Category: Geeks r Us
Dear readers,
This review is split into four posts, or parts in one thread for easier navigation.
Post 1:
Windows mobile 6.1 review
Post 2 - the Motorola q9m
post 3- The HTC Ozone
post 4- Windows mobile 6.5 - how accessible is it with current software?
Post 1 of four: Windows mobile 6.1
Microsoft. The big gigantic company, based in Redmond, Washington - alive for over 20 years and breathing well in a mountain of money, resources, and software.
While the term "Windows Mobile" is very well known in our world today, it wasn't so known 15 years ago - when Windows Mobile was being born out of the ashes of Project Pegasus by Microsoft and it's partners.
Today, so many things are Windows mobile powered. Cell phones. Pocket PCS. Cars. Note-takers for the blind. Microwaves. Vacuums. Toilets. Showers. Earplugs. Toys. Children. While the ladder seven are not really powered by Windows mobile, the time is close at hand - now that Ford and other vehicles actually run the thing.
Windows Mobile version 6.1 was a major release, but I think it's time to examine what it offers. It came out, in fact, in 2008.
With this review, I intend to introduce my readers to the platform of Windows mobile and offer a glimps into it's similarities, differences, and uses today.
Windows mobile: How mobile are we?
Windows 7 on a PC weighs just around 7 gigs. Yep, 7 gigs of DLLS, executables, mp3s, images, you name it. 7 gigs of data.
Phones however are not even near 7 GB capacities yet. Most today have anywhere from 256 to 512 MB of rom, and 128 to 256 mb of ram - though some high end pocket PCS can have 3 GB of rom at most. When we are talking of Rom, we mean Read only Memory - the "hard drive" of a Windows mobile powered toilet. I mean device!
Generally, the low-end images of Windows Mobile 6.1 can weigh less than 30 MB - while the high-end roms, which include GPS and more exclusives, can go up to 200 MB.
Windows Mobile 6.1 on the Motorola Q, including Documents to go and basic applications, is 74 MB. Windows mobile 6.1 on the newer 2009 HTC ozone is 154 MB. Again, this is Windows mobile 6.1 standard. Windows mobile on a pacmate, however, with JAWS included, is 37 mb - while on a braille note it is 42.
What flavors do we got?:
Now that I've shown you just how flexible and customizable Windows mobile really is, what editions of it exist?
Unlike mainstream operating systems, Windows mobile is offered in 3 editions:
Classic for PDAs without phone features,
professional with PDAs with touchscreen and phone features,
and standard for smartphones without a touchscreen.
Each Windows mobile device is as unique as a person. For instance, you can't use the rom image of the Motorola Q in the HTC ozone and vise versa - the driver and device layout is too different. Each edition of WM is slightly different. While the OS originally only had one release (what you'd classify Windows mobile classic today), they had to expand to 3 with the introduction of cell phones. So in escence, the edition which contains all of the modules and files for Windows mobile is the professional one today.
Windows mobile standard does not have such things as transcriber and handwriting recognition - while WM classic does not have cell phone radio interfaces and calling features built in.
Just like the edition of Windows on desktops, there exists little to no difference in how each edition is layed out. all 3 have a start menu. All 3 have a settings menu - although in Windows Mobile professional and classic, this dialog has various tabs. Each edition has a clock and alarm, regional settings, owner information, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and security features - generally these dialogs are also universal.
So how similar is Windows mobile to the PC?
When I first received my Windows mobile® phone 2 years ago (the Motorola q), the learning curve to the device was none to 0. You have a start menu in both cases. While on a desktop you mainly use your tab and shift tab keys, In Windows mobile you mainly use your arrows and soft keys to get around your device. On a pocket PC, your touch screen is layed out in 4 zones - and this can be confusing and I imagine a bigger adoptation versus using a smartphone.
This is why for the purposes of these series of reviews, we will only look at Windows mobile 6.1 standard devices. If you have a pocket PC, know your zones - and memorize well.
But in both cases you will need to memorize. With a smartphone, memorize your soft key arrangements - that way you don't have to wait for their announcements or if sighted, look at the bottom of your screen above them to know what they are. You will also have a curve with memorizing your start menu - you can't use first letter navigation in WM standard devices. If your Windows Mobile® device has a keyboard, you can, however, simply press a letter to get to that start menu item. Again, slight differences.
You can also install programs on a Windows mobile device, much as you would on a laptop. The same programs on your desktop can't install, however -you need software for PDAs specifically.
Messaging:
The messaging application allows you to send text and MMS messages, or set up e-mail accounts. It is simply and clear to navigate. To make account switching easier, you can hit the left and right arrow keys on your device.
With Windows mobile 6.1, you have the introduction of threaded messaging - where multiple messages are grouped into conversations. This is a new feature and for some, can be efficient when viewing large groups of messages - it is all threaded into one html type document. Some devices allow you to turn this feature off, while others don't. If you are using the Mobile Speak Smartphone screen reader, you can go into your control panel>general settings to turn threaded messaging off. Restart the messaging app after you have finished.
Pocket Internet explorer:
Perhaps one nice feature of Windows mobile is Internet explorer. While Mobile Speak screen readers don't yet support quick key navigation, the browser functions fairly well with webpages. Some sighted users have described it as ancient - and I don't blame them for this. With Windows mobile 6.1, you have options to enroll your device in a domain - and this I'd imagine will be useful for more professional users. Internet explorer retains it's version and usage as it did in Windows mobile 6 - no updates.
Today screen:
On a Windows mobile powered device, your today screen is like your desktop. It displays appointments, unread messages, the time and service carrier if using a phone, and owner info /tasks with a pocket pc. Starting with version 6.1, a new layout of today screens is available - called sliding panel. Only on smartphones, however. This today screen layout is not yet accessible with screen readers - and for the sighted, it allows easier navigation.
Conclusions:
Overall, Windows mobile is a nice operating system. I don't think the learning curve will be large for many - it is very similar to the regular Windows offered on PCs today. With version 6.1, a few enhancements are added - but no major functionality. This is a disappointment, as we have not seen a Windows mobile release since 2007 - version 6. Not much progress in a year, I guess.
With all due respect-
Dear readers,
This review is split into four posts, or parts in one thread for easier navigation.
Post 1:
Windows mobile 6.1 review
Post 2 - the Motorola q9m
post 3- The HTC Ozone
post 4- Windows mobile 6.5 - how accessible is it with current software?
post 2 - The motorola q
Early in 2006, Motorola began making the Motorola q set of smartphones. At first, it was just the q - running Windows mobile 5.0. Then, in 2007, the q9m appeared from Verizon, which ran Windows Mobile 6 Standard. The q9c and Q9h models followed shortly after, running Windows mobile 6.1.
Not much differences exist between these 4 phone models. The q and q9m/q9c models have a different set of keyboar keys (The q9m/c including a better quality, less scratch resistant keyboard) and in the case of a q9h, the exclusion of a scroll wheel. Motorola Q9c phones also have a built-in GPS.
I received my q9m later in 2007 from Verizon.
The phone itself sports a 312 MHz processor with 64 MB of ram and 128 MB of rom. That's not the best, compared to today's smartphones.
In fact, you will notice that if you use a screen reader, speech might crackle from time to time.
The keyboard is perhaps the best design of the phone. It is smooth, and features a 5-way navigation pad. Each key is curved and adapting to it is very easy. Your w, e, r keys are replaced with 1, 2, 3, while s, d, f become 4, 5, 6. x, c, v are 7, 8, 9, respectively. Your 0 key on the q9m/c/h is just below the 8 key (c), while on the old Q it is to the left of the spacebar directly.
I had the chance to try all 4 of the Qs - at first I started with a wm 5.0 Q on my contract, but luckily the q9m got released right after I received my old Q - so I could get a free trade-in to it. The q9c and H were also tested - through friends who had the phones.
Media and sound:
You will find that the Motorola q series of phones has probably the loudest speakers built yet to date. They are, in fact, stereo - and are located just behind the battery door on the bottom corners. The q9H, however, does seem to have a lesser speaker sound quality. Listening to music on the phone is very enjoyable and smooth - although texting while doing music listening can be a pain sometimes.
Call and dataquality:
Calls on the q are very good. Hint: if you take off your battery cover, you will find the antenna to the left of your battery pack on the phone - it is shaped like a line.
While in a call, sound is muted - this includes a screen reader. For me, this was a very big disadvantage to the phone.
Tip: To hear music or a screen reader during a call, put the person you are in call with on speaker. Use the scroll wheel (if applicable) or your screen reader's volume settings to raise the volume all the way. You will be able to hear your music or screen reader very lightly in the background - your caller must be quiet completely.
The motorola q9m/9c/q support Ev-do (neither works with rev. a, which is a disappointment), while the q9h can go up to EDGE speeds on GSM networks. This is why at&T offers the Q9h - it is GSM based.
performance:
As stated, the processor is not the best. Performance can slow down easily - and if you text a lot, you will notice that opening text messages will delay more and more as you use the phone without restarting. IN order to clear the memory of the messaging application, use either task manager or a desired screen reader shortcut in order to exit the program. Restart it to get faster and snappier text messaging opening speeds.
The q9h is the only q-based phone to include a 320 MHZ processor VS. a 312 MHz one, and this does make a slight perofrmance difference. Very odd.
Operating systems:
The q9c/q9H run Windows mobile 6.1. You can do an unofficial Rom upgrade on the q9m in order to run 6.1 on that device ; In turn it will become a Q9C . This however is quite a complicated process - and I'm disappointed that the fact of not being given a 6.1 upgrade on the q9m.
Overall conclusions:
While the q series of Motorola phones contain a wonderful keyboard with a great design - processor speeds and call/data rate limitations degrade the phone's quality quite a lot. Motorola is planning to release the Moto a35, otherwise known as the motorola q9N (napoleon), which hopefully will include more enhancements.
-Tomi
Dear readers,
This review is split into four posts, or parts in one thread for easier navigation.
Post 1:
Windows mobile 6.1 review
Post 2 - the Motorola q9m
post 3- The HTC Ozone
post 4- Windows mobile 6.5 - how accessible is it with current software?
post 3 - the Verizon HTC Ozone review
Coming out fresh from Verizon's factories (or is it HTC's?), is a phone which you could call "today's generation".
The HTC ozone, is cousins to the HTC Snap family of phones which sprint offers. The ozone is also a cousin to the T-mobile dash 3g. All three of these devices are similar - though the ozone does not have a feature called inner circle, which could place important e-mails by contacts into groups. Many reviews site this as a missed feature.
The ozone features a 528 MHz processor, 128 MB of ram, 256 mb of rom (read-only memory which stores the operating system files and any programs/files you may install), wi-fi 802.11b/g capibilities, bluetooth 2.1, both a gsm and CDMA phone radio, and GPS. Quite impressive. You could take this phone to europe and use it, provided that you unlock the device to accept other sim cards (this you can do by calling verizon's global support number listed in your contacts list).
It features windows mobile 6.1 with a qwerty keyboard.
While I've had my ozone for about a month now, my reviews of it are mixed.
We have a good processor, a good GPS, and amazing wireless. But the fact is, while the device might look awesome in the inside, it is not-so-quaint on the outside.
The ozone's keyboard is easy to use - and it took me a few days to adapt to the new layout, since this phone has a comma key after l, something my Q didn't had. We also have q, w, e representing 1,2,3 instead of w, e, r - which makes life all that more confusing. Worse yet, a,s,d don't represent 4,5,6. Rather, s,d,f do - and this offsets your numbers by a space.
The actual device, though, is very cheaply made. When I hold it in my hand and put my thumb on the back of it to text with one hand (I text by putting my thumb on the back of the phone and pushing buttons that way), the phone creeks with each key press. Wow.
Recently, I dropped the device and noticed a piece of tape coming off the back. Thinking that it's probably something that got stuck on it from the ground, I removed the tape - only to find to my horror that I cannot get any signal coverage anymore. The tape, which is irreplaceable (I attempted to replace duck tape and regular cellux/tape where I removed it) serves as a method of improving your signal strength somehow. When I place my finger on the back of the device, my signal strength returns. Of course, in areas where service is better (such as in a verizon store), there is coverage on the phone. Since I live on a rural area, however, I can only get 17% or 5% signal coverage by default - all of which is now gone. Of course, taking the phone back to Verizon wouldn't work, since most stores have full coverage, which of course would be detected by the phone.
Aside from this cheap design, the ozone is the fastest device I've seen thus far, and I know I will miss it now that I'm back with my older Q9m model. It's processor is great - and so is the battery life. After a full day of school, I still have around 40 to 50% battery left - while on the Q I generally ended up with 25%. The speakers aren't bad quality, either - they can closely match the volume of the Q. Although, I wish there were two speakers like in the Q - it nevertheless is not too bad.
While texting, I have found that the phone freezes a lot. I send anywhere from 200 to 400 texts a day - and it appears that xt9, which is a word completion feature of HTC phones (not windows mobile), slows the phone down. XT9 basically keeps a dictionary of all the words you have used and tries to predict your next one. Since Mobile speak has no compatibility with xT9, I have no use for it. From the settings dialog, however, turning off xt9 is impossible. It always turns itself back on, like an undestructable machine.
I've found that accasionally unloading the messaging application (after about 3 texts) will improve typing speed. This gets quite tiresome after a while. I've never had to unload my text messaging application this much on the Q.
Data speeds on the Ozone were amazing. The phone features evdo rev. a, and even around my rural home, I could get well around 30KBPS speeds and stream 128kbps radio without any interruptions. Internet Explorer in the phone is very snappy and works great. (I'm assuming that this is due to the processor of the device)
I also noticed that there are two microphones on the ozone - one on the front and the other in the back. When putting someone on speakerphone, the phone sounded very clear and the other person could not hear their own voice often.
GPS is also a quality feature. I used Mobile geo and went out for a walk to my nearest intersection. While it took some time to find points of interests near me (up to 30 seconds), accuracy was pretty good. I had maps for Ohio and Michigan loaded on my storage card. The actual GPS antenna is a long "stick-like" shape located just to the right of your battery with the cover exposed - while the shorter, snubbier antenna is your phones. When placing the device in your pocket, you generally lose signal both in call and on the GPS.
In loud cafeterias, the speaker delivers ok sound - however it is, again, not as loud as the Q. Still, over 100 people's screaming and shoving in the lunch line, I could read and reply to texts just fine.
The bottom line:
While the ozone has great communication features, it is very poorly designed. I won't take my ozone back to verizon (they'd think I'm mad since it will detect a signal and there is no way to proove that at my home there is none). I guess it'll be good as a personal ... gps and music device. :) The phone stands out as a messaging phone - and most will find the keyboard easy to use, although I can see how transitioning from a previous smartphone can be difficult at times.
Tomi, thanks for this review of the ozone. I is disappointing to find ultimately, you aren't very fond of the phone.
Are you within your 30-days? I would absolutely take the phone back. Unless dropping has done significant damage. Could you describe the location of this piece of tape?
With the xt9 slow down, is the phone slow all over, or did it only effect text?
I'm now curious if it was the xt9 slowing my phone down and not talks. Hmmm, interesting...
Ah so that's what that is. My iphone has that, and I love it especialy when I'm away from my laptop, and was getting tweets and replying to them after a few types of the persons name, my phone started remembering it.
well you should be able to return with in 30 days or do a warranty exchange with in a year. or worst yet if you have insurance a $50 deductable will get you a replacement.
ok... the tape is on the back, just around the camera lense I guess. It extends to the upper back of your phone.
I don't know about taking it back - they wouldn't find any problems with it and thus they'd wonder why I am returning it for warranty. Although the phone is good, I really don't think it's meant for advanced users myself. If you're not an advanced user who texts 500 a day or installs software on your WM device, then the Ozone is an awesome phone :)
How much limitation is there on installing software? I don't see myself installing anything streight away, but down the road, yes, it is quite possible.
Hmmm, I remember some tape around the camera area, but I thought it was there a protection? The usual tape to be removed? Are these 2 different things?
call quality?
as many "messengng phones" have shit when it comes to it.
no.. the tape is not protection, I guess. When I put my finger on the areas where there was tape I get service at my home. It's a cheap way to strengthen a radio antenna's power. wow.
There is no limit on what you can install on the ozone. I know of some Windows mobile phones which are locked and limited in terms of what you can install but thank god the Ozone and Q aren't any of them. You can install any windows mobile standard application (you must verify it works on windows mobile standard) on the phone, provided that you have the storage space.
Tomi, what good apps do you recommend for WM Standard phones? It seems that all the good apps are only for the Professional versions of WM.
hmm.
well. Here is what I use.
1. GS player for streaming music (like radio content) and playing .mod, .s3m, .xm files (protracker modules ETC)
2. TCPMP for playing .flv files with the flv decoder
3. PHM Registry edior for editing my phone's registry (advanced users only)
4. Skype mobile for skype on my phone
5. Wm Wifi router for using my phone as a wireless/bluetooth internet hotspot without being charged
6. Veca wordpad, which is a simple wordpad-like tool.
7. you can use SK Tools which is a system information/cleaner/performance tweak utility for free.
8. Games you can get from braillesoft, or code factory also has a package of games for mobile speak smartphone on their website.
I enjoy my phone a lot, but I know there are specific sites like
www.everythingq.com (motorola q site)
which list other apps which can be downloaded.
Oh, and for FTP server access I either use ornetta FTP or Total commander. Total commander is really good since it's free and is a file explorer replacement for Windows mobile - since the file explorer/file manager in WM phones are not powerful to perform advanced tasks such as renaming a file or viewing file extentions.
Hmm, SK Tools? Can you give me the websites to that, and for Gs Player, / TCPMP ? I have used PHM Registery editor and Skype Mobile
Oh, forgot Total Commander.
there is always the $50 insurance options as well. but i would still give the warranty people a call and see what they say despite what happened in the store.
ok guys... I went to a vzw store on Friday and got reeeeal lucky. Thank god for young female employees who have good hearts :)
She told me that since I removed the tape, it wouldn't be under warranty but would need to go with the $50 insurance. But, she said "I'll pretend like I don't see the tape gone and report as defective, since you said your phone overheats often... ". So she ordered a new ozone on the internet which should come tomorrow with FedX.
Surprisingly, she gave me my phone back, so now I have 2 ozones - though the first one I doubt I will use much. It's going to be my guinny pig phone probably... But I also have two batteries. I'm wondering and worrying for the safety of that woman, however, since I think she was supposed to take the phone back and I'm scared they'll fire her for not doing so. I don't know her name or anything, and if I were to go back I'd face risk of firing her even more, since perhaps another employee who is less nice would find out and report this "fraud" to verizon, who would in turn track the records of who traded the phone. Any ideas? What would you do, dear reader? Would you face the risk of firing her and give the phone back to a random Verizon person or would you keep the phone but have the burdened fear of "perhaps" I caused her to be fired?
she gave you the phone back because since your new phone is coming from the insurance company, you are suppose to return your old phone once the new one comes in. She would have taken it back if the phone was going back straight to verizon. So once the new one comes in my best advice would be to return it because u may get charged for it.
I'm not sure... Since I didn't pay the $50 and she mentioned that she won't be going through the insurance company. However, they usually include a small envelope in the package where you place the phone and return it- it is already stamped and addressed. If I do see an envelope like that I will return it without any problems :) Even so I think after a few weeks I will simply mail it off to the verizon headquarters and just tell them that I have found this defected phone on the street and am sending it back. I really don't want to live with that feeling that she might be fired because of me.
Tomi, does this mean you are going to use the new ozone? You like the phone well enough?
I still haven't done the swap, the phone has not gone back on sale. I'm currently using my env2.
It was interesting to read some feedback on the net about the ozone. One thing they mentioned is how the keyboard is off kilter. It definitely isn't your standard layout. For example, beneath the f-key, you won't find the v and c-key. If I go back to the ozone, it'll take some practice to be a good texter. The env2 keyboard is much easier to text apon.
Yes... I missed my Ozone... I missed primarily the fast processing power and load times, which my moto q did not have. I also like it's thin (though cheap) compact size.
I got my new replacement phone. It came in a carton (yes, seriously) and there was no battery included . Also, I did not find an envelope in the box so (I'm) assuming they don't want my older one back, but as I said I'm heavily debating sending it back to the adress printed on the box - I don't want the employee fired.
The keyboard is a bit... funky... As I've said, on my q it was more logical - to have w, e, r, as my 1, 2, 3 and not q, w, e, as on the ozone. I'm not sure why that is. I also have a tendancy to press , instead of l because of the oddness of the keyboard.
Tomi, I wouldn't worry about it. That employee knew what she was doing and probably knows the ins and outs of vzw. If they sent you a phone with no battery or nothing, I truly wouldn't stress about it. You're going to have to use your old stuff for the new phone, yes?
Well, hopefully, I'll know within the month if I'm going to go back to the ozone. If so, I'm sure we'll be exchanging tech tid-bits. *smile*
if it came that way it probably came as a warranty replacement and if ther was no info on what to do with th ephone then there is probably nothing you can do. i would just hold on to both anyways, she knew waht she was doing when she did this.