I Want It All!

[bluemax]

I've been a Pocket PC user since the time when even Microsoft didn't have a name for them. (Remember the Palm vs Microsoft lawsuit?) My first Pocket PC was chosen because of the color screen - Cassiopeia e100. They were the ones who introduced the idea of video and audio files on a handheld. So, here I am at least 3 Pocket PCs since then and I'm still trying to get everything on my Pocket PC.
Sure, it's a great organizer and it works very well with Outlook. I can keep track of appointments, tasks, contacts even do a little e-mail now and then. I can take a few documents with me for reference. Take a couple of books. Even play a few games when I get bored.
It does Multimedia, too. I've been able to play audio files on my Pocket PC and I've even been able to watch a few movies but it has always been a huge ordeal. Rip the video or audio, compress it into a form that is compatible with the Pocket PC and push that enormous file or group of files across the wimpy serial or usb connection. and then what? You can watch the video or listen to the audio, but only the ones you have at that time. I can take pictures with me. I've even been able to stream audio to my Pocket PC by way of WiFi network. I can do all these things but never simply or easily.
I've played with Pack and Go from Microsoft. That makes it easier to push the files to my Pocket PC but it doesn't let me take my DVDs with me. That's still an ordeal. It still goes through that pokey USB connection taking a half hour or more to push a couple of audio programs across. I've used Ethernet but that doesn't recharge the Pocket PC, requires an adapter (at least on my iPaq). WiFi makes things easier but unless I get a Pocket PC with WiFi built in, still requires an adapter.
Then, where do I put all this stuff. More and larger flash cards have helped but even a 5 G microdrive can only store about 15% of my CDs or a couple of DVDs. Still not enough to help when my mood changes in the middle of the day. I'm not in the interested in trying to figure out what I'm going to feel like listening to the night before.
Now, we can get portable Media Center handhelds. They have the capacity to hold all my CDs and a good choice of videos. Hopefully they will sync faster than my Pocket PCs. But, they don't do the organizer or e-mail part They are also separated from my network so I can't stream anything to them.
So, I can carry my Pocket PC and one of these Media Center handhelds but I'm still carrying multiple parts. I could get a ScottEVest to keep everything together but it's still not the great answer I'm looking for. Besides, how would I keep the earphones sorted out.
What about battery life? Geeze, I'm feeling really lucky if I can get through a 90 minute movie but only if I use an external battery.
Remember the title? I Want It All. When or where will I find something that will fit into a pocket that will do all of this?
* Play audio
* Play video
* Photos
* e-mail
* Web Browser
* Contacts
* Appointments
* Tasks
* Documents
* Spreadsheets
* Sync with home and work PC
* Fast transfer
* 20-40 GBytes storage space
* Hours of Battery Life
* Fits into a pocket
* Weighs less than 8 ounces
I could do one of the new tiny PCs from Sony or OQO but look at their prices and I wouldn't think I would need a full blown PC to do all these things.
Thanks for listening to me rant. I'd really like to hear your opinion too. Am I asking too much? Am I the only one who wants it all?
Bill B

[Brad Isaac]

Bill, I'd say a lot of us what most of what you are asking for. More battery life, play music, watch movies as well as manage our day to day lives. Right now, there isn't a clear "easiest" solution.
For instance, if you are going to watch movies, there's no way around encoding and copying the movies to your memory cards. However, as I understand it, the Portable media centers involve encoding and copying too. Music will always need to be copied to your device. I use MS Plus Digital Media Edition, which really helps with the synching. I just line up a WMA encoded CD or two and it syncs them automatically - no muss, no fuss.
Battery life can be supplemented right now with an extender or higher capacity battery.

[bkbroil]

OHHH MY GOSH!!!!! You have read my mind or we are living the same existence in different parts of the world (assuming you're not living in the Philadelphia area ).... I have the same story, except mine starts with a cassiopeia e125...
I have been searching for the same exact things that you speak of.....and by the way.......That is a GREAT rant!
I want it all! and that is the reason behind all of my early adopter gadgetry purchases....I am in search of that Holy Grail of never thinking "Hmmmm, what should I do now" but always thinking "Cool, I have some free time to watch a movie, listen to music, check email etc....whatever, wherever"
Why? Why do I search for this? That is the REAL question....And the answer to that question....is something that I am afraid to hear.. Maybe I have some pschyological disorder or genetic defect.....but I do know that "the hunt" is what is really the fun part....
Someday, I may have that device that fits anywhere and does everything......and that's probably the day that I'll start searching for an existence free of any media and/or internet....I'll become a "Cyber Hippee"
Bill thanks again for the rant! I love reading things that make me think!

[jkendrick]

Good rant! The truth is the new PPCs today are almost there. The only thing they are lacking on your list is the hard disk and the fast transfer rate. I expect someone will be putting a HDD in a PPC soon. I think Toshiba would be the first if they were still here. The only thing I'm not sure of is if WM2003 can handle a hard drive.

[Addic]

Looking at the rant from a more philosophical point of view. Is there such a thing as the perfect device? Or as gadget collectors will there always be more features/aspects/possibilities with regards to the mobile device to search for?
How many of us back in the 80's (I'm not THAT old ) wanted better graphics/sound, faster loading times etc on the PC.
The PC's out now are truly ground breaking, yet who isn't considering an upgrade or addition to their 'desktop kit'.
The same can be said for the PDA's currently available.
I suspect that maybe the search for the 'perfect device' is more about the journey, rather than the destination and I for one, am really enjoying the ride.

[bluemax]

I started this thread back in October of 2004. Now I see that one manufacturer has taken up the challenge. Too bad is for Palm.
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000000042450/
Come on! Pocket PC was playing music files and videos while Palm was trying to understand why anyone would want to do that. We need someone who will put a hard drive, blue tooth, wi-fi and a great display into a Pocket PC. Add in the tools to manage the larger storage space and it would be nearly perfect.
Any takers?
Bill B

[Drum4ever]

Last rumor I heard, Dell has the large HD planned for the next Axim line later this year. As for the slow transfers, if you have been searching for the past 2-3 years you should have stumbled onto a card reader making transfers quite palatable for around $10 to $20
I agree the perfect device is that elusive gadget always around the corner as we will want something more by the time the current list is covered. I personally surrendered and got a Dell DJ30 to carry my music and 12 hour battery time. This leaves the 4 gig of assorted flashcards for photos and videos on the X50v. I don't want a phone in my PDA so I am dangerously close to filling my list albeit with 2 devices.

[bluemax]

I've practically filled my list too but had to resort to an iPod for the music. Video works ok on my iPaq but "Sync and Go" takes an hour or more to transfer 60 minutes of program material. Way too slow. It's easier to just copy it to a SD card and use another player.
It would be nice however, to combine capabilities into one device and one governing program. I'm still waiting. Sad to say, I probably won't buy another Pocket PC until it can fulfill my requirements. If this one dies, I'll get another but not a top of the line like this one is.
I agree. I don't need a portable phone in my life.
Bill B