VisorCentral.com - Airprime SB3000: worth the wait?

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- Airprime SB3000: worth the wait? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=13259)

Posted by steelkilt on 03-20-2001 06:07 PM:

I'm getting antsy waiting for the Airprime SB3000 Visorphone clone. I'm wondering: will it offer any real advantages over existing GSM visorphone?

Questions for existing Visorphone users and anyone knowledgeable about GSM vs. CDMA:

1. advantages/disadvantages of GSM/CDMA?

2. Will the Airprime offering deliver more features than the GSM visorphone?

3. Is it true (in actual practice) that CDMA web surfing delivers 14.4 while GSM web surfing is closer to 9600?

I'm a Sprint PCS customer so that's my incentive for waiting -- I'm assuming Sprint will carry the AirPrime offering. However, if there's no real payoff for waiting, I'll just get the GSM visorphone now. My needs are pretty straightforward: occasional web email (eudora), PQAs, and very light voice calling. I've been driven toward the product by my need for a single comm device (no cables!) and the desire to manage voice calling via the Datebook.

Thanks,

/Steelkilt

Posted by Jon932 on 03-20-2001 07:00 PM:

CDMA vs GSM

From what I have seen, CDMA (Verizon, Sprint PCS) coverage is better throughout the US than GSM. Also CDMA supports 14.4 kps connection (I use SPrint to surf the web with my PDA). Also the Airprime module is 3G ready which means when Sprint upgrades the network (Late 2001) to 3G, connections up to 144 kps will be possible.

Posted by MPM on 03-20-2001 09:14 PM:

CDMA vs GSM

quote:
Originally posted by steelkilt
I'm getting antsy waiting for the Airprime SB3000 Visorphone clone. I'm wondering: will it offer any real advantages over existing GSM visorphone?

Questions for existing Visorphone users and anyone knowledgeable about GSM vs. CDMA:

1. advantages/disadvantages of GSM/CDMA?

2. Will the Airprime offering deliver more features than the GSM visorphone?

3. Is it true (in actual practice) that CDMA web surfing delivers 14.4 while GSM web surfing is closer to 9600?

I'm a Sprint PCS customer so that's my incentive for waiting -- I'm assuming Sprint will carry the AirPrime offering. However, if there's no real payoff for waiting, I'll just get the GSM visorphone now. My needs are pretty straightforward: occasional web email (eudora), PQAs, and very light voice calling. I've been driven toward the product by my need for a single comm device (no cables!) and the desire to manage voice calling via the Datebook.

Advantages of CDMA over GSM:

1) Much better coverage for CDMA.
2) Better voice quality over GSM. Most GSM phones give ok quality but CDMA is better. Especially Samsung phones.
3) CDMA runs at 14.4Kbps over GSM's 9.6Kbps for data. Also, the AirPrime SB-3000 will be ready to go 144Kbps when the network is upgraded this year.
4) The entire world is switching over to CDMA in the form of 3G WCDMA. Even in Europe where GSM originated from.

Advantages of GSM over CDMA:

1) SMS (Short Message Service). As far as I know this unique to GSM, but simple e-mail or some form of AOL-type Instant Messaging over the Internet-enabled SB-3000 VisorPhone should solve this problem.

Go for CDMA - you won't regret it.

Posted by critic on 03-20-2001 09:20 PM:

Re: CDMA vs GSM

quote:
Originally posted by MPM

1) SMS (Short Message Service). As far as I know this unique to GSM, but simple e-mail or some form of AOL-type Instant Messaging over the Internet-enabled SB-3000 VisorPhone should solve this problem.

I'm not so sure SMS is exclusive to GSM technology - Verizon just started advertising a service called Mobile Messenger which allows users to send & receive short text messages from an equipped phone (read: phone has correct software). (Not surprisingly, they're aiming this service at teenagers.) So it's entirely possible that the only thing missing was the software.

Posted by corb on 03-21-2001 01:21 AM:

do we know yet if it will support 800 mhz digital as well as 1.9 ghz? or if it will support 800 analog?

and does visor central have anyone at the conference that's it's being shown at this week?

i'm very hyped about this one, too.

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Posted by EricG on 03-21-2001 01:29 AM:

Re: CDMA vs GSM

quote:
Originally posted by Jon932
From what I have seen, CDMA (Verizon, Sprint PCS) coverage is better throughout the US than GSM. Also CDMA supports 14.4 kps connection (I use SPrint to surf the web with my PDA). Also the Airprime module is 3G ready which means when Sprint upgrades the network (Late 2001) to 3G, connections up to 144 kps will be possible.

You probably won't see it widely available for a few years, and I bet you have to pay a premium for the higher speed..

I'm going to wait and see what they gouge people for the service..

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