http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/ Engadget Mobile Comments for A fifth of wireless Americans want an all-in-one device http://mobile.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://mobile.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
for ex. The Touch Pro, in the US you can get 4 different editions of it, true the 2 of them are different for a reason, but why couldn't AT&T just use the standard GSM Pro (w/ US 3G) instead of it's own modifications.
Of course that was probably a bit off topic, I just think people in general want a more "all-in-one" device so they don't have to carry a DAP or a PMP, a phone and a camera, so the phones does all 3.

]]>Jan 7th 2009 12:04AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
Why don't they stick to what they know best which is processing calls and data and let the phone manufacturers do what they do best, designing and manufacturing phones.
]]>Jan 7th 2009 8:21AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
Now on the software side... the stock Fuze is absolutely terrible. I didn't like the AT&T theme in TouchFlo3D, and the AT&T bloatware on the phone robs precious memory. But this is only annoying for users who are afraid to flash their device with a custom rom, and if it helps subsidize the cost of the phone, this minor inconvenience is worth it IMO.

All in all, my phone is close enough to the GSM Touch Pro- I can flash the same roms and radios, and have 99+1% of the functionality (-1 front camera, +1 side button).]]>Jan 7th 2009 11:31AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/Jan 7th 2009 12:24AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/Jan 7th 2009 12:38AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/Jan 7th 2009 12:42AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/Jan 7th 2009 2:09AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
basically, i dont know what i would do without my smartphone and the thought of EVER going back to a dumbphone has never crossed my mind. it is worth noting that im 21 and most of the people that tell me my phone does too much stuff are my friends moms and older coworkers. so i think it has a lot to do with the generation gap, but i still see plenty of people who are perfectly content with their dumbphones that make calls, send text, and take/send the occasional picture.]]>Jan 7th 2009 11:14AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
I got the HTC Touch Pro/Fuze thinking that I could replace my iPod touch, iPod classic (160gb), EEE PC, and digital camera. I figured that with a small screen and limited storage (1 SD card), I'd have to make concessions, but otherwise I'd be happy on trips.

Guessed wrong:
-the video playback on newer HTC devices are terrible (video drivers are crap). iPod touch, while only has half the resolution, has much better video playback.
-iPod classic holds my entire music collection (as well as every episode of southpark) and still has 40 gigs remaining (and has much better interface and audio quality).
-My 4-year-old canon point and shoot compact camera takes much better pictures and video. The autofocus on the HTC takes forever, and shorts are far more blurry and noisy- it's not very usable as a camera.
-Web browsing on the phone is pretty good (Opera is one of the better mobile browsers), but if I'm stuck in a hotel without internet, I'm tethering my phone to my EEE PC and using good old Firefox.

I still haul all 4 devices (with respective extra batteries/chargers) around for trips. Someday, there'll be a device that can handle all of the tasks. But it seems I'll still have to wait a few more years...
]]>Jan 7th 2009 11:55AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/01/06/a-fifth-of-wireless-americans-want-an-all-in-one-device/
So here, you shop for a carrier/phone combo like the ATT/Fuze or Sprint/Touch Pro, but in most of Europe, Middle East, etc, you can shop for your phone, and then pick your carrier.

I think the US missed a big opportunity after 9/11 to consolidate wireless networks under the guise of 'homeland security'. Putting all companies on the same GSM setup would have meant an end to the mess we have today. Phone carriers definitely won't do this on their own, since it's the only tool they have (outside of 2 year contracts) to keep you from jumping ship now that numbers are.portable.

The end result is an underexposure to the true advancements in phone tech. We can than apple and the iPhone for changing that somewhat, upping the expectations of the masses, and hopefully prompting them to ask...why can't I just use that on another network?]]>Jan 7th 2009 1:03PM