Database Develop

Is there a better PDA phone than this?

I've had an O2 XDAIIi version of this PDA phone since it was released, and very nice it is too. However, it's starting to get a bit tatty, but I believe this model is no longer available. My question is; what's the best replacement for it?
Basically, I'd want something that does exactly the same, but with WM5, VGA and a better camera. I don't want the bulk of a keyword, so I'm not interested in the O2 Exec.
Is there anything out there that meets this criteria? The stumbling block seems to be VGA, as not many devices seem to use this.
Anyone know of such a beast?
Lee

you may struggle there mate, least I haven't seen one yet. if you want a practically sized phone then you may have to opt for a lower-resolution screen (particularly since the exec is the only vga wm5 handset I know of) this it was exactly the choice I made when I sold my exec to get a vario II. As it happens I don't really notice the difference any more: as with any phone you have to weigh up its pros and cons.
Ask yourself what you actually use your phone for, and how important having a vga screen really is for your needs. You may end up just sticking with what you've got!
You could also look on ebay - you MAY find and xda ii in mint condition there.
The stumbling block isn't just the VGA screen either Lee - unfortunately cameras on xdas ALL suck! the 2mp camera on my vario 2 is equally as rubbish as the 1.3 mp cam on my exec, my vario 1 and my mda compact. they're just no good. I wish I could take the camera out of a sonyericsson and whack it in the case of my vario!
The day a perfect phone comes out I'm sure we'll all rush out and buy it, other than that the only alternative would be to get one of the new sonyericssons - they have better screens and the latest ones have stunning cameras....but they use (ahem) symbian.
Hope this is of some use.

you may struggle there mate, least I haven't seen one yet. if you want a practically sized phone then you may have to opt for a lower-resolution screen (particularly since the exec is the only vga wm5 handset I know of) this it was exactly the choice I made when I sold my exec to get a vario II. As it happens I don't really notice the difference any more: as with any phone you have to weigh up its pros and cons.
Ask yourself what you actually use your phone for, and how important having a vga screen really is for your needs. You may end up just sticking with what you've got!
You could also look on ebay - you MAY find and xda ii in mint condition there.
The stumbling block isn't just the VGA screen either Lee - unfortunately cameras on xdas ALL suck! the 2mp camera on my vario 2 is equally as rubbish as the 1.3 mp cam on my exec, my vario 1 and my mda compact. they're just no good. I wish I could take the camera out of a sonyericsson and whack it in the case of my vario!
The day a perfect phone comes out I'm sure we'll all rush out and buy it, other than that the only alternative would be to get one of the new sonyericssons - they have better screens and the latest ones have stunning cameras....but they use (ahem) symbian.
Hope this is of some use.

Thanks...
Thanks the the feedback, that was kinda what I expected. It seems that HTC keep bringing out new models with various permutations of features, but never all the features that you want in one machine!
VGA would be nice for web-browsing, which is very frustrating at 320x240. Oh well, jusy have to wait until someone releases that dream machine!
Lee.

just further to the previous point I made, I thought I ought to point out that I have found web browsing on the vario II to be absolutely superb - I do all of my posts on xda developers using it, its nippy, connects phenominally quick, and the scroll-wheel is an absolute joy to use. it might seem a simple thing, but it makes browsing so much more comfy - I hardly need to get the stylus out!
I'm sat on a train right now from birmingham to derby and I haven't lost my signal once - on my exec I was constantly losing signal; and despite the exec having a better screen it is far easier to flick through web pages with the varios scroller, and pages even load up quicker.
Despite its smaller screen I would HIGHLY recommend it.
(sadly the camera is still poo, so it's not all good news!)

I'm happy with my Vario 2 (Hermes) as it does 3G (which is brill ) and has a hardware keyboard (yesssssss), but compared to my Alpine the screen is a lot smaller. That's a disappointment, but I knew it was going to be smaller. The fact that it runs WM5 kinda makes up for it though, and the fact that my Alpine can't actually connect to my Alcatel Speedtouch DSL router is ridiculous! (It's not the first time that problem's happened, seems to be a real problem with either the radio hardware or the firmware... I dunno. The Hermes connects fine to everything).
As it stands, I'm gonna keep my Alpine and use it for GPS navigation (when I get a new car, thanks to the woman who drove into me and wrote my car off I don't have one at the moment), and I might just end up using it as my day-to-day PDA, especially as my Hermes at the moment refuses to ActiveSync with my PC. Windows reinstall coming this weekend, we'll see how that goes.
The camera on my Hermes is WAYYYYY better than on my Alpine though (it's not as good as on the K750i/K800i/Cybershot models by SonyEricsson, those cameras blow everything else out of the water!) but I've taken a few pics and put them on my moblog (http://moblog.christopherwoods.co.uk if you want to compare image quality, I think they're just fine considering the camera size), and combined with the 3G (and unlimited 3G / GPRS access on my T-Mobile tariff) it's great for moblogging and websurfing to kill time / procrastinate, but my Alpine is slimmer and has a larger screen... The Alpine was allllllllmost perfect, I was almost ready to keep it as my phone for another year, but there were just enough things not quite up to par with it to make me go out and get a new device.
I do love the extra hardware buttons on the Hermes, and the scroll wheel is pretty cool. Don't use it as much as I should do, the same with the soft keys - I always end up tapping the screen when I can just push the button! Force of habit, can't teach an old dog new tricks.

I think the screen size is definitely important, but from experience i would NEVER buy another phone with a VGA screen - at least not until they start making much better batteries.
The biggest killer of batteries is those big pretty screens, and if a handset is gonna cut it as a phone and a practical browsing device/organiser it needs to hold out in the power department, since we're not always next to a power point, and we haven't always got our mains adaptor with us!
I don't really notice the screen difference on my Vario II now, and the battery lasts ages.
Be nice if i could get a spare battery with a cradle on ebay though, always good to have backup, however i haven't seen one yet.

Roll on charge-via-GPRS (use the power in the radio waves and convert it into electrical energy.... mmm... batteryless devices... drool)

TMobile USA MDA Replacement

If what I have been reading is true, then TMobile USA is replacing the MDA with the Wing. I am dissappointed in this . From the specs I have seen and the overall look there really isn't much of a difference. I would like to see a Hermes type device or something "new" in the lineup. Looking on their website and not seeing (currently) a full WM device is a little strange. Also seeing both the SDA and Dash on there at the same time is a little strange IMO.
Anyonce else feel the same way?

Upgrade from Artemis - is it worth it?

I am thinking of updating from an Artemis as I need a keyboard but I have some concerns:-
1. Is it worth it?
2. Does the t-mobile vario III have wireless disabled, like the Artemis did?
3. I am only 6 months into an 18month contract, so where is best to buy sim free in the UK?
4. Should I avoid the Kaiser from other vendors (e.g. orange) due to disabled features? I assume sim-unlock is easy.
Any other advice?
I have tried searching the Kaiser forum for t-mobile, wifi, wireless etc but can't find out for certain if t-mobile disable is.
Thanks.

I made upgrade from Artemis to Vario
Ad 1) MDA Vario III is great device and is much more better then (old good) Artemis - keyboard, GPS, big RAM and ROM .
Ad 2) Czech operator T-Mobile has Vario with WiFi enabled. Mda Compact III (cripled Artemis) is without wifi.

I have the Xda Orbit and AT&T Tilt right now and have been using both, and the Tilt/Kaiser is certainly better in performance, but if the size matters to you, the Artemis is still much better. in the pocket, the extra thickness and weight make a significant difference, as it does in the hand as well.
i like the wheel of the artemis, but my hands are always very dry (i use lots of lotion and can't really leave a fingerprint on things) so i can't barely grab the wheel, so the d-pad of the kaiser is good. i'd love the wheel if my fingers weren't so slippery.
i like the feel of the artemis' buttons a lot more, all the front keys, but especially the power button. its the best i've used of all my htc devices, while the kaiser(is the tilt different here?) has a very recessed button that's hard to push. i've had the magician and prophet with similar power buttons, but this one is much harder to get to. i don't need the keyboard, but its nice, and feels just like the herald's.
i only paid $380 for my kaiser, while i paid $525 for the artemis, which is fine, but i wouldn't pay +$700 for the kaiser since i feel they are equals for my purpose. kaiser is faster with a the left scroll and keyboard, but size matters a lot to me, so the artemis really nails it there. hope all that helps a bit, though i've wifi on both too

oh, sim unlock costs me $15usd on ebay. DO NOT USE NEWMOBILEFREEDOM. mufukas don't respond to my emails, but they leave retaliatory negative feedback real fast

Thanks for the responses.
Size isn't too much of an issue as I use a belt clip. Out of interest just how much bigger is it? I know I can check the specs, but they don't really mean much as it is hard to visualise.
I wanted to be sure that the kaiser had wifi if I bought the t-mobile one as their version of the Artemis had the Wifi chip removed.
The Artemis is a very good handset, but I really need a keyboard.
I was looking at buying a sim free from e-bay (or a t-mobile one) as I have another 12 months on my contract before I can upgrade. Looking to find the best place to buy if anyone knows of somewhere better in the UK.

size isn't that much different, just it feels feels different in the pocket. on the belt, there's not gonna be difference with the holster and all, but you should feel the weight difference a little bit. in my hand, its so obvious, but on a belt, should be negligible and you shouldn't concern yourself, as you aren't.
good luck finding the right one

Thanks,
Just saw one (brand new) go on e-bay for £295. Unfortunately I missed it, so better luck next time I hope.

I just (yesterday) upgraded from an Artemis (P3300) to a Kaiser (Tytn II), both HTC sim-free units.
Although I've only had my Kaiser for about 24 hours, I'm really impressed!
So far, I haven't come across a single problem with it that couldn't easily be fixed by looking on here (thanks everyone).
I liked my Artemis, but (so far) I LOVE my Kaiser.
I bought mine sim-free from SuperETrader (GBP421 including free next day shipping). Admittedly, it seems to be a South East Asia version (has Mapking instead of TomTom), but I've managed to register it with HTC ok, and I can live without the supplied TomTom since I already have it.
My advice is, if you can afford the upgrade, go for it - I don't think you'll regret it - I don't.

Thanks.
I think that's settled! I'm gonna try and get one. Just looking around, probably end up using e-bay though as I'm a tight Yorkshireman

Thinking of upgrading to the Kaiser

To Kaiser Owners
I am thinking of upgrading from my Artermis to a Kaiser so what do you boys and girls think of it and the tilt and slider will it last. Thanks for all in put
Chris

Hi cttransnb
I am more than happy to answer this one as I had the XDA Orbit (O2's version of the Artemis) for about 8 months. I loved the built in GPS and the compact size but having upgraded from an XDA2i which was much faster I always found that Orbit a bit lacking in the speed department.
I upgraded to the MDA Vario III in early October and after getting used to the extra weight (the Orbit was VERY light in comparison!) I haven't regretted the upgrade at all.
Everything seems to run quicker, the phone seems much more stable and the 3G and HSDPA allow me to do much faster mobile browsing!
The extra main memory is great and the best bit for me is being able to use a 6Gb card (the Orbit maxed out at 2Gb) so I have LOTS more room for Family Guy, Simpsons, Red Dwarf and American Dad videos and SO many MP3s I dont have enough time to listen to them all.
You also get the obvious bonus of a full QWERTY keyboard which is a relief after spending 8 months trying to hit small keys with the point of a stylus!!
I guess what I am saying is that the upgrade is totally worth it...
As for the tilt/slide lasting the distance, I guess time will tell. If you look after your gadgets then it should be fine.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Cheers
Zippyioa

MDA Compact IV Identical to Diamond?

I know this sounds like a stupid question, and I know the MDA Compact IV is a repackaged diamond, but unfortunately the t-mobile published specifications are next to useless.
Is the Compact IV identical to the diamond? Same memory, same chipsets, nothing disabled (I already know the rom wont have windows live and messenger installed)?
Why is it so much lighter? How come it's a slightly different shape? Has anyone categorically determined that there are no technical differences?
I'm about to buy ten for work, probably tomorrow, and I don't want to look like a chump and have to send them back. The alternative is renew on orange, but t-mobile are offering us a serious inducement (ie a hugely competitive contract) to get us to switch that Orange just can't match.
Still, if the handset is crippled, and ultimately wont take a new ROM, I'll stick with our existing provider to get a more vanilla diamond.
Currently I'm on a tytn (SPV M3100 variant), with CRC's excellent WM 6.1 ROM. A rock solid performer. Can I expect the MDA C iv to be quicker, or am I going to be disappointed until t-mobile issue a more up to date official ROM?
Thanks in advance for your help.

go for it theres not much difference in the two i have the compact - flashed a diamond rom just fine

There are no specification differences other than the weight, the weight reduction may be down to the rounded corners and theres no metal strip around the edge.
You can put any rom on it just like the Diamond. It's faster than my Tytn which i had as obviously it has a faster cpu and more ram.
Also, the call and home/back buttons are switched round but that doesnt cause any problems with roms.

l was under the impression that it had less RAM than the diamond (120 something rather than the 192)

It doesnt. 64mb is taken up by the graphics just like the diamond.

Thank you all very much, for the feedback and re-assurance. I'll take the plunge tomorrow.

....just as a follow up, I took delivery of ten MDA Compact IV's yesterday. Very happy with it, even on the stock rom with T-Mobile branding (which we will stay with while in our warranty period). It strikes me that the diamond (variant) is the first powerful WM device I've had, that is also like a phone, rather than like a pda (my last device was a tytn). It's a powerful package.
Thank you for the advice.

T-Mobile turned the hardware-buttons (call/hang-up - home/back) in comparison to the diamond. Although this doesn't seem to be the case on the Victor....
But I guess this doesn't matter with ROM-Upgrading (hard-wired not assigned functions?)

trentend said:
....just as a follow up, I took delivery of ten MDA Compact IV's yesterday. Very happy with it, even on the stock rom with T-Mobile branding (which we will stay with while in our warranty period). It strikes me that the diamond (variant) is the first powerful WM device I've had, that is also like a phone, rather than like a pda (my last device was a tytn). It's a powerful package.
Thank you for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the T-Mobile branding without loosing warranty. Have a look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409901
I've done it on mine and am very happy with the changes. A hard reset wil restore everything.

Specwise the MDA Compact IV is completely identical to the Touch Diamond.
But, beware:
The Compact VI sadly is NOT compatible with extended batterycovers for the Touch Diamond While the new battery itself will fit snugly, the new batterycover cannot "lock on". The latches on the inside of the backcover are placed differently in both devices.
So I returned the battery and now i'm hoping that the Victor wil sport the same type of batterycover as the Compact IV.

dickr43 said:
You can change the T-Mobile branding without loosing warranty. Have a look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409901
I've done it on mine and am very happy with the changes. A hard reset wil restore everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was aware of that, and will have a look at it, one of the ten units I purchased will be a spare, as that sim card is allocated for pbx to gsm gateway. On the spare I will play with configuration. Nevertheless, the point remains that I consider the diamond/mda compact iv much more viable as a powerful pda phone than one might imagine from reading many of the posts on here.
I currently have nine relatively happy users, who will become very happy users over the next few days as they become familiar with their phones. It is only by the exalted standards of high level xda added features and customisation that many people (in my view) come here to register their dissatisfaction. This phone, even in an off the shelf branded form, is a spectacularly powerful and functional business phone.
We are very happy with it, and I think that bears stating to reassure people considering a purchase. I also played with my compact iv side by side with an iPhone in carphone whorehouse this morning. The iPhone seemed very bulky, ostentatious, and slow in comparison. Personally I have no regrets over the decision (not that the iPhone is in any way a viable business phone, again in my own opinion).
dwergsnot said:
Specwise the MDA Compact IV is completely identical to the Touch Diamond.
But, beware:
The Compact VI sadly is NOT compatible with extended batterycovers for the Touch Diamond While the new battery itself will fit snugly, the new batterycover cannot "lock on". The latches on the inside of the backcover are placed differently in both devices.
So I returned the battery and now i'm hoping that the Victor wil sport the same type of batterycover as the Compact IV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I was aware of that before my purchase thanks to the information available on this site. Clearly the external form is different, with different dimensions and curved corners. This means we will need mda compact iv specific cases (for a truly good fit) and covers, and it may affect external accessories like cradles. If you know in advance it allows you to decide whether that is likely to be a problem. I've actually ordered some diamond screen protectors, and expect to have to manually adapt them to fit the compact iv. In time specific accessories that require adaption to the form factor should become available.
Teeter is spectacular demonstration of the phones feel. People I've shown it cannot believe how well you can apparently "feel" the ball bearing.
It's a very fine phone.