Palm Tungsten Models Reviewed

Jason Weill writes "MSNBC has a slightly premature review of Palm's brand-new Tungsten models. These models, currently (as of 11:10 PM EST Sunday) unavailable on Palm's own web site, are the Tungsten T and Tungsten W. The Tungsten T includes a fold-out Graffiti area, new cross-key keypad, 144 MHz ARM processor, Palm OS 5, a 320x320 full-color screen, and 16 MB of on-board RAM. At $499, it's more expensive than most handhelds currently on the market. The Tungsten W replaces the Graffiti area with a thumb keyboard and includes GSM/GPRS phone capabilities. Unlike the Handspring Treo devices, the Tungsten W only works with a handset -- you can't put it up to your ear. The Tungsten W will cost $549, although most American service providers will subsidize at least part of the cost. These models will officially be unveiled Monday, October 28."

Comments

This can't succeed in Norway

[say]

...considering the name being "Tungsten". It means "heavy stone" in Norwegian :)

Not what I want in a handheld device, at least.

Re:Don't even think about buying one.

[wheany]

Games and other applications are tightly controlled by the cell phone provider. While you may be able to find "cellphone Java" (the name of the Java variant they run escapes me) applications, good luck getting them to download to your phone.

At school we have tested Java MIDP-applications on several phones, and the easiest phones to install to have been Nokia and Motorola. With Nokia 7650 you can use GPRS, Bluetooth or IR (at least) to load the apps (and ringtones :-) ), and with Motorola Accompli 008(?) you can use the cable that you use when you synchronize your phone and desktop.

With Siemens M50 we have not been able to load any midlets by any means. We even set up a WAP-server, but the phone just hangs.

But I wouldn't say the applications are tightly controlled by the provider, I don't think they are actively trying to hinder people, I just think some are being stupid with how you can install them.

Re:decent hardware, hamstrung OS

[Metrol]

...get a Linux PDA

Would have loved to. Only thing is, none of the Linux based PDA's provide any software for actually syncing to a Linux desktop! ACK! Okay, so I actually run FreeBSD on my desktop, but the same applies.

Bottom line, the only reasonable way to put a PDA to use today for a Unix user is to buy a Palm. Need Windows to actually use a Linux PDA... irony outta control or what?