Related
I am so amazingly happy since I made the switch from Universal to Wizard.
The Universal, whilst clearly higher spec, more powerful, more impressive screen etc - was an unusable bit of kit. I battled and battled and battled - I wanted this 'superior' equipment to serve me well. I upgraded and tested various ROMs, tried every minor registry tweak and software trick known to man. Despite everyone in the Universal forum saying it *was* possible to get a solid, fast, reliable setup - I battled hard but never got close. It was still impossible to do the important little things like make or receive calls reliably, perhaps with one hand.
The Wizard is a proper phone - you can hold it between your ear and shoulder whilst stirring pasta with one hand and sipping vodka in the other.
The Wizard has proper buttons, ones that get used. The Universal had a multitude of useless buttons on the side that got pressed by accident thereby hanging Windows so that when you wanted to actually do something you may as well reset. The Universal had stereo speakers for God's sake. STEREO SPEAKERS? Does anyone else see the stupidity of such a thing? The whole point of stereo is that one channel feeds sound to one ear and the other channel to the other ear. What's more, the Wizard's handsfree speaker is clearer and brighter than the Universal's stereo speakers.
On the Wizard, I can make phone calls with one hand. I can pick up calls straight away, with one hand - I press the button and I'm talking immediately. With the Universal, not so. It's a long process involving three steps, invariably failing in most cases resulting in my having to call the other person back. Useless.
Sure, the Universal has a 520MHz processor. And when it's all optimised you really can feel the speed. But frankly that processor power is wasted on the most basic and major functions: the screen flip when answering a call. With the Wizard, sometimes screen flip lags, but thankfully I don't need to wait for the screen to flip just to answer the call!
That little Wizard collapsing stylus is a gem.
Here's what I use my Wizard for. I'm sure we are all used to this amount of functionality from one device - I've had most of it for years. But finally I have something close to the perfect all-in-one, and I'm happy!
Phone
Text messages
Voice command and phone in the car
Alarm clock (using the app Chronos) - how brilliant
Notebook
Calendar
Email on the move
Satellite navigation - tells me to slow down for speed cameras and talks to me when I get lost in London!
Portable music player (gigabyte mini SD card for MP3s)
Camera
Checking the news with RSS reader
Checking the next few days' weather in London from Today screen
I've even experimented with streaming video from my desktop over wireless. Works a treat, can watch a whole episode of The OC.
Yes, I can get rid of my old sat nav unit, my old pda, my old phone, my ipod, my alarm clock. It's everything in one tiny but beautifully usable package. (Actually, not entirely true, see below.)
There is ONE thing I am disappointed with. I had really hoped to eliminate the need for buying myself a new ipod. I am happy with a gigabyte of music - it seems fine to copy music as and when I need it. However I connected up my lovely Shure sound isolating headphones and the quality of the sound wasn't what I had hoped for. So sad about this - good sound would have completed the perfect package. There's just too much noise on the output, and the sound is horribly mid-range distorted. Gutted.
Anyway, I had to get this all out of my system - overall I am a very happy Universal to Wizard convert.
Thanks for listening
Mat
I can confirm all that. I ditched my Universal a week ago and bought a Wizard: Its LIGHTYEARS better in ease of use., speed, etc.
DO NOT BY UNIVERSAL. IT SUCKS BADLY !!!
completely agree. if i wanted a proper tiny computer i would buy a toshiba libretto. not the flawed, heavy and unstable universal.
Sounds right - the thing to remeber is that threse units are no laptops.... they are PDAs with phones ( not phones with PDAs if you see what I mean ).
Having swapped form a Jornada 540 I probably wont see the difrence your talking about but as a I can access most of the major features - Sat Nav / Phone / PIM I'm happy - its a portable viewer and ideal for when I am not in my own car.
Re the Ipod - doubt you'll beat that in this case - thats an Audio device - this is one that can do audio if you see what I mean.
Glad you like the change.
Terran
I'm finding this a very interesting topic.
I've just switched from aHP iPaq hx4705 to a Universal and so far I have been very pleased. however the choice between the Universal and the Wizard was a difficult one for me as I wanted a connected PocketPC / Windows Mobile device as opposed to a phone with a PPC in it.
My iPaq has clearly paid for itself in 15 months and time was right for an upgrade to WM5 and full connectivity. However my decision between these two devices was clouded I had a small chance to play with the Wizard in Dixon's one day when there was no Universal to play with.
And I liked it. Small, responsive, good lucks, surprising good keyboard (I wasn't sure what to expect to be honest) - all in all very good.
However I need to run a couple of power apps - PI and Planmaker - and I wasn't sure how it would cope.
I then had a try on a Universal in a O2 shop and I liked that. Everything looked good especially the screen (smaller than my iPaq but possibly even better quality) and the general speed.
So I got to the point to go for one of these. Initial cost wasn't a big deal as I was getting it on a contract with only about £50 difference between the two. And at this price £50 isn't enough to worry about.
I've currently got a Universal and am typing this out on it now. I'm loving it but that doesn't mean that the Wizard wouldn't also suit me as well. I have another 11 days before I lose the chance to take this back and swap it and I would really like to know from those of you using the Wizard how it copes with things like Planmaker due to the processor and the smaller screen size.
What a difficult choice though?! Two great devices to choose between.
I have an xda exec and xda mini s or wizard (two separate contracts). Both brill bits of kit. I use the exec for planmaker and textmaker and the xda mini just as a bit of fun. I like gadgets. You can't fault either device. I use both equally but for different purposes. I also used to have ipaq's for years but i wanted thephone functionality. The exec makes a wonderful mini laptop and the wizard a super ppc. If you shop around you can get bothdevices on contracts which added together give you a great deal in minutes+texts etc. yet give you the devices at a bargain price.
best wishes
Patricia
I agree. There really are some amazing devices out there at the moment and I am really pleased to be using one of them.
At the moment I can't see me getting rid of the Universal for a Wizard but that is because I have a clear idea of what I am after in this device. The Universal I know already after a few days is meeting my full needs.
Maybe if things go well I can buy a Wizard sometime late in 2006 when I guess they will drop in price! Just don't tell the wife!
dnt regret my purchase of a wizard. hope it stands the test of time and I'm using it for a long time. I think the trick to enjoying it is to remember in reality its your phone, everything else is a bonus.
i like to have 2 or 3 devices on the go and find if u shop around u can get really good deals recooping losses later by selling the devices on.the wizard is being offered for a small price on contract and like all similar devices will hold its value so why wait.i enjoy using the exec and wizardand find both equal as regards performance and functionality.planmaker, textmaker and tom tom work great on the exec whereas i use the wizard more for the phone side.
my other half uses tom tom but finds everything else a waste of time.i always have to explain that when we broke down in france this year in the motorhome my devices came to the rescue. tom tom for navigation and the predecessor to the xda mini a magician a great way to communicate to the rescue service and to find the nearest garage for repairs etc.
best wishes
patricia
Wizard v Universal
The wizard really is a great piece of kit but the BIG disadvantage for me is the missing 3G radio.
We have been crying out for this type of pocket pc ever since 3G was launched and I must say the breach has been filled admirably.
Obviously size is important and having owned both (and still do) I would agree that that the universal platform is not the most stable and the last thing you want to do is take a call on the Universal whilst in public
I have managed to incorporate all the settings taken from a symbian platform handset ie Nokia 6680 and managed to use the device successfully even browsing with the '3' homepage. The security of the '3' was the most difficult to crack and I can now download the various downloads offered by the cheapest network.
I also have subscribed to the £45 package which gives you 512mb of bundled data which allows me to visit other sites now the 'garden wall' has been demolished once and for all. This really is where the universal comes into its own.
One thing I will agree with is the size prevents use as a normal handset so I use a bluetooth headset with the appopriate hacks from the wi-ki developers page.
I cant help thinking that the Universal would be a far slimmer device if they hadn't incorporated the keyboard which I find absolutely useless due to my prolonged use of the graffiti facility(far quicker to write anyway).
I look forward to a new alternative to the Universal which may do away with the keypad once and for all. This should make the device a more suitable size instead of the similarities with the old handhelds ie HP 720 and the like which I'm sure many of us remember.
I think this is crucial given that devices like the Sony Ericsson P990i are just about to be launched with 3g capability and many people will see this as a more pocketable phone/pda. Not in the same league I agree as a windows mobile 5 device but still blessed with a good email client and now of course wi-fi.
Just my personal experience but I felt necessary to post in order to even things up a little bit.
Re: Wizard v Universal
jonboy8841 said:
The wizard really is a great piece of kit but the BIG disadvantage for me is the missing 3G radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 things... is it '3' that no longer have a walleed garden ? Im just curious...
Re 3G ( and I know this is Off topic ) - is it me or is there no actual use for 3G for joe public ? Yes I can understand business use and to a certian point show off to your mates video calling but until its on all networks and all phones ( inc fixed ) in all contries its best feature wont be used... again another reason to go for the Wizard rather than Universal.
Terran
PS Before any one says 'but you can watch TV' DVB-H will kick that in to touch soon
3G makes a BIG difference if you actually go websurfing... (which is actually the only reason I find it interesting, I really don't care about video calling, actually I really hope it wont become standard for a long time)
I don't have a universal, but I'm guessing the bigger screen (and more importantly resolution), along with the 3G, makes it perfectly suitable to websurfing.
Universal is a great gadget, but it is not a usable phone. The way I see it it can be used as a small notebook, provided you don't expect too much. VGA and UMTS are great for browsing and mail. Also connected with BT mouse it can be used for Word or Excel (TextMaker and PlanMaker) and even Project. The issue is only that lack of USB Host and no Video out mean it can't be used as full laptop. So it comes down to personal preference and at least for Phone and PDA I'm going with Wizard for small notebook we'll see...
Finraziel said:
3G makes a BIG difference if you actually go websurfing... (which is actually the only reason I find it interesting, I really don't care about video calling, actually I really hope it wont become standard for a long time)
I don't have a universal, but I'm guessing the bigger screen (and more importantly resolution), along with the 3G, makes it perfectly suitable to websurfing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wizzard supports EDGE, it is more than enough to do web-sirfing..
It's really interesting to see how different members use their devices-I didn't realise when i first purchased the exec that i needed a different sim card and tariff to use 3g. I think 3g is also more expensive and as other members have commented limited by network coverage and most people still having basic handsets. None of my contacts use 3g-in fact they find my interest in these amazing gadgets bemusing, eccentric...This doesn't bother me but thankgoodness there are othersout there who share my interest.
I really didn't think that the difference between 3g and a good gprs was much. i played with both in the o2 shop and couldn't think of a reason to buy the universal, although it does have a few advantages.
FYI I have a vodaphone 3g motorola 770 as my main phone (cost £90 payg) and I successfully linked the wizard to it via bluetooth and surfed at 3g speed. So I have the option if needed.
One other advantage to 3G is that in a few months you will be able to dial into video servers that will have news, television, etc going over the circuit switched network, so you'll have much more reliable and responsive service, if you're willing to use your video minutes on it.
With the new ROM, i'm glad i didn't give up my universal. It is now worlds faster WITHOUT any tweaking, and even more with tweaking.
I also had the Universal or WIzard dilema and only one factor mattered to me : SCREEN REAL ESTATE!
Guess who won
Me = Wizard ---> Universal
Agree Jorgee.
The universal with the latest O2 rom is working super. With the next rom update, with radio version 1.09 and push email it will be even better.
I had a wizard for a few months and had to get rid of it.
Firstly note that I do not use either as a phone. i have a small cell phone for voice calls. I use these devices as my pocket pc with data only tariffs (a key advantage of o2 above all the other providers).
In this context the Wizard is really not a player:
1. Terribly slow cpu and os
2. Screen too small
3. No VGA.
4. Too slow to run skype well
5. Too thick (universal is thinner) - difficult to fit in backpack with papers.
6. Horrible stylus
7. Minisd card. All my deivces use SD. Its another std too far.
8. Non-std headphone socket
9. No 3g. GPRS web browsing is a joke.
Sry guys, but as a PDA there is no contest!
Hi. I am thinking about replace my old Universal for a nice successor. Here in Spain HSDPA is active so i was thinking about HTC Hermes. But i love my VGA Screen. What can i do? any suggestions?? Thaaaanks
Till now, there are not even rumors in the air for the next laptop-like design. So, all we can do is request HTC to make similar device
How about MAGIC: http://www.advancetc.com/
cktlcmd said:
How about MAGIC: http://www.advancetc.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've seen them, I was going to get one till I heard... NO VGA! Now why would I want two QVGA screens? I think the Universal is going to be the top dog for quite some time.
Cross yr fingers....there is one planned..... :lol:
Hdubli thanks but I always thought that HTC will tie up the successor for the Universal with the next version of Windows Mobile.
Regards
Hi hdubli,
Could you say something more?
I love clamshell devices.
I love clamshell devices , thus the reason why I fell in love with the Universal. I do hope there is a successor for the Universal with better specs, especially the camera. We need higher resolution and they need to reposition the camera at the back of the screen, instead of the bottom of the keyboard. The one in front of the screen is fine, but I prefer to take pictures in clamshell mode than with the screen rotated in PDA mode.
For me VGA is a must. I like HSDPA, but i prefer UMTS with VGA than HSDPA with QVGA. I was going to buy it but i know that i will miss the VGA real screen so i will wait. I will buy a pcmcia card HSDPA enabled for my laptop......
VGA is a must for me too. The screen can be smaller but I need my VGA. With bigger memory and an external Caller ID screen. Then I am in heaven!
A decent camera wouldn't go amiss too ;-)
For me the next version must have an external screen so I can see who is calling withough having to open it, and a small numeric pad so I can make calls. That's the biggest peeve I have with this device.
Faster processor would be great too, the phone does get a bit laggy sometimes, also can't always answer a call, etc. It was better after a reflash but after a while the phone starts to drag.
Cheers
Nasdaq
How about a graphics processor, for video playback and such. I have some hickups every now and then when i playback video.
I think the current Universal has it all except:
1: External screen to display caller ID
2: The call accept and reject buttons on the side should light up when a call comes through
3: A small numeric keypad on the outside
4: But above all 128 MB of Program memory
Hope HTC is listening to us
Regards
Don't forget the camera ;-)
And if HTC are listening, can you make me a special one without the numeric pad on the outside?
I would love a full keyboard (alt / ctrl) keys
Dont forget HSDPA. In many countries it works right now with 1.8Mbps and in Spain it will reach 14.4 Mbps in december ¡¡ (Like in many other countries). It makes real the TV Online...so i think HSDPA is a must.
Some extra buttons and a powerfull graphics chip and HTC Universal will become a PSP connected to the world with a VERY big broadband.
Of course wifi G.
External screen.
FM and DVB-T receivers.....
And finally...of course.....SIRF III GPS with TMC (real time traffic).
zzzzzzZZZZzzzzz...maybe I am dreaming.........zzzZZZZzzzzz
here is the design
From Sanyo prototypes a couple of years back.
Phone unit providing comms. Can be left on desk in bag, shirt pocket, belt clip. USB 2 and wireless USB connector. WIFI and bluetooth. 2 mini SDIO sockets. integrated AGPS. TV out. A2DP....
Screen - Interchangable choice of screens from VGA to QVGA. Talks wirelessly to base very thin.
Voice comm - via screen or headset.
Cameras interchangable and optional.
http://www.slashphone.com/111/4732.html cant find original link. But it was interchangavle items talking wireless to the receiever. mix n match what u need and it slotted together for storage, regular use.
Hopefully:
1. 3mp camera+ w/ VGA video recording
2. Wifi 802.11g (or even 802.11n!)
3. Small external screen for caller ID/signal status
4. 128mb (or more) RAM
5. Internal storage of 4gb+
6. Support for standard SD - I hate that we all have to buy new memory cards all the time! I dont think anyone is bothered about a memory card weighing 1g less - as minisd/microsd offer smaller capacities, higehr prices and the need for everyone to buy new cards!
7. GPS
8. Larger supplied battery - at least 2500mah.
And of course keep the VGA screen, but with perhaps 262k colours?
I support 6680abhi specs :lol:
Hello,
First of all thanks for all the great tips and tweaks on this site. I've had my Mini S for a few weeks now and I am finally getting it set up the way I want. There are however a couple of things that I could do with some help with.
Firstly I have read about MemMaid and Pocket Mechanic Pro and was wondering if Pocket Mechanic can do all that MemMaid can and if the extra features are worth the extra money. Or do people still think MemMaid is invaluable?
Secondly I am going to be using my Wizard as a replacement for a CD Changer in my car, as the changer died and it seems stupid to spend more money on it. Originally I was going to use the Wizard to play Flac files, and TCPMP does this very well, but the amount of space that they take up and the fact that I can't connect an external hard disk (mores the pity) means I am going down the MP3 route.
I am going to make an adapter cable to fit to my stero following these plans: http://nodivisions.com/tech/kenwood_aux_adapter/
I'll have it going to a 2.5mm jack by default.
Can anyone see any problems regarding this?
So in the car I'm going to need a cradle for the Wizard. I have seen various ones around but I need it to be able to cope with being in the PDAir Flip type case ( http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10100000_900000_194&products_id=2155 )
I think the Brodit Pro Clip might do it, but it may be too tight / not fit with the PDAir case on it.
Lastly I was going to use TCPMP as my MP3 player. Are there any reasons why I should use this rather than WM?
Thanks in advance
Ian
1) Memaid does a lot more useful things then pocket mechanic (I have both). Is Memaid invaluable? No... the only reason I got it was because of a queue problem and for some reason pocket mechanic stopped being able to read my queue, no idea why. It's handy, but don't think it's worth the money...
2) IMO, using the Wizard as a music player in the car would be a HUGE pain in the ass. You would be much better off going with something like an iPod. A dedicated music device. I use an iPod in my car w/ an FM trasnmitter and it works very nicely. I couldn't imagine even trying to screw with the Wizard... selecting songs, taking it in and out of the car every time... what if you got a phone call while trying to listen to music?
I think it'd just be too much of a hassle that way. If you want mobile audio, go the route of a dedicated music player. You'll be far happier, trust me.
Thanks for the reply. I'll give buying MemMaid some thought then if you don't think it's all that necessary.
I think I am still going to go down the Wizard as an MP3 player route. I can understand where you are coming from but I don't think it's going to be that much hassle. I rarely receive calls in my car and it's illegal in the UK to take calls while you are driving unless you have an incar kit / headset. I really dislike iTunes so I couldn't see myself getting an iPod unless it was to run ipodlinux on it but currently the newer models aren't supported. That and they aren't very niche any more. When you can buy them in a car shop like Halfords you know that they are way too common
hi,
just a note of caution reference buying a case - on the brodit holders, they wont accomodate any additional fitted cases, as they are bespoke moulded to the devices chassis only, and it wont slide in or out correctly with a case fitted,
Hope that helps!
bryson
hi,
just a note of caution reference buying a case - on the brodit holders, they wont accomodate any additional fitted cases, as they are bespoke moulded to the devices chassis only, and it wont slide in or out correctly with a case fitted,
Hope that helps!
bryson
Thanks thats most helpful. Probably going to have to take a trip to carphone warehouse and try before I buy!
I'm currently using a T-Mobile MDA Vario (HTC Wizard), and as my contract is up for renewal soon, I am wondering what phone to get next.
Originally I had my mind set on the Vario 2 (Hermes), but I'm getting second thoughts since I read about the new Nokia N95. It seems to pack a lot of features, most impressively integrated gps and a lot of maps. First impressions seem to indicate that it runs very smoothly (not always the case with windows mobile) and gps works well. It's also got wifi and fast internet browsing. On the other hand, not sure if symbian is any good (to sync with pc etc), and if I'll be able to install applications on it like a pocket pc (although I don't install much). More importantly, I'd have to live without a full keyboard and touch screen (but the device is therefore thinner).
Can anyone give me some advice on how good/bad your experience with the Hermes has been (or even with the N95 if you've used it or heard anything about it).
Thanks.
kkhalil76 said:
I'm currently using a T-Mobile MDA Vario (HTC Wizard), and as my contract is up for renewal soon, I am wondering what phone to get next.
Originally I had my mind set on the Vario 2 (Hermes), but I'm getting second thoughts since I read about the new Nokia N95. It seems to pack a lot of features, most impressively integrated gps and a lot of maps. First impressions seem to indicate that it runs very smoothly (not always the case with windows mobile) and gps works well. It's also got wifi and fast internet browsing. On the other hand, not sure if symbian is any good (to sync with pc etc), and if I'll be able to install applications on it like a pocket pc (although I don't install much). More importantly, I'd have to live without a full keyboard and touch screen (but the device is therefore thinner).
Can anyone give me some advice on how good/bad your experience with the Hermes has been (or even with the N95 if you've used it or heard anything about it).
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all comes down to the touchscreen... if you can live without it then go for the N95, if not then the Hermes is the way to go... but you must also know that the N95 isnt Tri-band UMTS, so if you were to goto another country with uses a different band for UMTS then you wont have access for it... Where as the Hermes supports 850, 1900 & 2100mhz WCDMA Bands
Thanks. I also read that the N95's build quality isn't so great, and that talk time is only a little over 2 hours (vs. a little over 4 for the hermes)!
kkhalil76 said:
Thanks. I also read that the N95's build quality isn't so great, and that talk time is only a little over 2 hours (vs. a little over 4 for the hermes)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well there you go... you just answered your own question... mind you the build quality on the hermes isnt that much better.... they are all plastic...
Build quality is not related to just the materials of the housing but also how well everything fits together. Look at the SE P990i: very nice looking phone but squeaks and cracks when you're holding it.
Dunno about the N95, but my previous phone was a Nokia 6260 (S60 2.x).
I personally found the Symbian system more stable and more feature-advanced than the Windows Mobile OS. Some examples: choosing the account via which emails are sent is not possible in Outlook Mobile, synchronizing with Nokia PC Suite is robuster (and supports for instance SMS typing on PC), native support for Java midlets (Opera Mini!), ...
I personally went for the Hermes because of the keyboard: a GPS is easily added with bluetooth, but a keyboard that works handheld is not easily added; and also because I needed Windows Mobile for one application I wanted (PocketFMS).
But it is difficult finding a balance between what you need, want and like.
Jörg
Well I think my mind's made up, can't go back to a tiny keypad after having used a full keyboard for so long, so I guess it's the hermes after all. Also the battery life is a big issue for me, I thought the hermes wasn't great, but the Nokia is awful...
As far as the battery is concerned: I manage to have the Hermes running for about 4-5 days (not frequently making calls, but frequently connecting via gprs/umts) or 2-3 days (when playing back .wma through BT headset).
Jörg
walshieau said:
It all comes down to the touchscreen... if you can live without it then go for the N95, if not then the Hermes is the way to go... but you must also know that the N95 isnt Tri-band UMTS, so if you were to goto another country with uses a different band for UMTS then you wont have access for it... Where as the Hermes supports 850, 1900 & 2100mhz WCDMA Bands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How often does one go to other country and really use a different UMTS band or UMTS at all?
And what goes for the build quality, I can honestly say that N95 is better after owning a hermes for about 6 months now.
But the hermes beats it with the touch screen and keyboard, and has better software support in its own special way, N95 has better phoning software because the main idea is to use it as a phone and the OS is tailored that way. Hermes in other hand is a phone pda hybrid.
And personally as a software developer i can honestly say that symbian os is more crap that you guys could imagine ;D
And embedded linux seems to keep pushing it's way quite hard. Many companies I know, started to look into that matter.. (won't list any names here).
[EDIT]
The battery seems to be quite good for Hermes considering the fact that it's a PDA like phone at has alot of features.
And the more I use Hermes, the more conviced I get with it, it just is a damn good device
And you guys should try Route66 Navigate 7 for Pocket PC. It's the damn best GPS software I ever used
Doesn't lag at all (this is what really impressed me), is VERY accurate even in this little town I live in, very good POI information (TMC to) etc.
I tested alot of GPS software and this is just the best atm.
I have a bluetooth GPS, it's very small and has a neck collar
[/EDIT]
My Jasjam with Direct Push on all day (50 e-mails sent and received) and checking the news for 20 minutes, a game of chess for 15 minutes, using it as a sat nav for 30 minutes and 1 hour on the phone it still has 60% battery left at the end of the day. I would recommend the Hermes over the N95 any day.
What about the simple fact that one has a keyboard and the other one does not? Are you expecting to do any typing?
agovinoveritas said:
What about the simple fact that one has a keyboard and the other one does not? Are you expecting to do any typing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not that simple... look at the 3G bands for example... for me anyway im in australia where there is 850Mhz and 2100Mhz 3G Bands... where the N95 only supports 2100Mhz....
N95 for sure. The touch-screen of the hermes sucks anyways, and yes, this is coming for a Hermes owner.
xpimperx said:
N95 for sure. The touch-screen of the hermes sucks anyways, and yes, this is coming for a Hermes owner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather have a sucky touchscreen than no touchscreen. FWIW, I think the screen on the Hermes is just fine.
Having to enter all my emails with the dpad or number pad is just nothing something I'd ever consider anno 2007.
I was a previous Nokia man through and through until the N80. The battery life and bugs made it unusuable, so I sold it and bought a Hermes. I've never looked back!
With the improved Radio 1.40 I now get around 3-4 days standby. You'll be lucky to get 3-4 HOURS from an N80 or N95 (reviews seem to suggest they still haven't learnt their lesson from poor battery life with the N95 either)
I won't touch Nokia again until they sort out the appalling battery life of their new phones. What's the point of putting all these neat features in a phone if you have to leave it almost permanently plugged into the mains?
N95 vs Hermes
Well, I've got both the Hermes and the N95... I'm probably going to end up selling one or the other... but I have the same choice to make - which one to keep, and I have to say, it's a hard choice.
The main factors for me are:
Battery life - everyone is talking about this, but the Nokia N95 battery life is abysmal. You really need to take your charger with you anywhere you go with it. Hermes battery life is not great, but at least you can use it for half to one day without it running out of battery! Also, the Hermes charges off USB, so when you use it as a computer modem, it charges at the same time!
Software & touchscreen - undoubtedly way better on the Hermes - push email, messenger, internet explorer, Cleartype, it all just works - N95 is flaky in places and the interface / software is just not up to the hardware. You have to pay extra for word, excel, push email, messenger, etc (well if you want any half-reasonable solution) and they don't work as well as WM5/6 even when you do pay! Also, the community support and the **ahem** hacked software is WAY WAY better for Windows Mobile.
Hardware - Nokia is way better for this - N95 has a beautiful camera, built in GPS, is smaller, lighter and prettier than the Hermes and has a 3.5mm jack socket built in (no adapter). But - no keyboard, no touchscreen and NO ROLL-WHEEL! This gets really annoying on the N95 for reading/replying to emails when you've used the Hermes.
So: The question really is - what will you use the device for? Phone? N95. Emails? Then definitely Hermes. Camera? N95. MSN Messenger? Hermes. Portable GPS? N95 (Hermes is better for car GPS when paired with a decent SiRF Star III GPS unit.) All of the above? AARRGH! Too difficult to decide. Neither is perfect - A smaller, thinner Hermes, with a 5MP camera, built in GPS, 640x480 resolution, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a nice-looking flat touchscreen that is flush with the casing WOULD be perfect... but we're going to have to wait for a while before that happens...
I like the body of this phone from just looking at the picture icon alone. Ive never heard of this model. How much is it? What network is it compatible and where can i check one out or buy? I am hoping it works on AT&T
You do realize that the Shift ISN'T a phone right? It's a tablet PC that can be made to have phone functionallity, and is around 9inches wide and an inch thick. It does work on ATT, and you can get one off eBay for around 500USD.
shift from expansys.ca or expansys.com
hi,
i bought mine here - http://www.expansys.ca/htc-shift-x9501-800mhz-1gb-40gb-gps-vista-business-150277/
i does 3g gsm in north america for rogers in canada and att in usa.
but yah, it's kinda big for a "phone".... and only the speakers and microphone work on the windows mobile phone side
nonsence said:
hi,
i bought mine here - http://www.expansys.ca/htc-shift-x9501-800mhz-1gb-40gb-gps-vista-business-150277/
i does 3g gsm in north america for rogers in canada and att in usa.
but yah, it's kinda big for a "phone".... and only the speakers and microphone work on the windows mobile phone side
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Thanks ashasaur, yep fully aware its bigger, like a tablet rather than a handset, just didnt see the need to say it.
Thanks nonsense, i will give that link a look and see what's available in my area. When you say the speakers and micropone only work on the 'windows moble phone side' is that meaning it only provide sound for the WM environment and not windows, android, etc? just curious.
info
RicoATT said:
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Thanks ashasaur, yep fully aware its bigger, like a tablet rather than a handset, just didnt see the need to say it.
Thanks nonsense, i will give that link a look and see what's available in my area. When you say the speakers and micropone only work on the 'windows moble phone side' is that meaning it only provide sound for the WM environment and not windows, android, etc? just curious.
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sound works fine on the windows mobile side but its only speakers. not an earpiece like on a cell phone. the mic works fine too but its more like a conference call mic. everyone can hear the calls.
also android "kinda" works. i got it to boot an eepc iso build but without internet or touch screen drivers. android x86 needs more work to be usable on this htc.
ubuntu needs some work too but i'm just not that good with linux yet. i have seen guides and videos on the net showing it's possible to run linux distro nicely. but the dual boot install needs some tweaking.
The stock Shift doesn't support telephony on the WM side at all, you have to flash a different ROM to the WinMo side to enable phone functions, and you then have to either use the wired headset or a bluetooth one to have private calls, IE, ones that aren't played through the stereo speakers of the device.
nonsence said:
ubuntu needs some work too but i'm just not that good with linux yet. i have seen guides and videos on the net showing it's possible to run linux distro nicely. but the dual boot install needs some tweaking.
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ubuntu was giving me problems, i switched to 8.04 beta of kubuntu and found a driver pack by searching "ubuntu on shift". It did not work with ubuntu 8.04, kept saying wrong kernel, kubuntu 8.04 worked though, easy install and has bluetooth and wifi in kubuntu, touchscreen works too.