Sharp's W-ZERO3[es] / WS007SH: WinMo 5 Pocket PC hotness, redefined

While we loved the specs on Sharp's W-ZERO3 / WS003SH, let's just say that its plastic, chub of a case was seriously short on swank. Now check the W-ZERO3 [es] / WS007SH hotness which our brethren at Engadget Japan got the jump on this AM. Developed under that same partnership with Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft, the new WS007SH variant keeps the Pocket PC flavor of Windows Mobile 5.0 and 416MHz Intel PXA 270 proc but brings a second, standard phone keypad to the mini, sliding QWERTY. They even managed to squeeze that same VGA resolution into a smaller, 2.8-inch screen while keeping the best of the rest: 128MB flash (60MB allocated to the user) and 64MB of SDRAM, miniSD expansion, USB, and 1.3 megapixel cam. All this and she still manages to slim-down from 70 x 130 x 26-millimeters and 220-grams to 56 x 135 x 21-millimeters and 175-grams. Ok, no WiFi or Bluetooth yet folks, but these, like a Japanese OneSeg expansion pack for digital TV on the go are currently under development and will certainly increase the bulk. Available only in Japan starting July 27th for ¥29,800/¥36,800 (or about $260/$321) with/without a one-year contract. Many more pics, including the OneSeg TV expansion after the break.

[Via Engadget Japan]

OneSeg TV tuner clipped on and in to the USB port.

 

 

[jim @ Jul 4th 2006 9:13AM]

Slick looking but TOO thick. Anything over .5" or about 15mm is going to be pushing it. After seeing the Q and other smart phones, full featured WM5 phones will have to become slimmer to get people interested. Granted, they aren't an apples to apple comparison but nobody wants to carry a brick.

Check out the new BM-300 by LG.

[Chris @ Jul 4th 2006 9:42AM]

I still can't get past the fact we're half way through 2006 ... and things like the moto q and others still are coming out lacking wifi... what is with these phone companys... SLAP THE DA*N WIFI IN THEM!

[jim @ Jul 4th 2006 9:48AM]

I just saw these photos - looks nice and slim -
http://aving.net:9600/newproduct/default.asp?mode=read&c_code=01_01_01_02&c_num=20006&gotopage=1&BT_ExRef=1

[Stu L Tissimus @ Jul 4th 2006 10:05AM]

Wow. I am liking that form factor. But while I can live without BT, they still don't have wireless? That's a big turn-down, personally.

[james @ Jul 4th 2006 10:37AM]

Pull off that keyboard and you'd have a slimmer phone. I don't understand the desire for such a small keyboard. For the longest time Palms didn't have keyboards and people got along just fine.

[Alan @ Jul 4th 2006 11:09AM]

James:

The difference between the 'good old days' is the persistent data connection. Email/SMS/MMS/IM have become a huge deal with many people, and handwriting methods of input aren't so hot for composing anything more than a line or two.

That may not be true for a long time Palm user (like myself), there's no getting around the fact that even though I'm pretty good with Graffiti, a keyboard like this (or my UX50 Clie's) is far superior for replying to email. I'm using a Treo right now, and it's too cramped (speed wise about halfway between Graffiti and a GOOD thumbboard).

That's why I'm switching to WM5. I'd LOVE to see a Treo with a 320x480 screen and slide out keyboard, but there's nothing on Palm's road map that suggests this, so IF it happens, it'll be 2007 at least, and that's just too long to wait.

I think Palm's missing the boat by not having a 320x480 slider.

(even a somewhat iffy rumour MIGHT convince me to stay)

[Knolly @ Jul 4th 2006 11:34AM]

Me want.

Is this GSM or what? I might import it if it's GSM, has English menu support, and possibly if it doesn't have the japanese characters on the front...

[www.orneta.com @ Jul 4th 2006 11:39AM]

If it's Pocket PC why does it need a keypad? It just makes it look WAY too clunky.

[Jesse Glen @ Jul 4th 2006 12:51PM]

This + WiFi = the perfect smartphone. I'm using a Dopod 838 (Cing 8125) right now, and its just a little too thick with the slider keyboard... plus not having a traditional keypad is annoying for quickly entering a phone number, so I sort of like this idea..

[Miacol @ Jul 4th 2006 3:09PM]

This is hot, add bluetooth and off you go, it will be the perfect phone.

Personally don't care about Wi-Fi, give me UMTS which will soon be cable speeds, what do I care about Wi-Fi. UMTS all over now.

[Uchiha Sonnie @ Jul 4th 2006 3:56PM]

The design is a total rip-off of the Sony K600i phone, even the "willcom" logo reeks of Sony walkman icon. Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ypocaramel @ Jul 4th 2006 9:35PM]

That's hot. A shame about the 1.3MP camera; still, I can't wait until they start making these things for GSM.

[Oddmanout @ Jul 4th 2006 10:51PM]

"...nobody wants to carry a brick"

True. My first mobile phone was an old Sanyo model I got with a Sprint service back in '98. I was just starting college so dad paid for it, and insisted I get that particular model as it had a GINOURMOUS battery (and a *whopping* 8 hour alk time). I hated that thing every second I had it.

But, my usage was really low, so I didn't get any benefit from the extra size. With this smart phone, I think plent of people will except the extra chunky-ness for a slick thumboard like that (particularly in *text* happy Japan...).

"I still can't get past the fact we're half way through 2006 ... and things like the moto q and others still are coming out lacking wifi... what is with these phone companys... SLAP THE DA*N WIFI IN THEM!"

I hear ya. I'm still rockin' yee olde PDA + Phone combo and enduring the 'happy to see you' pocket bulge because of that trend. I almost certainly would have switched to a smart phone by now if I chould just get the right balance of functionality (on a plan that I could afford/like).

But as much as I dislike it, it's not hard to figure out WHY they withold the wifi lovin'. If you can use wifi, you'll have less reason to use one of their data services for internet/email access (notice the units that DO have wifi are often marketed along with UNLIMITED data plans...so they don't lose money either way). Plus, once you've got wifi, Skype and possibly other VOIP services become an option, so you'll use less of their voice service (potentially anyway).

Data communication and Voice communication, and the people who profit from them, really are at odds these days. Ironic isn't ? Ma Bell was perfectly happy to let data flow through a voice line (analog modem), but she is death on the inverse (VOIP).

Then again maybe this is just corporate conspiracy paranoia. And the only reason they aren't in a rush to put in wifi is because they are waiting for 802.11N and/or WIMAX to become popular so that they can give the consumers the best possible tech for voice and data for their hard earned dollars...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob @ Jul 5th 2006 9:11AM]

wow thats cool!

[Will @ Jul 5th 2006 9:20AM]

Translated pages are sometimes hard to fully grasp... but the specs definitely state this handset has wifi. Maybe one of those other items refers to bluetooth... I wouldn't be surprised to see this handset have BT.
http://babel.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.willcom-inc.com%2Fja%2Flineup%2Fws%2F007sh%2Findex.html

[phq @ Jul 5th 2006 10:01AM]

Thickness is ok, but it's a little too tall and too wide.. but 2.8" VGA screen? Wow. Can you imagine how good that would look?
I don't really know any other smarphone in this form factor with a VGA screen.

[Vince @ Jul 5th 2006 12:29PM]

Well Will, now you know why translated pages are hard to grasp. It has no WiFi out of the box, and still no blue tooth.

[sobephish @ Jul 5th 2006 12:39PM]

When will these manuf's figure it out that i'd much rather a NORMAL SD slot... mini SD doesn't really give you that much more space,and i'm sick of buying new media every year to fill a new device...

SD is plennny small enough, and the prices are finally about right for a 1 - 2 gb card...

plus, my ipaq 2215 (while not a phone) still has a processor that still is among the fastest out there...

*sigh*... i'll move to a smart phone when these three concerns are answered all at once...

-=b=-

[Will @ Jul 5th 2006 2:04PM]

Well Vince, considering the finished product is still 2 weeks away from release, I would guess that the pre production handset shown in this informative article did not have wifi. I am willing to wait and see what Sharp is going to offer up... I do believe that I will buy an import once an English handset is released. For myself I would prefere BT over wifi just because I have a BT GPS. But I think this phone is hot.

[Allen Ash @ Jul 5th 2006 2:09PM]

Dammit! I knew I should have patented this configuration!

After using a Sprint PPC-6700 with WinMo5, I began to realize the need for a dedicated number pad for quick dialing.

Damn, damn, damn!

[Vince @ Jul 5th 2006 8:19PM]

*sigh* Will...you're dense. Willcom's (the carriers for this handset) product page for this unit clearly indicates that WiFi is not integrated into the phone. But then again, you wouldn't be able to know that from only looking at the machine translation.

Anyway, I didn't see a list of accessories, but it may come as an add-on that uses the USB port like the One-Seg unit.

[Daniel @ Jul 7th 2006 9:55PM]

Damn, this is why i'm starting to learn how to read and write in Japanese ... They have all the cool stuff :'(

[gooby_doody @ Jul 9th 2006 7:12AM]

what do you think the chances of getting linux onto this are?

does anyone know where in tokyo you can actually get to see a real one, (after its released) not just the plastic display model my local electronics store will get?

[jaytee songvath @ Jan 27th 2008 2:45AM]

i really want this phone! i been looking for it ever since september please tell me where i can purchase one. i dont care the price i just want this phone! please i beg you!