No HSPA on Dell Streak? - Streak 5 General

I waited for awhile for the Streak and almost gave up on it. These are the technical specs from the press release:
DELL STREAK SPECIFICATIONS:
* Android platform complete with Android Market and Dell user interface enhancements
* Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor
* 3G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
* UMTS / GPRS / EDGE class 12 GSM radio with link speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps*
* 5 MP Autofocus camera with dual LED flash. Easily point, shoot, and upload to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and more
* User accessible Micro SD expandable memory available up to 32GB*. Store up to 42 movies* or 32,000 photos*, or 16,000 songs* with a 32GB* Micro SD upgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: engadget.com/2010/08/10/dell-streak-on-sale-august-13-for-300-on-atandt-contract-550-wi/
Specs could be wrong but disappointing if true...

Unless I misread your post, I believe this has been the UMTS rating all along for all releases. In the US, I don't believe that AT&T has any plans to move beyond 7.2 Mbps (optimal) throughput before they start the LTE build out.

G-5 said:
I waited for awhile for the Streak and almost gave up on it. These are the technical specs from the press release:
Source: engadget.com/2010/08/10/dell-streak-on-sale-august-13-for-300-on-atandt-contract-550-wi/
Specs could be wrong but disappointing if true...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure the "H" at the top of my Streak means it's connected via HSPA....

Related

HTC Omni, the successor of Universal !

Paul on MoDaCo brings the first info abou the successor of HTC Universal - the HTC Omni !
Read the full article
I'm think support of HSDPA too, but the Samsung processor (same as in TyTN) is too slow for the best PPC Phone ed. device :-(
Sounds good, can't find a single picture yet though, how annoying!!
My O2 contract renewal is in a month, do I delay upgrading and wait for this, or will it not be out *that* soon?
So reading this it sounds like it will be to the Exec as the 2i was to the 2, or am I wrong?
Will it actually be VGA or will we need to hack it again :-(
G
jerrry said:
the Samsung processor (same as in TyTN) is too slow for the best PPC Phone ed. device :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG!!! Samsung processors yield 30% more performance than Intel. That means, if there is a 300 MHz Samsung, it's every bit as fast as a 390 MHz Intel. 400MHz Samsung = 520MHz Intel. Also it drains less power.
jerrry said:
I'm think the external displej is really good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must've mis-read. It says an external screen ISN'T included
GaZ said:
jerrry said:
I'm think the external displej is really good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must've mis-read. It says an external screen ISN'T included
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh sorrry, Yes I'v missed this
Now if it has a 533(+) MHz Samsung S3C2440, GSM-Quad-Band, Bluetooth 2.0, HSDPA, some sort of 3D-accelerator (like the nVidia GoForce) and built-in GPS I will be very happy - and maybe throw in an 1" hard-disk-drive (Seagate has one offering 12 GB now, after all, Windows CE 5.0 supports it, right?) while you're at it.
OK, one can dream, but I have been waiting for such a device for years now - and of course this info just HAD to come in as I was ready to finally get a Universal for a whopping <50 EUR from my provider - but then, I'd be stuck with it for two years, while everybody else gets to play with the (superior?) Omni. They better come out with substantial info on this device soon, before my provider drops the Universal from their portfolio for good.
As long as it's quadband and VGA I'll buy it in a heartbeat... I will never give up the VGA screen on my universal - I use it almost daily for remote management of the servers I manage and I need that VGA screen, but I use Cingular here in the US and the lack of an 850MHz band is a serious annoyance. I can't wait until any quadband VGA device is out... hopefully with EDGE support as well. I'll be keeping my eye on this Omni.
Brett
Anyone get hold of any pictures of this wonder device yet?
Why dont they ever listen ???????????? " Popular demand" says an external screen is a necessity not a luxury. Now even though the design is said to be "fluid" after waiting so long an external Lcd wouldnt be asking too much OR perhaps more $$$£££ in the form of Universal 3 is the cause! :?
BrettS said:
As long as it's quadband and VGA I'll buy it in a heartbeat... I will never give up the VGA screen on my universal - I use it almost daily for remote management of the servers I manage and I need that VGA screen, but I use Cingular here in the US and the lack of an 850MHz band is a serious annoyance. I can't wait until any quadband VGA device is out... hopefully with EDGE support as well. I'll be keeping my eye on this Omni.
Brett
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry Brotha, I dropped them for a very similar reason. I actually think that cingular is predominantly 850mhz, but the universal doesn't support 850, it supports, 900, 1800, 1900, and 2100 mhz. I switched to tmobile, who happens to have GREAT 1900 mhz coverage mostly everywhere. As long as you don't live off on a farm somewhere or in a real rural area, tmo should have 1900 coverage in the area. Now with T, I get 3 - 4 bars everywhere I go, with a solid 4 bars here at home. The only other consideration is that US UMTS coverage cannot be 2100mhz atm because the military uses that frequency for its satellites. So you're stuck with GPRS speeds or battery consuming wifi. For a while I just paired and DUN'ed the Exec with my Fathers sprint Apache.

T-Mobile USA version has upgraded hardware!!!

anyone seen this? I highlighted the differences I am very excited about this.
http://www.htc.com/us/products/t-mobile-hd2#tech-specs
Operating System Windows Mobile 6.5
Processor Qualcomm 1GHz Snapdragon
Internal Memory ROM 1GB;
RAM 576MB
Compatibility * WiFi: 802.11 b/g
* GPS/AGPS
Email One Exchange, up to 6 POP/IMAP
Dimensions 122x67x11mm
Weight 157g (with battery)
Display 4.3-inch HD touch-sensitive screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution
Technology GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
WCDMA/HSPA: 1700 MHz (AWS) / 2100 MHz
Battery 1230 mAh
alk Time: 380 min (GSM)
Standby Time: 490 hours (GSM) (The above are subject to network and phone usage)
Speakerphone Built-in microphone, speaker
Built in Camera 5MP, including widescreen capture, digital zoom and 2x LED Flash
Audio/Video * Windows Media® Player
* Albums
* Pictures & Videos
* FM Radio
* Audio supported formats:
.aac, .amr, .m4a, .mid, .mp3, .mp4, .qcp, .wav, .wma
* Video supported formats:
.wmv, .asf, .mp4, .3gp, .3g2, .m4v, .avi
I/O Interface Bluetooth® 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate, WiFi: 802.11 b/g
Expansion microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) (up to 32GB)
Antenna Internal Antenna
In Box Content 16GB MicroSD Card
MicroUSB Cable
Travel Charger
User Interface * HTC Sense user experience
* Capacitive touchscreen with pinch-to-zoom and haptic capability
* G-Sensor
* Proximity sensor
* 3.5 mm headset jack
Also look at the hardware buttons... The call/end buttons now have colors! (Green and red) ....
AND you get 16GB of SD storage in the box....
pspbirte said:
Also look at the hardware buttons... The call/end buttons now have colors! (Green and red) ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol yup sure do. Since when to us Americans get the better device??? This is a first? I am totally going t-mobile
pspbirte said:
AND you get 16GB of SD storage in the box....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get that with the Telstra version also...
pspbirte said:
AND you get 16GB of SD storage in the box....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
32 should be out pretty soon so as great as that is (and im not downplaying it, it really is great compared to what i got in my EU version lol), 32 will put this baby off the charts
thats a touch for you yanks!
So just to get this straight, you're trading GOOD UMTS bands (the 850/2100 on the Telstra one (T9193) is brilliant...excellent worldwide compatibility) for neutered UMTS bands and ~100 megs of RAM?
The ROM difference doesn't really seem significant.
WOW, that is pretty impressive. The 1gb will help CAB whores alot! As for the added RAM. Really, it's not nessasary unless you plan on flooding the hell out of your device and everyone and anyone knows that WM starts acting up with alot installed. With the current model's RAM, it's plenty. I have never seen mine drop lower than 150mb which is amazing! I would consider it if t-mobile was not so inferrior compared to at&t. Atleast in the north east that is. Whats even more impressive is how HTCa has it on their site already. Usually they don't ad a device with FULL specs unil its released or real close to release. Like a week or so away. Hmmm, Can we be seeing this bad boy earlier than we think? HTC sneak attack..? LOL
The most important thing is the internal 1GB ROM memory.
Seems that HTC finally understood that 160MB of free memory out of the box make absolutely no sense when applications downloaded from the Marketplace (which is where most consumers - not us powerusers - get their stuff from) can only be installed to the internal storage.
That's very very good. Just look at all the questions on this forum about the internal storage filling up - good that HTC has resolved that problem, at least for the users in the US.
Unfortunately still no sign of WM6.5.X on the US HD2.
Spike15 said:
So just to get this straight, you're trading GOOD UMTS bands (the 850/2100 on the Telstra one (T9193) is brilliant...excellent worldwide compatibility) for neutered UMTS bands and ~100 megs of RAM?
The ROM difference doesn't really seem significant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
up absolutely since att absolutely stinks everywhere i use it. And Ive had it for 10 years lol. Good thing it was through my work so i didn't pay for it because i would not choose them otherwise. T-mobile has recently upgraded everything and is headed to bigger and better things. i cant really go wrong coming from no signal no can i Not to mention, my company will take over my contract so i will sell my EU version and get one on contract from tmobile, that makes me money
bigger rom makes tons of difference if you are downloading a lot from marketplace
mallman said:
up absolutely since att absolutely stinks everywhere i use it. And Ive had it for 10 years lol. Good thing it was through my work so i didn't pay for it because i would not choose them otherwise. T-mobile has recently upgraded everything and is headed to bigger and better things. i cant really go wrong coming from no signal no can i Not to mention, my company will take over my contract so i will sell my EU version and get one on contract from tmobile, that makes me money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that doesn't help you for roaming.
I didnt think that either difference was significant but thought it was nice for our U.S. cousins to have ...
however... now that the windows marketplace has been mentioned, along with its inability to install apps to anything other then internal device memory (at present i hope), i think the change is actuallly quite big news.
Knowing that the market place is region specific... are we going to see an aggressive tactic from Microsoft, HTC and T-Mobile in the U.S.?
Spike15 said:
But that doesn't help you for roaming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont roam, i dont travel, i live in a tmobile area as proven by my friends full service with tmobile and my 1 bar of att. Im not saying att is bad, just bad for me. It was free forever so i didnt bother changing.
I think the +100mb in the RAM is more important than the 1Gb of ROM, seeing how programs will run smoother and faster, not to mention MORE multitasking with the added RAM. The 1Gb of ROM is good to those who wish not to tinker their phone and just use it out of the box. Though for those who are aware of XDA-developers, we can easily save programs and run it from the microSD card.
Audio Oblivion said:
I didnt think that either difference was significant but thought it was nice for our U.S. cousins to have ...
however... now that the windows marketplace has been mentioned, along with its inability to install apps to anything other then internal device memory (at present i hope), i think the change is actuallly quite big news.
Knowing that the market place is region specific... are we going to see an aggressive tactic from Microsoft, HTC and T-Mobile in the U.S.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have already run out of space on my EU version when i run things like WAD2 with all my themes.
lude219 said:
I think the +100mb in the RAM is more important than the 1Gb of ROM, seeing how programs will run smoother and faster, not to mention MORE multitasking with the added RAM. The 1Gb of ROM is good to those who wish not to tinker their phone and just use it out of the box. Though for those who are aware of XDA-developers, we can easily save programs and run it from the microSD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the way i see it, programs, no matter where they are installed are getting bigger, more colorful, more animated and use more RAM do to those facts. The word "important" may be strong to use for added RAM right now but hey, who wouldn't want more RAM??? and ROM for that matter. I agree it isnt earth shattering, but its nice to see
Indeed. Usually the US would get hand-me-downs or even crippled version of the EU/Asia ones, but not in this case. I'm glad that T-mobile is picking up the pace.
Aw man, I frown at my HD2 in comparison. Maybe the differences won't be so vast. What I have now works and I'm very happy with, just give me WM7!
16GB micro SD out of the box is just spoiling though, I'm spending up to £50 for one off Amazon as the 2gb out of the box just won't cut it!
MrMagicMushroom said:
Aw man, I frown at my HD2 in comparison.!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need.. if you know what you are doing then the extra device storage space isnt an issue.
the RAM increase is nice with an additional 128MB but what apps currently on winmo will need the extra oomph?
still... a good move by the companies involved... its probably going to help sales for those US customers who would have say, got an iPhone instead?

★★★ Everything about HTC EVO 4G (I love this phone) 4/20/2010 ★★★

★★★ Everything about HTC EVO 4G (I love this phone) 4/20/2010 ★★★
U can read this post about htc evo 4g:
HTC EVO 4G Specifications:
•Support communications standards 3G/4G
•Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8650 , 1 GHz
•Capacitive 4.3 inch screen with technology pinch-to-zoom and tactile feedback (TFT Screen like HD2 [not Amoled screen] )
•Android 2.1 (Eclair)
•HTC Sense to Friend Stream
•Visual Voicemail
•Work mode 3G/4G Router (Supports up to 8 Wi-Fi devices)
•Data 4G (WiMAX) – maximum download speed of 10 Mbps, the maximum rate of discharge of 1 Mbps, the average download speed is 3.6 Mbit/c.
•Data 3G (EVDO Rev A.) – maximum download speed is 3.1 Mbps, the maximum speed of unloading 1,8 Mbit / s, the average download speed is 0,6-1,4 Mbit/c.
•8 megapixel camera with auto focus,dual LED flash
•Additional camera 1.3 megapixels
•Video streaming through 3G/4G-connection
•Recording HD-video (720p)
•Reproduction of images, presentations and videos in HD-quality (720p) via HDMI
•Built-in retractable footrest
•3,5 mm audio connector
•FM radio and integration with Amazon MP3 store
•Applications Sprint TV and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
•Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support
•Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g
•Digital compass, accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS
•Support memory cards: 8 GB microSD card included, support for cards up to 32 GB
•Battery: 1500 mAh Lithium-ion
•Memory: 1 GB non-volatile memory (ROM), 512 MB of memory (RAM)
about evo 4g
http://www.htcphones.net/htc-evo-4g-preview/
about htc evo 4g with video and picture
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/htc-evo-4g-is-sprints-android-powered-knight-in-superphone-armo/
compare evo 4g with nexus one
http://www.pcworld.com/article/192642/htc_evo_4g_better_than_the_nexus_one.html
pic evo 4g
http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-12261_7-10002888.html
compare evo 4g vs hd2 & desire
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/htc-evo-4g-vs-hd2-and-desire-fight/
compare evo 4g vs desire
http://www.zjtechlive.com/htc-evo-4g-vs-htc-desire/
if u can read farsi
compare Amoled vs TFT in 4 pages
http://forum.p30world.net/showthread.php?t=392639
something about Processor
http://www.thesearethedroids.com/2010/03/25/sprint-evo4-chipset-qsd8650-supports-gsm-and-hspa/
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a8650&c=qualcomm_snapdragon_qsd8650
Tell me more...
Great post!! :d
Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8650
wbchristmas said:
Great post!! :d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tanx
something about chipset
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a8650&c=qualcomm_snapdragon_qsd8650
This phone looks awesome, great post!
gmaniac2008 said:
This phone looks awesome, great post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tanx
read this plz
better processor than HD2 and HD2 T-Mobile
http://www.thesearethedroids.com/2010/03/25/sprint-evo4-chipset-qsd8650-supports-gsm-and-hspa/
I 'll buy it when released (if I can)
PLZ tell me More
Hi
Plz tell me more
ur opinions
nobody know more?
Is it support arabic?
eshghman189 said:
nobody know more?
Is it support arabic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eshghman, not sure if you're bored or something, but flooding the forums might not be the best tactic.
1 - I doubt you'll use this internationally upon release. It's a phone built for Sprint, not a worldphone.
2 - The release date is June 13th for Sprint stores, June 6th for Best Buy, Radio Shack, etc. Pre-orders will start in mid-May.
3 - There is a possibility (all-be-it EXTREMELY low) that it will ship with FroYo. I am not saying it will, and I don't even believe it will, but there is talk that it could, and if not, will receive FroYo quickly.
4 - There is also talk that the ROM/RAM may change a little. Again, since you want rumors, this is one. Not sure how accurate this is, but some are saying that the ROM/RAM may be altered a tad before initial release.
5 - The media blitz will start in mid-May around the same time as pre-orders.
Any other questions?
Whaaaaaaaaaat? No love for 802.11n?
abcdfv said:
Whaaaaaaaaaat? No love for 802.11n?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any mobile phone use N right now? I know the GalaxyS will... And isn't N a huge battery drain? I'd rather have battery > N.
keatre said:
Any mobile phone use N right now? I know the GalaxyS will... And isn't N a huge battery drain? I'd rather have battery > N.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't heard anything about N being a bigger drain. I guess you could logically assume that more data transferred at a time would use more power, but whether or not it would be noticeable is up for guesses.
The (evo)lution baby
Cant wait till its release !!
see this
http://now.sprint.com/evo/;)
Will the Sprint version use the 850/1900 Mhz band? If so it should work with AT&T's 3G correct? Trying to decide if I want the Nexus One or wait and get an unlocked version of the Evo.
MysteryOfTime said:
Will the Sprint version use the 850/1900 Mhz band? If so it should work with AT&T's 3G correct? Trying to decide if I want the Nexus One or wait and get an unlocked version of the Evo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but the EVO is going to be CDMA phone. The only company's using that technology (US) are Sprint and Verizon.
Don't know what the Frequency is going to be so don't know if it will work on Verizon or not but I am sure you won't be able to get the Sprint 4G if used on anyone other then Sprint.
Tharamis said:
Sorry but the EVO is going to be CDMA phone. The only company's using that technology (US) are Sprint and Verizon.
Don't know what the Frequency is going to be so don't know if it will work on Verizon or not but I am sure you won't be able to get the Sprint 4G if used on anyone other then Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha, hopefully they will release a GSM model soon after.
I see that it says the release in sprint stores is June 13th and in Bestbuy, Radioshack etc. on June 6th. Why would Sprint release it after the 3rd party, indirect channels? Just seems to not make any sense, no?
nlasassin said:
I see that it says the release in sprint stores is June 13th and in Bestbuy, Radioshack etc. on June 6th. Why would Sprint release it after the 3rd party, indirect channels? Just seems to not make any sense, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is actually a usual occurrence among Sprint and other mobile retailers.
Does anyone know about the USB port, is it just a mini-USB or is it another version?
Mini-USB I'm sure.

Decent phone for around $200 US

I'm looking to move on from my old atrix 4g and would like to find a good phone for around $200 give or take that runs CM 10 stable and with all the features working. It seems like it's hard to find one that fits this bill so I'm asking the crowd here to get some ideas.
1. Runs CM JB 10 hopefully / stable / all features work
2. Capable of taking advantage of T-Mobiles US LTE or HSPA+ for fast internet speeds
3. Has internal SD slot
4. Dual Core
5. Hopefully around 8G internal storage.
Thanks!
neal74 said:
I'm looking to move on from my old atrix 4g and would like to find a good phone for around $200 give or take that runs CM 10 stable and with all the features working. It seems like it's hard to find one that fits this bill so I'm asking the crowd here to get some ideas.
1. Runs CM JB 10 hopefully / stable / all features work
2. Capable of taking advantage of T-Mobiles US LTE or HSPA+ for fast internet speeds
3. Has internal SD slot
4. Dual Core
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a brand new Galaxy S Blaze 4G which meets all of your above requirements at swappa.com for $215
taodan said:
I bought a brand new Galaxy S Blaze 4G which meets all of your above requirements at swappa.com for $215
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_blaze_4g_t769-4420.php ..it does not say HSPA+. What speeds are you getting on your phone and which carrier? I really like this phone but wish it had a little more internal ram and wonder if 4G will be enough for me...I should have put that in the OP.
Which ROM are you running on it, can you post the link so I can read up on the rom?
Thanks for taking the time to post!
neal74 said:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_blaze_4g_t769-4420.php ..it does not say HSPA+. What speeds are you getting on your phone and which carrier? I really like this phone but wish it had a little more internal ram and wonder if 4G will be enough for me...I should have put that in the OP.
Which ROM are you running on it, can you post the link so I can read up on the rom?
Thanks for taking the time to post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the entire page at gsmarena.com? The speed on that page says "HSDPA 42Mbps, HSUPA". For $200 and you want LTE? You might want to wait a couple years for the price of those phones to come down and then buy. The ROM that I am using is AOKP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1989825
taodan said:
Did you read the entire page at gsmarena.com? The speed on that page says "HSDPA 42Mbps, HSUPA". For $200 and you want LTE? You might want to wait a couple years for the price of those phones to come down and then buy. The ROM that I am using is AOKP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1989825
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I read it which is why I mentioned I did not see the HSPA+. I'm guessing the 42mbps is hspa+? Still new to the whole mobile world so please forgive. Your right ..I think finding a good LTE phone for my price is a little ambitious. My atrix 4g on T-Mobile should be hspa+ capable but running speed test I only get 5-6 mbps down and 1 up so I wonder why it's not much faster when it's capable?
Thanks!
neal74 said:
Yes I read it which is why I mentioned I did not see the HSPA+. I'm guessing the 42mbps is hspa+? Still new to the whole mobile world so please forgive. Your right ..I think finding a good LTE phone for my price is a little ambitious. My atrix 4g on T-Mobile should be hspa+ capable but running speed test I only get 5-6 mbps down and 1 up so I wonder why it's not much faster when it's capable?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Atrix 4G is manufactured for AT&T network and, according to data specs at gsmarena.com
Data GPRS Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
EDGE Class 12
Speed HSDPA, 14.4 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot
Bluetooth Yes, v2.1 with A2DP, EDR
USB Yes, microUSB v2.0
Given the data specs, your phone won't get HSDPA+ and although you can use on a gsm network, the phone's radio (aka modem) is not designed for the t-mobile network and that's why you get slower speeds.
You may continue your discussion here if you wish:
[Discussion] What's your next smartphone / What should I buy
:good:

Seeking Advice: Smartwatch for Camping

I'm planning on doing some hiking and camping this summer, and am considering replacing my pocketphone with something strapped to my wrist - less fumbling to get at a camera, less weight, longer battery, and so on. I'm hoping that some of the fine folks here can offer advice and suggestions before I decide to plunk down my all-too-limited money for a lemon of a wrist-computer.
So far, the factors that have occurred to me as being important to consider include:
* Battery life: 24 hour standby seems a bare minimum, 48 hour seems almost as important, and the longer the better. (I do have a small solar panel with battery-stick I can hang on my backpack, for longer trips.)
* GPS. A large part of the whole point.
* SD card with enough room to hold, say, an offline copy of Wikipedia and all sorts of offline maps, with enough room for lots of pictures. 16GB? 32GB?
* Software that can apply GPS readings to said offline maps, Wikipedia, and whatever other apps seem likely - planetarium, calculator, weather, dictation, symptom checker, etc.
* Presumably wifi, to download said apps, Wikipedia, and so forth.
* Camera. Preferably a couple of megapixels.
* Phone, in case I break my leg while in range of a cell tower. GSM 850/1900 appears to be what's compatible with the carrier I have in mind.
* Moderate price. The more I spend on the phone, the less I can spend on camping food and other such things. $200 is nigh-certainly too much; $150 is pushing it, especially if I still have to buy a 32GB SD as well.
* Extra bonuses that would be nice: Waterproofing; FM radio (for weather reports); a non-silly-looking case.
From what I've been able to dig up, not counting the price, the stats advertised for the "IK" with a 1.54" touch screen, or the Zgpax S6 seem to come reasonably close to what I'm looking for - though I have no idea how to figure out if the Kiwix reader would run on either of them, nor do I know if there are better choices, or even what sites would provide the best prices for shipping to Canada.
Do you have any comments, criticism, or advice?
Unfortunately, the ZGPAX is 2G only in N. America. There's not many watch phones that offer the 3G/1900mhz capability, SD card slot, and full Android 4.1+.
Right now... the US version of the Omate TrueSmart, AI Watch and the Neptune Pine offer NA 3G frequencies. All of which are higher than your budget. However, I have seen many go on eBay for less... but you have to be really careful about whom you get one from and, for some, manufacturing date is critical.
Waterproofing is a real crap shoot. Many vendors state that their devices are water resistant/proof. However, this is has become a real issue with OEM claims and actually real world use. For example, the Omate was advertised as waterproof...but actually turned out to be more resistant to water. Many people wore their watch in the shower, and quickly became a paperweight. Plus, if you decide to open the watch and upgrade the 8GB SD with a 32GB...you just voided your warranty. Crazy, huh?
The best thing to do is research the user experiences. Not the OEM's advertised claims.
If you go to Alibaba, smart phone-watches are everywhere. However, very few will meet your needs, not to mention quality standards.
I wish you luck! Feel free to PM if you have questions about any watch you're considering. I'll do my best to help guide you through this difficult tech segment.
mghtymse007 said:
Unfortunately, the ZGPAX is 2G only in N. America.
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I don't expect to use significant amounts of data through the phone system. If it helps, the provider I'm looking at mentions the frequencies at www . speakout7eleven.ca /support/prepaid-phone-questions#gsm-phone-with-wireless .
There's not many watch phones that offer the 3G/1900mhz capability, SD card slot, and full Android 4.1+.
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Is there any reason I should focus on Android 4.1+, and rule out any watches running 4.0?
DataPacRat said:
I don't expect to use significant amounts of data through the phone system. If it helps, the provider I'm looking at mentions the frequencies at www . speakout7eleven.ca /support/prepaid-phone-questions#gsm-phone-with-wireless .
Is there any reason I should focus on Android 4.1+, and rule out any watches running 4.0?
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My contacts inside the NA telecom industry have all either mentioned or heavily hinted more and more about the shut down of most 2G towers to make way for the more powerful 3G/4G/LTE towers.
This article is mainly about the US, but the same is happening across all of NA:
http://www.telogis.com/2g-sunset-ad...JBJlOVZjgbsiW2CSYY09a1iB6-NCe_7uPIaAq108P8HAQ
As you can see, this is happening now...not just in the works. Plus many GPS apps use the data channel for various purposes in addition to location.
First of all, I've personally owned and used most of the mainstream and highly rated standalone watches. A few of those are the ZGPAX S5, TrueSmart, Neptune Pine(more of a mini phone than watch), and now the Gear S.
I mention Jelly Bean or higher due to the vast improvements in areas that were made from ICS. A standalone smartwatch benefits greatly from these improvements. Here's a brief article comparing the two.
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-android-4-0-and-vs-4-1/
With only 1.54” of screen real estate, 4.1+'s interface is more precise... an important factor with so little room to navigate. There's many other articles you can research and see why watch-phones benefit from the upgraded OS. When I got the TS, the difference between that and the S5 was substantial. From that day, the TS became my daily driver.
Also, you mentioned in your OP that you were hoping for a watch that will last 48hrs...minimum 24. Never have I gotten more than 24hrs on a single charge, regardless of the OEM's claims and recommendations. The solar charger will be a very important gadget to have on your trip.
mghtymse007 said:
First of all, I've personally owned and used most of the mainstream and highly rated standalone watches. A few of those are the ZGPAX S5, TrueSmart, Neptune Pine(more of a mini phone than watch), and now the Gear S.
I mention Jelly Bean or higher due to the vast improvements in areas that were made from ICS. A standalone smartwatch benefits greatly from these improvements. Here's a brief article comparing the two.
With only 1.54” of screen real estate, 4.1+'s interface is more precise... an important factor with so little room to navigate. There's many other articles you can research and see why watch-phones benefit from the upgraded OS. When I got the TS, the difference between that and the S5 was substantial. From that day, the TS became my daily driver.
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After looking further through DX's site, I've found mention of two watches that seem to come within shouting distance of my needs, and which have at least Android 4.1: an iMacWear M7, which other discussion seems to claim is a clone of the TS; and the Zgpax S8. I'm a tad leery of the first as the price is bumping against my budget, and I think I ignored the latter the first time because its listed "standby time" was only 24 hours. Does anyone reading this thread have any thoughts on either of them, in terms of camping gear?
Also, you mentioned in your OP that you were hoping for a watch that will last 48hrs...minimum 24. Never have I gotten more than 24hrs on a single charge, regardless of the OEM's claims and recommendations. The solar charger will be a very important gadget to have on your trip.
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I'll make a further note to myself, to make sure that I start out with my external battery-stick fully-charged, in case of cloudy days.
Keep in mind the iMacWear's and S8's Frequencies are 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz, 3G: WCDMA 2100MHz , which isn't enough for 3G in the US.
Look at on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies. I would suggest looking closer at used US 3G smartwatch devices via ebay, which might push more popular brands in your price range.
Apokriphos said:
Keep in mind the iMacWear's and S8's Frequencies are 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz, 3G: WCDMA 2100MHz , which isn't enough for 3G in the US.
Look at on Cellular_frequencies. I would suggest looking closer at used US 3G smartwatch devices via ebay, which might push more popular brands in your price range.
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Going by my current provider, according to www .fido.ca /web/content/phonewarranty/configure_unlocked_device_guide , the frequencies I seem to need to watch for are:
Fido said:
Your device must be compatible with the Fido network, which uses GSM, UMTS, HSPA and HSPA+ at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. To access LTE network, the phone must be compatible with:
700 MHz on Band 17;
1700/2100 MHz on Band 4;
2600 MHz on Band 7.
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However, I know that an iPhone 4 can connect to 3G on that network, and according to Wikipedia, the frequencies it can handle are
Wikipedia said:
quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
(800, 850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz)
Quad-band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
(800, 850, 900, 1,900, 2,100 MHz) (800 MHz is not yet officially supported by Apple)
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... of which the only 3G frequency overlapping appears to be 2100 MHz. Do I really need to look for phones that can handle 700 and 2600 MHz, as well?
I'm going to definitively rule out the S8; it turns out its 8GB memory is hardwired, and it doesn't have an actual SD slot.
DataPacRat said:
... of which the only 3G frequency overlapping appears to be 2100 MHz. Do I really need to look for phones that can handle 700 and 2600 MHz, as well?
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Assuming that I only have to worry about 2100 MHz, I get an interesting assortment of smartwatches at www .dx.com /s/2100?category=529&PriceSort=up , from the S6 on the low end to the iMacWear M7's just at the extreme top of my price range (and likely beyond it, counting adding a 32 GB SD card).
Relatedly, I find myself in possession of a Bluetooth v3.0 keyboard. Does anyone have any information on whether or not any of the watches in the above link can accept external text input via Bluetooth?
Unless you live in Europe (which works with just 2100), you need either 850, 1700&2100, or 1900 to receive 3G in the US. There is a 2G 850 frequency you might be getting confused with the 3G version.
DataPacRat said:
I'm going to definitively rule out the S8; it turns out its 8GB memory is hardwired, and it doesn't have an actual SD slot.
Assuming that I only have to worry about 2100 MHz, I get an interesting assortment of smartwatches at www .dx.com /s/2100?category=529&PriceSort=up , from the S6 on the low end to the iMacWear M7's just at the extreme top of my price range (and likely beyond it, counting adding a 32 GB SD card).
Relatedly, I find myself in possession of a Bluetooth v3.0 keyboard. Does anyone have any information on whether or not any of the watches in the above link can accept external text input via Bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apokriphos said:
Unless you live in Europe (which works with just 2100), you need either 850, 1700&2100, or 1900 to receive 3G in the US. There is a 2G 850 frequency you might be getting confused with the 3G version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's entirely possible I'm confused - I'm still quite new to the whole shebang.
Looking through that list at DX, only a scant few mention all the 3G frequencies in question as 3G frequencies: the Zgpax S6, the iradish i6S, and a few above CDN$200. Of those two, I'm leaning towards the S6; it's $50 cheaper, and the camera placement is better for taking pictures of things rather than my own face.
DataPacRat said:
I'm going to definitively rule out the S8; it turns out its 8GB memory is hardwired, and it doesn't have an actual SD slot.
Assuming that I only have to worry about 2100 MHz, I get an interesting assortment of smartwatches at www .dx.com /s/2100?category=529&PriceSort=up , from the S6 on the low end to the iMacWear M7's just at the extreme top of my price range (and likely beyond it, counting adding a 32 GB SD card).
Relatedly, I find myself in possession of a Bluetooth v3.0 keyboard. Does anyone have any information on whether or not any of the watches in the above link can accept external text input via Bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Zgpax S8 will allow you to use a bluetooth keyboard and does have a removable SD card. (it is tucked under the battery and two cables...the job isn't difficult but is NOT for the non-tech savvy person) I have a Galaxy Gear 1 running NULL and decided to buy the S8 as well. (it was a close call for me...the M7 has a better design IMO plus a larger battery BUT the S8 has much more community support plus a working TWRP recovery)

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