This article has been up on Arne Hess' PPCW.net site for a while. It's got a ton of new, hi-res photos of the XDA II, and they show almost every possible angle of the device, including under the battery cover, and the first shots I've seen of the new cradle.
Some highlights/revelations/confirmations:
- The SDIO slot is on the top of the device
- There is some kind of auxillary connector in the battery compartment, maybe for the rumored CF backpack or Wi-Fi.
- The cradle has a built-in mic (for speakerphone), headset jack, and charging slot for an extra removeable battery
- The sync connector appears to be exactly the same as the current XDA
- There are now 2 buttons and a slider/rocker on the side where the volume button was. Presumably, the buttons are for the camera and volume, while the slider/rocker works like a traditional jog button
All in all, these photos pack quite a lot of information, and are the most revelatory that I've seen so far. I'm quite excited about the new possible features (CF backpack/WiFi, extra features on the cradle, dedicated camera button, etc.).
I can't wait for this device to arrive!
JoshB
Hi everyone,
so I'm determined to learn how to use my Jasjar like a one-handed device, even though the form factor does not lend to it.
I know it's not meant to be a one-handed device... but I think it could be with the right software and workflow.
Yes, the Jasjar could use more face buttons, the screen moved up a little bit so your thumb falls right on it, an LCD screen on the flip-side with a numeric pad like the Nokia Communicator, etc... but I think it could still be salvaged, so to speak
One of the things I admire about the Treo is that it can easily be used one-handed, and the main reason for this is that the calendar / mail buttons and directional button allow you to navigate everthing you need... multiple presses of the calendar button switch between day / week / month view... a handy feature.
The side buttons on the Jasjar are not big or accessible enough to be usable in this way. However, I'm thinking that I could remap the directional buttons to calendar, mail, etc... to make it a little more usable one handed.
Just for phone calls, I could get a Jabra BT800 so I don't have to open the phone to see who's calling, but that doesn't solve the problem for the calendar or email.
To my knowledge, there are no other devices on the market that have the Jasjar's power (the Treo 650 is apparently more unstable than Windows Mobile 5, it has no built-in WiFi, the Treo 700w has a 240 x 240 screen, also no built-in WiFi, the Nokia E61 takes Mini-SD cards, and that hurts the max capacity, the K-Jam and PPC 6700 don't have the directional buttons near the middle so they are not as friendly to one-handed use, the Nokia Communicator doesn't have vibrate, etc...) and I can't really find something with the Jasjar's feature set with the Treo's usability.
Anyone had experience with this ? Can you suggest any software / shortcuts / workflows ?
Thanks !
WIsbarAdvance2 and WAD make the desktop awesome for large thumb-click icons which covers off a LOAD of issues.
@ikaris,
sorry mate the Treo 650 is much more stable than the JJ/WM5! Also my Treo is on for three days (24hrs a day) before it needs to be re-charged, unlike my Exec which run out off puff in about 15 hours. M$ got help from Palm to design new UI features of the Treo 700w as the Treo 650 is so easy to use one-handed. The Nokia 9500 is even more stable still, I only needed to reset it about twice in a year!
I was considering the Treo 650, but the lack of Bluetooth 1.2+, Wifi, limited RAM (even though the Jasjar is pretty close in free ram...)
I've heard bad things about the Enfora sled...
but I just love the simple one-handed usability of the Treo.
The 700w is nice, but the 240x240 screen and lack of integrated Wifi is killing me ! What were they thinking ?!
Seeing as the Omni doesn't seem to be coming out anytime soon...maybe this could be a worthwhile alternative:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/e-tens-glofiish-m800-a-better-x800-with-qwerty/
QWERTY Keyboard, VGA screen, built-in GPS, HSDPA...looks like all the vitals bits are there.
That looks amazing, the only annoyances for me are 2.5mm instead of 3.5mm headphone socket, and no number keys on the keyboard without pressing the FN button. The use of MicroSD is also annoying, why oh why have manufacturers abandoned normal size SD - these cards always have the highest capacity because they can fit 2 NAND flash chips in 1 package.
We have been really spoiled by our Uni's But this is the ONLY model that may tempt me, I need a VGA screen and keyboard on my phone for remote desktop use. But it seems to be a very obscure manufacturer "E-Ten", so don't think there will be such an active community of hackers/developers like we have with the Uni?
Got my TD2 yesterday, still have my TD1 (until I sell it) here sre some comparisons:-
1) Unboxing
TD2 is in a much cheaper pack than TD1 simple outer box with simple inner "egg carton" tray, gone are the shiny cherger and usb cables to be replaced with functional but plain matte black ones.
2) Build quality
I would say about the same although the TD2 feels more solid in the hand to me
3) Radio
TD1 with latest official WWE ROM versus TD2 with ROM 1.39.405.2 (47382) WWE Radio 3.43.25.19 as I look at both devices in front of me both are showing 2 bars.
4) Interface responsiveness
Finger control is smoother and more responsive on TD2, interface feels faster. No lag any more when exiting Opera.
5) New Tabs
Stock Tab is nice deeper integration of TF3D (e.g. in calendar) is cool
6) Internet
Push web is a useful feature and it is easy to control how often pages update
7) People Centric communication
VERY useful (to me at least) only had the thing 24 hours and already used this feature several times!!!
8) Music performance
Have listened to about 1 hour of music with NO SKIPS, supplied headphones are adequate, device speaker is loud and clear
9) Video
The film "V" plays without skipping or stuttering at 927 kbps and 25 fps (which is how I encoded it). Don't know whether that is regarded as good or bad but it impressed me!!
10) Battery life
Not enough time to give a defintive opinion but seems good so far
In summary the TD2 is an evolution rather than a revolution, but if your TD1 is getting a little battered and tired and you have some spare cash, I would recommend the upgrade!
I think it’s just straight common sense especially if you are a Touch Diamon1 user you buy the phone because of the size and its fully packed with great hard/software, and if there’s a new model almost the same but a little bigger but much faster and nicer it’s just common sense that you are going to upgrade to a Diamond2.
But I have to say the Pro2 really did get my attention. But still the Diamond2 won! Cant wait till tomorrow.
yuanes said:
I think it’s just straight common sense especially if you are a Touch Diamon1 user you buy the phone because of the size and its fully packed with great hard/software, and if there’s a new model almost the same but a little bigger but much faster and nicer it’s just common sense that you are going to upgrade to a Diamond2.
But I have to say the Pro2 really did get my attention. But still the Diamond2 won! Cant wait till tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All true. I would've prefered the Topaz, but oh well. HD here I come. 1 reason and 1 reason only. 3.5mm jack
Kraize said:
All true. I would've prefered the Topaz, but oh well. HD here I come. 1 reason and 1 reason only. 3.5mm jack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the HD 's 3.5mm jack works as MIC as well?
I just use the diamond with a 3.5 adapter with MIC, handy when there's incoming calls.
About the TD2 , is the stylus got magnatic ends like the TD1 / T PRO / HD? and pull out stylus turn on the screen?
Does TD2 use MSM7201A? and no 5-minutes lag with speakers or wire headset when using music softwares other than TouchFLO3d / WMP (eg: core player / TCPMP / pocket mucic / pocket player)
Can it be use in landscape mode for 3rd party software without regedit?
The TD1 cannot rotate screen other than opera/album, and HTC support will yell at you complain about touchflo3d / phone pad / incoming calls not working in landscape mode.
Can it play RMVB files like the SAMSUNG OMNIA?
When you press CALL button , the phone pad will pop up with last few call history, in the TD1, there are some left and right arrows on the right side of the number for you to choose between mobile / text / work / home / email , it ONLY works with the D-pad in the TD1 . How to toggle between mobile / text / work / home / email in TD2 ?
Does the zoom bar work in most software?
How about the BACK buttons? is it as useless as the one on TD1?
Many thanks
To answer some of your questions about the TD2
The stylus is not magnetic, but pulling it out still turns on the screen like the TD1
The device information on my TD2 shows a 7200A fitted - I use core player, I get no lag
Landscape mode is available for Opera, Album, Email and You tube out of the box
No Idea on RMVB files
Pressing the call button still brings up a call history, there is an icon next to each which calls up the contact card for the person, you select home/ mobile/ email etc. from there, the whole process is slick and fast, no lag.
The zoom bar works in camera (video and still image), album, opera, excel and word - maybe others, haven't checked everything!
The back button does what it says on the box...
Hope this helps
how about the RAM usage? on startup and after opening and closing application?
After a soft reset - RAM usage is 37%, if I then open OPERA, navigate to bbc.co.uk and then close opera (completely), RAM usage is 52%. I don't think mine has got beyond 60% at any time so far.
adesonic said:
After a soft reset - RAM usage is 37%, if I then open OPERA, navigate to bbc.co.uk and then close opera (completely), RAM usage is 52%. I don't think mine has got beyond 60% at any time so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get why people want their PPC to have free RAM not being used all the time. The unit should be bouncing off 95% used as much as it can.
adesonic said:
To answer some of your questions about the TD2
The stylus is not magnetic, but pulling it out still turns on the screen like the TD1
The device information on my TD2 shows a 7200A fitted - I use core player, I get no lag
Landscape mode is available for Opera, Album, Email and You tube out of the box
No Idea on RMVB files
Pressing the call button still brings up a call history, there is an icon next to each which calls up the contact card for the person, you select home/ mobile/ email etc. from there, the whole process is slick and fast, no lag.
The zoom bar works in camera (video and still image), album, opera, excel and word - maybe others, haven't checked everything!
The back button does what it says on the box...
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
many thanks!
Does word/excel work in landscape mode? Email works in landscape, does it mean SMS/MMS works in landscape too?
When using EMAIL in landscape mode, what happen when there's an incoming call?
Word and Excell do not switch to Landscape, SMS/MMS do not switch to landscape. When on email in landscape, an incoming call results in caller ID being displayed in portrait mode.
One important note, the annoying delay before the phone rings on an incoming call that was present on the TD1 appears to have been eliminated on the TD2
adesonic said:
Word and Excell do not switch to Landscape, SMS/MMS do not switch to landscape. When on email in landscape, an incoming call results in caller ID being displayed in portrait mode.
One important note, the annoying delay before the phone rings on an incoming call that was present on the TD1 appears to have been eliminated on the TD2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SMS does go into landscape! i tought it also but if you tilt the phone to your left it goes into landscape
This phone rocks! that i even tought about have a full keyboard
I actually liked the TD1. I also have a Nokia 5800 & the wife has a LG Renoir, I tried so hard to like the Nokia but S60 is total ****e.
Anyway only a few things annoyed me about the TD1 most significant being low speaker volume & low memory warnings. After reading the posts here and on a few other sites it seems the TD2 has addressed most of the failings of the TD1 so thats reason enough for me make the upgrade.
i was also a big fan of the original diamond and upgradef mainlu for the official route to wm6.5. i am glad i did, this phone rocks!
adesonic said:
Got my TD2 yesterday, still have my TD1 (until I sell it) here sre some comparisons:-
1) Unboxing
TD2 is in a much cheaper pack than TD1 simple outer box with simple inner "egg carton" tray, gone are the shiny cherger and usb cables to be replaced with functional but plain matte black ones.
2) Build quality
I would say about the same although the TD2 feels more solid in the hand to me
3) Radio
TD1 with latest official WWE ROM versus TD2 with ROM 1.39.405.2 (47382) WWE Radio 3.43.25.19 as I look at both devices in front of me both are showing 2 bars.
4) Interface responsiveness
Finger control is smoother and more responsive on TD2, interface feels faster. No lag any more when exiting Opera.
5) New Tabs
Stock Tab is nice deeper integration of TF3D (e.g. in calendar) is cool
6) Internet
Push web is a useful feature and it is easy to control how often pages update
7) People Centric communication
VERY useful (to me at least) only had the thing 24 hours and already used this feature several times!!!
8) Music performance
Have listened to about 1 hour of music with NO SKIPS, supplied headphones are adequate, device speaker is loud and clear
9) Video
The film "V" plays without skipping or stuttering at 927 kbps and 25 fps (which is how I encoded it). Don't know whether that is regarded as good or bad but it impressed me!!
10) Battery life
Not enough time to give a defintive opinion but seems good so far
In summary the TD2 is an evolution rather than a revolution, but if your TD1 is getting a little battered and tired and you have some spare cash, I would recommend the upgrade!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And: TD 2 better camera (5 MP), larger screen 3,2" WVGA 480x800, much more memory, micro SD-card, stronger battery.
But also: no select/scroll wheel, remove the backcover to softreset and to get the sd-card in and out, a little bit thicker...
My new baby...
TD2 actually has removable memory. That's a huge plus IMO.
pietrucci said:
And: TD 2 better camera (5 MP), larger screen 3,2" WVGA 480x800, much more memory, micro SD-card, stronger battery.
But also: no select/scroll wheel, remove the backcover to softreset and to get the sd-card in and out, a little bit thicker...
My new baby...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to see you here pietrucci!!! Got mine yesterday as well. The out of the box speed of this thing is quite impressive... look forward to some of your benchmarks when we get cooking! This is going to be fast...
FM radio?
Was wondering if anybody has tried to use the FM radio? Does it exist in the D2? Thanks in advance.
christonge said:
Great to see you here pietrucci!!! Got mine yesterday as well. The out of the box speed of this thing is quite impressive... look forward to some of your benchmarks when we get cooking! This is going to be fast...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi christonge, will perform my first tests tomorrow. It feels fast, hopefully it also benchmarks fast...
I'll be back.
fm radio present and correct1
when i compared D1 with D2, i saw that the D1 has a proximity sensor for auto turn-off (when putting it to the ear during a call), and it seems not to be mentioned for the D2.
is it true that the D2 does not have the proximity sensor? so when you call, while putting the phone to your ear/face, you can accidentally press "buttons"?
this would really suck imo... :/
Best things about the device:
1) Light weight, but feels like a solid sport watch
2) Seems to be waterproof (40 minutes in lap pool, so far so good)
3) Touch screen looks good in indoor light and is responsive/accurate
4) Reasonable battery life (70% after all night sleep monitoring and tethered to my phone via BLE)
5) Surprisingly good remote camera app - displaying center of phone camera image on-screen (great for no-hands selfies)
Negative things about the device:
1) Side button is very difficult to press
2) Blank bottom "trough" (doesn't really bother me but it *is* a negative)
3) Fake buttons (Timex Triathlon form factor) make the unit too bulky and makes it difficult to reach the one *real* button
4) The "gray" color of the watch is actually green-ish in tint. (again, not a negative for me - but definitely *not* like the product photos)
Best things about the software/firmware:
1) Very good BLE pairing and contact sync
2) Apps function, limited as they area, and UX is relatively slick and quick (response to screen action is good)
3) No discernible lag in functions like media player control
4) Very small lag between notifications on phone and the notification showing up on wrist
Negative things about software/firmware:
1) Default apps are maddeningly limited in certain cases (calendar is not a calendar, but more of a date display app)
2) Apps to not play well with each other (you must actively dismiss some apps in order to run others)
3) Bluetooth media control is EXTREMELY inflexible - refuses to recognize connection to phone if connected to a BLE speaker.
4) Limited themes/watch faces, with seemingly no means to download/augment
5) Horrendously limited ring tones/sounds (some of them made me LOL at how bad they were)
6) Many, many, many software features promoted on the Gearbest page are *not* available. (hello, swimming app/activity tracking by category)
7) No indication of ECG display of heart rate (see #6 above)
Other notes/oddities:
1) USB charging cable is highly irregular - to fit through water-stopping port - so it's *not* interchangeable with 'standard' micro-USB cables.
2) Activity monitoring apps don't sync with anything - no save functions for data (WTF?)
3) Cannot install any apps on watch, even apps listed on the companion app as available fail (no memory error)
4) All measurements are metric (temperature, height, weight) with no setting to switch to Imperial
5) Screen not visible in daylight (not that controversial, but still worth noting)