Handtops, UMPC - Does this chg any opinions about iPhone

06/12/07 + ecsk2

Apple announces third-party software details for iPhone

link

07/31/07 + tnkgrl

*educationk12*, the iPhone has real-time traffic in the Google maps client... Just hit the little "car' icon at the bottom right of the screen!

Recent Blog: Bluetooth hack for the Asus 701 (Eee)

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "
Not sure whether this dock would be useful, but apparently HTC has a dock for the Advantage now.
link

I haven't tried the sidekick keyboard....I can say it's the best buttonless or keyboardless keyboard I have used and I like how much smaller the device is without a keyboard, like the added size to the x7501 with keyboard makes it even less pocketable."

I have a dock like that for the SK and all I use it for is to charge the 2nd battery, these "generic" docks for mini USB devices I don't like personally as its kind of a hassle to get them "hooked up" to the mini USB and you can even damage the USB connector due to the angle, that's happened too to people having the SK dock.

I can't say I like any on screen keyboard really

07/31/07 + ecsk2

tnkgrl said: "*educationk12*, the iPhone has real-time traffic in the Google maps client... Just hit the little "car' icon at the bottom right of the screen!"

...and why would it be "so vital" to know WHY there is a traffic backup? Beats me see:
link

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "
Well, I wouldn't avoid the OQO just over EVDO...u could always do what tnkgrl did...my issue is I wanted Voice with HSDPA. Seems if you got her MPCI card then HSDPA should work without a problem.."

Sorry if what I said came across like I was talking about EVDO, if I am to get an OQO 02 it will in fact be GSM converted.

educationk12 said: "
Seems like that remote desktop for iphone is buggy...I'd rather use something that works without issues. I'm not good at adding software apps that are more hacks than solid programs. Although I'd be willing to try it, but as I'm sure you've already noted I'm not the savviest of people to get stuff like this to work. I can't remote desktop at auctions because often times Internet doesn't work as you can be in a building that blocks the signal, which is one of the reasons why I had the SQL program designed.."

I think that remote appolication is more or less a homemade solution, but link is great, I use it constantly and with the iPhone it's even better thanx to the better interface.

educationk12 said: "
Well, I'd use the SD slot for a barcode scanner, but you can use bluetooth for barcode scanners but bluetooth can be buggy, battery charging issues along with only having so many hands, they have a bluetooth ring scanner you put on your finger but its too high in the geek factor for me...I like to not announce it to the world.."

Wonder if someone comes up with this for the iPhone (using your camera as the "scanner")
link

I didn't think such BT devices work with the iPhone?

educationk12 said: "
I must admit that I've never used a VGA or higher WM device....all iphone resolution or lower. I couldn't rationalize the size of a PDA for a phone, the only reason I do it for the x7501 is the idea to replace the OQO and iphone for one device."

You know with resolution it's alsso affects the overall impression the size of the screen, for instance full front screen QVGA devices give a much lower resolution affect than the smartphones with a keyboard under it, you know it's like zooming in a low res pic, so even though the x750x isn't "low resolution" it still is the size of an OQO so it could have better res, but if you've only had QVGAs so far I'm sure you'll be impressed. I have to say the Dell x51v is still a fantastic device from many points, and hasn't been beat yet, despite it being released in Sept 2005.

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "

ecsk2 said: "Btw have you tried the totally FREE SOONR on your iPhone?

"

That's pretty neat, but he clearly is using WIFI and not EDGE to do all that so fast. I kinda don't see the iPhone doing this for me until it is HSDPA inside, then I'll take those types of applications to that level of mobility. Although it is possible he could be using EDGE...sometimes it is surprisingly 3G like...the phone has optimized EDGE better than even a pc card."

I was trying to figure that out too, and I think towards the end of the video you can see the "E" no? Sorry I'm not an iPhone owner so I am not too familiar with it yet, but its relatively fast even on a SK that generally speaking isn't known to be very fast on it's EGPRS. I'd say try it because you do NOT install anything on the phone, and it's easy to remove. I'd frankly be interested in hearing how you like it on the iPhone (this is another thing that COULD make me get an iPhone), since I use Skype daily the iPhone is the only device that you can use Skype via Soonr and see the chat replies without doing refresh (very annoying on other phones).

On the videos, there have been talk about (not this one but in general) how they might speed up the videos after in editing and after that add the voice, not saying that is the case, just saying! To me having used Soonr since it became available it doesn't seem "too fast" to be EDGE, as it is very dieted down! They even have a cache feature to be able to use some files when your PC is offline (you yourself chose that, you can edit it!)

educationk12 said: "
This is a pretty good review of the x7501...when he mentioned the 5" VGA being high resolution in the beginning of his review, I almost closed out, but the review is well written despite his resolution comments."

Which review?

It IS "high" res for PDAs/Smartphones, although it shouldn't be considered that anymore in my opinion.
This place one of the best databases link
Uses terms like "Browse all devices with VGA screen" and " Browse devices with very high resolution screen"
Very high being those 800 wide ones: link

educationk12 said: "
It's only USB 1.1, but u can charge it with the USB which is great.."

Great for "charge anywhere" yes but I do prefer such solutions as the Palm phones, iPhone/iPod and Dell Axims where you just slide them into the dock quite effortless and they charge, I prefer that actually.

educationk12 said: "
The sd slot is miniSD, so no miniSD barcode scanner yet seems like some hoping to do the same thing have bought this miniSD to SD adapter link"

Is barcode usage something you use on occasion or more on a daily professional level?

educationk12 said: "
It can handle the 4GB miniSD high capacity cards. 12GB, etc."

Yeah I don't see you "runing out of" memory on the HTC but personally I didn't like the HDD solution, although it was completely quite and heatless (well compared to OQOs its heatless)

educationk12 said: "
The hard drive seems like it is a 1" spinning drive, so not as fast as flash...but this is the fastest processor for windows mobile so it will fly and has plenty of ROM/RAM so speed isn't an issue."

Yeah no speed issues on it, but yes it's still a WM device not a WinXP so it will have it's hickups at times with complex websites and the alike, I think I did reset it 2-3 times during the week I had it, but I was indeed trying hard too

educationk12 said: "
Battery life seems great and when you go to sleep you can put it in flight mode so that it uses pretty much zero power according to the review.

Anyway, I'm glad I ordered this...I think after buying it then reading that review...I think this will better suit my needs. Looking forward to it. Any idea of the best tiny bluetooth headsets?."

I prefer actually devices that last a day that way I put them in silent mode for the night and charge them.
BT headphones, I only had a few ones but never found any I liked, I am talking about stereo "real" headphones with mic, for Skype usage, those are still few and far apart.

educationk12 said: "
Also, I like how this device isn't as sexy as the iPhone and oqo 02. I hate people bugging me in public places...that's one nice thing about a thinkpad...everyone just says...oh, an old IBM. haha"

Well due to it's size and the screen size people will think its an UMPC and WILL indeed ask you about it

its not as easy to "hide" in public as an iPhone

07/31/07 + ecsk2

You never know your x7501 might save a life one day...

link

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "
Of course I think the keyboard is superior to all UMPC/phone keyboards.
"

I wonder what this will bring??

link

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "Hmmm, this device might better suit my needs. I haven't given WM6 a try, and this seems to have better features than my other Window Mobile phones that I've had in the past...namely VGA resolution. I could really use an SD slot, too.

link"

You should've teamed up with this guy and swaped devices...
Ultra-Mobile Wizard: "I've got a HTC universal and man I can't wait to drop it and move on to a full XP platform....."

Might be other comments there too of interest:

link

07/31/07 + educationk12

ecsk2 said: "

You should've teamed up with this guy and swaped devices...
Ultra-Mobile Wizard: "I've got a HTC universal and man I can't wait to drop it and move on to a full XP platform....."

Might be other comments there too of interest:

link"

That guy has the HTC Universal...which is an old HTC from 2005.

edited: Jul 31 2007 + educationk12

tnkgrl said: "*educationk12*, the iPhone has real-time traffic in the Google maps client... Just hit the little "car' icon at the bottom right of the screen!"

I guess I wasn't clear. It does have real-time traffic, but it's too difficult to comprehend driving around nyc/metro. What I meant to say is it doesn't have turn-by-turn voice navigation nor is there traffic reroute with turn by turn instructions. It's essentially the same thing as going to link or google maps or virtual earth and looking at the map, but this would require GPS to be inside it along with an FM or XM transmitter which is above and beyond what any device will offer...it's still rare in portable navigation devices yet becoming more common. S&T 2008 will have it so you can turn your OQO into this type of device that I describe, but I suspect they will not offer such this year for smartphones.

I was driving a car without navigation and got pulled over by a police man looking at the google maps turn by turn written instructions on the iphone. I was all over the road...luckily he just wanted to make sure I wasn't drunk. It'd be okay if you are on a bicycle or walking but driving is a bit dangerous, so marginally useful application, i.e. better than nothing.

07/31/07 + educationk12

ecsk2 said: "

tnkgrl said: "*educationk12*, the iPhone has real-time traffic in the Google maps client... Just hit the little "car' icon at the bottom right of the screen!"

...and why would it be "so vital" to know WHY there is a traffic backup? Beats me see:
link"

Traffic isn't perfect, but it is worth every penny...and 45 minute drive can turn into 4 or 5 hours if you get caught in traffic. There's nothing like knowing where the bad traffic is stopped. It can save you a lot of time and frustration.

07/31/07 + educationk12

ecsk2 said: "

educationk12 said: "
Also, I like how this device isn't as sexy as the iPhone and oqo 02. I hate people bugging me in public places...that's one nice thing about a thinkpad...everyone just says...oh, an old IBM. haha"

Well due to it's size and the screen size people will think its an UMPC and WILL indeed ask you about it

its not as easy to "hide" in public as an iPhone

"

I disagree. The OQO 01...nobody was interested in that device. I'd get people asking me about where I found such a small 10" laptop and even when I pointed to the OQO and said, that's a full xp computer they didn't get it...it was still a PDA. The iphone is popular so having it in your hand means people SEE it. The OQO 02 is shiny like the iPhone, it looks interesting. The x7501 is somewhere in between probably between the 01 and 02, so I suspect there will be less of an interest. A lot of people have commented about how ugly and old fashion the x7501 looks and to me that is great news!

edited: Jul 31 2007 + educationk12

ecsk2, I've studied the Camera Scanner extensively for paper but not for barcodes...it's not useful as far as I can tell. I scan a lot of documents. I use a Canon high speed scanner and if it is a book I'll use my Plustek Optic Book 3600 and of course there are small scanners by Pentex. But I haven't found any evidence that shows camera scanning works well. If it did then I'd gladly get rid of my scanners.

I'll check into this barcode scanning technology with the camera to see if it works....sounds too good to be true though.

Barcode scanning is occassional at this point, however I suspect when I'm done with graduate school then I'll use it quite frequently. The biggest factor is having at least one hand free which means you pick up an item in one hand and you are holding the UMPC in the other, therefore all the scanners that require you to hold them are tedious. The scanner has to be mounted on the computer or if bluetooth then you can use that ring scanner but I'm not crazy about the idea of a ring scanner. CF & SD scanners are ideal, however USB scanners can be small and omni directional yet big when mounted onto something like an OQO.

Here's that Socket Ring Scanner which is ridiculous looking but would be hands-free
link

This is probably what I'd try when I get the x7501, but Socket's website only shows up to WM5 support...not sure if it'd work with WM6.
link

I'll do some research for camera scanning, but I'm skeptical....it'd have to be fast and not buggy which I can't imagine it would work well and it'd have to be WM6 or XP based.

07/31/07 + tnkgrl

*educationk12*, OK cool... I was just making sure you figured out the real-time traffic feature on the iPhone!

I just give my iPhone (or my N95, if I want GPS tracking) to my trusty co-pilot/assistant and let them give me turn-by-turn directions based on the info displayed on the phone - simple

Recent Blog: Bluetooth hack for the Asus 701 (Eee)

07/31/07 + ecsk2

educationk12 said: "

ecsk2 said: "

You should've teamed up with this guy and swaped devices...
Ultra-Mobile Wizard: "I've got a HTC universal and man I can't wait to drop it and move on to a full XP platform....."

Might be other comments there too of interest:

link"

That guy has the HTC Universal...which is an old HTC from 2005."

Sorry my miss, yeah I've had a couple of them too