Pogo-Tech Pogo

A new handheld that may just steal a march on the big boys.

Price: £299

Manufacturer: Pogo Technology

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Verdict

The Pogo is a neat package that's small enough to be discreet, yet thoroughly capable as a web browser. But using it as a mobile phone is a strange experience and, at £300, it's far from a steal.

Scott Colvey, What PC? 11 Apr 2002

In an industry ruled increasingly by giant corporations, Pogo Technology is hoping to steal a march on the big boys by launching a handheld computer with wireless capabilities that the company claims far surpass anything the competition can offer.

In this David and Goliath battle, the missile in Pogo's sling is a clever compression system. While other palmtops allow wireless web surfing, the experience is frustrating due to slow data transfer speeds.

The Pogo relies on the same aerials and bandwidth for its web connection but, before the requested data reaches it, it is intercepted by Pogo's server computers. Here, compression software scrunches it down, forwarding this shrunken data stream to the Pogo. Result: much faster on-the-go browsing.

It seems to work. Web pages that might take 10-20 seconds to download using other wireless palmtops appear on the Pogo's screen moments after they're requested. However, receiving them at all seems to be a hit-and-miss affair. Regularly during tests in and around our central London offices, the Pogo lost its mobile signal in mid session.

The device itself isn't too bulky or heavy but it's chunkier than the average mobile phone. Control is via a touch-sensitive screen and stylus, which slides awkwardly in and out of one of the Pogo's four nipple-like protrusions. Power switch and antenna account for two of the remaining three, while the fourth exists for reasons of symmetry.

The Pogo doubles as a mobile phone and organiser but, sadly, its PDA-mimicking features are basic.

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