Robert Scoble Wowed by Dell Axim PocketPC

Bob Russell · 03-06-2005, 02:10 PM

Robert Scoble, a "Technical Evangelist" at Microsoft, has gained quite a following with his very interesting blog called Sobleizer where not only does he have some great discussion about bloggers, podcasting and other interesting tech topics, but he also has access to people in the know at Microsoft. That means he can provide the inside scoop at times when most bloggers can't.

Recently he posted a very nice entry about PDAs. The Dell x50v, in particular, but what he has to say applies to pretty much all modern PDAs. In a nutshell, he says that he was amazed at their value. He had been under the impression that his smart phone was all he needed, but learned that there's really a lot going for the PDA platform that gives it a lot of additional value, even over the portable media centers.

Quote:

I thought that all I really need is my SmartPhone. After all, that plays audio, video, does text fairly well.

I assumed that for people who wanted to play more video, or that wanted a screen that they could actually see some detail in the video that a portable media center would be the ticket.

I'm now convinced I'm wrong. I'm convinced that the PocketPC form factor is the better way to go. Here's how Josh convinced me:

First, it has a VGA screen. 640x480. That doesn't sound impressive, but when you see this screen your eyes will pop out. Ken Levy showed me a Toshiba that also had a VGA screen. I didn't understand the benefits when Ken showed me his, though, cause Ken didn't show me video playing on his

Very interesting was his additional observation that not only can it do RSS and video, but that it is a great fit for the new videoblogging and podcasting trends.

Check out both this article and his blog in general.

The more he learns about PDAs, the more he'll get wowed! Hey, maybe he'll start evangelizing PDA technology heartily also!

Colin Dunstan · 03-07-2005, 02:45 AM

The Axim X50v is a great device, and for the given price unbeatable.

cbarnett · 03-07-2005, 07:21 AM

Yep, I'm pretty much decided that will be my new present to myself this year

Craig.

Alexander Turcic · 03-07-2005, 07:49 AM

Perhaps wait a few more weeks until the first WM2005 device comes out. It is still not clear whether Dell will offer an upgrade for the Axim, although it would be technically possible of course.

cbarnett · 03-07-2005, 05:20 PM

WM2005 would have to have some nice features, I guess. It will be towards the end of the year before I can think of the purchase anyway, so who knows what can happen in that time?

Craig.

cbarnett · 08-21-2005, 07:51 PM

Heh, I just placed my order for a brand spanking new X50v!!!

Plus some goodies of course: bluetooth keyboard, extra battery, case, assorted chargers, etc. They also threw in a free 256MB CF card for nothing, which was nice of them.

I finally took the leap as my trusty old ipaq h1930 is starting to act a little flaky, and is well outside of warranty now. The screen backlight flickers at times, and the device occasionally locks when charged overnight, required a reset to get it working again (a hard reset once).

Now the waiting game begins....

Craig.

Bob Russell · 08-21-2005, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbarnett

Heh, I just placed my order for a brand spanking new X50v!!!

Congrats! That seems to be the device of choice for the elite Win Mobile VGA class of handheld. Of course Loox and HP might disagree...

cbarnett · 08-22-2005, 12:18 AM

They might at that, but then again, they also want more of my cash for their devices

I _really_ like the feature set and price of the X50v, and I've got a few other owners hanging around here, which will be handy as well.

<jumping up and down excitedly> I wish they'd hurry up and ship it....it's packed in Malaysia and sent here to Oz, but it should arrive in the next 10 days are so. Woot!

Craig.

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03-07-2005, 02:45 AM	#2
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	The Axim X50v is a great device, and for the given price unbeatable.

03-07-2005, 07:21 AM	#3
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Yep, I'm pretty much decided that will be my new present to myself this year Craig.

03-07-2005, 07:49 AM	#4
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Perhaps wait a few more weeks until the first WM2005 device comes out. It is still not clear whether Dell will offer an upgrade for the Axim, although it would be technically possible of course.

03-07-2005, 05:20 PM	#5
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	WM2005 would have to have some nice features, I guess. It will be towards the end of the year before I can think of the purchase anyway, so who knows what can happen in that time? Craig.

08-21-2005, 07:51 PM	#6
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Heh, I just placed my order for a brand spanking new X50v!!! Plus some goodies of course: bluetooth keyboard, extra battery, case, assorted chargers, etc. They also threw in a free 256MB CF card for nothing, which was nice of them. I finally took the leap as my trusty old ipaq h1930 is starting to act a little flaky, and is well outside of warranty now. The screen backlight flickers at times, and the device occasionally locks when charged overnight, required a reset to get it working again (a hard reset once). Now the waiting game begins.... Craig.

08-22-2005, 12:18 AM	#8
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	They might at that, but then again, they also want more of my cash for their devices I _really_ like the feature set and price of the X50v, and I've got a few other owners hanging around here, which will be handy as well. <jumping up and down excitedly> I wish they'd hurry up and ship it....it's packed in Malaysia and sent here to Oz, but it should arrive in the next 10 days are so. Woot! Craig.

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