cluster of buttons is the alphanumeric keypad. The keys are backlit, but still difficult to see in dim lighting conditions, especially when compared to the i600’s keypad. I also found the color display to be less vivid than that of the i600 when using identical screen settings. Another problem I encountered with the Motorola device when inputting phone numbers is the lack of automatic hyphenation. For example, when I dial 800-555-5555 on the i600, the automatically inserted hyphens show me that I am dialing a 10-digit number. On the MPx200 screen that same input displays as “8005555555.” This makes it a little more difficult to see if you’ve entered the correct number of digits, and a little easier to misdial.

  Personalization options

  The Motorola MPx200 (like the Samsung i600) can be customized to meet your business needs, work preferences, and personal tastes. For example, you can take advantage of telephone services that include call barring, call forwarding, call waiting, and caller ID. In addition, you can change ring tones and select different sounds for reminders and new-message notifications. Both devices support up to eight user profiles, which are customizable “sets” of settings that are appropriate for certain situations, such as being in a meeting or in a car.

  Additional software

  In addition to the standard Microsoft Smartphone software, the MPx200 includes a Utility Pack suite with the following applications:

  File Manager lets you browse and open files—it’s similar to File Explorer on the Pocket PC.

  Task Manager lets you close all applications or switch to any currently open program.

  System Info Pack displays available RAM and SD storage memory, remaining battery life, and additional device information.

  Space Maker finds unnecessary files and lets you delete them to free up data storage space.

  Photo Caller ID lets you associate a photo with each item in your Contacts list. If a photo is available, it will appear with the caller ID of an incoming call.

  Hexacto Lemonade: Full version of the popular business-strategy game.

  Which Windows Mobile Smartphone is right for you?

  A big part of this decision has to do with the carrier offering the Smartphone and the coverage of its wireless service. The Motorola MPx200 supports GSM/GPRS networks and currently is being distributed only by AT&T Wireless. Since it works with a GSM network, it comes with a SIM card. This offers an advantage since swapping SIM cards between GSM phones—for example, between an MPx200 and a Siemens Pocket PC Phone Edition device, also offered by AT&T Wireless—lets you use different devices on the same service contract. On CDMA networks such as Verizon’s, if you wanted to use two devices, you would have to purchase separate contracts.

  Focusing on the devices themselves, I preferred the Samsung i600. For one thing, its SDIO slot makes it more expandable than the MPx200, which has only an SD slot. It addition, Samsung/Verizon offer an extended-life battery as well as a standard battery. The extended battery will give you more use between charges. Also, the charge/sync cradle that comes with the i600 has an extra slot for charging spare batteries; the MPx200 charger cradle does not.

  The i600 has a serial port identical to the one found on the Samsung i700 Phone Edition device. This allows you to use the same keyboard, automobile power adapter, and other accessories for both devices. If you’re traveling with both, this cuts down on the amount of equipment you have to bring along with you.

  I found the larger keys and the buttons on the i600 much easier to use, and made fewer errors on it while dialing, answering, and using the Smartphone’s one-handed navigation feature. In addition, the brighter backlighting of the i600 keypad made it easier to use. For those who prefer a sleeker, sexier device, the Motorola MPx200 may be the device for you. Smaller fingers may find the keypad perfectly acceptable, and the more fashionable style of this device may be a good reason to choose the Motorola. Whichever Smartphone you decide to buy, you’ll enhance your mobile experience—and find it difficult to return to a conventional cell phone!

  The Motorola MPx200 Windows Mobile Smartphone is available for AT&T Wireless. Go to their “Phones” Web page (http://www.attwireless.com/personal/products) and search on “next generation (GSM/GPRS)” and you’ll find the MPx200 listed half way down the page. The Motorola Smartphone is priced at $249.99 ($409.99 MSRP minus a $70 instant rebate and $90 mail-in rebate as of mid-January 2004). In addition, you must sign a two-year wireless service agreement.

  * * *

  Spec Sheet

  Motorola MPx200 Windows Mobile Smartphone

  $249.99 ($409.99 minus $160 in rebates; 2-year service contract required, as of mid-January 2004)

  Contact http://www.attwireless.com/

  Hardware

  CPU

  132 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor

  Display

  Main: 2.2 inch diagonal 176x220 pixel 65K-color transflective display (not a touch screen)

  Secondary: 96 x 32 pixel monochrome display on the outside of the clamshell case

  Memory (RAM/ROM)

  32 MB RAM; 32 MB flash ROM

  Input

  Alpha-numeric keypad, send and end call keys, home button, backspace/clear button, left and right soft keys, navigation pad, OK/select key, scroll dial, microphone

  Built-in communications

  Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS phone, IrDA

  External ports

  Mini-USB sync port with integrated power input port for connecting to PC, 2.5mm headset jack to accept hands-free headsets

  Card slots

  One SD-compatible card slot accepts MMC and SD cards

  Battery/continuous use on fully charged battery

  Rechargeable 850 mAh / 3.4 hrs talk time, 70 hrs standby (mfg. est.); built-in rechargeable backup battery

  User-replaceable battery

  Yes

  Dimensions/weight

  1.90 x 3.5 x 1.06 in (4.8 x 8.9 x 2.7 cm)

  4 oz (113.4 g)

  In the package

  MPx200 Smartphone, mini USB cradle, mini USB data cable, MS companion CD, One Touch stereo headset, mono headset, mini USB travel charger, external battery

  Warranty

  30-day risk free trial, one-year limited warranty

  Optional accessories from manufacturer

  Slim Li Ion battery, battery door replacement, travel charger, desktop charging stand, vehicle power adapter, various cases, various headsets, various SD memory cards

  Software

  Microsoft software

  Windows Mobile for Smartphone (Smartphone 2002 software)

  Operating System

  Windows CE 3.0

  BUILT-IN applications:

  Windows CE 3.0 OS, Today, Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Inbox), Smartdial, MSN Messenger, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, ActiveSync, File Manager, Task Manager, Space Maker, System Information, variety of setup and configuration utilities

  USER-INSTALLABLE applications (on CD or links to download):

  ActiveSync (desktop PC software for device synchronization), Outlook (desktop PC version), Windows Media Player 9.0 for desktop PCs running Windows

  Mfg & 3rd party apps.

  USER-INSTALLABLE applications (on CD or links to download):

  FULL VERSIONS: File Manager, Task manager, Space Maker, System Info, Photo Caller ID, Hexacto Lemonade game

  Comments

  Small attractive clamshell device; good sound quality; add-on software enhances functionality.

  European Connection

  Smart Cars and Smartphones in Europe

  by Becky Benfield

  This is the first in a continuing series of columns that will cover the European Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone scene. We’d like to welcome Becky Benfield to Po
cket PC magazine. Becky is a co-owner of and contributor to Pocket PC Life (http://www.pocketpclife.co.uk), a leading European PDA review site. If you have questions about this or future columns, Becky can be contacted at [email protected]. Editor, Pocket PC magazine.

  On December 1st 2003 in the UK, the government introduced a law that made it illegal to hold a mobile phone or use a PDA while driving. The only way you can answer and make calls is through some hands-free arrangement. Breaking this law carries an on-the-spot £30 fine. In some cases this can rise to £1,000 if you are found to be using your phone in a way that makes you not in control of your vehicle. Not nice if you have to answer that very important call.

  Ahhh, but what if you had a car that solved those mobile communication problems?

  Bluetooth-enabled Smart cars

  Daimler Chrysler/Mercedes and mobile phone manufacturer Orange have teamed together to create a new version of the popular Smart car—the Orange City Coupe Special Edition. This small 2-seater, available only in Europe, has Bluetooth hands-free technology integrated into it. With a length of only 2.5 meters (8 1/4 feet), a Mercedes Benz 74bhp/600cc engine that gets 95 kilometers (59 miles) to the gallon, and a top speed of 90 mph, you wouldn’t think that the car would be worth driving… but I can tell you it is! I own one of these amazing cars and I love it to bits! It is so unusual yet so safe.