Database Users

Dissapointed!

Well I only got the phone yesterday and I've already had it with it.
I upgraded the ROM to 1.12 no probs, but the voice quality is really poor, the bluetooth headset (BlueTrek G2) is even worse, dialling with one hand is impossible. They really need to work on the phone functions for these devices. I can't use this for my work phone, it is unreliable and has a worse signal reception than other phones. CallerID with Photo ID doesn't work, the screen keeps turing on for no reasin when in your pocket so when you take it out you end up pressing the screen and doing something you didn't want to do. I regret buying this after one days use. I will be putting it back up on eBay soon.

Hello mate,
I think your disappointment comes from your expectations: you didn't buy a mobile phone. What you got is a PDA with embedded phone features. Nothing more, nothing less.
I used to have a MyPal A620 and (lately) a Nokia 6630. That was a real pain in the shadowed zone ! Two devices, two chargers, two car holders...
Now I still have a PDA (that is what I badly need) plus a GSM phone in one single device... no need to carry the Nokia mobile with me anymore.
If what you're looking for is a mobile, drop the Magician and go for a TRUE phone. It is understood that the phone section could be largely improved but at the end of the day I can live with it .
C'ya'round mate.

I love my Magician and I have no complaint at all about it.
Since November last year, I have bought 6 units one after another - four for my family members and two for my assistants at work.
On each of these 6 units:
- the voice quality is superb
- the bluetooth handset with Windows Mobile logo on it supplied by Microsoft as a free promotional item is fantastic
- I read my manual and understand how to use speed-dial with one hand
- I read my manual and have no problem using selected photos and ringtone through Caller ID
- I read my manual and understand there is such a function as "button lock" to stop accidental switching on of the pocket pc
- the phone is highly reliable and the reception signal is better than any mobile I have ever used.

I think you need to give it more time.Learn how to use it! :wink: There are settings in there to stop the screen coming on unless you press the power button so it never really comes on.Phone quality could be better but comparing to a house phone,have you ever hear a mobile phone of any description with REALLY good sound quality?I haven't and i've had my fair share!It's no worse no better than any other on the market as a phone-as a device it's nothing short of amazing.Pm me if you want a program to make dialling easier :wink:

@saldous
Try another Radio Stack like the 1.11. Some people report reception problems only with the latest (1.12) Radio stack.
About your problem with the screen not being locked when the Magician is in your pocket: Get MortSaver (free software), configure it correctly with its options and assign it to one of your hardware buttons. This locks the screen but you can still see some basic information, like SMS notifications, time battery and so on. This basically substitutes a lock function of a mobile phone.
When you got used to the possibilities of this great device and shipped around all these little problems you'll get (trust me, there are tons), you will never want to get back to a "normal" mobile phone. Show me only one mobile phone that does all of the following:
Works as remote control for all your devices (RemoteControl 2)
Can control your PC via Bluetooth (Pebbles)
A good music MP3 player with great sound (MortPlayer)
Is a video player with good video quality, even DivX(BetaPlayer, Media Player)
Plays great 3D games (Tomb Raider, Flux Challenge ...)
Works as a USB stick (CardExport 2)
Can be extended with WLan feature (Sandisk Wifi SD card)
Can be used for navigation (TomTom 5 + BT GPS)
Has a real internet browser, a great calendar (PocketBreeze)
And all this more reliably than the magician does? Come back to earth! All these features have the price of more bugs, more workarounds and more additional software that is needed. But to almost every problem, you will find an appropriate solution in this forum and with additional software (SpriteBackup, SK Tools, SPB Pocket Plus, Resco Explorer, Check Notifications, PocketZenPhone...)
Software like PhonePad makes one hand use possible and almost as good as with a mobile phone.

I will try some of your comments but don't expect to have to pay for additional software to use the device!
I have already set the device to lock the buttons so I only press the power button to turn the screen on, but if I receive a SMS etc.. the screen come on in my pocket. There is no way to stop this.
Audio wise, people I have called say it sounds like I am in a fish bowl !
As for the web browser, I tried to reply to this thread and it wouldn't let me login to the site, but I could browse the forums just not reply.
I have installed MortSaver as per your recommendation, there are no options to configure in it. How do I configure it?

saldous said:
Audio wise, people I have called say it sounds like I am in a fish bowl!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont let anyone fool you: the audio quality of this phone is horrible and unacceptable. This is a known problem and audio ROM updates/patches will not help you.
I bought one earlier this year, it sucked. I complained, got a brand new replacement this week with ROM 1.11WWE - the audio still sucks.
You need to return the phone. If you are within the return period of your seller - do so ASAP. If you live in the UK, be aware that under UK consumer laws you can return this device as "not fit for purpose", especially within the first six months of purchase. During that period, he onus is on the seller to prove that the device is fit - and a phone sold via subsidy from phone companies would HAVE to have proper audio quality - which this device does simply not.
Read here to understand what your rights are if you are UK consumer:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/salegoodsact.htm

saldous said:
I will try some of your comments but don't expect to have to pay for additional software to use the device!
I have already set the device to lock the buttons so I only press the power button to turn the screen on, but if I receive a SMS etc.. the screen come on in my pocket. There is no way to stop this.
Audio wise, people I have called say it sounds like I am in a fish bowl !
As for the web browser, I tried to reply to this thread and it wouldn't let me login to the site, but I could browse the forums just not reply.
I have installed MortSaver as per your recommendation, there are no options to configure in it. How do I configure it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not obligated to keep it. If you cannot handle tha device than just sell it and be happy

@saldous
The extra software is not needed to make the phone work. It works, as you also confirmed. It makes it better than any phone you can get at the moment! That's worth the price.
MortSave has a link to its options in the start menu. I configured it that it automatically turns off the phone, lets notification popups go through and can only be turned on by the power button. It completely protects the screen when SMS etc. go in - like locks for mobile phones.
The web browser: This is the most complete built in web browser you can get in a phone. Tell me about a better one! Nokia? Motorola?

I love my Qtek S100 - it's an amazing little device... and gives me zero problems as a phone or a pda

Use the Button Lock feature!
For the Screen, use the Button Lock feature in System Settings
From your Magician, START > SETTINGS > SYSTEM tab, select BUTTON LOCK, and select LOCK ALL BUTTONS EXCEPT POWER BUTTON.
For the audio problem, i guess you might have to get your Magician serviced since it is still under warranty or get a replacement. Its not worth that you pay that much and still have problems with your new Magician. There could be another reason for your audio problems, the signal strength in your area, the weather at that particular day and the location from which you called that day.
Yes the Magician and for that matter all PDA's lack advance phone features that you find in Nokia or other phones, dont loose hope, in the future maybe someone will take initiative to bring to you all those features too.
regards
clueless

Why are people always saying that the phone is crap? At least I never really had problems regarding reception and sound quality. Maybe the latest phone stack is not the best - well, just downgrade it.
Regarding the usability of a phone, I even prefer to dial with my magician.
I have to do the following to call someone:
1. Turn it on (kill MortSaver if active -> I have to press the corresponding button)
2. Press the Contacts button and go to the contact I want to call via pressing up or down (holding gives me the alphabet -> very fast)
3. Press right or left to select the number I want to call for that contact (mobile, home or even email) and press the green button to call
In my opinion, a Nokia isn't as easy to use when calling someone.

Heres what I have to do.
Press voice command button
say "call John"
it says "call john?" back
I say yes and it dials
Too easy if you ask me!
Got to love voice command!!!!! :wink:

I also use voice command for contacts. When I want to call someone who's not saved in the contacts, I press that green telephone button and dial the number using the virtual keypad. This may sound stupid, BUT CAN IT BE ANY EASIER THAN THIS?
And for everyone's sake, stop complaining about the Magician not having a keypad like other phones, and it's so much easier on Nokia's, bla bla bla ...
If you want a PDA/Phone, the Magician is pretty much the best you can get. If you want a mobile phone, get a bloody mobile phone!

Dandie said:
Why are people always saying that the phone is crap? At least I never really had problems regarding reception and sound quality. Maybe the latest phone stack is not the best - well, just downgrade it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the quality control on this model is crap.
When I returned my jam for warranty repair (SIX separate problems it had), the customer service rep from the vendor that sold it said to me (and I quote), "Yes, we aware - we have had a lot of complaints about sound quality and defects on this phone".
Phone stack is not the issue, nor is ROM. The sound quality and speaker defects that showed up on my brand new Jam in Feb (WWE 1.01) were exactly the same problems on the replacement Jam I got last week (WWW 1.11). So anyone discussing "radio stack" or "ROM" is just leading you on a wild goose chase.
The phone is not well made. Period. That is why there are complaints.

For something that does just about everything I think i'll settle for the sound quality,after all it isn't really THAT bad.I've had worse.I'd rather have this device than a 7230 or something like that so it's not a bad trade off for all the benefits

I think we just have to stop generalising here. The HTC Magician is selling very very well in most countires, irrispective of the brand or carrier selling it.
Yes, some people found a porblem with the sound quality, but most of us here didn't. Or at least not to the extent of considering returning it back. Mind you, HTC design and produce models for HP, Motorola amongst others so they must know something about quality.
Unfortunately, it's too early for the Magician to have some serious competition. The only reasonable contender is the E-TEN M500. And that's still a bit "chunkier" that I would I hope for!
Some people might not be ready to be early adopters of such a "revolution" in mobile technology.
Such people, I think, should settle for a traditional conservative device!

kta said:
Mind you, HTC design and produce models for HP, Motorola amongst others so they must know something about quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly why this kind of lax quality is not acceptable. Its not like they are a newbie - who has not made this type of product before. They are a near-monopoly in the PPC phone market i.e they have a huge experience curve. And audio is not exactly esoteric technology for a company in the phone business.
Its one thing for people to try to pass the problems off as a few people complaining. But when the people out there in the market selling the thing willingly admit that there is a problem with sound and speaker quality - its best to stop dreaming up excuses.

From the posts, it look like some people get unstable magician while other don't. I do agreed that magician is the among top ppc model because of the design which is small like ordinary mobile phone but with a capabilty of pda & phone. Many of pda user change to magician in order to avoid bringing 2 devices at the same time.
It is HTC and their partner responsibility to ensure their product are not made to meet the demand/order without any standard quality control.

Well, I have NO audio problems with my HTC Magician device at all (O2 Xda II mini brand running on Vodafone Australia). Sound quality on my end is perfect and I have asked a number of people I speak with if they have any trouble hearing me and they have said there is no problem at all.
I do feel that the speakerphone is a little underpowered - in quieter environments it is fine but at medium noise level I struggle to hear the other person. I can live with that.
This is simply the best device I have owned.

New Preview of the wizard...

That is unfortunatly not in english. Some great pictures though.
http://www.pocketpc-club.nl/content.php?id=4149
Is there anyone out there that can get this translated to english. Even a translator program would be great. Post it if you can.
Zach

Here is what I got from freetranslation.com
In the first, of in totally three, Qtek preview (s) we will expose the Qtek 9100 at the curiosity of the Pocketinfo editing. If you the specifications of the Qtek 9100 look at hit you already fast rigidly back; what an incredible quantity possibilities. Satisfies this device at our expectations? You read the in this preview.
Qtek preview Pocketinfo is considered present as a community from which one get can many waardevolle information. Also Qtek (with as official distributor in the Netherlands: Dangaard) has been allocated this opinion and has asked the Pocketinfo editing round three new Qtek's to previewen. We will not in the coming days the next three new Qtek devices previewen (loan on, it is a preview thus on a number of affairs will we already too deeply in go) :
Qtek 9100 (Pocket PC Phone edition) Qtek 8300 (Smartphone) Qtek 8310 (Smartphone)
Windows mobile 5 On the Qtek 9100 turns the newest operating system of Microsoft: Windows Mobile 5. You want know more over this operating system, then the review of Jaap of Ekris in this article read. We will go in this preview especially in on the garlic & feel and usability of the hardware. This do we because the software yet in concretes form been wrong. In the final review, we will take naturally well the entire operating system under hands with all accompanying possibilities.
First impression Our first impression is to be described is there one that only with one word: wow! The device feels solid at and sees from it also solid. Something you also well may expect of a device as this, that certainly more will go expenses then a few hundred Euros (without subscription).
When we the device for the first time in our hands got was our first act the open bolts of the keyboard. Also this feels direct solid, what been is according to us in it lately well otherwise by devices with a keyboard.
Garlic & feel De closed and feel of this device is according to us only yet as for size with the Qtek S100/S110 to compare. The device has been changed at the outside very. That want to say that it more buttons on the front and side sit, and that also the color position of the device differs of the Qtek S100/S110. What concerned Pocketinfo may the colors of the shift-options on the uitschuifbare keyboard changed become: perhaps grey instead of the present pink?
The buttons that at the front of the device are being for the next applications: Take up/ring Hang Outlook start Internet Explore
starts Calender start & run Contacts start & run
Let we especially do not forget that it a 5 way d-paths at the front sit with which you actual your entire device can run.
On the side of the device sit also a number test through which you rush to important positions of this device can browsen: Power on/level Wireless manager Harden/soft and scroll schuifknop Voice
dialing Camera
The device is robust enough for daily use. The back (around the camera and the flap on the battery) resembles feels plastic only the front a to pieces sturdier on. That comes through the stiff metal around the screen. The device is unfortunately well what thicker than the Qtek S100/S110 what naturally comes through the new possibilities as the keyboard and the built in WiFi (about which just now more).
The simply ugly at this device we find the back. About it stretch a ribbelstructuur on that probably the device has not been meant slide from your hands to let. However oogt it according to us terribly. Also sit there a large schroefgat on the back that resembles the hole which the stylus in stretch. What us this hole what may smaller had concerned.
There has been thought by this device well over details. As sit there, just as by the Orange SPV devices, now that at the back a stiff rubber through which the device easier on a ground remains lie than you it with busy are. Also sit there a small plastic ribbeltje above the camera through which the ground the camera do not hits and these possibly would damage.
What we unfortunately fine find not work is the stylus. These is according to us namely a to pieces smaller than we turned be. The stylus is is there one that uitschuifbaar. Only pushed in justest the stylus in the device. Naturally this is is something reasonably personal, and therefore we will let it hereby. Try it self and cut down your judgement!
Take it as you will

Here u go...
http://www.worldlingo.com/
Cheers....
RAGO :lol:

more
Whoops, I missed a lot of it. This begins with the section labeled Bellen & GPRS. I couldn't use Freetranslation.com because I exceeded my character limit, so I used babelfish. This unfortunatly removed the paragraph seperations. Sorry
Bels & GPRS ringing with the Qtek 9100 works exactly the same as on the other pocket PC. Phone edition devices. Sound quality is not well and in fact is there on this communicate area much particular. At by means of GPRS goes also good. By the MSN applications which in Windows mobile 5 to sit becomes your hotmail automatic gesynched and can you of course also of the MSN knife-narrower ones application use. This last is also very fine in combination with the keyboardje. The keyboard of course must we just as a separate head bit make concerning the keyboard because that is of course, however, the paradepaardje of this device. The qwerty keyboard are of all freedoms foresee. This way an extra large spatie test sits and is the backspace and grapples test easy find on the they side. Also menu starts and the calender and contacts review sit on the keyboard. It is possible your whole control device with this keyboard! For the reviewer, which type now some time with Blackberry, was it just as get used, but find the rest of the redactie the Qtek 9100 very fine type. The tests do not need be pressed already too rapidly but occasional contacts with a test result happy not right in a new sign on the baffle. Also people with large hands will appreciate this keyboard for this reason. If the keyboard is slid open changes the device the baffle automatically of portrait (standing) to country cape vogue (lying). Also if you have an application open this on the fly are done, and very rapidly. This is one of the large advantages of Windows mobile 5. What leuke bijkomstigheid are, are the reduction on the keyboard. These contract automatically if you use the keyboard. WiFi & Bluetooth such as we already rather communicate be there, beside the keyboard, a number of attractive features on this toestel. One of it are WiFi. Especially the combination of WiFi and the keyboardje was considered on our redactie as very attractive. A number of editors saw, however, sitting as from the bank type Article, the Pocketinfo manage forum and in fact never to more of the bank to descend (you can do finally also messages by means of Internet). Unfortunately it did not succeed us to present this device on WiFi (we did not come further than "connecting"). This has do most likely with software which works not yet optimally (beta). At the "real" review we will go on this certain deeper! The Bluetooth on this device work with these rom version good. Connections with GPS mice and other PDA's (even Blackberry) work good. Memory Rise memory of this device is no less than 128MB. We think that there by the Qtek S110 (oftewel the HTC Magician) a new standard has been put. In fact the present netjes more are not if a manufacturer brings to a pocket PC. from with "but" 64MB rise memory. What we a large disadvantage finds the fact is that the purchasers of this device play cards all to the miniSD must change. In this device there is, as it happens, no space for ordinary SD card. There a number of reasons is able be for which they have done this, but most obvious is of course saving space. Speed We were not certainly of it if we had tell already something concerning the speed. The speed is of course strong dependent on software (rom) version and since this beta concern rom the chance can exist that our judgement would land found oneself. Fortunately we can communicate that the speed of this device is very pleasant. With a new rom version is possible it according to our only better, and therefore faster becomes. Moreover the processor is OMAP type of 850 with a speed of 200Mhz. Small film For the liefhebbers we have put here a small small film online. Thus you can see how the device in the hand lie. Click here to examine the small film. Provisional conclusion the redactie of Pocketinfo expects that this device a success still larger will become than the HTC Magician (Qtek S100). The Qtek 9100 can or something thicker is but the abundance to possibilities makes up for that largely. It is of course wait on the final version of this device, with the final rom, but with the current speed we can live complete well. In our eventual review we will feel the device of course still firmer to the cog. Most important specifications Size: 108x58x23mm Operating system: Windows mobile 5.0 resolution: 320x240 Camera: 1.3 Mega Pixels connectivity: GPRS/EDGE/Wifi and Bluetooth processor: 200Mhz To ask We hope that already too much new do not ask this preview has produced. The this, however, case, couple should be them then in these thread.

Wow, awesome some device, do you know when it is gonna release!!!!
This is is a nice device, Isnt, It??

Jasjar II wish list (maybe they'll hear this time)

New owners, what would you guys like to se on the next generation Jasjar (maybe in six month or a year from now)?
I am not tallking about the OS (thas MS part and can be rectified with updates), I mean hardware wise.
On my part:
1.) Built in FM reciever would be nice. (if the technolory is there, then why not?
2.) At least 512Mb built in mem (making it ~$20-35 more expensive, still I belive everyone that bougth it now would still do so). This in not a serious issue.
3.) Edge
4.) Full handsfree profile support (maybe this is more with software, you tell me)
5.) External LCD display for: caller id (I belive this is critical), battery level, network strenght, etc. even if its just monochrome it would be a great help.
6.) Wlan 80.11g an obvious plus
7.) I could live with 1-2cm wider but have a psion/notebook type keyboard...
...
P.S: to be correct (persay) only things that you wouldn't mind paying a little extra for, if it was included...

How about having Navigation like Mouse which we have in Nokia Communicators... which will save the time of pulling stylus and using it one hand while we hold the device in other hand.

mniko said:
How about having Navigation like Mouse which we have in Nokia Communicators... which will save the time of pulling stylus and using it one hand while we hold the device in other hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, that would realy help things like scrolling, which right now can only be done with stylus.

What I want the most is built in GPS. It's a pest having to charge up an external unit and remembering to bring all the right car adapters etc. so a built in unit would be awesome.
It would also be nice to see some of the new thin and flexible OLED type displays added which would reduce power consumption and make the displays less likely to break when dropped.
I'd also like to have a little hole on the corner of the device! I know it's not very techie, but I'd like some way of attaching a chain or cord to my device which attaches to my belt, so that if (or when!) you drop your device it wont hit the ground!
How about building in a virtual laser keyboard into the device:
www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com
On the graphics front, I'd like hardware acceleration of H.264 encoded videos (the format that's going to replace MPEG-2, MPEG-4 etc.). It would be nice if the built in camera could save in this format as well, because it would be a big space saver.
As for batteries, I wish they'd hurry up and release some of the new technology they've been talking about for years - better battery life, super fast charge times etc.
Well, you might think the Universal is the ultimate device, but there's so much more to add before I'll be happy!
-no1

my wishes
My wish list:
1. Extra rom storage like 4GB (palm now does it!)
2. A backup system like the one in Blue Angel
3. full USB hosting functionality, so we can use a usb mouse or external usb keyboard or usb mem sticks
4. vga out support so we can project on wide screen
5. firewire support
- After all if this is to be a mini laptop, let us have the full monty then instead of baby face gizmos
Me out :wink:

I really wish the following 4 most wanted and easily possible features add to JasJar. I am definitely waiting for successor of Jasjarl with follwoing and currently I'm happy with my XDAII. Current Jasjar is useless compare to my XDAII since there are only few programs works and still so many bugs/requirements in both hardware and OS.
1. FM Radio
2. 640x480 video recording with 2 or more MegaPixel Camera
3. Full Handsfree bluetooth audio(MP3 listening)
4. 800x480 screen for internet browsing.(a little longer 4.5" screen is acceptable like samsung Nexio XP30,Nokia 770).
Some other wish list
1.Video Output(RCA/S-Video/VGA)
2.Videos from Camera can transmit through wifi
3.USB hosting
4.mobile TV(DVB-H) receiver

It's interesting to revisit this thread nearly two years later as HTC release the Touch Pro that includes almost all the functionality you guys listed above. Perhaps HTC were listening after all.

what do you LIKE about your Exec

I've been toying with swapping my Exec for one of the Etens - nice unit, small, compact, rugged, with GPS, and it wouldn't cost me anything, i could swap between them, because we have lots of stuff at work - but ultimately there are things i'd miss, despite the size
So i thought i'd list them, to convince myself
1) Wireless
2) The Keyboard
3) Sensible headphone socket.
I'd LIKE a radio, which the Eten will have soon (software on the way), but i would not really use gps.
So what's on your perfect XDA?
Mobile 5
Keyboard
802.11
Radio
Bags of memory
physically robust - a turning screen with a smaller one on the "reverse" side
bluetooth can f**k off

Considering what you like in a PDA, and what you wouldn't use, you're mad to even consider swapping.

I LIKE:
Bluetooth headset
WiFi
VGA Screen
proper keyboard (well - as good as it gets)
I find irritating:
incomplete keyboard
occasional slowness
PIE
lack of outer screen
certain usability issues (eg locations of stylus/buttons etc).

What I like about my Exec is its design. I love the Laptop design, VGA screen, and keyboard. This is also the reason why I bought the Sony UX50 and UX40.
The only desire I want is added speed, nothing else.

Easy question to answer:
The form factor.
However, on the flip side:
2K3se beats WM5 for apps and stability, speed and memory usage.
The memory allotment is DISGRACEFUL.
The VGA implementation needs a kick between the legs.
The SD card and Power button are on the wrong end of the device.
The battery life could do to have some red bull.
The speakers (oh goodie, stereo) aren't as good as the (mono) one in my Alpine.
The chips in it aren't easy enough to replace.
Would it kill HTC to pay lip service (and nothing more) to MS and make it a little tricky for us to modify these devices instead of spending weeks and weeks of man hours making them almost impossible to customise?
Woudl it kill MS to let us do what we want with our own property?
Would it be too much to ask to be able to wipe off that MS crap that we have already paid for and then run Linux?
The whole HTC/MS thing is a killer. We have here a device that should take the world by storm, a baby sized laptop with built in phone. This is what we have been waiting for since the Nokia Communicator came out, isn't it? Palm tried to make it, clamshell phones are popular because of it, and the Universal is the first one to get near the ideal. But without 512MB of RAM and 1GB of storage (minimum) it will forever be a fill-in device until we can boot up our laptops.
Sorry, I'm passionate about this. I love my m5000, but life ain't fair.

When it comes to the Universal I like the
-keyboard
-great screen
-build
-stability (sounds weird, but I found it more stable than my IIs with 2k3 SE)
-Sounds great
-Proper earphone jack
-Voice dialling over BT
quite a bit more I guess.. Just my 2 cents

a small colour display on the casing would have capped this device off for me.
I like
- the form factor
- Solid build
- VGA well screen, I agree VGA in WM5 could be better utilised
- stereo speakers
- wifi
- Keyboard
- Phone functions (Out of the mpx200, 220 and mini this phone has the best reception on both ends out of the whole lot)
- 3G

Since last Qtek Rom Update 1.30.96 GER I like everything on the software side.
But the VGA feature really needs a mockup.
the keyboard is the only one acceptable until now (did you try to enter passwords consisting of letters and numbers without the number keys at the top?)
Memory is enough for my needs as I can anytime add a 1 GB SD card.
Battery could be lasting longer.

Xda Excalibur vs Hermes comparison

Just let you know my comparison of the two units after 5 days with the Xda Cosmo after having the Trion for the last 4 months. My Girlfriend brought me the Excalibur as a pre Christmas gift 8)
After 4 months my Trion main speaker stopped working and I have currently sent it back to get it replaced. All in all I was quite happy with the Trion except for a few quirks.
1. Media Player was buggy with the storage card
2. Never got WM5orage working properly (either had to stopo all my programs running on the storage card which included removing items from the Today screen).
3. Screen alignment problem.
I got the Hermes originally as it looked like a device which I didn't have to use the stylus much to access most of the functionality and in 90% of cases I got by with just using the jog wheel and a couple of presses with my thumb (I had the very first xda device and was turned off by the need to use the stylus to do simple things such as dialing and looking up contacts )
I had noticed due to the operating system PPC vs smartphone the PPC needed much more processing power and hence battery life was preety much limited due to the power from the CPU 400mhz vs 200mhz ( maybe of the extra functionality needed for the touchscreen ).
Differences in the devices
1. Xda Excalibur is more responsive even with the slower CPU. Contacts work instantly on typing on the keyboard. On the hermes there is always a delay in searching for contacts.
2. Excalibur supports multiple languages in its rom and therefore there no need to reflash the rom with the rom with your appropriate language.
3. A2DP works flawlessly on Excalibur being aku 3.2. No need to install cab files to get it working and no sound quality issues and no need to get somone to write a bt stack driver to get around the microsoft one.
4. Programs in general for smartphone seem to be running better than on Pocket PC. Tomtom 6 Navigator doesn't run on the Cosmo but Tomtom 5 work just fine and performance actually seems better on the smartphone even with the lower CPU. Same is notice with other PPC vs Smartphone progams I have eg Skype and Fizz Traveller
5. Cosmo has 128 MB flash ram which is really useful as I was always trying to install everything on the SD card with the Trion to get as much memory possible for standard stuff such as emails, ringtones etc. Yes I know you can tweak the Hermes to get ringtones from the SD card but it just a hassle changing the registry settings.
6. For some reason Windows Live Beta works on the Cosmo. It stopped working on the Hermes about a month ago and never worked since. The smartphone version looks really nice as well and functions much better as I have noticed with all smartphone vs ppc programs.
7. WLAN works much better on the Cosmo compared to the Hermes eg handling of connection settings when WLAN is turned on. On the Hermes I always had to go through the process of changing my connection settings every time I switched by WLAN on an off.
8. Battery life on cosmo is much better. 3.5-4 days use compared to 1.5-2 days use on Trion. Probably because of CPU (I also changed the Hermes to GPRS only to try and save battery life due to UMTS draining the battery)
9. Not to sing all praises for the Excalibur. The only drawback I have found so far for my purposes is the Microsoft Office editing functionality is not possible on the smartphone.
10. 2MP camera vs 1.3 MP camera but I really cannot see much advantage in the quality as the 2MP wasnt that great to start with. Yes the Hermes has a led light but I doesn't really help with indoor photos. The 1.3 MP camera seems to be better quality than other 1.3 MP cameras before and for emails, web photos and MMS quality seems fine for my purposes as I wont ever print out photos from a camera handy.
11. Lack to UMTS/HSDPA on Excalibur. Loose the speed but you'll gain heaps on battery life.
12. Microsoft Media Player works with the SD card. No disappearing songs 8)
13. Price. The excalibur is less than 1/6 the price of the Trion on contract. My Girlfriend brought the Cosmo on contact for 60 Euro. I got the Trion for 320 Euro on the same contact.
14. and I think this is the killer. The excalibur have looks to die for. The Hermes is thick and although many people would say it is solidly built after using the Excalibur it makes the Hermes look like a oversized flimsy machine. The Excalibur is thin and compact with a large screen. Fits in your shirt pocket or even slide it into your jeans!!! HTC have outdone themselves with the build quality I haven't seen any phone build as solid including the razr. I fells like the device is made out of titanium or magnesium with a soft feel rubber all along the back of the device and for the keys as well, ( I cat't stop touching the device it feels sooo.. good ). My Girlfriend who is really fashion concious absolutely loves the look of the device. Photos on the net do not do it justice you have to see it in real to appreciate it's looks for me one look and it was love at first sight. (I first got a look at it from a female collegue who got the phone)
It took me a day to get used to the smaller keyboard and maybe bigger thumbs might have some problems but with rubber keys feel beautiful and make each key feel distinct during typing. The excalibur really is a one hand device even with the d pad and keys only. The touch slider is just a added bonus with flexibility.
After writing this I have noticed that this is more of a sales pitch for the excalibur than a comparison of the two devices but I have found my perfect device which does everything I need without any problems ( performance, bugs and quirks ). If you dont need the UMTS speed I must say Excalibur is the way to go. If you really need UMTS and 2MP camera then wait for the Calivier ( the UMTS /2 MP / 300Mhz version of the excalibur, rumoured to release in Spring next year ).
For me the excalibur seems to have a quite launch compared to the expectations of the Hermes maybe because on paper the Hermes looks better in terms of specifications but for usability it's excalibur all the way.
Now what to do with my Trion when it gets back?

excalibur is a smartphone right ?

Yes it is a smartphone but I think that is why it is much more responsive. Microsoft has done something right with wm5 for smartphone. Theres not much a smartphone cant do now compared to the pocket pc now. except for the microsoft office editing capabilities. I tried skype today and for some reason it was much more clearer than the pocket pc version.

it depends what you use it for..
if youre like me who has to do Office work, watch movies and play tradewinds then the touch screen is VITAL.. personally i dont have any issues with my hermes as the ones youve mentioned above..
and ofcourse there is the touch screen

I just got myself a smartphone (samsung i607) after having the wizard for a year. I was thinkign the same thing you are about smartphone functionality. i was wrong though. There is an extreme lack of third party programs for smartphone. In particular, there aren't any good web browsers whatsoever for wm5smartphone. not a single one. You also cannot customize the homescreen without downloading predefined ones online. I never found one i liked. I like to use data instant messaging programs. and there is a flaw in all of them for smartphone. They don't have homescreen plugins and there is absolutely no onscreen display that you have received a message when the program is in the forgroud. In fact, i hated the lack of flexibility on the smartphone so much that 24 hours after buying the i607, i bought the hermes. I'm still waiting for it to come, and cant wait to start doing everything i used to do with the wizard only faster.

k2snowboards88 said:
I just got myself a smartphone (samsung i607) after having the wizard for a year. I was thinkign the same thing you are about smartphone functionality. i was wrong though. There is an extreme lack of third party programs for smartphone. In particular, there aren't any good web browsers whatsoever for wm5smartphone. not a single one. You also cannot customize the homescreen without downloading predefined ones online. I never found one i liked. I like to use data instant messaging programs. and there is a flaw in all of them for smartphone. They don't have homescreen plugins and there is absolutely no onscreen display that you have received a message when the program is in the forgroud. In fact, i hated the lack of flexibility on the smartphone so much that 24 hours after buying the i607, i bought the hermes. I'm still waiting for it to come, and cant wait to start doing everything i used to do with the wizard only faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Have both, S620 to work and TyTn for play, and I had Wizard.
Try opera mini... better than IE and I use it also on HERMES
I've found a LOT of home screens (motorola Q has many of it) but also I like to play with XML, using just notepad and I have now my PERFECT , tre pages (scrolling), Home screen!
Office problems? try the new DATAWIZ suite, much better than office embedded in TyTN
Great as navigator and fits in my jeans pocket (the BACK pocket) and in my shirt pocket!
I 've sold the wizard believing the HERMES was the empowered Wizard. It Is the STUPID WIZARD'S BIG BROTHER believe me!

I've tried opera mini, and i dont particularly like it. I consider it to be a step down from the standard PIE with the reg edit to make PIE identify itself as a desktop computer. I guess i just miss the adaptability of my wizard. My hermes will be here soon though. I'll never make the mistake of selling my old phone before getting a new one again. If i dont like the hermes, i'll still have my blackjack. After a week, i'll decide which one to keep.