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Windows Mobile is Still Not Ready for Corporate Adoption

With everything that Microsoft says about Windows Mobile-based devices, one would think they are perfect. I purchased my first iPAQ in early 2002; it was powered by Pocket PC 2002, and the device was less than satisfactory--poor battery life, frequent hanging, unresponsiveness, etc. I couldn't rely on it for day-to-day business, so used a Palm Tungsten. In 2003, with the release of a new generation of iPAQs based on Pocket PC 2003 (or was it Windows Mobile 2003?), I outlaid the money again for a new device. It too suffered from the same problems. 2004 came and went without something new that looked sufficiently okay, as did 2005. But last month, I decided to see how much truth and reality there was in Windows Mobile 5.0-based devices, and purchased an iPAQ hx2495. Based on using it intensively for one month, as a way of tracking action points, managing my calendar, writing in Word Mobile when out-and-about, I give it the thumbs down.

When the device works, it is great. The problem is that all too often, it doesn't work.

• No Response When Pushing "On" or the Task Keys. Frequently the device won't even turn on when I push the power button or one of the task keys. There is definitely battery life left, but the device is unresponsive. This means that I can never assume that I'll be able to get access to my tasks and calendar when out-and-about; I can't trust it. A soft reboot usually solves the problem, but I shouldn't have to do this.


• The Screen Doesn't Redraw Properly. I find that the screen often does not display what it should show. I notice this especially with the default Today screen, that icons are missing, options do not display, and snippets of earlier windows remain when they should have been cleared off. Pushing a collection of keys sometimes solves the problems, but more often than not, a soft reboot is required. This is not good enough.


• Word Mobile Won't Save Documents, Claiming Lack of Memory. After taking notes on a seminar using Word Mobile, I have frequently experienced that Word Mobile won't save the document, claiming a lack of memory / storage space. This is the case even though I have a 1 GB storage card inserted into the device at all times, which has over 970 MB of space available. The only alternative is to discard what you have written. I can't trust this thing

So after one month of usage, I can't trust that it will turn on, I can't trust that it will properly show what I want on the screen, and I can't trust that it will save my work. Not a good start.

It is extremely vexatious that Microsoft and HP can't get this right after so many attempts. I strongly recommend avoiding Windows Mobile based devices for use on enterprise applications, such as wireless email. It just isn't reliable enough; don't waste your money.

I want a BlackBerry.

P.S. Perhaps the device I received is faulty. If Microsoft and/or HP want to put things right, send me another one.

Vendor Moves

• Idokorro Mobile Desktop ... Idokorro Mobile released Version 1.0 of Mobile Desktop, a VNC client for BlackBerry wireless handhelds. Enables a BlackBerry user to connect to a remote computer from a BlackBerry, and view the screen and if needed control the keyboard. Supports many desktop and computing platforms. Available immediately. A Mobile FTP client is also available for the BlackBerry. 24x7 Press Release

Other Industry Happenings

• Brief Review of Qnext ... PC Authority offers a brief review of Qnext, a file sharing plus instant chat client for Linux and Mac OS X platforms. PCAuthority


• UK Times on Social Network Analysis ... The UK Times talks about social network analysis, and profiles the use of Morphix MetaSight for tracking social networks via analysis of email patterns and flows. Times Online

Comments

[Volker Weber]

If a Windows Mobile device behaves so strangely then I would try one hard reset. Been there, done that.

Yes, you want a Blackberry. But beware: Mac support sucks.

[Peter de Haas]

Michael,

As always a thorough analysis (with some frustration this time ;-) )
Although you have some points I cannot denie, I do think a lot of stuff you ran into is device specific.
There's a lot of devices / different form factors out there and I am sure there's a device that meets your needs better than the one you've tested.

Can't make any promises in sending you devices, sorry.
Why not wait for a UMPC ? I think Microsoft should get send you one of those once they are available :-)

[Rod]

Vexatious. Great word Michael.

[Michael Sampson]

Volker ... I'll try a hard reset. Thanks for the idea.

Peter ... thanks for your feedback. Here's my main issue: each of the three devices that I've purchased running Windows Mobile "something" appear to have had "device-specific" problems. I just want one that works (and in this I'm no different from the mass market) ... first time, and consistently. I've paid for these things, and feel very let down. Yes, I'd love to try the UMPC!

Rod ... yes, it is a great word.

[Joel Jacobsen]

Michael,

I've an Ipaq rx1950. You're not alone. I replaced a Tungsten C (which worked flawlessly till it had an accident of my own making), intending to use this with an external keyboard as an alternative to hauling my laptop to classes.

I have had it since January and have had the same Word Mobile failure to save error you encountered at least 1 in 4 uses if not more frequent. The only solution, as there appear to be no MS Updates (surprise) seems to be to finish taking notes, power off and then transcribe to my laptop at home. I'd be better off hauling my laptop. I've been testing to see if it's a timing issue but with no solid results (IE: saving every 5-10min, vs saving once my class ends) yet.

As for the powering on issue: There was a bios/firmware update for the 1950..check on yours... this was a common issue, that I also had, but the firmware update (end of Jan 06 or so) fixed it. It had to do with an SD card being present and not letting it power on (or off sometimes) properly.

Thanks for your review. I know I'll not be buying another Ipaq when I replace this thing.

[Michael Sampson]

Thanks for sharing Joel. What a disaster these Win Mobile devices and iPAQs have become! There was no bios/firmware update for the hx2495. Thanks for the idea nonetheless. M.