HTC Universal review
posted August 23rd 2005 6:31AM
Jason Langridge has a rather glowing review of the HTC Universal - apparently its largitude can be forgiven by its action-packed feature set. The device gets high marks for a gorgeous swivel screen (handy for preserving battery life while playing music), solid build, responsive QWERTY keyboard (using thumb-style is apparently a go, not just typing against a surface), battery life, improved Windows Mobile 5.0 phone application, easy Bluetooth pairing, and enhanced WiFi connectivity. Bonus points are awarded for the ability to place a voice call while simultaneously using the 3G data modem. Not a lot in the negative column here, kids, other than that size factor - if you can live with that, you could be about to fall in love.
[Thanks, Barry]
When and where can I get one?!?
Holy Snikes!! that thing is huge! Does it come with it's own TV tray stand??
D-rool, d-rool!! I must have one! This will definitly replace my Blackberry. I love the clamshell styling and wish more like this would come out.
WHY ooh WHY can't this be coming in CDMA version!
This device looks fantastic. However:
1. Does it play 640x480 DIVX at 30 fps? (the iPaq hx4700 and Axim X50v do this quite well)
2. Does the WM2005 browser render pages without automatically scaling images and screwing up the layout? There's no way to disable this "feature" in WM2003SE and there's *still* no decent VGA browser for PPC (the only solution is to run NetFront and SE_VGA or OzVGA, but with those VGA hacks come various compatibility problems and painfully tiny icons/fonts).
Was about to say "if it had 3G data support, I'd consider it."
It actually DOES have 3G support - didn't realise!
I feel a keyboard is a bit useless though, once you get used to an onscreen fitaly keyboard.
(BTW, feel free to click my link, and be warned.)
#5: The Axim x50v incorporates Intel's Marathon graphics accelerator... I don't think that the Universal does the same, so DIVX performance will be up in the air.
I want one of these!!
VGA res - GOOD!
WM5 - GOOD!
Size - BAD!
Lack of OLED external Screen - BAD!
BT version not listed - if BT 2.0 GOOD, BT 1.1 BAD - BT 1.2 - OK
Oh Engadget how you tease me. I've been waiting since January for this device. Atleast I know it's coming. The faster the roll out, the faster I can pick it up from the Grey Market.
Sorry too big, but then again my Orange contract will be up just as it is released, and I'll be a the Orange store looking for my new phone...how will I resist?
Noooo, give an I-Mate Jam sized one, not replacing the Jam with an even bigger phone...argghh 3G/WIFI/VGA/KEYBOARD...help!!
"Jason Langridge has a rather glowing review of the HTC Universal"
Well, duh. The guy works for Micorosft and is writing the review on a Microsoft-hosted blog. Is it really such a surprise that he gave a Microsoft-based product such a glowing review?
I'll wait until someone objective reviews it properly. At the momemnt it looks like a high-specced but huge device with fugly aesthetics. I hope HTC have improved their build quality too.
I agree with #4. If it really were "Universal", you'd be able to use it on both CDMA and GSM. Haha.
some first looks posted over here. gladly answer any questions.
http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/gartenberg/archives/010007.html
Very nice machine, but I can think of two negatives:
- No GPS
- No hard drive
In two years someone will come out with a handheld just like HTC Universal but with those two features also, and I will ditch my HTC Universal to get that one.
hi... i have bought an xda exec, and in your previous question and answer sessions, i've read that you can connect an external hard-drive.. well i would like to know wat kind of hard-drives can be connectd, and whether i can connect my ipod, as an external hard-drive to my xda exec. awaiting your reply, please reply asap. cheers!!
hi i have also love the new xda exec but i realy want to know how to connect a portable hard drive to it.