Comparing the XDA II Mini and XDA IIs

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=519561' target='_blank'>http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...threadid=519561</a><br /><br /></div>Looks like BengalBoy over at HowardForums has some competition: AfroCreame shows off his collection of toys, and in particular showcases the XDA II Mini (the HTC Magician) and XDA IIs (the HTC Blue Angel).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041216-XDAMiniIIs.jpg" /><br /><br />Both are sweet devices, so it's a tough contest. Take a look, and be prepared to scroll through and drool at the many high-res pictures. 8) My main observation is that the Mini is <i>tiny</i>.

[whydidnt]

What's interesting about the review is AfroCreame declared the IIs the winner, but then went on to say he's using the mini. He loves all the feature of the IIs (WiFi, memory, thumboard) but the mini was so much more pocketable, he finds he's using it. Gives you hope that sooner or later someone will release a nice compromise between these two -- hello Treo rumors? :wink:

Of course the MPx could have been that device, had Motorola decided not to nueter it i the member department. :cry:

Maybe the Benq will see the light of day soon and all us converged device lovers will rejoice. :)

[dorelse]

Both look great for their designed purposes...nice to have so many choices coming out.

Did anyone else think...wow, cool PPC's, but pull back and lemme see the new 'stang!

[jonathanchoo]

I love the Jam. Too bad the design is a little 'girly'. If they can release a PPC phone in the form factor of the P900 or even the XDA IIs (but in smaller shape) then it would be better. But its still way better looking than the ugly Mpx.

[zilla31]

dumb question but can you get these for use in the U.S.?

[Ryan Joseph]

Oh, man. And he had to show the sweet devices on sweet cars. That one on the 2005 Mustang made me drool. :mrgreen:

[jonathanchoo]

You can if your area is covered by 1900Mhz GSM.

Or else wait for February when the 850/1800/1900 version comes out.

[ricksfiona]

There's a rumor that the Jam will come out with 128MB RAM and WiFi. Those additions will truly make it an awesome device... I'll hold out for that device or until something 'happens' to my iPAQ 5550.

[R K]

dumb question but can you get these for use in the U.S.?

The XDA IIs, (a.k.a. I-mate PDA2K, XDA III, MDA III, Qtek 9090) has a quadband radio so it can be used in the US right now.

[Pinnacle]

The JAM works on TMobile USA's network, but it's not working with Cingular SIM Cards. Makes sense, as previously mentioned above.

I just received my JAM this morning, and it really is a sight to behold for a PPC. I never thought I'd see the day where I'd own a PPC this small and functional.

Yes, the iPaq 1900 series is small and light. The JAM weighs more than that series, but it's overall size is just much smaller than anything out there.

[Sparkomatic]

My O2 XDA II mini just arrived at US Customs this morning :D Hopefully, it will be here tomorrow!

[Ryan Joseph]

The mini is growing on me. Originally, I didn't want it because of its size and no VGA. But I'm liking it more and more as time passes. Now that I have a new job, maybe I'll be able to save up and buy one. But by then the next model will be out. Isn't that always the way? :roll:

[Jason Lee]

I got the siemens sx66 (aka pda2k) from my local cingular contact last night! Wow is it a lot faster than my 2215... 8O
They are both 400 MHz xscale. The one in the ipaq is the PXA255 and the sx66 has the PXA263. It may also have something to do with faster memory as well but the difference still amazes me! :D

The only gripe I have is that the sx66 has NO camera!!! :cry: I use the camera in my v600 aaalll the time. What am i gonna do with out it? I still have 30 days to return the sx66 though for a full refund.

Phone quality is great! sounds wonderful.
I have some issues with the connection manager (suprise suprise). Some times i cannot check email without going into the control pannel and chooseing the "network" that i am currently connected to and then go reconfigure the mail account to use that connection... Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to force a mail account to check through only one connection on a device with multiple connections???!! For the most part the built in wireless manager actually does a pretty good job of overriding some of this stuff unless you go in and touch something then you're all out of wack for a while. But i had similar problems with my 2215 when switching from bluetooth dialup to wifi to wired ethernet to 56k modem. So i guess i cannot hold that against the new ppc. :) It actually works a little better in that respect. most of the time. :)

As other have mentioned it has the same or similar screen to the 4100 ipaqs. It has a bit of a yellow tint at off angles. but wow is it brite and nice colors too! And it is waaaay easier to read out side than my 2215 which is important for a phone.

Works just fine with my moto bluetooth head set.

so far all most all of my software runs just fine on it.

This is my first ppcpe so i'm really having fun with it. Now i just have to decide if i really want to keep it. Or try to get one of the overseas variants with the camera. or just wait til next year and get a new regular ppc with vga and lots of ram. or keep it AND get a new ppc next year with vga and lots of ram. :lol:

If it had a camera i would have no problem with keeping it. I never thought a camera phone would be soo useful until i got one... I could get an SD camere, which would be a better camera anyway... but i would have to carry it around... plan to use it... that takes away the most useful feature of a camera phone. always there ready to go.

I dunno... it's very cool though. If anyone has any questions let me know.

[JohnJohn]

Jason,

I'm in Colorado and they said they won't be getting them until after the new year. I guess I'll be checking with my local store to verify tomorrow.

Does it use "EDGE"? How fast is your connection to the web? How does the keyboard compare to others you may have used. Does it way more than the 2200? Can you synce via bluetooth? I really need to be able to use it as a modem for my laptop via bluetooth. ANy questions you can answer? Thanks

[bnycastro]

My i-mate JAM is coming today (FedEx has no definite time yet but it is in Manila) :D
Last time I checked... 11:01 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery PASIG PH 8O I knew I should have had it delivered to the office! dammit! now I've to wait til I get home :roll:
I'm very excited... the HoFo forum and pics only made me more excited! Will report if the JAM works well with Globe Telco here in the Philippines for Pinoys who intend to buy the JAM.

[ventivent]

I've had my i-mate JAM for two days now, and it's an awesome device. For a couple of generations now, I've been using the PPC + BT phone combo, and it's just too much to carry around. The JAM is tiny (about the size of a 3G iPod, with more rounded edges) and has all the features of any PPC on the market today, minus WiFi and VGA. Voice quality is quite good, and the 416mhz processor is more than enough for basic PIM tasks. I use a 1 GB SD card to store mp3s, and it has become my primary mp3 player. The megapixel camera could use some work, but is fine for quick snapshots...I wouldn't try to print anything tho.

The JAM is expensive at $624, but it has replaced my iPod mini, Motorola e398, and iPaq h4155. I think that's a pretty good deal.

[Jason Lee]

Jason,

I'm in Colorado and they said they won't be getting them until after the new year. I guess I'll be checking with my local store to verify tomorrow.

Does it use "EDGE"? How fast is your connection to the web? How does the keyboard compare to others you may have used. Does it way more than the 2200? Can you synce via bluetooth? I really need to be able to use it as a modem for my laptop via bluetooth. ANy questions you can answer? Thanks

Yep you can use it as a bluetooth/usb/serial/ir modem for your laptop. there special software in rom called "wireless modem" that allows for this.

It does not support EDGE... :( but the connection is faster than bluetoothing from my 2215 most of the time. I just tested the speed and it rated at 56kbit/sec with two bars of signal hidden in my cave/office.

It does weigh more than my 2215 and i have the metal side grips on it. :) but it doesn't bother me. I like the way it feels when i hold it. I don't actually notice the weight untill i hold my 2215 in the other hand, then it is noticable.

I assume it will sync just fine via bluetooth. It uses the same bluetooth, just updated, that the 2215 uses. I really like the broadcom/widdcom software. I would test it but my poor bluetooth dongle had an accident while sticking out the front usb port on my office pc.... may it rest in pieces..
:cry:

The keyboard is an experience. :) I have the HP clip on thumb board for my 2215 and love it. The keys are very nicely spaced on the sx66 keyboard. And there is a fairly noticable click when you press them. The keyboard is actually a totaly flat rubber surface with no openings or individual keys. Which is nice to keep crap out from the inside of your phone. There is a small raised bump over each key to let you know where to push. I'm always affraid that i am gonna hit more than one key when i type, it makes me want to type with my thumb nails instead. But i have forced my self to just type away totally flat thumbed and it works perfectly. there is plenty of space between the keys to not hit more than one at a time. Some times i think that i may have not hit a key but it has worked every time. It is different and might take some getting used to the feel but it works perfectly. The only thing i don't like about it is that there in no Ctrl key. i used that one a lot on my 2215 keyboard for cut, copy, paste, blold, and underline. But since i don't have to carry this keyboard around in my pocket i can live with that. ;)

I also have Fake Cursor (http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Cupertino/2039/FakeCursorPPC.zip) installed that gives you a mouse cross hair that is controled by the directional pad and taps when you click the dpad button. The keyboard doesn't work while it is running so i mapped fake cursor to a button so i can turn it on and off when needed. Now i can use my ppc without ever touching the screen. :D

even though it doesn't have a camera i think i'm gonna have to keep it. Especially since it was $300-400 cheaper than the PDA2K.

This thing is soo cool! :lol: