Windows Phone Thoughts: The Sprint G1000 by Hitachi: Big, but Beautiful

Software on the Hitachi G1000
The most useful software on the G1000 is by Fonix and is called Voice Dial. This software is a totally interactive, hands-free application that enables you to place calls by number or by contact. After a wee bit training for the user (me), I absolutely swear by the usefulness of this software. Honestly, the only thing you have to learn is to not pause when speaking a ten digit phone number. If you do pause then the software incorrectly assumes that you are complete. However, you will learn to adapt your speech pattern so that you never have a problem. I found this voice solution to be useful and productive especially since it was mapped to a button on the front of the G1000 that launches the application. All you do is press the speaker phone button and then either call a contact or say a phone number.

The second most useful piece of software on the G1000 is the one designed for the built in VGA camera. There is a button on the main Today screen called “Pictures” that allows you to take pictures, review or wirelessly share your pictures, or save your pictures to a Sprint online Internet Web site. Once you take your picture, you have the option to upload it to the Sprint Web site, attach it to a contact, beam it, add a voice memo, edit the caption, or customize it (i.e. size, contrast, rotation, and three built in color effects). I found that I used this more and more but was disappointed that I didn’t know more people who had a similar device with whom to share my creative picture taking ability. This brings me to another issue. We have all seen that commercial on TV where this guy who has mustard all over his face has his picture taken by a camera/phone combination and then sent to someone with the voice memo “this is your next boyfriend …”. A very funny commercial but who among us has not done something in public that we would not want recorded for prosperity – stand up. Well, this raises many interesting discussions and debates while adding another layer of complexity to our public lives. I leave this topic with the following mental picture – fast forward 10 years later in life of this guy who is now running for political office and his opponent finds and use this early picture in a political ad with the caption “Do you want this person running your …”. Mark my words, it is going to happen. Do you see my point?

Regardless, I like the integrated camera and can’t wait until my friends and family have a similarly enabled wireless device so that I can exchange my pictures with them and vice versa. The only usability issue that I have with the implementation of this feature is “where is the button for the camera?” Isn’t that why the original 35mm instant camera became so popular in the mass market? Just point and click.


Figure 4: Westtek’s ClearVue Document, Worksheet, and Presentation

Hitachi includes a number of other software applications on the G1000:

• ClearVue Document, Worksheet, PDF, and Presentation – these document viewers maintain the content, formatting and integrity of the original documents
  
• Data Backup Utility – allows you to backup and restore data to either an SD or MMC storage card.
  
• World Clock – simultaneously view the day, date, and time in any of four selectable cities

In addition to the software included with the G1000, Hitachi has included a number of shortcuts and shortcut buttons that are conveniently located on the Today screen. You can access the following applications directly from the Today screen:

• The Phone application
  
• Battery status
  
• Phone power on/off
  
• Call log
  
• Speed Dial
  
• Voice Mail
  
• Pictures – access to the camera and picture management utilities
  
• Tools – an quick launch utility for selected applications
  
• Running – an application management utility

From a usability standpoint, the shortcuts and shortcut buttons are in the ideal location. The Pocket PC neophyte will have little problem accessing these applications or program groups. From a purely aesthetic point of view, I prefer that the buttons and popup windows follow the design requirements of the OS so that they blend in and look part of the operating system instead of an add on afterthought. Despite the software design guidelines not being followed, the interface and the software functions flawlessly and is not too distracting to use.


Figure 5: Westtek’s ClearVue PDF

Finally, taking a look at the Companion CD-ROM, there are a number of software applications or Web links to software applications that are either necessary or useful for the G1000 user:

• Microsoft Outlook 2000 – an older version of Outlook
  
• Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7 – for synchronization of email, contacts, and other data
  
• A link to Microsoft Reader
  
• A link to Microsoft Pocket Streets
  
• A link to Sprint’s PCS Business Connection
  
• SaiSuke by Say Software
  
• Agenda Fusion by Developer One (14 day trial)
  
• Resco Picture Viewer (trial version)
  
• TinyStocks Stock Manager(shareware)

Does the G1000 work?
Yes. The Sprint G1000 by Hitachi performs flawlessly. I utilized the device in a variety of conditions while performing an assortment of tasks and was very pleased with both the performance of the G1000 and the performance of Sprint’s network. You will notice that your data performance will vary depending on your location and distance from a cell tower. In the city performance is quite fast but on an interstate between cities you may experience slower data performance. I highly recommend that you purchase a wired headset to use with your G1000 as it will increase your enjoyment of the PDAs capabilities by tenfold. The wired headset coupled with the Fonix voice recognition makes for an extremely pleasant user experience and allows you to multi task with your data and talk at the same time.

Gotchas
I recommend the Sprint G1000 by Hitachi Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition PDA for mobile professionals. For the average consumer, I think that the G1000 pushes the size and weight envelope to the limit and as such I think that it should be offered with a hands free wired headset in the box. The retail price of $549 to $649 is comparable with the WLAN/Bluetooth iPAQ 5450.

Where To Buy
The Sprint G1000 by Hitachi Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition PDA can be purchased from MobilePlanet for $639.95 US [affiliate link]. The G1000 can only be activated in the US on Sprint’s network. The voice and data plans start at around $50 US and increase based on how many total monthly minutes you purchase.

Specifications
Microsoft recommends that your personal computer (that you intend to synchronize your G100 with) should have a minimum of a 133 MHz or higher CPU and have Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP installed. Generally, your computer will greatly exceed these minimum requirements if it was purchased within the last five years.

Conclusions
I recommend The Sprint G1000 by Hitachi Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition PDA for use by mobile professionals who frequently travel and their travel is predominantly within the US. Unfortunately, the size will discourage many potential customers who don’t fully utilize the data capabilities of this device. I highly recommend that you purchase a hands free wired headset to use with the G1000 so that you can talk on the phone and refer to your notes or data at the same time. The addition of the headset dramatically increases your enjoyment and usability of the G1000.