Database Users

A few questions about the Universal

Ok now i know that some of you guys have had the universal for a while now, and with the recent release on the O2 website, i'm all but certain to jump on it very quickly, but as this will be my first PDA phone, i was wondering if anyone could answer a few quick questions?
Firstly I was told the Universal had IR built in, now on the carphone warehouse site it said it didnt, can someone clear this up (I was told it can even be used as a TV remote, it'd be a novelty, but i can think of more pointless uses for the phone)
Secondly I am planning on using Skype quite a bit, I already have a wireless network set up in my house so should be able to hook up the phone quick and easy, but is it easy to make the phone use the wlan instead of the operator's 3g and gprs to access the net?
Finally I saw somebody mention games running on their phone, whats the deal with these, is win mobile 5 capable of running old dos/early windows games or are they a special format, also would an emmulator work on win mobile 5?
well I hope someone out there can help, I really want the handset, but i'd like these cleared up before i comit to the the O2 max tarif for the next 12 months

hi
1)yeah it has ir (located at the front) but i havent tried the remote apps yet.. (dont need them)
2)yeah skype works ...it also comes preinstalled on imate jasjar (extrom has the setup file)
3)some games work and some dont.. do a search on wm5 compatible apps and games and you can see the BIG list on the site here....
all in all...its the best ppcPE ever...most stable and most sexy

i think i'll be picking one of them up very soon then
the only thing that is still left to know is weither or not the phone will auto select gprs/3g for skype and the net or if i can get the phone to use the wlan instead,
thanks for the info though...

Yes you can use Wlan to get online with internet and also to skype...
Works fine without any prob so far...

Your question about games suggests a belief that Windows Mobile may run old Windows software. The answer to this is a big no - Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Smartphone and Handheld PC are all based on Windows CE which, although being similar to programme and use, is not "binary-compatible" with the versions of Windows you'll get on a desktop (or laptop) PC. You can get a dos emulator, but it will be slow and clunky. You're better running software designed specifically for Windows Mobile.

Does anyone know if it has the on screen phone pad that supports predictive text? (in addition to the keyboard, and writing recognition bits)
The XDA IIi has it, but from what I've seen the IIs doesn't. Does the exec?

I assume you're talking about the "Phone Pad" SIP?
Yep, My JasJar has it!

fantastic! means i shall be ordering one as soon as my next paycheck lands!

Un0-Retirement

EDIT: SORRY ABOUT THE TITLE IT WAS MEANT TO BE UN-RETIREMENT
Hey guys,
I just brought my old Alpine out of retirement, It works OK except it was retired because I broke the sim card socket.
I was going to use it for tom-tom but just left it ignored for years. I fancy using it now as a way of having a nice moile internet browser around my house, (Via Bluetooth, possibly wireless eventually if I can justify the costs)
Its an old XDA2 Branded device and what I really want to do is
Upgrade the os to get all the latest driver versions even upgrade the OS from the standard if it is not having issues. all I need working is the BT and SD card reader really and as few bugs as possible.
I really want rid of all the O2 crap as well just the plain basic good software.
Any recommendations of what browser to use (is there a firefox mobile?) i considered opera as well.
any other ideas of cool little apps to make this a good device that will only use in hope to brose net ad a couple of games, perhaps have skype on it for example
any advice is welcome as I have been away from the scene for 2 years.
Thanks guys

The quickest way i found to clear out the O2 garbage was to hard reset and then when it says "Custom application will be installed in 3 seconds", or something like that do a soft reset.

Fed up and im getting rid of my ameo

After 14 months of of ownership im finally getting rid of my ameo, there have been highs and lows, in some respects it is an excellent device, but the facts are these.
1) it is awkward to use as a phone
2) it is not competent enough to be used as a media device and struggles to play windows media video without the correct drivers for the ATI GPU, (and it seems that HTC dont care enough to try to fix that)
really and truly all the web browsers suck compared to a desktop PC, (but they have come along way in 14 months I have to admit)
the bottom line is this, it tries hard to be a computer but fails, it tries hard to be a phone but fails (so close on both counts and yet so far)
I have now gone and purchased myself a used oqo 01+ at the very knock down price of £288 it is roughly the same size as the ameo but (being a windows XP machine) infinitely more competent, I will be linking it when necessary to my phone (which will hopefully be a vario 4 *hsdpa 7.2Mbps*) when my contract ends in 4 months. At last, I will have an easy to use pocketable phone that I can hold to my ear and a fully fledged 30GB media device when I need it.
I finally see why Leoni did what he did !
PS
Another thing that used to wind me up was the fact that even though the ameo has HSDPA 1.2 mbps it was so slow loading web pages, infact being on wifi made no difference either, but when connected as a modem to my laptop, my laptop connection was really quick, it just made me think if my ameo is capable of passing this speed through to my laptop why can't it use it for itself, and then I realised it must just be yet another limitation with Win mobile.
PPS anybody want to buy an ameo, mint condition as it was replaced under warranty a month ago (including documantation to prove this) however the keyboard is tatty as it was not replaced !
£270 can meet up in london ! boxed with all the usual accessories + a docking cradle charger station + a second battery (now in poor condition)

I think you're the first person since Spacecat to agree with me. I sometimes miss the Ameo and consider buying another but in the end it would just be a toy.
I obtained a TyTn 2 recently (having initially HATED the Vario 3) and with the latest Dutty ROM it really is rather good. The QVGA screen matters little as Opera Mobile does such a stoic job, and browsing is my only cause for a VGA screen.....it would be nice though.
People bring up the size and weight of the TyTn 2 in conversation, which is a nice means of putting me off EVER getting an Ameo again....jeez.
You're right about video quality - the Ameo just doesn't cut it. The TyTn 2 isn't much better - though Coreplayer offers Qtv support for the Qualcomm chipset - but the Ameo only heightens the jerkiness and tearing with its 5" screen. I don't really watch much card-based video anyway, it's usually just Youtube.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the Vario 4 - is that the Touch Pro?
Looks pretty hot, though I imagine some people just won't be happy unless their phone has a 5" screen. Me? I'm going for the Diamond: I've gotten used to the brilliant Diamond touchpad and enjoy using it. Although its memory is not expandable I've decided that 4gb is enough for me; If need be I've got an EEE to watch films on the train in a swankier fashion and conserve precious battery life.
Good luck with your sale sir

TBH I do a lot of streaming from home using ORB, and the ameo just strugles with a service that other phones do so easily ! I prefer the form-factor of the OQO over the eee, but I see why you went in that direction, I am not to fussed on the spec of my new phone, as it is solely going to be a phone/satnav and 7.2 mbps HSDPA modem, the fact is only the Vario 4 and compact 4 (touch diamond I believe) really fit the bill, but I want number buttons instead of a touch screen numeric pad, and a qwerty to text with, hence the vario choice.

ice_coffee said:
TBH I do a lot of streaming from home using ORB, and the ameo just strugles with a service that other phones do so easily ! I prefer the form-factor of the OQO over the eee, but I see why you went in that direction, I am not to fussed on the spec of my new phone, as it is solely going to be a phone/satnav and 7.2 mbps HSDPA modem, the fact is only the Vario 4 and compact 4 (touch diamond I believe) really fit the bill, but I want number buttons instead of a touch screen numeric pad, and a qwerty to text with, hence the vario choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might seem dreadful to say this...
GULP
but the Iphone 3g might fit the bill for you....that is, if you can live without Winmo.
There's coreplayer so you'll be able to play virtually any video file - no doubt in much better quality than any graphics-driverless HTC device!
A DEDICATED orb client which is absolutely brilliant: no more web-based Orbing, and it happily plays your streams in the background while you check mail, browse etc....
3g and HSDPA which you can share via WIFI adhoc.
GPS (Tomtom is already set for release)
Dedicated bbc iplayer support
And let's not forget it has the best browser and email client available....
And a whole host of companies queuing up to make software for it.
I'm certainly interested in it with so much cool stuff coming out, shame there's no keyboard but the onscreen QWERTY is very good.....
Apologies in advance if my suggestion is offensive to you!

hi there,
Its a shame u feel u need to discard ur Ameo, am a junior hear, regular user of the website but with limited knowledge when it comes cookin rom(s) or dumping application to creat d best application, however i've had my amoe since last october, and only till a couple of months ago when the AP4 rom was released with window 6.1 then that my is d ultimate device:
1) Better Tcpmp player with SUPERB QUALITY VEDIO PLAY BACK,
2) HSDPA is brilliant
3) Support fring application for SUPERB VOIP app.
4) Opera for web browsing
5) Touch flo included but my tots: just a gimik.
6) Mobile Office i used for work
7) Screen with realvga so using Excel is brilliant
8) Google map that works with d built in Gps as i dont drive
9)

leoni1980 said:
It might seem dreadful to say this...
GULP
but the Iphone 3g might fit the bill for you....that is, if you can live without Winmo.
There's coreplayer so you'll be able to play virtually any video file - no doubt in much better quality than any graphics-driverless HTC device!
A DEDICATED orb client which is absolutely brilliant: no more web-based Orbing, and it happily plays your streams in the background while you check mail, browse etc....
3g and HSDPA which you can share via WIFI adhoc.
GPS (Tomtom is already set for release)
Dedicated bbc iplayer support
And let's not forget it has the best browser and email client available....
And a whole host of companies queuing up to make software for it.
I'm certainly interested in it with so much cool stuff coming out, shame there's no keyboard but the onscreen QWERTY is very good.....
Apologies in advance if my suggestion is offensive to you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not offensive at all, but I want my next phone to just be a phone with qwerty texting keyboard, (not on iphone) and hsdpa 7.2 (not on iphone)

fair enough! in respect to the 7.2mbps HSDPA, do you think this is a gimmick or will speeds genuinely be upgrading? I still have the same speeds - around 1.2mb - I had when i first got my Hermes/vario 3. Even with the category 6 3.6mbps N95 I never saw any discernible difference.
Just a thought.
I've just bought a Toshiba Portege G900 really cheaply, though I'm hoping i dont suffer the signal problems and glitches other people have. The screen is supposedly really nice (800 by 480) but I'm concerned that I wont be able to install some of my favourite applications because of it. We shall see. I'm starting to think I should settle on one phone for more than 3 months!

I am getting 2-3 Mbps in London (on Voda), which is faster than my home broadband !
It is all about deciding what you want first, and then chosing the device. I love the OQOs, but battery life is just too short, and the Transmeta processors only just about cope. As long as you don't push it too hard, it is a "proper" computer for a couple of hours. Vista on the E2 devices is another matter, grrrrrr so slow. But like the Samsung Q1s and HTC shifts etc, if you MUST have Windows then you have to compromise on battery and speed. If you MUST have all day battery then you compromise on the OS.
Instant on and pretty much all day battery ... ain't many laptops that can do that. And there are none that will fit in your pocket as well. If there were, we would all have one

only Voda offer 7.2 at the mo, and it is restricted to some areas of london ! but there will be more soon, so I might aswell be ready for it ! TBH I could manage without the keyboard so maybe I will go for a compact 3, I would really be happiest with one of the new hsdpa 7.2 LG's or samsungs they have a normal numeric pad, (fine by me) but unless I find one running symbian or win mo I will loose my tomtom, which is NOT acceptable.
I also want something with internet connection sharing, so I can get away with the cheaper data plan.

ice_coffee said:
only Voda offer 7.2 at the mo, and it is restricted to some areas of london ! but there will be more soon, so I might aswell be ready for it ! TBH I could manage without the keyboard so maybe I will go for a compact 3, I would really be happiest with one of the new hsdpa 7.2 LG's or samsungs they have a normal numeric pad, (fine by me) but unless I find one running symbian or win mo I will loose my tomtom, which is NOT acceptable.
I also want something with internet connection sharing, so I can get away with the cheaper data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really it sounds like Nokia is the way forward for you. Personally I wouldn't touch Samsungs or Lgs as they are too basic and only have proprietary os's.
If you can cope with 'just' 3.6mbps then how about the N96?
16gb of true usb 2.0 speed storage plus a micro sd cardslot, large screen, wifi connection sharing (via the excellent free walking hotspot solution), flash support from within the browser, better integrated java manager than windows mobile, superb camera, integrated dvb-h player and recorder (though not immediately available in the UK)and its VERY pocketable. worlds away from the Ameo.
Oh and for the record it is now possible to use Tomtom 6 with the integrated GPS with a BINpda app.
It may be that the N96 IS 7.3mbps (category 8) HSDPA capable, the spec isn't too easy to obtain at the moment.
Just another idea for you anyway.

I could maybe live with 3.6 mbps, until my next renewal but it would need to support internet connection sharing, over HSDPA, as far as I know the symbian phones don't ! I want my phone to fool the newtwork into letting me use my laptop/oqo without paying the extra, If I use a nokia I have to set up the dialling properties and account in the browser and it then uses the nokia as a modem ! which is why it needs to be win mo, however I might get a winmo smart phone, im not fussed on a camera my only criteria is
1) HSDPA 3.6/7.2 ICS
2) Easy pocketable phone maybe with a keyboard but defo with a numeric pad
3) Tomtom capable
this limits me to the vario 4 and win mo smart phones !

i'm not entirely sure I follow: there is no way to 'fool' the network with regard to your usage settings. With regard to internet connection sharing on a windows mobile device, ics simply uses the activesync drivers and creates a pseudo ethernet connection. If you use Nokia PC suite then essentially it does the same thing but via the modem utility. there is no difference in speed (despite the option in dial-up settings to alter the baud rate) and as far as the network is concerned you will still be using the same access point - they will not be able to tell whether you're using a Nokia, a windows mobile device or a Samsung D600 other than that you're usage will spike (and technically they could track what browser you are using, whether you are using IM, VOIP etc).
The easiest solution for Nokias is Walkinghotspot, through which ANY device can 'share' your internet connection via wifi. Walkinghotspot uses exactly the same connection as the built-in browser and has support for encryption and power saving. It's also free! the same software is also available on windows mobile.

lol, I guarantee you my friend there is a big difference between tethered mode (phone as a modem ) and internet connection sharing (phone as man in the middle) !
1) Tethered Mode.
You put your internet access settings in to your computer, your computer then uses your phone as a modem, the network operator can tell you are doing this because your phone Identifies it self on the network as inuse as a modem
2) Internet Connetion sharing here your actual phone itself goes on the internet, your laptop does not require any of the settings required to go onto the network because all of this is done by the phone, the phone identifies it self as going on the network directly (not as a modem)
The difference being the networks can charge different rates for going on the internet, either direct on your phone or if your phone is used as a modem for a laptop, Provided they can tell.
T-mobile charge £7.50 for unlimted internet on your phone if you want the ability to connect to your laptop it will cost an extra £5 per month, however using ICS T-mob can't tell as all your requests appear to be coming directly from your phone, not your laptop, and so you can get away with the cheaper rate. as I have been doing for the last 14 months !

duplicate duplicate

duplicate duplicate

are you sure that's the case? as far as I was aware whatever method you use still connects to the same apn. what I do know is that since april 06 I've been on the standard 7.50 web n walk tarif and have never had a charge for going over my allowance. I have used all manner of different handsets- though mainly nokias - to connect my dell inspiron and eee to the internet. perhaps this will allay your fears. seems like we're both on the same network - good choice!

hmm intresting, how do you connect, are you using bluetooth pan and then getting your laptop to dial *99# or whatever it is to connect over HSDPA
I will try your method and see if I get any data bills !!

Ice Coffee...Wanna Trade?
I have a Tilt, it is used; however, I can have it replaced through the warranty. The only drawback would be that I have the 7200 Chipset (most common) and the new ones have the 7201 (causes problems with the cooked roms, etc) I have a ton of accesories (4gb, 2gb, TomTom 7, North America, Motorola s9 headset, etc...Not sure if you think it is a fair trade but I should be able to sell it on ebay for 270 pounds, so we could go that route also...anyway, if interested, let me know!

ice_coffee said:
hmm intresting, how do you connect, are you using bluetooth pan and then getting your laptop to dial *99# or whatever it is to connect over HSDPA
I will try your method and see if I get any data bills !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used bluetooth DUN (not pan) with my EEE - which I've performed a bluetooth mod on - along with walkinghotspot (wifi router software) and standard Nokia OTA software/manual modem setup through windows. On the Nokia calls log you can see a rundown of the flow of information that's gone through the phone (SMS, GSM calls and packet data). No matter what connection sharing option I choose the log only displays 'T-Mobile Internet' and the ingoing, outgoing data quantity. There is no reference on the phone to what means of connection has been used, other than that the APN and password/proxy settings for 'T-Mobile internet' have been used. There is no way the network could tell that I'd connected my phone to my laptop other than by picking up download spikes and the use of certain ports for things such as IM and VOIP.
A friend at T-Mobile however told me (off the record) that T-Mobile tend to turn a blind eye to irregular use unless it starts to get ridiculous. The most you can expect (after 3 consecutive months of misuse) is a letter asking you to curb your use, or a threat to bottleneck your connection. They will NEVER charge you for going over your allowance or for misuse, unlike some networks.
On a separate topic I can also offer you an unlocked TyTn 2 with an eleven month warranty with CEX (and maybe some extra cash for your pocket). Depends how near you are to Derby though! I've got this Portege G900 coming so I was going to sell it anyway.

Leoni, I own a Tytn2 and a Advantage and very much interested on the Portege G900. Let us all know your impressions about the G900 asap.

What happens if you connect the X1 to the USB?

As there are already some prototype device owners here in the forum, I'd like to know something about the USB connectivity.
Is there a screen popping up when the device is connected to a USB port, asking the user to choose between "Mass storage access", "ActiveSync access" or "Internet connection sharing"?
I guess the HTC Touch Pro/Diamond is just doing that, but my old TyTN doesn't. I don't know if that is a WM6.1 feature or if it is a HTC feature or if SE implemented it on their own as well.
The only thing I know: I'd like to have that as well.

USB mass storage was supposed to be a built in feature of WM5, but perhaps manufacturers disabled it. On WM6 devices (maybe 5 too) there is a control panel called USB to PC. It allows you to choose the active sync mode (enable/disable advanced network mode). I saw a screen shot of the X1 USB to PC control panel. There was another option. It said Active sync (synchronize and internet access) or USB mass storage (faster file transfer).
Activesync always provided internet access and file transfer to internal storage or external card, but USB mass storage mode will be faster.

But ActiveSync internet access and ICS is something different.
ActiveSync internet access means that the PPC can connect through active sync (via PC) to the internet.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) means that the PPC is providing Internet access to the PC via its own 3G connection (for example).

Ah, I misunderstood your question. Internet connection sharing (also called "tethering") is also available for any windows mobile device. You can do it with USB or bluetooth (with the PAN profile). I use my tilt for that sometimes. Even if it does not come installed on the device, there is a cab you can install it with.
Does it popup and ask you anytime you plug a pro/diamond in? That is HTC specific. Regular WinMo will not prompt you everytime you plug it in, but the functionality is there.

JKingDev said:
Does it popup and ask you anytime you plug a pro/diamond in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think I've seen that on some video. I like the idea, because if I put my TyTN in the cradle in order to use ICS, I have to activate ICS in advance otherwise ActiveSync starts on the PC automatically and tries to synchronize.
It's not a big deal to stop ActiveSync put out the device of the cradle again and activate ICS, but it's nicer if the device would just ask what I intend to do.
Sometimes I'm not quick enough and synchronizing already started, so I have to wait until it's finished because I don't want to interrupt synchronization right in the middle of the process.
JKingDev said:
That is HTC specific. Regular WinMo will not prompt you everytime you plug it in, but the functionality is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I almost thought so, because the screen looks very "TouchFlo 3D", but maybe SE has something similar implemented for the Xperia X1?

foo said:
Yes, I think I've seen that on some video. I like the idea, because if I put my TyTN in the cradle in order to use ICS, I have to activate ICS in advance otherwise ActiveSync starts on the PC automatically and tries to synchronize.
It's not a big deal to stop ActiveSync put out the device of the cradle again and activate ICS, but it's nicer if the device would just ask what I intend to do.
Sometimes I'm not quick enough and synchronizing already started, so I have to wait until it's finished because I don't want to interrupt synchronization right in the middle of the process.
Yes, I almost thought so, because the screen looks very "TouchFlo 3D", but maybe SE has something similar implemented for the Xperia X1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats interesting that HTC did that. Most carriers discourage you from tethering, or else want you to pay more. Thats one reason I like t-mo. I can tether with no extra fee (I know you can get away with it undetected for some carriers, but tmo allows it). I don't tether that often though, so it might be a tad annoying to be prompted all the time, unless you could disable the prompt. You probably can.

In Germany tethering is allowed by most of the carriers (depends on the data plan of course) and the 3G network with speeds up to 7,2 MBit/s downstream is pretty good concerning quality and coverage.
So I use that quite often with my laptop.
That's one of the main reasons why I skipped the Touch Pro and now go for the X1 - the Touch Pro has a lousy 3G reception and I really hope the X1 is better.
Prompting the user is okay for me (actually very much appreciated), because it happens only once when you connect it.

On my Kaiser
http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/
Card Export is doing this job quite nicely.
wm5storage is a free alternative but I had problems, but the newest version and all compatibility switches "on" should work
Claus

dingolino said:
On my Kaiser
http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/
Card Export is doing this job quite nicely.
wm5storage is a free alternative but I had problems, but the newest version and all compatibility switches "on" should work
Claus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You actually wont need it. As I noted above the xperia has a checkbox for usb mass storage mode. The poster was asking about ICS though, not mass storage.

foo said:
In Germany tethering is allowed by most of the carriers (depends on the data plan of course) and the 3G network with speeds up to 7,2 MBit/s downstream is pretty good concerning quality and coverage.
So I use that quite often with my laptop.
That's one of the main reasons why I skipped the Touch Pro and now go for the X1 - the Touch Pro has a lousy 3G reception and I really hope the X1 is better.
Prompting the user is okay for me (actually very much appreciated), because it happens only once when you connect it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The US is sadly behind on cell networks. Not only network coverage and speeds but also in the sense that US carriers are so locked down and controlling.

foo said:
Yes, I think I've seen that on some video. I like the idea, because if I put my TyTN in the cradle in order to use ICS, I have to activate ICS in advance otherwise ActiveSync starts on the PC automatically and tries to synchronize.
It's not a big deal to stop ActiveSync put out the device of the cradle again and activate ICS, but it's nicer if the device would just ask what I intend to do.
Sometimes I'm not quick enough and synchronizing already started, so I have to wait until it's finished because I don't want to interrupt synchronization right in the middle of the process.
Yes, I almost thought so, because the screen looks very "TouchFlo 3D", but maybe SE has something similar implemented for the Xperia X1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, at least in with the ROM that I have on my X1. There is no pop-up asking in which mode to connect the X1 to the PC.

Ah okay, thanks for your reply.
Well, then I have to deal with it like I already do with my TyTN.
A tethering/"Internet Connection Sharing" application is already included in the software, isn't it?

Yes, it is included.

I would not suggest - Xperia
I wouldn't suggest buying the Xperia. I used to be a pocket pc fan. I have the X7501 and HTC diamond. Recently I made the switch to iphone. Man this is iphone is simply amazing. Right now when I pick up my pocket pc again, everything seems so retarded and slow. Although there are functions missing from the iphone such as copy and paste as well as it cannot edit word or excel files, its not really that important anymore. Overall the user experience is simply fast and fantastic. Try it for yourself

greatestkelvin said:
I wouldn't suggest buying the Xperia. I used to be a pocket pc fan. I have the X7501 and HTC diamond. Recently I made the switch to iphone. Man this is iphone is simply amazing. Right now when I pick up my pocket pc again, everything seems so retarded and slow. Although there are functions missing from the iphone such as copy and paste as well as it cannot edit word or excel files, its not really that important anymore. Overall the user experience is simply fast and fantastic. Try it for yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol! There aren't just copy-paste functions missing from the iPhone... and i assume you haven't gotten around to installing a couple of applications from the AppStore yet? 'Cos the more apps you install, the more time it takes sometimes to load stuff such as Settings - but i'll admit overall it is really fast. After having used iPhone for more than a year, i consider it to be more of a non-professional phone, better yet an extreme success as an iPod Touch. Gaming on the iPhone is amazing, but SMS, and no editing support for office, and no video, and so on kill it big time.
My cousin has a HTC Diamond, and from the hours i spent on it, it was not as slow or *retarted* as people lead one to believe about WinMo devices. It definitely requires a getting used to period, 'cos you have to familiarize yourself with the Windows Mobile OS, but overall i believe it to be way better than iPhone. (Not in regards to games yet, though we'll see with time what kind of games hit the Diamond and Xperia)
Xperia's 384 MB will make it faster than most devices out there. Sure its panel interface might take up most of that memory, but the thing about WinMo devices is that you can turn off features as needed - and if in the end you find it slower that what you'd like (though i am 99.999% sure that won't be the case) then you can simply turn the feature off.
In short, iPhone and WinMo devices are two completely different things. iPhone has its advantages and WinMo has its advantages, and to me, sets such as HTC Touch HD, HTC Touch Diamond, and Sony Xperia are winners over the iPhone any day of the week. (heck even HTC G1 - the google phone - is considered better than iPhone)
Now in the end... i would just like to say, since you are driven away from WinMo devices, send me your X7501 for free...
Best Regards.

greatestkelvin said:
I wouldn't suggest buying the Xperia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And dude... you literally can't compare xperia to the iPhone unless you get your hands on the final set and then compare the two. Using the logic that xperia is coming with WinMo is just plain... well, let's just say wrong.
Best Regards.

Well, in terms of games no game can beat Warcraft 2 on a WinMo device
Actually it's in my top 10 of favourite games on all platforms.

Insaneboy said:
Well, in terms of games no game can beat Warcraft 2 on a WinMo device
Actually it's in my top 10 of favourite games on all platforms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! Is there a site where top WinMo GAMES and softwares are listed on? (The emphasis being on games )
As i've probably mentioned tons of times on various threads already, this'll be my very first Win Mo device...

HTC USB popup, BTW
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2652987&postcount=10

Oh NICE! Though I could have lived without it, it's better to have it.

Compatibility Amongst the Different Touches?

I first off would like to start off by saying I'm in the market of getting a new cell phone, and am really interested in the touches. I'm a college student, so I really can't afford TOO much, but am just wanting some good bang for my buck, and I feel the touches are just what I'm looking for.
However, I really don't have much of a clue which I'm wanting to get. First off, my carrier is GSM (T-mobile). My concern is the number of applications or ROMs that the various touches have. For example, do roms and apps that are meant for the elf work on the Opal? I'm wanting something like the touch, but a bit faster, as I've heard many complain that the elf is a bit slow. Also, is the Opal considered the "Touch Enhanced"? There are WAY too many nicknames, and they are all very confusing for me.
Simply put, I'm trying to find a touch that can at least play youtube movies at good frame rates (from wi-fi), and run most apps or roms well. However, I don't want to buy a model of touch and realize that there are no real mods for it to "pimp" it out. I have looked around on the search, but I feel these questions are a bit too "common sense" to be easily found anywhere.
Lastly, I'm not interested in a data plan, as I'm mainly wanting to use it as a PDA (don't need push-email or internet everywhere I go). Frankly, I live in a city dominated w/ wifi, and will be covered by that everywhere I go. Without a data plan, what apps or features will I be missing out on?
I really appreciate ANY help. Thanks for everything!

TAhsifter88 said:
I first off would like to start off by saying I'm in the market of getting a new cell phone, and am really interested in the touches. I'm a college student, so I really can't afford TOO much, but am just wanting some good bang for my buck, and I feel the touches are just what I'm looking for.
However, I really don't have much of a clue which I'm wanting to get. First off, my carrier is GSM (T-mobile). My concern is the number of applications or ROMs that the various touches have. For example, do roms and apps that are meant for the elf work on the Opal? I'm wanting something like the touch, but a bit faster, as I've heard many complain that the elf is a bit slow. Also, is the Opal considered the "Touch Enhanced"? There are WAY too many nicknames, and they are all very confusing for me.
Simply put, I'm trying to find a touch that can at least play youtube movies at good frame rates (from wi-fi), and run most apps or roms well. However, I don't want to buy a model of touch and realize that there are no real mods for it to "pimp" it out. I have looked around on the search, but I feel these questions are a bit too "common sense" to be easily found anywhere.
Lastly, I'm not interested in a data plan, as I'm mainly wanting to use it as a PDA (don't need push-email or internet everywhere I go). Frankly, I live in a city dominated w/ wifi, and will be covered by that everywhere I go. Without a data plan, what apps or features will I be missing out on?
I really appreciate ANY help. Thanks for everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read WIKI's for information on each device
ELF - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Elf
Elfin - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Elfin
Vogue - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Vogue
OPAL - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Opal
JADE or Touch 3G - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Jade
To answer your other question - most apps and programs can work with any windows mobile device - Most programs will say whether they are Windows 5 only or 6 only or 6.1 only if so. Also screen resolution is a factor for some programs vga - qvga etc..
ROM upgrading is device specific - do not put a ROM intended for Opal on a ELFIN or a ROM for Elfin on a Vogue etc....... Despite there similarities, there are differences and they are different devices.

Thank for the response!
I've taken a look over those wikis, and they helped quite a bit. However, I'm a bit lost with the elfin. In concerns of updating ROMs, is it the same as the Elf? There is no board for the Elfin, and there's not much data about the Elfin. I understand the main difference is the increase in RAM, as well as the jump from wm6.0 to 6.1, but I've also heard that the elf is compatible with 6.1. Would elf roms work just fine w/ elfin? I know that's not the case /w most others, but it just seems to me that the site combined the two.
Lastly, I can imagine the best place to find a list of roms is on the boards dedicated for that specific phone. Are there any major apps or features that won't function if I am not on a data plan? I tried searching, but it seems the majority have plans, and the few that do not don't mention the downfalls. I understand there is no push-emailing or no internet everywhere, but do some apps flat out not work at all w/o a data plan? Will the apps that require internet work over wifi? I know blackberry is STRICT with what they limit you on, and I was wondering if it's the same case here?
Thanks again for the reply!

TAhsifter88 said:
Thank for the response!
I've taken a look over those wikis, and they helped quite a bit. However, I'm a bit lost with the elfin. In concerns of updating ROMs, is it the same as the Elf? There is no board for the Elfin, and there's not much data about the Elfin. I understand the main difference is the increase in RAM, as well as the jump from wm6.0 to 6.1, but I've also heard that the elf is compatible with 6.1. Would elf roms work just fine w/ elfin? I know that's not the case /w most others, but it just seems to me that the site combined the two.
Lastly, I can imagine the best place to find a list of roms is on the boards dedicated for that specific phone. Are there any major apps or features that won't function if I am not on a data plan? I tried searching, but it seems the majority have plans, and the few that do not don't mention the downfalls. I understand there is no push-emailing or no internet everywhere, but do some apps flat out not work at all w/o a data plan? Will the apps that require internet work over wifi? I know blackberry is STRICT with what they limit you on, and I was wondering if it's the same case here?
Thanks again for the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, my elfin only came with Windows 6.0 not 6.1. With regard to Rom's I havn't upgraded mine ever, so I can't tell you much about it but that there are some WM 6.1 custom Roms available for the Elfin in these forums. Most are linked to the Elf forum and Elfin Rom's I have found in Elf ROM threads with Elfin ROM Links. I don't have a data plan with mine - Use only WIFI as there are tons of open WIFI networks in my area. I havn't yet found any apps that dont work over WIFI instead of using data plan but I havn't tried every single app out there yet. Most apps that require internet will work over WIFI though. I check my email, surf the web, use various weather apps, listen to internet radio and Sirius radio online and even use google maps etc... all work great over WIFI. I live in Canada so (rediculous data plans here) so do not have a data plan for that reason. Would love an unlimited data plan to be able to listen internet radio anywhere I go.

Wow.. you're a goldmine of information. I really appreciate all the help! I feel completely sold on it now. Thanks again!