Will the TG01 Do Windows Mobile Right?
|
Product Brief. Gadget geeks are having cardiac arrest today over the Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone. Hey, guys, don't blow a pulmonary artery. |
Summer release, with Windows Mobile 6.1 isn't much cause for excitement. Yeah, the hardware is cool, but what's that without a good operating system? Isn't Microsoft ready to pop Windows Mobile 6.5 at the World Mobile Congress in less than two weeks?
The hardware calls like one of those Sirens from Greek mythology. Beware the rocks! These Sirens are tough to ignore. According to Electricpig, Toshiba unexpectedly unveiled the new smartphone, today, at a U.K. event. Electricpig has pictures to prove it.
The specs are something:
- 1G Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
- 4.1 inch touchscreen, with 800 x 600 resolution
- HSDPA data, GPS and Wi-Fi
Electricpig's James Holland writes:
The TG01 is a touchscreen Windows Mobile phone with more display space, a higher resolution, faster processor and slimmer shell than any other smartphone, including Apple's...Windows Mobile 6.1 is humming away inside, but Toshiba has re-skinned it to create a neater interface. We're talking settings screens that won't give you a headache, a homescreen that can be completely customised and neat extras, like gesture commands and "shake to answer, shake to hang up" for controlling calls with a flick of the wrist.
In a separate post, with photos, he compares the TG01 to the iPhone and a BlackBerry Bold. "It makes both look tubby."
My question: What does Toshiba gain by announcing now—nearly two weeks before World Mobile Congress? Could it be Toshiba knows something about Microsoft Windows Mobile announcements and wants to get ahead of them?
The 4.1-inch display, screen resolution and processing power raise the question: When will smartphones be smart enough to be better than netbooks? I'll answer that one in a future post.
I must admit that the Sirens are calling me, too. I would be more excited if the TG01 had a more exciting product name, ran a newer version of Windows Mobile and was releasing in March. By summer, Apple will have a new iPhone ready. TG01's sexy today won't be sexy tomorrow, perhaps.
[Please send your tips or rumors to watchtips at live.com].
Comments (12)
nice smart phone but why windows mobile, & not Google Andorid
Posted by Rudeboyliv | February 3, 2009 1:19 PM
Why a new buggy OS like Google android and not a trusted one like Windows Mobile?
Posted by timi | February 3, 2009 1:22 PM
I know that Windows Mobile is not ...sexy anymore, but the truth is that the last couple, of years there is wide variety of phones running WM that came to market, by HTC, SAMSUNG, LG, Pharos, ETEN, SONY and now Toshiba. I remember not so long ago (less than 2 years), that if you wanted a WM you were restricted to 2-3 brands. Now every major firm has a WM, with powerful hardware.This must mean something...
Posted by Evan | February 3, 2009 3:19 PM
I use WM 6.1 on my samsung. It's not all that bad an OS. Had an Iphone. GREAT INTERFACE. Unfortunately the phone part sucked. Joe wants an OS with a great browser. WM ain't it. And I doubt that 6.5 is going to be all that much of an improvement. Or heck 7 for that matter. Me. I don't like surfing the web in mini. It's too painful. 6.1 is kludgey but I get my exchange e-mail, and I can open windows office docs. And far from the horror stories I've never once had to reboot my phone because it became unresponsive.
Posted by Shiloh Norman | February 3, 2009 3:44 PM
@Shiloh
-
Whilst we have had differing experiences with WM, I have to say that I completely agree with "I don't like surfing the web in mini. It's too painful."
-
Which is why to me Netbooks are so appealing. I know billybob is a believer in the Iphone, and Im sure its a great system, just for me, surfing mini is not a nice experience. On any platform.
-
@Timi
Quote "Why a new buggy OS like Google android and not a trusted one like Windows Mobile?"
-
I know I speak from personal experience of WM on an MDA Mail, but I believe the words "trusted one like WM" is not a common phrase on the net. IMO there were many people with issues with WM and IMO just like Vista has tainted future Windows platforms (IMO), I believe the same will be for WM (rightly or wrongly)
Posted by Goblin | February 3, 2009 4:39 PM
Joe, and anyone else out there who knows.
You have most likely cover this before Joe, but how much money does Microsoft make selling Windows Mobile and/or Windows CE software? As in MS does not make the phone (hardware) itself and now there is a lot of competition out there, even free software to compete with.
With MS laying people off these days, and profits declining, maybe Windows Mobile, is sort of like the ZUNE, as in ZUNE to be gone.
If its not a money maker for MS, the only value it has is the lock-in to other MS software on the desktop, for MS. Another reason to avoid it.
Posted by chips b malroy | February 3, 2009 5:17 PM
Interesting points, Joe; agreed, WM can't be hidden with a touch front end, I don't think. If you have to use it, check out Opera Mini/Mobile for browsing and sync bookmarks/Speed Dial with Opera Link. Awesome feature.
Unless your eyes are really bad, and your phone screen is tiny, Opera Mini/Mobile works great. I can only imagine how cool the Opera screen-zooming might be on this Toshiba 4.1" screen.
Posted by KT | February 3, 2009 5:18 PM
Here's why I believe in the iPhone, from a developer and consumer perspective.
I don't think Goblin will like this but here goes.
Consumer
I think everyone knows the benefits of having proper mobile web on the go. I normally only browse on it when I need to or if I do not have a PC nearby so you cannot compare it to a desktop experience because it's not an option. I would like to see you get driving directions to a restaurant using your desktop or laptop which you left at home because it is too bulky for a night out. I also like the phone because they link phone numbers on web pages so you can call the restaurant to tell them you will be late just by clicking their phone number.
One thing I like is that Apple controls what is installed on the phone and I can only get apps from the app store. This might sound strange but it is my phone, so I want it to be as reliable and stable as possible. Allowing anyone to install anything will lead to the Windows situation where there is so much low quality software that the system becomes unusable after 6 months.
Developer
1. Controlled environment (hardware and software)
I get to write to a consistent hardware platform. All the screens are the same size and everyone uses multi-touch as the input method. It would be a nightmare to write games for multiple sized screens and different input methods. Windows mobile is too diverse to bother writing to it. It would be a nightmare.
It is impossible to buy a real phone for every possible WM phone on the market, I can easily afford an iPhone and if I really need to I can get a Touch. That covers 100% of my customers so real device testing is easy.
2. I get to make money with no problem.
The app store means that I do not have to worry about copy protection, billing or marketing. I just put it on the app store and forget about it. With Windows mobile I have to add copy protection, activation etc etc. Then I have to market it myself.
3. The iPhone SDK is really nice, and I am starting to like CocoaTouch and Objective C, it is very consistant. I have tried a lot of phone SDK's over the years and this one is by far the easiest to get running with. I use a MacMini for development and XCode runs really well (unlike Visual Studio which is heavyweight).
Until WM can sort out these problems, it can only ever be as good as iPhone 1.1.4 which is nothing compared to 2.2. It is a shame for the phone manufacturers because this looks like nice hardware.
P.S. I think that the Apple model could be implemented with an open source or Android based system so I do not think that it all has to be proprietary. Android would be a better investment for Toshiba rather than spending money constantly skinning WM.
Posted by billybob | February 4, 2009 7:52 AM
Here is the phone in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdmPyZ5a0vo
Doesn't seem very responsive and they do not seem to understand that it is very hard to hit a 10 pixel square button with your finger.
Fail.
Posted by billybob | February 4, 2009 1:08 PM
Quote Billybob "I don't think Goblin will like this but here goes."
-
I dont disagree with any of your comments on the Iphone, since they have been echoed by every Iphone user I have met.
-
My problem with mobile surfing is similar to people who hate a mousepad on a laptop and prefer the traditional "palm" mouse. It is just not comfortable fun or productive for me. The screen is too small, the controls are too fidly, and my often "lazy slouch" at the desktop PC is completely impractical when using a mobile device!
-
If I was in need of a mobile surfing device as a necessity, then I believe I would choose Iphone immediately, since Ive yet to meet an unhappy customer. (that to me is the best advert there is)
-
But until that time, Ill put up with the larger netbook, since whilst I dont even find that has the comfort I enjoy, its a happy compromise if I feel the need to go out and about online.
Posted by Goblin | February 4, 2009 5:46 PM
Why doesn't your site talk about this?
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS9846736166.html
Just bash MSFT, that's it. I think the users of this site have lost their mind. Less secure WM?
Posted by guest | February 4, 2009 9:16 PM
@guest
-
Quote "Just bash MSFT"
-
Liar, check back on my posts.
-
Quote "Why doesn't your site talk about this?"
-
Because "guest" as I repeatedly said (and something we exposed Ridley for not doing)
I will only comment on systems I have actually used or am using. Notice how I dont make many MAC comments (even though the wife has one)? Notice how I praise XP? Begining to see a pattern?
-
I could quite easily come on here and make a comment about everything (heres looking at you ridley) but since I believe that would be wrong, I wont.
-
I glad you posted the link though, and it may get people who do use it debating the issue.
Posted by Goblin | February 5, 2009 2:06 AM