Does 800 x480 Devices appeal to you?

[eaglesteve]

This is a topic that has attracted quite a bit of interest from another thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1846989&posted=1#post1846989

The topic is self explanatory.

Do you like to see the next model of Athena adopting this new trend?

Do you think it would be more portable for the same diagonal screen length?

Do you think it would be more appealing to the users in both portrait and landscape mode?

Do you think we would run into software compatibiilty issues?

If such a device exist today, would you switch to it and sell your Athena?

Do you think it would run slower?

Do you think it would make it more phone friendly?

If you're an existing users of such a device, we would like to hear from you. In any case, please give us your thoughts. Anything goes.

[techntrek]

To further the discussion for those that haven't/won't scan the original thread, here's a shorter version of one of my posts from that other thread:


With HD getting ready to become mainstream in many countries, the 16:9 ratio is becoming the new TV standard, with computer monitors closely behind. I'm betting within 2 years 16:9 will be the definitive standard, especially since 4:3 content on a 16:9 screen is more useable than the reverse (watching widescreen content on a 4:3 screen sucks as most know).

I think the best form factor for the next version would be a 16:9 screen with a related resolution of 1067x600 or 853x480 (instead of a 4:3 related resolution of 800x600), which would elongate it somewhat, reduce the height, but still give us more screen area. Not only would this allow for 4:3 and 16:9 content, it would make it easier to hold as a real phone . By making it a little longer it should be able to be thinned out a little, too, since there would be more internal volume for components - like a vibrate motor. Add vibrate and a private earpiece and all the hold-outs will buy it - the ones that love every spec except the fact that its not quite a phone. The mass market won't buy it unless it has vibrate and a private earpiece.

Widescreen, a little less height so it can be held properly, a private earpiece, vibrate and HTC will have an instant hit. Much more appealing than an iphone.

Edit: and get rid of the magnets...

[HeartOfDarkness]

Although i personnally am no huge fan of 16:9th, I guess I pragmatically have to admit that it IS the current market trend and, consequently, a new device should try to implement that.

Actually, whichever the ratio, I personnally am waiting for a resolution upgrade on the next "big HTC". 1024 x 576 would be cool with me, although with such a screen, HTC / ATI / whomever should get their act together and provide a fully functionnal and OPTIMISED video driver.

As I will never, ever, use the Athena and its successors as a regular phone, I don't care about the fact that 16:9th ratio is better suited, but I do agree it will make things easier for a non-ridiculoous form-factor.

I think backwards compatibility / full use of the screen will be a HUGE issue, on the other hand...