Review of PPC6700 by Sprint

Michael · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject: Review of PPC6700 by Sprint

PPC6700 - The Ultimate Device?

I got a PPC6700 from Sprint a few weeks ago and I am VERY impressed with this device. I was using an Audiovox XV6600 - but, I am not longer.

I will be posting a TON more information on this device, but I wanted to start a thread so others can post what they like best about this device. Here is my list:

- Size of device. Fits great in the hand. Smaller than the XV6600.

- One hand operation. They really improved and put a lot of thought into how well you can do one handed operation on this device.

- Windows Mobile 5.0. It is a pleasure to work with.

- Slide out / rotating screen. I really like how this works.

- Battery life. With the XV6600, it seemed hard to keep the batteries going for more than a few hours. With this device, I was on vacation and it was in standby mode all day (not flight mode), I made a few calls, checked email a few times (light use) and after 8 hours of being away - I still had 90% of my battery life. With heavy use, it obviously, goes quicker - but it lasts longer. I am ordering some extended batteries to see how long it can go. I have seen specs that say you get 200 hours of standby and 222 hours of talk time.

- WiFi built in. When WiFi is enabled, it disables data access. But that is not a big deal. Built-in Bluetooth is nice too.

- Phone quality is very good and the Speaker Phone is excellent.

- Explorer is nice. But NetFront still is the way to go. I tried NetFront 3.3 beta and it works (most of the time ). It is in beta, but if you have a PocketPC, it is the only browser to use

- Windows Media. It is great streaming audio and video of WiFi.

- The keyboard is great for typing fast replies. The XV6600 was poor (in my opinion). I actually like this keyboard better than the SideKick II (which has a very nice keyboard).

- The 1.3 MegaPixel camera (with zoom) that is built-in works great and it is simple to email a picture, make a picture your background, OR attach a picture to a contact, so when they call, you see the picture.

- The included USB cable also charges the battery, so no need to bring another power adapter when traveling. There is also a nice cradle and power cord that is included.

- With the XV6600, if your battery ran out completely, you would lose everything, all your data would be lost - so it was important to always backup. The XV6700 stores its contents in flash memory (128mb) that doesn't require battery to maintain memory - so if your battery drains completely, when you finally plug in the power or USB cable, you will still have all your data there (just like a USB Flash Drive, never loses its content).

- The memory slot on the XV6600 is a Secure Digital card, the one on the XV6700 is a mini Secure Digital Memory (or Mini SD Card). They are not compatible, however, the MiniSD Cards come with an adapter, so you can plug them into a SD memory slot (for easy transfer of data from your PC).

- Has an external antenna port for hooking up an external booster antenna for improved reception (data + voice).

- A very expensive Sprint EVDO finder. Wondering if you are in 1xRTT or EVDO, take a quick peek at your PPC6700.

Here are a couple of REAL BIG DEALS

-

I was able to tether my PowerBook to the PPC6700 via BlueTooth (got 95K down and 97K up in a 1XRTT area - no Sprint EVDO in my home area yet). I haven't been able to get it to tether it via a USB cable, but I will try some more over the coming days and weeks and post more info about that. Sprint does offer the option to purchase tethering options, so that you can use it as a tethered modem to your laptop. (It looks like Verizon is also starting to offer this - as they have announced it with the new BlackBerry 7130e). We will put together a PDF that describes this in more detail with step by step directions in the coming weeks.

- Many people know that you cannot do data access and be on the phone at the same time. BUT, there is a way (kind of) around this. It is impossible to use EVDO/1xRTT and be on the phone at the same time, however, if you enable WiFi, you can make/receive a phone call AND still be connected via email/explorer/instant message/etc. So, you can be on the phone and not lose your internet connections. You need to be in a WiFi area for this to happen. If you are using EVDO/1XRTT for data, you cannot be on the phone and using data at the same time.

On the included USB cable, it says:

"AUD XV6700 / PPC6700"

So, you can expect a Verizon Audiovox XV6700 soon. There are some people floating around with them and even pictures of them on the internet.

Here is my list of programs that I recommend you add to your Windows Mobile 5.0 device:

- NetFront 3.3 (multiple tabs, javascript, java, flash, css, everything you need to have a real browsing experience on a handheld device

- IMPlus by Shape Services for Instant messaging. Version 4.04 (or greater), supports Windows Mobile 5.0. Supports AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ and Jabber)

So, anyone else with a PPC-6700 care to add their comments (good or bad), OR add what other applications you have installed on your device.
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

Nice review. I've been using an eval unit at work and haven't quite been convinced to make the switch. It is the best PPC device I've used though. It may have just been my unit but the phone quality is not on par with my Treo 650. Worse is the speakerphone, which I can barely hear. Others on a 6700 forum report speakerphone issues and others say it's fine. I'm also not satisfied with battery life compared to Treo, especially if automatically receiving emails. Even though I tend to charge daily via USB, I often cannot get through the day on a charge. I can get 2-3 days on Treo 650 with emails coming in.

Windows Mobile 5 is a huge improvement over previous versions. I particularly like the one handed operation improvements. WM5 is still a little sluggish compared to Palm and particularly slows down when having several apps running at once but I got used to it.

ActiveSync 4.0 has some major problems that many have pointed out. Often, the PC can't find the phone. The phone will not charge unless the EVDO connection is off and switches to USB network. Frustrating, as when you plug in the phone you expect it to charge but it doesn't always do so. A new ActiveSync 4.1 came out, which may improve things but I haven't tried it yet.

There are a couple key apps I use that don't yet support WM5, NotifyLink in particular. I'll probably wait for one more generation of WM5 phones and finally make the switch from PalmOS to WM5 as my primary as the future of PalmOS looks bleak. The Treo700w looks promising but will apparently not have WiFi and only have 240x240 display.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

I haven't tried it yet but check out Minimo, a mini-Mozilla based browser for PPC.

http://www.mozilla.org/projects/minimo/

Michael · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:27 am Post subject:

ActiveSync 4.1 does sync much faster and was simple to update.
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alexm · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Were the "step by step" instructions on how to use the PPC-6700 as a wireless modem with a Mac, using bluetooth, ever posted?

Thanks!

Michael · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry, not yet, we have been very busy and getting ready for MacWorld next week.
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alexm · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

How about one quick hint? I actually got this to work, but it kept disconnecting after I loaded a few web pages.

I'm "new" to the Mac (actually, I used to use a Mac exclusively, but gave it up about 10 years ago when Gershwin died and have only now started anew.) So I don't know the OS at all.

I played around with a network configuration which I found under "location" in the Apple menu, and found I had to select a "bluetooth modem". The obvious choice, sprint PCS, didn't work, so I selected "null modem". This allowed me to connect and surf a few pages, but it kept disconnecting. So, if I'm on the right track, I'd love to know what modem you selected in this dialog.

If not, I await your return from Mac World.

Thanks again!

barsuki · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 1

Just got my 6700 and for the past couple of days after installing the
activesync, it wont sync. The green wheel just keep spinning on my
laptop (os-windowsxp). I used to have the activesync 3.5 for my
pda audiovox maestro but that has been uninstalled longtime ago.(but
it worked very well then).
Also I couldnt get my wireless headset bluetooth hs820 working
with this phone. any suggestions pls? thanks

Scott · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

You might also check out Handyswitcher 2.5. It gives you the ability to kill programs running in the background (and eating up RAM/using resources)... a common nag of the PPC OS.

bduell · EVDO Newbie Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Hi, I also need the information on accessing the 6700 sprint network via my Mac. I too get dropped after variable amounts of time, and can't figure out why.

Thanks in advance!

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

Here's a great forum with many 6700 users who may be able to help.

http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=174

bduell · EVDO Newbie Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

I've gotten far better results via the bluetooth method (described here http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59646&highlight=mac+bluetooth+6700).

One thing to note is that there is *no user name/password needed* and *no need to use wmodem* either. The always on hack seemed to mess up bluetooth for me, however, so I removed it.

jedonahue11 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

I recently upgraded to the 6700 from the 6000. I am having difficulty setting up the device to operate as a wireless modem using bluetooth. While I was able to configure the 6600 over a year ago. I can't seem to remember how to make this work on the 6700. Can any offer some guidelines. Verizon is clueless and says they do not support that solution even though it is listed as a functionality in the user manual provided by Verizon. I should also mention that I am working with a windows based laptop and I have been able to make the active sync work with my bluetooth connection. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Iceman · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

pdaphonehome.com has a 12-page sticky thread here . luvtochill has posted a zip file on page 2 of that thread with detailed instructions. I recommend reading the whole thread.

jedonahue11 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Iceman...Thanks for the reference to the zip file. I am aware of the instruction. However the instructions say to:

1. On Windows Mobile: Tap Start->Programs->Wireless Modem
2. Select “USB” as the connection type, and then press the “Start” button.

Unfortunately, there is no wireless modem program on my Verizon 6700. so what do I or can I do?

Anybody have any ideas. I have a sense that Verizon is blocking intentionally. That being said the dialer.exe and driver file and instructions are on the Verizon install disk but you are unable to configure.