Develop Bugs

Universal vs Blue Angel

Hello everyone,
I want to sell my BA for a Universal. Mainly, because it's the camera, and CPU speed are better.... and there's native WM5.0. But I'm confused if it's worth it at the moment since there hasn't been much experimenting with it, and many software are incompatible with WM5.
So, I need your advice. Anyone tried it? What do you recommend? Talk as much as you can
I'm going to buy it from i-mate. Is it the same color as that of O2? I love the black. Is the infrared any better from Blue Angel (wider range)? Camera quality? Any plugins for Pocket IE available? Bluetooth driver good? What abut stability and battery life?
Thanks a lot!
Rudez

Univerisal iself is a great device, software a bit uggy just now but a updated rom will fix all the bugs. Universal or Blue angel??? no thought needed..get the universal

I want the universal -.-

I played with a MDA Pro over the last week. There's a lot of cool features, but I'm sticking with my BA for now. It's a very nice gadget indeed, but WM5 has just way too many bugs for primetime.

Ever held a Universal? They are friggin huge! About 25mm taller and wider.
I think the BA form factor/construction is perfect, I just want one with EDGE or HSPDA and WM5 native and I'm content!

The Universal isn't that much larger. And it's surprisingly light. Felt lighter than my old SX-56.

hey man,
i suggest that u stick to your BA...
by far it has proved to be the boss of all PDAs...
the universal is nice and edgy... but for its price (here in UAE it costs 4,300.00 DHS ~ 1,178.00 $) its waaaaaay too much
ok it has a bigger screen, vga display and several other feats but at this price u can get urself a decent laptop which contains much more feats and much better...
i was seconds away from buying the universal but then, thanks to u guys, my BA became a super machine... and when i need bigger screen or better performance i have my laptop in the hood of the car
this is just my opinion.

Thanks a lot!
I'm sticking to my BA afterall

I upgraded my BA for a Universal two weeks ago and I absolutely love it. Sure, the BA is a bit more stable and there is a lot more software available for it, but in a few months time the Universal will be equally stable - think back to when the BA came out is was the buggiest piece of crap to date, but after updates and fixes from the mamaichs and buzzs of the world it became a great device. Maybe upgrade in a few months when the price will be lower and it is more stable.
Fin

I struggle to imagine anything less stable than the BA. Even after the patches, which do improve the reliability 90%, I would not rely on this phone for anything important.
What are the main problems with the Universal, and how often does it require a soft reset?

I switched to the Universal a week ago and I wouldn't go back.
So far, the only problems are occasional slow down (very occasional), less battery power (it runs down a lot faster) and the orkward place they put the mini usb port - it a git to dock and it make proper car kits a no-go.
I think I've reset it 3 times in the last week, and the blue angel was on 1 or more a day. Its much more stable, everything works (theres still the odd time when something just fails, but thats windows for you) and the keyboard is second only to the Psion 5.

Will HTC ever make another like the BA?

You know Something with WM6 and a slide down key pad like the BA.
The wizard's screen is just too small for my use, and I'm no fam of the Wizard/Hermes rotate required keyboard.
You think we should get a petition together or something.

Although the screen size was nice and big... I gotta say, I put up with alot of reboots and freezes with my old BA. As a matter of fact, it took me upgrading to my new Hermes to realize that (almost daily) reboots were NOT normal.
I'll sacrifice screen size for dependability any day.
lol.

Weird, my QTek 9090 hardly ever crashes. I think a lot has to do with the ROM's being used by the different carriers.
I too would *love* to see a new device like the BA. I don't like the smaller 2.8" screens at all and I also don't like their lesser sensitivity, making them harder to use with the tip of your finger (as opposed to using the stylus).

...or like right now I'm using the back end of plastic spoon while I'm on lunch ^_^

Hmmm, the I-Mate Scully looks kinda yummy. No real info yet because all info available is leaked info.

I used to have the BA but I had to change over to the Hermes because the reliability of the BA was so bad and it's battery ran down so quickly and that was with a brand new genuine battery so I always had to carry a extra battery with me but now with the Hermes I have none of those problems and I wouldn't be with out it. I am pleased I changed and even though I still have my BA I would never go back to it.

I'm also surprised as to why there is no other device with large screen and slide out keyboard since the BlueAngel.
I love the big screen and would actually like VGA screen.
if they can squeeze in a GPS, usb host, faster processor but keep sd card I would be very happy.
The Sharp W-ZERO is interesting:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/13/sharp-w-zero3-mini-review/
so is the Sharp EM-ONE
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/19/sharps-em-one-a-dual-sliding-pocketpc-with-HSDPA-and-WiFi/
but they are not really phones (the W-ZERO needs a special sim and the EM-ONE has HSDPA but no voice)

Big screen, Good memory, Massive 8gb internal storage, 802.11wireless. BT 2.0 with A2DP. Hsdpa . will this do for a start?
Welcome to the HTC Athena ( T-mobile Ameo )

Maybe the HTC P6550 - Sedna, no keyboard but fully loaded.

Have to reset BA maybe once in a week, battery life is great, also have spare one but never needed it... Battery is much more durable than the one in 2020 and 1010.
You guys should check roms in your BAs about those crashing.

BA is just a great Device ...
Its the best Device ever made my battery lasts for like 4 hours + ( turned on ) ... AND while its off ... more than a week and guess whut with no recharge , the battery Life is great its Fast , good , reliable ... BA is JUsT a Perfect Device .. ( I Tried more than 20 Devices ... thay all suck ... ) BA mine is an I-mate PDA2K ... is the Greatest EVER ! ... Lets hope they find a good recipy for a better device which will never Take PLACE !

Ipaq 910 is good Dash replacement

The new HP Ipaq 910 is the phone I have been waiting for. Has WM 6.1 professional installed.
1) Similar form factor as Dash
2) Qwerty
3) External micro sd slot and works with 8gb
4) 416 mhz cpu
5) Also touch screen (screen is 0.6 inches more than the Dash) with stylus
6) Unlocked
7) Built in GPS
8) 3 mega pixel camera with flash (pics look very good)
9) 128 megs sdram and 256 megs flash.
10) Reception is far better than my Dash and also rated better than Touch, Shadow, Curve, BlackJack II and Sidekick- to name a few (as per reviews and discussions).
11) Headphone jack? Specs say it does, but the adaptor was plugged into the side- that is where the usb is...... Should have confirmed.
12) HP interface does a good job of making windows more "friendly".
13) 1,940 ma battery!!

Personally I prefer WM Standard over Professional, because it is just easier to use as a phone. However this QWERTY plus landscape and Professional is a new form factor so let us know if you still like it after a few days.

indiekiduk said:
Personally I prefer WM Standard over Professional, because it is just easier to use as a phone. However this QWERTY plus landscape and Professional is a new form factor so let us know if you still like it after a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. HP has added a simple interface to focus on the basics for phone operation. This phone is what I would consider as a Dash II, with the one missing thing being a 3.5mm headphone jack, rather than a 2.5mm that the 910 has.

I would consider the dash.

indiekiduk said:
Personally I prefer WM Standard over Professional, because it is just easier to use as a phone. However this QWERTY plus landscape and Professional is a new form factor so let us know if you still like it after a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My time was only a few hours on it from a fellow electronics geek, but the reception was much better than my Dash.
The headphone jack is an issue of question. I thought the adapter was a 2.5mm to 3.5mm and did not bother to check. My view was further enforced by the specs stating it has a 2.5mm jack. I am wondering if it does now, because the connection was at the side and that is the usb.
I was more concerned with reception rather than multi-media at the time. I will also edit my main post about the 2.5mm jack.

rushless said:
The new HP Ipaq 910 is the phone I have been waiting for. Has WM 6.1 professional installed.
1) Similar form factor as Dash
2) Qwerty
3) External micro sd slot and works with 8gb
4) 416 mhz cpu
5) Also touch screen (screen is 0.6 inches more than the Dash) with stylus
6) Unlocked
7) Built in GPS
8) 3 mega pixel camera with flash (pics look very good)
9) 128 megs sdram and 256 megs flash.
10) Reception is far better than my Dash and also rated better than Touch, Shadow, Curve, BlackJack II and Sidekick- to name a few (as per reviews and discussions).
11) Headphone jack? Specs say it does, but the adaptor was plugged into the side- that is where the usb is...... Should have confirmed.
12) HP interface does a good job of making windows more "friendly".
13) 1,940 ma battery!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like a cool phone but I think if I was going to spend the money on a new phone I'd get something we a much bigger screen even something that slides or flips or opens up to a qwerty , I love the dash but the screen is very small but the iphone and instinct all of that Is out because I like winmobile too much.

ehem....ack, ewww
not a fan

I have both and just am not digging the 910. Too thick, screen is too small for a touchscreen (exact same size as the dash), and the FW is REAL buggy. I never realized how much I liked HTC's apps until I had a PPC that didn't have them. I have several apps that simply will not work on the 910 due to the screen being frozen in landscape mode.
Charging is flaky. Hard to explain but sometimes the charging light goes green and the battery isn't fully charged. Sometimes the battery *IS* fully charged but the light stays amber. Another time or two the LED flickered between amber and green at an alarming rate. NO idea what that means.
It's not a bad device by any means but that and the dash are 2 seperate animals. I like my dash, the 910 is a decent device but will take some getting used to, but I still prefer my Kaiser over the 910.
-Mc
UPDATE: I have boxed her up and debating whether to send it back or just put it on a shelf until a new FW is released. In only 6 hours of use, I have missed phone calls, had calls dropped because other calls came in at the same time, and noticed that the DTMF and system sounds seem to be running about 10 times as fast. This ROM needs some serious work.

McHale said:
I have both and just am not digging the 910. Too thick, screen is too small for a touchscreen (exact same size as the dash), and the FW is REAL buggy. I never realized how much I liked HTC's apps until I had a PPC that didn't have them. I have several apps that simply will not work on the 910 due to the screen being frozen in landscape mode.
Charging is flaky. Hard to explain but sometimes the charging light goes green and the battery isn't fully charged. Sometimes the battery *IS* fully charged but the light stays amber. Another time or two the LED flickered between amber and green at an alarming rate. NO idea what that means.
It's not a bad device by any means but that and the dash are 2 seperate animals. I like my dash, the 910 is a decent device but will take some getting used to, but I still prefer my Kaiser over the 910.
-Mc
UPDATE: I have boxed her up and debating whether to send it back or just put it on a shelf until a new FW is released. In only 6 hours of use, I have missed phone calls, had calls dropped because other calls came in at the same time, and noticed that the DTMF and system sounds seem to be running about 10 times as fast. This ROM needs some serious work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you on this, I've had similar experience with the 910. I've decided to put it aside until a new fw is released. going back to my touch.

Rhodium slight let down

Hi all,
Whilst the rhodium is a definate viable upgrade from the Raphael (and comes a little closer to the combined goodness of the Kaiser and Universal) it still seems to lack some essentials.
Why have HTC stuck a rubbish 3MP camera in it yet the HD and Topaz get 5MP?
No flashlight, also quite an essential highly useful piece of hardware that I use on an almost daily basis and consider to be a standard function of a decent PDA.
Amplified internal antenna for Radio, not essential but surely HTC could make this happen by now. We've had several devices capable of receiving FM yet you still have to use a hardwired headset to get signal.
I imagine it would not be too difficult to replace the camera sensor with a 5MP and take the drivers and software from the Topaz to make it functional though, however this I feel is yet another major oversight from HTC.
Flashlight, not so easy to add on to the device post production, would require case modification and voltage.............. Anybody know if the MBD is similar enough to the Raphael to actualy have the circuitry for this so that we can utilise the software controls for a FlashLight or whether it would require a seperate switch to enable such functionality.
Whilst I would realy like to upgrade to the Rhodium I feel that the camera and flashlight are major components that could swing my decision.
The Universal "was" to me the perfect PDA, it's just to bulky now and lacks the hardware integration such as GPS and FM that current devices have to make it viable for everyday use.
Do we have any serious hardware guys in the Rhodium forum yet that could answer my questions regarding the camera and flashlight as post production user upgrades.
Cheers,
(a very inactive )Beasty

I can tell you this much... my flashlight broke on my MDA and I have an app that amplifies the screen brightness all the way and turns the screen white. It works almost as well. As far as the flash for the camera goes... I have the camera set to nightmode which adjusts just as bright as if using the flash. So no biggie for me, at all...

Why exactly is a 3.2 MP camera rubbish? I don't understand this reasoning at all. 5 MP is a bigger number, but it doesn't create better pictures - only bigger ones. Pictures so big that if you're serious about taking them you need a dedicated camera to do with it. The camera on the phone is an accessory. You're not buying a camera with a phone in it.
Lack of an LED camera flash is a somewhat more realistic complaint. Although the range of such things is very short, there are enough dim light situations encountered on a day-to-day basis that it would be useful.

beast0898 said:
Hi all,
Whilst the rhodium is a definate viable upgrade from the Raphael (and comes a little closer to the combined goodness of the Kaiser and Universal) it still seems to lack some essentials.
Why have HTC stuck a rubbish 3MP camera in it yet the HD and Topaz get 5MP?
No flashlight, also quite an essential highly useful piece of hardware that I use on an almost daily basis and consider to be a standard function of a decent PDA.
Amplified internal antenna for Radio, not essential but surely HTC could make this happen by now. We've had several devices capable of receiving FM yet you still have to use a hardwired headset to get signal.
I imagine it would not be too difficult to replace the camera sensor with a 5MP and take the drivers and software from the Topaz to make it functional though, however this I feel is yet another major oversight from HTC.
Flashlight, not so easy to add on to the device post production, would require case modification and voltage.............. Anybody know if the MBD is similar enough to the Raphael to actualy have the circuitry for this so that we can utilise the software controls for a FlashLight or whether it would require a seperate switch to enable such functionality.
Whilst I would realy like to upgrade to the Rhodium I feel that the camera and flashlight are major components that could swing my decision.
The Universal "was" to me the perfect PDA, it's just to bulky now and lacks the hardware integration such as GPS and FM that current devices have to make it viable for everyday use.
Do we have any serious hardware guys in the Rhodium forum yet that could answer my questions regarding the camera and flashlight as post production user upgrades.
Cheers,
(a very inactive )Beasty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Beasty
Nice to see you around!
I´m completly agree with you.
As an Universal user (As main phone) to this date I haven´t saw a REAL decent succesor, for a moment thinked of TP2 but adding to the points you mention the smaller keyboard and the fact that processor is almost the same as in Uni I think I´ll wait a while more to upgrade.
perhaps in 2010 some good models we can see from HTC¿
Or perhaps Toshiba new models.....
Cheers to you!

I'm umming and arring. I quite fancy the Touch Pro2. It has a wonderfully large screen (3.6", 480x800) and is otherwise like my current TyTN II with a bit more hoursepower. The biggest draw is, as ever, the XDA-Developer community and the availability of accessories. However, I do understand that it could have *more*.
I had The TyTn and I loved the flashlight. It was awful for taking pictures, but great for working down the back of electrical cupboards and desks. I miss it on the TyTn II.
I don't really care about the 3.2Mp camera being a "limit". If you want more than 3Mp, you really need a decent lens. Sure, it's nice being able to take pictures while out and about without carrying another device, but if I really wanted to take a picture I would probably be carrying a proper camera. And if I did have a 5Mp camera n my phone, I'd probably wish it was 10Mp.
I also don't see the point of the FM radio. Between podcasts and choosing the music I want to play by Mp3 file, I can't see why I'd want anything else (and 5 live is on AM anyway).
And this brings me to my problem - The Acer Temp M900. Bigger screen (3.8"), 5Mp camera and a flash, although also slightly bigger (3x3x-.15mm) and heavier (by 18 grams). By headline features it is superior.
It does,however, have less memory (256 vs 512 of ROM, 128 vs 288 RAM) and runs on a Samsung 6410 @ 533Mhz, although I don't know how that compares to the Qualcomm chip in the current batch of HTC phones. I also don't know whether there are known problems with the video capabilities of the phone like there are with the Qualcomm chips (as per htcclassaction.org). In my TyTn/Hermes I had a Samsung chip running at 400Mhz and I remember watching some CSI New York on it without much of a problem. This could therefore be a good thing (or a bad thing).
So I don't know, seems having a choice is almost as bad as not having one.

I dunno, this whole class action thing seems like much ado about nothing to me. I'm constantly ripping movies for my Vogue and they play flawlessly. The idea of videos stopping or skipping is unknown to me. It seems like this class action thing is inspired by people who don't quite know enough for their own good. I suspect it's less of a driver problem than a user expectation problem. I'm no whiz at this stuff, and if anyone would have issues with video, I would expect it to be me, since I don't know what I'm doing when ripping videos for the device.

Camera and flash is never an issue for me. I only use the camera once in a while and maybe use it for capturing my contact's photos. I try not to take photos in pitch dark or when there is not enough lighting, even when you have a flash, the photo is awful. Proper lighting is needed for good photos. Serious photos should be taken with a serious SR camera.
As for radio, I am don't mind using the headsets as an hardwire for the antenna, as long as it has a radio for me to listen to when I want to. The News is pretty important to me.
As comparing to the Universal, there is really no comparison, I think. Correct me if I am wrong, this is only a personal feeling. The camera is better, there are more memory, the CPU is at similar speed but the technology is different. Its like comparing a VIA C7-M ULV Processor 1.6GHz to an Intel Atom 1.33GHz. The Atom is actually faster as it is more refined. So really, speed is only a number. It really needed to be tested. But RAM and ROM does make a difference. So the more the better. I hate it when my device tells me I am running out of memory and it crashes.
In all, I think the TP2 is still a pretty good device to bet on. Of course I can think of lots of other things it could have. Like I would love it to have a Snapdragon CPU. I would love it to have HD video capturing. I would love it to have 16m colours. I would love it to have 16GB internal memory, etc...
All I like is an over-all, balanced little hand-held device and which I think this little one has... Actually... he he he... I really really wished it had a 3.5mm jack.

Hi I all,
I wasn't stating that I thought the Rhodium was rubbish.
I'm simply stating that I feel HTC are misguided with their designs.
The Rhodium does look very attractive and to be honest I probably will end up buying (purely for the larger screen, better speakers and keyboard) my Raphael is very feature packed but not very functional, the hard keyboard is far from useable and the screen real estate is rather painful after my Uni.
All I am stating is why can't HTC simply take the best of their ideas and current range and roll them all into the so-called "PRo" devices.
Sure we all have different specs that we would like to see as standard but what I fail to understand is why they have to add decent functionality to some devices and then leave it off of others.
For example, Topaz has 5mp lens, yet Rhodium only gets 3mp............. what is the purpose for using the less capable camera............ I'm sure it's no cheaper to manufacture than the 5mp.
It's good to see what others think though,
Thanks all for your points-of-view..........
@ Orb..... :- Glad to see you still floating around too Sir, I have seen you around the Uni and Raphael forums, I just don't have the time to Develop or participate much any more mate. Take care
Regards,
Beasty

What do you really think? Of course they won't release a device with everything, how should they be able to make a follow up ey?
Now they gave us the bigger screen and possibility to adjust the angle, but took the flashlight

Mr.Sir said:
What do you really think? Of course they won't release a device with everything, how should they be able to make a follow up ey?
Now they gave us the bigger screen and possibility to adjust the angle, but took the flashlight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps that is my problem then.
At the time of release the Uni had "everything" tilt and twist display, twin cameras, twin speakers, decent sized keyboard and flashlight.
If it had built in GPS and 3.5G I would still be using it as an everyday device.
My point is they got it right at the time with the Uni, why are doing half jobs now
As far as releasing a follow up, that too is easy, updated hardware, smaller faster lighter better battery life and MORE functionality.
Cheers,
Beasty

beast0898 said:
As far as releasing a follow up, that too is easy, updated hardware, smaller faster lighter better battery life and MORE functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy, he says. It's a snap I think you should just get ahead of the curve now and buy one of these.

cocoaju said:
Camera and flash is never an issue for me. I only use the camera once in a while and maybe use it for capturing my contact's photos. I try not to take photos in pitch dark or when there is not enough lighting, even when you have a flash, the photo is awful. Proper lighting is needed for good photos. Serious photos should be taken with a serious SR camera.
As for radio, I am don't mind using the headsets as an hardwire for the antenna, as long as it has a radio for me to listen to when I want to. The News is pretty important to me.
As comparing to the Universal, there is really no comparison, I think. Correct me if I am wrong, this is only a personal feeling. The camera is better, there are more memory, the CPU is at similar speed but the technology is different. Its like comparing a VIA C7-M ULV Processor 1.6GHz to an Intel Atom 1.33GHz. The Atom is actually faster as it is more refined. So really, speed is only a number. It really needed to be tested. But RAM and ROM does make a difference. So the more the better. I hate it when my device tells me I am running out of memory and it crashes.
In all, I think the TP2 is still a pretty good device to bet on. Of course I can think of lots of other things it could have. Like I would love it to have a Snapdragon CPU. I would love it to have HD video capturing. I would love it to have 16m colours. I would love it to have 16GB internal memory, etc...
All I like is an over-all, balanced little hand-held device and which I think this little one has... Actually... he he he... I really really wished it had a 3.5mm jack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fully agree with you on this,
the 3.5 is the only thing I really wish it had.
But I mean it's not like they can build the perfect pocket pc,
everyone's likes/dislikes are completely different.

Well, i think its safe to say, that no matter what device comes out, their will always be something missing.. Some feature someone wanted on it that it doesnt include. Its the way of things. Personally, except for the 3.5mm jack, it pretty much does everything im going to want from it. I just got a 10mp pocket camrea so im not concerned with the built in one. Also, i thought i DID have an FM tuner in it? everything ive read says it does. Even if it doesnt tho, im not concered about it.

ajbopp said:
I dunno, this whole class action thing seems like much ado about nothing to me. I'm constantly ripping movies for my Vogue and they play flawlessly. The idea of videos stopping or skipping is unknown to me. It seems like this class action thing is inspired by people who don't quite know enough for their own good. I suspect it's less of a driver problem than a user expectation problem. I'm no whiz at this stuff, and if anyone would have issues with video, I would expect it to be me, since I don't know what I'm doing when ripping videos for the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have watched videos on my Hermes and Wizard with little problem. Similar files on my Kaiser skipped a bit. I don't think it is quite the big thing people make it out to be (it still works as a phone), but it certainly exists and I'd rather my phone did everything I wanted rather than just most things.
Lyian said:
Well, i think its safe to say, that no matter what device comes out, their will always be something missing.. Some feature someone wanted on it that it doesnt include. Its the way of things. Personally, except for the 3.5mm jack, it pretty much does everything im going to want from it. I just got a 10mp pocket camrea so im not concerned with the built in one. Also, i thought i DID have an FM tuner in it? everything ive read says it does. Even if it doesnt tho, im not concered about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3.5mm jack is pointless IMHO. It wouldn't take a headset, so you have to pull the headphones out to answer the phone. The extUSB is not ideal, but at least you don't have to faff, plus it allows for inline controls. I was initially sceptical, but having lived with it I have been converted. I won't repeat myself, but see here.
And it just occured to me why they have gone with the 3Mp camera. If the pixel size/density is the same in both and the lens is the same size, the physical size of the CCD will be larger in the 5Mp camera, therefore requiring either a stronger lens (resulting in fish eye pictures) or the lens to be further from the CCD. This would make it impractical (or maybe uneconomical) to put a larger CCD in a phone with keyboard as it is slimmer (or at least the keyboard section is slimmer) than a non-keyboard model.

beast0898 said:
@ Orb..... :- Glad to see you still floating around too Sir, I have seen you around the Uni and Raphael forums, I just don't have the time to Develop or participate much any more mate. Take care
Regards,
Beasty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and thank to you and Laurentius I´m now adicted to this great community
I remember the old days on Universal with you guys
Really miss you!
beast0898 said:
Perhaps that is my problem then.
At the time of release the Uni had "everything" tilt and twist display, twin cameras, twin speakers, decent sized keyboard and flashlight.
If it had built in GPS and 3.5G I would still be using it as an everyday device.
My point is they got it right at the time with the Uni, why are doing half jobs now
As far as releasing a follow up, that too is easy, updated hardware, smaller faster lighter better battery life and MORE functionality.
Cheers,
Beasty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completly agree with Beasty!!
Why in 2005 they launched a perfect device: Universal
What happened on 2008/2009??
I´m sure they noticed it´s better to make not perfect devices as everybody will change it every year, if they continue making perfect ones buisness would not be great.
But I can see now TP2 like a good but not perfect option, before thre was nothing...

Cavey.co.uk said:
The 3.5mm jack is pointless IMHO. It wouldn't take a headset, so you have to pull the headphones out to answer the phone. The extUSB is not ideal, but at least you don't have to faff, plus it allows for inline controls. I was initially sceptical, but having lived with it I have been converted. I won't repeat myself, but see here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have a 3.5mm socket that takes a headset + 3.5 adaptor, or any 3.5mm plug in the same socket. My X1 has this.
I can see why you'd say it's pointless, as often I use the adaptor (to accept calls with my headphones in), so it could just as well be extUSB. However, it's useful to have the socket for those occasions you need it and don't have the adaptor on you.
Also, I've found 3.5mm sockets unreliable on phones. I had an HD for about 2 weeks and the 3.5mm socket broke (had to send it back for repair), and the same happened after a couple of weeks with my X1. I hope it doesn't happen again, as they took over 2 weeks to repair it!
If all 3.5mm sockets are as badly built as the X1 and HDs ones, I'd rather not have them (unless I renew my T-mobile contract that gave next day swap out replacements!).

codybear said:
I fully agree with you on this,
the 3.5 is the only thing I really wish it had.
But I mean it's not like they can build the perfect pocket pc,
everyone's likes/dislikes are completely different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, personally I'd just as soon it had no camera at all. I'm stuck paying for and carrying a hunk of tech I don't really want. But the world seems to be against me on the utility of camera phones.

DavidMc0 said:
Also, I've found 3.5mm sockets unreliable on phones. I had an HD for about 2 weeks and the 3.5mm socket broke (had to send it back for repair), and the same happened after a couple of weeks with my X1. I hope it doesn't happen again, as they took over 2 weeks to repair it!
If all 3.5mm sockets are as badly built as the X1 and HDs ones, I'd rather not have them (unless I renew my T-mobile contract that gave next day swap out replacements!).
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Click to collapse
the iPhones 3.5mm socket seems to be holding up. I haven't heard any complaints about it, and as far as im aware, it accepts/uses headsets.

Never had any problems with my HD's 3.5mm socket.

beast0898 said:
Hi I all,
...I feel HTC are misguided with their designs.
The Rhodium does look very attractive...
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Click to collapse
Why did they have to make it look like an an old i-phone? Isn't the design world past that now?
And why does it have to be bigger than it's predecessor without much usable difference in specification?

Which currrent device could replace the BA?

What about the current followers?
Toshiba TG01 / K01, Touch Pro 2? Samsung Omnia Pro? Acer Tempo M900
I still can't find a suitable BA-substitution.
portrait orientated keyboard? docking station with battery charging option? Big 3:4 screen to make easier office working?
Not to mention the sd-card-slot ...
But, if make compromises, all mentioned devices have no really improvements (like a much faster processor) or they seems to be not reliable enough (Toshiba).
What do you think? Which device would you make to throw away your BA?

never throw your BA
TouchPro i would get!

never throw your BA
TouchPro i would get!

although none of the newer devices looks similar to the blueangel, they all have their respective advantages in their fields. it starts with the display resolution, all newer devices are better in that field, though not all the displays are necessarily bigger. i don't know, the portrait keyboard is not really something i need in a device, maybe it is because some keys of mine haven't worked since the day i bought it, but even if they did, i don't like the ba's keyboard, i really appreciate the universal's one, i can type almost as fast as on my pc there.
but i gotta admit, in one point, the ba really kicks ass:
the docking station, no lame usb cable, but a proper stand, you can charge the device and a second battery, and let's not forget, the headset port on top (though it is not 3.5mm *aaargh*) you can charge and have handsfree calls at the same time.
that's one reason, why htc will go back to the 3.5mm headset port, they said, you can simply connect the device to any speaker system, fm transmitters... and still charge at the same time. people were sick of carrying an adaptor from mini-usb or extusb to 3.5mm in their pockets, just in case they wanted to play loud music or use good headphones.
i do not fully agree on the sd card slot, while they are certainly the cheapest memory cards (3x 2gb for 10eur unbeatable), the 2gb limit is not exactly future ready. the most important thing is, that the card is interchangable without taking out the battery and stuff like that (yes, i am talking about you, NOKIA, damn you!1).
but talking about memory i would really say, the BA itself has an expiration date. how long do you think, fast proper roms will fit 32mb, external apps are growing bigger every day, 60mb is also not the killer, and installing to an sd card is also not really an option because it's slow and since there is no sdhc support, how far are you gonna get, i don't want to install my apps on every card i have.
don't get me wrong, i love the ba, and i don't think your post was to say, it would last forever.
i agree with you, there is no real successor to the ba featuring all its features, but really thinking about it, you must agree, you would give up some minor features for all the new stuff.
and i personally love gadgets, nonsense additons to devices, that i could perfectly live without, but i want them. there would be: accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, noise sensor, multi-touch...
when it was up to me, the devices would also get a barcode- and fingerprint sensor, voice recognition and x-ray
just my 2 cents
hope some of this was interesting to my fellow BA enthusiasts and supporters of this community.
have a nice weekend everybody
Chef_Tony

It's clear to me that sometimes I must change my device. In my case (I still use the BA with WM2003, have 4GB SD installed and another BA to replace faulty device parts) the main problem is the slow Internet connection.
I'd like to have a device where I can check some information in the Internet in seconds, not in minutes.
Finally the question for me is to find the right moment, when HTC's devices are fast enough, Toshiba's work properly a.s.o. Will there be better BA successors in future? HTCs with 1 GHz? Toshibas with inside pens?
When this future will start?

I think my question is close enough to this thread, so I ask it here:
I'm also looking for an alternative to my MDA III (Blue Angel).
In general, I'm quite fond of the device. What I like about my MDA III and want to have in a future device are these things:
+ Windows Mobile hackability
+ sufficient RAM
+ realtively fast CPU
+ fingerfriendlyness (MDA III is because of its screen size)
+ reasonable battery life (I have a clunky extended battery)
But I want another device, because I see some drawbacks in the Blue Angel and want to have this:
+ less clunkyness (even without the extended battery the BA is huge)
+ landscape keyboard
+ built-in GPS
+ 3G ability
+ even more battery life (I always want more of that)
I got me an e-ten Glofiish M800, which has almost everything on paper. But the RAM (64MB) is much too small for a VGA device and the build quality is really bad. I can't even make decent phonecalls because the speaker is truly awful.
So, is there something the experts can reccomend? What about hte TYTN II, does it have a decent battery?
Regards,
Dirk

pdahunter said:
I'd like to have a device where I can check some information in the Internet in seconds, not in minutes.
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Click to collapse
Which browser do you use? For just getting some information Opera Mini (a Java application) is the browser of choice. It reduces the size of images and rearranges the website's content. With GPRS it is already fast, I never had to wait minutes.
Regards,
Dirk

I'm afraid the main problem is the connection speed.
I don't like operas user interface very much (I have V8.65) - no direct click to favorites/bookmarks, many other functions take more clicks than in IE. So IE became my favorite broswer.
Should I upgrade opera?

pdahunter said:
I'm afraid the main problem is the connection speed.
I don't like operas user interface very much (I have V8.65) - no direct click to favorites/bookmarks, many other functions take more clicks than in IE. So IE became my favorite broswer.
Should I upgrade opera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a misunderstanding, I'm not talking about Opera for Mobiles but Opera Mini, a Java app.
Grüße,
Dirk

It seems I should give Opera Mini a chance ...

I've been using BA for about 4 years now! never disappointed me, its been amazing till now! however the weird look in ppl eyes start to annoy me so i decide to upgrade: so i got Touch PRO, and frankly i didn't feel it add much to my BA (may be a little bit)
bottom line: BA is one of the greatest device, and to replace it i would go for Touch PRO or PRO 2....but never through my BA
Cheers!

moh980 said:
bottom line: BA is one of the greatest device, and to replace it i would go for Touch PRO or PRO 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I thought so. I'll look for a Touch Pro when I get back the money I spent for the faulty E-ten. To0 bad that the Touch Pro still ist quite expensive.
Dirk

Last week I had a chance to compare BA and Touch Pro 2:
There are pros and contras for the Touch Pro 2.
Considering the contras the most important is the smaller screen (despite the 3.6"):
If I play games in portrait mode all signs and graphics are smaller than on a BA.
If I use the keyboard (E-Mail, Office) I have not enough place for lists and texts (landscape mode instead of portrait mode keyboard).
If I use the touch as navigation system the square of the screen is to small.
(moreover there is not car case yet with integrated power supply)
Hope sometimes HTC will build something like the TG01 with a keyboard.

I own a BA, have done for the last couple of years, currently running xplodes latest 6.5 rom and over all its a good pda... Yes, I class it as a PDA, due to its sheer size, I don't think I can ever comfortably use it as a phone... Yes, the screen is deffinitely bigger than most and that has its advantages, but I do think its getting old now and the way I see it, its probably getting a bit hard to adapt the latest software and roms to its 'aging' hardware...
I've just purchased a 2nd hand HTC TyTn II and to be honest, it really is fantastic, I really am very impressed with it, got it off eBay for £100 and the fact that it has a 3.0mp camera, built in GPS reciever, WiFi (like the BA), a 2.8" Screen and in my opinion, a much much better Qwerty keyboard pulling out the side giving much easier and bigger keys to press! I've currently got a Windows Mobile 6.5 rom on there and the battery life really does make the BA look like it should'nt have Windows Mobile 6.5 on it at all!
But hey, thats just my opinion, i'm not running the BA down at all, as its deffinitely one of my favorite devices and a device I'll keep forever! But I'm just giving my input to this thread and to reflect on what ive said above, for a good six months of the last year, I went back to using my SPV M500 rather than the BA just because it works better as a 'Phone'...
Cheers, Adz.