Is the HTC Universal Tri- or Quad-Band?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5870.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5870.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"To be powered by a 520 MHz processor and the next generation of Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform, the MDA IV is highly anticipated due to it being the very first Windows Mobile based device with support for UMTS-based 3G. Interestingly, information presented along with the device here at CeBIT lists its GSM support as being quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz as opposed to the previously claimed tri-band support; all for the better."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050316-TMobileMDAIV.jpg" /><br /><br />Jorgen from infoSync was able to take pictures of a live version of the unit, and has given us North American mobile users a bit of heartening news with news of the Universal's support of the GSM 850 band. I've heard conflicting reports, so I'll hold out hope that this is indeed true and that the device will be useable on networks like Cingular here in the US.

[Menneisyys]

520 MHz only? Why? :(

[piperpilot]

Please let this be true. I want one in the worst way!

[yawanag]

Please let this be true. I want one in the worst way!

DITTO!!! Glad now that the MPX 200 never materialized.

[Don't Panic!]

They almost got me WMPE-wise with this one. I just want a Dual CF/Sd slot and I'll be ready to switch from WM, or at the very least 2 SD slots.

[surur]

They almost got me WMPE-wise with this one. I just want a Dual CF/Sd slot and I'll be ready to switch from WM, or at the very least 2 SD slots.

Of course dual slots are an advantage, but you have to ask yourself what you would put in those slots. Most things are included already. Actually in a funny way this is the resurrection of the palm top PDA of years gone by. I'm sure this will make many people very happy.

Surur

[pcboy2003]

next generation of windows mobile? Is this mean it runs pocket pc 2005?

[ppc_kiwi]

This will surely justify me asking my wife to upgrade my PPC and Cell into 1! Bring it on... :D

[gibson042]

520 MHz only? Why? :(
Almost certainly battery life. For most people (myself included), 520 MHz will be the perfect compromise between power and longevity.

[gibson042]

next generation of windows mobile? Is this mean it runs pocket pc 2005?
YES. :D

[gibson042]

They almost got me WMPE-wise with this one. I just want a Dual CF/Sd slot and I'll be ready to switch from WM, or at the very least 2 SD slots.

Of course dual slots are an advantage, but you have to ask yourself what you would put in those slots. Most things are included already.
Sadly, though, we will have to give up our €615 CF Multimeters (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33645). :wink:

[Don't Panic!]

They almost got me WMPE-wise with this one. I just want a Dual CF/Sd slot and I'll be ready to switch from WM, or at the very least 2 SD slots.

Of course dual slots are an advantage, but you have to ask yourself what you would put in those slots. Most things are included already. Actually in a funny way this is the resurrection of the palm top PDA of years gone by. I'm sure this will make many people very happy.

Surur

A couple of movies to take adavantage of the big for a phone VGA Screen, and a few thousand or so MP3's would be my immediate usage. I'm sure I could think of some other uses for my required slots but mostly data storage is what I have in mind. :)

[Phillip Dyson]

They almost got me WMPE-wise with this one. I just want a Dual CF/Sd slot and I'll be ready to switch from WM, or at the very least 2 SD slots.

Of course dual slots are an advantage, but you have to ask yourself what you would put in those slots. Most things are included already. Actually in a funny way this is the resurrection of the palm top PDA of years gone by. I'm sure this will make many people very happy.

Surur

A dedicated slot to upgrade the internal memory for programs and data that I want to keep with me all time.

A second more transient slot for swapping out GPS maps, Music, Movies, eBooks, Pictures, ... etc

[dim_spazov]

I wish someone from germany could translate this for us:

Triband für Nutzung auch in Teilen der USA


It was taken from T-Mobile's official MDA IV tech page.


http://www.t-mobile.de/shop/handy/1,4855,2963-_3679-0-1-2,00.html

[pcboy2003]

next generation of windows mobile? Is this mean it runs pocket pc 2005?
YES. :D

But it looks like it's running pocket pc 2003se tho.

[surur]

next generation of windows mobile? Is this mean it runs pocket pc 2005?
YES. :D

But it looks like it's running pocket pc 2003se tho.

Thats just a cardboard cutout screenshot, like in the mobile phone shops.

Surur

[nuts]

I wish someone from germany could translate this for us:

Triband für Nutzung auch in Teilen der USA


It was taken from T-Mobile's official MDA IV tech page.


http://www.t-mobile.de/shop/handy/1,4855,2963-_3679-0-1-2,00.html

"Triband to use in PARTS of the USA"

[MS Mobiles]

Interestingly, information presented along with the device here at CeBIT lists its GSM support as being quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz as opposed to the previously claimed tri-band support

Yes, on the stand (behind the glass) stand 850/900/1800/1900 but I have got confirmation from T-Mobile people that it was mistake of the person who was making this glass stand. In reality MDA IV is tri-band (unfortunately).

[LarDude]

The HTC Universal is a brick! It's as big as my Tosh e805 (which I gave up trying to carry around everywhere), only thicker!

There appears to be alot of unused space around the screen which makes for an unnecessarily large footprint -- this, of course, is probably constrained by the keyboard. I'd rather see the keyboard replaced by a thumboard (easier to type while walking between departure gates, for example), shrink the footprint down so that it is constrained by the size of the screen and the nav-pad, but keep all the other goodies.

Compare the Universal (132mm x 79mm x 22mm) to the Amoi G630 (105mm x 51mm x 25mm, http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&amp;Number=19469). The Amoi G630 may not have all the goodies the HTC Universal has, but on the other hand, it does feature *two* screens and looks like it may be infinitely more Pocketable. (Sidenote: the HTC Magician/imate JAM/MDA Compact has a size of 108mm x 58mm x 18mm, which has a larger footprint than the G630). The fly-in-the-ointment, besides the constantly changing model number (G630? E900?...?), is that it might just turn out to be vapourware or that it might not come to North America.

[beq]

Hmm, can we still hope that HTC is actually able to equip the Universal with quad-band, but T-Mobile purposedly spec'ed tri-band in their version (due to T-Mo USA not even using 850MHz), but that other brands such as i-mate will also come out with their version of the Universal with quad-band? Kind of like how some versions of the Blue Angel come without a camera or Wi-Fi?

next generation of windows mobile? Is this mean it runs pocket pc 2005?
YES. :D
But it looks like it's running pocket pc 2003se tho.
Thats just a cardboard cutout screenshot, like in the mobile phone shops.
But the infoSync article mentions these are pictures of the MDA IV actually in a switched on state?

My last question is, when everyone keep saying this will come out this year, what time frame are we looking at, more like Christmas or summer?

[MS Mobiles]

But the infoSync article mentions these are pictures of the MDA IV actually in a switched on state?

My last question is, when everyone keep saying this will come out this year, what time frame are we looking at, more like Christmas or summer?

1) MDA IV was switched on but behind a glass and showing only a presentation - video recording of this presentation is here:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/images/t-mobile-mda-iv.mov

(QuickTime player needed from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ to play it)

This presentation was in German and was showing various features of the phone.

2) MDA IV will be released in 2005 in Autum/Fall, what practically means around November 2005.

[gibson042]

Hmm, can we still hope that HTC is actually able to equip the Universal with quad-band, but T-Mobile purposedly spec'ed tri-band in their version (due to T-Mo USA not even using 850MHz), but that other brands such as i-mate will also come out with their version of the Universal with quad-band? Kind of like how some versions of the Blue Angel come without a camera or Wi-Fi?
That's my thinking exactly. Time (and carriers) will tell, I suppose... *crosses fingers*

[ikesler]

I love my Sprint 6601 A LOT, but would love to get my hands on this to try it out. Very curious to see what the true form factor really is.......
It looks a little big, as my 6601 is about as big as I will go for a cellphone........

[Don't Panic!]

If I'm going to give up my cellphone I want a device that's as big as a Pocket PC. IMO a Pocket PC should have a screen no smaller than a 3.5 inches but I prefer 3.8. Toshiba Sized PPCPE. I'd love it! Got to have dual slots man. I tried single slot (SD) for a few months and it just wasn't enough. Now should they put in a 5GB harddrive I could maybe live with a smaller screen and a single SD slot, but not a typical puny cellphone sized screen. :)