Pros & Cons: Pocket PCs with Built-In Phone

A Windows Mobile Phone Edition device is a Pocket PC with mobile phone capability built into it. Like other Pocket PCs, these devices have touch screens and are based on the Pocket PC version of the Windows Mobile software.

Most of these devices are designed and manufactured by HTC of Taiwan, but branded and marketed by a variety of vendors and wireless carriers. We list these devices once under the brand name of a significant U.S. vendor or carrier and mention the other vendors that offer the device and the brand name they market it under. We may not list all the minor vendors of the device.

Pros (common to all Pocket PC Phone Edition devices)

• Same Pros common to Pocket PCs.
• Voice and wireless data capability.
• Built-in speakerphones.
• Most devices come with cabled headsets
• Phone Edition devices have a richer application set than Smartphones.
• A better solution than a Windows Mobile Smartphone if you intend on composing longer e-mail responses or Web browsing.

Cons (common to all Pocket PC Phone Edition devices)

• Same Cons common to Pocket PCs.
• Battery life can be shorter than with traditional mobile phones.
• Most Phone Edition devices have a single SD or SDIO card slot, which limits expandability.
• The nationwide broadband coverage offered by carriers is usually limited to areas with larger population densities. Check coverage of wireless plan before committing to it.
• Devices sold by independent vendors (as opposed to wireless carriers) tend to be more expensive because the cost of the device is not subsidized by a 1-year or 2-year service contract.

Cingular Wireless

http://www.cingular.com

Cingular's wireless network is based on GSM/ GPRS technology, but only supports high-speed EDGE data in select areas nationwide. For more information, visit Cingular's Web site. Cingular offers a couple of Windows Mobile Phone Edition devices. Prices of these devices require that you sign up for a two-year phone plan.

Cingular 8125

This Windows Mobile 5.0 device has a quad-band international GSM/GPRS phone built into it, capable of working on Cingular's EDGE high-speed data network.

Pros

• Relatively small, lightweight device.
• 2.8 diagonal color screen; larger than most mobile phones and Smartphones.
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS international phone; EDGE capability for fast wireless data.
• Slide-out keyboard makes text entry easier.
• Integrated 1.3 mega pixel digital camera that's capable of photo and video recording.
• Integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Cons

• Single, miniSD card slot—memory expansion only.

Who is the Cingular 8125 user?

• A personal or professional user who wants the Phone Edition capability and who may travel internationally.
• A user who frequents Wi-Fi hotspots or has Wi-Fi access to their business network.