The Third Death of the Axim

[gerizam60]

Please understand, I like my Axim. Both the Axim X50v and X51v were great values and well ahead of their time when they were introduced, but both are now getting a little long in the tooth. This message is more of a question than a criticism.

Lately , I have been thinking more about the third and final death of this fine device.
The first death of the Axim was when Dell decided that it just wasn't worth dedicating additional monies behind more PDA projects. Smartphones were expanding at an accelerating rate and PDA sales were flattening out. At about this same time, the whole mess of the "first on, and then off" WM5 updates for x50's added to Dell's headaches. It was time for Dell to see the handwriting on the wall.

The second death of the Axim was when Microsoft decided that going forward, they would focus all mobile operating systems for Smartphones and to the exclusion of PDAs with the Windows Mobile 6 OS. Once again, it all came down to a numbers game. Lots more Smartphones and much more potental than in PDAs. I may not have liked this, but I could understand the logic behind it. Go back and try to remember, at that time in hindsight, nobody would have guessed the degree to which Apple would have exploded into the smartphone segment with iPhones. Microsoft was looking at a pretty fat slice of the rapidly growing Smartphone pie back then.

The bootleg systems allowing Axim X51v and some Axim X50 users to breathe new life into their dated Axims revived these PDAs among their loyal following. The Axim did, afterall, have a great screen, super processor and allot of features that made it desirable to continue using. We soon saw a succession of bootleg updates allowing the Axim user to convert his aging unit to Windows Mobile 6.0, then Windows Mobile 6.1. Some members justified installing these OS from bootleg sources by saying that they would gladly have purchased them from Microsoft, if only Microsoft made the new OS for their PDA. Now developers are working on the latest, soon-to-be-released version Windows Mobile 6.5. Some Axim owners are even going as far as sending their Axims to firms that will double their available RAM in preparation for the WM6.5 OS.
We are being told that, besides the improved mechanics of the new mobile OS, going forward, 6.5 is all going to be about the 3rd. party Apps that will be available. Supossedly, Microsoft will sell them in their own marketplace keeping 30% and forwarding 70% to the developer. They are currently promoting this aggressively.

So, my question is this. How do you plan on installing all of these APPs into a bootleg system? It was one thing to justify the OS because there was no PDA version. Do you see Microsoft cheerfully downloading them into a system that they never authorized? Sure... That's going to happen! Furthermore, what about the APP developers? I would be especially interested in hearing from those people who have already taken the big step of upgrading their RAM to 128. What is your thinking on this?

There is something else that is bothering me. There are allot of new high-end smartphones scheduled to hit the stores before Christmas. I have been looking at the advance info for the HTC Firetsone/Leo/ or whatever they decide to call it. I see a more powerful unit that does everything the most updated Axim will do, plus it has a real cell phone, a great camera, a larger screen and a more powerful microprocessor. Of course, downloading 3rd party Apps via the Microsoft Store will be fully legal and encouraged. It would seem to me that the third death of the Axim is less than four months away. Please, somebody point out the flaws in my logic. I don't necessarily like this idea, but I am a realist. Thank You

I'm interested in more info regarding upgrading my Axim X51 to 6.0 and up. Any advice?

My Axim is going to stay for awhile longer. I use it with my wirelss blue tooth GPS, Music, data back-up for work when on the go, scheduling appts., etc. It works great.

But then again, if my Axim is working so well as is, is it really going to make a difference upgrading to the lastest OS. Any opinions?

[johnhu_2005]

Thank you Box, let's try this again. (Wasn't feeling too well a few hours ago).

My personal opinion for x51v is that WM6+ is worth upgrading to. It allows a better-looking user interface, faster overall speed, more responsive, and less crashes. Also, ROM cookers usually make ROMs for x51v first, because it is the best of the Axim series.

If you need assistance upgrading to WM6+, I will have to help you probably the day after tomorrow. I think I'm kind of sick or something. Sorry for the delay.

[Box]

John, gerizam60 has an X51V, according to his profile on the left.

Many people forget to be specific.

[Eric12341]

looks like some great PPC Phones that would be great for killing the iPhone.as soon as one becomes available for cricket wireless im buying one.

[gerizam60]

Johnhu, I may consider it. Any good online shops you can recommend to as far as finding a replacement car charger for my X51V? I need it run my Bluetooth GPS.

Thanx.

[gerizam60]

BTW Johnhu, sorry I took so long to respond. I couldn't find where I left this thread, among others issues that occured during the the past 6 weeks.

Thanx again.