RumorMill?: Motorola MPx220 Smart Phone Coming in Early 2004

[Ed Hardy]

Rumors are already circulating about a replacement for Motorola's MPx200 smart phone. The new version will offer some significant improvements.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ru..._in_Early_2004

[gfunkmagic]

Makes sense to me. The MPx200 is just plain dull and boring. But add WMO3 Smartphone, camera, BT, and EDGE!!!!!!! Hmm...now that sounds interesting!

[Rand]

Lately I've been loading up on WM software. I wonder if I'll miss a touch screen...

[Tex]

I can somewhat confirm this. I sat in a meeting with our Corporate AWS rep last week and this was talked about.

[Jamyl]

I hope they also increase the low ring tone volume, the Caller ID issues (names didn't appear w/ number if there were too many phone entries on SIM), and the absence of a vibrate/ring mode.

[treo007]

Sounds like great improvements to an already impressive device. The best feature the MPx200 has however is it's size. Here's hoping the camera doesn't make it any bigger.

[bignoodle2]

Originally posted by Jamyl
I hope they also increase the low ring tone volume, the Caller ID issues (names didn't appear w/ number if there were too many phone entries on SIM), and the absence of a vibrate/ring mode.

There is a vibrate/ring mode - under Settings/Profiles, edit a profile and then set 'Ring type' to 'Vibrate and ring' (there is also an option for 'Vibrate then ring'

[kjgerard]

Obviously the Mpx220 will be an updated model, but how much do these extra features really contribute towards a Smartphone that would render the MPx200 obsolete?

1) Presumably, the OS can be upgraded to 2003 in the MPx200.

2) Bluetooth is nice, but the real purpose of this device is to have a *converged* solution - a single device that incorportates a phone, email access, web browser, scheduling, etc. If Bluetooth means so much for data communication with your PDA, then the point of convergence is lost.

Phone + PDA = 2 Devices.
Phone + Notebook = Get a PCMCIA CDMA modem instead.

3) Who cares about the digital camera? It's a nice perk, but honestly, it's a consumer toy. How often do people REALLY feel the need to ubiquitously take and send pictures? Besides, most corporate IT departments forbid camera phones due to security. Regardless, if the camera adds more bulk to the phone, the purpose of *mobility* in a form factor has been disregarded.


4) AT&T Edge? Who cares? Anyone who knows what they're doing with this phone hasn't even thought about going with AT&T and their outrageously overpriced service plans. The current MPx200 is purchased elsewhere and unlocked for access to a T-Mobile SIM, who now offers unlimited GPRS web access with every cell plan. It's not the quickest, but it's damned adequate for email and casual web surfing. Besides, T-Mobile announced (in July) upgrades to the accelerated Edge GPRS within their own network, to be completed by mid-2004.

In short, I think the MPx220 is more fluff (Camera & bluetooth) while its substance is the same as the existing MPx200 (small form factor, upgradeable MS Smartphone OS, email, web, and WIN CE-style organizer).

[Tex]

2) Bluetooth is nice, but the real purpose of this device is to have a *converged* solution - a single device that incorportates a phone, email access, web browser, scheduling, etc. If Bluetooth means so much for data communication with your PDA, then the point of convergence is lost.

I don't know about you, but I've gotten to the point where I'd hate to have to give up my BT Headset or Car Kit.

[kjgerard]

>>I don't know about you, but I've gotten to the point where I'd
>>hate to have to give up my BT Headset or Car Kit.

If the addition of power-hungry Bluetooth trasmission means that I compromise the all-important extended battery life of the device (when used heavily), I personally will do without the BT headset and car kit.