newbie help

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Hi all, I am currently looking in the market for a good Pocket PC which
would basically sync in with our corp Exchange 2003 Server for email,
contacts, calendar etc. I know Dell has just released some new products with
the latest version of Windows Mobile etc. I also know that Verizon carries
the Samsung i600 & i700.
My question is fairly basic. Will one of the Dell Pocket PC's or any other
Pocket PC without an inbuilt phone give me the ability to browse the web
through Pocket IE & also hot sync Pocket Outlook with Exchange in real time?
Or do I need to have a Pocket PC Phone Edition or a Smart Phone? What
options do I have? I know some Pocket PC's can take a wi-fi card, but then I
would need to be in a wi-fi zone with internet access right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Param

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

right.

Your question is very general, the basic answer is that if you are
looking for an enterprise solution for reliable connected access when
mobile, you are going to have to go the cellular data route, either with
phone/pocketpc combos or phones that have the ability to connect to the
ppc via bluetooth, cables or ir.

Integrated bluetooth probably being the most reasonable route to
combine cost and convenience.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

The most common one at the moment is the ipaq 22?? and dell also has an
X3 model with BT

Bluetooth is only a "cable replacement" the user will have to also have
a Bluetooth capable cell phone and subscribe to the cellular provider's
data service.

From your posts, it appears that you have some confusing ideas about
"wifi hotspots"

Wifi has a normal range of 100 feet and while they are appearing in a
number of locations such as starbucks and airports, expecting wifi
coverage for any real communication need when mobile is unrealistic...
for example, checked during a recent trip through Houston
Intercontinental between two terminals and found nothing.

Additionally, wifi "subscriptions" make cellular data look cheap by
comparison.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Honestly, a Bluetooth enabled "pair" (a ppc + a cellphone) is both a
good and economical choice... which I would tend to point most people at
until the ppc-pe product matures a bit more, but, at the same time,
having both in the same box has significant advantages.

The device connection requires more tech to initially set up and learn,
but once learned, the two platforms are individually more stable than
the current combos... i.e. the phone is less likely to lockup and miss
calls and the ppc apps are not going to be impacted by phone problems.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

If it's verizon, suggest going ahead and evaluating the Samsung i700
PPC-Phone edition as, while it has "issues" it is generally a good
package. My primary reservation would be for someone who needs absolute
reliability to receive phone calls as the i700 has exhibited a high
percentage of "lockups" on incoming calls... in my case, it has not been
a huge issue as I have always been able to reboot, and call back using
the "missed call" information.

That said, don't have a firm recommendation on a combo. My Dell Axim X5
has been solid and great value for features and their new offerings
include integral bluetooth. The Ipaq's have been solid for years and
the 2210 (I think) has integrated bluetooth.

Seems like the Nokia's get high marks for integrated bluetooth
functionality but I'm outta my league here.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]