Database Users

Whould you buy it again?

Hi m8es,
just thinking about buying a new MDA, wondering if MDA Pro would be the right device for
- A few short phone calls a day
- UMTS (www and EMail)
- mobile Office
and so on...
What do you think about your universal?

i don't have it, but i'd buy it because of the UMTS, which i cannot use on my Hima... (
buzz

Yes, I'd buy it again. I'm convinced that most of the issues it has are due to WM5.0. If I hadn't bought this I would have upgraded my Dell Axim X50v to WM5.0 and run into the same issues anyway. (As it stands I'm keeping that one as a back up still on WM2003se.)
The bottom line is that the Universal does everything I want it to do and it's all in one. The size/weight has not been an issue to me at all.
A happy Jasjar owner.

Jasjar / Univesal
Perhaps not:
My bigger disappointment is the Internet Explores, cannot make bank transactions. :twisted:

Re: Jasjar / Univesal
josedias said:
My bigger disappointment is the Internet Explores, cannot make bank transactions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But really that's a Windows Mobile and Internet Explorer issue, isn't it? I think for any WM5.0 device we'll have to wait for a better browser to be developed...Minimo or a WM5.0 compatible NetFront.
The weird thing is, with my old PDA I couldn't get to my bank account with IE, but with the Jasjar (and IE) I can. I have no clue why.

May be if the Price is bit resonable... Still its saling in here about 1200$ which is too much for universal.

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

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..

XDA mini S or T-Mobile MDA Vario?

Are there any phone differences? T-Mobile have a better tariff suited to myself but is one better than the other?

Hardware is the same to the best of my knowledge on Imate K-jam, MDA vario, Qtek9100 and XDA miniS. I have just got Tmobile MDA vario and I am getting to like it more the more I use it. I have not found a way to avoid greasy ear prints on the screen though, yes I do wash.
Speakerphone is usable even in the car. If you go with Tmobile on a web and walk plan 40 Mb of data sounds alot but with real internet rather than wap I don't think it will go that far. Of course your milage may vary.
Al

Really it is down to the implementation of features such as voicemail for me. With o2, you just get a text message, but with T-Mob, you get the proper voicemail icon and the ability to dial voicemail from the hotkeys. Likewise, the online billing from T-Mob is miles better than o2. Finally, you get the option by default to have sms notifications of missed calls when there is no coverage (With the option to dial the caller from the hotkeys) and have voicemail activated. With o2, it is one or the other.
In short T-Mobile just works better. (plus you get a screen protector for free, not that great but still to be commended)

thanks for the info guys. is there really an issue with wifi wardriving in that you cannot remove old hotspots you have used in the past?

all i can say i had the xda mini s with 02 for 13 days i tried in vain to get a decent signal and talk to people from my home, i took it back after 2 phones and 2 sim cards it was crap. got the t mobile and no problems at all. can talk to people without hissing and crap signal and thats how it should be. well done mda and t mobile. sorted at last.
hope this helps

XDA-mini-S for me
Had mine for 3 weeks now, got it for free on the same tarif I was on (o2 200) from the o2 Store. No problems so far except the ear prints (yes I wash too).
Happy Happy Happy......

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!

HELP! Dash or MDA? Pocket Office on Dash? (for editing capabilities) Hack or Downloa

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HELP! Dash or MDA? Pocket Office on Dash? (for editing capabilities) Hack or Download (or Doea the Hermes also work with T-Mobile???)
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I've talked to everyone when considering choosing between the MDA and the newer Dash?
Is it possible to get a free version of Pocket Office to put on the Dash so I can have the editing option for Microsoft Documents?
MDA or Dash? Which is more versitile, faster, and good for work & networking on the fly?
Does the MDA have WiFi like the Dash? for free wifi connections.
After too many T-Mobile reps, HTC reps, and other users...I'm exhausted with beating around the bush form the simple, and exact answers I'm looking for. You advice and expertise would truly be appreciated. Help! Thanks.
Ryan

Tough call, Ryan... both are great devices in their own rights. However, Dash is Smartphone platform and MDA is Pocket PC platform. Pocket PC is going to give you more functionality and customization. Smartphone is going to give you more convenience and smoother performance (assuming the ROM is stable and current).
Both MDA and Dash have Wi-Fi.
Based on your other questions and desires, I think Pocket PC platform is probably more what you're looking for.

Thank you.
Thank you for the feedback.
I have been leaning towards the MDA, but didn't want to take a step back in technology advantage, given that I'll have this phone for a while and I'll want to get the most from the device. OR Should I go with DASH in hope of getting an app to edit documents? Is there anytihng coming out soon, or where should i go to find out where to get it? Can I use either device with google's new word and excel editting, without being connected to a free wifi?
Are both devices able to use Skype?
The MDA glitches and complaints do worry me about dependability. Do you believe the MDA is stable, and is the HTC Hermes able to be used with T-Mobile?
The phone I have (Nokia 3660) just died (only shows Nokia when booting up, in a continuous loop). Therefore i have just lost 600 numbers which weren't sync to the new laptop i had ot buy because my old one was stolen 2 months ago. If you have any advice on retreaving these numbers let me know.
Also, do you recommend getting the MDA from T-Mobile for $250 or from eBay? or other cell phone sites you recommend for purchases?
Ryan

I am unsure of the Dash's abilities to edit documents. I believe that there are apps out there for the Smartphone platform that allow you to do it.
As far as Skype goes... minimum requirements to run Skype on a mobile device are 400mhz or higher processor and Wifi or 3G network. That pretty much leaves you with Hermes if you are wanting to go the route of the MDA line of devices. Yes the HTC Hermes can be used on T-Mobile.
The only advice I could offer for extracting your contacts from your old phone is to get it to an authorized Nokia repairman and have them get it out. If your phone can go into bootloader mode, you should be able to rescue the data.
I can't recommend one way or the other on where to buy your phone from other than saying that if you don't buy it from T-Mobile, check around on Ebay.

Savior Pete
Thanks again.
I'm glad your active on here today.
So are you saying the Dash is the only T-mobile provided phone that will work with Skype? I don't believe you can buy the Hermes from T-mobile (just the wizard) Unless you know otherwise.
I don't see a tremendous savings on eBay (maybe $50) which leads me to buy from T-mobile simply for the support and warrantees.
I will be checking back frequently. [email protected] if you like Thanks again.

No the Dash will NOT work with Skype, and neither will the MDA II aka Wizard. Sorry, I was thinking before that maybe you were in the UK where the MDA Vario II is available on T-Mobile... that is the Hermes. I think your only choice if you are definitely wanting to run Skype is to get a Hermes, probably off of E-bay. Just make sure you get it unlocked... most of them will be. Do searches for Tytn and Jasjam. The Jasjam will on average run you $100-200 more than the Tytn.