Which PDA Phone?

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Brendan

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#55408 3-Jan-2010 12:50

I am considering a new PDA phone, but am not 100% familar with current offerings.

I currently use a Touch Vogue (Okta Touch) and find it very good but somewhat limiting and the cdma network is ending.

I would like your opinions on the following:

HTC Hero - android, rave reviews but I think only Vodafone in NZ

Nokia N900 - has great features, but limited software support. Vodafone only also ?

HTC HD2 - rave reviews, win mobile 6.5 (inc it's annoyances). Also vodafone only ?

My main uses are TXT'ing, the odd phone call, and lots of calander appointment stuff sync with outlook. I like to be able to play with new apps on the phone etc (so Android and Windows score there).

What is the best type of account for vodafone?

Is there anything I should be aware of? Any good PDA's I should be looking at?

Thanks for your help lol

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#286660 3-Jan-2010 13:40

I've just brought a Samsung S5600v which is made specifically for Vodafone. I've brought it as an intermediary step towards getting a fully fledged smartphone which I can't quite afford yet, but needed something as my other phone was dying.

I have to say I'm absolutely loving it. It's light and the touchscreen is really easy to use. The software which comes with it is also easy to use. I've already set up truckloads of events for this year in the calendar portion of the software and synch'ed them to my phone. I also copied my contacts from my old phone (had to do this manually) into a .csv file which I then imported into the software and synch'ed to the phone.

I've downloaded a few java applets for it so can also now create and manage lists of various types, twitter (if I need to) or whatever. Great blue tooth implementation, built in FM radio and 3.2mp camera too. I'm also using imap for managing emails on the fly.

The most obvious (advertised) drawbacks are that it doesn't have GPS or Wifi. Other drawbacks include not being able to manually sort playlists (you'll need to use an MP3 tag editor on the laptop before transferring files over) and a number of fields that you can set up in the software (for contacts and schedules etc) aren't supported on the phone. I've also found there's a few little things I'd like to be able to do to customise the feel of the phone but can't.

Vodafone also don't have any cases or the like for it, which seems pretty dumb as the phone is a custom model specifically for them. Various bits are available on Trademe but ebay (Australia) has much more at much better prices.

EDIT: Another drawback is that imap doesn't work with gmail at this stage. Google are aware there is a problem and are looking into it.

NZtechfreak

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#286667 3-Jan-2010 14:12

Brendan: I would like your opinions on the following:

HTC Hero - android, rave reviews but I think only Vodafone in NZ

Vodafone only, I have no experience of this handset, but to be honest with the Nexus One, Bravo, and X10 just around the corner (all of which sport seriously superior hardware to the Hero) I think I'd wait before getting an Android handset right now.

Nokia N900 - has great features, but limited software support. Vodafone only also ?

Vodafone only also. I had one briefly and its a good device, but a little unfinished right now, I would wait until its first major firmware upgrade in January and see how it improves the N900 before commiting to this phone.

HTC HD2 - rave reviews, win mobile 6.5 (inc it's annoyances). Also vodafone only ?

Yup, Vodafone only again. I have one and love it (had it for about three weeks before my brief flirtation with the N900, now had it over a month). For your uses, with your stated emphasis for sync, its probably hard to go past this phone if its in your price range. Check the N900 users thread for the reasons this one trumps the N900 for my use.

Thanks for your help lol

No problem.

The only other phones you haven't mentioned are the Motorola Milestone (which falls in the same boat as the Hero, there are too many seriously upgraded handsets on the immediate horizon, and lots of users seem to be having problems with this one), and the Samsung i8910 (which I've also owned and is a fantastic handset, sync duties are covered by Roadsync, which is an excellent piece of software).

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Brendan

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#286704 3-Jan-2010 18:24

Dratsab: I've just brought a Samsung S5600v which is made specifically for Vodafone. I've brought it as an intermediary step towards getting a fully fledged smartphone which I can't quite afford yet, but needed something as my other phone was dying.

...

Vodafone also don't have any cases or the like for it, which seems pretty dumb as the phone is a custom model specifically for them. Various bits are available on Trademe but ebay (Australia) has much more at much better prices.

EDIT: Another drawback is that imap doesn't work with gmail at this stage. Google are aware there is a problem and are looking into it.

That sounds great but I really need the functions of a proper PDA phone. I like being able to add my own software and customize it all etc.

But thanks for the suggestion.

kyhwana2

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#286710 3-Jan-2010 18:46

I'm running Winmo 6.5 on my HTC Touch Pro at the moment and there are a lot less annoying things about it than with 6.1, especially running the newer versions of Touchflo 3d.

Brendan

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#286712 3-Jan-2010 18:58

NZtechfreak:
Brendan: I would like your opinions on the following:

HTC Hero - android, rave reviews but I think only Vodafone in NZ

Vodafone only, I have no experience of this handset, but to be honest with the Nexus One, Bravo, and X10 just around the corner (all of which sport seriously superior hardware to the Hero) I think I'd wait before getting an Android handset right now.

I think you are right... I also did not like the apparently crappy camera that the hero has - some people claim it takes 3 seconds to focus - so if the subject of the picture moves...

HTC HD2 - rave reviews, win mobile 6.5 (inc it's annoyances). Also vodafone only ?

Yup, Vodafone only again. I have one and love it (had it for about three weeks before my brief flirtation with the N900, now had it over a month). For your uses, with your stated emphasis for sync, its probably hard to go past this phone if its in your price range. Check the N900 users thread for the reasons this one trumps the N900 for my use.

Yes, the HD2 is my favorite at the moment, but www.parallelimported.co.nz want like $1400 for it! there must be a cheaper option?

Also, I don't want to be locked into Vodafone if I can avoid it - but it looks increasingly like I cant. I'm not over impressed with there various options for txting - unless I am missing something ? They don't seem to have a compareable plan to telecom's 2000 txts for $10, or some of the promotions or options under XT.

The only other phones you haven't mentioned are the Motorola Milestone (which falls in the same boat as the Hero, there are too many seriously upgraded handsets on the immediate horizon, and lots of users seem to be having problems with this one), and the Samsung i8910 (which I've also owned and is a fantastic handset, sync duties are covered by Roadsync, which is an excellent piece of software).

The I8910 looks VERY good! Might even take top spot on my list from the HD2. The i8000 also looks good for the windows mobile option, but the hardware on that model seems to give away a bit compared to the 8910.

I don't know anything about Symbian. What''s it like compared to windows mobile 6.5? Can you install 3rd party software to it like on win mo ? Any freeware sites I should check out?

Anyway thanks techfreak, very helpful

. I can afford to wait for a while - the cdma network isn't closing just yet. But as these phones are bloody expensive I think a little homework can save a lot of money.

Anyone got a samsung i8910? What do you think of it?

Brendan

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#286714 3-Jan-2010 19:05

kyhwana2: I'm running Winmo 6.5 on my HTC Touch Pro at the moment and there are a lot less annoying things about it than with 6.1, especially running the newer versions of Touchflo 3d.

True. I have it on my Vouge (okta touch). Its certainly on my list of acceptible OS'es, and it's the devil I know... Still, I thought Android might be nicer.

Either will do though, the important thing is the phone works well, and improves on what I already have by a good margin

NZtechfreak

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#286805 4-Jan-2010 10:15

Cheapest price on the HD2 at Pricespy is about $1220, but getting it from Expansys for $959 and then paying GST on entry would work out cheaper still.

Texting plans for Vodafone are looking a little dated compared to XT, I must admit. For Vfone-Vfone you have similar setups, but if you need to be able to text other networks frequently its more limited. From memory they have a plan with 600 any-network texts, but someone from Vodafone would be able to better inform you (theres a few staffers floating around the GZ forums).

I'd avoid the i8000 if I were you. I looked really hard at that handset, its feature set is stellar, but the RAM situation isn't great and reviews all talk about lag to an extent that sounds like it would get infuriating. I think a Snapdragon is needed to run WinMo at a decent clip.

There are a couple of other i8910 owners here (there is a thread in the Symbian OS section that I started when I got mine), as far as I'm aware they're all pretty happy. You can install apps on it, like any smartphone, and there is plenty of freeware (once you've got yourself set up with a certificate and key file - Symbian OS has this annoying thing where a lot of software needs to be signed in order for intallation). Good places to look would be samsungi8910omnia.com forums, and Symbian-freak. If you hack the handset (I recommend it) then you can even use softwares that are meant to be Nokia-only - there is a lot of good freeware to be had that way (Sportstracker, Nokia Maps etc).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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Brendan

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#286996 4-Jan-2010 21:06

NZtechfreak: Cheapest price on the HD2 at Pricespy is about $1220, but getting it from Expansys for $959 and then paying GST on entry would work out cheaper still.

Good idea! I have read here a few others have dealt with Expansys before with success, so they are reputable? Just not so sure about a company based in Hong Kong - lots of scams come from there...

Texting plans for Vodafone are looking a little dated compared to XT, I must admit. For Vfone-Vfone you have similar setups, but if you need to be able to text other networks frequently its more limited. From memory they have a plan with 600 any-network texts, but someone from Vodafone would be able to better inform you (theres a few staffers floating around the GZ forums).

Virtually everyone (except my sister) that I know is on Telecom. So it'd have to be any-network. I'll ask around. Is it just me or is vodafone's website as labrynthine as Telecom's?

I'd avoid the i8000 if I were you. I looked really hard at that handset, its feature set is stellar, but the RAM situation isn't great and reviews all talk about lag to an extent that sounds like it would get infuriating. I think a Snapdragon is needed to run WinMo at a decent clip.

Good point... It does have an 800mhz cpu though, but only 256 megs of ram. Still, I have done ok with the vogue 256 megs. But the vogue is laggy lol... Guess it's what you get used to eh.

I'll probably hold out for some of the new devices that are just on the horizon, because I can. No mad rush. Except gadget lust lol..

There are a couple of other i8910 owners here (there is a thread in the Symbian OS section that I started when I got mine), as far as I'm aware they're all pretty happy. You can install apps on it, like any smartphone, and there is plenty of freeware (once you've got yourself set up with a certificate and key file - Symbian OS has this annoying thing where a lot of software needs to be signed in order for intallation). Good places to look would be samsungi8910omnia.com forums, and Symbian-freak. If you hack the handset (I recommend it) then you can even use softwares that are meant to be Nokia-only - there is a lot of good freeware to be had that way (Sportstracker, Nokia Maps etc).

Hey, thanks for the info - esp about the certificate thing. I had NO idea! How do you get one?

Thanks!

kyhwana2

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#287023 4-Jan-2010 22:18

Good idea! I have read here a few others have dealt with Expansys before with success, so they are reputable? Just not so sure about a company based in Hong Kong - lots of scams come from there...

I've known a few people to get stuff from expansys, including my stepmum (I now have her MWG Zinc II that she got from there) so they seem legit.

Virtually everyone (except my sister) that I know is on Telecom. So it'd have to be any-network. I'll ask around. Is it just me or is vodafone's website as labrynthine as Telecom's?

Ouch,
vodafone don't seem to have any txt plans that aren't in network (At least none I could find on their website) so you might want to look for a phone that does UMTS/WCDMA (3G) 850Mhz and got with XT..

NZtechfreak

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#287077 5-Jan-2010 07:07

Expansys is legit, I've made purchases for accessories from them. They are just fine providing you are ordering something in stock (pre-orders for phones are poor, I've been there, their dates changes willy-nilly and the communication is lacklustre around delays).

Getting certificate and key files is pretty painless now, you get them from OPDA (Chinese site), Symbian-freak has all the info you need. It used to be quite difficult.

Perhaps look into 2 Degrees plans too? They are likely to have all-network text deals yeah?

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Brendan

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#287303 6-Jan-2010 00:42

kyhwana2:

Good idea! I have read here a few others have dealt with Expansys before with success, so they are reputable? Just not so sure about a company based in Hong Kong - lots of scams come from there...

I've known a few people to get stuff from expansys, including my stepmum (I now have her MWG Zinc II that she got from there) so they seem legit.

Good to know, thanks!

Virtually everyone (except my sister) that I know is on Telecom. So it'd have to be any-network. I'll ask around. Is it just me or is vodafone's website as labrynthine as Telecom's?

Ouch,
vodafone don't seem to have any txt plans that aren't in network (At least none I could find on their website) so you might want to look for a phone that does UMTS/WCDMA (3G) 850Mhz and got with XT..

Easier said than done.. Seems all the decent PDA phones are 900mhz. Interested if anyone can point me at some examples of PDA phones that will work on XT.

I think Vodafone has dropped the ball with multi-network txting plans. Yes, they have this undertaking - nice, but it's not IN EFFECT yet.

Brendan

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#287305 6-Jan-2010 00:46

NZtechfreak: Expansys is legit, I've made purchases for accessories from them. They are just fine providing you are ordering something in stock (pre-orders for phones are poor, I've been there, their dates changes willy-nilly and the communication is lacklustre around delays).

Cool, thanks. I'll try to keep to the in-stock phones...

Getting certificate and key files is pretty painless now, you get them from OPDA (Chinese site), Symbian-freak has all the info you need. It used to be quite difficult.

Good to know. I'd never have even GUESSED this was needed.

Perhaps look into 2 Degrees plans too? They are likely to have all-network text deals yeah?

I looked at them a while ago, and there txt'ing plans were nothing to write home about... Quite disappointing really - for the company that was SUPPOSED to shake up the industry here... I know they had the odds against them with the current cell-phone duopoly in place.

I DO think regulation is in order. I also think NATIONAL is unlikely to anger their bosses though...

Anyway, i'll check out 2 degrees again.

Just did: basically, if I spend $20 I get 322 any network txt's... With Telecom cdma I get 500 for $10 or 600 for $12 on XT.

Please correct me if I wrong... I'd like to be...

freitasm

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#287307 6-Jan-2010 00:53

Brendan: Easier said than done.. Seems all the decent PDA phones are 900mhz. Interested if anyone can point me at some examples of PDA phones that will work on XT.

iPhone, Nokia e71, Acer F900, HTC Snap, HTC Touch Pro2, HTC Touch HD2, and others...

Brendan

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#287309 6-Jan-2010 01:21

freitasm: iPhone,

Yes, true. Not keen on the Apple lock-in games myself, and apparently it doesn't actually multi-task?

Still, it's the phone to beat.

I live in Oamaru, so just running the phone on the 2100mhz band is not likely to work.

Nokia e71,

Network:
- GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)
- WCDMA: 900/2100 (Dual-Band)

Not XT? I thought XT required 850mhz on 3g/wcdma ?

Unless I live in a big city and can therefore use the 2100mhz band. But I don't live there...

Acer F900.

2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network
HSDPA 900 / 2100

HTC Snap,

HSDPA/WCDMA: Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: Europe/Asia: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

HTC Touch Pro2,

HSDPA/WCDMA: Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: Europe/Asia: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

HTC Touch HD2,

I am probably WAY wrong but the specs for it on the HTC web site and elsewhere are:

Europe:

HSPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz

GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Asia Pacific:

HSPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz

GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Which, it seems, would exclude Telecom XT ??? (except for 2100 which I can't use?)

I'd love to be wrong, as this was a top contender.

and others...

Hey, thanks though. I appreciate all the help I've been getting on this subject. So far I have found a few other PDA's I hadn't heard of that look very impressive. The problem now is to find versions that will work on XT 850mhz, OR find a decent any-network TXT'ing plan on vodafone....

NZtechfreak

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#287313 6-Jan-2010 06:58

I think thats the HTC Touch, a different beast than the HD2. The problem with all of those handsets, with the exception of the Acer, is that they all run on decidedly last-gen hardware, Telecom doesn't really have any contemporary offerings on the table.

Vodafone has a plan with 600 any-network texts.

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