- **Would you buy from a new company?**

[Guest efuze]

Hi everyone!

Here is a very simple question, if a new company came along, say eFuze :) how many of you would actually purchase a windows powered mobile phone, of course, given the device is FULLY loaded with advanced features including GSM/GPRS, WiFi, Cam, Bluetooth and GPS :exclaim: :exclaim: etc etc. Also, the device is very light, thin, and exceedingly sleek!

Please, post your thoughts on this. Thank you all in advance ;) Great work here at Modaco everyone! 8)

[Guest mavisdavis]

Hello Efuze and welcome to the forum.

I don't have any doubts about buying from a new compnay at all but a little more info is required about the device you wish to sell and wether you will ship world wide, I only only ask because from past experience Canadian websites Ive visited before will only ship to the USA.

So depending on the website and info supplied regarding yourself with plenty of information about returns and shippping policies/costs then I cant see any problem with it at all.

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

More specs on the device would be the important part just because it has the features above does not make it a definate good product to buy.

Processors and memory and battery life etc are also key factors to consider.

[Guest confused and hungover]

More specs on the device would be the important part just because it has the features above does not make it a definate good product to buy.

Processors and memory and battery life etc are also key factors to consider.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i wouldn't have any problems buying from a new company, so long as it was quality merchandise

[Guest drblow]

Having used HTC smartphones for a few years I'd say I would certainly think about buying from a new company, as long as their quality matched or exceeded HTC. So I guess that means if it's a cheap plastic case, with dodgy internals, and a multitude of bugs, then it's gotta be worth a try! :)

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

The biggest hurdle would be how to market the device.

In reality unless you sold via the networks who would subsidise the phones cost to the customer there would be a serious risk of being over priced.

Most people prefer free or cheap handsets, very few would pay over £200 for example.

@ drblow, nice one :) ;) :(

[Guest Disco Stu]

Is Eten a good comparison ?

A few members here have bought their M500 model and seem pleased with it.

I did consider it myself and a quick glance at their website convinced me they were a better bet than the more well-known i-Mate.

[Guest efuze]

Hi everyone,

I thank all of you for your swift replies. I understand the above specs I offered are marginal factors influencing your purchasing behavior; however, that is only the tip of the iceberg of the devices, including exceptional battery life and an all around quality, reliable, durable and solid handset. Please keep voting and replying everyone, thanks in advance for all of your input!

[Guest Marcos_]

I'd be interested but i'd wait a couple of months after release to see what reviews and users say

[Guest Will]

The idea of using a 'new company' is not that awful, but they have to be geared up, tech support/warranty/shipping all have to be up and running properly.

As for buying a new device:

I need to see press/user reviews, thats most important.. and i mean REAL user reviews.

New companies all start somewhere!

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

I can do a real user review, just need a device to review first :)

[Guest efuze]

I can do a real user review, just need a device to review first ;)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone:

I do agree that all companies must start somewhere, and rest assured when e-Fuze takes off, we will only deliver the utmost powerful, and of top quality devices, with warrantee and technical support etc.

Once we produce our first device, we’ll ship one out to Modaco so Awarner can post a review :)

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

;)/ gets my vote :(/

Seriously though, there are a lot of factors to consider and new blood in the market is always a good thing. I'll be watching in interest as things develop.

Good luck :)

[Guest efuze]

;)/ gets my vote :(/

Seriously though, there are a lot of factors to consider and new blood in the market is always a good thing. I'll be watching in interest as things develop.

Good luck :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rest assured every factor will be taken into account when designing and distributing our products. And certainly, we will send out a unit to Modaco!

Everyone, please continue to post information of what is important to you, and what you would like to see added! Thanks again in advance for all of your input.

[Guest Pondrew]

Variety is exactly the reason I obtained the (sadly defunct) Voq Professional Phone. Another manufacturer of Smartphones would be great!

The only request I have for Efuze would be to please please please do the bug testing. So many of our Windows Mobile devices have reached us with obvious faults (the Voq power button for example still turned the device off when the keypad was locked!). This is obviously an area where Awarner can help...

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

Yep one big thing, which unfortunately orange\htc do not listen to is that

a lot of members while using the phone for business also play games and an eight way (nine including action) is always being asked for.

The MPX200 almost got this right and then messed up big style when thier controller did not work in the down left diagonal direction.

Unfortunately Motorola is another company who failed to listen, I spent a long time stripping my MPX200 and testing the keypad hardware etc and even though Motorola were aware of the problem and also my posts, they chose not to reply when I tried to contact them for.

So to sum it up from a game side of things we need proper eight way directional control and no mutipress key issues.

[Guest SmartCell]

Hi efuz. I wish you the best of luck :o and I will be you first customer if you ship to my country and if your device isnt to expensive. If I may add my opinion, as a user that uses my phone to go online alot, the thing I really would like to see is quadband support (since I also travel alot) and 3G (UMTS or what ever it is called) support. Especially since there arent any 3G phones that uses Windows Mobile and at the same time are small and sleek. And if you do not add 3G atleast add EDGE support. I dont know how many countries actually have EDGE support in their net, but in my country EDGE is used where 3G isnt available. I am so sick of slow connections. But this is of course my opinion as I see it and I see it from my countries point of view.

Second thing I would recommend is that you dont restrict phones in any way. I dont like companies that restrict their phones, e.g only runs certified apps, has crippled bluetooth support, crippleed java support, etc... Allow a user to have different language between the menu and input when writing an SMS (T9). Just make the phone as free as possible and as customizible as possible. I never get a good impression from companies that restrict your mobile in any way, since you paid for your mobile phone, you should be able to do what ever you want with it. (of course I am discussing about phones that arent part of a network, I am not talking about phones that comes from Orange, etc...)

And one last thing, when you release new phones, dont forget about and stop supporting the old phones. If you still support older phones you will create loyalty in you customers, they will not buy other brands because they trust in you as a company (this works of course only if you have greate support)

Sorry, this became a lot I know, maybe I just needed to get this out since I have been lately having problems with different companies that dont really care about their customers

[Guest efuze]

Hi efuz. I wish you the best of luck :o and I will be you first customer if you ship to my country and if your device isnt to expensive. If I may add my opinion, as a user that uses my phone to go online alot, the thing I really would like to see is quadband support (since I also travel alot) and 3G (UMTS or what ever it is called) support. Especially since there arent any 3G phones that uses Windows Mobile and at the same time are small and sleek. And if you do not add 3G atleast add EDGE support. I dont know how many countries actually have EDGE support in their net, but in my country EDGE is used where 3G isnt available. I am so sick of slow connections. But this is of course my opinion as I see it and I see it from my countries point of view.

Second thing I would recommend is that you dont restrict phones in any way. I dont like companies that restrict their phones, e.g only runs certified apps, has crippled bluetooth support, crippleed java support, etc... Allow a user to have different language between the menu and input when writing an SMS (T9). Just make the phone as free as possible and as customizible as possible. I never get a good impression from companies that restrict your mobile in any way, since you paid for your mobile phone, you should be able to do what ever you want with it. (of course I am discussing about phones that arent part of a network, I am not talking about phones that comes from Orange, etc...)

And one last thing, when you release new phones, dont forget about and stop supporting the old phones. If you still support older phones you will create loyalty in you customers, they will not buy other brands because they trust in you as a company (this works of course only if you have greate support)

Sorry, this became a lot I know, maybe I just needed to get this out since I have been lately having problems with different companies that dont really care about their customers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone,

SmartCell, thanks a lot for your input, its respected individuals like yourself and among other users who help advance the common good by making companies innovate by demanding better.

As far as our device features, specifically I cannot guarantee anything. However I am doing my best to ensure the devices are of top quality and loaded with the latest features including EDGE & 3G.

As far as restrictions, users should not have to pay a considerable amount of money to automated online services to unlock your devices by changing merely a few bytes of the device. Hence we will not completely restrict the devices (including SIM-Free). However, we cannot make guarantees at this point in time.

I personally thank you for your interest in the success of e-Fuze and for taking the time to provide your input and vote.

This also goes for every single person who added their input to this topic (mavisdavis, awarner, confused and hungover, drblow, disco stu, marcos_, will, pondrew, smartcell)

Furthermore, EVERYONE please continue to add information and requests to this topic as any information is good information. 8) 8)

[Guest The Lostprophet]

another thing make sure the device looks nice, this may sound really stupid but the first impression you get from a device is what it looks like (unless the specs are released before the pictures). also when concentrating on the units dont go for high numbers eg there is no point having a 2MP camera if it takes worse shots then a VGA. im sure this makes sence to someone...im kinda gibbering lmao

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

Regarding restrictions, it normally a requirement of the network operator if the devices were to ever be sold through them.

[Guest efuze]

Regarding restrictions, it normally a requirement of the network operator if the devices were to ever be sold through them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is exactly why I cannot make any guarantees at this time. If our devices are to be sold through networks, they will have to be locked.

[Guest Jamma14]

I'm in agreement with awarner and Pondrew. Every smartphone that has been released so far has had a critical software or hardware fault. The main thing would be to test the hardware thoroughly, make sure the joysticks don't break down after a few months etc. A 9 way joystick/pad would be great as well. I think if you could release a smartphone that looks stylish and is up to date with its hardware and software like 240x320 screen (maybe with changeable resolution to 176x220 - that would make many people happy), windows mobile 5, >200mhz processor, megapixel cam etc and has no major faults, then you would get a lot of customers. Also some originality like the new samsung phone with the hard drive always is like to make you stand out from the crowd (although it appears they couldn't carry it off - battery lasts like 4 hours using the hd). O yeah so thats important too - decent battery life - >day with heavy use.

Hope that helps you get a fair idea of people's (well my :o) wants/needs.

PS. I'll allways be happy to help you test it too :(

[Guest SmartCell]

I agree with many of the posts, let it have a fast processor and long battery time (make a good compromise between those 2) and as The Lostprophet said dont use big numbers only cause their big, I mean I would rather have a very good VGA camera then a bad 2 MP camera (good point The Lostprophet :o)

And when it comes to restrictions, I wasnt talking about phones that are sold through networks, cause I understand that they need some restrictions according to their terms. I was more or less talking about phones sold freely (although I dont know if you are planning to do this or not). Anyway e.g. I once saw a very good phone which actually looked nice too, but the problem with that phone was that it had java, but you could only install java applications or games through a portal at a spesific network operator. This ment that you had to pay everytime you installed a java application/game and could only install what they had on their portal. If you would change network operatore then you would lose the possibility of using java at all. This is the kind of restrictions I dont like, but if this is what I have to live with to get a greate phone, then thats what I'll do (but it better be a very, very good phone :()

A very important part of a phone (especially for some companies that buys smartphones for their employees) is the follow up and support. I mean after new phones gets released some companies and some people doesnt see the need to upgrade right away and thats when the follow up on old phones is important. Greate support that doesnt neccessary end when new models comes out. I totally understand if the support falls back, but do not ignore the older phones completely (not until they are really old). Support has made and broken many companies, do not underestimate good support.

Lastly if possible you should have the possibility of updating the rom youself instead of having to send it inn. I know this may create problems, but this way people can upgrade their phone without having to send it inn and be without a phone for some time. If you have to send it inn to upgrade the rom many people will not do that and therefore they may have bugs on their phones that was fixed in newer revision of the rom, but because they still run the old one they will complain about it and buy another brand next time in hope that they will have less problems with it. Of course if you release a very good phone from the begining without many bugs this wont be very important.

[Guest TigerNet]

...hmmm...all very cryptic...

...as an early adopter, I will be following this thread with interest!!!

Cheers

Nick

[Guest ix666]

At one time HTC devices were by the new company. For awhile all my devices were from new (for me) companies, HTC just did it better than the rest. So I wait one or two generations and buy a new HTC device and sell the old on e-Bay.

Specs and looks count alot but the pictures and specs don't do the SMT 5600 justice. Put it in your hand and your sold. :o Well I was.

ix666