View Full Version : A Thread Is The Least It Deserves
LinkDJ
08-21-2002, 06:45 PM
About a month ago, I posted a thread requesting help finding a cheap smartphone. The best options cost at least $400 retail. and that's not including the service.
So, what has changed? Nothing, yet. Soon (late august/september), Danger will release it's long-awaited product, the Hiptop. It's a PDA/Phone with web surfing, aim, games, a huge screen, and a big thumb board! Best of all, it'll be sold through cellular companies, making its price Under $200 with activation!
The one that will be availible in my area is called the T-Mobile Sidekick. It comes with the option of paying $40/mo for Unlimited Data, 200 peak minutes, and 1000 night/weekend minutes.
There is alot more to this phone than I could list on a thread such as this one, so go read all about it at http://www.danger.com/
Ioman
08-22-2002, 06:08 PM
While I think this is a really neat product, I question whether people in the US would use such a thing. In Japan or Europe, the typical person gets a new cell phone every 6 months. In the US, that time frame is double or triple that. Our network is also older. I think that Virgin is trying to do something similar by introducing their new phone line which is targeted towards the younger audience and is being branded as hip and cool. I think that Americans are slow to adopt so many features at once in a cell phone. I also do not think Americans use cell phones for the same entertainment purposes as those in Japan might.
LinkDJ
08-22-2002, 06:37 PM
Originally posted by Ioman
While I think this is a really neat product, I question whether people in the US would use such a thing. In Japan or Europe, the typical person gets a new cell phone every 6 months. In the US, that time frame is double or triple that. Our network is also older. I think that Virgin is trying to do something similar by introducing their new phone line which is targeted towards the younger audience and is being branded as hip and cool. I think that Americans are slow to adopt so many features at once in a cell phone. I also do not think Americans use cell phones for the same entertainment purposes as those in Japan might.
This HipTop runs on GSM/GPRS networks, 2.5G. Always on connection to the internet, access to almost all the sites you can visit on your computer, etc...
This is definately targeted at the younger crowd as well, but I would like to see adults using it too =)
Ioman
08-22-2002, 06:46 PM
So does it use WAP or something else to access the net. I find WAP kind of pointless except for news.
Santaduck
08-23-2002, 12:16 AM
Japanese also tend to have really crappy Net connections with their computers, which encourages their use of handhelds for net access in a way that will never happen in N. America.
And if they do have net connections that are worthy, they are hideously expensive, and are charged by the minute. I think my cousin blew about $500 on his net access in one month.... and we're talking dialup I think (I'm not positive about that, but about 80% sure)... so they are more willing to wait for slower wireless handheld net access...
Regarding gaming... I'm gonna ramble: I dunno... handheld gaming is pretty popular on both sides of the pacific, but as for net-based games, I think there are some subtle differences-- I think there is a huger fanbase for RPG variations in Japan, but I can't think how that would translate to any interesting factoid about handheld wireless net gaming... it would be cool to MMPORPG on a handheld in spare time though
LinkDJ
08-23-2002, 12:08 PM
Originally posted by Ioman
So does it use WAP or something else to access the net. I find WAP kind of pointless except for news.
Nope! The data is run through Danger's servers, which:
1. Optimise standard pages for the smaller screen (no horizontal scrolling!)
2. Compress the data for even faster downloading
It's actual net surfing on a portable device! Screw WAP!
Ioman
08-23-2002, 12:13 PM
Nope! The data is run through Danger's servers, which:
1. Optimise standard pages for the smaller screen (no horizontal scrolling!)
2. Compress the data for even faster downloading
It's actual net surfing on a portable device! Screw WAP!
Like avantgo?
considering the NET access for cel phones is 9600 baud.
What a waste.
I think I'd rather have a laptop, on a wireless service(1meg-10 meg baud). And use the NETphone ability. Which is almost free.
If you can find it in your area.
Ioman
08-23-2002, 09:36 PM
How fast is the net access on the Nokia 9290 Communicator that just came out? That thing has like a full color LCD display.
CELL services are only set up for 9600 baud in the US. Even if they updated them to 14.4k, or 28.8k, it would take ALOT of time(took 20 years to get analog Cell up) and it would STILL be a waste. And FULL digital Cell aint up yet, only in Large cities have it and the rest (no matter what they say) is analog.
Figure this out ok... what does it take to send Digital voice?
Try digitizing a short message on your comp in Wave format. Its very small. If they are useing 14.4k for voice, that would be enough. How manny people can you Voice chat with at one time on 56k.. I can do 8 before I start lagging. To advance Cell to do FAST(56k or better) and Voice..WOW...Cool. Wait 20 years.
LinkDJ
08-24-2002, 05:05 AM
1. Danger's servers do all the work, so avantgo-like setups are not needed.
2. Download speeds for this device were quoted as being around 30-40kbps
LinkDJ
08-24-2002, 05:42 AM
Straight from Danger.com:
Q. What speed will GPRS networks achieve for data transfer?
A. Due to the optimization of the Hiptop platform and backend infrastructure, our initial tests have shown that the Hiptop service should achieve between 30-40 Kbps data rates over the GPRS network. Our hardware reference design supports Class 10 GPRS.
http://www.danger.com/faq.php
I love that word...Optimization...
How fast does a 56k modem GO.... DL is maxed at 52k, and UpL is what 36k-42k.. Optimize the Net, ok, take a 96dpi pick and make it 30dpi.. Or stop 60% of the graphics from rendering anyway.
I also have to ask, What markets has it been set up in, yet.
They dont show any from there site.. And that depends on the Infrastructure that is ALREADY set up.
Ioman
12-08-2002, 02:42 PM
So how do you like your hiptop?
llbbl
12-08-2002, 08:42 PM
I am working on a article to explain the evolution of Cell devices. It will be done soon and will give you lots of details about the optimal speed of all those new and groovy systems that you have been hearing about.
----
It seems that my 56 Gay maxes out about 5-6 KB/s for most downloads. I'm hootin and hollerin when it jumped up at around 9 for those extra special downloads. Gotta due, what ya gotta do. How much was USRobotics modems when they first came out. LIke $200+, now you can buy them for $20. So we only got to wait what ten years and GPRS will be cheap? IF only it worked that way ...
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