help help help - 8125, K-JAM, P4300, MDA Vario General

I brought a nokia 6670 for approx. 320 US$ in may 2005. activated gprs from mobilink pakistan in august (i got that phone so i could surf internet and chat!)...and it's 500 pak.rupees per month for UNLIMITED gprs usage. 500rs. is about 8.5 US$.... yes... LESS THAN 10 US$ per month.
I wonder why that is so. btw, i use yahoo and msn messenger on the nokia6670. ;thinking of buying an i--mate but all confused. JAM here is for 33,000 pak rs. that's....560US$... with 128mb upgrade its about 593US$ but the guy at the shop said I can go aal the way upto 1GB which would cost 38,000 pak rs. (644US$)...
IS IT possible to use msn and yahoo messenger both on the i-mate or just msn?
also....i knw size matters and all. I like the big screen of the PDA2k but slide out keyboard seems risky... the PDA2 is available here too for 42,000 pak.rs. (711US$).. and K-JAM for about same price (711US$)....
I want something big screen and for large internet browsing so i enjoy watching pics, seeings movies, reading e-books etc. would need to stop wearing small pocket jeans though if i get the PDA2... so maybe K-JAM.
Also, whch out of these is most reliable as far as memory not getting lost and stability of system goes? no hanging/freezing etc.
Also, I use 2 SD cards with my cannon digital camera, one is 128mb and other is 256mb and i plan to use those with whichever IMATE i get. I have a 256 miniSD card with the nokia 6670. I wanna ask can I clip on the mini-sd card to it's holder and use that as a regular SD card on the Imate? I use the camera a lot for work so would love to be able to do that
Thinking of selling off the 6670 for about 200US$ and getting an i-mate in Jan.2006.. i look forward to being more active at this forum (great work admin after i do get an i-mate....JAM or K-JAM or what... :S Any advice and answers to questons above I'd be most thankful for.
sorry , one more question i forgot to ask!
Is EDGE technology dependent on the DEVICE or the service provider. I called my provider and the lady said it's regular gprs....
i'm asking coz the K-JAM has EDGE in it and the JAM doesn't...so...getting a K-JAM would mean faster browsing? not that i have a problem with the current gprs on the nokia... i even hook up the cellphone to my PC via USB when my regular cable isn't working and use the gprs... i mean, heck it's less tha 10US$ per month so it's my "backup"..
as u can see i've been doing research on all these imate models kind of stuff this last week on the internet before selling off the nokia6670 and buyng one of these
-nad7602

1. surf internet, prefer a big screen but it's not major issue.
2. listen mp3s, watch videos, view saved pics.
3. make/receive calls. send sms.
4. use yahoo and msn messenger and iffff possible mirc too.
I'd like something in which I can do all the above at same time without the device getting frozen.. so i can use it just like on a PC
5. I heard that if the JAM's, PDA2k and PDA2 battery goes down u lose saved data but not so in the K-JAM it retains data.
6. synchronization is not main requirement. i just want to be able to swap jpegs, vids, mp3s that all.
7. can i use a mini-SD card AND regular SD card in the K-JAM? maybe use the clip thingy that comes with mini-SDs like i do with my card reader?
8. I absolutely do not want any freezes, white screens etc.
9. although i am careful i know moving/sliding keyboards are a risk, may get lose..keys get dust..and i DO get sweaty palms and hands...hehe.. so maybe PDA2 but only IF it does not lose data on down battery.
10. maybe it's possible to intall programs on the SD card so in case of powerdown i don't lose programs and data?
I have not considered JASJAR coz too big and cumbersome and it's 1000US$ plus here.
so....JAM with upgrade, or PDA2k or K-JAM....or PDA2.. me so confused lol...not to mention that I heard theres tonnes more programs and tweaks and games for the 2003 windows in JAM and not so in the 2005 windows in the K-JAM. once again, i'd like to do the above functions and that's it. there's hardly any place here with wi-fi etc. and my original post had a question about the EDGE speed compared to simple gprs (new readers of this thread please re-read it)
once again, i really like this website. just wat i wanted to find and will definitely need when i get an imate. any helpful advice about the above questions, about avoiding above problems with program updates and ROMs etc.? i'd be most thankful.

yeh can use MSN (Pocket MSN that should come with it) Yahoo (use Agile Messenger) and IRC (www.WMirc.com)
Videos and pics will be ok with little or no problem bepending on video format, etc
can browse web, make and receive Call/SMS
5. I heard that if the JAM's, PDA2k and PDA2 battery goes down u lose saved data but not so in the K-JAM it retains data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a PPC running Windows Mobile 5 will(should) Retain data as the other WM2k3 PPC's will not, Beacause WM 2k2/3 save data in RAM where as WM5 saves it in ROM therefore wont lose it all when their is no power
The K-JAM (which i think the HTC Wizard) only has a Mini SD card slot so normal SD cards wont fit
8. I absolutely do not want any freezes, white screens etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont we all , but programs do have bugs and will crash at some point I have the MDA Vario (HTC Wizard) and not had much problem with crashing, allthou some people will say it crashs 10times a day, I guess it all down to what software and how you use it to weather it will crash or not
9. although i am careful i know moving/sliding keyboards are a risk, may get lose..keys get dust..and i DO get sweaty palms and hands...hehe.. so maybe PDA2 but only IF it does not lose data on down battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont have use the slide out keyboard as there is a onscreen keyboard like on other PPC''s the Slide out keyboard is only really usfull for long emails/SMS's
so far had no problems with my slide out keyboard
Most Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Smartphone 2003 will run on windows Mobile 5
some are a bit buggy thou if ran on WM5, but more and more programs as been made to work fine with WM5
Is EDGE technology dependent on the DEVICE or the service provider. I called my provider and the lady said it's regular gprs....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both, you need a Device and Service Provider to support EDGE for the Faster Speeds

thanks PayableOnDeath (love ur "nick/handle" btw
ok, that was some good advice. here are some more things i'd like to discuss or get advice from you or anyone else so please some input here!.
about EDGE. i tried something yesterday. see, i was using nokia6670 to USB to PC gprs setup and i heard if there is connection problem to set the modem at lower speed so I had it at 115200 bps for months and it was slow, but reliable. yesterday i tried the highest modem setting (921600 bps) and it connected and i noticed much improved speed and the gprs did not d/c like it was doing back in august so i was like......does this mean my service provider is EDGE capable?!
other thing is.....I maintain a blog AND I work for a website from home in which I have to write short stuff, like 200 words entries and upload 1.5 to 2mb pics....like 6 pics...and high quality 2 minute video clips....almost daily if not every alternate day and I am a heavy chatter..like mundo heavy!... so...keyboard needed? I checked out this site called outofbox or something...showing a universal bluetooth keyboard...so....wait, here's the link ------- > http://www.thinkoutside.com/stowawaybt_product.html
basically i'm an avid writer and jotter so I can still jot lots of word documents etc. on a JAM using the onscreen kb right?
now, my work is all photography/vids ....been using 2 SD cards for a year and i already have a 256mb R-SD for the nokia6670 so I think I will DEFINITELY have to get a 500mb or 1gb card whatever it is so...
btw, both my SD cards are kingston (128 and 256 mb) and the reduced one...is Microsim 256mb RSMMC... they all work fine with the JAM and K-JAM?
I think the most suitable "combo" for me would be 128mb upgrade JAM, BT keyboard, 1gb SD card with WM5 installed ....i dunno man.. :S
one important thing to factor into all this is that in Pakistan there is high rate of theft. I'm not really worried about it coz...i'm a geek and hardly social life and I am a very private kinda guy and don't flash around "stuff" so it's all good ...but it has to be considered... and secondly, I think the technology here is not as upto date as other countries....other than if this GPRS is EDGE capable which would mean I'd definitely go for the K-JAM... as I said in the first post , the GPRS is DIRT cheap here! I was up half the night at my "other" work - I'm a doctor, btw....checking forums of guess what (wink,hint...PDAs!!) on my 6670. I see myself using a PDA for a good 5-6 hours so that also has to be considered and is one reason i have ditched getting a PDA2k or PDA2 (larger screens, less battery life eh?) as well as I think it would get too much "noticed"...
I get the JAM and wait for a WM5 patch? ...looks like every one else in this forum as all the other websites are doing just that! *sigh*
what i appreciate is that here in pakistan the tech. and gadgets might be like half a year or year behind...but price wise seems fine. the JAM was for 666US$ when a friend of mine got it like feb-march 2005 and it is now 550US$. it's a pity no second hands here coz hardly anyone even if rich buys cool tech toys coz of theft/gunpoint etc. most ppl still use colourless screen cellphones or like at the most a 6600...and a few N-70s or 90s i've seen but i think what's the point if no EDGE or 3G here... even the 7610 and 6670 is still one of the newer and better ones here. and wifi...ppl here don't even know wat it is most of the time.. hehe.
so a JAM with a WM5 would mean no data loss on battery down/shutdown....that'd be cool...in fact, that would make the K-JAm sorta obsolete hehe...but I think there are powerful market forces at work here.... wifi yes...wifi no.... SD card yes..Reduced size card no..

Related

What is difference btwn Imate Jam & 02 Xda 2 mini in Aus

I doing some research before purchasing a new PDA and am favouring the O2 XDA mini being released thru Optus retail network.
but am javascript:emoticon(':?')
Confused (easily done I hear you say)
What is the difference between an IMate Jam and 02 XDA 2 Mini as offered to the Australian Market?
If there is a difference, would appreciate some feedback about which is better in this market (ie; features, value, support) and why.
I bought the o2 XDA II Mini on eBay (no contract, outright for AU$945) and the only real difference between it and the JAM that I can tell is the SD card in the box. But, the XDA II Mini costs more than the JAM (JAM appeared on ebay a few days after I bought the Mini for AU$889). If I had the choice, I would have bought the JAM because of the lower price (I have 2x 1Gb SD cards, no need for a $60 256Mb), but they are essencially the same device.
I also purchased a Sandisk SD WiFi (Harris Tech AU$130) and am EXTREMELY pleased with it. My last pda (iPAQ h4350) has builtin wifi/bluetooth and this makes up for it. The XDA II Mini is so small the extra SD card is not a bother (would prefer builtin, but no complaints). If you have WiFi, i recommend you get one.
I am very happy with mine, and it runs great on both Telstra (my plan for calls/sms) and on Optus (prepaid for GPRS only). Optus has better signal though, Telstra sucks. What is the plan (the upfront and monthly costs)?
All I can say is GO FOR IT!!!
I forgot to add, the XDA Mini i received had a dead pixel. I managed to get them to replace it for nothing. I am very happy with the service as well as the device.
G'day,
I'm making the same comparison, and these are the differences I've noticed at the respective product websites ( http://myxda.com/product/XdaIImini/template/Product.vm and http://www.imate.com/index.asp?PageAction=DETAILS_JAM )
O2 Mini bundle list mentions 2 stylii plus the 256MB SD card. Otherwise the bundles for each product are the same.
O2 software:
Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 standard applications: Pocket Outlook, Pocket Excel, Pocket Word, Pocket Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger, ActiveSync, Windows Media Player, Calculator, Terminal Services Clients, Games (Jawbreaker, Solitraire)
Multimedia Album
Picture Editor
Camera (phone and video capture)
ClearVue PDF and PPT
Integrated MMS
Java MIDlet Manager (J2ME)
Photo Contacts
SIM Manager
Wireless Modem
xBackup
Imate software:
MMS
Photo Contact / Caller Id
Photo album
Camera capture utility
Camcorder
40 chords polyphonic ring tones
Support standard MIDI format 0 and 1
Audio format WMA/AMR/MP3 (AAC optional)
SIM Manager
Wireless Modem
xBackup
Whether these two lists are just different ways of saying exactly the same thing I'm not really sure. Perhaps the O2 software list is just more accurate and better written...
Prices etc and a question
Thanks guys for feedback.
Mitchello - Further to your post. From the Optus shop direct - Business Edge One Plan
Price of the phone is $AUD749.00 paid over the contract period of 24 mths at $AUD31.20 per month on top of any plan taken. ie. BEO 33 access fee $33,
flagfall 18.7c, other calls 30.8c.
On data 0.0055c per kilobyte. - No flagfall.
Hope that helps. The cost of the phone is much cheaper than online prices so I guess they must be making money thru the call charges, but these plans are the same for any phone paid off over the contract period..
But why do you have Telstra and optus accounts, one for calls and one for data. Is the price difference worth the drama of two sim cards ??
I dont trust either of them, but we will see.
The only difference between the O2 and the IMATE models is the bundled software on the device. O2 have some extra software included on the Device then IMATE does, but IMATE seem to have a better support base then O2. IMATE tend to release Updates more frequently then O2. But the O2 does come with the 256MB Card aswell.
I have brought the XDA mini and Imate Jam. The only difference is see is the Jam has some Telstra crap and the leather case is different. The O2 case is better if you want to use it.
Otherwise no difference - Jam is cheaper.
Note I believe the Jam has a brighter screen than my O2 mini if that is possible?
Yep when I purchased my O2 mini the chap in the shop said the only real defference was some of the preloaded software/programs. He said the mini had more stuff pre setup for Oz.
I've had mine for a couple of months and just can't get over the potential this thing has...awesome.
So much to learn which is why finding forums like this has been great.
8) marto
get the imate jam (black), that's with 128Mb internal memory, 64 more than the original version of jam or o2 XDA2 mini. do not get optus bundle, get the phone, and get the $30 recharge with $120 credit.
if you average it out, it's only AUD0.001375 per kbyte (40K SLOT)
That's 87Mb for 30 days since credit expire in 30 days.
or just wait for the O2 atom? but it's not a HTC product...
Arrh just looked at the "atom" specs on the O2 site.... if you can wait, then do so... looks sweet.
Wonder what the price will be?
hmm was hard enough talking the wife into the mini so think the Atom is gonna be out of the question for some time

help help help

I brought a nokia 6670 for approx. 320 US$ in may 2005. activated gprs from mobilink pakistan in august (i got that phone so i could surf internet and chat!)...and it's 500 pak.rupees per month for UNLIMITED gprs usage. 500rs. is about 8.5 US$.... yes... LESS THAN 10 US$ per month.
I wonder why that is so. btw, i use yahoo and msn messenger on the nokia6670. ;thinking of buying an i--mate but all confused. JAM here is for 33,000 pak rs. that's....560US$... with 128mb upgrade its about 593US$ but the guy at the shop said I can go aal the way upto 1GB which would cost 38,000 pak rs. (644US$)...
IS IT possible to use msn and yahoo messenger both on the i-mate or just msn?
also....i knw size matters and all. I like the big screen of the PDA2k but slide out keyboard seems risky... the PDA2 is available here too for 42,000 pak.rs. (711US$).. and K-JAM for about same price (711US$)....
I want something big screen and for large internet browsing so i enjoy watching pics, seeings movies, reading e-books etc. would need to stop wearing small pocket jeans though if i get the PDA2... so maybe K-JAM.
Also, whch out of these is most reliable as far as memory not getting lost and stability of system goes? no hanging/freezing etc.
Also, I use 2 SD cards with my cannon digital camera, one is 128mb and other is 256mb and i plan to use those with whichever IMATE i get. I have a 256 miniSD card with the nokia 6670. I wanna ask can I clip on the mini-sd card to it's holder and use that as a regular SD card on the Imate? I use the camera a lot for work so would love to be able to do that
Thinking of selling off the 6670 for about 200US$ and getting an i-mate in Jan.2006.. i look forward to being more active at this forum (great work admin after i do get an i-mate....JAM or K-JAM or what... :S Any advice and answers to questons above I'd be most thankful for.
sorry , one more question i forgot to ask!
Is EDGE technology dependent on the DEVICE or the service provider. I called my provider and the lady said it's regular gprs....
i'm asking coz the K-JAM has EDGE in it and the JAM doesn't...so...getting a K-JAM would mean faster browsing? not that i have a problem with the current gprs on the nokia... i even hook up the cellphone to my PC via USB when my regular cable isn't working and use the gprs... i mean, heck it's less tha 10US$ per month so it's my "backup"..
as u can see i've been doing research on all these imate models kind of stuff this last week on the internet before selling off the nokia6670 and buyng one of these
-nad7602
nad7602 said:
I wonder why that is so. btw, i use yahoo and msn messenger on the nokia6670. ;thinking of buying an i--mate but all confused. JAM here is for 33,000 pak rs. that's....560US$... with 128mb upgrade its about 593US$ but the guy at the shop said I can go aal the way upto 1GB which would cost 38,000 pak rs. (644US$)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Jam can't have 1GB or RAM. Possibly, that'll be 128MB RAM and a 1GB storage card.
27 said:
nad7602 said:
I wonder why that is so. btw, i use yahoo and msn messenger on the nokia6670. ;thinking of buying an i--mate but all confused. JAM here is for 33,000 pak rs. that's....560US$... with 128mb upgrade its about 593US$ but the guy at the shop said I can go aal the way upto 1GB which would cost 38,000 pak rs. (644US$)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Jam can't have 1GB or RAM. Possibly, that'll be 128MB RAM and a 1GB storage card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, thanks. my requirements are:
1. surf internet, prefer a big screen but it's not major issue.
2. listen mp3s, watch videos, view saved pics.
3. make/receive calls. send sms.
4. use yahoo and msn messenger and iffff possible mirc too.
I'd like something in which I can do all the above at same time without the device getting frozen.. so i can use it just like on a PC
5. I heard that if the JAM's, PDA2k and PDA2 battery goes down u lose saved data but not so in the K-JAM it retains data.
6. synchronization is not main requirement. i just want to be able to swap jpegs, vids, mp3s that all.
7. can i use a mini-SD card AND regular SD card in the K-JAM? maybe use the clip thingy that comes with mini-SDs like i do with my card reader?
8. I absolutely do not want any freezes, white screens etc.
9. although i am careful i know moving/sliding keyboards are a risk, may get lose..keys get dust..and i DO get sweaty palms and hands...hehe.. so maybe PDA2 but only IF it does not lose data on down battery.
10. maybe it's possible to intall programs on the SD card so in case of powerdown i don't lose programs and data?
I have not considered JASJAR coz too big and cumbersome and it's 1000US$ plus here.
so....JAM with upgrade, or PDA2k or K-JAM....or PDA2.. me so confused lol...not to mention that I heard theres tonnes more programs and tweaks and games for the 2003 windows in JAM and not so in the 2005 windows in the K-JAM. once again, i'd like to do the above functions and that's it. there's hardly any place here with wi-fi etc. and my original post had a question about the EDGE speed compared to simple gprs (new readers of this thread please re-read it)
once again, i really like this website. just wat i wanted to find and will definitely need when i get an imate. any helpful advice about the above questions, about avoiding above problems with program updates and ROMs etc.? i'd be most thankful.

Newbie Here!

Hi Everybody!
I'm a newbie here and just wanted to say Hi!
Hopefully , I will get my MDA Vario tomorrow, it is locked to T Mobile (UK) and I hope to unlock it for my o2 SIM.
Currently I have a Nokia 3230.
What do you use your MDA Vario for and what are your dislikes about this model of PDA/phone?
{>
Hi!
Hello and welcome, you will certainly enjoy using your new vario and this site will certainly help you make the most of it.
I travel ALOT with work so I use it to keep in touch with family / friends by using the WLAN at airports and using Agile Messenger to connect to MSN / ICQ and Yahoo.
I also use the camera to take snaps of any interesting places I see on on my travels so I can then send them to my wife and kids back home.
I purchased a 1gb mini sd on ebay for around 12 pounds so that I can use TomTom and the various maps that are available. Oh, and also I use it as a phone! Sometimes you forget how many things this phone is capable of, but the the phone is certainly one of its strong points. As it is quad band I can use it in Europe, Asia and America so I dont need to keep changing handsets everytime I go away on business.
Oh, and for when my flight is delayed, there is always Windows Media player for your favourite mp3's or audiobooks, and of course the excellent games that are also available.
You will not be dissapointed!! Enjoy!
Hi Nmonger and thanks for your reply!
I've puchased a 1gb mini sd card too.
My current phone has tomtom on it, so I've copied the files onto my PC and hope that I can transfer them to my PDA when it arrives.
I read an article on here which says you can flash the ROM, do I need to do this on mine?
PS. I'd love to see some of your photography and I am a photographer!
If you like flowers and buildings check out :
www.healing2.me.uk and view my online gallery!
Cheers,
Scutter
{>
You old nokia is a symbian phone. I doubt the same tomtom will work on your new Wizard.
i received my xda mini on monday, so far ive surfed the net, sent emails, sms messages, taken photos, played music and played around with MSWord - connected it to my wireless network, active synced loads of games and apps onto it - ive just bought a 2gig minisd card and bluetooth headset for around £50 from moby (based on a recomendation frmo here)
mark
www.iosilver.co.uk
Thank you for all your replies!
Glad to hear that your getting the most from your PDA/phone.
I wish I knew where to get the cards from, I got a 1 gig from ebay, cost £22 inc delivery.
I'll give the tomtom a try as it doesn't look like it is the original tomtom card (if you know what I mean :wink: )
So, do I need to flash my ROM or as a newbiw, won't I notice any difference? Not that I'm sure why I should "flash my Rom", but it sounds good LOL
I use my Nokia phone for my business and the satnav is good, but I find it very slow with the Symbian software.
Thanks again for ALL you replies
Cheers,
Scutter
{>
just been to 02's xda site and downloaded the rom upgrades - it says it deletes all data off of the xda - sureley this cant be right?
BTW its taken me all of 2 days to max out the internal storage
Mark
trooperbill said:
just been to 02's xda site and downloaded the rom upgrades - it says it deletes all data off of the xda - sureley this cant be right?
BTW its taken me all of 2 days to max out the internal storage
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to upgrade too and they told me it wipes it. Theres no way I'm going through the hassle of losing all my data and settings. Took me ages to get it how I like it!
W..W...We...Welcome Stutter ,
You're damn right it just sounds cool to Flash your Rom, but what's way cooler is the difference you notice in speed and stuff like that with new Roms instead of (most) of the Stock Roms.
Don't hastitate with questions, everyone here is at your service
Regards,
Molski
Thanks again for the replies!
Your making me feel very welcome!
Molski >
I'm gonna tell everybody that I'm gonna "Flash my ROM" and get the t-shirt too!
Shall I order you one?
Trooper Bill>
Could you please post the link for the grade as hopefully,I will be able to unlock my Wizard and use my O2 SIm in it??????
Cheers Everyone
Scutter
{>
yup ill ftp it somewhere for you to grab...
if i use a backup system will this restore my apps n stuff after i flash da shizle?
Mark
Thanks Troopr Bill, but sounds abit complex for a newbie? :shock:
{>
Hi Everybody!!!
I just got mine today.
I have managed to unlock the sim, but can't seem to "flash my ROM"
I get an error message stating that it is not been able to upgrade the "RUU_Prodigy_2170702_21707102_20710_QTEK_WWE_Ship"
Am I doing something wrong?
Also does anybody know how to get the o2 pay as you go MMS and GRPS settings?
Cheers,
Scutter
{>

Palm -> MDA -> Palm

I'm literally at the end of my fuse here. :doh: I really wanted to give the MDA a chance, but I'm sitting next to a pile of old fashioned index cards that have served as my PIM since I got my MDA. Here's my rant:
1. MDA is SLOW. When I want to call someone, the default software's call list takes forever to pull someone's name up. While I'm driving, this makes me 10x more likely to have an accident just waiting for the thing to pull up. I overclocked my MDA with Smartskey and did a simple registry change that speeds things up, but it's still SLOW. When you type a letter for a contact's name, it should pull up, even my 6 year old Palm Vx is quicker.
2. I tried Pocket Informant, and it's damn complicated and slow too. I would consider myself a pretty tech savvy guy, but I stil prefer Palm's Agendus, simple but does the job.
3. I hate Outlook! I'm not a corporate slave, but an entrepreneur that doesn't want to get tied to some ugly, generic Microsoft product that spreads viruses. I want my Palm Desktop back!
4. Internet with T-mobile is SLOW!!! I got this phone because I wanted to use google outdoors, then I'd have the world in my hands. I thought that EDGE would have bearable speeds, but it's worse than AOL 33.6k dial-up. I live in the Los Angeles area where EDGE is supposed to be active, but it just seems like a waste of $30/month.
So I've thought about this a lot, and was wondering your opinions...
I think I want to go back to the Palm. Windows Mobile sucks!! I thought WM5.0 would be the latest and greatest, but it's the same old Microsoft s**t.
I would really like to get the Treo 700p, but I have 9 more months of my T-mobile contract. I wish I could get out and try Verizon's EVDO.
Thanks for listening,
Hanguo Laohu
At a guess I'd say you're using the stock T-mobile rom then.
Stock MDA rom
You are correct. Does the newer ROM make that much difference? I mean, if my 6 year old Palm Vx can instantly go from contacts to calendar, I was assuming that the MDA could do the same.
HL
The new ROM is much stabler and quicker than its predecessor.
I owned a treo 650 for several months then I moved to the wizard. the wizard is hands down the better pda/phone than the treo.
if you have such hatred towards the wizard, then go back to the treo, no one is stopping you.
I used to have a treo 600 and then the 650. I then moved to the MDA, and I have to agree that the MDA is much better. I also agree that you should upgrade to the latest rom before giving up on the mda.
I think from your feelings about Microsoft, and this device, you would be far better suited to a Mac as your main PC, and a Palm as your PDA, and enjoy the simplistic no frills use from them.
I'm not going to bash Palm or defend MS products, merely state my opinion..
Palm seems to work fine for many people. In my experience these are people who prefer an "out-of-the-box" solution. Open it, put batteries in and go. That's fine, I can't knock that.
WM appears to be a platform more suited to "tweakers" who like a customized solutions and don't mind the effort of assembling the pieces. I really believe that if you're only using the preinstalled apps in WM then you are on the wrong device.
Using a cellphone whilst driving
Please don't take this the wrong way, you could do everybody a favour and not use your phone will driving?
http://www.talewins.com/protectyourself/cellphones.htm
regards
I like you moved from a Treo 600 to the MDA and hated it at first. It's slow, kind of like running XP on a 386 and almost impossible to use one handed although you can. But since I sold the Treo (& I've been a palm man since the pilot days) I thought I'd tweak the MDA to see what it could do. Here's what I suggest,
1 - update to the new ROM, just do it that solves a host of issues
2- Overclock it, I don't know why they dont do this out of the box but it makes the thing run almost normally
3- Careful about what you install, if you think it runs slow now, try maxing out memory
4- Use a Bluetooth headset
5- Keep reading this forum, many great ideas & programmers
After the above I like it, maybe not better than the Treo but it's every bit as good just a little different. I actually like Activesync better than Palms, really why push a button, it should just do it.
hanguolaohu said:
1. MDA is SLOW. When I want to call someone, the default software's call list takes forever to pull someone's name up. While I'm driving, this makes me 10x more likely to have an accident just waiting for the thing to pull up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use MS Voice Command. I use it while driving and I never even have to play with my MDA. I just push the button on the side that I assigned to the MS Voice command program, then I say, Call So and So and work....or home...or cell. It repeats it back, you either say YES if it got it right or NO, if it was a NO, you just repeat it again. It's really a very easy way to make phone calls while you are driving.
update to the T-Mobile 2.26 (if you have MDA T-Mobile). Or install cleaned rom, then install OMAP Plus to overclock you device.
I would know if palm is better than WM5. Windows hands down, i've used all the treos stopping at the 650. Horrible compare to any XDA. And i have used all the palm devices such as nx90 uh series. all of them cuz i sell them. Not great
hanguolaohu said:
I would really like to get the Treo 700p, but I have 9 more months of my T-mobile contract. I wish I could get out and try Verizon's EVDO
Hanguo Laohu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a air card EVDO adapter for my laptop for Verizon's EVDO. You will not get half the speed on any PPC/Palm because of their processors. Your best using your laptop for EVDO.
On my phone I just use Wi-Fi.
With BlueTooth headset and MS Voice Command, I do not even have to touch my MDA to make a phone call. 8)
to really see the difference between WM5 and Palm one should use the exchange activesync or the blackberry connect options on WM5 over the Palm ... i've configured so many palms but i would say WM5 is a much better OS than Palm when it comes to what it could possibly do.
When it comes to stability, both of them are the same. Out of 10 Palm Treo users, the one who decided on getting the Treo 700w was the only who hasn't really complained about anything.
if i were you, i would get a third party exchange hosting account which would cost around 12USD a month and see how different it is. With this service, you can have you email, contacts, calendar, and tasks (PIM) synchronized over the air to your mobile, laptop, desktop, pc or Mac ... no more bluetooth or usb activesyncing ....
choosing between GSM and CDMA is another issue ... if you choose CDMA over GSM then that means that you are stuck in the US, Japan (in some parts) and Korea and maybe another handful countries ... while if you decide on going GSM, you have the option of going to almost any country in the world since GSM is the global standard. ... even verizon's mother company, Vodafone is one of the biggest GSM service providers in the world (tell that to the government which made Vodafone use CDMA here in the US)
As far as the MDA, it has been known that the HTC Wizard (T-Mobile MDA Vario / MDA) is underpowered but having like a Universal or Blue Angel you would see the difference in performance.
Currently, i'm using a Qtek 8500 and it's quite snappy and it uses the same CPU as the T-Mobile MDA (Vario) ... it kinda slows down whenever i run PocketStreets 2006 (yes 2006!) with my GPS... i'll hold off until i could get the MDA Vario II or Cingular 8525 here locally stateside ... been buying all my gadgets in the UK just because the damn US is so behind in mobile technology ... he he he
Enjoy!

Brand New Unopened MDA (T-Mobile USA)

I'm getting a new t-mobile mda usa phone this week and was wondering what are the first steps expert gurus like yourselves would do?
I've never used MDA before, but I'm a quick learner and have upgraded firmware and whatnot for other things in the past.
So, what would be the first step?
Test it out, see if it works...bla bla bla
Then? Would I upgrade the firmware? Which firmware should I use?
If I upgrade to a firmware that voids the warranty, could I flash the firmware back to stock T-mobile firmware and they would never know the difference (not that i would do that, just wondering)?
What programs/tweaks would you install?
If i get the 5.99 or whatever T-Zones, could I view any website and send/receive email through gmail...or would there be additional charges? Could I also use AIM, or would that cost extra?
I bought 5 MDA's for $250 total from amazon. However, it required me to select the data internet plan which is like $30/mo for each phone. But i was told I could cancel it within 14 days for all the phones, and instead get t-zones for $5.99?
Also...could you guys recommend some good accessories w/links or prices?
Screenprotectors, BT headsets...etc?
I'm also looking for a good, but cheap MiniSD 2gb card.
http://www.outpost.com/product/4922971 <-- Would this work for me, or is there a better one I should look at?
Sorry for asking so many questions, it's just that my MDA is coming this week and I'm really excited and want to be prepared for it.
Thanks guys!
THAT KINGSTON mini sd is the roxs!! works really well!
thou it might not read on ur card reader thru teh mini sd adapter, but hey for that price you can't go wrong!!
there are a ton of progs out there.. i would carefully breeze thru the wiki and other sticky's and then mod/add prog
if you have 1.80 ver firm.. unlock sim and CID then upgrade to 2.26!!
then programs and stuff is your liking.
enjoy.. sorry im in a rush, but you'll get plenty of help!
well .. MDA's cool but if you could wait a couple of weeks or maybe just get it's current version which is the MDA II (Vario II) which should be coming out soon here in the US ... In Europe, it's been out for at least a month or so... The MDA II (Vario II), aka XDA Trion, HTC TyTN, Orange SPVM3100, and the soon to be released Cingular 8525 is available online... just my two cents worth .... the new version has a lot more power and newer / current features which would work on HSPDA/UMTS ....
FYI
I got my MDA in July or August, I believe. I got it from T-Mobile, not one of their distributers, because I could control the family plan better, that we already had, and could request the area code I wanted (Also got a Samsung t-809 slide--a really cool phone).
Coming from an HP IPAQ 6315, I am VERY pleased with the MDA. However, I did not synch it with my Jensen B/T headphones because the driver wasn't compatible with WM5. More importantly, no matter what I tried I couldn't hook it up to my Garmin GPS 10--a B/T GPS unit that works AMAZINGLY well at finding your location--Both the headset and the Garmin work with the HP.
So I followed T-Mobile's directions to upgrade the MDA firmware to the ROM version 2.26.10.105 and I am SO glad I did!
The new version has its own A2DP driver, so the Jensens immediately synched beautifully.
The Garmin was trickier. I had to buy a registry editor--I went for Kilmist which works very nicely. You need to hack the registry to reveal the GPS Icon in the System tray.
The tree is:
Pocket PC\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\GPS Settings.
You delete ALL the keys under GPS Settings, especially the REDIRECT key.
I've read that you can switch the HIDE key from 1 to 0, but I couldn't get that to work--when I cleared the REDIRECT it worked.
Reboot, and the GPS Icon should appear. This allows you to tailor the device's COM port to match the GPS software from Garmin.
I'm not really crazy about the Windows Media Player--it's a pain to use, a pain to set up, and I have NO idea what MS was thinking. Instead, I use something called BetaPlayer both for movies and music. It's simple, clear, obvious, and you don't have to go through stupid gyrations to get either music or movies to it (it plays AVIs). When we travel, I'll rip movies using Pocket PC DVD (an nice, inexpensive pgm) to AVIs in the 15-225 meg range, and dump them to the Mini-SD card. BetaPlayer allows me to play them without any problem and rotates to landscape mode with a tap.
BetaPlayer is a free download, that Pocket PC DVD sets you up with. I THINK they have replaced it with an upgrade.
I can use it with AIM, but the return key on the keyboard doesn't "send"--so far I've had to tap the Send icon with the stylus--Is there a way around this?
eMail works very nicely--I route to my own account, not T-Mobile's, so I can get and send my mail. But it ALWAYS truncates the mail, forces you to click on it and re-download. Again, anybody have a way to fix this?
Compared to the HP IPAQ 6315, there's really no comparison. The HP has a bigger screen, but it's a bigger, bulkier unit and I don't notice a difference. It does just about everything better than the HP, and I don't have to soft-boot it every single day!
BIG plus on the MDA/Wizard--the antenna doesn't stick out so you can't break it off (I actually broke off the cover of the antenna on the HP in an airport--Had to replace the entire antenna assembly to replace the cover!)
I really like the SanDisk cards. I have 4 2-gig cards I bought on-line for about $40-$50 apiece (I forgot which). I THINK it was at Buy.com--not sure. I've never had a SanDisk card or flash drive fail or fail to connect. Yeah, 2g mini-SDs work just fine on this PDA.
The MDA is more like a thick cell phone than a PDA in size and feel. I hope to explore a lot more of its capabilities.
Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
I've been trying to do as much research as possible before getting the phone.
Bigshoguns said:
unlock sim and CID then upgrade to 2.26
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
Yanktar03 said:
I can use it with AIM, but the return key on the keyboard doesn't "send"--so far I've had to tap the Send icon with the stylus--Is there a way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been doing some reading and I think I found an answer for you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=985458&highlight=return#post985458
Not sure if you can do it with the regular AIM, but with the hacked AIM you could go to options/preferences and under IM/Chat/Mobile make sure "Enter Key Inserts Return" is unchecked.
Sorry if this is incorrect, I dont have an MDA and have never used one but I'm just going by some stuff I read.
Oh yeah, does anyone know when MDA II (USA) is coming out..I would feel a bit of buyers remorse if it's coming out soon and will be offered at an attractive price for new contracts. Oh well....MDA is still good, right?
Anymore help/suggestions would be greatful!
Thanks!
chroniX said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
I've been trying to do as much research as possible before getting the phone.
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
I've been doing some reading and I think I found an answer for you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=985458&highlight=return#post985458
Not sure if you can do it with the regular AIM, but with the hacked AIM you could go to options/preferences and under IM/Chat/Mobile make sure "Enter Key Inserts Return" is unchecked.
Sorry if this is incorrect, I dont have an MDA and have never used one but I'm just going by some stuff I read.
Oh yeah, does anyone know when MDA II (USA) is coming out..I would feel a bit of buyers remorse if it's coming out soon and will be offered at an attractive price for new contracts. Oh well....MDA is still good, right?
Anymore help/suggestions would be greatful!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile makes you wait 90 days before they will give you the unlock code and procedure for free. But if you already are a customer you may be able to bully them into it sooner. I did because I added my MDA and T-809 phone to our family plan.
I don't know about the CID, but if you get the T-Mobile unlock that's all you need. The upgrade of the ROM, via the T-Mobile procedure and software is very easy and does NOT void the warranty.
Thanks about the AIM--I found another thread here yesterday where there is a modified version of AIM 2.0 that is FAR better than T-Mobile's and gives you the "return" key back, and allows you to force the sign-on. Apparently you don't have to pay for messaging with it--it's via Internet!
Little by little the MDA is becoming the PDA I always wanted.
chroniX said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for unlocking use Lokiwiz02b.zip which is found in the Xda ftp:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BA_FTP_Site
dont worry about overclocking - im running mine @ 224 with the 2.26 rom
i was overclocking @ 240 with the custom 2.24 - really helps out performance
for overclocking someone recommended Batterystatus which is a small neat program, using very little resources to manage the battery and overclock and its free
http://www.chi-tai.info/cs_BatteryStatus_XDA_Neo_WM5_iM_cs.htm
Whatever you do don't buy ShieldZone Screen Protector.
ZzFDKzZ said:
Whatever you do don't buy ShieldZone Screen Protector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that the same as Invisible Shield? I thought those were supposed to be good.
What would you recommend then?
If you plan to upgrade to the Official Tmobile 2.26 rom you do not need to unlock. It will handle all of that for you. Just make sure your battery power is over the suggest amount (I think its 50%) I have seen some nightmare stories here from people who didn't.

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