The Siemens SX66 Pocket PC Phone: Coming soon from Cingular
posted October 15th 2004 1:28AM
We thought it was going to be AT&T Wireless (and to be fair, they could still end up offering it as well before
the merger happens), but unless someone went way out of their way to hoax us hard, we're now pretty sure that Cingular
is going to carry the Siemens SX66 Pocket PC Phone (the
Cingular logo is a dead giveaway). Also known as the Siemens SX66 in certain foreign parts, the Siemens SX66 might just
be the Pocket PC Phone you've been waiting for: it has a slider-style mini QWERTY keyboard, a 3.5-inch LCD screen, 64MB
of flash ROM, 128MB of RAM, a 400MHz processor, quad-band GSM/GPRS (which means you'll be able to use it overseas), an
SDIO expansion card slot, and built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b WiFi (we're also pretty sure there's a VGA quality digital
camera in there somewhere, but there's no mention of it on the leaked Cingular brochure we scored).
[Thanks, Graham]
I just called cingular in los angeles calif, the rep told me the sx66 is MDA III, blue angel, and it does have a camera. It won't arrive until Jan/Feb and price hasn't come out yet. Does anyone know if this correct
I think it would be better to wait until Cingular comes out with the phone, otherwise you will have to spend $100 sending it to Dubai like I did for any type of repairs. It's much easier getting it serviced and your local Cingular shop.
For anyone that hasn't noticed, and I"m surprised I do not see mention of it yet, but the SX66 appeared on Cingular's site at some point over the weekend.. $549 w/ 2 year agreement... head on over and snag it up! :)
http://onlinestoreg.cingular.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ES_PROD_PHONE_DETAILS.jsp?phoneid=496273
Just ordered the SX66 over the phone from Cingular. ($549.00) It took them a while to find the phone in their system but it's on the way. Let's hope it was worth the wait.
I called Cingular several times today. The first time they couldn't find the phone. The second the found the phone, but said it is only available for new service with a new number, the third time they said I can't order it in my area (Denver, CO) and they have not date on when they will be able to get it in my area. I'm getting pretty frustrated with the lack of information (and amount of misinformation) that Cingular is feeding.
Ok fellas there are two diffrent kinds of Pocket PCs you have the siemens SX66 pocket pc which is on the cingular website.. And you have the Siemens X66 pocket pc. which is not out yet.. If one of you happen to have the New Cingular Raising the Bar Magazine. Look on page 17 at the Seimens X66 Pocket Pc. On the left side. Take notive it has a camera button function on it.(say cheese) Ok and look at the Seimens SX66 on the top page of this web site.. Notice the difference folks.. The new Seimens X66 has pocket pc logo on top. The Old one, Seimens SX66 has Seimens and Cingular as there logo.. Notice the difference folks. Please dont order the Seimens SX66, Thinking your ordering the Seimens X66.. You will be dissappointed... I hope I cleared this up..P.S. again the new Seimens X66 has a built in camera. Not the SX66 Thank you...
are you sure? i just purchased the sx 66 and they told me it came with a camera, note the last sentence in the above paragraph. i am currently calling them back to make sure, if not i will cancel my order. I bought the phone for 137$ us.
are you sure? i just purchased the sx 66 and they told me it came with a camera, note the last sentence in the above paragraph. i am currently calling them back to make sure, if not i will cancel my order. I bought the phone for 137$ us.
Okay, now that that's all cleared up, has anyone been able to order the SX66 from Cingular without a contract? I wanna get it for my dad as a surprise xmas present when I get back in the states this weekend (he's already a Cingular/AT&T subscriber). Has anyone seen it in stores yet?
Okay, now that that's all cleared up, has anyone been able to order the SX66 from Cingular without a contract? I wanna get it for my dad as a surprise xmas present when I get back in the states this weekend (he's already a Cingular/AT&T subscriber). Has anyone seen it in stores yet?
No this phone does not come with a camera unfortunately, it was proposed at first but the designers decided it would make the phone too unaffordable. Also there is not going to be a different "Siemens x66 with a camera," Siemens has an sx66 and thats all, they may start working on a camera version if the idea is proposed to us again in the future, that is if you dont mind waiting several months for it to be released. Oh and the guy who thought he bought this phone for $137, you accidentally ordered the S66, not the sx66, if you refer to posting #19 above, it will explain.
No i bought the SX 66 for 137, i get 75% off through my work (usps) plus 25% off on my phone plan.
i called them and they could not verify that there is a X66 with a camera. I expect to recieve it in a few days, and i will take pictures and give you guys a looksy!
oh, and i had to get a contract to get the 75% off, and i am almost certain you need a contract to get this phone. Also to be noted is this phone is only available in california. (so i was told my my representative)
Just got the SX66 from my local Cingular store, sorry guys, no camera. It is a killer device though
As nice as it looks, I got tired of waiting on it to be released and just bought a Dell Axim x50v and upgraded my phone to a bluetooth phone and got that setup for wireless access. What I like about this is that I am not tied to GPRS data connectivity. When the new G3 network is up and running next year, I can just replace the blutooth phone with a new one and get the faster data connectivity if desired, assuming that's required since I really don't know much about it. It's also nice to be able to tote the smaller phone at times when I really don't need my PDA. Tying the two together is convenient in some respects, but awkward in others. /me moves on... ;)
If the X66 doesn't have a camera built in, then why are the advertising that it does? And Wi-fi also. Could some body please go to a cingular store ask the rep to pull out the New raising the bar mag and turn to page 17.. and look at the bottem silver button on the right side of the X66.. That is a imprint of a camera... It's being advertised that it does.. Oh and I guess on page 17 (Quote). Not to mention any kind of connectivity you need. WiFi, Bluetooth and infrared are all available.. (end quote). The man or woman who quoted that must of been drunk then.. OHHHH I see False advertisement, "yeah that's right"... well if The Guy or woman at Cingular Headquraters, is being paid to lie to us. He sure is doing a good job.. Because I still believe when the X66 comes out. It will have a built in camera in it.. As it is being advertised.. Flamz
If the X66 doesn't have a camera built in, then why are the advertising that it does? And Wi-fi also. Could some body please go to a cingular store ask the rep to pull out the New raising the bar mag and turn to page 17.. and look at the bottem silver button on the right side of the X66.. That is a imprint of a camera... It's being advertised that it does.. Oh and I guess on page 17 (Quote). Not to mention any kind of connectivity you need. WiFi, Bluetooth and infrared are all available.. (end quote). The man or woman who quoted that must of been drunk then.. OHHHH I see False advertisement, "yeah that's right"... well if The Guy or woman at Cingular Headquraters, is being paid to lie to us. He sure is doing a good job.. Because I still believe when the X66 comes out. It will have a built in camera in it.. As it is being advertised.. Flamz
I bought a Siemens SX66 yesterday (12/14/2004) at the Cingular store in West Farms Mall, CT and stayed up most of the nite setting it up. So here are some of the facts.
1-It does NOT have a camera but it does have just about everything else.
2-For $19.99 per month I added the Cingular MEdia Works to my existing Cingular family plan using my old phones SIM card. As far as I know there will be no intall fee. The MEdia Works plan gives UNLIMITED access to the internet.
3-Since I did not sign up for a new plan I paid full price for the phone which was $649.99 plus sales tax (6.0% in CT). With a new 2 year contract the phone will sell for $549.99.
4-The phone came with WiFi (802.11b), GMS, GPRS,IR interface, Bluetooth and a slot for SD card (I put in a 256mg byte card that I had and it worked fine).
5-The box had a cradle with USB interface for PC (Works fine), plug in head set, battery charger which works directly with phone or through the cradle. A backup disk with Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 second edition.
6-I have tested the WiFi and the GPRS interface and they both work great.
7-The GMS phone sounds OK and comes with some nice software.
I hope this helps to lift some of the fog.
I bought a Siemens SX66 yesterday (12/14/2004) at the Cingular store in West Farms Mall, CT and stayed up most of the nite setting it up. So here are some of the facts.
1-It does NOT have a camera but it does have just about everything else.
2-For $19.99 per month I added the Cingular MEdia Works to my existing Cingular family plan using my old phones SIM card. As far as I know there will be no intall fee. The MEdia Works plan gives UNLIMITED access to the internet.
3-Since I did not sign up for a new plan I paid full price for the phone which was $649.99 plus sales tax (6.0% in CT). With a new 2 year contract the phone will sell for $549.99.
4-The phone came with WiFi (802.11b), GMS, GPRS,IR interface, Bluetooth and a slot for SD card (I put in a 256mg byte card that I had and it worked fine).
5-The box had a cradle with USB interface for PC (Works fine), plug in head set, battery charger which works directly with phone or through the cradle. A backup disk with Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 second edition.
6-I have tested the WiFi and the GPRS interface and they both work great.
7-The GMS phone sounds OK and comes with some nice software.
I hope this helps to lift some of the fog.
Carlos,
I work for USPS too and have been working for the past 2 years. How does one get a discount for the sx66 and the service? Boy this is news to me.
Thanks.
http://liteblue.usps.gov/news/deals/welcome.htm
you get discounts on all wireless providers except t-mobile.
Does anyone know a site where i can learn more about my new phone? a messageboard perhaps? thanks, im loving my new phone, but have many questions. This is my first pocket pc, and i find it hard to get used to.
Carlos,
Thanks for the usps link.
Go and check out www.pdabuyersguide.com - they have a good lengthy review of the phone. Its the Sprint version ... but it has the same features.
Also check out www.phonescoop.com. It is an excellent resource and lists all the features down for you. Click on any feature and it explains what it does thro' a pop up window.
I'll email you a few other links I have on this phone.
Also check out technorati.com - its a great resource for searching blogs and message boards. Just type in sx66 and you'll get a whole bunch of resources.
Hope this helps.
BTW Carlos could you email me privately at:
aosune@anti-spam.com please replace the "anti-spam" by hotmail.
I have a question to ask you.
Thanks.
I bought an sx66 at Cingular in Muncie IN. 2 yr. plan $550. Can it sync with my Apple powerbook?
Any ideas as to what the quality of the phone-function is like other than the PDA and all that internet/bluetooth mumbo jumbo? I don't want a great "everything-else" and a crap phone. I'm debating between this and the Treo 650...
I was talking to an ex AT&T rep now a Cingular rep here in SLC, UT and they mentioned that for all the WiFi that you use, you get billed for. I replied to her asking that even if I'm not using data via Cingular's network, I have to pay for the data I used. Does anybody know if this is true or not? If so, is there a workaournd?? Thanks.
As for the WiFi being charged, I hope one does not confuse themselves between WiFi and mMode.
I'm assuming that WiFi is like using your intel centrino notebook and just finding a wireless signal...Free, if you can find one.
If you go through mMode (connect through internet through ATT) then that would cost something. Anybody can confirm or am I wrong? Thanks
That's what I was asking the woman. I asked her that if I get onto my wireless network at home and use it, will I be charged. She said that it has a counter and it reports that data usage on the bill (and that you get charged for it). Now this is defeatable with the 19.99 MEdia Works package, but its still odd if they do monitor and charge.
Hello,
I just wanted to let people know about my experience with the SX 66.
The phone is fantastic, everything works, it blew my expectations away.
As far as WIFI it is absolutely free of course, if you were to connect using MEdiaNet (Cingular's GPRS network) you have to pay.
Does anybody know where I can get accessories for this phone???
Regards,
Thanks for the info - That kind of worried me since I don't want a massive first bill... Cingular has accessories on their webpage.
http://cingular.scp4me.com/
Thanks!
Matt
Can anyone offer any insight into how comfortable the keyboard is? I have pretty big fingers. Any feedback would be appreciated as I have not seen one in any stores here in NYC yet.
Thx...G
Like most mini keyboards, you can't type on it like a regular keyboard. It's exceptionally small and almost flush with the panel. Each key has a bump in its center to help with location. There is very little play in each key and only a small amount of tactile feedback when each key is pressed. The keys are mostly in QWERTY order, but some are out of order and others double for symbols and numbers with the use of a function key toggle. Shift and shift-lock are also different from a standard keyboard. It's impossible to use standard multi-finger typing technique. I've been using pointer fingers onlyslow but sill much better than the screen keyboard with stylus.
Some SX-66 accessories are at http://www.boxwave.com/products/categories/special-bundles-siemens-sx66-pocket-pc-phone_6_457.htm
How good is the battery life of the SX66?
I've read some reviews that gave it low scores.
The SX66 does not have a voice dialer. Siemens suggested that there may be software that could enable the phone to have voice dialing, but oddly, they were unsure, not to mention unhelpful. I subscribe to Cingular Voice Connect, but without the phone having voice dialing ability it is not totally "hands-free". Does anyone have a clue if there is such software?
i have the same question john has: can you find software that enables you to sync the sx66 to a Mac? if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.
Microsoft's Voice Command software provides voice dialing as well as some other things. It's $39.95 but works really well. Here's a link:www.mobiletechreview.com/software/MS_VoiceCommand_PPC.htm.
Don't know anything about syncing to a Mac, though.
Just a few comments on this phone.
1. Volume is horrible.
2. Bluetooth V1.0. tried 5 headsets, problems problems problems.
3. Supplied headset falls out of my ears, the earbuds are very large.
4. Siemens support sucks.
5. Had problems with the keyboard. It is locked on UPPERCASE somehow. Reset fixes this.
6. Speakerphone is horrible.
7. Phone interface could have more features such as profiles etc.
Other than that, it is a nice PDA.
just purchased this from cingular national sales for usd$249 with a $50 mail in rebate. quad-band gsm, wifi, gprs, bluetooth, 5x zoon camera and pull out keyboard. cingular: 888 333 2355.
A help hint to Paul [and others who might find themselves in this situation] in comment #86.
Your unit is locked in uppercase, but this is a function, not a bug. Hit the function key, below the cap key, on the left hand side of the keyboard and then the cap key [function-cap key first time locks in upper case, a second time releases]. This will release the cap lock function and you will not have to reboot the device to go back into lower case letters.
Addendum to helpful hints: With a new SX66, or an older one updated to bluetooth version 1.2, use with a 1.2 compliant headset will help with the volume issues, though not solve it entirely [my Moterola HSW820 is functional, but still lower then I would prefer].
I've been reading spec's on this bad boy (SX66) and am confused... some say it has a camera some says it does not. Any help?
The SX66 does not have a camera. It does not have voice activated dialing, it is not supported by Ceniguar downloads. I got one and unless you get into real tech support don't expect much help from Cingular either. It took me 2 and a 1/2 hours on the phone with them before they gave me the real tech support that fixed my problem in 5 minutes. They said they understood my frustration at lack of support but offered no solution.
I just got 1 a week ago, works fine except the speakerphone could be louder. I loaded the MS Voice Commander and it works fine.
Great phone with one HUGE problem. The battery catch works terribly. I've had the phone 2 weeks and 4 times i've had the battery fall off when answering the phone. If you are mid call, all BACKUP battery's power gets used and all the memory gets wiped out. Do many syncs or lose all your info.
I am looking to buy this phone yet can choose between it or the Treo 650.
My quiestions.
1) Can the SX66 upgrade the memory/storage hard drive?
2) does the SX66 have a Calendar / Datebook / Organizer?
3) does the Treo support JAVA downloads?
4) What software - office type (EXCEL, Word, ect),Web browsinhg (HTML, XHTML, ect) any help?
5) I'm just lookinhg for some good info, to help chose between the 2.
Thank You
Re: SIEMENS SX66 and WINDOWS MOBILE 2003:
Is there any software that will allow Speakerphone to turn on BEFORE connect, and allow note-taking re call AFTER disconnect?
I like this phone, but it gives me a major annoyance. Periodically, it won't accept input by any means (i.e. transcriber, keyboard, etc). Then I must perform a soft reset before looking up names, or taking someones contact info. This seems to occur more often after calling someone. And the other thing I don't like is navigating to the system>memory to close a damn appliction. But other than those issues I think it's a good phone. Any suggestions to resolve these issues?
Has anyone seen any updates or new software for this phone?
Bobby