But all is not lost. You can still get some real work done on these devices-- if you choose the right one. While smartphones come in many forms, and basic functions are beginning to converge, there's still a significant trade-off between portability and data capabilities, a distinction best exemplified by the size of a device's display screen and the type of keyboard. And although devices may offer similar features, their suitability for supporting data apps is tied to the underlying OS. In general, you must purchase a device for a specific vendor's network; not all devices are compatible with all networks.
Motorola MPx200
The small, clamshell-style Motorola MPx200 is one of the first converged devices based on Microsoft's Windows Smartphone platform to hit the U.S. market. It offers the convenience of a flip-phone form-factor, multimedia capabilities and tight integration with Microsoft messaging environments. Unlike devices based on the Pocket PC OS, the MPx200 is better for single-hand operations. A unique combination of size, power, storage and I/O capabilities gives it enough flexibility to run custom enterprise applications. Native client apps include Pocket Outlook and Pocket IE.
The MPx's native Windows Media player gives it MP3/WMA playback capabilities and support for WMV. However, the device lacks Bluetooth support, which limits its wireless synch capabilities as well as its ability to serve as a wireless modem for your notebook computer. The limited penetration of the Windows Mobile platform also restricts the choice of applications that can be run on the device, but that should change as the market matures. Some of the shortcomings in the MPx200 are addressed in the upcoming MPx220, which offers Bluetooth connectivity and quad-band performance, making it a global device.
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