SPV or XDA?

[Guest Blakey]

Hi,

I currently own a Sony T610 and an iPaq 1910. I'm thinking I'd like to combine them into one gadget to carry around with me. I'm wondering what to purchase as a replacement.

My uses seem to be the following:

Phone talk (very very little).

Texts (few).

Calendar/Diary (every day).

Calculator (occasional).

Contacts (every day).

eBook reader (every day).

I'm trying to decide which way to go from here and would like some advice. I deffo use my Pocket PC loads more than my phone however I'd like something small and easy to slip into my pocket and carry with me all the time - carrying two gadgets is just annoying. I'm just after people's opinions?

I know this is the smartphone forum so people here will be biased but that's okay - I posted a similar question on an XDA forum too, trying to get some good balanced feedback.

Anyone care to give me some suggestions on what to do?

Thanks

Blakey

[Guest mcwarre]

If you are used to carrying a pocket pc around then go for the XDA. If you want something smaller the only option is a smartphone. As you are used to reliable gadgets, ignore the SPV & SPV E-100. If bluetooth and a camera is a necessity then go for SPV E-200. If not the MPx200 is the most reliable choice.

It is all down to needs. BTW I use my phone 2-3 times a day, outlook all the time, PIE 5-6 times a day, texts infrequently & e-book reader 2 times a day. The MPx200 does all this very, very well. Don't be tempted to buy one off of ebay. Get a contract one with insurance just in case the worst comes to the worst..........

Let us know which you choose and good luck!

[Guest Disco Stu]

From your requirements I'd say you were looking at the XDA2.

The E200 is not great for reading e-books.

[Guest Blakey]

How is the battery life on the smartphones? My t610 runs out in about 2 days even when I don't use it! Also its reception is crap. I'd like something better than that.

What is reading eBooks like on a smartphone? I'm used to reading them on a pocket PC where the screen size is (comparitively) big.

I very much do appreciate the help guys!

BTW, built in camera is not important to me, unless it's excellent and can replace my expensive digital camera, which I doubt.

Bluetooth was important to me when I bought my T610 (back in July) but I can't see the point now - seeing as I hardly use the phone itself I don't need a bluetooth headset.

Please keep comments coming!

Cheers

Blakey

[Guest Disco Stu]

I don't think you'd want to read books on a Smartphone, the screen is just too small, though some do.

Battery life is not much better than your T610.

Reception is fine and I don't have the buzzing earpiece problem. So it's a pretty good phone for me.

Size-wise, My mate carries his in his pocket though I find it a bit awkward with my short stubby fingers !

I've yet to use Bluetooth

I thought the XDA2 had a built-in camera..?

[Guest Blakey]

Yeah, XDAII has a built in camera which is supposedly quite good - but I'm sure it's not going to be as good as my single purpose digital camera.

So, it's looking like the XDAII is the way to go for my requirements.

Thanks very much for the suggestions, all!

Blakey

[Guest Disco Stu]

Glad to be of assistance. Please call again :wink: :D

You'll have seen the Pocket PC version of this forum, right ?

Top right ?

[Guest mcwarre]

It depends on what eBook software you are using. I used speedreader+ which doesn't display snetences on the phone; it flashes words up at you. A bit weird at first but after a days use seemingly better than normal reading. It is a lot faster. I would give it serious thoughts.... (Smartphones can be had for free on contracts........)

[Guest Taoski]

Whoaa!

Thats a freaky piece of software! Looks like it could be interesting to use though!

[Guest Blakey]

I looked at a XDAII today. It feels really big compared to my tiny T610 and my small iPaq 1910. It's sort of put me off a lot. So I'm now wondering about smartphones again! :roll:

I looked at the SPV E200 and the Motorola X200 and I think the motorola wins for "feel" - probably because with the clamshell design it is smaller and feels like the screen is well protected. Anyone care to comment on that?

What are those ebook readers like for smartphones? I tried using one on an iPaq (the ones which pop up one word at a time) and found the problem was that you couldn't read at your own pace. No chance to stop and ponder the story, or to stop and answer a friend's question - the story carries on if you look away. Is this actually easy to use? Presumably there must be a "pause" button which you can get used to using?

Still haven't made up my mind!! :D

Cheers

Blakey

[Guest Vector]

The general feeling is that the Motorola MPx200 is of a better build quality than the SPV range :D

but it depends on your preference...if you want the inbuilt camera, Bluetooth and WM2003 OS, then go for the E200...

if you aren't bothered about those features then go for the MPx200 ;)

[Guest Blakey]

Does the E200 have WM2003 built in? If it worth it compared to WM2002?

A camera is totally unimportant to me, but bluetooth would be useful - for syncing with my PC and outlook.

What are the calendar applications like with WM2002 and WM2003?

Sorry for all the questions!!

This place is sooooo useful - I'm sitting in the sun in my garden researching which toy to buy next. Fun!! :D

Blakey

[Guest Vector]

Yes - The E200 dos have WM2003 built in but it isn't _that_ much different to WM2002, biggest differences are a bit faster, Windows Media Player and PIE is improved :D

The calendar applications are very similar to the Outlook calendar functions, obviously cut down a bit for Smartphone... ;)

[Guest ferret]

Plus great improvements in the inbox and support for multiple POP3 accounts :D

[Guest Blakey]

So, if camera and bluetooth are not important to me, should I get a MPx200?

Reading the threads here it seems that Orange are tempted to completely ditch the phone and loads of people appear to have had terrible problems with it. I don't want to "upgrade" to a smartphone unless it's going to be reasonably hassle free...

I definitely prefer the Moto to the SPV in terms of form factor - much smaller in the pocket.

Keep the opinions coming, I've pretty much decided I want a smartphone, just need to decide which one now!

Cheers

Blakey

P.S. MPx100 looks awesome - but I dunno if I want to wait months for a new phone - I want one now!!! :D