HTC Universal Goes Orange - SPV M5000 Listed

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1661.html' target='_blank'>http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1661.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Today Orange UK have put the much-anticipated SPV M5000 online in their shop, plus we have a preview of said device (the M5000 is built as the HTC Universal) over here at Jason Langridge's Weblog. It's interesting to note some of his comments..."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-20050819-m5000-orange-shop.jpg" /> <br /><br />My wallet is trembling now over this device, and with an announcement like this, it's only a matter of time before we see this thing opening up to a larger audience. It's going to be a long year or so until we see this thing hugely available and decently priced (At least a year is my estimate, since it's only in the past few months an i-Mate PDA2k has been easy to find / order / ship)

[saru83]

thats an awesome news, but its 285 grams 8O :?: :?: :?: thats freaking heavy... almost 2 JAM's packed together :( donno how will it feel in my hands :(

[carphead]

As much as I'd love to get one of these it's just way to big to replace a phone. :)

[Duncan]

It's a bit of an embarassment of riches in the UK - four different versions of the Universal on four different networks... Total choice...! :)

Shouldn't take a year to get one elsewhere though - surely the Q-Tek 4040 will be available more widely and sooner than that?

[surfer]

It's a bit of an embarassment of riches in the UK - four different versions of the Universal on four different networks... Total choice...! :)

Shouldn't take a year to get one elsewhere though - surely the Q-Tek 4040 will be available more widely and sooner than that?

Then feel sorry for me. We only got one operator out of four who will carry the universal here in Sweden and that's not mine :cry:

[Darius Wey]

I really love this device, and I think I've said that a lot of times, but I think if I were to choose between this and a device with the form factor of a JAM, I'd go with the latter. True pocket-sized Pocket PC Phone Editions - there should be more of them out there.

But I'm still drooling over this one. ;)

[Duncan]

I really love this device, and I think I've said that a lot of times, but I think if I were to choose between this and a device with the form factor of a JAM, I'd go with the latter. True pocket-sized Pocket PC Phone Editions - there should be more of them out there.

But I'm still drooling over this one. ;)

I'm torn - do I buy the Universal - or do I wait and see if the FSC 3G PPC is a better size/weight/feature set/ - or do I stick with the Pocket PC I have now and dearly love and stick to my two device guns...? Decisions, decisions (Oh screw it - I know full well I'll do all three - I'm a PPC whore I tell you...! 8O )

[Jonathon Watkins]

It's a bit of an embarassment of riches in the UK - four different versions of the Universal on four different networks... Total choice...! :)

It's certainly nice to have such a choice for a change! :mrgreen:

[Bachus]

get over the weight, you carry this device in your pocket or on your belt, as a portable PC.

When you want to make a phonecall, you use your BT earpiece and voicecommands.


Why don't people understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

[orinoco]

My dilemma (a nice problem to have I admit) is which way to go after my current PDA2k: my choices are the HTC Universal and the smaller ipaq 6515 (built-in keyboard is a must for me). Choices, choices, choices. And although I too am a PPC whore as Duncan points out, I am a poor whore, so Is only one device for me !!!

Fernando

[DaleReeck]

get over the weight, you carry this device in your pocket or on your belt, as a portable PC.

When you want to make a phonecall, you use your BT earpiece and voicecommands.


Why don't people understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

Yeah, I don't get this weight thing either. It's a PDA, not a cement block. A few extra pounds makes a laptop heavy and tough to carry but one hundred extra grams on a PDA isn't going to cause any heart attacks from the weight. esides, I kind of like a heavier device. It feels like you got a good grip on it in your hand. A too-light device is easier to drop or lose your grip on IMO.

[Jonathon Watkins]

get over the weight, you carry this device in your pocket or on your belt, as a portable PC.

When you want to make a phonecall, you use your BT earpiece and voicecommands.

Welcome Bachus and Bingo. I bought a BT headset with a LCD screen to show the phone numbers calling, just for this kind of device

Why don't people understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

Well, perhaps. There are still plenty of occasions when I want to be discreet and don't want to say what I am doing out loud. I jsut want to type, and go. ;-) Still, it certainly seems sensible to handle the phone aspect of devices like this by voice commands.

[Phillip Dyson]

I own MS VoiceCommand, but to date have not even installed it onto my ETEN.

I know some people who use it all the time. Even have it announce who is calling. But I think I'm a bit more conservative. With exception of being in my car, I don't want to have to speak everything that I'm doing, or who I'm calling.

Each to his own though.

[jasondearyou]

is this not suppose to be cdma only? or is there a gsm version also?

[Jonathon Watkins]

is this not suppose to be cdma only? or is there a gsm version also?

The reverse acually. It's GSM only (http://www.mobilegazette.com/htc-universal.htm) (at the moment anyway).

Crucially, this is a 3G phone with WiFi on top of GSM and GPRS, meaning that the HTC Universal is very flexible indeed in connectivity terms. Of course, it has Bluetooth and cable connections to a PC too.

[inteller]

thats an awesome news, but its 285 grams 8O :?: :?: :?: thats freaking heavy... almost 2 JAM's packed together :( donno how will it feel in my hands :(

lift more weights then. :lol:

[stephman]

get over the weight, you carry this device in your pocket or on your belt, as a portable PC.

When you want to make a phonecall, you use your BT earpiece and voicecommands.


Why don't people understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

When MS gets Voice Command to work over a BT earpiece with devices like the Blue Angel and Magician without using some hack, maybe then people will understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

[mhynek]

I like the design, but it's a little thick for my tastes.

25mm=2.5cm
2.54cm=1in

[ale_ers]

I would love to make this my next device, but I wonder if we will even see it in the US. I really doubt any carrier will release it because no one has a UMTS network. Even if I were to pick it up from a US distributor...without EDGE or EVDO what would be the point.

I have not heard any rumors that they are making an EDGE version, so I guess I will end up getting an HTC Wizard (since it looks like Cingular will be getting it). There will be a bit of a trade off with the VGA screen, but the size might make up for it.

[IcemanMN]

Looks like this PDA/phone has the ultimate feature: The ability to take phone calls while the data line is active. You can surf the net at 3G speeds and still use the phone. Cingular can sell a lot of product if they figure out this crucial difference between UTMS and EVDO.

[Zidane]

My question is this: do we know what the battery life of this device is with Bluetooth running? For example, Bluetooth cuts down my battery time by a little under half on my hx4700. If we're planning on using Bluetooth headsets with this thing, it better last as long as my current cellphone (i.e. all day).

[jngold_me]

get over the weight, you carry this device in your pocket or on your belt, as a portable PC.

When you want to make a phonecall, you use your BT earpiece and voicecommands.


Why don't people understand that the future of computing lays in voice commands.

I don't mean to be a smart-arse or anything but if you are going to buy a phone replacement that has computing capability, it had better be slim and low-weight. Point is, do you go out socially? In the summertime, do really want a bulky device on a belt-clip or in your pocket at a restaurant or night-club? I agree with the BT headset, but there are time you just don't wear one.

I would say the Treo/Mobile Messengers are largest form factor acceptable if you are look for a full-time phone replacement.

[whydidnt]

I don't mean to be a smart-arse or anything but if you are going to buy a phone replacement that has computing capability, it had better be slim and low-weight. Point is, do you go out socially? In the summertime, do really want a bulky device on a belt-clip or in your pocket at a restaurant or night-club? I agree with the BT headset, but there are time you just don't wear one.

I would say the Treo/Mobile Messengers are largest form factor acceptable if you are look for a full-time phone replacement.

I agree with you on this. However, that is a nice benefit of the GSM 'SIM' card. We can simply switch to a more appropriately sized phone for those times we don't need all this power.

From standpoint of size this thing is pretty much a monster, however. it is only slightly smaller the my OQO, actually topping out a little thicker (if not for OQO's slight protruding WiFi antenna on each side, the Universal would actually be longer than the OQO). The OQO is pretty much the biggest device I can see my self carrying for portable/remote use and it really isn't super comfortable in the pocket, and is too heavy for a belt clip, IMO. The Universal is about 3.5 - 4 ounces lighter so that should make a difference.

To be honest the whole Phone discussion is a bit of a moot point to me, since one of the big benefits on the phone side -3G- isn't widely available in this flavor around the US. I can see myself using this strictly as a PDA, connecting via WiFi or Bluetooth for internet access - Maybe pairing with one of those small, slick new Smartphones HTC is releasing soon.

[andykemp]

I don't get the problemwith the weight and size as I never go out withou both my PDA and my phone at the moment, so combining them even if a little bigger and heavier is still smaller and leight then carrying the two seperatly...

Am I the only person sad enough to take their PDA everywhere with them???

[Duncan]

The Qtek price list (note that they are now calling the Universal the 9000 intead of the 4040): http://www.qtek.ch/DescriptionQtek9000EN.htm - just €986 (w/o tax) - which is $1198 US or £668 (ex. VAT).

[saru83]

just €986 (w/o tax) - which is $1198 US or £668 (ex. VAT).

its pretty expensive... but if i havent upgraded to the Benq P50 when the Universal is released yet then i will go for it :D

[dazz]

Am I the only person sad enough to take their PDA everywhere with them???

:D Nope!! I ALWAYS have my PDA with me. You just never know when you will have some downtime and need to read or reply to e-mails. I also have my maps on it and, of course, contacts, so I love having the info always readily at hand.

I just got back from vacation and even had it everywhere with me there as well. I used it for listening to music and Thoughtscasts :mrgreen: and reading.

I just don't care what other people think, I've always got my PocketPC with me.

This unit would be fantastic, but I am a little concerned about the size. I have an iPaq 4150 which is really small and am not sure how much I would like such a large device. Anyone know if the Wizard with be much smaller?

[Philip Colmer]

It's a bit of an embarassment of riches in the UK - four different versions of the Universal on four different networks... Total choice...! :)
Not that it will affect me directly (as we use Vodafone), is there a summary of differences between the four versions somewhere?

--Philip

[JAmerican]

Hello, this is my first time here.

I see no power port, will the device charge via USB?? This would be great.

JAmerican

[Duncan]

It's a bit of an embarassment of riches in the UK - four different versions of the Universal on four different networks... Total choice...! :)
Not that it will affect me directly (as we use Vodafone), is there a summary of differences between the four versions somewhere?

--Philip

Outside of software and colouring I doubt there will be any differences. There haven't been for previous generations of HTC PPC phones.

BTW - any idea what Vodafones 3G tariffs are? They seem to want to keep them secret, when the other three clearly give their data tariffs on their webistes.

[Jason Lee]

Hello, this is my first time here.

I see no power port, will the device charge via USB?? This would be great.

JAmerican

yes it charges and syncs through the usb port. the jam worked the same way. the universal also has a usb port so you may be able to charge it this way as well.

[Philip Colmer]

BTW - any idea what Vodafones 3G tariffs are? They seem to want to keep them secret, when the other three clearly give their data tariffs on their webistes.
Not really, I'm afraid. I'm a corporate user and I don't think they've got corporate 3G tariffs! My phone says it can see 3G but I don't believe I'm getting 3G speeds ... not that I use it much for data anyway.

--Philip

[JAmerican]

Hello, this is my first time here.

I see no power port, will the device charge via USB?? This would be great.

JAmerican

yes it charges and syncs through the usb port. the jam worked the same way. the universal also has a usb port so you may be able to charge it this way as well.

I'm currently a UX50 user and this might be my next device. Can you tell me what to expect in the Windows Mobile World over the Palm world.

JAmerican

[marcol]

BTW - any idea what Vodafones 3G tariffs are? They seem to want to keep them secret, when the other three clearly give their data tariffs on their webistes.
Not really, I'm afraid. I'm a corporate user and I don't think they've got corporate 3G tariffs! My phone says it can see 3G but I don't believe I'm getting 3G speeds ... not that I use it much for data anyway.

--Philip

For GPRS and 3G the standard data charge is £2.35 per MB. For GPRS at least this cost can be reduced by buying an 'Extras Pack'. This gives you cheaper text, picture and video messages as well as data. Here are the costs of the monthly packs* and the cost of data if you use the pack only for data services:

Cost of pack - usual value of services - data - cost per MB

£3 - £6 - 2.55 MB - £1.18
£6 - £12 - 5.11 MB - £1.18
£14 - £30 - 12.77 MB - £1.10
£25 - £60 - 25.53 MB - £0.98
£40 - £120 - 51.06 MB - £0.78

For instance, if you buy the £25 pack (this is what I have) you get services that would cost £60 at the standard rates. If you used this pack only for data you would thus get 25.53 MB (60/2.35 = 25.53) so the cost is a much reduced £0.98/MB. Note, however, that text, picture and video messages are also paid for by the pack. This reduces their cost too but every message sent reduces the remaining value of the pack and thus the amount that is available for data. Note also that if you exceed your allocation, charges revert to the standard rates.

Duncan, you're right about the web site - it really doesn't make it plain that these packs can be used for GPRS data. If you give Vodafone customer services a ring (191) they should be able to confirm what I've said and tell you if the packs can be used for 3G data too.

*These numbers were correct for new connections about four months ago. I don't know if anything has changed since then.

[Duncan]

Whoah... compared to Orange and O2 those are appalling data tariffs - not to mention needlessly complex (no wonder they hide them). The standard Orange rates, for example, are simple - £4 for 4MB (£1 for each extra meg), £8 for 10MB (£0.80 for each extra meg), £16 for 25MB (£0.70 for each extra meg) etc. Plus they have an introductory 3G offer of 1000MB per month *free* for three months...!

I guess that's Vodafone out of consideration for me then...

[marcol]

Whoah... compared to Orange and O2 those are appalling data tariffs - not to mention needlessly complex (no wonder they hide them). The standard Orange rates, for example, are simple - £4 for 4MB (£1 for each extra meg), £8 for 10MB (£0.80 for each extra meg), £16 for 25MB (£0.70 for each extra meg) etc. Plus they have an introductory 3G offer of 1000MB per month *free* for three months...!

I guess that's Vodafone out of consideration for me then...

Cost isn't everything. I switched from Orange because GPRS availability (mostly in Norwich but also in London and the West Midlands) was a bit unreliable and data transfer rates were often very slow. My experience with Vodafone GPRS has been much better - always there and usually pretty quick.

Remember as well that the Voda packs include messaging as well as data and this can work to your advantage. I generally use no more than 20 MB of data per month and can use the rest of the £25 pack for text messaging so I've no need for an extra messaging bundle. Voda is still more expensive, but it's not quite as bad as it might seem at first sight. How much more expensive it is really depends on your usage patterns.

[surur]

The lack of cheap flat rate data in UK (and europe also to an extent) is really holding back the utility of all these amazing phones we have. If data was cheap I could surf with pictures on, sync my e-mail regulalrly and use terminal service to access my pc, all wirelessly (I did this once over bluetooth and 3G, and it worked quite well).

As it is now I have to be incredibly miserly, which really ruins the experience. This is why wifi is so important in these devices.

BTW, with the gigantic cost of the 3G licences, there is very little prospect of data becoming cheaper in the near future. It would be rather funny if, after paying 22 billion pounds fo a license, the whole world moves over to WiMax and they never get a return on their investment.

BTW, Hi JAmerican. Nice to see you in PPC land.

Surur

[marcol]

As it is now I have to be incredibly miserly, which really ruins the experience. This is why wifi is so important in these devices.

Hi Surur, What's your experience of Wifi other than at home or at work? I've been looking into this as I try to decide whether to swap my Treo for a Wizard but although there's a fair number of hotspots around, access seems really expensive:

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/specials/wifimap/

[Jason Lee]

I'm currently a UX50 user and this might be my next device. Can you tell me what to expect in the Windows Mobile World over the Palm world.

JAmerican

This is an impossible question to answer. heheh.. :) I wrote a 4 page reply and deleted it.

The only thing I can say to exptect over palm is an experience much closer to a pc running windows xp in your pocket.
That is microsoft's strategy, windows mobile is supposed to be a mobile windows experience.

If you want i can type up what i do with mine if that will help.

[surur]

As it is now I have to be incredibly miserly, which really ruins the experience. This is why wifi is so important in these devices.

Hi Surur, What's your experience of Wifi other than at home or at work? I've been looking into this as I try to decide whether to swap my Treo for a Wizard but although there's a fair number of hotspots around, access seems really expensive:

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/specials/wifimap/

I only use WIFI at home and at work, but its invaluable in boring meetings. Out and about I use GPRS/3G. I have not tested the speed very much due to the cost of data :(.

Surur

[JAmerican]

If you want i can type up what i do with mine if that will help.

Yes, this would be great. Thanks. I've never used a WM and feel I should give it a try before accepting anyone POVs. As for multitasking, I heard the X doesn't close apps but minimizes them, how do you get around this? Is there any way to use Multitasking efficiently meaning that is there a way to limit how many apps are open in all?

BTW, thanks for the greeting Surur. On Saturday, I felt it was wrong that Kirvin kicked you for calling Palm OS users a cult because we are. That made me change my mind about listening to Kirvin's POVs fully. I find multitasking and video streaming to be two strengths that WM has over Palm in the PDA community. Palm is not going anywhere near multitasking while Windows is at least developing on it. I'm tired of it. I want to be able to play games, watch videos/play audio whether streaming or not, multitask loading a website, etc.

JAmerican

[Philip Colmer]

As it is now I have to be incredibly miserly, which really ruins the experience. This is why wifi is so important in these devices.
You are so right! This is probably the main reason why I don't use my expensive 3G handset for much data work - the bill would attract too much attention. On the Wi-Fi side, we've recently signed up with iPass - their Wi-Fi aggregation of other services is fantastic and has been very popular particularly with the staff that travel a lot as most airports are included.

--Philip