The HTC Universal gets back in black

ePrice has several shots of the HTC Universal/MDA IV in basic black. The damn thing is almost more of a mini-laptop than a phone, but the specs are tight: Windows Mobile 5.0, built-in QWERTY keyboard, UMTS/WCDMA, a large, rotating VGA touch screen, 1.3 megapixel digital camera, 96MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, 520MHz Intel XScale processor, SD memory card slot, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

[Cracky-malacky @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Holy crap! It's a Newton!

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

It's like an overgrown Danger Sidekick

[dancnpete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

looks more like a Clue UX50 except black
but Yay finally a Pocket PC with what looks like a usuable keyboard.

[JJ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Interesting. Any word on how much this baby is gonna set me back?

[proee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Question:
Would a keyboard this size be speedier than the Treo's? I'm assuming you would still have to "hunt and peck" on this thing. Comments Please...

[ragnar @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Basically the advantage of Blackberry (true slightly also with Treo) style keyboard is that you can hold the device with your both hands and type with your thumbs.

This isn't true to devices with a form factor like this, or to things like the Nokia Communicator, which basically require you to type against a surface (table).

[PixelBrat.com @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Damn, I may just have to dump my Blackberry for this puppy. It's great to see someone finally coming out with clamshell design PDA's again.

[Darius Wey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Re: #5

It depends on what you're used to. Most people I've spoken to find a keyboard of this size to be easier to use than a Treo-style thumb-board. I'm in the same boat as them. But I'll say it again, it *really* does depend on what you're used to.

In my opinion, the HTC Universal is one heck of a beast, and if you've been looking out for a decent Pocket PC Phone and not one that has to have the same form factor as an i-mate JAM, then the Universal will definitely be to your liking. T-Mobile will be selling it as the MDA IV with delivery in the European market sometime in Summer 2005. I'm not too sure when the American release date is, but what I can confirm is that it will (should?) be widely available around the world in the second half of this year.

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

FInally the rumored black model shows its black head. YAY. IM tihnking that person holding it has small hands - I have seen this next to other pocket PCs, and it dosnt look all that big compared. Big yes, but not as depeicted here. :)

[boe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I like the resolution and the WM5. The size is rediculous though and no external display. Does the carrying case come in a backpack form or come with wheels?

[Strangis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I think the keyboard would be perfect. The HTC is about an inch wider than the Sony Clie UX50, which is my current PDA. I can do either "dual thumb" entry or 4 finger typing with it on a flat surface.

Although I love the UX50 and plan on keeping it until it eventually dies (perfectly paired with a BT cellphone), the HTC would probably be the next upgrade. Though a fair shade bigger, I wouldn't need a cellphone, so it's a reasonable trade off.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Does the website indicate the screen on this beauty is 5 (FIVE!!!!) inches?

MMmmmmm......HTC Universal....aaarhhrh......


Drooool...

[jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Hmmm. It seems quite bigger than I expected. I suspect that will reach $1000.

[Z @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

The screen isn't 5 inches. If you look at the photos, the screen is the same size as what's on a PDA2k, which is 3.5".

Now that I've seen it in black (which is the best color for this thing), I'm drooling over it. I was thinking it would be too big, but seeing it now, I believe this is what I'll be shooting for. With those specs, it has just about everything I could hope for. What a beautiful device with fantastic features.

Should look good with my black Nextlink 5G earpiece and my black GlobalSat BT-338 GPS BT receiver.

Can't wait!

[Flyashi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

This is definately cool. Although some may complain that typing may be a bit difficult, it's WAY easier than using the touchscreen if it had no keyboard at all! I previously was seeking the Motorola A630, also a clamshell phone, but not a PDA phone, just the T-Mobile OS and j2me (and camera, bluetooth, ir, etc). But this, while bigger and not quite "phone"-y (no pun intended), is definately worth the extra size and $$$. But of course, since the A630 is free after rebates with a new T-mobile plan, why not get both?

"The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys."

[Roman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I personally would vote for an optional keyboard. Why do I need to carry this permanent weight if I'm prefectly fine with on-screen keyboard. I would trade the keyboard for an extended battery or a faster processor or more RAM or something like this.

[AverageAhTec @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

It looks like an ugly black brick. Its big. They keyboard is too large to be a thumbpad, but too small to be a usable keyboard. If the ringers/phone speakers/usablilty is anything like the 6600, the phone features will suck. A 1.3mp camera? If I am going to shell out 500 plus for a phone, they can add on AT LEAST a 2.1 mp camera to produce decent pics.

The samsung i730 is out now, and (although sans camera for now) has similiar specs and GREAT SPEAKERS.

I traded my old i700 for a 6600, and went right back to the i700. Missed calls, no sound, htc missed the boat when it came to the phone phunctionality of the converged device.

[Hans Dekker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Yeah, so how about battery time? Sounds like quite the battery drain if you ask me. Be afraid, I say. Then again, if this baby can last a couple of days on one charge I may just have to trade in my HP hx4700. Persistant storage, you know.

[brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

re #19
well, as long as it lasts a good 8-10 hours minimum, who cares?

[Chris H @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

eXpansys Australia advise availability of the HTC Universal badged as the "i-mate JASJAR GSM/GPRS Pocket PC (Worldwide English)" priced at A$1,619.95 (1,472.68 exc.). Availability: Due Sunday 11th September 2005. Information at: http://www.expansys.com.au/product.asp?code=119353

And yes, the colour on the website is of a model in black.

[jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Universal (black, quad band, unlocked) on sale today 8 Sep, in Dubai, U.A.E.
In Dubai it is called the i-mate JASJAR.
Cost is $ 1164.00 no tax in the U.A.E.
Kinda heavy. You may want to use a BT headset.
I am not sure if I will buy $$$. info and specs are on the i-mate web site (imate.com)