3G smartphones?

[Guest stevo_knuckles]

Been thinking about this one for a while and was wondering if there had been any mutterings as to whether we wil see a 3G version of a windows smartphone.

In light of VF doing it's winter launch with some pretty impressive spec'ed phones, ok majority not smartphones apart from Nokia's attempt at a 3G smartphone in the 6630 it is proving that the 3G push is finally starting to arrive across the networks

Orange are also launching their 3G service, so will we see a 3G windows smartphone? would it be worth it? I know the batteries curently suck on smartphones in general but we have seen big improvements as with the c500.

Is 3G the way to go or will wifi enabled be the better option ala moto mpx?

[Guest Samsonite]

I used a NEC e606 when they first started doing free phones and competitive tariffs ( 25 quid/month) but was so disappointed it went back within the fortnight trial from CPW...

I would consider myself an early apopter and i felt that the service was not satisfactory. By service i mean what the technology can offer - 384kbit/s, video calling etc. Video calling was a joke on that handset and the data rate was locked to about 200kbit max and you couldnt take advantage of that datarate for unrestricted surfing; you could only access the 3 portal....

As for Wifi or 3G, i would prefer a proper 3G device myself for the simple reason of coverage where i am rather than where a hotspot is.. I dont fancy going to Starbucks every time i wanna check mail (or whatever i need the datarate for)...

The technology for 3G is now 5 years old and is capable of 2Mbit to a mobile terminal so it is simply down to the networks/marketeers to pass the technology on in such a way that we actually want it.

Video calling is nothing new (Netmeeting etc) and the average joe doesnt use it at home so why do they want it out and about? Technology for the masses has to be suitable for grandma for it to be commercially successful ( think SMS) and it's difficult to see what type of comms - other than video - that requires such high speeds...

I would have thought Orange would be looking to produce a 3G Smartphone but seeing as the take up of 3G could take as much as 3 years for decent numbers, a Smartphone may be some time away...

just idle thoughts.....

[Guest kurtfhouse]

I agree about the e606 it was crap. Me and my partner got one each, what a joke, video calls were so slow and jerky they were a waste of time, it was quicker and easier to phone or text. The phone was rarely in 3G signal (a big fear with other networks not just 3), I hated being tied to the network portal oh and the battery life of less than 12 hours made it unusable.

Sadly we just missed the 14 day money back guarantee as we were busy moving so we were stuck with the contract for the year, not that we used it, we both got another phone on another network and just swallowed paying the line rental for 12 months for nothing.

Anyway back on track, bearing in mind the bugs with MS Smartphones as it is I would rather they took their time and brought the handsets out when they actually worked properly with a decent battery life, I am happy with my C500 now and am not desperate for video calling or super fast data rates.

[Guest webcash]

Not a windows smartphone i am afraid but today i upgraded my 3 contract and got the new motorola a1000 symbian smartphone on 3.So far i am impressed obviously not as nice as a m/soft one but still a big improvement over something like a 606 and definately a step in the right direction at last lol

Peter

[Guest Confucious]

Not a windows smartphone i am afraid but today i upgraded my 3 contract and got the new motorola a1000 symbian smartphone on 3.So far i am impressed obviously not as nice as a m/soft one but still a big improvement over something like a 606 and definately a step in the right direction at last lol

Peter

Ooo-er! Most places don't have the A1000 in stock yet! Can you comne and give us your views over at http://ww.3g.co.uk/forums please? Can you install apps to the storage card?

The A1000 looks a great phone but as it's stuck within 3's walled garden it's a bit of a waste which is why I got my C500.

The main problem with 3G will be the pricing - GPRS is expensive but if the cost is similar but you are downloading a lot more data than it will soon get very expensive. The telcos need to reduce dta pricing for it to take off. Also, on a small screen I've not found GPRS speeds to be that much of a problem so apart from data connections for a laptop (probably why Orange and voda both trialed with data cards) I'm not that sure that 3G is necessary.

just my 2d's worth