Mobility Site - View Single Post - What Features do you want in a PDA phone?

**Elrendhel** · 04-19-08, 03:00 PM

This thread was originally started as a News Item on MobilitySite.

Smartphones generally favor the smaller form-factor: smaller screens that generally have no touch-sensitivity on the screen. But those of us who use PDAs prefer the opposite: a larger screen sizes that are touch-sensitive, but still have voice and data connectivity.
With that thought in mind, I think that the bulk of society only needs basic PDA functionality (Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, etc), and would be best utilizing them on a SmartPhone. This is obviously the reason for the prominence of SmartPhones. But what about those of us who are power users, who desire more of an actual PDA with more features than just a SmartPhone? Let’s discuss the benefits of what programs or technology are best kept relegated to one platform or another. Here are the basics that I see in each of the two categories at this time:

SmartPhone (where smaller size is better) for most of Society:

WM5 or WM6,
Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks),
E-mail,
Mobile Media,
Cell/PCS Phone,
Data Plan.
Bluetooth 2.0

PDA-Phone (where larger screen is better) for the Techies among us:

Larger Screen size (3.5″ - 4″), preferably VGA resolution of 640×480 (or better),
Much Larger Memory capacity: 1GB ROM and 2GB Flash RAM minimum,
SDHC Card slot,
Biometric Finger-Print reader for added Security,
Mini USB connector for data exchange and charging.
- Should meet all of Rad's Laws (tip of hat to Radimus).
  - All devices should charge via USB (where possible).
  - All devices should have more than one function or interface with other devices
  - Bluetooth LEDs are at least 50% too bright and should only be lit when an error is present, when searching, or when charging.
Full QWERTY Keyboard (Slide-out)
Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks),
WM6 (or better) with PDF & Office for PDA + Image Viewer native.
E-mail, preferably via WebIS' FLEXMAIL application.
Mobile Media Player with support for all the known media formats (including AJAX and Flash),
3G/4G/GSM Cell/PCS Phone service available through your favorite Carrier,
3G/4G/GSM Data Service capability available through your favorite Carrier,
WiFi A/B/G/N with Quick-Connector for External Antenna,
Consumer InfraRED, with Bundled TV Remote software,
Bluetooth 2.0 w/EDR (enhanced data rate), full support for Stereo Audio
GPS (SiRFStar III or better), with bundled "on-road" and "off-road" Applications for getting you from point-a to point-z.
Barcode scanner, with bundled Database manager (for your DVD/CD collection).
3MP+ Camera in back for quality snaps & video, and a 2MP front-facing camera for Video Conferencing/Calling, with built-in Flash.
Video Out connectors (for Video presentations, etc).

What else would you like to see added to either phone category?

EDIT: A third category to reflect the "other stuff" that is outside the two categories in question:

Miscellaneous Stuff:

ActiveSync 4.6 (or whatever version#) w/OTA WiFi Synchronizing for non-Exchange (i.e. Single user Outlook) and Sync'ing w/Mac systems.

04-19-08, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Elrendhel Aximsite All Star Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 889 Location: Sacramento CA PDA: HP iPAQ H5555 w/2GB SD Phone: SonyEricsson T16 Carrier: AT&T Wireless Laptop: HP Pavilion DV8000-T PMP: HP iPAQ H5555/2GB SD iTrader Rating: (0) Awards Showcase Total Awards: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts View MyPDA	What Features do you want in a PDA phone? This thread was originally started as a News Item on MobilitySite. Smartphones generally favor the smaller form-factor: smaller screens that generally have no touch-sensitivity on the screen. But those of us who use PDAs prefer the opposite: a larger screen sizes that are touch-sensitive, but still have voice and data connectivity. With that thought in mind, I think that the bulk of society only needs basic PDA functionality (Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, etc), and would be best utilizing them on a SmartPhone. This is obviously the reason for the prominence of SmartPhones. But what about those of us who are power users, who desire more of an actual PDA with more features than just a SmartPhone? Let’s discuss the benefits of what programs or technology are best kept relegated to one platform or another. Here are the basics that I see in each of the two categories at this time: SmartPhone (where smaller size is better) for most of Society: WM5 or WM6, Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks), E-mail, Mobile Media, Cell/PCS Phone, Data Plan. Bluetooth 2.0 PDA-Phone (where larger screen is better) for the Techies among us: Larger Screen size (3.5″ - 4″), preferably VGA resolution of 640×480 (or better), Much Larger Memory capacity: 1GB ROM and 2GB Flash RAM minimum, SDHC Card slot, Biometric Finger-Print reader for added Security, Mini USB connector for data exchange and charging. Should meet all of Rad's Laws (tip of hat to Radimus). All devices should charge via USB (where possible). All devices should have more than one function or interface with other devices Bluetooth LEDs are at least 50% too bright and should only be lit when an error is present, when searching, or when charging. Full QWERTY Keyboard (Slide-out) Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks), WM6 (or better) with PDF & Office for PDA + Image Viewer native. E-mail, preferably via WebIS' FLEXMAIL application. Mobile Media Player with support for all the known media formats (including AJAX and Flash), 3G/4G/GSM Cell/PCS Phone service available through your favorite Carrier, 3G/4G/GSM Data Service capability available through your favorite Carrier, WiFi A/B/G/N with Quick-Connector for External Antenna, Consumer InfraRED, with Bundled TV Remote software, Bluetooth 2.0 w/EDR (enhanced data rate), full support for Stereo Audio GPS (SiRFStar III or better), with bundled "on-road" and "off-road" Applications for getting you from point-a to point-z. Barcode scanner, with bundled Database manager (for your DVD/CD collection). 3MP+ Camera in back for quality snaps & video, and a 2MP front-facing camera for Video Conferencing/Calling, with built-in Flash. Video Out connectors (for Video presentations, etc). What else would you like to see added to either phone category? EDIT: A third category to reflect the "other stuff" that is outside the two categories in question: Miscellaneous Stuff: ActiveSync 4.6 (or whatever version#) w/OTA WiFi Synchronizing for non-Exchange (i.e. Single user Outlook) and Sync'ing w/Mac systems. __________________ Elrendhel Mobilitysite Administrator, Moderator, & Product Reviewer. See my own blog In My Mobile World No animals or trees were harmed in the production of this post - however, several billion electrons were seriously inconvenienced. Last edited by Elrendhel : 04-21-08 at 01:19 PM. Reason: Adding more goodie specs...