What is so inspirational about the XDA?

[Phillip Dyson]

Don't get me wrong.
I have a co-worker that just bought the XDA II and I have to say that if any device was going to lure me over to the convergence side it would be that one.

But I am wondering what has made this device stand out so much that a developer's community has sprung up around it?

I mean there are other devices that people love and they don't get sites. Okay I know Axim and FirstLoox. But they seem to be more user community than developer community.

But this one seems to be different.

My co-worker is always telling me about "cooked" ROMs and the like.

Is it a much better development platform than other devices?

[Paragon]

The XDA is popular mostly because it IS a converged device. Many people like having a single multi use device. The XDA family is gaining even more popularity these days as the line matures. It is now into it's 3rd generation and is developing offshoots such as the new "Mini" XDA or "JAM" Because of it's small size it is really becoming popular.

The picture below shows the PDA2k (XDAIII) on the left, the Mini in the middle, and the SPV on the right. With a 2.8" screen the Mini is still easy to use, and is a fully functional Pocket PC, touch screen and all, but it isn't much bigger than the SPV Smartphone.

Personally I think the popularity of the XDA family has only scratched the surface compared to where it is going to go in the future.


http://www.devans.ca/tri.jpg

[Janak Parekh]

But I am wondering what has made this device stand out so much that a developer's community has sprung up around it?
Are you talking about xda-developers.com (www.xda-developers.com)? Once a few guys figured out to hack up the ROM it just grew from grassroots. The fact that it's GSM and has a popular design only added to its appeal.

Dells are more US-centric and the Loox is more European-centric, and I think people have had a tougher time hacking their ROMs.

--janak

[surur]

Additionally, the hardware is brillaint, but the software in phone edition devices are lacking. There is much need for improving the phone interface and assorted apps it requires, which is why developers have responded to it.

Surur

[XDAPaul]

But I am wondering what has made this device stand out so much that a developer's community has sprung up around it?
Are you talking about xda-developers.com (www.xda-developers.com)? Once a few guys figured out to hack up the ROM it just grew from grassroots. The fact that it's GSM and has a popular design only added to its appeal.

Dells are more US-centric and the Loox is more European-centric, and I think people have had a tougher time hacking their ROMs.

--janak

This stuff about a developer's community is all new to me. What exactly do you mean by "hack up the ROM"? At the moment I can't visit www.xda-developers.com because it keeps timing out.

[Phillip Dyson]

Unfortunately I can't answer that with any detail.
You'll have to visit the site when its back up.

My query was as an outsider looking in.

[maximus]

To me it is very simple.

The i-mate JAM, or the XDA mini in my part of the world, is simply too marvelous to pass away. They look really good, and they feel really good in your hands. It is small (6x10cm), it is light, yet it is a fully functional WM2003SE device with bluetooth, GSM and 1.3 mpx camera.

What else can you want in a device ? Sliding keyboard and wifi ? If that is the case, then you should go straight to XDA IIs or IIi (Although for an XDA II owner like myself, I cannot justify the upgrade cost just to get the additional wifi, memory and sliding keyboard). But nevertheless, it is a very cool looking device.

[Kowalski]

xda-developers.com is an excellent community they have done excellent job till now, and they dont seem to cease the job! xda owners are very very lucky and this site is a huge plus for xda owners.

just take a look at the custom rom images they have made, they take out unusefull stuff like microsoft e-book reader and free up some space in the rom, or alternatively they fill the rom with much more usefull applications than microsoft offer

all freeware, all legal

[Phillip Dyson]

I have to say I'm envious that none of my devices have attracted such attention.

Perhaps I should learn more about this whole ROM idea and see if I can get something started.

Anybody body go any clues?

[Kowalski]

xda-developers work very hard and kitchen rom is not the only hit,
they make realy cool applications, for example they made a program which will rotate the screen just like wm2003SE devices