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DesignTechnica Reviews Motorola Accompli 009

Posted by timothy on from the named-by-a-car-maker dept.

Ian Bell writes: "Designtechnica does a review of Motorola's new Accompli 009 2-way communicator. 'The ACCOMPLI sports the standard cast of communication and organization features - voice calling, calendar (syncs with Outlook or other personal information management programs), contacts, SMS, web browser, and a splash of ring tones and games. Not so standard is an RF modem that enables you to connect to the Internet through a data cable and operate as you would from a PC... ' While the features look good on paper, the unit has little to be desired. This is the first full review of the Accompli 009 on the net. Thanks guys."

6 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Target price? by InterruptDescriptorT · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When the reviewer says there's "little to be desired", to whom is he referring? A more geeky, tech-savvy audience or the everyday user? It has SMS, GPRS, and a whole host of other features that will soon be standard in all portable communications equipment. Sure, you can't run Linux on it or create a Beowulf cluster of them, but I can't see what's left "to be desired". I think this is a great combination of a portable communications device with PDA-like functionality. Can anyone point me to anything better that has these so-called desired features?

    See, I don't know about you guys, but just looking at the specs and the picture of it made me want it. (I'm impulsive that way. :-) )

    --
    Karma: Excellent Birds (mostly as a result of listening to Laurie Anderson)
  2. Addendum:Target price? by InterruptDescriptorT · · Score: 3, Interesting

    D'oh! Two minute filter got me. :-|

    Anyway, did anyone catch the target price on this thing? I won't pay upwards of $500 for it, but in the $200-$250 range, it would be a near-perfect alternative to high-end cellphones that can't boast half of those capabilities.

    And does anyone know what the service charges would be for GPRS? I have to admit I'm not too up on GPRS. If access would be any cheaper than Palm.Net ($50/month for unlimited transfer? Forget that noise!), I'd be willing to sign up.

    --
    Karma: Excellent Birds (mostly as a result of listening to Laurie Anderson)
  3. Re:More features below by forged · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Well, of course they have (it would be silly from them on a commercial ground to do otherwise).

    What I have in mind specifically is how one will be able to interact with the device, possibly using a non-MS operating system.

    Technically their device runs their own proprietary OS called Wisdom OS. The documentation of their windosw-based application (TrueSync Desktop) suggests that open protocols are used, such as POP3, SMTP etc.

    However for your calendar / contacts database app, Outlook seems to be the only choice...

  4. logical extension of timeport product by f00zbll · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I heard about this product from motorola back in 2000 doing research in sms and other wireless data. There were very few details back then, since it wasn't ready yet. I guess now I can finally see what they meant when they said there would be "a better, more advanced model with better wireless connection."

    Having used both RIM blackberry and timeport product, blackberry's interface feels much more intuitive and user friendly. though client/server apps should be easier with Accompoli. The keyboard on the accompoli looks very similar to the timeport product, so typing will still be difficult. Also the form factor of the timeport was a bit bulky and not very good if someone wants a device they want to put in their pocket. RIM blackberry's slim profile was better than timeport, though the balance between screen size and form factor is a tough decision.

  5. Finally, a use for flash... by uigrad_2000 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Here you can play with a simulation of the full phone. You can practice making, and receiving calls (the assumption being that once you use it, you'll think you need one!)

    If you choose not to press "skip intro", I challenge you to make it through the whole intro without laughing. Keep your headphones on.

    --
    Free unix account: freeshell.org
  6. Re:Full Review? by xurble · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's OK to develop for. The motorola SDK is good and they provide a nice IDE.

    Also the language is quite a nice high level, object based one with plenty of hooks for the phone/SMS functionality you want to use. PLus they say they're going to support java (J2ME?) later as well.

    I couldn't live with it though (ignoring the fact that it crashed a lot - it was an engineering sample) its just not that great.

    He's spot on about the interface being long winded, a common failing with Motorla.

    The worst bit is the fact that you have to use the hands free kit all the time though. So if you want to answer incoming calls you have to have the wires connected all the time which is a complete pain.

    The PDA stuff is pretty good, but not as good as a dedicated device, although obviously its nice to be able to dial direct from your address book.

    The problem is it doesn't do either job well enough. As phone, it makes a nice PDA and vice versa.