X5 equivalent with built in phone?

Nick Duncan · 05-25-05, 08:16 AM

I have been using the X5 for about a year now and I find it and the Windows operating system a pleasure to use. With one exception, access to the internet. I looked long and hard at the various ways in which it could be linked to the internet and I found none that really were not clumsy. Does anyone know of plans to make a generation of Axims with built in telecoms? (Perhaps it has already happened....)

Cheers,
Nick

psionandy · 05-25-05, 08:22 AM

Not from Dell it hasn't
(and no plans have been announced yet).

You might want to look at the Imates, or XDAs..
for example
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=I-MATE_JAM
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=121444
http://www.my-xda.com/?ref=hpmod6txt

They are pricey but you may be able to get a good deal on your contract

Nick Duncan · 05-25-05, 09:50 AM

Hi,
Thanks for this. I feel a bit disloyal looking at these alternatives, but quickly reviewing them you have to admit that the absence of telecoms is likely to be a major flaw in the Axim range as time goes by.
I look forward to Dell taking up the challenge....
Cheers,
Nick

psionandy · 05-25-05, 09:57 AM

The MDA IV is going to be a device to watch out for.. Even Chris (The Guy who built aximsite and ipaqHQ) is looking out for this one - So I wouldn't be too concerned about brand loyalty

It even has a real keyboard!

Nick Duncan · 05-25-05, 10:38 AM

Sounds interesting - I'll check it out.
Thanks for the advice.
Nick

05-26-05, 12:30 AM

If you want Pseudo comms on your Axim X50, down load Skype.

As long as you have a WiFi connection, you can use your Axim as a telephone.

Watch out for Skype, they see mobile comms as the next move for them...

Nick Duncan · 05-26-05, 05:13 AM

Forgive my ignorance, but will wifi effectively replace the need for a bluetooth card and connect automatically to a modern mobile phone? Or is the wifi simply to connect to a computer/network? The main benefit in comms access for me would be to be able to be able to use email/internet anywhere.
Thanks for any thoughts,
Nick

psionandy · 05-26-05, 05:34 AM

WiFi gives another route to the internet.. If you have wireless broadband at home you could use wifi to connect to the internet (while you are at home) at no extra charge.

There are also Commercial wifi hotspots about. Some will charge per hour... others may be covered by a monthly fee... Some are even free! they do however have a limited range

BT with GPRS (or 3g) hooks into the Phone network and gives you access (nearly) anywhere in the UK. But you will have to pay (normally per KB). So having a device that can do both is a good thing

Nick Duncan · 05-26-05, 11:07 AM

Thanks for this. There does seem to be a consensus that the way forward is for an integrated PDA phone device. I know brand loyalty is rather old fashioned but it would have been nice to see Dell at the cutting edge of this, as I found the A5 to be the first PDA that really worked for me. Enough sentimentality though.... to the brave new future!
Cheers,
Nick