DISQUS

The device is the Toshiba Portégé G910 Specs
http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=998

They seemed to have had a mix -up

"But if you still think you can get anything done with this smartphone at all, well then be my guest, and wait for it to launch from Movistar where you can reach them."

These specs are barely different from older blackberries, and you could use this phone for push e-mail, IM, sat nav with bluetooth GPS and many other uses.

Its precisely because its a smartphone that its not limited by its specs.

"But what Gartenberg doesn’t mention is one key thing: Windows Mobile is awful."

What an idiotic statement to base your whole argument on. Does that make you an idiot?

If Windows Mobile is so awful, why did 5.5 million people buy it in Q3 2008, only a bit less than the 5.9 people who bought Blackberry devices?

Why did 40% more people buy it in Q3 2008 than Q2 2008, when only 8% more people did the same for RIM?

CNET just said the Samsung Omnia is better than the Blackberry Storm. Maybe there is actually another AWFUL OS out there.
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=1778

Maybe that explains why RIM's share price DROPPED after the release of the Storm, by nearly 10%.

"can you encrypt the entire storage of a Windows Mobile Phone?!"

Yes you can. You really should have done some research first. Its a built-in fuunction of WM6.1.

You do not mention advantages like battery life at all.

"Apple is the new Microsoft and the iPhone platform is the new Windows."

When was Microsoft EVER as restrictive as Apple? Forget about letting another browser become the default browser - Apple does not even want the other browser to RUN.

How about Apple is the new Stalin, and the iPhone the new Communist Russia? If the iPhone ever gets that 80% Cringely predict it would be a major disaster to user freedom.

I dont know if you have used a HTC Touch Diamond Pro, but HTC has managed to increase the font sizes in ALL menus (even 3rd party software) to easy finger-friendly sizes, while lists are usually easy enough to use by finger.

Currently Android has no business features, but is very consumer-friendly, while WM is the opposite, so they are very complimentary.

You know, I would pay $30 for full device encryption, including storage cards
I would pay pay at least $15 for exchange push e-mail.
I would pay $15 to be able to read and edit office documents.
I would pay $15 for a good internet sharing application.
I would pay $100 to have access to all the great WM applications (Skype, Slingbox, Pocket Informant, BeyondPod etc etc)

How much did iPod Touch owners have to pay just to get an e-mail client ?

Steve Ballmer’s insistence that “We are doing well, we believe in the value of what we are doing.” does not ring well with those who love to hate Windows Mobile, but it may be useful to list exactly what $8-$15 will buy you (and you wont get from Android or Symbian).

Built-in Exchange push e-mail support.
Support for remote device management, application deployment and device policy management.
Support for full device encryption (including external memory cards).
Free sync with Windows Live Hotmail and Live Contacts.
Windows Live Search.
Live Messenger IM Client.
Software for simple Internet Sharing.
Office files reading and editing.
A pretty good e-mail application with built-in smart filtering search.
A pretty good bluetooth stack.
Access to 18000 + applications already out in the market.
Support by carriers and a wide developer community.
Security certification by recognized accreditation bodies.
Indemnification for the technology used.

Sure, OEM’s could decide to produce Android devices, and then find the phones they produce are unattractive to business users because they did not license Exchange Activesync, and does not appeal to others because it does not have any applications yet, and others still will complain the phone does not support A2DP. The OEM may find some carriers are reluctant to support their new device on their network.

Or dark matter. Or just no-good matter
-----------------------------------

Why would you presume that? Biased much? Apps like slingbox, tomtom and skype are just a few examples of the thousands of great applications on Windows Mobile? You must have been thinking of the crapware on the iPhone.

"WM6.1 is the same old same old we’ve seen since WM2003se. WM is in decline."

For some-one who writes for a WM site your views are pretty uninformed. Maybe whats new in WM does nothing for you, but some-one such as yourself should know that WM6.1 is NOT just the same old same old.

Why not, to demonstrate your lack of ignorance, dont you as an exercise list what has changed in WM over the years. Not whats mattered to you, since its obvious not much did matter, just without personal bias what has actually changed.

Another anti-Windows Mobile rant. Why don't you write about how cameras have not really changed in 10 years, or laptops? They still sell like hotcakes, much like Windows Mobile. 90% YoY growth is not to be sneezed at, and WM gained market share on Nokia in Europe recently.

People who have used WM for 10 years are understandably bored. They should really just move on without this traditional "slamming the door on the way out" rant.

Wow! What a misguided post. HTC sold 3 million HTC Touch phones in 7 months, and sold 11 million phones in total (with features like 3G and GPS) last year.

This phone offers a completely new user experience, especially visually,while we KNOW iPhone 2 will just continue to offer its boring grid of icons.

This line in particular is laughable:
"the iPhone is poised to enter 2.0-land far ahead of everybody else, especially with a 3G offering, enterprise support, and third-party applications coming soon"

The iPhone is FINALLY CATCHING UP with its competitors with 3G, enterprise support and 3rd party apps. How this takes them far ahead is incomprehensible.

If you use popularity in USA as a measure of success, you must think CDMA, Country music and GW Bush were very successful also.