mobilePASSION: "First Impressions of the HTC Universal"

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://dalecoffing.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/06/first_impressio.html#more' target='_blank'>http://dalecoffing.typepad.com/my_w...essio.html#more</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This unique and very exciting form factor is a real attention grabber to anyone that sees it being demonstrated. I had the opportunity to play with a pre-production version of the HTC Universal that was in the booth at Microsoft's Mobile Embedded Developers Conference and at the Gartner Symposium ITxpo. People would stop immediately after their eye caught the 180 degree swiveling VGA screen in action revealing a QWERTY thumb keyboard. The hinge design allows the screen to be protected by folding flat over the keyboard."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050605-Universal.jpg" /><br /><br />Dale, who many of you may know from mobilePASSION (or previously known as Pocket PC Passion), has come out of posting darkness to give us his first impressions of the exciting HTC Universal. In case you've missed all the hype, this device is packed with an Intel XScale 520MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 96MB ROM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR, an SD/MMC slot, WCDMA/GPRS/GSM - Tri-Band, a 65K VGA screen, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Overall, Dale's article is well worth a read and there are a number of pictures to look at as well. Enjoy!

[VanHlebar]

This is my ideal device. If they were to bring this to the US it would be a no brainer for me.

A plus would be if it was sold by Verizon, but I don't think that will ever happen. :(

-Eric

[Jason Lee]

i very much like this device. i am also very interested in the new jam with the keyboard. guess i'll just have to wait and see how it unfolds for the us market. why in the world is this one not quad band?!!

oh well, my sx66 isn't that old. i need to get a little more use out of it anyway. lol

[Phoenix]

I saw this phone in black on Engadget, and is looks really, really nice!

Great specs, and gorgeous in black. I thought it might be a bit too big, but I'm wondering about that now. I think this very well will be my next phone.

[Darius Wey]

I saw this phone in black on Engadget, and is looks really, really nice! Great specs, and gorgeous in black.

I agree, black is nice. We also reported it here. (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40424) However, T-Mobile seem set on choosing silver for their MDA IV, but we'll have to wait and see.

[Phoenix]

I agree, black is nice. We also reported it here. (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40424) However, T-Mobile seem set on choosing silver for their MDA IV, but we'll have to wait and see.

Man, that is nice! (Drooling...).

[Kursplat]

Oh, this is killing me. I need a new cell phone and PDA. I've been limping along waiting for the i730 to solve both problems. Now that the i730 is just within my grasp, I'm lusting after THIS beauty. Does anyone have any idea how long before a US release? Are we talking 3Q2005? 4Q? 2006?

The VGA screen, WM5, landscape keyboard, and usable phone while protected in a closed clamshell are all features I'd wait for. But I'll need to get a freebie phone and $200 PDA to hold me over if its going to be a while before the release. Anyone selling their PDA cheap? :D

[surur]

My god its gigantic!! My enduring impression from seeing it in Dale's had is that of a mini-laptop. On the other hand I think thats what I always wanted from a pocketpc.

I's still getting it, but I may have to reinforce my pockets ;)

Surur

[dangerwit]

That's a great device, definitely makes me think.

But, do I have to open the clamshell to dial numbers? If so, I sure hope it has [good] voice dial.

[kamikun]

"I sense something.... Something I have not felt since..."

Oh yea, since the pre-production photos of the Toshiba e800 leaked onto the web in mid-2003. I lusted for that thing for months, googled for photos and further product info on almost a daily basis and had to jump through all kind of hoops to finally get one shipped over here. And it has been worth every bit of effort; I love that machine.

Now this. I can feel the quivering in my wallet. The anticipation in my thumbs of typing and tasking in VGA.

"I want this. As much as you wanted the Enterprise, I want this."

/movie quote geek

[Philip Colmer]

It is going on my "want" list ... I'm hoping that MS have made some good improvements in the email synchronisation side as well, so that it will be a good competitor for RIM.

--Philip

[whydidnt]

I have definite lust for this bad boy too... :devilboy:

However, I think that lust may turn into another of the 7 deadly--envy, when this is released. The lack of the 850 band, and no hi-speed internet access for us in the US of A is going to be a killer. It's pretty obvious that HTC couldn't find a US carrier that wanted to carry this device. I'm guessing we won't see anything but imports over here.

Having said that, this device has so much else going for it, that I may end up purchasing it and using it as my primary PDA, forgetting the phone functions. Hopefully the device will have the ability to use a different phone as a bluetooth modem.

[whydidnt]

One other thought--

I just noticed there aren't any buttons on the front of the device when in portrait mode. How can we take advantage of the new "soft buttons" when there aren't any hardware buttons to press? Seems to me they expect most people to use this in landscape most of the time.

[Ploobers]

What's the deal with TMobile having it in September?

[surur]

One other thought--

I just noticed there aren't any buttons on the front of the device when in portrait mode. How can we take advantage of the new "soft buttons" when there aren't any hardware buttons to press? Seems to me they expect most people to use this in landscape most of the time.

You can also use the soft-buttons by touching the screen.

Surur

[AIO]

This will easily be the BEST device in the market. It has everything. If one day my lovely e800 falls apart, I'll jump all over this cutie. Or maybe sooner. Yeah, I feel the same excitement I felt when I first read about e800 and its amazing VGA screen, which was a first back then.

[Darius Wey]

What's the deal with TMobile having it in September?

"What's the deal" in a good way or a bad way? :confused totally:

T-Mobile Germany expects to deliver this device in Summer 2005.

[Ploobers]

I was just wondering if that rumor could be verified or not. I'd love for TMobile to get it, and the sooner the better! I'm borrowing a phone right now because my Ipaq 6315 got stolen and I can't force myself to purchase anything else when I know there's a ton of great phones coming across the ocean.

[Darius Wey]

I was just wondering if that rumor could be verified or not. I'd love for TMobile to get it, and the sooner the better! I'm borrowing a phone right now because my Ipaq 6315 got stolen and I can't force myself to purchase anything else when I know there's a ton of great phones coming across the ocean.

Well I'm not sure what T-Mobile USA's plans are at this stage, but T-Mobile Germany has specified Summer 2005, although that could change. So far, HTC has a generalised plan to have this device available through multiple vendors in America, Asia and Europe within this half of the year. Assuming all goes to plan, I doubt you'd have to wait until next year. With regards to the September release date rumours, I can't say I've heard anything about that yet.

Edit: Sorry, I meant the next half year.

[Patrick Y.]

This is the best thing I've ever seem!!!!!!! 8O I wish that I'll be able to afford it though...... Absolutely the best device ever :!: :!: :!: :!:

[Kursplat]

within this half of the year

They had better get crackin' because there are only 3 1/2 weeks left in "this half of the year." :D

[Darius Wey]

within this half of the year

They had better get crackin' because there are only 3 1/2 weeks left in "this half of the year." :D

Oops. I meant the next half year. :oops:

[ale_ers]

I have had my eye on this device also. While I agree it looks big, you do have to keep in mind that with the clamshell form factor you would not have to add a case. Cases may not be very big, but they do add some size and bulk.

[stevelam]

This is the best thing I've ever seem!!!!!!! 8O I wish that I'll be able to afford it though...... Absolutely the best device ever :!: :!: :!: :!:

*Drools* *Oooooo's* *Ahhh's* *Realises there is no way he can afford one*

*Edit* *Realises there is no way he will be able to afford one*

[digiSal]

I just feel that screen is way to small. Looks like there is to much empty space there on each side of the screen.

I had the same problem with the h4700. The power was great but i kept the e805. The of course came the PPC-6600 and i havent looked back. Smaller screen but fits perfect in the form factor.

my .3 cents

[Adam_l]

What would you guys asume that this thing would cost? Would the average consumer be able to afford it?

As an average I mean people like me, I could go as far as USD 1100, but thats absolute maximum.

[Philip Colmer]

What would you guys asume that this thinking would cost? Would the average consumer be able to afford it?

As an average I mean people like me, I could go as far as USD 1100, but thats absolute maximum.
I'm not expecting it to be that much.

If Microsoft &amp; the OEMs want these to be BB killers, they've got to come close to BB device prices. That equates to about £250 or $500.

I may be terribly optimistic, though, I guess :roll:.

--Philip

[Adam_l]

Okay, I´m asking cause I heard this horrible rumour of £1100, but I think that person was rather unexperienced heh.

I could just feel the dissapointment crawl over me by that time though, got a little worried hehe.

If your guess is right, then theres no doubt in buying this gadget :)


Edit: I just saw I made some really bad typos in my last message hehe, I had to fix em up. But you understood me anyways. ;)