Audiovox PPC4100 - Smartphone - GSM - touch - Windows Mobile - AT&T

I am returning my phone without even using it for this reason: the manual advises against using it like a conventional phone.

In their 300 page User's Guide (p.27) it says, "unlike conventional cell phones, the PPC4100 is not designed to be held against the ear when the phone function is used. Holding the unit against your ear during phone use is contrary to the design of this product and is not recommended."

It goes on to explain the proper way to use their product, "Attach the single ear bud headset or enable the speakerphone during phone use."

It seems that the authors of the documentation went out of there way to avoid revealing just why.

I don't know about you but this re-definition of what a "cell phone" is seems like a grand imposition. Not only on the user but quite possibly the public too. Some users may choose to use the speaker phone in restaurants and other public places because their ear buds are tangled at the bottom of their pocket or purs.

I believe that not designing the "cell phone" to be used like a conventional cell phone is a basic flaw-in-concept.

Here is my take on all this:

Did the designers consciously choose to ignore real-world scenarios?

Maybe users have discovered they can indeed use it like a conventional cell phone, but how am I to know that.

The following unanswered questions lead me to return my purchase.

1.) Why did they choose not to design the phone to be used like a conventional cell phone?

* Was it really a flaw in their design, such as forgetting to make a button to disable the input screen when talking on the phone so one's cheek doesn't unknowingly erase or edit files? If that's all they are protecting us from we all know how to work around that.

2.) What will happen if you try to use it like a conventional cell phone? Why don't they tell us so we can make the judgment? And why not tell us up-front so we can make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase the phone.

* Is the speaker unable to turn down low enough not to harm your ear?

* Is the antenna going to fry your brain?

* Will the side of your face brushing the touch-sensitive screen cause the phone to hang up on your friend or customer or cause the phone to delete files on the phone?

* Will you drop the "phone" because it is not the usual phone shape?

* Will your skin oils or make-up rub off on the screen and is that all the designers are concerned about?

All of the possibilities were suggested in discussion with the wirless provider and with an Audiovox representative. To be fair neither he nor the wireless provider was aware of the advisory until I directed them to the documentation.

Its been a great phone. I'm a professional pilot, crossing the US regularly. Its coverage using ATT&T has been far better then Sprint about equal or better then Verison. Its main flaw is it's messaging/voice messages. The phone rings once if you miss that one message prompt then the only clue you have a voice message waiting is visual. This means having to occassionally make a consious effort to look at the phone. I've missed several important timely messages!

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Have been a regular pocket pc user for last few years. Carrying a pocket pc with a cell phone always made it troublesome for me and thus was looking for a phone which has both the capabilities. And I must say that I have found one !

Audiovox PPC 4100 is the phone of choice. After reading through the reviews, I thought that this phone is not worth buying and has its own hardware problems..but still went to buy this phone and I must say that this was my best decision.

Firstly, I liked the phone size. It is a very sleek phone (of course with Pocket PC capability) and thus fits into the shirt pocket very easily without popping out of the pocket. Screen size is big enough for reading emails, contacts, calander and notes. It is not bulky as my Pocket PC 3600.

Some of the features that I liked about this phone are:

1. Silent mode and ringtone mode

2. Pocket Internet Explorer

3. SD Card

4. Wireless connectivity (Infrared)

5. Stereo headsets

Product manual on the websites said that phone comes with only one stylus..but it came with 2 (which was kind of cool).

Adding a 1GB SD card makes this phone even a substitute for an IPOD (Though this phone may not hold 10,000 songs as IPOD but this is a PHONE...).

This phone is so convenient for use that one can check all emails (I can even connect to my office email server) and thus one can be connected even while travelling.

Amazon.com has $200 rebate on original price of $349.00 which makes this cool tool cost only $149 which is far less for a Pocket PC phone compared to i700 or HP phones. The phone is a tri band GSM phone and thus can be used anywhere in the world.

Phone comes with wonderful Microsoft Mobile OS 2003 which has very nice features. And if you are already a Pocket PC user, you will love this phone.

Business or personal..PPC 4100 suits all needs !

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Two and a half months of use and I've been pretty happy.

Works fine when used as a regular phone (i.e. up to your ear) and the PDA features are very quick to operate, due to the very fast processor. I also really like it's small size, smaller than other PocketPC Phones I've seen out there. It's easily pocketable in a shirt or pants pocket.

Phone reception has been better than average, even internationally. Jotting down a note or opening a file while on the phone is a seamless operation. The PPC4100 comes with a lot of storage capacity and great screen. I've used it to watch videos and listen to music.

On the minus side, I wish it had a louder ring and louder volume in speakerphone mode. Also, I wish it had built in bluetooth and WiFi. But, for the price, it's an excellent value.

I'm very happy to not have to carry my phone AND separate PDA, anymore!

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I've been using this puppy for a couple weeks. It simply is much better than what I expected. It's smaller than any other pocket pc phone in the market, yet same or larger screen size.

The pocket pc works fucntion great, the screen is quite large and bright, and I already found a truck load of freeware on the web for pocket PCs.

The phone is working great too. I can simply hold it against my ear, I don't understand why some of the others couldn't. They probably should have turned offthe volume a bit, because this thing is really loud when you turn up the volume. The phone also has speakerphone function.

The visual clues for voice mail or sms is very nice and functional. Typing SMS is very easy and fast with the transcriber or the on-screen keyboard. I am glad that Audivox didn't waste precious space by putting an actual keyboard onto this device.

Battery life is not bad. I charge at night, and it lasts about a day or so without any recharge. But it stays on the cradle (syncrhonizing with my laptop) all day so it gets charged anyways.

And finally AT&T coverage works fine. I didn't have coverage in my office with T-mobile w/ sony ericsson phone, this one has covearge in my office (chicago area). By the way, though at&t customer service is still very slow..

I'd strongly recommend this particular pda phone.