I've had the Wallaby since T-Mobile (USA) offered it (I think about three years). I've gotten a lot of good use out of it, mostly thanks to this forum. However, it's time for me to upgrade, and I'd like some feedback from everyone.
First, I'd like to upgrade to a device that has an intergraded keyboard, since my wife has the h4355 and, comparing usage of her device to mine in that respect, it is indispensable in my opinion. So if I upgraded now I would like to get a Blue Angel clone.
But, all these glowing reviews and pictures of the HTC Universal tempt me to wait to upgrade. It truly looks like a dream device!
Since I live in the USA, though, our carriers may not pick this up for another year (if at all?), and at my rate of years-per-upgrade I would probably miss out on quite a bit. So here are what seem to be my choices at the moment:
1.) Forget about getting my hands on the Universal for the next year (or longer), upgrade to the BA now.
2.) Wait until it is released in Europe and probably pay well over $1000 to buy it from a third party.
3.) It is worth the wait for a US carrier to pick it up. It may be a shorter time than I think.
4.) Other.
So which would you do?
Other things to keep in mind are that there are no decent BA's currently offered by any of the US carriers, they are all stripped versions, minus this feature or that feature. So I would have to get one of those from Europe anyway. Do you think US carriers will strip the Universal the same way they have with the BA? Additionally, as someone else previously mentioned, how much do you expect the Universal to be, if the BA is currently around $800?
Can anyone offer any speculation of cost or release date in the USA?
Thanks for the feedback!
Shawn
I think that the universal keyboard will be better than the thumboard on the BA - so you should not buy a BA now, unless you REALLY need something now.
The Universal will be released in europe probably sometime in september from what I have been hearing, so you can get it in a few months for the "normal" price of 900-1200 (which is what the range was for the BA when it originally came out)
It is not likely that US carriers will release this. *maybe* T-mobile will release it, but judging from their past history, it seems unlikely.
Cingular will DEFINATELLY not release it because it lacks GSM 850. Also the UMTS band that is on the universal is not 1900/850 which is what Cingular uses and will use in the future. if the universal was quadband GSM and triband UMTS it might have been a different story.
If you are on the T-Mo network and really want it, just get it when it gets released in europe. That way you have form, function and the WOW factor since it wont be released in the US
Note to HTC: please, please, please make the next version of the universal quadband GSM and at least dual band UMTS (1900/2100)
I will select the "WAIT" if I were you, T-Mobile in NYC was not able to setup my Qetk 9090 on GPRS, the anwser of their failure... we do not know this device... :? (however I succeed to make it work) But I would also wait, PocketPC Italia is talking about 2 devices this year and more coming in 2006 It only depends on how "wealthy" you are but well if you purchase the Universal and that a 9090 like shows up... what will you do?
By the way if you are in the Chicago area you may find a lost Universal
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/_assets/video/TechEd/Final-MobilityV7-300K.wvx
Bottom line this is a nice devie not SO big but the lack of Screen control on the body (like a communicator) may make it borring to use (my 2 cents)
Perhaps North American users can wait and hope for an 850 MHz model, like done with the JAM.
i voted other
i dont know whyi anybody that has already a HTC machine capable of using win2005 will upgrade for a company that dont support the machines they build.
i will stay with my qtek2020 and if i dont have 2005 for it i will choose another manufacter....
........
Re: i voted other
rictec said:
i dont know whyi anybody that has already a HTC machine capable of using win2005 will upgrade for a company that dont support the machines they build.
i will stay with my qtek2020 and if i dont have 2005 for it i will choose another manufacter....
........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some people on earth, like, who are FED UP of only being able to use his 9090 only when he is outside of his country... In Japan we ONLY HAVE 3G... and I cannot use the phone function of my 9090 that I love when I m in a GSM country... so I will buy again and again and again ANY HTC Products simply because of their amazing quality and potential (look around can you cook an iPAQ 4700 or a Treo? and how EASY it is to change a rom) and with a Phone capability...
Cheers
Hi everybody
Compliments for an extremely informative and active forum. 8)
I would like to ask if the JASJAR/XDA Exec functions in Japan - I have gathered that it is W-CDMA (UMTS) compatible and subsequently has the ability to do so. :? Although I am not clear
GSM does generally not function in Japan i.e. even my XDA IIs quad band cannot function proficiently in Japan. Moreover, UMTS does function in Japan- does this permit solely video calls (and not standard voice calls)?
The reason for taking one to Japan - The US/EURO PDA phones are generally more visually desirable/advanced than their Japanese counterparts, unlike standard handsets.
Any information/assistance would be much appreciated.
JASJAR+VODAFONE-JP/Docomo
Hi belloragazzo,
Some of japanese have got jasjar and used VODAFONE-JP USIM(W-CDMA (UMTS)) / Docomo in Japan. Also I have got Jasjar and tested VODAFONE-JP SIM in UK for few days.
I hope this helps you.
tom_hiro225 arigatougozaimas!
A dowmo & thank you for your kind reply; it is extremely helpful.
I will buy the JASJAR before I go to Japan and then obtain a Vodafone JP sim if possible.
Once again thank you for your help.
Matane:O)
Yep, Japan use WCDMA (UMTS 2100) that's used in the JasJar. Can't say I've been to Japan since I got my JasJar, but my old 3G phone worked well over there (same principle, at least!)...
JasJar in Japan
I bought the JasJar in England, and was surprised when landed in Japan to have my mobile connected to Vodaphone system in Tokyo. I have used it few days in Tokyo, quality was very good - and I enjoyed connection also in Kashiwa...
Hope it is helpful for you.
Regards
Yes it works, japan Vodafone and Docomo Foma are operation 3G.
You can use those Operatores SIM.
Thats why many japanese guys are buying and bought Universal!
Also some of 3G supported GSM SIMs from out side Japan, can use those operators services as a GSM loaming!
Thank everybody for your kind advice
I will certainly get JasJar before going to live in Japan on 18th October - I understand that I will have to buy a J phone in order to obtain a SIM card to use in Japan.
Can anybody please suggest which is the most suitable contract/prepaid phone to buy with the sole intention of using the SIM card rather than the phone?
Hi belloragazzo,
Here are some information of VODAFONE-JP.
[Price plans]
http://www.vodafone.jp/english/pricelist/index.html
[Basic and Voice charge]
http://www.vodafone.jp/english/pricelist/package/index.html?clickcount_0315
[Mobile Data Communications]
http://www.vodafone.jp/english/pricelist/data/index.html
[Discount services]
http://www.vodafone.jp/english/pricelist/discount/index.html
Some of retailer has offered free (or discount) 3G phone.
ex. YODOBASHI CAMERA, BIG CAMERA...
Also you can contract SIM only at local VODAFONE shop.
You might be required some proof when you contract. (ID/Address/Payment ID,Bank acount,Driving license, Credit card, Public bills) same like other countries.
cheers
Thank you for both the links and information, I am much obliged.
I will indeed buy the Vodafone JP SIM 8)
The response on this forum is wonderful; it is an excellent source of information for worldwide travellers.
This thread was just what I needed! I'm going on a two week trip to Tokyo and Fukuoka in March and I'm definitely dependant on my jasjar.
thanks a lot!
-M
What the heck!!! 300 Yen a month for unlimited voice calls and mail!!! That translates to around $2 a month. Is that correct or am i wayyyyy off-track?!?!
universaldoc said:
What the heck!!! 300 Yen a month for unlimited voice calls and mail!!! That translates to around $2 a month. Is that correct or am i wayyyyy off-track?!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Japan/Korea are indeed very far ahead of the west on telecoms pricing.
RyanZA said:
universaldoc said:
What the heck!!! 300 Yen a month for unlimited voice calls and mail!!! That translates to around $2 a month. Is that correct or am i wayyyyy off-track?!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Japan/Korea are indeed very far ahead of the west on telecoms pricing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about roaming? anyone know if it would make sense to pick up a sim and roam it here in europe? I have japanese bank accounts already.
Auto Roaming in Japan with Exec
Hi guys,
Does anyone know whether will my O2 Exec work in Japan? I just have a basic GSM mobile plan with Telstra (Australia). No 3G nor GPRS services. They cost too much in Australia! I have auto roaming in my mobile plan but when I brought my Exec to Singapore 3 weeks ago, the auto roaming didn't work. I rang Telstra and they told me that they have already activate my auto-roaming.
Anyway, is there something I'm missing out? Do I need to change any settings on the Exec? I'm going to Japan soon and really wanna to be able to receive calls from Australia. Does anyone know whether is there any setting I need to change in order to activate auto roaming on my Exec?
Thank you!
Regards,
Johnnie
Re: Auto Roaming in Japan with Exec
johnnie82 said:
Hi guys,
Does anyone know whether will my O2 Exec work in Japan? I just have a basic GSM mobile plan with Telstra (Australia). No 3G nor GPRS services. They cost too much in Australia! I have auto roaming in my mobile plan but when I brought my Exec to Singapore 3 weeks ago, the auto roaming didn't work. I rang Telstra and they told me that they have already activate my auto-roaming.
Anyway, is there something I'm missing out? Do I need to change any settings on the Exec? I'm going to Japan soon and really wanna to be able to receive calls from Australia. Does anyone know whether is there any setting I need to change in order to activate auto roaming on my Exec?
Thank you!
Regards,
Johnnie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to roam on vodafone jp 3G's network. Whether you have a "3G" plan at home or not, remember 3G or umts is really just a different band, vodafone and most telco's will let you connect to umts where ever possable, you only need upgraded accounts and price plans when you want things like video calling. So in short if you home network will let you roam on vodafone jp then yep you can use your universal.
Guys, don't forget that to be able to use your 3G phone in 3G ONLY network you also need to have a 3G simcard.
Johnnie82, that may be the problem with your EXEC, maybe when you decided not to use 3G in Australia you didn't get the new simcard and you are still using old GSM one, which will work fine there, but won't let you to connect in 3G only network.
Hi Ratcom and Rottie,
Thanks for your input! The both of you have made complete sense to me. I think I should contact Telstra and request for a new 3G simcard without the real 3G capabilities. (Telecommunications in Australia are really expensive compare to country like Singapore.) Which mean a new simcard that will allows me to use Vonefone 3G network while I'm in Japan.
Am I right to do that?
Thanks!
Regards,
Johnnie
then it should be fine.
I'm starting a trip round the world tomorrow and I'm gonna check how my Exec is working in Australia and Japan...
Do you think there is a good 3G coverage on Easter Island? :wink: :lol:
Hi Rottie,
Mate, You're lucky that you're going around the world holiday! I envy you! :wink: Anyway, I believe that you will have no problem logging onto 3G network in all major cities in Australia. But I don't think that you will be able to get much 3G reception in the Easter Island. I got a friend staying there and remembered he telling me that they have only normal GSM service last year. Maybe they have upgraded their network now?
Anyway, enjoy your holidays!
Regards,
Johnnie
I was only joking, wasn't expecting even a GSM there. :lol:
Thanks
Does anyone know for certain if the M600/Prophet will work in Japan?
Looking at the Orange international useage it says the M600 won't workbecause you need a quad band phone...I thought the M600 was quad band so why won't it work?
Does anyone also know if you can buy a pay as you go SIM for use while in Japan?
As far as I know Japan use a totally different protocol for their mobile phone. Most of the phone will not work (tri and quad). Unless, I think there are some company there supports GSM phone which works on 'normal' GSM phone, but I think these GSM phone companies are not that popular in Japan.
You need to check the telco company on this matter.. or post at a forum where people may have been to japan ... OH.. here is a good forum (I'm so lame)
Anyway, try asking Asukal on this matter.
Can anyone shed some light if the hermes will work for me in Vietnam?
When I went to Japan i had to take a nokia along as i couldnt get the hermes to play nice. I just want to know if i have to do it again
should be fine.... hermes as 900mhz band im pretty sure...i know my kaiser does.... no worries
Thanks!.....
hi guys...
i ve been in vietnam last year.. (but calling was expensive)
you should look at your roaming prices.
best work with my hermes..
greets voxid
wojzilla said:
Can anyone shed some light if the hermes will work for me in Vietnam?
When I went to Japan i had to take a nokia along as i couldnt get the hermes to play nice. I just want to know if i have to do it again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can it be that your HERMES is NET locked? I can't see another reason why it did not work in Vietnam! We are talking here about a QUAD BAND GSM + UMTS/3G device ...
Unlike SIM LOCK a NET LOCKED device accepts any SIM card but lets you use only one particular network. In this case the HERMESUnlocker should do ... !
Hello,
I bought an HTC Herald (P4350) back in Europe 4 months ago. I liked the "world phone" appeal that the Herald had. You can imagine how surprised I was when I turned it on in Japan and got nothing. After a little more research I discovered that, although the Herald is a world phone, it's has NO 3GSM features. Japan is ONLY 3GSM.
Is there anyone out there that can help me. Will unlocking the phone help? Is there any Windows Mobile software I can use to pick up on 3GSM carriers? Anything.
I went out and bought a Softbank sim card and a POS phone to come with it. Is there any way I can use my Herald in Japan?
Thanks
Sorry, but the Herald only supports the old standard GSM. There are no 3G capabilities and no way to make it functioning in other networks then GSM