MotoSummer 2004 (Phone Scoop)
PhoneScoop gives us the first solid-sounding word I’ve heard about which carriers are going to be carrying the vaunted MPx220:
“The MPx220 is currently slated to be available from both AT&T Wireless and Cingular in October.”
No mention of T-Mobile, which means I’ll be looking for a way to unlock it for use on T-Mobile’s network (if I don’t manage to acquire an unlocked version).
Also of note is the October release date. This jives with the Q4 that Moto has told us, though I’d like to see something more concrete (like a product announcement, or a pre-order page, or something) before I get my hopes too high.
Motorola MPx220 review - Intro - Smartphones - CNET Reviews
C|Net has put of their official “preview”/product page for the MPX220. No new info, but it’s another tidbit for those of us starving for info on this phone.
Thanks to rednoc for the heads-up, and for using my Comments section - it’s been too quiet here! 
Smartphone Thoughts - Daily news, views, rants and raves
It had the same featureset (camera, WM2003 for Smartphones, Bluetooth, etc.) as the MPX220, but came in a stylish (I thought) candybar layout, similar to most Nokia phones. But Moto has confirmed that it has officially been canceled, citing greater demand for clamshell-type phones, like the MPX220.
It’s too bad - the MPX100 was an awesome phone. I’m surprised that clamshells have become as popular as Moto says they are. It seems that not too long ago, all of the really cool phones were only available in the candybar shape. Then the MPX200 came along. Personally, the MPX200 was what converted me to the clamshell layout - built-in screen protection, larger screen, etc. It just works.
RIP, MPX100. We hardly knew ye…
MoDaCo Smartphone - View topic - My MPx 220 Review
Where the heck are all of these european people getting a hold of this phone? This is like the fourth european (p)review of the MPX220 I have seen. Why no love for the U.S., Moto? Oh, this review is a (marginal but readable) translation of the German review mentioned elsewhere.
/end rant
Anyway, the review contains several photos and some impressions. Notables: the “flash” LED for the camera is apparently yellow instead of white. Hopefully this is fixed before release. The MPX220 is apparently quite speedy to use - seems to be the fastest of the current crop of Smartphones.
If anyone from Motorola is reading this, I’d be more than happy to provide the first U.S. preview of the MPX220 - have your people contact my people. 
System Administrator Appreciation Day
I’m a sysadmin in my day job, and I didn’t even realize this was today!
To all of my friends and acquaintances in the unsung trenches and front lines, I wish you a Happy SysAdmin Day!
May you be graced with all of the gadgety, geeky, gifts that your heart desires!
Motorola delays MPx220 MS smart phone | The Register
Moto is now saying that the MPX220 will be available in Q4, rather than in Q3. Seeing as how these dates were never anything more than fuzzy guestimates, it’s not earthshaking news. The general consensus among speculators was that it would be available in September, so if it slips into Q4, that means no earlier than October.
*sigh*
It would make me so happy if, for once, a gadget that I’m lusting after shipped early, instead of late…
BlogSphere.org :: Batman Begins - 2005
I don’t follow the movie scene all that often (it’s hard to get out to see many movies with a one year old), so I didn’t even know this was in production. But it appears that the next Batman movie will be in theaters Summer 2005.
Check out the trailer, and see what you think. I’m pretty excited - it looks dark and brooding, rather than cartoony and childish (*ahem*). It appears to cover Bruce Wayne’s origin as Batman - how he came to be the Caped Crusader.
Oh, and check out this Bat Vehicle:
I wonder where I can get one of those?
Nintendo redesigns DS handheld console | The Register
Before:
After:
I like the redesign, a lot. One of the unspoken reservations I had about the upcoming DS was that the design seemed, well, ugly. It wasn’t going to stop me from loving the other cool stuff it can do (integrated wireless for internet multiplayer, dual screens, one of which is touch sensitive, backward compatible with GBA), but I like the new design.
The DS (as it is now officially called) will be released in the U.S. and Japan before the end of the year (rumor mill says around the first week of November), and is expected to cost $179.
What do you think? Anyone else excited for this to be released?
Spot On: The Halo 2 hype hoax - Xbox News at GameSpot
Ever since the URL www.ilovebees.com appeared briefly at the end of the recently released Halo 2 theatrical trailer, fans have been doggedly trying to figure out the mystery behind some strange messages on an otherwise innocent-looking site about honey.
What does all this have to do with Halo 2? In my assessment, it’s a brilliant marketing ploy to build hype for the upcoming game, and draw fans into an alternate reality surrounding the game. There have been three Halo novels (The Fall of Reach, The Flood, and First Strike), so there’s plenty of backstory to work with.
What is the real story behind the “ilovebees” site? Read the Gamespot analysis linked above for a good overview. Then dive into the clues to try to figure it out for yourself. Everyone else and their dog is already working on it…
TinyScreenfuls.com: New iPAQs officially available from HP
Yesterday, I posted the following with regard to whether or not I was going to upgrade to one of the new HP iPAQs:
We’ll see how my resolve holds out once I get to actually use some of these new devices. I’m not exactly renowned for my ability to resist new Pocket PCs…
At the time, I didn’t really see anything in the new models that was enticing enough to lure me away from my trusty 4350.
Well, since then, I’ve been thinking more and more about the rx 3715:
It’s not much to look at, but man, the featureset is nice:
- Small form factor (4.5 inches tall, 2.8 inches wide, and 0.64 inches thick - similar to the slim iPAQ 4100 series)
- High capacity battery (1400 mAh) - the 3100 and 3400 come with a 900 mAh battery
- 400 MHz CPU (the 3100/3400 models have a 300 MHz CPU)
- Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edtion - Easy on the fly screen rotation between portrait and landscape orientations
- 152MB of user accessible memory (96MB of which is Flash ROM - the “iPAQ File Store”)
- 1.23 megapixel camera, lots of “mobile media” software
- Integrated Bluetooth and WiFi
The main differences between the rx3715 and my 4350 are the lack of an integrated keyboard, the camera, WM2003 SE, and the extra RAM. If I were to upgrade, the only thing I would be giving up would be the keyboard. I’ve been an ardent evangelist of the integrated keyboard on my 4350 - I sing its praises to anyone who will listen. But I’m starting to wonder if it’s worth ditching the keyboard to add a smaller form factor, camera, newer OS, and lots more onboard RAM…
Anyone who knows me and my gadget purchasing habits knows that this is how it starts. First, I just think it’s a neat device. Then, I find I’m spending more and more time thinking about it. Rationalization comes next, usually followed by an upgrade (in my case, exercising the replacement plan I always get on my PDAs, for this exact reason).
Any bets on how long it will take before I crumble completely, and jump ship to the rx3715? Start a pool and state your guess in the comments section below.
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