Oh, look, another Pocket PC from UBiQUiO, the 503G. Like its predecessor, the 501, it still looks suspiciously like the Motorola Q and recycles many of its features. You’ll find that the GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA device supports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth and runs Windows Mobile 6. I, however, refuse to call it a “mobile powerhouse.”
Frankly, it doesn’t appear to do anything different than any of the other Pocket PCs out there. Why settle for something like this when companies are actually starting to innovate their cellphones and smartphones, like the upcoming Samsung Upstage and Helio Ocean? After all, doesn’t familiarity breed contempt, especially at nearly $800 without contract?
UBiQUiO 503G Pocket PC Phone [eXpansys UK via Ubergizmo]
Why settle for that phone instead of an Ocean or Upstage? Easy. Neither of those phones are Smartphones nor are they Pocket PC phones. Looks like you didn’t do your research. They’re both regular phones with extra value add built on. Just because they’re pimped by the Myspace dolts (Helio) or want to be a non-iPhone iPhone (Upstage) doesn’t mean they’re a PIM first, phone second. The point of a Smartphone is to have function before form. They’re not meant to be pretty, they’re meant to be functional (and just confusing enough to keep idiots away).
So what if this looks like a Q? So does the Blackjack, so does the Dash. Each one of those steals the Blackberry’s age old design. Most Smartphones are made by HTC and if they’re not, they steal the functional design and put their own name on it.
You are wrong on the price. US price is $649.95 USD, which for this type of device (for those who are serious about mobile connectivity and use it for work), is not an unreasonable price to pay. Still, both MobilePlanet & eXpansys, who sell it in the US and UK will provide a discount if you buy the phone with a GSM contract. In the US they activate through T-Mobile, and offer $100 OFF and in the UK they offer a variety of carriers/plans and the generous discount varies between £230 and £300 pounds.
This one has a touchsceen and uses the Professional (PocketPC) version of the OS. Its the only one that does with this formfactor that I am aware of…