Database Users

Does Universal have bad hardware or software? should I buy?

:?:
I am just about to purchase a new PDA. I am deciding between the Wizard (o2 xda mini s) and Universal (o2 xda exec).
The universal seems to have everything I want, but I am scared by the posts here.
So I have one basic question for you guys:
Do you think:
1. There are basic hardware problems which can't be resolved until there is a new version
2. It is just a buggy software/firmware issue, and this will be fixed by the current and future firmware upgrades ?
If it is 2, I will not mind buying it ?
thx

Only a personal viewpoint, but my view is that most of the problems are being caused by software that claims to support WM5.0 - but the reality is that although they do support it, not all software is as robust as it should be. I have installed and uninstalled a whole range of applications (purchased and trial versions) - and found that many cause lock-ups etc. After trial and error I have settled on a PIM (Pocket Informant) and a closer/launcher (GSPocketMagic) that work reliably, do not cause my Universal to lock up and do not seem to have any effect on system speed. Others I have tried may cause lock-ups or at least really slow the system performance down significantly. Not sure if others have found the same - just what I have found by trial and error. Hope it helps

that is a very interesting point. I was very influenced by this article:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=35177
Also it seems if you read aximsite re: dell x51v, that Wm5 is not as compatable with wm2003se software as people think.
What also seems to be adding to the issues is that the service providers (o2, orange, etc.) are NOT aware of this and are installing applications as standard (e.g. battery meter) which actually cause lags in answering phone calls as they are not correctly for Wm5.
I guess the question is now, does the jasajr work fine when all bad the sowftare is uninstalled, and is it possible to uninstall monitoring software that service providers have installed ?

I just bought mine on Monday... great piece of kit!
If you are just going to use the software that came with it you shouldn't have any problems at all (i haven't anyway) all is working well.
I think as soon as WM2005 becomes more established and more developers cater for it the glitches will go, like NH said, it's more 3rd party software that's causing the problems

hey budo, which service provider did you buy from ?
how is surfing the internet using 3g (the real reason I want to buy it, as I will keep my normal mobile for phone calls)
rgds

My position is clear. WM5 itself has bugs and does things you don't expect. Here are just four examples of WM5 probelms which are nothing to do with third-party apps:
- If the Camera app is left on it heats-up the devices as it drains the battery
- On downloading email over GPRS/3G the Messaging app can freeze
- Media stored on the SD card when used by apps when the "suspend" option is used can cause the app to fail when you re-start your device
- WM5 can report it has insufficient memory even when it has 20MB of RAM free
- Memory leakage means you need to reset the device daily
- If you do reset it is possible to loose settings and data if this data has not been written back to the persistent storage from the real RAM

O2, and they give you 3 options for "install type" so if you want all the bells and whistles you can switch it on, or if you want just the basic software you can switch that on lol...
I have to sort my internet out for 3G, needs to be config for some reason.... but from what i have seen from GPRS it's top dog esp with sites that cater for mobile internet....

this is not good jah, i am put off again. although this could be fixed with a firmware update if htc provide that kind of thing. Anyone know their record on this for other devices ?

hey budo. If 3g is turned on, it should use it automatically for connection, even if it says gprs. that is normally how all my 3g phones have worked when 'bluetoothed' with a pda.

Colonel
I assume you have seen this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=33871
I am not trying to put you off but just want to make sure you have a balanced perspective. I have an Exec and all I can say is that it is "high maintenance" like all M$ based systems

thanks, i'll read.
I'm not sure I totaly agree with you about M$ stuff. I had a dell x50v and currently have an orange m500, and they are perfectly reliable and low mainentance. It does seem however that the hardware people have rushed out wm5 systems without really doing their research and I am sure M$ is responsible for a load of bugs. Roll on WM5se ......

colonel said:
hey budo, which service provider did you buy from ?
how is surfing the internet using 3g (the real reason I want to buy it, as I will keep my normal mobile for phone calls)
rgds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sux. This pixel doubling issue means that you don;t get anywhwere near the estate you expected. U can switch to Oz VGA but that costs a 5 min reset either way - easier to get to a PC! The other issue is that the IE browser is SO bad that 3G surfing feels like GPRS - in fact I used to fire up my laptop just to check that I had a good 3G signal in the area and was indeed surfing on UMTS!! Issue is that browser renders slowly, and cache's so badly that it actually reloads the whole friggin page when u go 'back'. I could have my laptop working on a 3G card right alongside my JJ on 3G, type in xda-developers and press 'go', and my laptop would give me the screen in seconds, whilst my JJ would take a full minute!! We're taking over 10x slower. Also, many sites do not render in PIE - blank drop boxes etc. In SA that's movie booking gone, not a SINGLE TV guide site works, and altho my private bank works, my company bank does not. However, terminal services in VGA is awesome...

craigiecraigie4
I don't really have problem with 3G and PIE. I use T-mobile and o2 in the UK and the rendering etc is reasonable given that I did not expect laptop like performance on my Exec. The Exec in corp mode with GSPMagic+ is very quick.

Hermes vs ...?

Well, I come to a point where I cannot use my Hermes as a 24h phone. I love it as an admin tool and I access our company servers via VPN (ncp VPN client does a marvellous job with Lancom firewalls) - but the occasional freezes (DSOD) are a real pain since I have to be available all the time and I do not even see the phone froze long time ago while having the screen off.
My question: What would be an ideal WM5 phone edition hardware addition to my TyTN?
I need a keyboard, I need 320*240 (well, the Palm 750v has its issues, we use it for some management folks and they regularly complain about freezes as well...) and I would like WiFi. I do not need UMTS/3G as long as it has fast GRPS (EDGE) .
MY ideas are:
the imate JAQ3 or the HTC P4350/Herald.
My key selection criteria:
Stability.
Could anyone give me his personal experiences about these 2 devices?
Regards
Apple*

Nothing gr8 yet...U should wait for upcoming hermes successor so called Kaiser should be here soon with Gps

This may or may not be helpful, but I've heard that with a few tweaks like overclocking and the new AKU3.3 that the Wizard/8125 is pretty good...

Just install the latest ROM, will stop all the sillyness of the TyTN, then when the AKU 3 ROM comes out, more sillyness will be stopped.

Any good reasons not to get an Atom Life?

I'm getting close do a desicion, and that will probably be to buy an Atom Life, not wait for the I-Mate Ultimate 7150. But is there anything that should make me rethink that? I have owned an original Atom for more than a year, so I know about the not so good screen, and I know that the battery time isn't all that great (but I have extra batteries). But the 3.5G, the fast CPU and the small form factor is what's winning me. Any suggestions?

y dnt u go for O2 Flame ??
i knw its a bit huge !! but its really good!!

No HSDPA. Slower CPU. And I prefer smaller form factor to bigger screen, basically.

man buy d flame

atom life will ruin your life

You should look at the date of threads... I have had the Life more than a month now, and I'm very satisfied with it. A few early problems turned out to be software that didn't want to play nice with WM6.

I have had my Atom Life for about 4 months now. I upgraded it to the latest WM6 ROM found on the O2 web site. My previous device was an I-Mate Jam.
I don't use a lot of the advanced features in the Atom Life, because of my current Telco provider (T-Mobile USA). So, I'm only using Edge, not 3G or 3.5G. I'm also not using VTCall or the FM radio. I do use WiFi and this seems to work well, although not as convenient as being on a PC. I do use Skype on occasion (under WiFi) and that has worked well too. I have a stereo blutooth earphone by Motorola that works great. I'm checking email (POP3) and going to the Internet, no problem. I bought Spb Mobile Shell for launching application and that's probably the smartest buy I've ever made for my device. I almost never use the stylus for most standard operations, thanks to this great application. I also use Microsoft Voice Command. With this, no need to ever look at your screen or fumble with searching for contacts: making phone calls and launching applications are a cinch. I also have a bunch of other applications (various databases, MetrO, PDF reader), all working flawlessly. The camera is adequate. It's never going to replace a real camera, but for quick shots it's actually pretty decent. I don't use my PDA as a major input device. Therefore, I mostly use the build-in keyboard for typing things in and that's fine for me. I do travel extensively overseas and the Atom Life has worked flawlessly on any network it's been connected to.
The only major issue I have with the Atom Life. It doesn't notify me when I have a voicemail waiting for me. Technical support was useless. They basically told me: "sorry, we don't support the Atom Life in the US". I do get notification for missed calls and SMS, but not for voicemail. I have searched the Internet every which way and found no solution, except for a recommendation to change my Radio ROM (I have no clue on how to do this and I don't want to brick my phone). If anyone has any ideas on how to solve this problem, let me know. I will be forever grateful!!
Otherwise, I am fairly pleased with the Atom life, as you may have guessed.

Good reasons not to get Atom Life

After hearing the news of O2 Atom Life being planned for release, I, like most of the users out there who bought it was restlessly waiting for its release.
Sadly, after getting my hand on the device, I am faced with the following problems (WM5 and WM6).
1. Video Call - The vtcall application requires 10mb of free ram to start. When in use, it only uses about 2-3mb of ram (confirmed by O2 support). The problem is, the average free ram of most users is around 8-10mb. When receiving video call, vtcall fails to start up.
2. Slow performance while scribing - Writing using the stylus is misery with this device. Each strokes appeared slowly and you are unable to write naturely. Instead you have to write very slowly, letter by letter. The excuse given by O2 Support is because of it using the rom as temporary memory for the touch screen and also because of the rom size (1gb). I was told that it is so because they can't foresee what will be effected when they decided to put in 1gb of rom. For me, it seems like it has a design flaw. I wonder if I can return the product and get back my money as this is the main reason why I regret getting Atom Life.
1. Windows Live - All features of Windows Live will try to connect via 3G/GPRS even though the device is already connected to the internet via wifi. Anyway, can't blame this on O2 as it seems to be the problem with WM6 but if they did a good testing, they should have known this and as Microsoft to fix it.
2. O2 Calendar - When tapped, it always open the native Calendar application even though the default calendar application has been set to other application (Pocket Informant, Pocket Agenda, ect).
3. O2 Filler - The filler has problem calculating the free space left with certain today plugins like the native Calendar plugin and Spb Mobile Shell (with auto-hide enabled).
4. O2 Connect - It has only 3 items. Support, Collection Points and News. Where's the updates, tips and ect as stated in www.seeo2.com? The O2 Connect at the site is also worthless. The service is far worse than the O2 Connect service for O2 Xda II mini. Further more, the News item has problem. After refreshing it, about 80% of the time, the content is corrupted. Can only see the first news followed by damaged text display. Anyway, the today plugin can display the news correctly.
5. Camera Templates (Photo Frame mode) - The template is placed in the hidden partition of the rom and users are stuck with only 5 templates. Unlike O2 Xda II mini, users can place additional templates in the My Documents\Templates folder and they are automatically accessible in the camera. Upon contacting O2 support, they asked me to look for 3rd party software to solve it.
6. Notification Queue - The WLMSchedule has mutiple duplication. Need to remove them or the duplicated events will grow in number over time. Again, this is more to Microsoft but as stated above, O2 should have known about it.

I have experienced the same problem but the most irritating for me is the problem with Video calling. How I wish the 1G ROM can share memory with the exhausted RAM like before with Windows 2003.

thanks for the info....how about flame???it hv the same problem??

Here an update from O2:
Prob 1:
After several phone conversation with O2, it is decided that O2 can't do anything with this. The 10mb start-up requirement for VTCall is for performance sake (used for buffer). O2 confirmed that they are aware that Atom Life does not have enough main memory after (extensive use) before it is released to the market.
From my point of view, the designers should be sacked. If they knew about it, why not just increase the main memory to 128mb? Sigh, too many fools working at O2.

...
1. I don't know why but I consistently get 12-15MB of free RAM. Like right now, I have 16MB. I can only seem to get less than 10MB when I play Windows Media Player in the background.
2. I use transcriber and I agree that it's quite slow but compared to the old way of writing on my Palm then it's like light speed.
Now the other part
1 and 6. I don't blame a device (or the maker) for Microsoft bugs. I mean seriously, look how many people go out to get Vista even though it's full of bugs. I got my Atom Life with WM6 and never even touched Windows Live (and don't understand what you mean by WLMSchedule <-- ignorance is bliss ). If I don't like a built-in function, I'll try to get 3rd-party stuff for it or not use it at all.
2. I use SPB Diary and it works with Pocket Informant.
3. After a long process of finding out what is "O2 Filler", I finally figure out what it is. I don't install O2 Themes so it doesn't show up and my SPB Diary is pretty good at calculating the correct space.
4. You actually installed O2 Connect? I heard it was responsible for the random turning on of Wifi so I did not even install it. Got this after intensive research on internet.
5. Ok, this is a problem and the O2 people should do something about it.
So ya, I still blame the O2 people for not getting more RAM (more RAM is always better) and the terrible quality of their softwares. But overall, I love my Atom Life. Just wanna provide a more balanced viewpoint for those interested in buying the Atom Life.

Part 1: It's O2 fault as the VTCall application is choosen by O2 for video call.
Part 2: If you have used Magician before (O2 Xda II mini), you'll be amazed that the old device outperform O2 Atom Live. When you scribe on it, it feels like you are using a real pen.
Part 3 & 4: Heh he, I don't use it actually... just pointing out that O2 are not planning very well with the applications they are providing
Part 5: The great part is, the O2 support ask me to buy a 3rd part application for it... like it does exists. Made me think that the support team is stupid or living in a remote area somewhere in.... dunno where.
Part 6: You can disable the damn WM Live thing using Memmaid... but since I'm using Messenger and Hotmail... sigh...

I have had my Atom Life for about 3 months now. I upgraded it to the latest WM6 ROM found on the O2 web site. My previous device was an I-Mate Jam.
I don't use a lot of the advanced features in the Atom Life, because of my current Telco provider (T-Mobile USA). So, I'm only using Edge, not 3G or 3.5G. I'm also not using VTCall or the FM radio. I do use WiFi and this seems to work well, although not as convenient as being on a PC. I do use Skype on occasion (under WiFi) and that has worked well too. I have a stereo blutooth earphone by Motorola that works great. I'm checking email (POP3) and going to the Internet, no problem. I bought Spb Mobile Shell for launching application and that's probably the smartest buy I've ever made for my device. I almost never use the stylus for most standard operations, thanks to this great application. I also use Microsoft Voice Command. With this, no need to ever look at your screen or fumble with searching for contacts: making phone calls and launching applications are a cinch. I also have a bunch of other applications (various databases, MetrO, PDF reader), all working flawlessly. The camera is adequate. It's never going to replace a real camera, but for quick shots it's actually pretty decent. I don't use my PDA as a major input device. Therefore, I mostly use the build-in keyboard for typing things in and that's fine for me. I do travel extensively overseas and the Atom Life has worked flawlessly on any network it's been connected to.
The only major issue I have with the Atom Life. It doesn't notify me when I have a voicemail waiting for me. Technical support was useless. They basically told me: "sorry, we don't support the Atom Life in the US". I do get notification for missed calls and SMS, but not for voicemail. I have searched the Internet every which way and found no solution, except for a recommendation to change my Radio ROM (I have no clue on how to do this and I don't want to brick my phone). If anyone has any ideas on how to solve this problem, let me know. I will be forever grateful!!
Otherwise, I am fairly pleased with the Atom life, as you may have guessed.

Radio Upgrading
frenchygeek said:
I have had my Atom Life for about 3 months now. I upgraded it to the latest WM6 ROM found on the O2 web site. My previous device was an I-Mate Jam.
I don't use a lot of the advanced features in the Atom Life, because of my current Telco provider (T-Mobile USA). So, I'm only using Edge, not 3G or 3.5G. I'm also not using VTCall or the FM radio. I do use WiFi and this seems to work well, although not as convenient as being on a PC. I do use Skype on occasion (under WiFi) and that has worked well too. I have a stereo blutooth earphone by Motorola that works great. I'm checking email (POP3) and going to the Internet, no problem. I bought Spb Mobile Shell for launching application and that's probably the smartest buy I've ever made for my device. I almost never use the stylus for most standard operations, thanks to this great application. I also use Microsoft Voice Command. With this, no need to ever look at your screen or fumble with searching for contacts: making phone calls and launching applications are a cinch. I also have a bunch of other applications (various databases, MetrO, PDF reader), all working flawlessly. The camera is adequate. It's never going to replace a real camera, but for quick shots it's actually pretty decent. I don't use my PDA as a major input device. Therefore, I mostly use the build-in keyboard for typing things in and that's fine for me. I do travel extensively overseas and the Atom Life has worked flawlessly on any network it's been connected to.
The only major issue I have with the Atom Life. It doesn't notify me when I have a voicemail waiting for me. Technical support was useless. They basically told me: "sorry, we don't support the Atom Life in the US". I do get notification for missed calls and SMS, but not for voicemail. I have searched the Internet every which way and found no solution, except for a recommendation to change my Radio ROM (I have no clue on how to do this and I don't want to brick my phone). If anyone has any ideas on how to solve this problem, let me know. I will be forever grateful!!
Otherwise, I am fairly pleased with the Atom life, as you may have guessed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can find how to upgrade the radio from the link below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=549804&page=100

Fed up and im getting rid of my ameo

After 14 months of of ownership im finally getting rid of my ameo, there have been highs and lows, in some respects it is an excellent device, but the facts are these.
1) it is awkward to use as a phone
2) it is not competent enough to be used as a media device and struggles to play windows media video without the correct drivers for the ATI GPU, (and it seems that HTC dont care enough to try to fix that)
really and truly all the web browsers suck compared to a desktop PC, (but they have come along way in 14 months I have to admit)
the bottom line is this, it tries hard to be a computer but fails, it tries hard to be a phone but fails (so close on both counts and yet so far)
I have now gone and purchased myself a used oqo 01+ at the very knock down price of £288 it is roughly the same size as the ameo but (being a windows XP machine) infinitely more competent, I will be linking it when necessary to my phone (which will hopefully be a vario 4 *hsdpa 7.2Mbps*) when my contract ends in 4 months. At last, I will have an easy to use pocketable phone that I can hold to my ear and a fully fledged 30GB media device when I need it.
I finally see why Leoni did what he did !
PS
Another thing that used to wind me up was the fact that even though the ameo has HSDPA 1.2 mbps it was so slow loading web pages, infact being on wifi made no difference either, but when connected as a modem to my laptop, my laptop connection was really quick, it just made me think if my ameo is capable of passing this speed through to my laptop why can't it use it for itself, and then I realised it must just be yet another limitation with Win mobile.
PPS anybody want to buy an ameo, mint condition as it was replaced under warranty a month ago (including documantation to prove this) however the keyboard is tatty as it was not replaced !
£270 can meet up in london ! boxed with all the usual accessories + a docking cradle charger station + a second battery (now in poor condition)

I think you're the first person since Spacecat to agree with me. I sometimes miss the Ameo and consider buying another but in the end it would just be a toy.
I obtained a TyTn 2 recently (having initially HATED the Vario 3) and with the latest Dutty ROM it really is rather good. The QVGA screen matters little as Opera Mobile does such a stoic job, and browsing is my only cause for a VGA screen.....it would be nice though.
People bring up the size and weight of the TyTn 2 in conversation, which is a nice means of putting me off EVER getting an Ameo again....jeez.
You're right about video quality - the Ameo just doesn't cut it. The TyTn 2 isn't much better - though Coreplayer offers Qtv support for the Qualcomm chipset - but the Ameo only heightens the jerkiness and tearing with its 5" screen. I don't really watch much card-based video anyway, it's usually just Youtube.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the Vario 4 - is that the Touch Pro?
Looks pretty hot, though I imagine some people just won't be happy unless their phone has a 5" screen. Me? I'm going for the Diamond: I've gotten used to the brilliant Diamond touchpad and enjoy using it. Although its memory is not expandable I've decided that 4gb is enough for me; If need be I've got an EEE to watch films on the train in a swankier fashion and conserve precious battery life.
Good luck with your sale sir

TBH I do a lot of streaming from home using ORB, and the ameo just strugles with a service that other phones do so easily ! I prefer the form-factor of the OQO over the eee, but I see why you went in that direction, I am not to fussed on the spec of my new phone, as it is solely going to be a phone/satnav and 7.2 mbps HSDPA modem, the fact is only the Vario 4 and compact 4 (touch diamond I believe) really fit the bill, but I want number buttons instead of a touch screen numeric pad, and a qwerty to text with, hence the vario choice.

ice_coffee said:
TBH I do a lot of streaming from home using ORB, and the ameo just strugles with a service that other phones do so easily ! I prefer the form-factor of the OQO over the eee, but I see why you went in that direction, I am not to fussed on the spec of my new phone, as it is solely going to be a phone/satnav and 7.2 mbps HSDPA modem, the fact is only the Vario 4 and compact 4 (touch diamond I believe) really fit the bill, but I want number buttons instead of a touch screen numeric pad, and a qwerty to text with, hence the vario choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might seem dreadful to say this...
GULP
but the Iphone 3g might fit the bill for you....that is, if you can live without Winmo.
There's coreplayer so you'll be able to play virtually any video file - no doubt in much better quality than any graphics-driverless HTC device!
A DEDICATED orb client which is absolutely brilliant: no more web-based Orbing, and it happily plays your streams in the background while you check mail, browse etc....
3g and HSDPA which you can share via WIFI adhoc.
GPS (Tomtom is already set for release)
Dedicated bbc iplayer support
And let's not forget it has the best browser and email client available....
And a whole host of companies queuing up to make software for it.
I'm certainly interested in it with so much cool stuff coming out, shame there's no keyboard but the onscreen QWERTY is very good.....
Apologies in advance if my suggestion is offensive to you!

hi there,
Its a shame u feel u need to discard ur Ameo, am a junior hear, regular user of the website but with limited knowledge when it comes cookin rom(s) or dumping application to creat d best application, however i've had my amoe since last october, and only till a couple of months ago when the AP4 rom was released with window 6.1 then that my is d ultimate device:
1) Better Tcpmp player with SUPERB QUALITY VEDIO PLAY BACK,
2) HSDPA is brilliant
3) Support fring application for SUPERB VOIP app.
4) Opera for web browsing
5) Touch flo included but my tots: just a gimik.
6) Mobile Office i used for work
7) Screen with realvga so using Excel is brilliant
8) Google map that works with d built in Gps as i dont drive
9)

leoni1980 said:
It might seem dreadful to say this...
GULP
but the Iphone 3g might fit the bill for you....that is, if you can live without Winmo.
There's coreplayer so you'll be able to play virtually any video file - no doubt in much better quality than any graphics-driverless HTC device!
A DEDICATED orb client which is absolutely brilliant: no more web-based Orbing, and it happily plays your streams in the background while you check mail, browse etc....
3g and HSDPA which you can share via WIFI adhoc.
GPS (Tomtom is already set for release)
Dedicated bbc iplayer support
And let's not forget it has the best browser and email client available....
And a whole host of companies queuing up to make software for it.
I'm certainly interested in it with so much cool stuff coming out, shame there's no keyboard but the onscreen QWERTY is very good.....
Apologies in advance if my suggestion is offensive to you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not offensive at all, but I want my next phone to just be a phone with qwerty texting keyboard, (not on iphone) and hsdpa 7.2 (not on iphone)

fair enough! in respect to the 7.2mbps HSDPA, do you think this is a gimmick or will speeds genuinely be upgrading? I still have the same speeds - around 1.2mb - I had when i first got my Hermes/vario 3. Even with the category 6 3.6mbps N95 I never saw any discernible difference.
Just a thought.
I've just bought a Toshiba Portege G900 really cheaply, though I'm hoping i dont suffer the signal problems and glitches other people have. The screen is supposedly really nice (800 by 480) but I'm concerned that I wont be able to install some of my favourite applications because of it. We shall see. I'm starting to think I should settle on one phone for more than 3 months!

I am getting 2-3 Mbps in London (on Voda), which is faster than my home broadband !
It is all about deciding what you want first, and then chosing the device. I love the OQOs, but battery life is just too short, and the Transmeta processors only just about cope. As long as you don't push it too hard, it is a "proper" computer for a couple of hours. Vista on the E2 devices is another matter, grrrrrr so slow. But like the Samsung Q1s and HTC shifts etc, if you MUST have Windows then you have to compromise on battery and speed. If you MUST have all day battery then you compromise on the OS.
Instant on and pretty much all day battery ... ain't many laptops that can do that. And there are none that will fit in your pocket as well. If there were, we would all have one

only Voda offer 7.2 at the mo, and it is restricted to some areas of london ! but there will be more soon, so I might aswell be ready for it ! TBH I could manage without the keyboard so maybe I will go for a compact 3, I would really be happiest with one of the new hsdpa 7.2 LG's or samsungs they have a normal numeric pad, (fine by me) but unless I find one running symbian or win mo I will loose my tomtom, which is NOT acceptable.
I also want something with internet connection sharing, so I can get away with the cheaper data plan.

ice_coffee said:
only Voda offer 7.2 at the mo, and it is restricted to some areas of london ! but there will be more soon, so I might aswell be ready for it ! TBH I could manage without the keyboard so maybe I will go for a compact 3, I would really be happiest with one of the new hsdpa 7.2 LG's or samsungs they have a normal numeric pad, (fine by me) but unless I find one running symbian or win mo I will loose my tomtom, which is NOT acceptable.
I also want something with internet connection sharing, so I can get away with the cheaper data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really it sounds like Nokia is the way forward for you. Personally I wouldn't touch Samsungs or Lgs as they are too basic and only have proprietary os's.
If you can cope with 'just' 3.6mbps then how about the N96?
16gb of true usb 2.0 speed storage plus a micro sd cardslot, large screen, wifi connection sharing (via the excellent free walking hotspot solution), flash support from within the browser, better integrated java manager than windows mobile, superb camera, integrated dvb-h player and recorder (though not immediately available in the UK)and its VERY pocketable. worlds away from the Ameo.
Oh and for the record it is now possible to use Tomtom 6 with the integrated GPS with a BINpda app.
It may be that the N96 IS 7.3mbps (category 8) HSDPA capable, the spec isn't too easy to obtain at the moment.
Just another idea for you anyway.

I could maybe live with 3.6 mbps, until my next renewal but it would need to support internet connection sharing, over HSDPA, as far as I know the symbian phones don't ! I want my phone to fool the newtwork into letting me use my laptop/oqo without paying the extra, If I use a nokia I have to set up the dialling properties and account in the browser and it then uses the nokia as a modem ! which is why it needs to be win mo, however I might get a winmo smart phone, im not fussed on a camera my only criteria is
1) HSDPA 3.6/7.2 ICS
2) Easy pocketable phone maybe with a keyboard but defo with a numeric pad
3) Tomtom capable
this limits me to the vario 4 and win mo smart phones !

i'm not entirely sure I follow: there is no way to 'fool' the network with regard to your usage settings. With regard to internet connection sharing on a windows mobile device, ics simply uses the activesync drivers and creates a pseudo ethernet connection. If you use Nokia PC suite then essentially it does the same thing but via the modem utility. there is no difference in speed (despite the option in dial-up settings to alter the baud rate) and as far as the network is concerned you will still be using the same access point - they will not be able to tell whether you're using a Nokia, a windows mobile device or a Samsung D600 other than that you're usage will spike (and technically they could track what browser you are using, whether you are using IM, VOIP etc).
The easiest solution for Nokias is Walkinghotspot, through which ANY device can 'share' your internet connection via wifi. Walkinghotspot uses exactly the same connection as the built-in browser and has support for encryption and power saving. It's also free! the same software is also available on windows mobile.

lol, I guarantee you my friend there is a big difference between tethered mode (phone as a modem ) and internet connection sharing (phone as man in the middle) !
1) Tethered Mode.
You put your internet access settings in to your computer, your computer then uses your phone as a modem, the network operator can tell you are doing this because your phone Identifies it self on the network as inuse as a modem
2) Internet Connetion sharing here your actual phone itself goes on the internet, your laptop does not require any of the settings required to go onto the network because all of this is done by the phone, the phone identifies it self as going on the network directly (not as a modem)
The difference being the networks can charge different rates for going on the internet, either direct on your phone or if your phone is used as a modem for a laptop, Provided they can tell.
T-mobile charge £7.50 for unlimted internet on your phone if you want the ability to connect to your laptop it will cost an extra £5 per month, however using ICS T-mob can't tell as all your requests appear to be coming directly from your phone, not your laptop, and so you can get away with the cheaper rate. as I have been doing for the last 14 months !

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are you sure that's the case? as far as I was aware whatever method you use still connects to the same apn. what I do know is that since april 06 I've been on the standard 7.50 web n walk tarif and have never had a charge for going over my allowance. I have used all manner of different handsets- though mainly nokias - to connect my dell inspiron and eee to the internet. perhaps this will allay your fears. seems like we're both on the same network - good choice!

hmm intresting, how do you connect, are you using bluetooth pan and then getting your laptop to dial *99# or whatever it is to connect over HSDPA
I will try your method and see if I get any data bills !!

Ice Coffee...Wanna Trade?
I have a Tilt, it is used; however, I can have it replaced through the warranty. The only drawback would be that I have the 7200 Chipset (most common) and the new ones have the 7201 (causes problems with the cooked roms, etc) I have a ton of accesories (4gb, 2gb, TomTom 7, North America, Motorola s9 headset, etc...Not sure if you think it is a fair trade but I should be able to sell it on ebay for 270 pounds, so we could go that route also...anyway, if interested, let me know!

ice_coffee said:
hmm intresting, how do you connect, are you using bluetooth pan and then getting your laptop to dial *99# or whatever it is to connect over HSDPA
I will try your method and see if I get any data bills !!
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Click to collapse
I've used bluetooth DUN (not pan) with my EEE - which I've performed a bluetooth mod on - along with walkinghotspot (wifi router software) and standard Nokia OTA software/manual modem setup through windows. On the Nokia calls log you can see a rundown of the flow of information that's gone through the phone (SMS, GSM calls and packet data). No matter what connection sharing option I choose the log only displays 'T-Mobile Internet' and the ingoing, outgoing data quantity. There is no reference on the phone to what means of connection has been used, other than that the APN and password/proxy settings for 'T-Mobile internet' have been used. There is no way the network could tell that I'd connected my phone to my laptop other than by picking up download spikes and the use of certain ports for things such as IM and VOIP.
A friend at T-Mobile however told me (off the record) that T-Mobile tend to turn a blind eye to irregular use unless it starts to get ridiculous. The most you can expect (after 3 consecutive months of misuse) is a letter asking you to curb your use, or a threat to bottleneck your connection. They will NEVER charge you for going over your allowance or for misuse, unlike some networks.
On a separate topic I can also offer you an unlocked TyTn 2 with an eleven month warranty with CEX (and maybe some extra cash for your pocket). Depends how near you are to Derby though! I've got this Portege G900 coming so I was going to sell it anyway.

Leoni, I own a Tytn2 and a Advantage and very much interested on the Portege G900. Let us all know your impressions about the G900 asap.