Database Users

I’ve done it, I’ve just ordered a T-Mobile MDA Vario!

I’ve done it, I’ve just ordered a T-Mobile MDA Vario, it should be here tomorrow, I cant wait!!!
I’m new to this forum and new to the world of Windows Mobile Devices, however I am far from a novice with SmartPhones.
I have been a big fan of SonyEricsson for many years and am currently looking for a new phone, but lately have lost my feel for SE and have discovered then marvel that is the Wizard!!! Wow, I’m so much going to have one of them!!!
I’ve been reading through this forum and well what can I say, what a fantastic resource, well done!
But what I really want to know is: software? I know the MDA Vario is T-Mobile branded, but what restrictions do they impose on you?
I’m a great believer that hardware developers know what they are doing and Phone Network Operators should leave the software well alone. I have read about unlocking the phone and moving Cab files etc, but what I would really want is to flash it with its “pure” software, is this possible and easy to do and how do I then set up my MMS and GPRS setting?
And am I correct in understanding what I’ve read, that, an out the box MDA Vario wont run ActiveSync?
Thanks in advance
Nick

Nick, an excellent choice of name, and an excellent choice of device
The units ROMs all seem to be largely the same, it's the extended ROM which is different.
T-Mobile's extended ROM installs a load of customisations such as wallpapers, GPRS settings, etc... Nothing seems to hinder you particularly badly , however if you don't want it, hard reset then do a soft reset before it installs the customisations. You then have a virgin machine
The only lock is a simlock, which means that you have to use a T-Mobile SIM with the device. Lokiwiz, a free unlocker, gets around this nicely with thanks to Machinagod, and all those whose work he improved
Oh, and activesync works fine with it, providing you haven't got any weird firewalls running

Welcome to the world of windows mobile
I have had my Vario for about a week and a half now.
If you used the P910 like I did, you will miss the jog wheel utility desperately. A brilliant device that was only let down by the lack of symbian (UIQ) development (it's harder to program.
I used to have a compaq 2210 and ran Pocketinformant. I've just reloaded it on my unit. It's brilliant, you give up a lot for the jog wheel but you welcome back the world of 'drag and drop' and 'double tap'.
If you use a PIM then Pocketinformant cannot be beaten.
Incidently make sure you load activesync 4.1 on your pc, providing you set your catergories in your outlook master list to the same as your device, syncing is superb.
good luck :lol:

I've just switched to Vodafone with an expansys contrct deal after four years with T-Mobile. They (T-Mobile) told me six weeks ago, they'd no idea what a Vario was, and had no information that they were going to get them even though Germany had announced them to the press. Expansys had the 9100 on Voda so off I went. The Vodafone "data" bundle which is SMS or MMS or GPRS out of the same pot is better for me than T-Mobile who would only offer web'n'walk *and* a separate SMS/MMS bundle :-(
Vodafone have been fine, but the SMS voicemail alerts that don't activate the little "tape" message waiting icon really annoys me... ;-)
Dox..

I have also gone from a P900 to XDA mini. Its a bit of a transition and can agree - the wheel on the P900 was a luxury I do miss but there are alot moe benefits
Now - just need to try and work out if I can change the whole ROM from the O2 one
Scott

Thanks for all the info fellas, cant wait for it to be delivered…
Excuse my ignorance, but, the ROM, is that the basic OS and the extender ROM is just the individual network customizations?
I will almost certainly, as a matter of principle, do the SIM unlock, but what is the purpose of the CID unlock?
And, if I do the Hard reset Soft reset trick how will I set up my GPRS and MMS?
Sorry about all the questions, but I’m very inquisitive.
Hopefully this will also be helping fellow novices.
Thanks again everyone.

You can enter the settings manually, which if you have them in front of you is fairly simple. If you need to know what they are (I've entered Vodafone's so often for people at work I can do them in my sleep, but don't know the T-Mobile ones), google is your friend. To simplify the whole thing, Raphael over at BeyondTheTech has the cab file with the settings in here for you to download and install as normal.
If you're not going to let the rest of the extended ROM install, put this on a memory card in case you want to run it again after a hard reset..
Dox.

I too like to have a fiddle (I had an original O2 XDA and this site was fantastic for upgrading to later version OS) but so far I can't see any compelling reason not to use the T-Mobile UK custo ROM as shipped.
The only addition I've made is MS Voice with the associated Reg change to allow use with BT headset.
Obviously if there is a superior ROM out there please let us know what is recommended?
Thanks

Nick, check out the wiki which has loads of info about roms, extended roms, radio roms and all that good stuff. Not a huge amount is specific to the Wizard yet, but the information applies all the same.
Has it arrived yet, or are you sitting by the front door like an eager puppy waiting for the postman or newspaper boy (or girl, thank you Stan)

Unfortunately I’m at work today and they would only deliver to my home address
AND they need a signature, so first thing tomorrow morning I’ll be stud outside my local Postal Depot waiting for it to open…..
Oh I hate waiting!!!

Welcome to Vario-ness !
Not coming from a previous PPC platform, you won't suffer the same way i did, by installing all the apps i used on my MDA Compadt some of which may not have been compatable with WM5. That ended up with me having a poor view on the Vario.
Fear not though, i've since seen the error of my ways, thanks to the fine folks on this forum...

I have an XDA II, and would like to update if there is a significant improvement.
I have read from the t-mobile site that the Vario does not have vibrate or voice dialling. Is this true, can Fonix be installed?
The most vital things I use are the outlook contacts, calender, isilo reader and avant go. I guess all standard apps that work on windows mobile 2003 work on 5 right?
How big is the screen?
Thanks for any help.

Well, that just goes to show that T-Mobile don't have a clue, really, doesn't it? I thought you must be mistaken, but sure enough it says that it doesn't support voice dial, and doesn't vibrate either.
It does. On both counts. The vibrate is a lot better than the xda2s in that it almost dislocates a hip when it goes off, and voice dialing works very well. With a quick registry hack, voice dialing works with bluetooth headsets too
Some have found the vario sluggish in comparison to the xda 2; i find it to be comparable to the blue angel (2s) that I had running wm2005 - bear in mind you're reading/writing all files from flash rather than RAM, and that explains the performance.
The screen is 2.8 inches diagonal.

Have any of you got vibrate working on M3000 (Orange)?
I have an M3000 from Orange Switzerland, and cannot get my vibrate to work at all.

Not to get 'off topic' but T-Mobile Czech republic were about to sell me a MDA Vario and at the last moment I noticed a sticker on the box saying it doesn't support character recognizer or transcriber .. anyone know if this FOR ME huge negative can be reversed so I can handwrite sms as MDA II let me .. (perfect solution for me)

kgary said:
Not to get 'off topic' but T-Mobile Czech republic were about to sell me a MDA Vario and at the last moment I noticed a sticker on the box saying it doesn't support character recognizer or transcriber .. anyone know if this FOR ME huge negative can be reversed so I can handwrite sms as MDA II let me .. (perfect solution for me)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both work fine for me on a UK MDA Vario, I don't know why the czech would be different. I must say however that I rarely use them because the slide out keyboard is SO sweet.
On a side note, my brother just picked up the same phone on O2 and personally I like the O2 customisations a lot better than the T-mobile ones. Especially the multiple today screen functionality.
Is it possible to install O2 extended rom and keep t-mobile comms settings? I've only just started to look into this so does anyone with any experience with this have any tips?
Thanks

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.

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..

NEW O2 EXEC-WHAT WOULD U DO?

hi all,
i have just bought a new O2 Exec.. I was wondering what software/tweaks you guys recommend.
Regards,
frz

i also just have my dopod 900, similar to o2 exec and i still dont know what to install. I saw something about AKU2 or AKU3 on the forum but dont know where to download, can someone please advice/help us as my device was sometimes cannot received data signal while connecting to internet.
I just download TCPMP player to the device and it was a great staff to play with and I will not use the WMP for movie/tv.

Guys, I've just bought myself a new suit.
Would you like to come over and try it on for me?
Come on - a little work on your side will be necessary, and searching is the best way to show that you've tried.
Have a read through this thread for guidelines on using the board:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=4534
And then have a look here for a starter:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=32698&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
AKU stuff - get started slowly before you start modifying the OS too much, as a lot of the stuff on the board can make your system unstable if used incorrectly. Configure your basics, get yourself some good backup software, and then check out the wiki and the ftp.
Most of the newer roms will have some AKU support already in, I think.
V

Thanks a lot bro Vijay555. Will try to surf now and get more info.

danlee: as a friend from Malaysia, you might want to check out my buddies on www.ppcsg.com and www.gadget.sg
V

Danlee....
Just out of curiosity....how much is internet connectivity in M'sia?
I'm planning on coming home during the CNY and would like to use the service if it's not too expensive.
Would you mind posting the cost of the internet connection and who the provider is?
Will it be available prepaid?
Thanks.
Fellow M'sian in US.

To vijay555,
Thanks a lot but i cant do downdoading now cause i am on GPRS connection now. But i will visit your site when i got back home.
To Moden man,
The cost for GPRS connection will be 1 cent for 1kb. You can only use 3G in KL area. You can access by using DiGi, Celcom and Maxis as your service provider.

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.