Letters to the Editor

We cannot respond to all letters or e-mail (but we read them all). Please send us questions, suggestions for improvements in the magazine, ideas for new software, or general comments. All responses, unless otherwise indicated, are from Rich Hall, Editor of Pocket PC. You can reach Rich at rich@PocketPCmag.com.

Novatel Minstrel for Jornada Pocket PC shipped in December

I'm anxiously awaiting my new Minstrel 540 for HP's Jornada Pocket PCs. I've been checking with Novatel's sales department quite often. The latest they told me was that they would start shipping the last week of November or the first week of December. Have you seen the spec' sheet on Novatel's Web site (www.novatelwireless.com/palmtop/minstrel540.html)?

I know NextCell (www.nextcell.com/solution/default.html) is also supposed to have shipped their PocketSpider around November 15th. PocketSpider is a CDPD modem that slips into the Pocket PC's CompactFlash slot. I'm sticking with the Novatel modem, though, for several reasons:

1. The style is matched to the professional look of the Jornada.
2. It allows me to continue using my 128Mb CF Storage Card at the same time. One advantage of that, in addition to still having access to everything I have on that card, is that e-mail attachments can be automatically saved/stored to CF when I download them via wireless ­don't have to use up precious internal RAM.
3. It allows pass-through charging of the Jornada while simultaneously charging the modem.

I'll send you more comments, if you want, once I have it in hand and have used it for a few days. I really can't wait - I think this stuff is going to be great -- the wireless/handheld revolution is on the verge of exploding -- very exciting times indeed!!

Jim Sparkman

Pocket PCs to "take over" H/PC market?

After reading the past two issues of Pocket PC magazine, it has become clear to me that the Handheld PC market will eventually be over taken by the Pocket PC. This of course is what progress is all about and I find no fault with it.

I am an American citizen living and working abroad and I use my NEC MobilePro 750C Handheld PC everywhere -­ it's my electronic "secretary." After looking over the various Pocket PCs reviewed in your magazine I believe that they fall short of what most H/PC users would like to see in order for them to make the switch.

If Microsoft and the various manufacturers want us to switch over, I think they need to make three improvements to the Pocket PC. They are as follows:

1. Provide a built-in modem.
2. Include both PC and CF Card slots (Type II) like the ones on my 750C.
3. Provide more internal RAM memory (32 Mb or better). Many of us use third party programs and carry a lot of documents and data.