vB Easy Archive - Anyone know what's next with MS?

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Anyone know what's next with MS?
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Posted by: scottj

I've put off making the GSM plunge but am really getting itchy!
Here's what I'm looking for, maybe some of you have some
info on approx. when I might see a device like this? The
MPx200 is getting there but doesn't cut it for me. What I really
want is to ditch my PocketPC and phone and replace them with a single device. I prefer to stay with Windows. I like everything on the MPx200 - my issues are with what it doesn't have. I've heard there will be another Moto product that addresses some of these.

1. No 850 - huge problem for me - Cingular in Mass and SE Fla is 850. And, in general, I want 850/1900. GSM is deployed on both of these bands in the US and I want the flexibility to take advantage of them - roaming agreements may change, carrier deployments may change, etc. I don't want to be stuck with 1900 only.

2. No EDGE. For me, data is everything. Both ATTWS and Cingular are still sticking to rolling out EDGE by year end. The new Nokia phones have class 10 GPRS and EDGE which should offer significant speed increases over the 6200 once EDGE is rolled out.

3. 2002 OS. 2003 is out. I wouldn't buy a phone with 2002 since, IMHO, the chances that at unpgrade will be offered are slim to none.

4. Bluetooth - not quite as big of a deal to me if I can replace both devices with one as my main use of Bluetooth is to tether the phone to the PocketPC. Still, I'd prefer it. I'd love to see the ability to use bluetooth to print from my phone.

5. Camera - not essential but it would be cool to have one. I generally don't carry one around and often times wish I had one. I always have my phone so I'd always have a cam for those unforseen moments!

6. Data input. Most of my PocketPC data gets synched from my laptop. The latest Active Sync lets you have a synced folder on your lap/desktop where any files in it will be synced so you're not just syncing Outlook anymore (kind of like Briefcase was in older Windows). Still, the ability to input with stylus comes in very handy, either through handwriting recognition or the pop-up keyboard. I wouldn't want to write a novel that way but emails and short notes are pretty easy. Obviously, this implies a stylus and touchscreen. I really don't see being able to ditch the PocketPC without reasonable text entry.

Obviously, I'm looking for a lot and I don't expect it soon. Still, if I could get the MPx200 but with EDGE, 850, 2003 OS I'd be well on the way. I've heard the next release from Moto will by 2003 OS with cam but I haven't heard anything about EDGE or 850.

The newly announced Nokia 6230 (the version with 850) looks like everything I've been waiting for with respect to GSM/EDGE but will obviously still require me to keep my PocketPC - though it does have Bluetooth and EDGE so that's a huge plus. That's supposed to be around sometime 1st quarter next year.

Anyone heard anything else re. Moto or other vendors using MS SmartPhone? I can't really see spending much until, at least, the 6230 is available. Hopefully, by then, EDGE will be real and maybe, just maybe, data rates from ATTWS and/or Cingular will come out of the stratosphere and back down to earth.

Thanks for any input any of you may have,
Scott