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Alright, Quite a while ago I dropped my MDA Pro, and it was total loss.
Luckily my insurance covers it, and I can now buy a new phone for the same price.
The problem is that there's a new phone on then block, the HTC Tytn, and I'm not sure wether I want another Universal or rather a new Tytn.
As far as I can see, the advantages for the Universal are:
Universal has bigger screen
Universal has 640x480 (while Tytn has 320x480)
Universal has normal SD cards (thus 4GB, and probably faster), Tytn has MicroSD which have only just reached 2GB. (And I've recently bought a 4GB SD card)
Universal has a larger keyboard.
Universal has a proper headphone jack, whereas Tytn needs a converter from the MiniUSB thing (that will probably let loose very easily)
And the advantages for the Tytn are:
Tytn has 2.0mp camera, while Universal only has 1.3
Tytn has Bluetooth 2
Tytn has Quad-band and all those extras (EDGE, HSPDA etc)
Tytn is (supposedly) faster
Tytn is smaller
Another problem is that all the stores currently have the HTC Tytn in stock, yet noone seems to be able to sell me a HTC Universal/QTek 9000
Anyway, I was hoping for some feedback as to which phone to buy, and possibly some differences I didn't take into account yet...
So basically, which one should I buy ?[/list]
Difficult decission. If you can wait, at the end of 2006 will arrive the Universal successor. But if you cant i prefer Universal. For me, VGA and large keyboard is critical.....
Cheers
I don't know how often you travel or the places you carry your phone to but size plays a big factor. I often find myself grabbing the HW6515 or a Wizard device over the Universal to take to places because they're more pocket friendly and are easier to use. But my biggest concern is damaging the Universal, not only is it expensive and sexy, parts and a replacement for it here in the US is scarce. 8)
The only way for me to recommend the Universal is if you also have a smaller device you can switch to when its size will be a problem. I really don't use my Qtek 9100 much now that I have the 9000, but when I need it I have it, with pretty much the same capability. If this is your only phone, I suggest getting the TyTN or Hermes (same thing).
I'm currently testing hTc Z, a variant of Hermes100 for Japanese market, and I tend to agree with those recommending Hermes. It's probably the best WM5 phone edition device you can get at the moment. TyTN is Hermes200 but it shouldn't be much different.
Having said that, the big difference is the keyboard. Not only is the size smaller, the key touch isn't as robust as Universal's and I really can't type fast as I can with Universal. I almost hate typing with Hermes.
If you don't need to type much with your device, I recommend getting Hermes. Otherwise, Universal should be better or you should wait for its successor.
My 2 cents...
I had then universal, then I sold it and I replaced it with the hermes (my current pocket pc phone).
I miss the great great great screen.... but now I download files on hsdpa network at 1.2 mbit / sec, and if an area it's not covered by umts/hsdpa I can count on edge (190 kbit /sec). Imho the Universal is tooooo slow and too bigger. It bought Hermes for its dimensions! It's just a bit longer then wizard but if you hold it in one hand (with wheel) you can do everything (except typing on keyb, you need two hands)! However I found the micro-sd a lot slow when I paste mp3s from my pc, and it lack 3.5mm jack!!!
Regarding the universal, all I can say is that it is BULKY BULKY BULKY. If you are going out, last thing you want is this phone in your pocket. I end up carrying it in my hand which actually sucks. Also, its not too fast and the battery will last you a maximum of about 7 months or so.
On the other hand, the screen is gorgeous and it looks really cool
So guess you have to weigh your priorities.
If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have bought the Universal and would have been much happier with a smaller phone.
Cheers.
Well I constanty watch HTC market and see that PDA phones are getting worser from one side and better from the other. NO VGA Screens, low-end processors, very small screens, but better cameras, HSDPA, 802.11g.
Well a flag-model of HTC I would say Kaiser (TyTN II), which has 240x320 screen at 2.8" while Uni has VGA at 3.6", but Kaiser has a slower processor, very good camera and HSDPA.
Why do they do like this? Kaiser is about 2 times more expensive than Universal in my country, and personally I find it worse (I think PDA shouldn't be so small, I have a classic touchless Smartphone to have phone functionality and SIM slot in Uni I use preferably for 3G Internet functionality).
So now, having so large variety, I chose Universal, a phone from about 2 years ago, instead of newer, more expensive but not better (I think) Kaiser.
Why don't they just release a better version of Uni with better camera, better fascia, and the same features as current one? I think HTC takes wrong way turning from business advanced mobile offices to typically show-off things like HTC Touch (which I found personally MUCH better than iPhone anyway)
Some could say that Athena is the thing I look for. Well, it coulda been the one. Anyway 5" display is a little too much for me, but anyway I shall be buying Athena as it gets a little cheaper, because I think it is the good successor of Universal. But why only this one, and so many compact-small-fingernail-size phones? I think that only touchless Smartphones should be as small and compact - because this is their role.
But HTC must not be wrong, and if compact PDAphones are so popular on the market now, they won't be producing something for ones like me.
After you have your new Touch Dual and played it for awhile, what do you think?
Share your thought please
Built quality, speed, responsiveness, battery life, etc.
At least how do you rate it? 1 (worst) - 5 (excellent)
I did a video review for italian forums :
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=VsOF5JrmHug
In the last year or less I've owned a S710, Tytn, Touch (elf), tytn2, S730 and now Dual (nike).
I've given up on smartphones, the 730 was a mistake I had it 1 day and just couldn't cope without the full PPC interface. The tytn2 was very good, but for me was just too heavy and bulky, I loved the Touch (elf) but it was not 3G and was slow for me. So the Dual does a very good job for me. I dont need the wireless as I never used it on any of the phones I had. Its quick and looks good. Overall happy so far..... but then the Cruise is out next, so you never know (although it looks a bit ugly!)
i like mine ... but here are more thougts:
http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article740.html
http://www.theunwired.net/?item=review-o2-xda-star-windows-mobile-6-professional-smartphone
I like it.
But it is not a 5 for me, just a 4,75, because i miss wifi. Since i got a T-mobile Hotspot flatrate, i am sad, not being able to use it with my Touch Dual. I can use it with my Communicator, but the Nokia is quite bulky and i love the size of the Dual.
I know, i cannot have everything i want; actually i would have stayed with the Communicator, if it would have had UMTS; but this way i end up to have two smartphones, two worlds and each of them missing a feature, the other one offers.
And i also wanted to give a shot at Windows mobile...
So to make a short story long:
Pros:
- Display
- Ease of use (keys & touchpad)
. quite fast
- customisable
- might support 16 GB micro SD card.
- no prob with connecting to my car's bluetooth; first try, and it worked. The Nokia is a real pita, since it seems to loose the connection to the car every two or three weeks or so and it takes several tries to pair them.
Cons:
- no wifi (this really bother me, but if the device is able to do it, i would pay for upgrading it)
- no gps (this doesn't bother me at all, but if the device is able to do it, it should be upgradeable to enable it)
- I'd like to have a real carrying case not just this kind of sock....
- They should give you a micro SD card (i have an unbranded, unlocked HTC phone)
Perhaps there are some more issues later, but as of today i like it.
The other options include the Cruise, but it doesn't have a hardware keypad and the heralds/kaisers are too bulky...
Best
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i think they left out gps and wifi for marketing reasons. there is surely space for at least one antenna. the wizard had a telescopic stylus and that wasn't so bad. and there is space underneath the battery if they wouldn't be using such a bulky battery cover.
but who would take a polaris or a kaiser??
Check out this review I posted 18 days ago when I got my Touch Dual
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=346999
I've had mine for a bit over 2 weeks now. Very happy with it. No wifi is not a big deal for me since I find it quite difficult to locate free hotspots anyway. Besides 3G is not too expensive in my area. The only thing that can be done better would be to make the screen more sensitive a-la the iPhone/iPod Touch. I find I have to use a considerable amount of pressure to fingerscroll on the Touch Dual.
I'm going to try to compare it to the S730 and TyTN II (should be interesting to see which wins...)
http://www.clieuk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14706
stmcgill said:
I'm going to try to compare it to the S730 and TyTN II (should be interesting to see which wins...)
http://www.clieuk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14706
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would compare it to the TyTN II but not the S730... I don't think it's just to compare a PPC with a Smartphone... the PPC will always win
Not convinced by that- there S730 has some very worthy attributes
I got a Dual and a Tytn II at the same time and am trying to make up my mind which of them remains and which one gets sold... I decided to give each a week. The Dual had it's week and now it's the Tytn II. I must say it took me a day or two to get used to the Dual (had a Trinity before) but I liked it better with every day. Now it's the Tytn II turn and I kind of miss the Dual. Much nicer and better feel. I only wish it had GPS enabled somehow and that would have nailed the decision for me. It's a close tie as it is right now (day 3 with the Tytn II).
With the Dual, I switched the camera button into "OK" button which I missed alot. Other than that - I got used to the sparse hard key layout (or lack of).
Get me that GPS working!!!
Wrote a quick review in my blog about it.
Summary?
I'm close to being in love.
I really hope there is a OK button on the keyboard. That should be standard for all PPC! The location of charging port is really annoying! I like it to be placed at bottom. However, memory card slot is brilliant idea. Wat a split character the designer is!
Hi,
I am considering to get me an Athena and I need some help and advice.
I already own:
1x Blue Angel
2x Universal
1x HP iPaq 514 Voice Messenger
1x VDA GPS (aka Toshiba G710)
I also have an Asus eeePC 701.
My SIM has an internet contract included (100 MB download/month) and I have an USB Internet adapter which I can use i.e. with my eeePC.
Having said this, you probably understand I am a nerd and I like to "collect" phones and gadgets. The reason is simple: I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't waste money on anything, so at least, I think, I can get me some nice phones from time to time. All were bargains, most I got from eBay. The reason I like smartphones is that i carry them around all the time, so I can really have a benefit of owning them. A PS3, for example, may be a nice piece of hardware, but I would not have much time at home to really make use of it.
What do I want to know?
Basically, if you guy's can use the Athena as a phone. Do you REALLY use it as your sole mobile phone, or is it too big and clumsy (specially having to use BT headphone) to make calls?
The Universal is big, but it does fit nice into my back pocket of the jeans - how do you carry the Athena around?
What are the real advantages of an Athena, compared to a Universal? The screen resolution is the same (I guess having a bigger screen, will make the RealVGA usefull - on the Universal things get far too small), the CPU speed can be the same, by overclocking the Universal (actually not overclocking, but letting it run at full speed), the GPS is nice, but can be overcome with an external one (like the one I have).
I know these are lame questions, but 250-300 Euro is still a lot of cash and I want to make sure i don't regret it.
My major concern is that the device is not usable as a phone. I hate carrying two devices with me and that is exactly the problem I have with the eeePC: it's screen is too small to replace a proper laptop and to replace the MDA Pro, I would have to carry two devices with me. That's too much.
So any feedback is appreciated, as I am wondering what would be more USEABLE on a daily basis: an eeePC 1000 (10" screen, 1.6Ghz, 160 GB HDD, battery up to 6 hours...) for around 380 Euro, or an Athena second hand at eBay for around 300 Euro.
The eeePC 1000 has the advantage of replacing a laptop, but the disadvantage of not replacing a phone.
I know, long post, but please shed some light into this.
Thanks,
vma
x7510 a great device
vma said:
What do I want to know?
Basically, if you guy's can use the Athena as a phone. Do you REALLY use it as your sole mobile phone, or is it too big and clumsy (specially having to use BT headphone) to make calls?
The Universal is big, but it does fit nice into my back pocket of the jeans - how do you carry the Athena around?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a proud owner of a Blueangel for 4 years and loved it. I started to get tired of it a couple years ago and then I found xda-developers and discovered how to upgrade and turn my old WM2003SE device into a top notch WM6.1 device. Needless to say with all the smaller screen, slower CPU devices on the market I stayed with my trusty BA. That is until I found the x7510. My BA lives in a drawer in the bedroom now, I keep it charged so I have it if I need it, and I use my Athena exclusively for all my phone/PDA needs. I carry it in the back pocket of my blue jeans and it fits fine.
My major concern is that the device is not usable as a phone. I hate carrying two devices with me and that is exactly the problem I have with the eeePC: it's screen is too small to replace a proper laptop and to replace the MDA Pro, I would have to carry two devices with me. That's too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not regretted my upgrade from the BA to the Athena for a second. The only reason I have not sold my BA yet is becuase I have had the Athena for less than 1 month and am keeping it as a backup. I plan to go this weekend to the local market and have a custom belt carry case made for it. I am in Kuwait and it will not cost me much at all for this. The only reason I am doing this is for the added convenience not becuase it is required.
7501 is my everyday device
If yoi look at my sig. I also own quite a few devices. Since acquiring my 7501 6 months ago, I have not used any other of my devices. I used a BT headset with all of my oyher devices anyway. The 7501 is by far the best device I have ever owned.
You can turn the volume all the way down and hold it like a regular phone, with the mic hole by your mouth. Its not perfect and not private in a quiet room, but its useable. I also hate carrying a BT headset all the time for private conversations, but my Jabra BT8010 also gives me caller ID and vibrate, "fixing" several of the major problems with the Athena all at one time. Also gives me a decent stereo headset for MP3 and radio streaming.
I've had mine a year now and will never be able to go back to a smaller phone. The screen is just so much more useable than most other pdas or phones.
Thank you for your replies.
I think I will keep it on hold, though.
I have been researching the Ameo and basically understand that the 7500 and 7501 are basically similar and feature a real Hitachi Microdrive HDD.
The 7510 has a different keyboard and a 16GB SDD Flashdisk and requires a different ROM. I believe it cannot be SIM-Unlocked either.
There seems to be a problem with the Microdrive failing and having read-errors. This is a turn-off for me, when buying from ebay, as this fault is not easy to detect and proove, but surely may be a reason to get rid of such a device at ebay... Yeah, call me a suspicious guy...
The 7510, on the other hand, lacks the joystick and I definitly require that for my ebook reading, which I love. Paginating by touching the screen all the time is not very appealing.
Then there are those who say: go for the 7501, forget about the HDD and just get a 16GB SDHC. The point is: I can get that for my Universal!
So now I am wondering what REAL benefits I would have from an Ameo and I guess I will wait for either a superb bargain at ebay, a new one on sale at a local store (doubt that, however) or until the prices drop further at ebay (below 200 Euro).
Thangs again.
Cheers,
vma
Hi,
I have purchased an Athena these days and here is what I have to say to all those considering the move from the Universal to the Athena.
1) The Universal reached the 100 Euro mark at eBay, while the Athena (7500 version) is being sold at 200 Euro. These are the prices at ebay.de for the MDA Pro / T-Mobile Ameo versions.
2) First impression: the Athena is big. And when I say big, I mean it! I already had played with one in a store, but actually owning one is different, because only then you notice it won't fit in any of your pockets! After using it for 2 days, I picked up my Universal and found myself smiling at the "small" size of it!
3) Second impression: damn! It is a huge device... I will have to carry it in my hand if I want to take it with me. I mean, other people carry a book or a filofax. I now carry this super phone...
4) Funtionality: there is everything you can think of. You get highspeed mobile internet, WLAN, Bluetooth, all possible GSM standards, motion sensor, huge ROM/RAM memory, 8GB microdrive, GPS, ... The Universal not only lacks onboard GPS, it is struggeling with having only 64MB RAM. That is a limitation for the upcoming WM 6.5 firmware releases being cooked. And even with WM 6.1 some limitations exist. Soldering extra 64MB on my Universal is too expensive in my opinion.
5) Screen: the screen is fantastic! Compared to the Universal, though it has the same resolution, it is big enough for the eyes to take advantage of small fonts. After using the Athena, I now look at the Universal screen and I have to admit it is a little bit too small for such a resolution.
6) Keyboard: despide several online reviews stating the opposite, I do like the touch and feel of the keyboard. i would have prefered separate numeric keys, though. Also, I like the Universal's keyboard design better. Having a separate magnetic keyboard is less functional, I think.
7) Pros of the Athena:
- big screen
- speed: fast device
- speed: internet is very fast, pages load much quicker than on the Universal
- GPS: nice to have everything in one device
- memory: yeah! 128 MB RAM plus 8GB storage, plus Mini-SD slot... That rocks! And you can always use a Micro-2-Mini SD card adapter to use the cheaper and more available MicroSD cards
- overall exquisit looking noble device: if you are a hacker, you will survive a lonely day in a hotel room with this beast!
8) Cons of the Athena:
- too big to fit any pocket, specially back trouser pocket...
- keyboard is a bit odd
*** CONCLUSION ***
So, is it worth the change from the Universal?
No.
You should not want to CHANGE from the Universal to the Athena.
You SHOULD have an Athena as a second device, which you use on special days:
- boring days in the office/mother in law/waiting rooms
- meetings (this 200 Euro second hand device will kill all the attention normally spent over iPhones and similar phones at over 600 Euro)
- trips (planes, train and hotels)
Plus, it is simply a gorgeous device, which does appeal to any hacker!
Hope this helped anyone considering which phone to get...
Best way to carry the Athena: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=344605
Just buy it and try it out , it will not cost you an arm and a leg !! If you find it not suitable for whatever reasons , just sell quick it away at 30% loss , you probably bought many devices already , one more wont make you suffer that much i am sure , but many of advantage owners from day one it launched till now really do love it , some to the extremes too , so are you one of us ? , only you can answer this yourself , cheers , take care and enjoy - ok ?
I am thinking of upgrading from my Wizard, its a little slow on some aps (eg Opera) and doesn't have 3G. Are the Jades a good choice? Any others to consider?
The things I need are Windows mobile, 3G, WiFi and bluetooth. The GPS built in would be great as I wouldn't need to use a bluetooth one for MemoryMap, etc.
Also what price should I be able to get these for (in £)?
Looks pretty good, but....
I just picked up an Orange branded version, which to be fair could do with having the standard HTC Rom installed.
Pros are: I got this one for £150 (saw one go on ebay for £137) which I think is a good price for a phone PDA with the most current OS. Its SMALL, easily pocketable. Has a lot of good features and hi speed internet
Cons: I dont like the buttons much, and think that QVGA is a little poor for this day and age, no tilt sensor, only on screen keyboard and people do moan about the battery life.
As always, its depends what you want, I have a Touch Pro and a Kaiser, so am biased towards the keyboard models, but if its dinky you want, this could be the one.
Hope this helps...
MS
The Kaiser looks interesting, however I rarely used the keyboard on the Wizard. Presumably the Jade is also a tad faster.
Jade is fast. Also no hotfixes on offer in support section of htc website: there are already two for the new diamond.
i have both, Wizard and Jade.
Jade is thin, fast and good looking and the build in GPS is a major improvement.
I pimped the good ol' wizard with WM 6.1 ROM (hubby is using it), and i must admit.....it performs above expectations, though it looks like a refrigerator next to Jade.