Blogging Ottinger (tim)

I really like my T-Mobile “Wing” (HTC Atlas) phone, at least as far as the hardware is concerned. It’s quite a nice little device, though it has some bad habits like locking up while doing transfers and making phone calls when I holster it. Overall, it’s mostly what I want, but it’s not as usable as a phone from the front panel as I’d like. Some of my complaints were issues with my use of it, more than troubles with phone service. It has good voice quality, though, and a nice form factor.

The slide-out qwerty is ideal. It’s wider than my bberry is/was, and softer. I don’t like how clicky the Windows Mobile operating system is, but there are ways to get around it.

This phone has a touch screen and stylus, but I generally don’t use them. For me, those are wasted features. I played a game on it that was easier with the stylus, but generally will use the buttons.

The cellular data connection could be better, but the wifi is great.

What I really want in a cell phone:

* Must be operable one-handed as a cell phone via front-panel buttons.
* Must work well as a phone (intelligible speech, etc), whether it has other cool features or not.
* Voice activation for dialing.
* MUST have a qwerty keyboard that folds or slides out somehow.
* Key Lock
* Data connection (as reliable as possible): GPRS, EDGE, etc.
* Email
* Must charge from standard USB voltage with standard USB cable.
* IM/IRC Chat
* Web Browsing
* GPS, external GPS support, or MyLocation
* Large(ish) display.
* Alarm clock.
* Case that covers and protects the keys to prevent unintentional calls.
* Should be able to run short distances without the case ejecting the phone onto the concrete.
* Data connection through phone network
* Wifi, which should be preferred over phone network for cost savings on relevant features.
* Lanyard. I’d hate my phone to be jarred out of my hand by a passer-by.
* Keep as much of my personal information as possible on a micro-SD or equivalent.
* The phone shouldn’t lock up, even for a few seconds.

Most of all, whether it is a PDA phone or smart phone or whatever, is item #1. It is a phone. If I didn’t want a phone, I’d buy an ultraportable PC or a PDA. I need to operate it by voice or by one-hand, especially if I have to receive and make calls while driving. I shouldn’t have to look down at the phone, but I should say “call home” or maybe I could move the clickmouse and hear contact names.

Cameras, video playback, and audio are all cute tricks. I don’t much care, though if I can install an audio file as my ring and a photo as my background, that makes me happy. The important customization is to move the things I do *most* to the welcome screen (like winMob “Today” plugins).

Yes, I want too much. But that’s why I still want it. The cell phone design problem is interesting because it’s essentially untenable — the display and keyboard are never large enough, and the phone itself is never small enough. At least with the smartphone/pda-phone thing going on, people are willing to accept bigger displays and keyboards. Cell phone designers are smart people, and they keep coming up with impressive new hardware.