3 Australia Releases the Dopod 838 Pro and 595

[Darius Wey]

<i>"If you're serious about business you'll want the Dopod 838Pro by your side. First it's perfect for Mobile Email. The full QWERTY keyboard stylus and huge 2.8' touchscreen make it everybit as handy as a laptop - at a fraction of the size. It's a smartphone too, with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 technology(With Direct Push). Innovative one-hand jog wheel and the capability to view Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF attachments. Add a 2 megapixel camera and WLAN functionality and the Dopod 838Pro really means business."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20061012-838pro.gif" /><br /><br />Australian telco, <a href="http://three.com.au/">3</a>, has just pushed the <a href="http://business.three.com.au/BusinessMobiles.do?mid=27&mname=Dopod%26nbsp%3B838Pro&method=businessMobileDetail">Dopod 838 Pro</a> (HTC Hermes) and <a href="http://business.three.com.au/BusinessMobiles.do?mid=28&mname=Dopod%26nbsp%3B595&method=businessMobileDetail">Dopod 595</a> (HTC Breeze) out into the open for public consumption. Outright price for the 838 Pro is A$959, which is about A$300 cheaper than what other Australian carriers and resellers are selling it for. Woot! ;)

[MitchellO]

$340 cheaper actually! Telstra has it for $1299.

I called up as soon as I saw it on their site, and they were ready to put one in the mail that very minute (well, probably tomorrow but you know what I mean :D). I am putting my M600i up on eBay tonight!!

[baralong]

There seems to be a mistake in the description
Included in the pack :
...
A/C adaptor with mini USB plug
Dopod 838Pro handset

Doesn't this use the funky new adapter for sync, charge and headset?

[MitchellO]

The dopod 838 Pro includes a miniUSB connector for charging, syncing and headphones.

[Darius Wey]

Doesn't this use the funky new adapter for sync, charge and headset?

Indeed, it is an all-in-one, but it's not flat and oddly-shaped like the Smartflip's (if that's what you were hinting at). In fact, this is the same mini USB connector that I showed you on my 595 on Tuesday.

[Darius Wey]

$340 cheaper actually! Telstra has it for $1299.

$1249 at OW. So, I wasn't that far off. :P

http://www.ow.com.au/shop/product_info.php/products_id/1426

I called up as soon as I saw it on their site, and they were ready to put one in the mail that very minute (well, probably tomorrow but you know what I mean :D). I am putting my M600i up on eBay tonight!!

If I remember your previous posts, you seem to change devices every couple of months. First, the SP5, then the M600i, now the Hermes. I hope you can settle on this one. ;)

[l0wey]

Alas no FM radio

I really am a stickler :lol:

Congrats Mitchell0 let us know what you think.
$300 bucks cheaper than telstra - anyone wanna buy some shares

Come on Quanta - give me a 3G Atom....

As to the mini USB debate 4 letters A2DP

[l0wey]

OK three and a number :D

[MitchellO]

If I remember your previous posts, you seem to change devices every couple of months. First, the SP5, then the M600i, now the Hermes. I hope you can settle on this one. ;)

True. With the Hermes there is really no where else to go. It has UMTS, HSPDA, WiFi, BT, Video Calling, thumboard, good size, reasonable price, looks good and is available from my network (not that that would stop me :D). I think this one will be the keeper.

While the M600i is good, I have been having several problems with it. It locks up too often, and it often takes 2-3 resets before it will boot up. And the browser is not the fastest on the block. That, and the fact that I really like Windows Mobile, is really pulling me to the Hermes.

[choyboy]

True. With the Hermes there is really no where else to go. It has UMTS, HSPDA, WiFi, BT, Video Calling, thumboard, good size, reasonable price, looks good and is available from my network (not that that would stop me Very Happy). I think this one will be the keeper.

Not true! You could still add GPS...and an external numeric keypad (HTC is working on the latter!) :D

I got one via telstra (for the HSDPA network) - while I'm happy it's bristling with options, I'm not particularly impressed with web browsing (via wifi) and movie playback. Both were faster on my treo 650 (though admittedly you need to add a wifi card to the treo)

Also there is a major slowdown when you run multiple programs (thanks to the stupid minimise instead of quit button). This was to the point that I couldn't answer calls when more than 5 programs were running (pressing the green "ACCEPT CALL" key hung the caller up!!!??!. I was forced to install Spb pocketplus to force the "X" to actually quit applications.


While the M600i is good, I have been having several problems with it. It locks up too often, and it often takes 2-3 resets before it will boot up. And the browser is not the fastest on the block. That, and the fact that I really like Windows Mobile, is really pulling me to the Hermes.

Did you upgrade the firmware? I hear the first release firmware was *very* buggy but the new firmware fixed alot of the problems.

http://www.howardforums.com/archive/topic/945091-1.html

[MitchellO]

To be honest, I would be perfectly happy with a Bluetooth GPS. Internal GPS is not something that is a make-or-break thing for me.

With the M600i firmware, I tried the updater last night and it said I have the latest version.

With regards to the speed, the KJAM had a much slower processor, and I found it to be fine even with a fair few apps running. And I used a combo of Pocket IE and Opera Mini for web browsing. Much better than on my M600i where it crashes a fair bit.

No, I will be very happy when I get the JASJAM. At least for a while....I hope!

[markh1]

To be honest, I would be perfectly happy with a Bluetooth GPS.

I find when my PDA goes into standby I have to turn off/on bluetooth on the PDA and turn off/on the GPS device, to reconnect, which is pretty annoying, so I would welcome integrated GPS but it's not on the top of my list.

I'm thinking about upgrading my blue angel, though I would like a VGA screen for reading ebooks. Not sure if I should go for the universal or hermes, or wait a few months for universal's successor.

[isajoo]

does the builtin gps use more power...comparing it to wifi or even bluetooth?

[l0wey]

Completely unproven but conjecture would have to say no it would use less power.

Because

It is receiving the GPS signal whereas both Bluetooth and WiFI
transmit = more power required.

I have no clue the reality but it makes sense to me.

Once I can find a WIFI, Bluetooth, 3G, large screen (2.8") device with keyboard, FM radio and built in GPS I'll let you know how it goes.


More Converts - I love it :lol:

[davea0511]

huge 2.8' touchscreen
2.8" is "huge"? Goodness, what's happened to us?

[MitchellO]

huge 2.8' touchscreen
2.8" is "huge"? Goodness, what's happened to us?

Yeah its funny how 2.8" is fast becoming the norm.

[ctmagnus]

I can't wait for the day that 2.8" is considered too big for general use. :roll:

[MitchellO]

I think 2.6" is the absolute minimum for a Pocket PC, and 2.2" for a smartphone. Anything lower is getting a bit too small for use.

I think 2.8" is the sweet spot for QVGA Pocket PCs, and anything with a larger screen (ie. 3.5" or larger) should be running VGA.

[Darius Wey]

2.8" is "huge"? Goodness, what's happened to us?

When you consider the size of the screens of the other devices that 3 currently sells, 2.8" is a little "huge". I guess they really wanted to emphasise that point in their marketing speak. ;)

[MitchellO]

When you consider the size of the screens of the other devices that 3 currently sells, 2.8" is a little "huge". I guess they really wanted to emphasise that point in their marketing speak. ;)

Yeah well my M600i has a 2.6" screen, which is at the top end of their screen sizes.

[Muntasser]

what a functional coup d'etat!

The 838 Pro really is a smorgasbord of features and is going to do wonders for the WM5 banner in Australia!

I'm personally hoping that within the next generation, they can bring down the weight of the device. Something in the order of 20 - 25 grams would be spectacular ( this would be pushing Jamin territory for weight.)

184 grams is starting to get on the larger side of the fence.

And while I'm being wishful, maybe incorporate some slightly edgier styling. Sure the body is inevitably going to get hidden by a leather/silicone/aluminium case but it would be nice to bring something a little sexier to the table!