T-Mobile Germany To Release MDA III?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.xscale.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=483&mode=&order=0&thold=0' target='_blank'>http://www.xscale.de/modules.php?na...order=0&thold=0</a><br /><br /></div>There's been a lot of rumors floating about this on the 'Net for the last few days, but this is the first article that I found that seems to offer enough juicy bits and a possible shot of the device. (Here's an <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sourceid=mozclient&u=http%3A//www.xscale.de/modules.php%3Fname%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D483%26mode%3D%26order%3D0%26thold%3D0">English translation</a>.)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040617-TMobileMDAIII.jpg" /><br /><br />The housing of the device is based on the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27231">CU928 CDMA phone initially released in China</a>, except it has a GSM radio instead. It also has Bluetooth, WiFi, and 128MB of RAM. I don't know what GSM frequencies it runs on, but I've got to say, this is looking sweet. :) Of course, if it comes out anywhere, it'll be Europe first - although there have been rumors that the CDMA version <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27285">may be released by Sprint</a> sometime this year.

[gorkon280]

Me WANT! :drool: Since there's a CDMA version Verizon COULD theoretically pick it up as well. NICE! :D

[tourdewolf]

Come here my precious, come to Smeagol... :drool: :jawdrop: :drool:

[Darren Behan]

Got an XDA II less than a week ago. DAMN IT!!!! Once again I am forsaken by the PDA gods.

db

[dacs29]

Connect magazine (Germany's largest cell phone magazine -- www.connect.de) wrote about the MDA3 in its 17 June issue (which came out today). I'd scan the article, but I'm not sure of the legality of that or whether they would like me to do that, so here are some key pieces of information from the article:
pull out keyboard (smaller than the Nokia Communicator -- about the size of the Danger Hiptop)

400 MHz XScale

128 MB RAM

SD Card slot

0.3 MP camera

WLAN (b)

RIM push client

Fax receiving and sending

1/4th larger battery than the MDA2

voice dialing

and of course all the features of the MDA2David

[surur]

Voice Dialling!! Is this via bluetooth? If so hooray, and it may then come to the xda as an update.

From other pictures Ive seen this device is very thick. The 128Mb is nice, as is the built-in wifi, but I think the market has now moved beyond .3Mp to 1.3Mpixel.

That, and the thickness of the device are the only drawbacks.

I still prefer the Mpx though, as it wont need a case to protect the screen, and will have a better camera.

Surur

[jalm1]

dacs29, thanks for pointing out the article, i just went and bought it, and sure enough it looks promissing, i just wish they gave a better market date. What what i understood they only mentioned the timing of the RIM push functions, and not the launch of the device (please correct me if i am wrong). This is makring me reconsider if i want the h6300.

[surur]

I think these devices will be pushed more and more by the mobile phone companies. Looking at this story from The Register

Voice has peaked, the future is data (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/17/yankee_predictions/)

I believe the xda earned much much more money than the p800 from data (ARPU). I think there will be a good market for these kind of devices, and good subsidies. They may only end up £200, less that a cheap pocketpc.

Also from 3G (http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Oct2003/6006.htm)


As well as winning excellent reviews, users of the Xda generate more than three times the level of mobile data traffic than the second most data-oriented handset - the Nokia 6310i - and on average use up to 4.0MB per month. The average revenue per user (ARPU) of the XDA is around 35% higher then average post-pay ARPU across O2's footprint.

Disconnected PPC's are dead

Surur

[Duncan]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

[danmanmayer]

I am a big fan still using the very first XDA. I hope they keep making these amazing devices. The newest version looks very impressive. I doubt, I will be able to afford a new phone until I get a job. I guess i have to wait until I graduate in one semester. Until then all free money will be spent on going out and trying to meet girls, which the XDA doesn't help with at all since everyone is afraid of the largness of the phone.

[surur]

Until then all free money will be spent on going out and trying to meet girls, which the XDA doesn't help with at all since everyone is afraid of the largness of the phone.

Just tell them only a BIG man can carry a big phone :twisted: :devilboy: Nudge Nudge wink wink :)

And dont carry it on your belt :)

Is that an XDA in your pocket or are you just happy to see me :devilboy:

Surur

[Mojo Jojo]

Can at least one company ditch the camera and put in VGA resolution?

[Ryan Joseph]

Woo hoo! This thing looks sweeeeeet!

I absolutely love my i-mate (aka XDAII). This thing, with it's built in WiFi and keyboard just make it better!

I can't wait!

8O And is that SIX hardware buttons? 8O

One question, however. I've heard that WiFi devices without external antennas get very poor WiFi signal strength. How does this device get around that...or does it?

[thunderck]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

Come on now it is a PPC PE. Battery life would go even further down the toobs with VGA and (or) CF it PPC PE has to stay in a listening mode and never turns compleatly off. What will you be doing with a CF slot? GPS?? If Sprint or Verizon pick this up you get GPS, in some form, already.
Also either one of those add ons would make it bigger!!! And it is already just a little smaller than the MDA II.

Not trying to poke fun but manybe it could fly too and shoot fricking lasers beams out of its fricking screen. :lol:

[bkerrins]

Sounds like this stuff is aways coming...I haven't seen anything in a store yet.

[Jason Lee]

hmm.. very nice ppc. bet it won't support 850Mhz networks... :cry:

[Kevin Daly]

It shows interesting signs of a late-generation iPAQ aesthetic.
I second the guy who asked about OS version and resolution (although I don't expect any Phone Edition devices with VGA any time soon).

[Duncan]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

Come on now it is a PPC PE. Battery life would go even further down the toobs with VGA and (or) CF it PPC PE has to stay in a listening mode and never turns compleatly off.

Is it a Pocket PC or a phone? If it is a phone then it is too big, if it is a Pocket PC - with phone capabilities - then it need to be one capable of next generation features and uses i.e. VGA - or it isn't much cop as a Pocket PC... GPRS is less draining than WiFi (I know this from personal experience) and the new processors are more efficient - so if a VGA device can carry dual wireless (as with the iPAQ 4700, Loox 700 and Asus a730) then it can carry triple wireless just as well.

What will you be doing with a CF slot? GPS?? If Sprint or Verizon pick this up you get GPS, in some form, already.

Blimey - that is quite a staggering statement! Putting to one side that I am one of the approximately 6 billion people who don't fall in the Verizon or Sprint service areas (please try to remember that not *everyone* is American...!) - a CF slot may just, oh I don't know, let me use one of the many CF peripherals I've invested in (or should I mortgage my home to replace them all with the more expensive SD versions?) - or enable me to buy a 1 or 2GB memory card without needing to sell a kidney? - or let me use a microdrive - or let me use a peripheral that isn't available on SD...

Also either one of those add ons would make it bigger!!! And it is already just a little smaller than the MDA II.

The Asus a730 is around the same size as the iPAQ 4100 but thicker. It has a CF slot and dual wireless. The GPRS module is tiny - so I have no doubt a triple wirless VGA device is feasible without being huge. Going for smaller devices is good - but not at the cost of features. I don't worship at the altar of the shirt pocket - I want the best device possible, at whatever size is necessary with current technology - not an uber small but dated and crippled device! I don't think I'm alone in this by any means.

Not trying to poke fun but manybe it could fly too and shoot fricking lasers beams out of its fricking screen. :lol:

Yes - because of course I'm asking for something that is completely unrealistic - clearly...! :roll:

I take one look at the iPAQ 6300 and the MDA III and my only thought is 'So what?'... and that's from someone who was excited by and owned an XDA II...!

[Paragon]

Can at least one company ditch the camera and put in VGA resolution?

Maybe if enough of us repeat that statement, someone may catch on. ;)

Dave

[orol]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

come on, what is CF slot good for? it only makes devices bigger. SD cards are now reasonable priced and MDA3 has everything in it. there is no need for CF any longer

VGA ? heh, and what about battery life ? I don't want to have my "phone" be discharged after 5 hours.

400 mhz ? way too much. what is it good for ?

camera ? it's better to be without camera since in many business the camera is forbidden

only the ergonomics of the keyboard is questionable

[Duncan]

camera ? it's better to be without camera since in many business the camera is forbidden

I think you missed my point - the camera in this MDA III is bad either because it will cause problems (as you describe) or, for those who want a camera, because it is 0.3MP in a time when 1.3MP is available.

400 mhz ? way too much. what is it good for ?

Heh - the XDA II certainly needs more processing power - plus, the newer more powerful processors are better at power management. Ideal for a triple wireless device.

SD cards are now reasonable priced and MDA3 has everything in it. there is no need for CF any longer

Nonsense. Have you seen the price of a 1GB SD card? Can you get 2 or 4GB in an SD card? I also refer you to my post above - there are several reasons why the CF card still has its place...!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Can at least one company ditch the camera and put in VGA resolution?

Maybe if enough of us repeat that statement, someone may catch on. ;)

Dave

Can at least one company ditch the camera and put in VGA resolution? :wink:

I hope it comes in two flavours like th 6300 - with and without camera.

I do like the look of that flip out thumboard. Nice!

[marlof]

Although the idea looks nifty, I don't think I like that slide down thumbboard at all: it's completely flat? It looks a bit like these unresponsive Sony keyboards. Give me keys I can feel (like on an add-on thumbboard, on a Blackberry, a 4350 or on a Treo) anyday over this. But still, one impressive device if you're not too much into typing on the keyboard. :)

[thunderck]

then it need to be one capable of next generation features and uses i.e. VGA - or it isn't much cop as a Pocket PC... GPRS is less draining than WiFi (I know this from personal experience) and the new processors are more efficient - so if a VGA device can carry dual wireless (as with the iPAQ 4700, Loox 700 and Asus a730) then it can carry triple wireless just as well.



This is not a new PPC PE, HTC has been making it for some months now in China. So it would be reasonable to assume that HTC designed this without some of the "newer" features on the table.
This could have sextuplet wireless for all I care but that does not mean you have to run all of them all the time, as with iPaq 4700 , Loox, ect. All things being equal I expect the MDA III could last on a battery about as long. At issue is the phone function which draws power all-the-time, while is listens for a push voice call / new e-mail ect, unlike a non phone which has almost no standby power consumption, in comparison. All that being said I would love to be on a call (GSM) on my headset (bluetooth) all while browsing the internet (WiFi) looking at a VGA screen. That is quite a bit of battery drain. Sounds like you like PPC PE for the Carrier modules, putting little consideration on the voice function. I must admit I am that way. The always on internet and push data options is what does it for me. 8)


Blimey - that is quite a staggering statement! Putting to one side that I am one of the approximately 6 billion people who don't fall in the Verizon or Sprint service areas (please try to remember that not *everyone* is American...!) - a CF slot may just, oh I don't know, let me use one of the many CF peripherals I've invested in (or should I mortgage my home to replace them all with the more expensive SD versions?) - or enable me to buy a 1 or 2GB memory card without needing to sell a kidney? - or let me use a microdrive - or let me use a peripheral that isn't available on SD...

I said Sprint and Verizon because they had already been brought up. Really any CDMA carrier can give you that. GSM/GPRS carries 'can' do it as well. As far as the CF slot... You want a 'next' generation PPC but compatibly with yesterday card slot.. Sorry I kid. I can understand that but SD cards are SOOOOO cheap these days and device manufacturer have to more on someday. Also CF pulls more of that precious power.


The Asus a730 is around the same size as the iPAQ 4100 but thicker. It has a CF slot and dual wireless. The GPRS module is tiny - so I have no doubt a triple wirless VGA device is feasible without being huge. Going for smaller devices is good - but not at the cost of features. I don't worship at the altar of the shirt pocket - I want the best device possible, at whatever size is necessary with current technology - not an uber small but dated and crippled device! I don't think I'm alone in this by any means.


Best device possible at whatever size... Consider buying a laptop.. :|

Not trying to poke fun but maybe it could fly too and shoot fricking lasers beams out of its fricking screen. :lol:

Yes - because of course I'm asking for something that is completely unrealistic - clearly...! :roll:


We get what the market can sustain and yet we will always want more.

We can argue all day but at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. And with the above skermish aside and besides it is all in good fun Cool I really like your website. :mrgreen:

[griph]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

Your a pessimist - I can tell - you drink is always half empty isn't it? :wink:
No VGA? - big deal!
Only 400mhz? - plenty fast enough for most, including me - personally the difference between my iPaq 3650 and my iPaq 2210 was subjective - so until we get into high mHz or even GHz that isnt going to worry me.
Ergonomics look OK to me - and it looks good too.
128mB Ram, SDIO, WiFi, Bluetooth all included.
Available in GSM (and GPRS??)
I see nothing there to moan about. :lol:
And it doesn't have that bloody silly aerial like the iPaq 6300 (what is all the fuss about that one?). The 6300 looks like O-L-D technology!

[Duncan]

Your a pessimist - I can tell - you drink is always half empty isn't it?

Not at all. If I'm offered half a glass it doesn't matter whether it is half full or half empty - if someone else is offering me a full glass! :)

No VGA? - big deal!

Yes - it is! Having seen the potential of VGA in a Pocket PC, having seen the beauty of PPC SE on a VGA screen - going back to QVGA would be like trading a Ferrari for a Skoda...

Only 400mhz? - plenty fast enough for most, including me - personally the difference between my iPaq 3650 and my iPaq 2210 was subjective - so until we get into high mHz or even GHz that isnt going to worry me.

Ah - but I had an XDA II and frankly it struggled. GPRS functionality is very processor intensive in a Pocket PC. Plus - the PXA 270 processors have power saving features that make them better for a Pocket PC Phone.

Ergonomics look OK to me - and it looks good too.

Not so long ago I held one of the Vodafone badged BSquare handhelds. Very similar keyboard/screen slider design. It was very awkward.

[Thinkingmandavid]

400mhz? That is not fast enough! It is time to get some serious processing power in ppc's. I have been wanting a ghz for some time now. I want to upgrade my e355 but to what? I do not see the sense for me personally to "upgrade" to a device that is not much faster.
I also would like a better camera in there if it is going to be included.

[Cortex]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

Come on now it is a PPC PE. Battery life would go even further down the toobs with VGA and (or) CF it PPC PE has to stay in a listening mode and never turns compleatly off....

I have to agree with Duncan that VGA would be very useful. I use my PPCPE to browse the web ALOT and the higher resolution would be worth the reduction in battery life, especially if the battery was swapable.

[thunderck]

No CF slot.
No VGA.
Camera built-in/Poor resolution camera (pick according to your bias).
Only 400Mhz.
Dubious ergonomics.

In short - not at all impressive...!

Come on now it is a PPC PE. Battery life would go even further down the toobs with VGA and (or) CF it PPC PE has to stay in a listening mode and never turns compleatly off....

I have to agree with Duncan that VGA would be very useful. I use my PPCPE to browse the web ALOT and the higher resolution would be worth the reduction in battery life, especially if the battery was swapable.


Don't get me wrong I agree that VGA would be VERY useful. However, my point is that VGA on the MDA III at the time of HTC's design is not a reasonable expectation and should not be a surprise because of the nature of PPC PE.