Determined to find a smart phone with style, performance and utility, I searched and searched and searched until I went nuts missing phone calls and being away from e-mail for more than an hour. Not being completely satisfied with the BlackBerry 7100t’s form factor, I considered other options. Although having great compatibility with Macs, The Treo’s buttons are just too tiny for my liking and it was a little too heavy, as well. While I simply could not bear the thought of using anything associated with Windows, I decided to give Window’s Mobile 5 a shot; it was supposed to be new and improved over WM3.
Being a T-mobile customer, my options were the MDA and SDA. Just released, the demo model of the SDA was a real piece and the phone had way too many buttons. Form and function were really off and I was not impressed to say the least. As for the MDA, it is a brick (4.29″ x 2.28″ x 0.93″) in comparison to my BlackBerry 7100t. Anything over .75″ thick is too big for the front pocket; .5″ and less is optimal. However, it did pack quite a punch when it came to performance and functionality (at least it seemed so at the time) so I decided to give it a 14 day test drive (time period you can return the phone for a full refund).
Well, after 5 days I knew I was out of luck. I was able to sometimes connect via WiFi and enjoyed typing e-mails on the phone’s generous slide out key pad, but there were many short comings.
- Windows 5 did not sync with Mac at the time and I was not about to type in all of my contacts. (Markspace.com has a great sync program that also allows you to mount the device on your Mac. Their sync programs are much better and less buggy than Pocketmac’s.
- WiFi connectivity was mediocre unless one was connecting via a T-Mobile hotspot.
- Battery life was reduced by 30% or so due to the large screen and using WiFi (I know this is a choice but it is still annoying).
- No push e-mail.
- Dialing from a touch screen ,when opening the key pad is not always a first option (i.e. when driving) can not be done without looking.
- I just don’t like Windows Mobile 5. It’s clunky to work with, complicated, and still buggy.
- Last but not least, I got a zit on my ear from using the touch screen with my fingers to dial out, check e-mail, etc., and then putting it to my ear to make calls. Ouch!
Do these device manufacturer’s observe people to understand how they are going to use their stuff?
In the end, the MDA had too much functionality (funktionality), and when used performance was compromised. Let’s not forget that this thing is a brick!
Unsatisfied with current US phone offerings (oh, they are way better everywhere else in the world), I decided to go with a 3 year old phone that ran Windows Mobile 3 and synced flawlessly with my Mac using MarkSpace’s sync program. The smallest smart phone of its time, the SMT 5600 would have to hold me over until I could find something that totally satisfied my form and function sensibilities. All in all, the SMT 5600 was easy to unlock for use on T-Mobile’s network and operated okay. (BTW – don’t buy any unlock programs on eBay until you have exhausted your FREE options on Google). It would have to do.
Well, the SMT 5600 DID sync with my Mac and WAS compact (4.24″ H x 1.82″ W x .69″). However, the camera was sub par (640 x 480 by May 2006 standards), the keys squeaked, and Windows Mobile 3 was super buggy. Give and take yet again… Will there every be a phone that integrates seamlessly with my digital life and sports my kind of form factor? Sheesh, I hope so. Stay tuned.
