10-30-2004, 11:30 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Pocket PC Dubai Reviews the PDA2K
"There are key features integrated in this device which were not available in the previous i-Mate Pocket PC Phone. The new additions include Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone 2003 Second Edition which enables screen rotation on the fly and supports VGA screen resolution (in case of i-Mate PDA2K the screen is limited to QVGA only), GSM/GPRS Quad Band, new Bluetooth stack, WiFi, four extra hardware buttons, integrated QWERTY keyboard and enhanced 1490 mAh Lithium Polymer Battery."
Pocket PC Dubai has put together a very comprehensive review of this unit. I got some hands on with the T-Mobile branded version at the recent MSN Search Champs meeting, where Matt Miller (palmsolo) had a unit. I was very impressed with the build quality and feel of the keyboard.
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10-30-2004, 11:55 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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http://pocketpcdubai.com/i-mate_PPC/...s/Boxitems.JPG
Is that the same AC to sync connector adapter that the HP's use?
__________________
iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
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10-31-2004, 12:26 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ctmagnus
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It's the same size and shape, but the pins are aligned differently, so you can't use accessories from iPaqs.
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10-31-2004, 12:34 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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I'm a little disappointed in this review. It's obvious they didn't test the bluetooth thouroughly. The current bluetooth stack has several issues that weren't mentioned in the review. First, while you should be able to use the phone as a GPRS modem via bluetooth, the bluetooth connection drops within about 30 seconds. Second, depending on your BT headset, one of two things will happen when the headset is paired - the PDA2K will turn on by itself every 30 seconds to maintain the pairing, which of course if brutal on battery life, or if the device doesn't wake up like this, the pairing is dropped, so you can't answer a new call with your BT headset.
These issues have been widely discussed on the Club i-mate site mentioned in the review, so I'm surprised they weren't mentioned. i-mate has supposedly promised an updated bluetooth stack soon, but we are still waiting. This makes it almost impossible to use, as the size of this device makes is a perfect device for a bluetooth headset. :cry:
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10-31-2004, 01:56 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Nice review! Just a few additional points from my experience with PDA2K. I can confirm the yellow screen issue (if you want to call it that), doesn't really bother me as I view PDA normally (looking straight at it).
Sliding the keyboard out is a two handed operation (as it should be). The unit feels heavier and more solid than the XDA II.
I have paired with a headset and a portable car kit without any problems so far.
When the units arrived they had an older ROM image than what was listed on the I-mate site, which supposedly is the default version. I upgraded all our units before customizing them for staff (installing Pylon Anywhere push software).
The new ROM details are below, those that say "upgraded" were changed from an older version:
ROM: 1.12.22 WWE (upgraded)
Radio: 1.02.00
Protocol: 1337.32 (upgraded)
Extended: 1.12.169 WWE (upgraded)
They also come with a new case compared to XDA II devices. The new case is a horizontal belt case. The same type sold by Nokia and others for their phones. I prefer this case over the XDA II flip cover one. Can't wait to see new cases for this by Vaja etc.
The connector appears to be same as XDA II. I have used XDA II connectors to sync and charge this unit.
So far the units are rock solid.
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10-31-2004, 03:52 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 718
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In regards to the BT, I believe they use an older verison of the famous Widcomm stack. Also, one of my favorite features, being able to output standard PPC audio over Bluetooth, isn't available (not so great for music but great or listening to audio books). The Dell X30 and X50 units as well as most newer HP models are some PPC's that support this. A guy at their support mentioned that they were working on adding PocketPC audio over BT in a patch, but you know how that goes 
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10-31-2004, 04:41 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 176
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. PPC
Nice review! Just a few additional points from my experience with PDA2K. I can confirm the yellow screen issue (if you want to call it that), doesn't really bother me as I view PDA normally (looking straight at it).
Sliding the keyboard out is a two handed operation (as it should be). The unit feels heavier and more solid than the XDA II.
I have paired with a headset and a portable car kit without any problems so far.
When the units arrived they had an older ROM image than what was listed on the I-mate site, which supposedly is the default version. I upgraded all our units before customizing them for staff (installing Pylon Anywhere push software).
The new ROM details are below, those that say "upgraded" were changed from an older version:
ROM: 1.12.22 WWE (upgraded)
Radio: 1.02.00
Protocol: 1337.32 (upgraded)
Extended: 1.12.169 WWE (upgraded)
They also come with a new case compared to XDA II devices. The new case is a horizontal belt case. The same type sold by Nokia and others for their phones. I prefer this case over the XDA II flip cover one. Can't wait to see new cases for this by Vaja etc.
The connector appears to be same as XDA II. I have used XDA II connectors to sync and charge this unit.
So far the units are rock solid.
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How do you like the python software? Right now I am trying the Good software and find I love the exchange ability but the software to be terribly lacking.
Thanks for your help.
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10-31-2004, 04:54 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 74
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Verizon needs to hurry and get ont the ball with this. They were rumored to be the first one with this device in the US but now it seems they will be the last to get it on board. Quite a disappointment. :evil:
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10-31-2004, 06:19 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. PPC
I have paired with a headset and a portable car kit without any problems so far.
The new ROM details are below, those that say "upgraded" were changed from an older version:
ROM: 1.12.22 WWE (upgraded)
Radio: 1.02.00
Protocol: 1337.32 (upgraded)
Extended: 1.12.169 WWE (upgraded)
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Can I ask what headset you've paired with? And can you confirm that the headset still works to answer calls after the phone has gone into standby? Or alternatively, the phone doesn't keep turning on every minute or so, while the headset is paired?
Your statement is in direct confict with what I and others have experienced. Perhaps a different headset would help me resolve the issue. I have updated to the ROM you listed with the same (bad) results.
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10-31-2004, 08:15 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
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Wow! 12 hour battery life while playing mp3's with the screen turned off! Add a 2GB SD card and you can say goodbye Ipod!
Surur
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Linear Mode
