View Full Version : MDA IV Pictures From 3GSM In Cannes
Janak Parekh
02-15-2005, 10:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3584.html' target='_blank'>http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3584.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Today we had an opportunity to play with HTC Universal and we have taken some pictures of it, including comparative photo shots of HTC Universal together with HTC Typhoon (Orange SPV C500 aka Audiovox STM 5600) and including also close-ups of volume up and down and external "accept phone call" and "reject phone call" buttons. In photos you can see hands of John Starkwether, Senior Product Manager MED, Microsoft, who presented the HTC Universal to us."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050215-MSMobilesHTCUniversal.jpg" /><br /><br />I've gotta say that overall, I really like the featureset of this device. My one gripe is that it doesn't look like it'll be that comfortable to hold up to one's ear, although a Bluetooth headset would solve that problem nicely. ;) I'm glad the device is not too thick, though; as long as it's pocketable I'll be looking to get one.
Stephen Beesley
02-15-2005, 10:25 AM
The more I see of this device the more I like it.
It would have been nice to see some comparison shots of it next to a current Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone device (say an MDA II or II for example) to get a better idea of size etc, but overall it does not look too bulky.
I am not sure if I would use the keyboard a great deal, but it would certainly be a great option to have. The only real concern would be the lack of application buttons on the screen face of the device. This coud be a hassle when using it in "PDA" mode - especially if you like your games!
Still I would love to see one in the flesh (or should that be in the plastic...)
Jonathon Watkins
02-15-2005, 11:05 AM
The more I see of this device the more I like it. )
Agreed. It's looking better all the time. :D
It would have been nice to see some comparison shots of it next to a current Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone device
I dare say that may happen soon (http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3584.html)... :wink:
Bruno Figueiredo
02-15-2005, 12:03 PM
Firts impressions:
1- Looks cheap; paint is likely to wear off quickly.
2- Design is not very good. Lots of apppendixes...
3- No D-Pad? What's the use of the flip screen then? You can't use it as a normal PPC then.
4- Give me a Psion-like KB, a flip screen like the Helix (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/danger/pdd-helix-prototype-032727.php), a 2GB hard disk like the Zaurus, dual-cards, dual wireless, VGA and a 2000+ battery and I'm sold!
Frank2
02-15-2005, 12:42 PM
3- No D-Pad? What's the use of the flip screen then? You can't use it as a normal PPC then.
!
What? You can use it as a Touchscreen-PocketPC!
regards
Frank
Bruno Figueiredo
02-15-2005, 01:54 PM
I know I can use it, but not with one hand and with no shortcut buttons and D-Pad I can't play games, control the music player, etc...
Stephen Beesley
02-15-2005, 02:36 PM
...Give me a Psion-like KB..., a 2GB hard disk like the Zaurus, dual-cards, dual wireless, VGA and a 2000+ battery and I'm sold!
Ahhh now that would truly be a device worth owning!
I would really love to see a sliding keyboard like the one from the Psion come out on a pocket pc (whether phone edition or otherwise) it was one of the things that almost made me pick a Psion rather than my first Pocket PC many years back.
As to the dpad issue, I also wonder what you do when using the device in "laptop" mode. Now if only they could include a mouse curser and maybe one of those little pencil eraser like mouse controllers.
docangle
02-15-2005, 02:57 PM
It looks as though it does have a D-pad/mic combo in the pictures, and I am sure some of the side buttons that are still exposed can be programmed for games.
TheZodiac
02-15-2005, 02:58 PM
Man, the other keyboard'ed MDA's are beginning to look pretty inept and obsolete at this point.
Stephen Beesley
02-15-2005, 03:44 PM
It looks as though it does have a D-pad/mic combo in the pictures, and I am sure some of the side buttons that are still exposed can be programmed for games.
Yes there is the d-pad on the "PDA" face, but that would nor be very useable in laptop mode.
adamz
02-15-2005, 04:12 PM
It looks as though it does have a D-pad/mic combo in the pictures, and I am sure some of the side buttons that are still exposed can be programmed for games.
Yes there is the d-pad on the "PDA" face, but that would nor be very useable in laptop mode.
Sure it would, just use your right thumb.
nadeaup
02-15-2005, 04:13 PM
Of course here in the U.S. We likely will not see this device until 2006 if ever!!!
Still waiting for T-Mobile to offer any other MDA than the original!!!
Jonathon Watkins
02-15-2005, 04:48 PM
Yes there is the d-pad on the "PDA" face, but that would nor be very useable in laptop mode.
Looks good for us right handed users. :) Actually, it even looks usable holding it with one hand....
Stephen Beesley
02-15-2005, 04:53 PM
Yes there is the d-pad on the "PDA" face, but that would nor be very useable in laptop mode.
Looks good for us right handed users. :) Actually, it even looks usable holding it with one hand....
Okay I guess I never thought of that - I am glad I am right handed!
Still I would love to see some sort of mouse cursor system for use with the keyboard.
gibson042
02-15-2005, 06:16 PM
:drool: I am in love with this device! Every bit of news about it reveals yet another great detail! It apparently connects via mini-USB (like the HTC Magician) and offers VGA out (like the Axim X50v). I will be disappointed if it really does run on WM2003SE instead of Magneto and drop the application buttons and 850 MHz band (not that I use it; I just like the flexibility), but that will not even make me consider passing up this marvel. Its release date can't come fast enough!
:robot: Rock on, HTC!
Does anyone know if the mini-USB along with Magneto will enable this device to connect to any public PC (without ActiveSync) and automatically register its storage spaces (SD/ROM-store/RAM-store) via USB mass storage?
Like how the iPod shows up via USB mass storage on PCs, though you can still install the iTunes software and interface with the iPod via that way too...
The big problem I see here, besides those mentionned is the color of the keyboard. Let's be real black in a not so well lit area and you'll be squinting over the device to see what those keys are. Worst: the letters are 1) the white letters are too small, 2) you have red letters on black, that's even less readeable.
Same mess with laptop keyboards, most of the time the keys are black; whereas desktop keyboards are mostly white/light cream, while lighting is adequate. The designers have it all reversed :evil:.
gibson042
02-15-2005, 11:05 PM
Does anyone know if the mini-USB along with Magneto will enable this device to connect to any public PC (without ActiveSync) and automatically register its storage spaces (SD/ROM-store/RAM-store) via USB mass storage?
Like how the iPod shows up via USB mass storage on PCs, though you can still install the iTunes software and interface with the iPod via that way too...
Very doubtful, because The HTC Magician does not sport such a feature, and Even if Magneto does, msmobiles.com reports (http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3579.html) that the MDA IV will run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.
gibson042
02-15-2005, 11:08 PM
The big problem I see here, besides those mentionned is the color of the keyboard. Let's be real black in a not so well lit area and you'll be squinting over the device to see what those keys are. Worst: the letters are 1) the white letters are too small, 2) you have red letters on black, that's even less readeable.
Same mess with laptop keyboards, most of the time the keys are black; whereas desktop keyboards are mostly white/light cream, while lighting is adequate. The designers have it all reversed :evil:.
Well, the HTC Blue Angel, this model's predecessor, had a very well backlit keyboard to address visibility issues. There has been no indication that this one will lack the same feature, and indeed leaving it out would be a step backwards.
surur
02-16-2005, 12:53 AM
Very doubtful, because The HTC Magician does not sport such a feature, and Even if Magneto does, msmobiles.com reports (http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3579.html) that the MDA IV will run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.
I am not buying a wm2003se device at the end of 2005. No, definitely not. No matter how good the package. PE devices dont usually get any OS updates. They must be mad or dreaming if they think they can get away that.
Surur
More pics to drool over: http://www.msmobiles.com/news.php/3586.html
I think the look is starting to grow on me, I think they are going for "sleek" even though it's a sizeable device:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/high-res-images/3gsm2005/mda-iv-compared-10.jpg
gibson042
02-16-2005, 05:23 AM
I am not buying a wm2003se device at the end of 2005. No, definitely not. No matter how good the package. PE devices dont usually get any OS updates. They must be mad or dreaming if they think they can get away that.
Surur
I wish I had your strength of will. I'll hate it, I'll gripe and moan about it, I'll scream for updates, but at the end of the day I'll buy one even if it is crippled by an outdated and inefficient OS.
pauljacks UK
02-16-2005, 09:08 AM
It would be useful to see it alongside a 2210. where are the memory card slots?
humayunl
02-16-2005, 10:10 AM
I love this thing... and cant wait to get my hands on one BUT having said that, I have some concerns:
1. The 'default' closed mode or position for this device seems to be the 'LCD on the inside' position. I am saying this based on how the device looks closed when the LCD is facing Inwards VS Outwards. Don't you think it looks more 'proper' (for lack of a better word) when the top is closed with the LCD inwards? With the LCD facing the outside, (which is the way a long time PPCPE user like myself is used to having his PDA, and which is the way PDAs should always be...) it doesnt look as pretty as I am sure they can make it look.
a PDA Phone has many (make that ALL) uses for which you would always want the screen readilyavailable (alarms snoozing, looking at the time, Caller ID, Today screen etc. etc. etc.) so basically if the default mode is with the screen looking at YOU then shouldnt it look more 'proper' in that position rather than the other one?
2. When the device has its top closed with the LCD facing the inside, there is no secondary display or anything on the other side. What if I get a phonecall, or i wanna see the time etc.? All such "flip top" devices these days have a secondary display and I think this one would benefit from one. Mind you I would never use this secondary display because for me the LCD would always be on the outside. (which is why i am complaining about its looks in that position) TOO many hinges and stuff...
3. One of the features i was really looking forward to in my device were the many application specific buttons on the device.. like on the Blue Angel. Alas this device doesnt have those... there's only that one DPad.. thats even less buttons than my current XDA II.
Is it just me with these concerns? because so far no one has complained about the looks and the hinges.... ? i mean i loev the spces and the device in general and i would buy it as it is.. but with these additional issues resolved it would be almost perfect!
^ I agree that would be good... But I guess as you say they're aiming for the clamshell-phone usage where the normal carrying mode would be with the screen closed -- as that way you won't have to worry about buying a PDA case (and/or screen inlay cover) just to protect the screen while carrying it in your pocket/pack?
surur
02-16-2005, 11:57 AM
a PDA Phone has many (make that ALL) uses for which you would always want the screen readilyavailable (alarms snoozing, looking at the time, Caller ID, Today screen etc. etc. etc.) so basically if the default mode is with the screen looking at YOU then shouldn't it look more 'proper' in that position rather than the other one?
2. When the device has its top closed with the LCD facing the inside, there is no secondary display or anything on the other side. What if I get a phonecall, or i wanna see the time etc.? All such "flip top" devices these days have a secondary display and I think this one would benefit from one. Mind you I would never use this secondary display because for me the LCD would always be on the outside. (which is why i am complaining about its looks in that position) TOO many hinges and stuff...
3. One of the features i was really looking forward to in my device were the many application specific buttons on the device.. like on the Blue Angel. Alas this device doesn't have those... there's only that one DPad.. thats even less buttons than my current XDA II.
The clamshell design with no external screen means you will not need a case. If you think about it, you do not have an external display on your xda 2 or blue-angel either. This device is therefore functionally similar to the other successful HTC devices, but will be sleeker due to not having an external display. I understand how you feel though, and would have preferred an external display included. I have noticed however that I dont really use the external display on my phones much though.
The solution is this bluetooth headset:
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/sc/31263290-2-120-0.gif
http://www.jabra.com/JabraCMS/EM/EN/MainMenu/Products/WirelessHeadsets/JabraBT800/JabraBT800.htm
The Jabra bt800. Its a headset with a display for caller ID, variable ring tones and vibrate. You can really run your phone from there. I just hope the bluetooth stack on this device is up to using the full potential of this headset.
I wish I had your strength of will. I'll hate it, I'll gripe and moan about it, I'll scream for updates, but at the end of the day I'll buy one even if it is crippled by an outdated and inefficient OS.
Well I already have a VGA device (The Loox 720) and a very nice 3G phone (the SE V800) so the only thing I would gain would be device integration, and I understand wm2005 adds A LOT of phone specific features to enable one handed operation. It would be a real mistake and insult not to include the OS. It will make Magneto a standing joke like Palm OS 6.
Surur
The big problem I see here, besides those mentionned is the color of the keyboard. Let's be real black in a not so well lit area and you'll be squinting over the device to see what those keys are. Worst: the letters are 1) the white letters are too small, 2) you have red letters on black, that's even less readeable.
Same mess with laptop keyboards, most of the time the keys are black; whereas desktop keyboards are mostly white/light cream, while lighting is adequate. The designers have it all reversed :evil:.
Well, the HTC Blue Angel, this model's predecessor, had a very well backlit keyboard to address visibility issues. There has been no indication that this one will lack the same feature, and indeed leaving it out would be a step backwards.
Backlight or not, if the keys a black it's harder to see them; the Blue Angel has light colored keys and the light shines thru the whole key (if I get it right). Moreover since the letter shapes (thru which the light shines) are small it's harder to see as well.
Another problem I see is that you'd have to open the device to answer a call as the relevant (red and green) buttons are inside. Or they'd have to add those as duplicates on the outside, possibly with an external screen; the latter is not necessarily needed, but that would help.
However I don't know if WM03/05 can support dual displays like that.
But since no one took pix of the closed device it's imposible to tell !!
The pix at msmobiles like linked above (top of page 3) answer both my comments on the external screen (there is NONE) and the outside call keys; there are two and they are (seemingly) located on the back of the display hinge.
surur
02-16-2005, 02:49 PM
However I don't know if WM03/05 can support dual displays like that.
And further the Mpx (wm2003se) has a dual display.
Surur
Jonathon Watkins
02-16-2005, 02:55 PM
The solution is this bluetooth headset:
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/sc/31263290-2-120-0.gif
http://www.jabra.com/JabraCMS/EM/EN/MainMenu/Products/WirelessHeadsets/JabraBT800/JabraBT800.htm
The Jabra bt800. Its a headset with a display for caller ID, variable ring tones and vibrate. You can really run your phone from there. I just hope the bluetooth stack on this device is up to using the full potential of this headset.
Darn, that's nice. I had been hoping someone would bring something like that out. I currently use a SonyErikson headset with an LED to show the number calling, but this is a Whole lot better! :D
humayunl
02-17-2005, 08:53 AM
I've decided not to buy a bluetooth headset until someone comes out with a device that has high quality stereo audio (ie both ears) AND has full phone features like this jabra (display, send/end, vibration etc.) My main use is music as well as handsfree phone so both features areequally important to me.
Any ideas if i'm dreaming for something that will never happen or will there be something in the market with similar specs?
[/quote]
Albegor
02-20-2005, 04:10 PM
Firts impressions:
1- Looks cheap; paint is likely to wear off quickly.
2- Design is not very good. Lots of apppendixes...
3- No D-Pad? What's the use of the flip screen then? You can't use it as a normal PPC then.
4- Give me a Psion-like KB, a flip screen like the Helix (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/danger/pdd-helix-prototype-032727.php), a 2GB hard disk like the Zaurus, dual-cards, dual wireless, VGA and a 2000+ battery and I'm sold!
I definitely agree, Bruno, especially on the design. It makes me feel unconfortable just by looking at it! 8O
Give me a JAM like compact PPC with VGA and WiFi and I'm sold two times, since that would replace both my PPC and Smartphone current mobile combination! :wink:
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