Motorola’s MPx has been eagerly anticipated since it was announced in February this year. A clamshell device capable of functioning in both landscape and portrait modes thanks to its dual hinge system, and running Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Phone Edition SE, its advanced publicity has created quite a storm, suggesting that it's capable of meeting both telephony and more traditional handheld requirements.
We obtained a near-final version of the MPx, which is expected to launch later in the year. So does it represent the way forward for connected handheld computing?Design
Not surprisingly, the MPx sits somewhere in between a handheld and a mobile phone, weighing 174g and measuring 6.12cm wide by 9.97cm deep by 2.4cm high. You probably won’t want to carry it around if you're travelling light, but it's less cumbersome than toting both a handheld and a mobile.
There have been handheld/mobile combos before, of course, but what makes the MPx unique in this respect is that it opens both in the traditional clamshell phone style, with the screen in portrait mode, and in ‘notebook’ mode, with the screen in landscape orientation. The screen flips automatically, and you can’t force a change via the Settings dialogue, as you can with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition running on unconnected handhelds.
The mechanics of the dual hinge system are straightforward. By default the MPx opens in portrait configuration. Hold in a button on the upper right edge of the case (when holding the device phone-style), and the hinge on the opposite edge is released to allow it to open in landscape mode. The mechanism felt slightly insecure on our review model, but should hopefully be more robust on production units.
There's a navigation button and a standard number pad, as well as buttons that fire up the Windows Mobile Contacts application and the bundled VoiceSignal voice dialing software. There's no need for softkeys or softmenus, as the MPx's screen is touch sensitive.
The MPx has a full QWERTY keyboard with a reasonable selection of symbols available as shift key options, although you have to get a '£' sign from the Windows Mobile soft keyboard. You can set the phone to use alpha or shift key symbols in portrait and landscape modes. Although the Shift key switched between the two when working in landscape mode, it did not work in portrait mode. Hopefully this will be fixed when the MPx ships, although finding the right keys to tap out an SMS in portrait mode is more hassle than using the soft keyboard or Transcriber handwriting recognition.
The keyboard also offers shortcut buttons for accessing various Windows Mobile- and MPx-specific features, including the Start menu, messaging software, context-sensitive tap-and-hold menus and the built-in digital camera.
The camera’s lens sits on the front of the device, with an LED-based flash unit next to it. Also on the front is a small colour LED screen that provides a range of functions when the clamshell is closed. Your SIM slots into one of the long edges of the device (protected by a rubber cover that's likely to be quickly lost), and can’t be removed unless you first take out the battery. On the other side there's a similarly covered SD/MMC card slot.
The stylus for with the touch-sensitive screen feels incredibly light, and is oval rather than round in cross-section, making it difficult to grasp. Shipping models will come with a data cable and a docking cradle.
Features
The MPx runs on Texas Instruments’ OMAP 733 processor running at 200MHz. Tri-band GSM/GPRS communications are built into the chip, which is designed for low power consumption. As far as memory is concerned, there's 32MB of RAM and 64MB of flash ROM, the user having access to 12MB of the former and 14MB of the latter. The RAM complement, in particular, may disappoint users of regular Pocket PC handhelds, who are used to 64MB or more. Although our review unit came with a Motorola-branded 32MB SD card, the final retail version is not expected to have extra storage bundled.
The integrated 1.3 megapixel camera can capture images with a maximum resolution of 1280 by 960 pixels; it also supports 640 by 480, 320 by 240, 176 by 144, 160 by 120 and 128 by 96. The camera features a 4X digital zoom, a self-timer and a burst mode, while the LED-based flash is useful for taking indoor shots.
The small colour screen on the front of the MPx has three buttons beneath it that access call-related features such as ringtone selection and missed call alerts, as well as the voicenotes features and profile selection. The buttons are a bit fiddly to use, and you need to squint at the screen to work out what you are doing. The main screen is a 2.8in., 16-bit colour display with a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.
As well as tri-band GSM and GPRS, the MPx has both Bluetooth and 802.11b Wi-Fi built in. A Today screen icon provides control over wireless connectivity.
Motorola has added some of its own software to the standard Windows Mobile 2003 Phone Edition SE bundle. VoiceSignal is a voice dialing application, Jeodek is a Java virtual machine, and Photo Album complements the Microsoft-bundled Pictures application. There is also a profiles manager in the Settings area.
Performance and battery life
We found the MPx occasionally slow to respond to screen taps, which may be down to the 200MHz CPU speed, the limited RAM, or simply the pre-production nature of our test device. When the MPx launches, we will performance-test a production model and report back.
Motorola claims up to 180 minutes talktime and 140 hours on standby for the MPx, but we did not test this -- again because of the pre-production nature of our review sample.
Conclusion
There's no doubt that Motorola's MPx is an innovative integrated device, but there are question marks against its ability to handle both telephony and handheld computing needs satisfactorily. When used in portrait mode as a mobile phone, the MPx feels bulky, while the keyboard is not up to much more than tapping the odd email or text message. The screen offers 320 by 240 pixels, but feels a little cramped at just 2.8 in. across the diagonal -- viewing complex information in landscape format was sometimes a little difficult. And as far as RAM is concerned, Motorola would be advised to provide more than the 32MB (12MB user-accessible) on our review sample.
Specifications
| Audio | |
|---|---|
| Audio input | microphone |
| Audio output | speaker, headphone jack |
| Voice recording capability | Yes |
| Connectivity / expansion | |
| Docking cradle | Yes |
| Wired connections | USB |
| Wireless PAN | infrared, Bluetooth 1.1 |
| Wireless LAN | 802.11b |
| Wireless WAN | GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS |
| Expansion slots | SD/MMC |
| Display | |
| Display type | TFT |
| Display size | 2.8 in |
| Native resolution | 320x240 pixels |
| Colour depth | 16 bits |
| General | |
| Built-in devices | camera, keyboard, phone |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 61.2x22.4x99.7 mm |
| Weight | 174 g |
| Input devices | |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Stylus | Yes |
| Navigation button/wheel | Yes |
| Keyboard | Yes |
| Memory | |
| Memory expansion | SD/MMC |
| Installed ROM | 64 MB |
| Installed RAM | 32 MB |
| OS & software | |
| Operating system | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, Second Edition, Phone Edition |
| Software included | Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Tasks, Contacts and Inbox), MSN Messenger, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Windows Media Player 9, Microsoft Reader, Picture, Terminal Services Client, Notes Taker, Voice Recorder, Calculator, Games (Solitaire, Jawbreaker), Phone, Transcriber, Letter Recognizer, Block Recognizer; Pocket IE, VioceSignal, Jeodeck (Java VM), Photo Album, profiles manager |
| Synchronisation software | ActiveSync |
| Desktop software | Outlook |
| Host PC system requirements | PC with Windows 98/ 98SE/ME/2000/XP |
| Power | |
| Battery type | Li-ion |
| Number of batteries | 1 |
| Processor | |
| Processor | Texas Instruments OMAP 733 |
| Clock speed | 200 MHz |
| Expand | |
Images
Member reviews
How much does this phone cost in USA money? And is it selling in US -- ,because I never heard of this phone? I would like to buy it.
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10My first mobile phone: it just doesn't sit right -- two hinges to break, a fiddly keyboard, small screen and quite considerable bulk do not make up (IMHO) for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi bundle.
Manufacturers don't seem to understand that people don't mind a bit bigger gadget if it'll lie flat in your pocket (i.e. be THIN)... Clamshell design just doesn't lend itself to that just because it has four surfaces to its chassis rather than two. Once you've got a case for this machine, 2.4cm depth will be more like 3.4cm. Not a recipe for a good shape to your pocket, and liable to get you arrested in some countries!
- 7.00 out of 10
7.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10I had high hopes for this phone but it seems that like the Sendo X it won't be able to live up to its own hype.
If Motorola can sort the phone's CPU and RAM then this phone could do well.
But I heard it's going to cost almost 800 euros SIM-free. Ouch.
- 5.50 out of 10
5.50 out of 10Don't know the cost yet. That would make it easier to compare to other PDA phones on the market.
- 8.50 out of 10
8.50 out of 10- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10The only major drawback is only having 32MB RAM.
- 8.70 out of 10
8.70 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Bigger is not better - this product is awesome - it will smoke everyting on the market when its out
And if they can make is slimmer - even better.
So while you enjoy carrying a typewriter and an abacus in your pocket -- I'll be sporting this puppy for sure.
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10Tons of features in a small package. Looks like a winner.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Phone is too slow for a pda/smartphone -- how can you possibly expect a 200MHz processor to do all the tasks!
- 5.50 out of 10
5.50 out of 10How do all of you make comments about this product when it is not even released? Potentially it looks good, but if you have not used it, what use is this review section to anyone?
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Looks fantastic, been tracking this model on Howard forums where a few people have got engineering samples. I hope they sort out the limited memory (the battery life has already been fixed by a slightly bigger battery) and the price isn't too high I will definitely get one
- 7.00 out of 10
7.00 out of 10- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10Look at all revews...
1.3 megapixel camera -- Very good
Touch screen!
Memory expandability -- I think SD/MMC
Hinge flip
QWERTY keyboard
- 9.30 out of 10
9.30 out of 10Plus - 1.3 mega-pixel camera and flash. Up to 1GB additional memory. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Tri-band GSM/GPRS, Voice Dialing, Infrared IRDA 115 kbps, thumb QWERTY keyboard, stylus and touch sensitive screen, Java technology.
Minus - CPU speed, small RAM.
This is what I've wanted :-)
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Used a working model at the AARP convention in Las Vegas. Sound quality less than stellar. Weight and size excellent for a PDA/phone. New Bluetooth device worked very well. Reps at show would not even hint a price point. Powering up device was very slow. Feature rich, keyboard seemed easy to navigate. Clamshell and desktop-style screen was excellent in use and clarity. The continual delay in release is a possible red flag.
Good features but bad performance. Better buy separate phone and PDA. Needs more RAM. I would pay extra for more RAM...
- 7.00 out of 10
7.00 out of 10Perfect PPC! That's what I am looking for. Can't wait to get hold of it. Hopefully Motorola will increase MPx RAM & ROM.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Motorola MPx is whats up... By reading on this device, this is a great phone/pocket PC. I can't wait to get my hands on one. Motorola is doing its thing.
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10I own a Pocket PC with 400MHz, so this may be slower at 200MHz. Maybe the final production model will come with more. It has everything apart from a GPS receiver which would be nice. Taking a long time to come on the market. But I will buy one as soon as it does. Anyone know of a release date?
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10This type of device is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for. Not only is it smaller than the Sony UX-50, but unlike the Sony, it also has the ability to be used as a cell phone!
Therefore, you can surf the web and receive email and text messages from ANYWHERE (not just hot spots).
Additionally, because it's a Pocket PC device you can use it to listen to MP3s (PocketMusic) and Watch Movies (PocketTV).
Therefore... A single device the size of a deck of cards will allow you to throw away your cell phone, organizer, MP3 player and portable DVD player.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10I heard about this phone a long time ago, but I personally think it will not be as good as SE P900, though the SE P910i is completely rubbish.
What I look for in PDA/mobiles now is battery life (has to be very good, which I haven’t found yet), camera quality, video quality and connectivity with the PC. Frankly I cant tell much abt this phone until I try it, see it, feel it and use it.
- 6.00 out of 10
6.00 out of 10This phone is great, but there are only 2 problems: the screen resolution and the design, which isn't attractive. But the features are good -- better than the Nokia 9500 because of its 1.3 megapixel camera. So buy it!
- 8.50 out of 10
8.50 out of 10This sounds like THE phone to have. I currently use the P900 and it's a great phone. The best smartphone in the market.
But the MPx shows bigger promise. Although I won't go for it if they don't get a much faster processor, at least a 400 MHZ one, and up to 5 hours battery life. That would be the ideal phone...or am I just dreaming? Well I won't worry about the battery that much...you can always get a second one.
The P910i/c/a are a big disappointment..if you have the P900 do NOT upgrade.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10This sounds like THE phone to have. I currently use the Sony Ericsson P900 and it's a great phone. The best smartphone in the market.
But the MPx shows bigger promise -- although I won't go for it if they don't get a much faster processor (at least a 400MHz one) and up to 5 hours' battery life. That would be the ideal phone...or am I just dreaming? Well I won't worry about the battery that much...you can always get a second one.
The P910i/c/a are a big disappointment -- if you have the P900, do NOT upgrade.
Very ingenious of Motorola: if they do this right they will climb up to being the #2 leader behind Nokia (Motorola recently lost its #2 position to Samsung or LG -- can't remember).
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10I used an i-mate PDA before and now I'm using a Sony Ericsson P900. But after releasing of this gorgeous phone I won't think about buying something else.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10Won't be able to compete for people who need a functional PDA with so little RAM (12MB for user??).
- 6.50 out of 10
6.50 out of 10- 8.00 out of 10
8.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10I bought this baby for CAD$1200. The price is still not right out there. This device should not be more than CAD$700. Why? Simple, look at the following things:
1) CPU: oh God, it sucks, it's like an AT machine (195MHz)
2) RAM: PLEASE...I could not believe that Motorola could do this: 24MB -- and then it divides the memory into storage and programs, making it slower
3) Worst sound recognition software one can imagine
4) Using GPRS disables phone service, even a few minutes after the GPRS is disconnected. In many cases, I had to search for network manually.
5) Bill Gates does it again: the machine hangs a lot, like any other machine running Windows
I waited for a year for this device -- and I regret not buying a Nokia Communicator 9500 over this device. The only drawback is that the Nokia Communicator runs Symbian OS -- which is good, but there's not too much software are available.
- 5.00 out of 10
5.00 out of 10- 8.00 out of 10
8.00 out of 10Great idea and the features are really good. I've had this phone for 2 months and it doesn't really work. It's always crashing and needs resetting, the out side LCD has a mind of its own and the battery life is shocking. I hope they release a service pack or ROM update soon. I did get this from KL which may be the reason for the dodgy network coverage. It’s not a practical phone. On numerous occasions I’ve tried to answer the phone and it’ll either crash or just not answer. Trying to make a call is equally frustrating. Test this device thoroughly before purchase.
- 6.50 out of 10
6.50 out of 10The battery life is about as bad as it gets. The claims for standby and talk times are totally false. With bluetooth on, and with the phone entirely idle (no use whatsoever) you will be lucky to get 20 hours out of it. And wait until you see what you can do with 32 megs of memory and a very slow processor! The only thing it has going for it is that bluetooth voicedial works from the headset, and I find it to work as well as other voice recognition software. It is over-priced and over-rated, and I would not recommend it to anyone. There are better units coming soon, and this one is not even yet available except in short overpriced supplies. I think the mda 4 will be the sought after product, but forget this one. Motorola took so long to produce it that technology has passed them by - by a long shot. I would love to get rid of it.
- 6.00 out of 10
6.00 out of 10The concept of the phone is great. But, the performance sucks.
(1) Memory is too small
(2) Processor is too slow
(3) Phone hangs after GPRS use
Even though the concept is great, the phone is going to be a BIG let-down for any buyer. The gap between promise and performance is simply too great.
Why cannot they implement it right? Should not be too difficult.
- 4.50 out of 10
4.50 out of 10MPX200 would be a great tool IF it didn't hang, had a faster CPU and more stable OS. MPX has a chance to remedy these faults, sadly it appears to fail
- 5.00 out of 10
5.00 out of 10This motorola MPX sucks. I will never buy another motorola.
- 3.00 out of 10
3.00 out of 10This Motorola product will change the game on the whole smartphone issue and have the competition having to pull their socks up and try a little harder.
- 7.50 out of 10
7.50 out of 10It's the answer to the goofy PDA and the daddy of the trying-to-do-it-all cell phone...
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10This has to be one of the best phones ever built. I just love the cool factor. It works fine with bit of software management. Thanks Motorola.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10This is one of the best phones out, yet it is a handheld computer and a mobile phone so much crammed into a little space.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10awesome... moto rules
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10