View Full Version : O2 XDA EXEC - World's Greatest 3G Smartphone Inside
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/o2/xda-exec-1.jpgThe cover of "Total Mobile" magazine - issue 135, that contains this review of Xda Exec Pocket PC phone, just visit any self-respecting news-stand in UK!.
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/o2/xda-exec-2.jpghttp://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/o2/xda-exec-3.jpg
Eventually you can also visit the website of Total Mobile (http://www.what-cellphone.com/) - for further information.
People in engadget (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000713057093/) answered few FAQ on this device.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/7288631217452618.JPG
Can you use Skype with it?
We were able to get Skype up and running with absolutely no problems, but we weren?t able to use a regular headset because the Universal has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Can the camera shoot video?
The camera can be used to shoot video. You have the option of shooting either MPEG-4 or Motion JPEG with a resolution up to 320 x 240.
Does the joypad change along with the landscape/portrait orientation?
Yup. It?s all automatic
Milliamps of the battery? Is it swappable??
1620 mA. And the battery is swappable.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/6313322565476309.JPG
Does it have Bluetooth 2.0?
Nope, just Bluetooth 1.2.
The Blue Angel?s WiFi signal sucked! Has the problem been fixed with the Universal?
WiFi is way, way better on the Universal, both in terms of signal strength and in terms of ease of use. We were able to easily get online with the Universal here at Engadget HQ, the phone auto-detected our wireless network and then prompted us to enter our passkey and that was it, we were good to go. Switching between WiFi and GPRS was a little tricky, but after a few minutes we were able to figure it out.
Is it useable as a phone?
It is definitely useable as a phone, but it?s not great and if you?re planning on making a lot of calls you?ll probably want to use a Bluetooth headset. To be honest, if you?re someone who is going to be using this thing more as a phone than as a PDA, you probably won?t be happy.
How is the screen for watching films?
The screen is great for watching films, really crisp and clear. We tried watching videos with both Windows Media Player and TCPMP, both worked fine, though we got plenty of stuttering when we tried to play back a full 640 x 480 res video with TCPMP.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/8143727736214694.JPG
Can you easily make calls without opening it up?
You can answer calls without opening it up ? it has two buttons for taking and ending calls on the side ? but unless you use a Bluetooth headset and voice recognition, it doesn?t look like there is any way to make calls without opening it up.
Word/PDF/Excel?
It has Windows Mobile versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and you can install a PDF reader on there.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/8265162284094716.JPG
Phone call sound quality?
Call quality was about average for a cellphone.
How are the stereo speakers?
Very small and very tinny ? which is about what you?d expect for tiny little speakers. It?s possible to listen to music or watch a video, but you?ll probably want to use headphones if you can. Still, if you?re hanging out with friends and want to play them a song or show them a video it?ll get the job done.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/1488518962884829.JPG
Can you use it with VNC?
Wasn?t able to get Pocket VNC working, not sure if it?s an incompatibility with WM5.0 or something else, but we were able to get Remote Desktop working ok.
Can you answer calls when it?s closed? Is there a small external screen?
You can answer calls while it?s closed, there are two buttons for answering and ending calls on the outside. There isn?t another screen besides the main one.
Vibrating appointment alarms?
Yup.
Is that an SDIO slot?
Yup.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/3237014145734435.JPG
What Bluetooth profiles are included? Does it support A2DP?
It includes the Hands-Free and Headset profiles, but not A2DP. Our contact at MSFT says that A2DP support is coming.
USB or mini USB?
Mini USB.
USB 2.0?
Yup.
Can you attach a hard drive to it via WM5.0?s USB on the Go support?
Yup.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/3970987221032854.JPG
Streaming video over WiFi? Can you multitask while doing it?
We were able to stream video over WiFi and successfully multitask while doing it. Multitasking in general felt very good. The phone is surprisingly snappy, we didn?t see much lag at all jumping between apps, well, except when we had a whole bunch of different programs open at once.
Consumer Infrared CIR or Fast Infrared FIR?
Consumer. Can use this as remote control.
http://img.engadget.com/common/images/9412964652917376.JPG
Here pictures and video sample taken with this device
Lutzh form T-Mobile Germany has posted few resized images* and video sample taken by this device in http://msmobiles.com/news.php/4218.html
http://x.msmobiles.com/lh/images/mdapro/32.jpg
http://x.msmobiles.com/lh/images/mdapro/33.jpg
http://x.msmobiles.com/lh/images/mdapro/31.jpg
Sample of video is here Filename: mda_pro.wmv (7.2MB) (http://x.msmobiles.com/lh/images/mdapro/mda_pro.wmv)
*This device can take 2.0MP shot and obviously those images are not taken with that resolution, but the video quality is better than Jam.
Video of this device on a daily use (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/_assets/video/TechEd/Final-MobilityV7-300K.wvx).(great Magneto feature).
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 10:04 PM in Jason Langridge's WebLog - MR Mobile! A blog dedicated to Windows Mobile in the Enterprise! (http://blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/archive/2005/08/17/452812.aspx) by Jason Langridge (Microsoft UK).
http://www.theunwired.net/media/news/Vodafone_vpa4_open_small.jpg
Universal (ly acclaimed)
Well I promised it? I've had lots of email on the theme of 'lucky devil' as I declared I'd got an HTC universal device. I wanted to share my initial thoughts on the device and my experiences over the last few days. I'll focus on the Universal as a Phone/Data device initially and expand over the coming days?.
Form Factor and Device Build
The Universal is a BIG device - no question. I've referred to it with colleagues as re-assuringly big! It is however packed with features and technology.
The Combination of the VGA Screen, Wifi and 3G make it unique in the Market for Windows Mobile devices. I have found myself spending a lot of time browsing the web marvelling at the gorgeous screen which seems to render web pages (especially with Windows Mobile 5.0) incredibly well.
The swivel screen like a Tablet PC allows you to close the screen and protect it when it isn't in use and also is really handy if like me you listen to music on the device as you can close the screen preserving battery life whilst also allowing the Music to play on! The screen also switches neatly between landscape and portrait which is great for Word Documents and Spreadsheets alike.
The device has an SD card slot (which currently holds my 1GB card full of apps and music) . It also has a mini-usb sync/charge slot which allows me to charge the device from my laptop and also use a small usb charger cord. The Headphone socket is at last 3.5mm which means I can use my decent headphones to listen to music!
With the Soft keys and Windows Mobile 5.0 I've found myself pulling out the stylus much less frequently and actually driving the whole UI with my finger.
It is a really well built device and feels very solid.
Keyboard
The Keyboard is a full QWERTY keyboard and has keys for commonly used items such as making calls, Internet Explorer, Email and Contacts. The Keyboard interestingly can either be used whilst holding in your hand or placing it onto a hard surface. It reminds me of my old Psion 5 (which I loved!)
I've been responding to emails pretty rapidly and even drafting this blog entry on the device so it's certainly good for long documents, emails or instant messenger conversations.
Battery Life
My tests are completely unscientific and I'll leave those to other people. My tests are simple:
1) Does it last all day for all my voice calls, email access and other activities.
2) Will it last all weekend without a charge.
3) Will I leave the power charger at home.
The Universal passes all three of my tests. I haven't yet seen the battery low warning even after a long day of customer and conference calls. With persistent storage (in Windows Mobile 5.0) means I can run the battery and I don't event take the power charger because ultimately if it does run out?. Who cares! I won't lose my data! [:)]
Phone
The Phone application in Windows Mobile 5.0 is much improved and I've been using the Universal device with a BT headset which paired simply - it also paired seamlessly with my BMW Bluetooth Car Kit - something which challenges many mobile devices today.
The large size of the device means I do prefer using the Bluetooth headset much more than holding the device up - it's not a problem - just for long calls it is quite heavy. The bundled headset is also an option but I prefer to confuse people by wandering the corridors talking to myself (with my BT headset hidden in my ear)
Data
What is ultimately the coolest feature is simultaneous 3G and Voice capability - that is I can use my Universal as a 3G data modem whilst also talking on the telephone.
A little U for UMTS appears on the connectivity icon which tells me I have 3G data capability when it's available - browsing the Web whilst mobile with 3G is superb. The Universal is switching between 3G and GPRS seamlessly and I've yet to experience an issue.
WiFi connectivity is also enhanced in Windows Mobile 5.0 so I can really easily connect to both corporate and my home network and synchronise email as well as browse the Internet and Intranet.
Conclusions so far?..
So that's where I am so far with my usage/testing. When I met with Guy Kewney ( http://www.newswireless.net/ ) recently he shared with me his one rule of Mobile which is (and I paraphrase) - if a device/technology is really useful/amazing?. Then you won't leave home without it. If it isn't in your bag or on you? it doesn't count.
So far the Universal hasn't left my side.
FYI HTC Universal has been rebranded as T-Mobile MDA Pro, Vodafone VPA IV, Orange SPV M5000,O2 XDA Exec,Qtek 9000, i-Mate JasJar, Dopod 900
Can someone scan that review and put it up here?
Can someone scan that review and put it up here?
Click the darn link!
When it's coming ? Oct end ? or nov ?
When it's coming ? Oct end ? or nov ?
According to Bukwit from http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26638
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 21:16
Subject: Jasjar in stock in Tottenham Court Rd, London.,what a beauty
I got to play around with one this evening, Like the colour and overall shape/size. Not too big or bulky to make it difficult to carry..and it fitted into my Ipaq belt-clip case!
The screen is amazingly clear..a little smaller than the HP4700 screen and not as bright but still a beautiful screen. The stylus is cool...quite big as styli go...2 speakers at the front base of the unit (didnt get to check the audio quality)...Video and camera quality seemed very good infact...speed of the unit was quite responsive...didnt see any noticeable slowdown. Overall very impressed. Will try and mess about with it more 2moro sometime.
The store that had just stocked them is called Inkino situated inside Sunrise Digital Electronics about half-way down Tottenham Court Road if any1 is intrested.
The O2 deal according to gavinfabl at http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26638
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 22:48
by being patient for a few weeks
o2 will give the XDA exec to me for £150.
by talk line rental is £15 per month and data £14.50 a month. thats a saving of £500.
O2 Data Support replied queries from Andy (rokujou) at http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26638
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your email,
As regards your queries below -
The HTC Universal - we are branding the device as the 'O2 XDA Exec', and we will be launching at some point in the near future, unfortunately we don't have any confirmed date for this as yet. I have also attached a file with some FAQ's regarding the device which I hope will help quench some of your gadgetry needs! (I myself also love gadgets).
As regards the XDA 2s, we are aware of issues with the device at present, and advise customers to hard reset the device and go into Corporate mode (with a pin number of 0506). Within Corporate mode, the clock is present in the top right corner, and the O2 Active software does not install. We will be releasing a new ROM for the device, but again, we can't advise of any release date as we don't know any as yet, and also cannot confirm what software will be in the new release. I assume with new releases for the XDA 2s, that there 'should' be WMP10, but again, we can't confirm or deny that as yet.
As regards WM2005 for the other XDA series, this question is answered in the attached file.
If you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contact us again.
Regards,
Paul
O2 Data Support UK
Attached with that mail are few FAQs and Specs
Xda Exec & Windows Mobile 5.0 - FAQ's
Q. When will O2 launch devices running Windows Mobile 5.0?
A. The XDA Exec (HTC Universal) will be the first Windows Mobile 5.0 device although a launch date is yet to be confirmed.
Q. Will any of the current XDA range receive a ROM upgrade to Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system?
A. There is currently no planned upgrade for O2 XDA II, IIs, IIi devices to Windows Mobile 5.0 and it is highly unlikely this will happen.
Q. What is the spec of the XDA Exec?
A. The provisional spec (some of which is subject to change) is as follows;
Windows Mobile 5.0 (which includes 'persistent memory')
Intel XScale PXA272 520MHz processor
ROM 128MB (used as storage)
Ram 64MB (used for running apps only)
3.6? 640x480 65k transflective colour backlit LCD
up to 4/2/20/200 GSM Talk/3G Talk/PDA/Standby time
GSM Tri-band (900/1800/1900), UMTS Single-band (2100)
GPRS class 10, UMTS 64/384
Bluetooth 1.2, Infrared and mini-USB connector
Wireless LAN 802.11b
SD/MMC/SDIO slot
3.5mm Audio Connector
Stereo Speakers
Integrated camera (resolution 1280 x 960) with LED flash and 2nd CIF camera for 3G video calls
Integrated antenna
15 buttons (Answer, hangup, PTT, OK, Start, Camera, Power, VoiceRecord, 5-way nav
56-key QWERTY keyboard with light sensor to auto-adjust backlight
Removable battery (1620mah)
Weight: 285 grams
Minimum ActiveSync version required 4.0
PC operating systems supported Windows 2000/XP (no support for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT)
Supports ActiveSync synchronisation of video/audio files in conjunction with Windows Media Player 10
Screen: 10640 x 480 VGA resolution
Enhanced O2 Active interface
Power Save software
Three setup modes - Full O2 Active, Intermediate and Corporate
Dimensions are 81mm x 127.7mm x25mm
Q. Why does XDA II have more RAM memory than XDA Exec?
A. You shouldn't compare RAM across the different operating systems as they use RAM very differently. The difference is as follows;
Windows Mobile 5.0 devices use RAM for running programs only.
Windows Mobile 2002/2003 devices split RAM memory in half - between running programs and user data storage (emails, contacts, pictures, videos, Word documents etc.)
So XDA II and XDA Exec use roughly the same amount of RAM for running programs. However XDA Exec stores user data in the Flash ROM memory, as part of the "persistant storage" feature of Windows Mobile 5.0.
It should also be remembered that more RAM impacts battery consumption, so more RAM would require a larger battery.
Not Universal related but connected to the last post, I would mention that the XDA developer forum have an "unofficial" WM5 build for the HTC Blue Angel now (O2 XDA 11s). I've installed it on my XDA 11s and it's working fine but only after I added a few seperate fixes such as one to make the camera work. Recommended BUT only if you know what you are doing and familiar with how to customise the phone for ROM's, Radio, BT stacks etc.
Tekguru has rated almost perfect 98% and 99% to the first 2 reviews on O2 Xda Exec
http://www.tekguru.co.uk/reviews/images/xda_exec/twist3.gif
Part 1: http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7031
Part 2: http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7032
Re universal, I've had a play with this and it's brilliant if you want a micro laptop pc. As for using it as your main phone, it's far too big. You need to walk around all day with a BT headset on.
I'm waiting till they upgrade the Wizard to 3G.
I like HTC devices in general, but 285g and a 65K screen are two big turn offs for me!!
According to tekguru http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7031
http://www.tekguru.co.uk/reviews/images/xda_exec/PDA%20Sizes.png
One of the major concerns folk seem to have concerning the Exec is it's size, I hear over and over again that 'it is an inch thick and weighs a heck of a lot'. Yes it is large, but in reality the size and weight are not issues. If you look at the size chart here you will see that it is actually shorter in height than the Xda II and the iPAQ 4705, and only 4mm thicker than the iPAQ 6515.
So i guess you never like "HTC devices in general" after all.
It weighs 50% more than my old XDA2 and the screen technology has not moved on an inch!! thats dissapointing for a (2006) device!!
http://www.imate.com/images/jasjar_img1.jpghttp://www.imate.com/images/jasjar_img2.jpghttp://www.imate.com/images/jasjar_img3.jpg
PDC - Lucky developers get offer of JasJar for $149
At the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles yesterday Jim Alchin announced a great offer where developers could get an iMate JasJar for $149!
It would also be worth the flight over considering the JasJar retails at Expansys for $1200!
Looking at some other blogs though the devices were sold out in milliseconds! So whilst a lucky few got the devices many people didn't :(
I'm just hoping that the really good developers got the devices so we'll see some amazing apps :)
Source : http://blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/archive/2005/09/14/465366.aspx
Screen hasn't moved? Isn't the display 640x480?
Hi!
Just to check out.
Could somebody explain as to how hard reset functions in a WM5 device? I mean since the WM5 device uses flash memory ROM as persistent storage does the installed programs in flash memory be removed upon a hard reset?
If no, then what are the steps required to remove(delete) programs installed in the WM5 device normally and after a hard reset?
Thanks
According to http://msmobiles.com/news.php/4288.html
September 17, 2005 [Pocket PC phone]
Vodafone VPA IV, which is a HTC Universal Pocket PC phone branded by Vodafone - is coming soon (in 2 weeks) - and it will be even cheaper than T-Mobile MDA Pro !
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/cebit2005/htc-universal-2.jpg
T-Mobile MDA Pro is now on sale in EU without subscription and without SIM lock for mere 749 Euro (what amounts to 916 USD). Vodafone VPA IV not only is coming very soon - in 1-2 weeks but also that it will be available for mere 729 Euro (892 USD).
Vodafone VPA IV is exactly the same model as T-Mobile MDA Pro - also HTC Universal, but has different set of software bundled and different external looks (see image above).
Please note: VPA stands for "Vodafone Personal Assistant".
Size compared to Nokia9500 and when you thought it is huge.
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/high-res-images/3gsm2005/mda-iv-compared-3.jpg
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/high-res-images/3gsm2005/mda-iv-compared-5.jpg
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/high-res-images/3gsm2005/mda-iv-compared-6.jpg
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/high-res-images/3gsm2005/mda-iv-compared-7.jpg
iron_mike010
17-09-2005, 23:19
dutch release date is rumoured to be september 23rd.....
í like this device, but its just so damn big, no way that it will fit in my pocket without creating another huge bulge....
Another review by http://pocketpcdubai.com/i-mate_PPC/jasjar/reviewp1.html
The more review i read the more conflicting facts emerged.
1. CCD sensor
2. USB Host
3. A2DP Bluetooth
4. Webcam for MSN msgr
iron_mike010
23-09-2005, 09:01
2. USB Host
3. A2DP Bluetooth
Webcam for MSN msgr
that would be sweet!
1. CCD sensor
dont really care about that one, but the others are good news if true(seems doubbtful)
I wish i had use for a pda... This is the best thing since sliced bread
1. CCD sensor
dont really care about that one, but the others are good news if true(seems doubbtful)
Yeah, but then as we can see among most mobile enthusiasts (including here in MR) are over obsessive about their fav brand or device thus made them delusional by diverging facts on review they wrote. Read:-
The JASJAR?s camera is capable of taking 1.3MP shots which are of much better quality in comparison to its predecessors. The main reason for this would be the fact that instead of using a CMOS sensor, a CCD was used. That?s right, the JASJAR has a single CCD and along with an LED flash, this makes it the first WM device to finally take good quality images. It is also marketed as a device capable of taking 2MP photos, but in reality, the images taken at 2MP are just interpolated. To me and you this basically means that the device itself is zooming into the subject; what we normally could have done on our desktop. As far as I am concerned, they could have just zoomed in 5 times more and marketed the device as being capable of taking 5MP pictures?.ultimately it is zoom (digital). For those of you who don?t know, digital zoom is what you normally do on your desktop PC to when magnifying an image. The only zoom that really matters is ?Optical Zoom? which right now is apparently available on camera phones only in Japan and Korea. Ok before I start crying, lets quickly move on?
Source: http://pocketpcdubai.com/i-mate_PPC/jasjar/reviewp3.html
Video Streaming via WIFI - Cool
It's like live TV broadcast from the phone's camera to the pc wirelessly!
http://134.102.55.200/av/2005-09-23_230123_02.jpg
Source : http://www.zone1.de
iron_mike010
25-09-2005, 10:05
there are people in holland that own one!!!!
im gonna go to the t-mobile shop today or tomorrow to have a look and perhaps purchase one.
i might get the wizard(which has been named t-mobile prodigy i believe) which is supposed to be on sale late october early november. it depends on how big the pro is
i wouldnt mind seeing pics side by side with the 7710, ive owned the 7710 and that is big but i can live with that size!
Cons for Wizard aka Mini Pro / Mini S / K-Jam
1. TI OMAP 850 195Mhz instead of Mini's Intel 412Mhz
2. miniSD slot instead of SDIO
3. 1.3 MP crappy camera same as Mini
4. Screen not center when view horizontal
I'll wait for XDA Atom if i were you.
@chokia,
The review on pocketpcdubai has been written by me. Regarding the camera, is there something you would like to clarify? If so, please feel free to ask.
Docc,
Editor,
Pocketpcdubai.
iron_mike010
26-09-2005, 18:13
played with the mda pro today and its wicked, but its too damn big so i'll get teh prodigy in 2/3 weeks time
docc,
I never read anything about CCD sensor on HTC Universal. Please enlighten us on how did you manage to get that on your device! Btw those photos shot by you with your device are the worst ive seen, how can that be CCD?
Wirral Bagpuss
30-09-2005, 01:14
Well i am hoping to get the o2 Exec next week!! I have been quoted £145 on upgrade. Not bad. :)
This is too big and heavy i'll have new SE p phone instead.
@chokia,
Thanks for your comments. I never quote facts until i confirm them 100%. I got this info from sources who's credentials are impeccable, so there is no question of them being wrong. It does infact use CCD.
If you compare the pictures of the JJ with its predecessors, you will very easily notice the difference in image quality. For example, try to see the differences in pictures taken with the 1.3MP cam of the JJ and the 1.3MP cam of the JAM or the PDA2. Your questions will be answered best by doing this.
Docc.
iron_mike010
01-10-2005, 21:50
so chokia have you already got yours?
im getting the wizard in a week or two, really looking forward to it!
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/o2/xda-exec-guardian.jpg
Source : http://technology.guardian.co.uk/businesssense/story/0,,1580298,00.html
so chokia have you already got yours?
im getting the wizard in a week or two, really looking forward to it!
Since the device seems like never reach my shore, I let someone else be a lab rat for that evil taiwanese mobile scientists. :P
out now on o2.co.uk £219.00 on the cheapest contract!
http://shop.o2.co.uk/shop/o2uk/jsp/handsets/viewHandsetDetails.jsp?prodID=consumer:O2:XDAExec: 3G:GROUP
Originally Posted by Tekflow at http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30449
This is one good surprise. I have been using Pocket PC Phones since the first O2 XDA, then XDA II, then i-mate PDA2, and none was really compatible with any TV remote control software (unless you sit at a distance of 1 meter from your TV!). But now everything changed with the Jasjar. The IRDA is so powerful: I am using it as a TV/DVD/VCR... remote control nearly from any distance (even with small obstacles between the TV and the Jasjar). I tried NoviiRemote and Total Remote: they both worked perfectly.
Good news!
exec-xda
24-10-2005, 22:32
Hi Guys
will this baby work with a 4gb sd card???
exec-xda
25-10-2005, 10:06
chokia, hello, do you know if a 4mb sd card will work with the exec?
Cheers Lee
Lee,
Yes O2 Exec supports 4GB SD card
As claimed by siukeung at http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=31676
Yes, I have a Transcend 150X 4G SD and tested on Xda2i, xda2, dopod 828, Dopod 900 without any problem.
FYI Dopod 900 = HTC Universal aka O2 Exec aka Imate Jasjar etc
T-Mobile MDA Pro Pocket PC phone scores award and beats Nokia Communicator phones !
November 06, 2005 [Pocket PC phone]
Number one mobile phone magazine in UK - Total Mobile - has tested thoroughly the T-Mobile MDA Pro Pocket PC phone:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/total-mobile/t-mobile-mda-pro-review-tm-3.jpg
... and it scored overall result of 90% - which is more than Nokia 9300 (result: 84%) and Nokia 9500 (result: 86%). In other words: Nokia Communicator phones are no longer the best PDA phones, but the HTC Universal is (here: branded as T-Mobile MDA Pro, but available from all operators except for "3") the best one!
Here is the proof that Nokia has been beaten:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/total-mobile/t-mobile-mda-pro-review-tm-4.jpg
... where you can see test results for Nokia communicators, and the result of the test for T-Mobile MDA Pro is vividly visible here:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/total-mobile/t-mobile-mda-pro-review-tm-1.jpghttp://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/total-mobile/t-mobile-mda-pro-review-tm-2.jpg
Some quotes from the review:
Pros
3G and Wi-Fi
Excellent keyboard
Good range of applications and features
Cons
Bulky and heavy design
More memory would be welcome
Picture quality could better
[...]
The design of MDA Pro is strong, and the little tweaks to the Windows Mobile operating system have mostly proved worthwhile. It is bulky, but the connectivity of the MDA Pro, to say nothing of its superior keyboard, really gives it an edge over any opposition.
Conclusion: T-Mobile MDA Pro and other HTC Universal phones offer incredibly sharp display of high resolution (640x480 pixels) and very big and comfortable keyboard. If you don't mind its bulkiness, then this phone may be for you.
Website of the Total Mobile magazine is here and the review of T-Mobile MDA Pro is placed in the latest issue (number 137) - available now at newsstands all over UK for 3.99 pounds. Although this magazine doesn't cover exclusively Windows Mobile (in fact Windows Mobile is covered only marginally), we warmly recommend it nonetheless, because it covers very well offerings of mobile operators in UK.
Source : http://www.totalmobilemag.com/
teamvalor2001
07-11-2005, 23:12
Hi,
I already have a 1 GB SDRAM card but use a lot of flash/external devices
Anyone care to confirm in more detail that the xda exec will support external USB based hard/flash drives if appropriate USB mini (male)-to-USB A (female) adapter is used? Surely some flash drive devices will need to load their drivers on...does WM5 Mobile support most flash drivers?
Very little on the net about this issue so would anyone care to guess
Cheers,
Teamvalor2001
The Lostprophet
07-11-2005, 23:22
teamvalor2001, it wont work jasjar doesnt have USB hosting :'( i tryed this on my spv m5000, shame really....would be kool to carry a external HD with u full of music and videos :p
teamvalor2001
12-11-2005, 14:22
How do you turn the UTMS off? everytime my exec swithies between" U" and "G" it seems to affect the call quality and sometime signal stregth.
@teamvalor2001, I thought you may be able to change the band from the Phone app menu called Options but there does not seem to be an option to stick to GSM. The call quality issue is related to your network as I have not suffered this on Vodafone UK.
The Lostprophet
13-11-2005, 01:25
start>settings>personal>phone>band>select the drop down list where it says 'auto' and select GSM
thats how i did mine neway, as orange 3g is crappy here!
Lee,
Yes O2 Exec supports 4GB SD card
As claimed by siukeung at http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=31676
FYI Dopod 900 = HTC Universal aka O2 Exec aka Imate Jasjar etc
I support this claim. I have an O2 XDA Exec and since Saturday I have an A-Data 150X 4GB SD card in it. To check that it really addresses the whole card properly, I filled up the card via a laptop full with mp3s, then played a few. Then I deleted all directores (via the XDA) with no problems.
My conclusion is that the 4GB card works alright. Any detailed questions, email me at arminh (at) usa (dot) net.
Hi.
Did any one who bought this imate jasjar,tried to do skype on it and how is the quality of it?
henning
Skype works fine on my O2 XDA Exec; sold the JJ as it was slower and more flaky than the Exec. People who are thinking about buying the Universal should read the posts at forum.xda-developers.com first. IMHO its more of a mini tablet/advanced PDA than a phone. Call quality and BT are not in the same league as middle ranking SE and Nokia cell phones. My Nokia 9500 is a much more stable device than the Universal and has better cell phone capabilities. But as a connected PDA the XDA Exec is great. Will be even better once M$ fix the memory leakage bugs and deal with some odd behaviour when you enable the PowerSave option.
But as a PDA/keyboard device with phone capabilities its lightyears ahead of the competion!! Screen is amazing, WiFi and browsing capabilities are the best i have experianced outiside of a desktop PC:up:
unclevicky
03-01-2006, 20:37
Can I just ask the reviewer (or anyone in the know) to clarify - did you actually hook up a USB harddrive on the XDA Exec and get it to work via the USB port?
I have seen various other reports that say that this is not possible and that USB hosting is not suppoted. I'd love to be able to play video via an external harddrive on this thing, but will probably stay with my XDA2i if it doesn't have this feature.
I also presume that the power would have to feed off an external source since the exernal h/drive would pull off the required 500mA from the device otherwise, and this would be hugely detrimental to the running time of the Exec.
My thought are that it won't work in this manner, but would love for someone to prove me wrong.
Thanks.
I am currently using the XDA IIs and absolutely love it. I am considering the exec, but have found the screen and keyboard layout of the IIs comfortable to use and dont know if I can make the switch to the EXEC. But I'm desperate for an upgrade on the terrible camera on the IIs. And from the reviews I have read, it doesnt sound like the phone will be as easy to use on the EXEC as it is on the IIs. I know I dont use my current phone to its full potential and wonder if its worth the effort to move to the EXEC, but the last thing I want to do is get left behind in all the techno advances! Please help!!
Wirral Bagpuss
06-01-2006, 01:24
I have been using my o2 XDA Exec for some time now and it is brilliant !!!! :) Go for it !!! :D
HTC Universal also supports fast Wi-Fi (802.11g) !
January 29, 2006 [Pocket PC phone]
Previoulsy we were reporting, that there is a hack available to activate fast Wi-Fi (i.e. 802.11g) in HTC Wizard... so now can bring you another good news: it is possible to activate 802.11g also in HTC Wizard (Orange SPV M5000, i-mate JASJAR, etc)!
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/htc/htc-universal-hyperspace.jpg
Here is description how to do it:
We have tested it with HTC Universal (Orange M5000) and it seems to work!
The test was done in the following way: a Wi-Fi access point that previously was running in 802.11g-only mode, had to be put into dual mode (802.11b + 802.11g) to support Orange M5000 (HTC Universal), but thanks to making the following changes into registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\COMM\\TIACXWLN1\\PARMS: dot11SupportedRateMask=1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\COMM\\TIACXWLN1\\PARMS: dot11SupportedRateMaskG=8
... the HTC Universal is able to access Wi-Fi access point that works in 802.11g -only mode. PHM Registry Editor was used to effect this change (but any freeware or commerical registy editor can do it). As before with HTC Wizard, please note: you must reset your phone after making the changes in the registry!
Credit: Brendon Ranum from UK/New Zealand.
Source : http://msmobiles.com/news.php/4853.html
I wonder if P990i wifi-b can be hacked to wifi-g like the above?
Must give that a go!!:up:
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