Database Users

Who wants to make some cash?

Here's the deal.
I need someone in the US to update my just purchased SX56 to windows mobile 2003 and I would also like to get the digitravel GPS. I will buy that separately and mail the machine to them and if they could do the upgrade that would be great. As far as the digitravel, I would like to have that set up so I can use the phone at the same time as the GPS, and have the power sources done the most efficient way as listed on all the forums. Let me know if anyone is interested in doing this and what they would charge. You guys are sitting here soldering and stuff and I can't even get my windows media player to play mp3's. I don't consider myself computer illiterate, but I am certainly getting frustrated w/ this thing!!!!

LEAPONOVER said:
Here's the deal.
I need someone in the US to update my just purchased SX56 to windows mobile 2003 and I would also like to get the digitravel GPS. I will buy that separately and mail the machine to them and if they could do the upgrade that would be great. As far as the digitravel, I would like to have that set up so I can use the phone at the same time as the GPS, and have the power sources done the most efficient way as listed on all the forums. Let me know if anyone is interested in doing this and what they would charge. You guys are sitting here soldering and stuff and I can't even get my windows media player to play mp3's. I don't consider myself computer illiterate, but I am certainly getting frustrated w/ this thing!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I upgraded to WM 2003 by going to this site:
http://lumpistefan.dyndns.org
He's German, and his instructions in English take a very close read, but his "WM2003 Final" Version A.30.09 ENG brought me up to Microsoft Pocket PC Version 4.20.0 (Build 13349).
Seems to be working mighty fine.
All the best, Carey

Leaponover, the digitraveller was a great idea at the time, however prices fo gps units have fallen dramatically and you are making work for yourself, just buy an off the shelf gps that is made for the job, a haicom 204e or 203e, or any other cheap unit will work great and you wont have the problem of charging the xda becuase they all come with dual charging/power cables.

How do you rate your Exec Poll.

At first I would have given this kit a 9 or 10 but now that I have had time to play with it I would only give it a 6
Now that you have had time to play around with your Exec, How would you rate it from 1 - 10? But please think about other PDA's and Phone's compared to the Exec.

I agree I thought it was 10/10 when I first got it.
I would have given the box it came in 9/10.
But as "ukmdb" after playing with it for a few days....this drops to 5/10.
And I`m still finding faults..

Currently I'd rate my Jasjar a 4/10.
Hardware I'd rate a 8/10 but ROM a 4/10 and ActiveSync a 1/10 and WM2005 application software availability a 1/10!
I stall have to carry my XDA II WM2003SE device with me. I'm waiting for backup software, GPS software, ActiveSync software that works, AvantGo software that Syncs via ActiveSync and room to install eBook readers etc.

foxnolds said:
Currently I'd rate my Jasjar a 4/10.
Hardware I'd rate a 8/10 but ROM a 4/10 and ActiveSync a 1/10 and WM2005 application software availability a 1/10!
I stall have to carry my XDA II WM2003SE device with me. I'm waiting for backup software, GPS software, ActiveSync software that works, AvantGo software that Syncs via ActiveSync and room to install eBook readers etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For backup software I uploaded a backup program @ zevink.com called sunnysoft backup manager, and for gps software I hear if you grab the tom tom cabs it works with WM5 (says the blueangel forum) who also uses WM5 on there devices, such as me. ANd activesync is still slow and sucky to this day

- Deleted -

I'm still exploring not too satisfied with it. May be i expected too much from this brick..

JJ users seems to have had more problems then Exec users as far as I can see. I have not suffered any call problems with BT headsets but my Messaging is very unstable. 3G downloads work a charm. But WM5 still looks like WinCe from 1999!
My score after 2 weeks (now only about one reset a day!): 6/10

The EXEC is my third pda and im still messing aroud with it (as i did the others (ipaq & xda2i). Sometimes i dont know why i bother with these things (maybe a filofax and small nokia would be easier). But other times i think it is the best thing i could own. I give it 6/10

I`ve given up...
Gonna give O2 a call tomorrow and cancell the contract.
Maybe next I`ll try an XDA2 or what for the XDA Exec2.
Sony Ericsson have the P990i due soon...
I have already have a P910i and would rate it an easy 8.5/10.

Hi,
Tks so much.i thought of buying exec but now looking at this poll.
i better not to buy exec.

Me too, 3 mda's and every one of them got a loose hinge, if that happens after 3 hours of full time use then after a year id be luckly if it was still in once peice.

I think the Exec is excellent. WM5 is still very rough, and not well supported by developers, quite understanderbly.
I've had an Ipaq, Motorola A920/925, XDA2 and I think the Exec is far better than any of them were 2 weeks after the launch. I know O2 have had a lot of stick over the delays in releasing the Exec, but perhaps that is why it is apparently more stable than the Jasjar?
I have experianced no missed calls and no email problems, other than me giving the wrong settings. Biggest pain is with BT dropping, but that seems to be a WM5 issue, not the phone.
Plus I had the childhoodlike christmas delight with the amazing Exec box to amuse me for hours!

I had a Nokia 9500
-no working Excel, hardly work with MS Word, slow converting.
-many mistakes with synchronising Outlook
-No Outlook notes sync
-No Internet favourites sync, no sync of files
-weird screen, because not square enough
-sloooooooow
-more bugs then the Jasjar.
-Non standard OS: Symbian. Software only works in specific device. (Symbian software on e.g. a SE p900 does not work on any other Symbian)
-Very little software available.
-not many professional forums available. People become emotional when you complain.
-no Rom update via Internet, but via shop, so travel required.
-In shirt Pocket a 9500 does not "sit" very well. Sticks out too high.
-No UMTS; no automatic switching between WIFI/GPRS/PC etc.
-No USB port standard. No loading of battery via USB.
-No special buttons for camera etc. Very unhandy four way rocker button.
-No headphone jack standard. Need special $$ Nokia cable.
-No lit keyboard
-NO TOUCHSCREEN
-No front camera
-Bad camera viewer
So you all understand why I gave the Jasjar a 9/10
New hardware and new OS: I understand those problems as early adopter.
+Great future ahead
Huib

Same Here!
I'm with Foxnolds...
Basic hardware is great, but Activesync 4 puts it back into the dark age!

herpi said:
I had a Nokia 9500
-no working Excel, hardly work with MS Word, slow converting.
-many mistakes with synchronising Outlook
-No Outlook notes sync
-No Internet favourites sync, no sync of files
-weird screen, because not square enough
-sloooooooow
-more bugs then the Jasjar.
-Non standard OS: Symbian. Software only works in specific device. (Symbian software on e.g. a SE p900 does not work on any other Symbian)
-Very little software available.
-not many professional forums available. People become emotional when you complain.
-no Rom update via Internet, but via shop, so travel required.
-In shirt Pocket a 9500 does not "sit" very well. Sticks out too high.
-No UMTS; no automatic switching between WIFI/GPRS/PC etc.
-No USB port standard. No loading of battery via USB.
-No special buttons for camera etc. Very unhandy four way rocker button.
-No headphone jack standard. Need special $$ Nokia cable.
-No lit keyboard
-NO TOUCHSCREEN
-No front camera
-Bad camera viewer
So you all understand why I gave the Jasjar a 9/10
New hardware and new OS: I understand those problems as early adopter.
+Great future ahead
Huib
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a 9500 and have had a JJ and now have an XDA Exec. I disagree with you on many points, but it is not helpful to argue because it depends on your requirements and expectations. All I will say is that I don't use my Exec a phone because I can't trust it, I reset it once a day, it has very little user memory and the battery lasts less 1/3 of the time the 9500 battery lasts. Also some of the issues you mention have been addressed. Finally, the 9500 is a phone with PDA functions and the Universal is a PDA with a (poor) phone implementation.

Interesting that despite all the complaining on these forums, most people are still very happy with their Universal.
If you only read the forums you'd think the Universal was a dreadful machine. It seems that it's not.
Nice idea for the poll.

Yep, 63% of people (at the moment) give the Universal 8/10 or more.
Not bad at all, and personally, I'm even happier with my device now than I was when I voted a couple of weeks or so ago...

I gave my Exec a 9/10 because the hardware for me works for what I need it to do perfectly. Yes there are some software issues that I'd like to see fixed but that is software and is dynamic. Hardware on the other hand...if it doesn't work, then I just dumped a lot of money.
These were my expectations going in:
1. Phone use. I haven't had ANY issues after a good hard reset and corporate mode. I do have a problem with callers hearing my ringtone but I think that is because of MS Voice Command.
2. E-Mail. I run an IT business and I need to be in touch and up to date. Being able to get my email sent to my phone every 10 mins is great - attachments and all. Being able to show prospective customers Microsoft's SBS with Outlook Mobile Access is a money maker for me. This phone literally helps me sell complete networks.
3. Terminal Services / RDP. I need to be able to effectively service my customers quickly or hire employees. With this phone, I can easily TS into a customer's network and perform any function as if I were there. Sure, I could lug a laptop around and I do. However, yesterday, I was in a bookstore and I received a call. I needed to restart the print spooler. I didn't have my laptop with me (in the van) and I still needed to find a book. So, I pulled out my phone, TS'd into my office workstation and from there TS'd to my client and got the job done.
Now, you are asking, why would I TS to my office first. For faster Internet speeds & utils. Also, I have more ways of connecting from a true workstation than from the phone. Such as the RDP Client & the Remote Web Workplace (active-x/https). I don't have the VPN thing from the phone down yet though.
So, the hardware is great. I would like the software fixed a bit but that will come.

I personally may return mine. The hardware is a 7 - let down only by the poor quality of some componenents.
The software is a 4.
The OEM support is non exhistant and this being my first contract phone .. I'm really f*** scared of mobile phone companies. Who the hell is regulating that lot? Cos some of the stuff they get away with is stunning ...
Sending out refurbs, not honouring DD agreeements, C/S being appualing etc.
All said and done, I dont need a phone, I need an IPAQ AND a phone.
This business of PDA + phone is 5 years away from being worth buying imho.

How cheap are you going to let it go?! After all, if you sell it for too much you'll just feel bad over how you ripped the other guy off! LOL
Oh, I forgot to add another requirement that I had.
4. I needed to be able to use RFCons' Time Tracker MX QuickBooks Edition. http://www.rfcons.com/
If anyone deals with billing by the hour while out of the office, this software rocks. BIG HOWEVER...Since Microsoft took out Pocket Access in ActiveSync 4.x/WM5, there is a sync'ing issue of the database with which is still being dealt.
At first, I had a flickering problem when I installed this software with the timer running, but after the hard reset I mentioned in an earlier post, everything is perfect.

What is the Universal? Toy, Phone or Online Pocket PC

It has been really interesting over the months watching comments on this forum on the uses for the Universal. Those who wanted a top of the range phone generally seem to be dissapointed, and who blames them for that. Those looking for a games machine really should look elsewhere. For a pocket PC, and lets face it that is what this is it is a pretty decent job.
From my own point of view I have lots of gadgets and use each for what it is good at. I spend 80% of my time either in the car, home or office. At each location i have:
Universal
IBM Think pad T42p
Motorola Razor
And with these tools i can do anything anywhere. No hassles. If i need to get on to a network and fix something in a hurry the universal has generally finished the job before the laptop has even fired up Win XP. If I need to make a call and i am in the street i use the Razor. If i am in the office or car and need to call another cell phone i use the universal on handsfree. Personally i am very happy with this set up.
I also travel extensivly. I always carry my PSP with me to play games and take a selection of dvd to play on my laptop. I have a sd card reader on my IBM so i could get into ripping dvd's to play on the TCMP player but really never saw the point of this.
So generally i am very happy with the set up. It works for me.
Would i walk down the street making calls on the Universal..... No.
Would i play games on it.... sure but not graphics type. Something like Suduko would be good.
Would I watch movies on it.... one day, but i am too lazy to rip the films, I have over 2,000 dvd at home so i just prefer to take the disc with me. I keep promising to get a decent media server at home and start to rip all of these oin to it and stream them around the house. But where do you start with 2,000 titles.
Would I change things in Universal version 2 youre damn right.
Better fitting stylus
ozVGA as standard
Better made plastics
More memory- but personally this has never caused me any problems.
Speed up the phone answering
My set up-
T- Mobile MDA Pro
R 1.00.02
G 42.33.P8
D 1.12.42 WWE
1GB SD Card x 2
Web and walk 400 inc 40 mb data & 400 mins @ £23per month for 12 months and £46 for 6 months.
ozVGA
VJBig phone
VJ fullscreen TSC
Magic Button
Resco Explorer
Resco Photo
TCMP
Agile Messenger
Cambridge vxUtil & vxHpc
Stability for me is really good. I just dont seem to have issues. But i do a soft reboot every morning before i start the day. But am i just lucky or am I doing something wrong here, as i seem to be missing the dropdead and die feature!!
Next on my list Bluetooth sat nav. I would be greatful for an honest apraisal of the experience of others here. I plan to buy the Brodit active holder and sat nav in about 2 weeks time just really waiting to get some decent views on the best sat nav before commiting I still use navman on my old compaq ipaq 3700.
Finally I have to say without this forum I would be very disspointed with the Universal. I have learned lots form you guys over the months, I just hope that Microsoft and HTC are monitoring this forum and listening as much as I have been. XDA-Developers.com + MS + HTC rocks. You guys did the bits that they forgot!!
Views very welcome
Charlie

Things that I use:
- Sony TX1XP/XP, it has a 6.5 hr battery life, only weighs 1.25KG
- XDA Exec, used as a tablet/PDA (plus spare battery!)
- PSP, for watching videos (rented UMDs)
- 3G Razr (v3x), fantastic phone with superb call quality and rock solid BT, becoming my main phone as I find the communications capability of the Universal to be below par
Got a feeling when the SE P990 is released I may retire my Universal assuming there is good PIM s/w available for UIQ3. I find the ergonomics of the Universal and the need to use the PowerSave option a pain.

Charlie VOIP said:
Finally I have to say without this forum I would be very disspointed with the Universal. I have learned lots form you guys over the months, I just hope that Microsoft and HTC are monitoring this forum and listening as much as I have been. XDA-Developers.com + MS + HTC rocks. You guys did the bits that they forgot!!
Charlie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you think that they deserved it? :wink:

Charlie VOIP said:
Would i walk down the street making calls on the Universal..... No.
Charlie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understnad and agree with you on most of the points, except your above quoted line ??
may i know why you cannot make call with universal in streets ?? is it due to security reasons .. as you are afraid someone may snatch it from you

I agree with most of the first post here. I primarily use my universal as a notebook replacement + portable video and audio device. When out and about, I use the phone features with a BT headset and M$ VC mainly because - yes - I think there is arisk of someone snatching it - it's so unusual.
I really do feel though thatif you are not going to make extensive use of the keyboard (i.e need to use it as a mini notebook) the it is not for you.

my universal if everything to me. sure i have a laptop at work, and two spare laptops at home, but these are used more in a work and professional capacity.
my phone runs beautifully, rings on the second ring. i have extended the ring period to 30 seconds in case its in the bag or otherwise, never ever missed a call.
use a bluetooth headset, works perfectly everytime.
i have a 1 gig storage card, and lots of music on it, have never made it to the end of the playlist.
i play 1 game, cause between work, a 2 yr old, a 3 yr old, a good looking wife that wants lots of servicing, and of course my phone and this site, who's got time for games....
i use my universal everyday for:
1. PDA / PIM manager for my calendar, tasks and contacts. dont bother with email, I have six accounts and cant keep up with them all anyway.
2. Music player
3. Camera and portable video camera for emailing videos to my parents 10,000km away, and they love it, they get to see the kids in motion everyday, not just a static picture
4. I use word and excel, and the pdf viewer to review various attachments, letters, correspondance
5. WIFI everyday for surfing, and managing my other 5 email accounts (none work)
6. Recording notes and quick messages while driving along day dreaming and suddenly remember or record information on a sign that I need to get straight away and dont want to write it down
7. i use it as my full time mobile phone, but i dont have many friends, and they dont find a need to pay mobile phone call costs to communicate, we have text and 6 email accounts... but I do use it whilst driving or out of the office, and have no problem holding the brick to my ear, my hands are so big its almost obscured by my hands anyway. i have more of a laugh looking at these big blokes using these dinky little phones that almost disappear between the fingers
8. size isnt everything, but bigger is better, just ask my wife
9. i also use a lot of the other inbuilt features such as ZIP and Bluetooth and just about all features on the phone
There is no way that I would be buying another phone, another camera, another game machine.
I have everything in one, it runs absoloutely perfectly, all day, every day, never fails, never crashes, and does everything that I want.
I refused to by a PDA until they came with a built in phone, so I got the XDAII. Sold that for this, and despite the differences in memory, have never looked back.
I use SPB PP (Beta), SPB Diary, SPB Weather, SPB Backup (beta), Resco Explorer, MS Reader, MSVC, and a **** load of other stuff installed to the 1Gig memory card.
Can I my satisfaction and wonder at such a brilliant multifunctional well built machine...

To look at your SatNav part, I use TomTom as the software, a Holox BT GPS unit and also have the Brodit Active mountinstalled in my car, and thus far this setup has done everything I need it to

simon_darley said:
a good looking wife that wants lots of servicing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
may be in future new models of HTC also perfom this function for you :lol:

I use my universal exclusively. I dont find any of the problems with weight that so many others seem to. I dont think the universal is particularly big either. Back when cell phones first came out, they were all this size and didnt have any nice 640x480 VGA screens. :lol:
You see sub ten year old girls these days running around with phones! If they can hold those without a problem, I dont see why I cant hold a universal. :shock:
Anyway, as far as games go, for me windows PDAs have the best games. I like strategy games the most, and some of my favorites work perfectly. Transport Tycoon is always fun, and OpenTTD keeps adding on new features. Pocket UFO - need I say more? As far as RPGs go, SNES and PSX RPGs are the best out there, and you can run them with emulators! (Morphgear for SNES, http://www.fpsece.net/ for PSX)
Using TCPMP you can run 640x480 XVID movies too, which look like a dream and are higher res than the PSPs movies.
Now all I need to do is getting a working DOS emulator so I can play Fallout DOS version! Does anybody know of any DOS emulators that work?

Nobody's mentioned reading books on your Universal.
Reading books on the gorgeous VGA screen is fantastic, and the unique ability for the phone to morph into different shapes makes it possible to put it into any comfortable position.

Currently using an MPV2000, but M5000 (universal) arriving on Monday.
Being a motorcyclist I don't have room for a laptop, 15 dvds, 2 phones, an i-pod, a PSP, a couple of books etc etc etc.
But a phone/pda that does all of that and more? Gimme!!

What I find tragic is how this thread has transgressed into a "Look at what electronics I own, aren't I cool" thread.
I own an Exec and a laptop plus other devices which both have their benefits in varying scenarios but why brag about it?

stickeresq said:
What I find tragic is how this thread has transgressed into a "Look at what electronics I own, aren't I cool" thread.
I own an Exec and a laptop plus other devices which both have their benefits in varying scenarios but why brag about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know about that, thats how the thread started!
It has, however, transgressed into a "Look at how cool my Universal is!" :lol:

Not so sure about the brag bit I was really trying to say that there are many devices that can perform some of the functions of the Univrersal. But many of these do the job better in some situations, ie where you are at home in the office etc. But was keen to explore how others are using the device. What is interesting is everyone uses it in different ways. What is an acceptable quality sacrifice for one person is not for another.
For me the combination of connectivitiy capabilities and size are a major advantage for network monitoring and management. But many other people say they cannot really work on such a small device, for them they do not provide 24 hour / 7 day a week cover so the issue of a pc in the pocket as it were is not relevant for them. Therefore the small screen sacrifice is not worth it for them. If you get my drift.
So i really think this is a cross between how coll my universal is and 1001 ways to use a Universal.
Charlie

My Universal serves as my PDA, refernce books, infusion calculator, conversion calculator, DVD player, MP3 Player, weather reporter, instant internet access for email and other stuff, game box, and phone.

@stickeresq
it is useful to see how people use the Universal in combination with other devices. I cannot use any PDA for video after using a Sony PSP and given that ultraportable laptops can run for well over 3 to 4 hours for me shows the battery life of the Universal is not a plus point. Also, for me, having used a Mototola cellphone (wont mention the model!) for a week I have now decided the phone functions of the Universal are not "industrial strength" and therefore I will be using my Exec as a PDA, mini tablet and eBook reader.

Just bought a mini s to replace my exec brick

Hi guys,
just thought i'd post this message up on the forum in case anyone is looking for a genuine o2 Xda Exec, unlocked and standard in the lovely black case....
I am selling this on ebay soon as i have just bought a mini s instead.
The exec comes with all original o2 packaging, cables and cd's and has the latest t-mobile rom installed with no extended rom so the ext_Rom can be used for storage.....
i'm looking for around 400 quid on ebay but would accept offers over 300 from anyone here.
pm me if you are intested, the auction will be posted up probably monday.

well, got my mini s this morning.... apart from the fact it doesn't take sd cards and i'll have to buy a mini sd card,
ITS SO COOL...
Gonna put my exec on ebay on monday

Re: "Just bought a mini s to replace my exec brick"
Next time you'll perhaps buy the correct device in the first place? Were you not aware of it's dimension before you bought it?
Really?

Next time you'll perhaps buy the correct device in the first place? Were you not aware of it's dimension before you bought it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just looked at the specs, could not go into a shop and look at the device as i got it before it was released in the o2 shops....
Don't get me wrong, the device is the best bit of kit around at the minute but because i have to use this asmy main phone, it's just too big and awkward to use.
anyway, got me mini s now and it's just so cool..... i guess i'll miss the vga screen, but i can live with that especially if pocketvcs works on this device,
cya

What if someone released a bluetooth headset that you HOLD that looked exactly like a Nokia 8800?

Nah, still think the mini s is better than the exec all round, okay it's processor is not as fast, it does not have a vga screen and does not support 3g but apart from that, it's perfect for me.
just look at the amount of people who are swapping their exec's for mini's on this forum, you don't see many people swapping their mini's for exec's.....
lets agree to differ on this subject and close this thread..... don't forget i've still got my exec and compared to the mini, it's just too big and awkward to use as a regular phone. sorry

Steve,
Most interesting post. I have recently been thinking of doing similar.
I love my exec but simply cannot stand using it as a phone. I have a decent Jabra headset, however still feel very odd using it. I think we all knew the size of the thing before buying, however thought we'd all 'cope'. Well I tried and now I'm bored of coping.
Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt very vulnerable when having to use the brick in public.....let's face it, it is an expensive bit of kit and having to flash that screen when in close proximity to an apparent 'undesireable' is no fun......
Another point to add would be to come clean about just how much of the Exec's features I use. I am probably the least technical person on this board. I use my exec as a phone, for my emails, for my diary (where it is INVALUABLE, due to my shockingly bad memory...), to occasionaly go on the web, for my contacts.....ummm...think thats it. I have no idea what VGA is, 3G is great but only for speed (never used video phone yet). A quick game of solitare and I'm done. Oh ok and a few songs and games, but hey doesnt the mini do all that?
Would be very interested to hear of your progress with the mini.
Cheers
HPJ

I think that there are many people who will swap an Exec for a Mini and for most of the reasons stated above. I'll keep my Exec because I really bought it to replace my XDA2s for the 3G data speed. I'll put up with its faults & foibles because it gives me high speed internet access pretty much wherever I am. The VGA screen is a bonus too.

I have to agree that while I appreciate my JasJar as an internet connected PDA - it is just impractical to use as my main phone. I too knew the specs before I bought it - but knowing the specs and carrying the device are two different things. I guess this has been building with me for a while though - this is not the first PPCPE device I have owned - first there was the iMate (HTC Himalaya) and then the iPaq 6315 (what a disappointment!) and then the JasJar (Universal). I guess in the end convergence is not as important as comfort and convenience.
So - I added a new line to my account for my JasJar and bought a Motorola PEBL (which fits NICELY into my pocket) to use as my main phone. The JasJar is connected as my internet device and the PEBL is only used for phone calls. I am a very happy man!

Well guys, an update on my mini s experience.... perfect, small, compact, and does exactly what my exec did (apart from the bells and whistles) in a nice small bo....
now, a big pain in the ass with the exec was that i could not get my favourite emulator (pocketvcs) to run, thought it was a vga thing as it ran on my himalaya with wm2005 installed, so when i got my mini s, the first thing i did was install this....
guess what, it still didn't work
gutted, dunno what i could be, if some one could reverse engineer it, that would be cool as the author does not seem to respond to his emaila anymore.
for all those psople pondering the idea of ditching the exec for a min s, like me, DO IT !!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT unless you 3g or want to strain your eyes running the exec in true vga mode..... also this thing fits into a standard mobile phone car holder

steverae said:
for all those psople pondering the idea of ditching the exec for a min s, like me, DO IT !!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT unless you 3g or want to strain your eyes running the exec in true vga mode..... also this thing fits into a standard mobile phone car holder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...Or you could have the best of both worlds by keeping the Exec and getting a high spec feature phone (I use a Sony-Ericsson K750i with my Exec) to use alongside it.
You are right that the Exec is too big to be a main phone but it is absolutely the best connected PDA on the market. And lets face it, there's no WinMob device on the market that comes close to a decent Sony-Eric, Nokia, Motorola, or Samsung for battery life, call quality, Bluetooth profiles, and other core phone functions like being able to send contacts by SMS.
I've used a variety of smartphones (MS, Palm and Symbian) and PDAs (MS and Palm) and keep coming back to the fact that convergence creates more problems than it solves.

For you guys that use dual device (a decent cell phone combined with Universal), how do you handle SMS? Can you use the native built in Universal/WM5 SMS messaging software to send and retrieve SMS via another cell phone?
For connectivity like GPRS or 3G, I guess you can set that up in the Universal so that it will use that cell phone for the connection.
Otherwise, it means we have to have 2 SIM cards, means 2 accounts, means double to pay...
When I was in Asia, I found out that pre-paid SIM card is extremely cheap so that everyone can buy it easily. Not here in the US, very expensive to maintain 2 accounts...
I agree with most things you guys said about the Universal. I myself have retired my Universal for a week now. I have switched back to my old Wallaby, which I consider much more natural for handling calls and most simple PDA things I need. My Wallaby is very easy to carry to almost any environment I have to be, compared to my Universal. The Universal, however, its very nice device to use whenever I'm at home or office environment.
I used a mini before for couple of weeks. Which one do you guys have right now? Is it the old Magician or the new Prophet? How's the Prophet's performance and speed?

I have tested Universal last December and enev though I loved device and features, at least for me it's unusable as a phone. Don't get me wrong, I used Himalaya for 1,5 year as my only phone and PDA, but I really wanted smaller device.
I got a Wizard as my phone and PDA to replace Himalaya, but in a moment of weaknes I also bought Universal. I don't use it as a phone or even as a PDA, but it's a nice mini Notebook/Tablet that I use for browsing and more "computer" stuff, like Word processing, Excel...

lie_ui said
For you guys that use dual device (a decent cell phone combined with Universal), how do you handle SMS? Can you use the native built in Universal/WM5 SMS messaging software to send and retrieve SMS via another cell phone?
For connectivity like GPRS or 3G, I guess you can set that up in the Universal so that it will use that cell phone for the connection.
Otherwise, it means we have to have 2 SIM cards, means 2 accounts, means double to pay...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally do not use SMS much, but regardless of whether they send the SMS to my phone or JasJar, I will reply with my JasJar. I have software that synchs my PEBL with my Outlook contacts as does my JasJar, so I always have the same phone numbers in both - that makes it easy to reply to those in my contacts, which is most of the people I communicate with.
I do not know of a way to communicate from my JasJar through my PEBL - I do not believe it is possible - So . . .
As to two accounts, yes - I have two SIM cards, two numbers and more cost. It is not exactly twice as much though, since I was able to strip everything but a reasonable amount of minutes from the phone account and only have an internet plan on the JasJar account. It is a bit more, but not twice as much. The upside is that since we here in the States still have to use GSM/GPRS I can now talk on the phone at the same time I am running terminal server or some other communication-intensive application on my JasJar (one radio, one connection). Very Handy!

lie_ui said:
For you guys that use dual device (a decent cell phone combined with Universal), how do you handle SMS? Can you use the native built in Universal/WM5 SMS messaging software to send and retrieve SMS via another cell phone?
For connectivity like GPRS or 3G, I guess you can set that up in the Universal so that it will use that cell phone for the connection.
Otherwise, it means we have to have 2 SIM cards, means 2 accounts, means double to pay...
When I was in Asia, I found out that pre-paid SIM card is extremely cheap so that everyone can buy it easily. Not here in the US, very expensive to maintain 2 accounts...
I agree with most things you guys said about the Universal. I myself have retired my Universal for a week now. I have switched back to my old Wallaby, which I consider much more natural for handling calls and most simple PDA things I need. My Wallaby is very easy to carry to almost any environment I have to be, compared to my Universal. The Universal, however, its very nice device to use whenever I'm at home or office environment.
I used a mini before for couple of weeks. Which one do you guys have right now? Is it the old Magician or the new Prophet? How's the Prophet's performance and speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do all my SMS from the K750 as I'm pretty fast with T9 and SMS by definition has to be short.
I'm pretty sure there is software out there lets you manage your SMS on a standard pocket PC (i.e. not phone edition) over Bluetooth.
I keep the Exec for PDA/Computery stuff like Pocket Informant, browsing with PIE, email, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, TCPMP audio/video, and TomTom. I find the big keyboard and screen are excellent for these functions. In fact I tried to use my old iMate Jam for a weekend away when I didn't want to risk losing my Exec and I found that I HATED going back to the small screen and stylus.

Steveae:
Having had the mini for a few days now, whats the deal with the slower processor?? Is it noticeable?
I know it will be slower, but in you opinion is it a hindrance?
Cheers
HPJ
PS as-new exec for sale shortly if anyone's interested....UK only pls.

Well, I'm pondering the purchase of a soon-to-be-released P990.
I do wish the Trinity was coming out soon. 3G and WiFi are essentials as far as I'm concerned, but I also find the Uni a bit cumbersome so I want something smaller, and losing VGA and the keyboard is something I'm willing to do...
Even a Muse would do, actually. When's that out?

I love my Universal. I came from an HP h6340, so i'm sure you'd understand.
And sorry, after using a VGA device, It would never EVER be justified for me to buy a QVGA one. I just recently opened my H6340 and compared the 2 screens. I just couldn't believe i managed with QVGA for 1 year and thought the display was BEAUTIFUL!
Actually, I really wanted a VGA PDA/Phone and there was only one choice for this.
No complaints from me. I even had a Nokia 9000.... Yes the Black and White PDA Screen. Now THAT was a brick, this is sleek compared to that device.

Whell.... for me this is it at the moment as far buisness management on the go goes although it has a few limitations at the moment due to under development at the moment and the network signal strength stinks compared to £30 phones you can buy now days and i wouldent even complin about its size (already knew what i was getting anyway) if it wasnt for all the other flaws with it at the moment like btooth, battery, poor range on wireless and again poor network signal quality..... I have upgraded the radio rom but that was about it and cant be bothered to keep messin around with hacks since a reliable buisness tool is what i need.
Im waitting to grab a SE p990i until i consider ditching this.
BR

well what can i say, group of unhappy uni users eh...
Just thought I would butt in and put my two bobs worth....
I love it. Love everything about it. The size isnt an issue for me, I dont get embarrased easily, I dont mind holding the phone to my ear, I dont care that it doesnt have an external screen, i am either available and take the call, or I am not available and dont take the call, dont need to hide from anybody.
I love the keyboard, I love the clam protection of the screen, I love the quasi screen, I love 3G data speeds, I love the qwerty keyboard, I love the WIFI, I love SD cards, I love the camera facility, I love the video facility, I love the hacks, I love the custom software installed.
I would like more memory, and more storage, but that is all. I thought I was getting 128mb of RAM and 128mb of usable storage, but other than that, I manage well.
We all make mistakes, we all have different choices and needs, but if you didnt get the hint.... I love it. I think the main thing people need to think about in all of this is whether they wanted a phone with PDA functions, or a PDA with a phone function. Mine was the latter. My wife was the former, so we both sold our XDAII's she got a phone, I got the Uni.
Cheers and happy PDA'ing.

GPS stopped working (HTC HD Mini) - It has always worked, but now is dead - HEEELP!!!

Dear friends,
I was so happy with my HTC HD Mini, running WinMo 6.5, with the HTC touchflo interface...
Capacitive touch screen, nice cpu, good memory, so sensitive, small and great...the most perfect cell phone i ever had...and i had all the windows mobile devices, since "cassiopeia", before the first Windows Mobile 2003 devices...yes, i had all microsoft mobile OS's...
I was so happy with everything that my small gadget gave to me...I used the GPS lots of times...it help on lots of travels...allways worked very well, sincronizing very quick with the satelites...
But few days ago, i tried to activate the GPS (i'm using iGo since i bought the phone) and....nothing happened...The GPS just don't work...don't find any satellite...
While the device is search available satellites, it show the busy satellites as red dots, and the available as yellow dots...as soon as it finds enough satellites, the gps trace the route and lead me through the way...
But few days ago i tried to use my GPS and nothing happened...the device just don't search anything...looks like the GPS receiver is broken...i don't know what happened...Maybe it felt down on the floor and break the GPS receiving antenna?
Does anyone here already had the same issue?
I'm desperate! It is my baby, my beloved phone, my third hand...
Does anyone can help me? Please? I'm almost begging!
I already tried the hard reset twice...nothing happened...i'm so sad............................
Thanks i advance,
Claudio Brito
(Rio de Janeiro - Brazil)

Hi!
Have you tried android in the meantime? If GPS is deactivated in android it will also not work in windows mobile. At least that was the case for older android releases.

My Dear,
My phone is originally windows mobile, and i luv it...I really don't like android...by the way, it drains battery and make the phone slow (my friend have an HTC Aria, the same HTC HD Mini but using Android, and it sucks...mine is much faster...mine never crashes, never get slow...everything is fast all the time...thats why i like it so much...the first problem was that, about the GPS).
But, seppe82, thanks anyway...
I think my problem is a physical problem...maybe when felt down on ground the gps receiver disconnected...i don't know...
Does anyone had that problem in the past?
Damn...my phone used to be so perfect, and now i'm completely desapointed...
Does anyone sugest anything?
thanks

If it is a physical problem and you didn't use android on your phone I don't know the solution unfortunately. I just remember that somebody reconnected his gps antenna but I can't remember how he did it and whether it was mentioned in this forum or not.
Now I've found that topic and I see you already posted there. I hope there you get help. By the way: I also prefer wm over android on hd mini, since I'm not so keen in games and other apps but on a fast reliable OS
Good luck!

seppe82 said:
If it is a physical problem and you didn't use android on your phone I don't know the solution unfortunately. I just remember that somebody reconnected his gps antenna but I can't remember how he did it and whether it was mentioned in this forum or not.
Now I've found that topic and I see you already posted there. I hope there you get help. By the way: I also prefer wm over android on hd mini, since I'm not so keen in games and other apps but on a fast reliable OS
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks seppe82,
I really luv my WM6.5 HTC HD Mini...is the first problem i have, and the first bad thing i ever said about this phone...
It is still the best phone i ever saw and ever had.
There are faster WM6.5 and WP7 phones, but none is so fast AND SMALL...
I can use my Mini with only 1 hand...and can drive and navigate...the size is perfect...
My sister has an HTC Ultimate...is a beaultiful and top phone, but it's oversized...My hands looks small when i'm holding it...for her, as a women, she carries on her handbag, and it's no problem, but for me, that carries on the pants pocket , is too big.
I still believe that, someday, some company will launch a better phone with maximum 3.5" display (I heard about the Nokia Lumia 800 - first nokia Windows phone - but is too soon to talk about it) ...while it doesnt happens, Mini still the best!
Well...hope somebody can help me...hope somebody knows how to "reconect the gps antenna"...
The video that was posted on the other thread doesnt talk about the gps antenna...it worked for nothing...and the user that mentioned this doesnt answer me...hope he doesnt left the forum forever...
Pleaaaaaaaaaase, sombody help meeeeeeeee...Don't let my Mini die...Pleaaaaase!!!

u will better go to a HTC service or any other phone service instead of whinning here..
this forum is mostly about ROM's and software stuff,not hardware so if you have hardware issues go to the places i mentioned above