if buying a blue angel in the UK, which version is the one to shoot for?
looks aside, (O2 looks better in black) which provider offers good tech support + software support over the others?
I hear O2 getting slagged on a regular basis when it comes to component replacements for example, particularly where whistling screen faults are concerned. does t-mobile or orange win out here?
I know the O2 asis rom is supposed to be quite nice but are people finding MDA III from tmobile or M2000 orange more reliable out of the box for example. are tmobile slow at software releases, are orange, who's tend to be better?
I've decided on a blue angel over a IIi but nothing hurts to poll for a bit of opinion and see which Blue Angel has advantages over other types. I've read the wiki and while I found upgrading my XDA 1 and cooking rom's for it doable, I don't feel confident thus far at repeating the feat on the Blue angel so am looking at an off the shelf blue one for now.
can people give me a precis of their experience here that allows me to make an informed choice.
thanks
I've always found Orange to be the best provider, last time I was with them they actually have people at the other end of the telephone who want to help. They also didn't charge you for calling customer services (which I just found out T-Mobile do. Cheeky bastards).
I'd avoid O2 if possible, but I think all mobile phone operators suck, so I'd get it from whoever has the cheapest handset/plan for you.
Upgrading the ROM means all the phones are the same.
Chris
I've had XDA and XDAII from O2 and CS was OK when you actually spoke to someone who knew anything about the XDA models. Billing was an absolute nightmare though!
I've had MDAIII from T-Mobile since last October. Customer services are very helpful (and Free). CS have spent hours on the phone with me when I've been trying to sort out problems with unsupported upgrades from the internet and have even phoned me back on a landline so we could tinker with the MDAIII and talk at the same time.
The device is very stable out of the box. Only upgrade so far has included the Blackberry client which I use constantly and it only costs £10/month for 50mb of data. They have crappy GPRS tariffs though.
I've got Orange C500 and never had any problems with CS, but then I've never really had any problems with the C500.
I think Orange is the best provider, the support is excellent, plus if you look at the orange developer site you can see whats happening.
But I bought the O2 XDA IIs (for the black) and unlocked it. I now run the i-mate 1.40 ROM on it, with the O2 Plus add-on.
Related
Hi All
I've been looking at getting a Qtek 9090 for a while now and I have seen lots of postings talking about the t-mobile mda iii supporting blackberry etc and maybe the odd posting where someone in the UK has got a xda2s or 9090 to do it using a particular rom.
Can anyone say that they have witnessed a 9090 with ANY rom on it that supports blackberry in the UK with Vodafone?
I'm really keen to get this going as it should be my ultimate device!
Thanks
Will.
Blackberry support has to be implemented at the provider end, as well as with the client software. Does Vodafone have Blackberrys?
Chris
Vodafone UK supports both Blackberry Internet Service (formerly Blackberry Web Client) and Blackberry Entreprise Server.
For BIS pricing Check Vodafone Blackberry Price Plan
As for the Blue Angel software, T-Mobile's Germany ROM supports the Blackberry Connect. Confirmation can be found here.
For a list of supported devices check Blackberry Connect. Scroll down to the paragraph that says Available Operating Systems and Devices.
Hope this helps.
I'm using Blackberry from T-Mobile UK. Using the ROM supplied by T-Mo UK Customer Services. It only works with their radio ROM, which means no radio upgrades possible. Push emails are great, but this version doesn't seem to be able to handle attachments (larger than a few kb).
Ok, thats all fine - we already have a vodafone BES server etc using standard blackberry handhelds and also nokia 6810 mobiles.
The real question though is - although t-mobile have got the MDA iii working with blackberry abroad (and with their radio rom) - is it possible to install their radio/roms etc onto the 9090 successfully?
I need to get the device (whatever I get) sim-free, and I am having trouble finding an mda iii sim-free in the uk...
Thanks
Will.
The T-Mobile ROM is available on this site:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BA_Upgrades
The BlueAngel is available SIM free from eXpansys.com and I got mine considerably cheaper from justtelecoms.com and it comes with the BB ROM already installed.
JT also do it on 1 year and 2 year contracts
Ok, thanks for that.
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=QTEK_9090 is what I've been looking at getting
Can I presume that it is perfectly possible to install the t-mobile roms onto a qtek 9090 and then unlock to any network (as I'd need to use my voda sim)
Thanks
Will.
I beleive the Q9090 from expansys is already unlocked and yes, you can install any rom.
The JustTelecomms option comes with the correct rom already installed and they will sell it sim free for £330 and unlock it for only £15 or you can use the free unlock tool available here on xda-developers.
Can we all assume it will work? Yes.
Can we guarantee it will work? No.
I have bought the XDA IIs on this assumption. Due to lack of time the device is still in its box.
In the meantime I am still using my Blackberry 7230 but soon I will get my hands dirty and start playing with the XDA. If you're willing to wait a week or two then I'll let you know of the results.
I called justmobile and they don't take credit cards!!
Any other suggestions?
O2 informed me today that I'm entitled to an 'Advantage' upgrade. As I currently have the XDAII, I'm wondering if it is worth my while upgrading to the IIs or the IIi or just staying as I am. From the specifications on the O2 website, I can't see a whole lot of difference between then (except may be the addition of wireless access).
What does the group recommend?
wait for universal you'll sure see a difference with that
XDA II & XDA Exec
Thanks Rudegar,
I contacted O2.ie today and found out that while the XDA Exec is just out on the market in the UK, it's only in testing in the Irish Network presently. I hate feeling like I'm being fed BS but it seems to me that if the phone works in the UK it will work here! The techonolgy is the same. The parallel to that is that surely they wouldn't release a phone in the UK that couldn't roam?
Any suggestions for prodding the Irish O2?
Is there anyone in the UK on this list who has purchased (or is about to purchase) and XDA Exec? If so, would they mind enquiring off O2 UK whether they can roam in Ireland (as opposed to Northern Ireland) with their new phone? Better still, if they can get it in writing that their new phone will roam in Ireland then O2 IE haven't a leg to stand on.
Seamie
well maybe since it have utms/3g support they are testing that ?
I am about to purchase the XDA Orbit or Orange M700 or the T-Mobile MDA Compact iii. I am trying to get the best deal...Is there anyway to switch on the MDA'S WLAN?
Orange- Phone FREE. £35/[email protected] months. 200 Mins & 300 txts PLUS unlimited weekend texts. No satnav software and the WLAN is there!!
02- (Who I am with now tried to better orange's offer) Phone FREE. £30/[email protected] 18 months!! 400 mins & 750 texta. No satnav software and the wireless lans there.
T-Mobile - (They know both Orange's & 02's offer but didnt make an offer) Web and walk flext. £37.50/[email protected] 18 months (With the option to cancel the web and walk at anytime as well as downgrade to a cheaper contract after 6 months) £180 allowence on my account per a month, plus 1GB of internet access (They say unlimited but thats a lie due to fair use policy etc etc) No satnav software or Wireless Lan (The guy said a firmware update is comming which will switch it on!??)
HELP ME PLEASSEE!
Why you're boring us with questions to WLAN on MDAcIII?
There are thousends and thousands of threads concerning this question.
For what its worth, from a MDA III owner go with the XDA Orbit.
The spv m700 is HTC Trinity. Orange sell the Artemis as spv m650 but is it available in the UK?
As for the wifi on the MDA III.....do not think it will take a simple update to switch it on. I believe the hardware is simply not there to begin with. Why would T-mobile say an update is coming which will activate the wifi ?! Looks like they are offering flext 35 + web n walk. Personally, hate to be locked in an 18 month contract with any provider. I am on flext 35 with a 12 month plan, my monthly allowance is only £120.
The lack of wifi is not too bad if you have web n walk. Yes there is a fair usage policy, it is still best gprs tariff in the UK. They don't like you using msn, skype etc.
You will have it all with the Orbit. Gps, Wifi, bluetooth and phone!
The T-Mobile devise does not contain the WiFi hardware so if T-Mobile told you a firmware update will switch it on he is lying - there is NOTHING THERE to be switched on!
I have the T-Mob unit and with the Web-n-Walk I can use the internet without a problem, you would have to be online nearly 24/7 to use up your 1GB per month (and there is another tarrif for 3GB per month IIRC).
I also have the HTC P3300 Artemis which does have WiFi, but unless the connection is free I tend to use the T-Mob unit. If WiFi is so important to you get the O2 Orbit or buy a P3300 unit, they are available from some suppliers tied to contracts which is a cheaper way to purchase it.
For me the clincher for the HTC P3300 Artemis was the abscence of the crappy O2 Active Interface software that can mess up otherwise perfectly usable good hardware, the HTC unit is to all intents and purposes the same as the Orbit, minus the XDA logo and its a nicer colour IMHO - Mike
You can always get the HTC P3300 and then go with any provider you want so you are not stuck with their built in bs.
One thing to watch out for is the possible difference in screens between the orange and o2 versions? I had the Orange M600 and was very happy with it unitl I put it beside an iMate Jamin - the Jamin's screen was much whiter and brighter even at lower backlight settings.
I now have the Orbit and the screen is also very bright white. However, I have not compared it to the Orange version but it may be worth doing so...
I don't regret the MDA CIII one bit, my previous Universal had wi-fi and in my usage habits, I never got to turn it on once, I wasn't hunting out hotspots, I wanted data on demand, and via O2 that was quite pricey.
So T-Mobile does not have wi-fi on their Artemis based device, instead they have GPRS bundles that can't even be closely matched by the other networks.
When making the choice, you need to ask yourself how you will use it. Sure if most of your data use is around Wi-Fi hotspots, then the MDA compact III is not for you, but if like me and you need data in a clients house, at a meeting or in the middle of a field then Web and Walk is your friend.
If only it was at 3.5g speeds!!!
All I wanted was a T-Mobile sim for cheaper GPRS when I switched provider (O2 really need to sort out their prices). In the shop I was offered the C-III for free so I took it!
Put the T-Mob sim in the Universal and enjoy the 3G speed (if you still have the device) - it simply flys along well worth trying, but my Uni is a brick in comparison to the Artemis devices - Mike
Hi I am due an upgrade from O2 and I ama a .net developer by trade and would like to be able to develop for the new choice of XDA I am due to make.
I currently have and XDAIIi runing PPC2003SE and have been looking at the XDA Orbit as it has GPS and is a very nice device. My concern is that when I purchased my XDAIIi I had been waiting for the Exec but O2 kept putting it off and I changed and then 4-6 weeks later the Exec came out so I missed out on Mobile 5 and developing against .Net 2 for it.
My concern now is that with Mobile 6 being out that the Orbit is not a WM6 device and previously there has been no official way of porting my XDAIIi on to WM5. Am I going to be in the same situation with the Orbit? Have O2 mentioned an upgrade to WM6? Would it be available to new customers only, i.e. on phones offered after the upgrade released, or if I were to upgrade now would I be elligible for any potential upgrade? Tempted to wait a little longer...
Anyone have any knowledge/advice on this?
Thanks
Andrew
no official news yet - more discussion in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=290039
I work for o2 and have asked but have heard nothing, I am going to go with no for free upgrades to WM6 as o2 have never done free system upgrades, I also read somewhere that HTC have indicated they will not be giving free OS upgrades to existing customers, one will have to buy new devices if we want the new OS
Hi thanks for the replies, guess I'll just sit tight a bit longer and see how things pan out.
hi amino: i have heard that O2 are offering unlimited data tariff's for £10 pcm, is this true? I have spoken to CS and they don't know.
no...at least not to my knowledge ! o2 is the worst offering for Data, atm there is a huge internal thread on the work forum on how bad it is and how we all feel that o2 needs to pull their finger out and look at what they are doing data wise as its exceptionally poor
gavinlew said:
hi amino: i have heard that O2 are offering unlimited data tariff's for £10 pcm, is this true? I have spoken to CS and they don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't count on any CS
If you want unlimited data (well... almost) go for T-Mobile Web'n'Walk tarrif. I know most ppl complain about lack of WiFi in the MDA C3 but having it with (1GB/mnth) internet I don't need to look for any WiFi spots. So far the best deal I have ever made on any tarrif/phone.
(I don't work for them )
Adigital said:
Don't count on any CS
If you want unlimited data (well... almost) go for T-Mobile Web'n'Walk tarrif. I know most ppl complain about lack of WiFi in the MDA C3 but having it with (1GB/mnth) internet I don't need to look for any WiFi spots. So far the best deal I have ever made on any tarrif/phone.
(I don't work for them )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep i totally agree with Adigital. Was one of the main reason why i went for MDA C3 rather than wait for the O2 Orbit. WiFi wasnt a big need for me. 1Gb is more than enough for me checking email, browse websites will on bus/train to uni and even go on msn. sometimes i leave it on for a good few hours, and doesnt really take up much data. i would def recommend the T-Mobile data package Web'n'Walk for anyone who wants to check email on the go almost any where at any time!
Hi all,
Got a TP2 from Vodafone UK this week. Realy liking the device so far, infact it's probably the first WM phone I have used in ages that I have not splattered with apps just to make it usefull!
My main gripe with Vodafone so far is that the colour scheam they have shosen for the TouchFlow is 'Vodafone Red' with black so the message count bubbles are totaly unreadable!
Anyway, one strange this with this device is that I seem to have lost the ability to use HTMP email format and also the ability to flag messages etc... I have been told that this is a Vodafone 'thing' so that you want to use their email services... So does anyone know how to turn this back on ???
Thanks
Sci Fi
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
DavidMc0 said:
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's HTC branded just voda build of the firmware....for now
Got it delivered direct from Voda, Most of the high street shops will not stock them because of their value
No idea on deals because it is on my company package so it works totaly differently
Hope this helps.
SciFi
Mine should have been delivered from Vodafone today, but it has been delayed until tomorrow.
I got it from the Vodafone business site and it is available for free on any tariff from £30pm (+VAT) I'm getting 500 mobile minutes, 250 texts, unlimited internet and unlimited landline calls - or I will be when it turns up!! It is shown as coming soon on the site but if you eing up they have them in stock
Someone on Beasty's "A Dream just walked in" thread got theirs yesterday and it has a Vodafone theme and a little Vodafone sign on it apparently. I will let you know what mine is like when I get it
Seems very tempting, I may leave T-mob for this!
Do you know what the Vodafone business support is like if the phone goes faulty? I know with T-mob I got next day swap-out, and wonder if Vodafone offer this too?
Also, do you know if it's supplied unlocked?
DavidMc0 said:
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got mine from Vodafone yesterday and it is dual-branded. HTC at top of screen and Vodafone at the bottom. I agree on the colour scheme as I changed my Pro to black, but the calendar is different on the Pro 2 and I can't seem to find a suitable alternative - any suggestions appreciated.
BTW, my initial impressions are that this phone is a BIG improvement on the Pro and well worth the upgrade.