Info on Updating smartphones and Opinion on SP3i

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Viking325i

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Topic # 4323 1-Jul-2005 09:45

Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing the SP3i and also using it for Car navigation with bluetooth GPS.

How is the performance on the SP3i? (am using a sony t610i currently).

Is there a better smartphone on the market than the SP3i? The only thing I must have is bluetooth ;)

How reliable and regular are the updates for firmware on the SP3i?

Also can you update the phones with new smartphone OS revisions fairly easily?

Thanks

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Reply # 16208 1-Jul-2005 09:58

If you are planning to have it for car navigation in New Zealand it may be a problem finding local maps for Windows Mobile Smartphones - they are only now showing up for Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices (we'll have a review up soon of a new software from Goldfinger).

The i-mate brand is quite good and they do deliver some updates - but don't expect to have it updated to Windows Mobile 5, it looks like only new models on their brand will have this.

The SP3i is quite a good phone and I like its screen. I have a Motorola MPx220, but the SP3i could be my option.

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Viking325i

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Reply # 16209 1-Jul-2005 10:10

So the windows OS that comes on the phone is non upgradable?

I looked at the MPX220, and read the bluetooth is a bit sketcy?

There are gps software for the smartphones, Goldfinger seemed to think it would work, but I'm rechecking this with a local vendor just to make sure. Failing that its back to the ipaq or 6365 which I didnt like that much.

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Reply # 16211 1-Jul-2005 10:19

It is. Windows Mobile is upgraded with a new ROM image. ROM images are only released by the manufacturer because of each device has different components and need different drivers.

From time to time there are ROM updates with fixes and a couple of thins. These are fairly common.

Every couple of years there's a major OS update. Pocket PC OS 2002 (based on Windows CE 3), then Windows Mobile 2003 (based on Windows CE 4), then Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition (also based on Windows CE 4) and now Windows Mobile 5 (based on Windows CE 5).

Some manufacturers have already announce their intention to release this latest OS version to their devices, but some of the features on this OS require more memory - for example with this new version all data is stored in flash memory instead of RAM, so if a Pocket PC run out of juice you won't loose any information. RAM is only used to execute the programs.

This is a big change, but not all Pocket PC have a large enough flash memory for this, so the companies are only doing updates for the models that can support this feature.

This is already common on Smartphones, so there's no technical reason why this wouldn't run on a Smartphone, but it depends if the manufacturer wants to put time and money in testing, resolving issues, deployment or simply release a new model.

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Reply # 16212 1-Jul-2005 10:22

Viking325i: So the windows OS that comes on the phone is non upgradable?

I looked at the MPX220, and read the bluetooth is a bit sketcy?

There are gps software for the smartphones, Goldfinger seemed to think it would work, but I'm rechecking this with a local vendor just to make sure. Failing that its back to the ipaq or 6365 which I didnt like that much.

The MPx220 is perfect! I am using it for months now (the US version).

The h6365 is a pain - the battery life is too short, and it's too bulky. The best Pocket PC Phone Edition so far was the i-mate Pocket PC Phone. It's now relaunched as PDA2, and includes Wi-Fi and faster CPU. Also the i-mate JAM seems to be the preference of most because of size.

If using EV-DO, the Harrier is great - I use it all the time, hard to beat 500Kbps when connected over cellular!

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Viking325i

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Reply # 16215 1-Jul-2005 10:39

Are Imate one that have commited to changes? Imates site isnt the best since you have to buy the product before viewing info like tha FAQ's.

While I like the idea of touch screens on PDA's I'm pretty sure I'd kill it when having it on my belt by knocking the screen into something :)

So for a non touchscreen is the SP3i the best to go for at the moment?

I'm just after something that support and updates are going to be solid on. Sony is awesome, not so sure on Imate and not had much to do with Motorola.

Gotta have bluetooth thats rock solid (since car nav and car audio hands free headunits would be nice in the future). Camera I'm not too fussed on, have the Canon 350D on me most of the time anyway :)

I think that pretty much narrows it down to MPX220, and SP3i?

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Reply # 16217 1-Jul-2005 10:52

Yes, it looks like one of those two models. i-mate is not going to release Windows Mobile 2005 for the current models apparently. They are already working on new devices to be launched.

Don't hold buying anything that you need now, since most new devices will not be avaialble until October/November.

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Viking325i

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Reply # 16219 1-Jul-2005 12:17

Is it just me or are the technical differences 0 between a SP3 and SP3i and the only difference is a freshning up of buttons and a light or two on the phone?

Everything else appears the same?

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Reply # 16221 1-Jul-2005 12:26

Yes that's what looks like...

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Viking325i

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Reply # 16279 4-Jul-2005 09:42

One of the phones that is comming (Razrberry) will that somewhat compete against the Imate? It looks pretty sweet. I'm wondering if I'm better holding off til later?

Or is there something else comming that I should wait for? I dont need need one now and I could wait if its worth it. The Razrberry looks damn nice.

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Reply # 16280 4-Jul-2005 10:01

It looks like this is a rumour for the time being. Remember how Motorola had the MPx Pocket PC Phone for two years in the pipeline, just to be cancelled at the last minute...

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Viking325i

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Reply # 16282 4-Jul-2005 10:26

Ah righ.

Is there anything comming out that similar to a SP3i that would be a better one to go for?