This is the first review of the first Dual SIM Pocket PC in the world. This is not the same device we announced here. Although TechFaith have manufactured the first Dual SIM Pocket PC it is not yet commerciality available, it still needs to be carried by an operator or a distributor under their own brand name. The first commercially available Dual SIM Pocket PC is the Dubao N868 which is available in China and I’ve been using it since the past two weeks. Let’s take a closer look at this device…
Why a dual SIM Pocket PC?
1) Convenience:
Carrying two separate phones is uncomfortable and it causes tension when these two phones are ringing together, it is better to manage all your calls form one device instead of having to switch form one to another and carry the extra load of the second phone and also risking to loose one of them. Convergence is the keyword without compromise. When you have a call on the first SIM the phone should notify you of an incoming call from the second SIM, note that you might have both numbers with two lines so the phone should manage both numbers with all of their facilities such as call waiting, conference, etc… Convenience is what we are looking for when we have a dual SIM Pocket PC.
2) Windows Mobile Platform:
What makes me want to have a Dual SIM (two SIM card slots) Pocket PC is my requirement for using two separate numbers in one device without carrying two separate devices, mainly for the convenience as mentioned earlier and also for using a Windows Mobile device with this facility since I am a Pocket PC owner and I feel comfortable to use my preferred and chosen platform. I don’t want to use a Dual SIM phone if it is not a Pocket PC running Windows Mobile.
3) Public and private numbers:
Another requirement for two SIM cards is because I have two separate numbers for two separate purposes, one number for business and can be used for public contacts such as giving it to KFC or a Pizza delivery restaurants, I can list it on the directory, use it as my main contact number with cable companies, use in software or hardware registrations, etc... The bottom line is that I will use it as my “Public” number. The second SIM card will have my “private” number which I am using for family, for VIP contact, etc… The two SIM cards could be used from different service providers, such as in UAE I might have one form Du and another from Etisalat. In another scenario you can have one for UAE and another from an operator in your home country or frequently visited country.
Brief Specifications:
- 2 SIM card slots
- Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC
- TI OMAP730 processor
- Dimensions : 12.6 x 6.4 x 1.8 cm
- LCD Size: 2.5 inch touch screen, 16 million colours; PX: 240×320 pixels
- GSM Networks: Tri Band (GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz)
- GPRS class 10
- QWERTY keyboard
- Bluetooth and IR port built-in
- 3D Stereo loud speakers
- Camera: 1.3 MP
- Capacity: 64MB ROM, 64MB RAM
- microSD (T-Flash) memory card slot, 512MB card included
- Battery: 2200 mHA
What comes in the box?
Checkout the images below:
The Design:
You might love the first image which was enhanced by Photoshop but you will defiantly change your mind when you hold this device in your hands. It looks cheaply built, although it is having chrome and brushed aluminum finishing on the front panel; it is looking plasticy and cheap. It will not draw a lot of attention it will not turn heads if you are looking for style, for functionality we will have it covered on this review later.
The hardware:
The devices comes with TI OMAP730 processor at 200 MHz speed combined with a 2200 mHA standard battery would give you a very long running uptime. You won’t need to charge it everyday it could go on for several days without charging in normal usage. This is the first thing which grabbed my attention regarding hardware. It also comes with a second additional battery. The other thing is the QWERTY keyboard which enables a single handed operation, however there is an issue while using this keyboard with the phone, it cannot automatically switch from phone keypad to full keyboard when needed. You will have to press on [.] button to switch but still phone keypad will not work unless it is repeatedly pressed, this is a major issue can be solved by software programming. There are lots of buttons which you can utilize for accessing several features, I always recommend to have extra hardware buttons. The screen it too small for my liking it is too bright as well. The speakers on the back used for PDA are very loud, they are actually too loud! The built-in camera comes with 1.3 Mega Pixels is not very useful maybe just for quick MMSing.
The Software:
All standard Microsoft applications, nothing extra accept for Paragon Language Extender. Windows Mobile 5.0 is also considered outdated. There is nothing much to say here we will move on to the next section.
The dual SIM functionality:
Now this is what you’ve been waiting for! I am also excited to try for the first time the dual SIM feature on a Windows Mobile device.
However I was very disappointed; take a look at the following screenshots:
As you can see, only one SIM card can work at a time! You cannot have both SIM cards active, so in this case I have nothing much to say except for: Rubbish!
For every time you want to use one of the cards you will need to select it and the device will soft-reset then the other one will be inactive. This is not an advantage of having this dual SIM Pocket PC if you cannot use them both in the same time, I guess this will work if you are too lazy to change SIM cards and rather keep one permanently in your phone as storage area! ;-) Let’s go to final conclusion…
Conclusion:
Even though I don’t recommend this device and I don’t review the devices which I don’t recommend but I did it because in history this device should be remembered as the first dual SIM Pocket PC and for that reason itself I have written this review. Let’s hope next version of dual SIM Pocket PCs will come much improved and well built, at least the Dubao N868 is the first step towards this goal.
