T-Mobile MDA Pro - It's Here!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/tmd_mda_pro,20,,newsid-4120,en.html?w=1429&h=932' target='_blank'>http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/tmd_mda...ml?w=1429&h=932</a><br /><br /></div><i>"It can do (nearly) everything and fits in almost any pocket: the MDA Pro, available from T-Mobile Deutschland from September 1, combines innovative technology, optimal functionality and ultimate convenience in a small space. The mini notebook is one of the first mobile devices worldwide to integrate the three technologies W-LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). Further features include a very large color screen, full keyboard and Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. The new highlight in the T-Mobile "Office in your Pocket" offer enables business users to work on the go almost as conveniently as in their office. With the MDA Pro, they can, for example, access the company network quickly or receive emails with large attachments via broadband connections to the T-Mobile network. As the optimum platform for quick and easy access to the World Wide Web, the MDA Pro is perfect for those who frequently use T-Mobile's web'n'walk offer for mobile access to the Internet."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050901-MDAPro.jpg" /><br /><br />T-Mobile Germany is preparing to release the MDA Pro (HTC Universal) tomorrow - yes, that's only a few hours away! It's set to cost €499.95 on a 24-month Relax 100 contract or €430.99 on the BusinessRelax 100 contract. <a href="http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=2621">the::unwired</a> is also reporting a standalone price of €749.95.<br /><br />In related news, Asian users can soon expect to lay their hands on the device through Dopod. September 15 is the expected release date for the Dopod 900 and included with the device is a Bluetooth headset and a 1GB SD card.

[norad]

I'm sure it was answered before but could find it myself...

1. Will this device work on T-mobile USA network?
2. Can I use T-mobile USA EDGE with this device?

I remember reading somewhere that EDGE on this device will only work in Europe since they have a different EDGE technology there.

[galt]

I'm sure it was answered before but could find it myself...

1. Will this device work on T-mobile USA network?
2. Can I use T-mobile USA EDGE with this device?

I remember reading somewhere that EDGE on this device will only work in Europe since they have a different EDGE technology there.

1. Yes.
2. No.

This device doesn't have EDGE but has a true 3G radio, UMTS, that isn't used in the US.

[norad]

Then I don't understand why so many people were excited about this ppc... IMO, the most important new feature is the EDGE (BT and wi-fi can be considered as a standard now). So I don't think around 1K is worth for just having VGA as a plus...

[Jason Lee]

I'm sure it was answered before but could find it myself...

1. Will this device work on T-mobile USA network?
2. Can I use T-mobile USA EDGE with this device?

I remember reading somewhere that EDGE on this device will only work in Europe since they have a different EDGE technology there.

1. Yes.
2. No.

This device doesn't have EDGE but has a true 3G radio, UMTS, that isn't used in the US.

Plus the os is in german. :)

[norad]

Plus the os is in german. :)

I can speak German, but do not prefer to use Windows in German at all :D

[Dyvim]

Then I don't understand why so many people were excited about this ppc... IMO, the most important new feature is the EDGE

UMTS (3G) is better/faster than EDGE (2.5G). Cingular is starting to deploy a UMTS network in the U.S. but T-(Slo)-Mo is only just now rolling out their U.S. EDGE network 2 years after Cingular did.

(BT and wi-fi can be considered as a standard now)

For non-phone PDA's yes, but not yet for PPC PE devices, so combining these technologies with voice and UMTS makes for a nice package.

So I don't think around 1K is worth for just having VGA as a plus...

Add to the above a clamshell design with QWERTY keyboard, a rotatable screen so the device can be used in tablet or clamshell mode, dual cameras plus the VGA screen, then some people might think it is worthwhile. Still 1K is extremely steep. I just wish the U.S. had better wireless network and carriers.

[stevelam]

So Brittania still rules the waves then (O.K. so I meant the 3G waves)???

[Janak Parekh]

So Brittania still rules the waves then (O.K. so I meant the 3G waves)???
Not quite. We actually have faster deployed technologies (e.g., CDMA 1xEVDO). However, the Universal is GSM, not CDMA, and as such Europe has a more complete GSM/UMTS deployment.

--janak

[jonathanchoo]

About time. I can actually upgrade to a new mobile now on o2 (11 months) so can't wait to see how the o2 version will look like. The vanilla version is ugly. Hopefully o2 can spruce up the casing (like the xda IIs).

[Duncan]

Then I don't understand why so many people were excited about this ppc...

Perhaps because there are rather a lot of us who do live in a part of the world that has UMTS...? :roll: (UMTS is up to three/four times faster than EDGE).

[norad]

If I want to use this ppc with my t-mobile USA service (having english OS), should I buy the UK version which I think is called JASJAR and comes in black?

[jonathanchoo]

The imate JASJAR costs more but is sim free so should work on other networks. But I think imate's service is one of the worst in the industry.

[Dyvim]

Cingular currently offers UMTS in 6 U.S. markets. What are the chances that the HTC Universal would work with Cingular's UMTS (if you were lucky enough to live in one of those markets)?

[tj21]

I believe Cingular UMTS is 1900mhz while Europe's UMTS is 2100mhz so it's unlikely to work. Very doubtful we'll see a 1900mhz umts Universal so you'd be stuck at GPRS only and no 850 band for voice. Tough sell for $1k in the U.S.!

[Duncan]

The Universal UMTS operates on the 2100Mhz band (actually it uses 2100Mhz for inbound but 1900Mhz for oubound transmission).

In the US the military reserves 2100Mhz (which is really, really dumb of them as that band is used for non-military purposes all over the world - i.e. the places that the military tend to go...!).

Cingular is thus forced to to use 1900Mhz for both in and outbound transmissions - meaning you can't use a European/Asian Universal clone on their network (I understand the FCC is working to release the 2100Mhz band for other uses - but don't hold your breath) - or at least you theoretically could use it one way only (?).

Mind - HTC might yet release a 1900Mhz only Universal yet (surely just a minor change at worst?)...

[KTamas]

I'm so excited, I wish i could wet my pants!
:oops: :wink:

[Jason Lee]

Unfortunatly this device really will not work well in the US. No 850 band, no EDGE, and incompatable UTMS. There will surly be a US version soon. It took them a while but HTC eventually made an 850 band jam. It may just be a few more months... :roll:

Just think of it as time to get some of the bugs worked out. :)

[Darius Wey]

Plus the os is in german. :)

Not just that, but hardware-wise, the keyboard layout is different too. QWERTZ doesn't play nicely with an English OS. :P

[dMores]

I believe Cingular UMTS is 1900mhz while Europe's UMTS is 2100mhz so it's unlikely to work.
WHAT ??? we have another frequency divide across the globe ???

HAVENT THEY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A BAD THING WITH GSM ???

scheesh !!!

[Duncan]

WHAT ??? we have another frequency divide across the globe ???

HAVENT THEY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A BAD THING WITH GSM ???

scheesh !!!

See my post further up for the explanation as to why this is the case.

[dMores]

See my post further up for the explanation as to why this is the case. read it!
and as you quite rightly pointed out: it's dumb.
so my question is justified. haven't they learned ?

do you know if canada has to adopt the american frequency?

[wbuch]

Not quite. We actually have faster deployed technologies (e.g., CDMA 1xEVDO). However, the Universal is GSM, not CDMA, and as such Europe has a more complete GSM/UMTS deployment.

--janak

Have there been any rumors of a CMDA version of this device? I might seriously consider switching to tmobile or cingular for this, but I would really prefer to stay on Sprint if possible.