Hold the phone ...
3G or not 3G, that is the question. Do you long for a “broadband speed” mobile phone service, which promises live video conferencing, fast file transfers & streaming internet content? Telstra’s upcomming 3G network signalled for launch sometime in 2007 is touted at the answer, but beware!!!
Apparently NO phones currently on the market, including those claiming to be 3G will be compatible with Telstra’s new 3G standard!! From information given to me verbally from Telstra sales staff, there will be no phones available to suit this new network until “... sometime early next year”.
If your thinking of aquiring a new phone as I am, it may be best to wait until at least mid 2007, or you may find yourself with outdated technology very quickly.This poses a quanundrum for me, as I’m now a cashed up buyer, with money burning a hole in my back pocket (for a change!). The PDA/phone I had pretty much settled on is the HTC Tytn or Imate JasJar as it’s sold in Australia, with a retail price of around $1500. Hunting around, the JasJar can be had for under $1000au, but that’s still a lot of funds to throw at something which is ALREADY outdated. There are newer & smaller form-factor models (which run Windows Mobile 5.0), like the JasJam, but the JasJar’s main attraction for me, aside from what I thought would be 3G compatability, is the larger, more useable 640 x 480 screen resolution, Most other PDA phone’s I’ve looked at have a screen size around 320x280 pixels.
Let’s face it, the JasJar is not perfect and will no doubt be replaced by a similar device which has a built in hard drive, built in GPS, a 5MP camera and the all important TV & garage door remote control learner which I requested before, but how long before I can afford it?So ... do I get the JasJar NOW and connect via Tri-Band UMTS or the faster Quad-Band EDGE for phone and data use when out of WLAN range, or do I wait for the “promise” of what 3G and upcomming devices have to offer? Chances are Telstra 3G compatible phones will be very expensive when first released and discount second hand availability won’t be for another 6 months at least, meaning a sub $1000 compatible device may even be another year’s wait! And in another year, who know’s what will be around the corner – time to upgrade again?
It's like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Technology Titanic.
Apparently NO phones currently on the market, including those claiming to be 3G will be compatible with Telstra’s new 3G standard!! From information given to me verbally from Telstra sales staff, there will be no phones available to suit this new network until “... sometime early next year”.
If your thinking of aquiring a new phone as I am, it may be best to wait until at least mid 2007, or you may find yourself with outdated technology very quickly.This poses a quanundrum for me, as I’m now a cashed up buyer, with money burning a hole in my back pocket (for a change!). The PDA/phone I had pretty much settled on is the HTC Tytn or Imate JasJar as it’s sold in Australia, with a retail price of around $1500. Hunting around, the JasJar can be had for under $1000au, but that’s still a lot of funds to throw at something which is ALREADY outdated. There are newer & smaller form-factor models (which run Windows Mobile 5.0), like the JasJam, but the JasJar’s main attraction for me, aside from what I thought would be 3G compatability, is the larger, more useable 640 x 480 screen resolution, Most other PDA phone’s I’ve looked at have a screen size around 320x280 pixels.
Let’s face it, the JasJar is not perfect and will no doubt be replaced by a similar device which has a built in hard drive, built in GPS, a 5MP camera and the all important TV & garage door remote control learner which I requested before, but how long before I can afford it?So ... do I get the JasJar NOW and connect via Tri-Band UMTS or the faster Quad-Band EDGE for phone and data use when out of WLAN range, or do I wait for the “promise” of what 3G and upcomming devices have to offer? Chances are Telstra 3G compatible phones will be very expensive when first released and discount second hand availability won’t be for another 6 months at least, meaning a sub $1000 compatible device may even be another year’s wait! And in another year, who know’s what will be around the corner – time to upgrade again?
It's like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Technology Titanic.
posted by Edge at 11:31 AM
3 Comments:
Forget the deck chairs, I'm already in the lifeboat waiting to abandon ship...
Forget the phone, just spend it on the Mini!
Telstra is offering a phone plan $80 on a 24 months contract that includes the imate JASJAM. It is one of the few NextG phones around.
Thanks Brianc for the heads up. I saw a brocure for them at Telstra during the week, along with brochures for two standard "smart phones", but guess what? No actual phones in store! I waited 15 minutes getting ignored before I left. I've given up for now, bought a mountain bike instead. I'll wait 6 months or so and see what develops. The JasJam also has the smaller screen res, and an ongoing $80/month is pretty steep for my limited requirements. I intend to use the device mostly over my WLAN for data.
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