iPod Ipod vs W800i?

[Orge]

Whilst I don't believe that any phone is going to be an "ipod killer", the new w800i has a compelling enough feature set to compete with the Shuffle (and possibly the Nano). Combine this with the fact that the phone is pretty nice looking (although maybe not to everyone's taste) and the camera is probably the best available and you've got a pretty cool product.

Recent software also means that you can sync itunes playlists to the phone:
itunemywalkman
synctunes

Although, iTMS bought songs clearly aren't compatible.

If we comare it to the shuffle:

Pro's:
Colour Screen
Playlists
Calendar
Address Book
Phone!
Camera
Pictures
Video
Expandable Memory
FM Radio

Con's:
Size - makes up for this because it's 3 in 1
Sync speed *
Price (Ignoring the fact that you probably pay for this with a contract and it replaces more than one gadget)

Where it gets interesting is if we start to compare the feature set to the Nano though. The only areas that this new phone loses out on are:

Sync Speed *
Scroll Wheel
Storage **
iTMS
Style

This phone is pretty much a k750i with a few extra music playing features. It's pretty clear that they've based it on this model to get a walkman phone out the door as quickly as possible. Presumably, the next generation of walkman phone's will be designed from the ground up and there will be the opportunity to address some of these issues. Imagine this:

A Sony branded phone, with a touch scroll wheel/bar, USB 2.0, 512MB of on board flash and a Pro Duo slot to take an extra 4GB.​

AND it's a phone AND it's a camera (probably 3 megapixel's by this point). This could be a real possibility by the middle of next year.

I'd be interested to hear what other people think about this. Like I say, it's not an Ipod killer - for one it doesn't touch the full-size Ipods - but this would be serious competition for Apple at the lower end of the market which is (apparently) where the action is. 'Convergence' has been a buzz word for a long time and it doesn't seem to have had the consumer impact that was predicted. To be fair, my take is that this is not about 'replacing' products, but there is something to be said for convenience - I would still want a full size ipod for storing all of my music and a good digital camera for the occasions when I wanted high quality photos.

* Undoubtedly, Sony need to get USB 2 on these if they're going to be used in anger. However, sync/charge overnight would probably be bearable and if you really need to get music on it quick you could buy a usb2 card reader.

** To compete with anything other than the shuffle this phone needs more space. 2GB Pro Duo cards are the largest currently available, but the phone would theretically accomodate up to 4GB. 2GB's can be had for as little as £70 (new) on ebay at the moment, which isn't bad considering...

 

[MacTruck]

Kind of cool but I have an ipod because of the Hard Drive. If it dosn't have 60gb or more I don't want it.

 

[iDM]

I do not wish to shoot don't any of your comments but let me first say those 2gb cards that you mention cost $200 a piece. I do however like the features this phone has, i like it's size, i like its looks so on those issues i like it.

 

[Orge]

I do not wish to shoot don't any of your comments but let me first say those 2gb cards that you mention cost $200 a piece.

I agree, that's the retail price. However, I've seen them for £70 ($120) on ebay in the uk. I'm assuming that there are probably similar deals in the US - it would be pretty unusual for an electronics item to be cheaper here than there! This search might work, but you'll need to be logged into your ebay account: http://snipurl.com/k7a3

Either way, the price of flash memory is going to come down and this is going to be an increasingly affordable option.

J

 

[Alasta]

I generally quite like this phone, but I think that the inability to play files with iTMS DRM would be a significant problem. For that reason, I would probably choose the new iTunes compatible Motorola RAZR over the W800.

I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of convergence of mobile electronics. I currently have a three year old digital camera, a 4G iPod, and a phone, and I don't find that having three seperate devices is much of a problem. I guess it won't be too long before phones are equipped with cameras that are of sufficient quality to replace a standalone digital camera (the W800's camera already is almost as functional as my own digital camera), but I can't see myself ditching my standalone iPod at any stage in the forseeable future.

 

[doucy2]

i only wish the made the w800 compatible with sprint (ide buy it in a heartbeat)
i say go for it, this is a great phone which serve many of your daily functions all in one

 

[JonHimself]

I definitely wouldn't buy this to replace my iPod, but as a replacement for my digital camera? Maybe... this is the dilema I've had for a month or so (since discovering this phone) I want to get a new digital camera and also want to get a new phone. My digital cam is about 5 or 6 years old (only 2 megapixel) and is rather clunky. My phone isn't as old and doesn't really need to be updated, but there have been a lot of great phones put out in the past 2 years (since I bought my phone). Do I buy a digital camera that is small and is 4-6 megapixels? Then buy a new phone in the near future? Or just buy the w800i (which has a 2 megapixel cam) and not worry about the digital camera because I'm essentially replacing my current cam with one of equal specs + getting a phone...

But the answer your question of iPod v. w800i, I gotta go with the iPod as far as music player goes, but as far as over-all usability the w800i has to win. Decent camera, decent mp3 player and great phone v. a shuffle or a nano? Don't think there's much of a competition looking at the "over-all-ness" over the devices.

 

[Alasta]

I definitely wouldn't buy this to replace my iPod, but as a replacement for my digital camera? Maybe... this is the dilema I've had for a month or so (since discovering this phone) I want to get a new digital camera and also want to get a new phone. My digital cam is about 5 or 6 years old (only 2 megapixel) and is rather clunky. My phone isn't as old and doesn't really need to be updated, but there have been a lot of great phones put out in the past 2 years (since I bought my phone). Do I buy a digital camera that is small and is 4-6 megapixels? Then buy a new phone in the near future? Or just buy the w800i (which has a 2 megapixel cam) and not worry about the digital camera because I'm essentially replacing my current cam with one of equal specs + getting a phone...

My reservation with regard to this is that the camera on the W800i lacks an optical zoom, and I also can't help wondering about the quality of the lens and flash.

The W800's camera is a big improvement on that of the average camera phone, but I still don't think it's quite competent enough to replace a 'real' digital camera. Give it another 6 - 12 months, and I think you'll have a much better chance of being able to toss aside your standalone camera.

 

[JonHimself]

Well put, Alasta. I've seen some pictures taken with the phone and they looked decent, but as you said, lack the optical zoom and probably aren't as good as a standalone cam (with equal megapixels)...

 

[MacTruck]

When it has a 5 megapixel camera with zoom, speakerphone, 30gb hard drive, bluetooth, wifi and is smaller I will buy myself one and one for my wife, until then its just useless gadget junk. I have a whole drawer full of these hype items. Plus as soon as you buy them they are worthless. I can't unload anything from that drawer and its full of phones and Mp3 players. That drawer cost over $4,000 and I can't ebay it for over $100. Its all a waste of money.

 

[NicP]

It looks alright, but after the sony BMG crap i refuse to by anything with the sony brandname attatched to it.

 

[Orge]

Good points from all of you.

I'm in agreement that this doesn't negate the need for a proper digital camera or a full size music player. However, I think the point is that 99% of the time you don't need either of these devices and the capabilities of this phone (and its convenience) are more than enough.

For example, taking pictures on occasions when didn't think you would need (or didn't want to take) a full size camera. Or, in the case of a music player listening to some tunes while you jog or are on the way to work.

J

 

[Scruge]

I generally quite like this phone, but I think that the inability to play files with iTMS DRM would be a significant problem. For that reason, I would probably choose the new iTunes compatible Motorola RAZR over the W800.

whoa theres a itunes razr?

 

[Alasta]

whoa theres a itunes razr?

There will be very soon. See the Macrumors article and Motorola's product information.

In my opinion, the only things that were seriously wrong with the ROKR were the slow transfer speed and the 100 song limit. Unfortunately, the web pages above do not appear to give any indication of whether these limitations have been overcome on the RAZR V3i. I would be very interested to know the full specifications is anyone here is in the loop.

 

[Scruge]

There will be very soon. See the Macrumors article and Motorola's product information.

In my opinion, the only things that were seriously wrong with the ROKR were the slow transfer speed and the 100 song limit. Unfortunately, the web pages above do not appear to give any indication of whether these limitations have been overcome on the RAZR V3i. I would be very interested to know the full specifications is anyone here is in the loop.

wow nice

 

[horace]

W800i is great

Just got my W800i, picked up a 2GB memory stick from ebay (£75), and then used this:

http://ilari.scheinin.fidisk.fi/itunemywalkman/

to sync it all up.

Nice.

Mind you, I buy everything on CD or from beatport - I like having a full quality recording to start with and theres a whole lot of music not available on iTunes.

 

[Bern]

I never could understand what anyone would want a camera on their phone for, it's never going to be as good as a regular 6 MP or higher one. The pictures it takes are virtually useless IMO.

I think the concept of an mp3 player on a mobile is far better than having a camera, but I got to wonder what the battery life would be like combined with listening to music and making phone calls.

 

[Counterfit]

I never could understand what anyone would want a camera on their phone for, it's never going to be as good as a regular 6 MP or higher one. The pictures it takes are virtually useless IMO.

It's good when something unexpected happens. Like when I met Max Weinberg. Also, my phone is much smaller and discreet than the camera I would use if I could afford it.

 

[Phatpat]

I think the W800i is awesome, but you've gotta take the price in account. Just how much is the convergence of a few devices worth? It is not exactly an inexpensive phone...

 

[maestro55]

Phone for making phone calls, camera for taking photos, Ipod for listening to my music. You put it all in one, you loose quality and I am not interested in it.

 

[Alasta]

Phone for making phone calls, camera for taking photos, Ipod for listening to my music. You put it all in one, you loose quality and I am not interested in it.

Agreed. The technology exists to design a decent three-in-one, but the products don't exist.

And, let's face it, is it really that inconvenient to have three seperate devices? I don't think so.

 

[shidoshi]

I never could understand what anyone would want a camera on their phone for, it's never going to be as good as a regular 6 MP or higher one. The pictures it takes are virtually useless IMO.

Have you ever seen sample photos from the w800i? This reviews has a couple of pictures taken with the camera at the end of the review. Would you call those "virtually useless?" As well, a company in Korea (Samsung?) has like a 6~8MP cameraphone already developed.

Cameraphones right now are like what digital cameras were a couple of years ago - fun toys, but not nearly ready to be serious cameras. But just like the people saying digital cameras would never evolve into serious cameras were wrong, those people saying cameraphones will never evolve into serious cameras are also wrong.

Why have a phone that is also a decent camera? One device, two uses, plain and simple. I always carry my phone with me, I don't always carry my camera. If I suddenly want/need a camera, and my phone can do the job for casual photos that I need, that's a great benefit to me.

 

[shidoshi]

And, let's face it, is it really that inconvenient to have three seperate devices? I don't think so.

Sometimes, yes it is. It'd be much nicer to only have one small device to toss into my pocket that can do all of that - if it can do it well - than have to worry about taking with me three separate items.

Convergence is NOT ALWAYS A BAD THING. Sometimes it is, because things aren't done right. My camera can do 640x480 30fps video as well as doing its main purpose, standard photos. Is it bad that it can do that? I love it, especially since I don't have a video camera of my own. And even if I did, if I just need casual video, the video ability on my camera works just fine.

When I lived in Japan, I used my cellphone to send and receive e-mail all of the time. It was a great way to keep up with friends, especially since I didn't have internet access at my apartment. A cellphone was never meant to do e-mail originally, but mine did it just fine, and it was an unquestionable benefit to me.

 

[Orge]

Just got my W800i, picked up a 2GB memory stick from ebay (£75), and then used this:

http://ilari.scheinin.fidisk.fi/itunemywalkman/

to sync it all up.

Nice.

Mind you, I buy everything on CD or from beatport - I like having a full quality recording to start with and theres a whole lot of music not available on iTunes.

Where's the envy smiley?

Dunno when I'm gonna get myself set up with one of these as my current contract runs till mid May.

I guess it goes without saying that everything worked to plan? The ebayer with the cheap memory was reliable? The phone is syncing without problems?

BTW itunes store purchased music won't work with the phone - it does play AAC (m4a) but not protected AAC (m4p).

 

[Orge]

I think the W800i is awesome, but you've gotta take the price in account. Just how much is the convergence of a few devices worth? It is not exactly an inexpensive phone...

It's not too bad if you're on contract... I've also heard that it's possible to firmware update the (slightly cheaper) k750i to the w800i firmware (via this site http://www.davinciteam.com/). You can even buy w800i covers for it on ebay, if you *REALLY* need the latest looking phone! (http://snipurl.com/knxz) TBF there's not a lot of difference between the two though.

J