Why I won't have a Smartphone for Christmas
First of all - I'm an easy sell for any new gadget.
After seeing the new Motorola MPX 200 Smart phone release I had to get one
Things I didn't checkout before placing my order...
- They released in 2003 a 2002 version - No .NET :(
- AT&T's coverage - Did I mention there new GSM Network sucks?
- AT&T's customer service - after a week still couldn't login to their website due to errors
Other than the fact that the phone did not have .NET on it - I really liked the ability to sync with Outlook and carry my schedule on one device. I love my IPAQ - but its to big to take with me on a regular basis.
While waiting for my phone to arrive I realized it was the 2002 version and the 2003 had not been released and that doing .NET Development was not possible. I was bummed but rationalized that I could still do development on my IPAQ and 2003 version should be out sometime in 2004!
I researched other options - Verizion has a Samsung I600 - which also runs the 2002 OS but I didn't want to switch carriers....Again! One bad experience every six months is all I can handle! After all over 10 dropped calls in a 60 mile drive to Denver is enough to make anyone check to see if cell phones can truly "fly".
I looked at the Microsoft Smart phone dev kit for $499 - but it was a big phone and didn't appear to be capable of actual use.
I know I'm unrealistic - but is it too much to ask for a .NET enabled Smart phone that I can actually use and develop on? Ok call me impatient...cause I am!
The most comical part of the whole thing - is as I'm preparing to call AT&T to cancel service and return my mpx200 before the 30 days we received an e-mail from our local AT&T sales rep. Tell us about their new "EDGE" network (Uses same GSM network as the mpx200) and how their data speeds our out of this world and our business should switch. All I could think of is what happens when you fall off the "EDGE"? I was nice and didn't burst her bubble and let her know how well the “New Network“ really works! I guess in all fairness - if you didn't travel, stayed in one place that had a good signal you might have great service!
So what’s the bottom line? If you want a small PDA to carry around your schedule that sometimes has phone signal - the mpx 200 is great!
My advice - wait till the next generation comes out or hope that Microsoft Santa drops you a prototype in the mail!