WM2003 SE and Dell?

**Chris Leckness** · 03-25-04, 09:35 AM

What are Dell’s plans regarding the recently announced Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition?

"Dell will deploy Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition in future Axim products. We have no plans at this time to offer Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition updates for current Axim X3 or Axim X5 products." This quote comes from email correspondence with the Dell Axim Public Relations Rep that I deal with. (For those wondering what level of the company the quote came from)

Update
I received another email from Dell that promted me to call back. basicly, Dell strives to be a customer oriented company. That said, Dell is not standing firm on the initial statement. What does that mean? Not 100% sure, but my guess would be that Dell would rethink their stategy here with feedback from the customer.

03-25-04, 09:42 AM

Wow. That is quite suprizing. What a great marketing oppertuity for dell. I could understand for the 5x not to be included, but the x3? What were thay thinking?:rolling:

zoocat · 03-25-04, 09:47 AM

Not terribly surprising. Dell won't even release a WM 2003 Bluetooth Manager for their bluetooth card. If they can't even put software out that makes their hardware functional at the basic level, why would they bother releasing software that would add new functionality to something that actually works.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, deny it and refuse a refund."
--Dell

03-25-04, 09:55 AM

Actually it doesn't surprise me. I'm at MDC in San Fran right this moment. WM2003 SE is targeted at new devices sporting the resolution screen. A vendor like Dell must have their devices certified by MSFT to be allowed to use SE.

This edition of WM2003 is a boon for end-users, but will be a pain for developers.

Existing apps will be running on an emulation layer which will decrease the app's performance. This emulation layer translates pixels 1:4 from 96DPI to 192DPI.

BTW, if you're here at MDC you can have your iIPAQ or x3i flashed to SE after signing an NDA.

byron_hinson · 03-25-04, 09:58 AM

Only bought a new 3xi last week - guess i'll get it sent back or sell it off quick.

03-25-04, 09:59 AM

Gosh Dell! The object is to KEEP your current customers, not scare them away.

03-25-04, 10:01 AM

uh oh

....though given that the only thing useful to me in the update, as far as i know, is the built-in landscape utility, i don't care very much.

now we know there is a good chance of VGA in the next Axim...

03-25-04, 10:13 AM

I'm at MDC as we speak. SE is targeted at new devices sporting the high resolution display. If you're here and have an iPAQ or an x3i, they will flash your device after signing a waver and NDA.

SE is a boon for end-user but a bane to developers. All existing apps will run under an emulation layer to emulate a 96 DPI display. This will impact on the performance of these apps.

I will provide more details as time permits.

klomp10 · 03-25-04, 10:18 AM

I was really l@@king forward to SE with the screen rotation

but I figured they would not offer for the X5 but I thought they would at least offer it for the X3. This probably means that there is another Axim around the corner.

silentknight · 03-25-04, 10:21 AM

I was looking forward to the website repagination...

byron_hinson · 03-25-04, 10:21 AM

There is another Axim on the way with VGA accourding to the person I've spoken to. I still can't believe they won't at least let 3xi users have the update.

byron_hinson · 03-25-04, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by silentknight
I was looking forward to the website repagination...

Same here - along with the other improvments other than the landscape mode.

**JmE** · 03-25-04, 10:31 AM

Here (in my household), we were all waiting for landscape support. IMHO, this is a lame decision by Dell.

-JmE-

drop · 03-25-04, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by byron_hinson
There is another Axim on the way with VGA accourding to the person I've spoken to. I still can't believe they won't at least let 3xi users have the update.

Go back, go back! New Axim with VGA :approve:!

There might be hardward limitations with both X5 and X3 so SE upgrade is too costly and risky for Dell? The way I understand it is that SE is not just a matter of software upgrade. This is when user forums might persuade manufacturers to change their minds. Toshiba has a huge problems with users when they didn't offer WM2003 upgrade for their users on older units. May be we could work to make Dell do that.

SE is still pretty cool!

Correction: IPAQ 2000 and 4000 series are getting theirs! Uh, Dell...

03-25-04, 10:53 AM

Wow..well that sucks!

I am glad I didn't get the X3...just because I would be even more mad thinking they would support it since it's their newest Axim...

All I wanted was landscape mode too...