Hands-on with the HTC Universal
by Peter Rojas 
posted Sep 2nd 2005 at 1:20PM
As promised, a gallery of HTC Universal pics to accompany our question and answer session from earlier today. If you'd like pics of something specific that we may have missed, let us know and we'll try our best to accomodate you.
View of it closed. Note the small speaker on the right, thats so you can use it as phone even when its
closed.
View of the bottom of the Universal. Thats the main camera there on the left.
Swappable battery.
With the battery removed.
Alongside the Treo 650. The screen brightness of the Universal is set a little lower than it should be, though even on
max. brightness its not quite as bright as the Treo.
Side shot with the Treo.
With the Treo stacked on top.
From left to right: Left speaker, camera shutter, voice dial button, backlight button, rocker switch, right
speaker.
Power button and SD card slot.
From left to right: Send and end phone buttons, mini USB socket, reset button, and headphone jack.
Between the Treo 650 and the LG VX8100.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Melanie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Oh, this is hot! The size factor isn't a big deal for me - I'm a chick, so I get to use a purse :)
Overall, it's not as attractive as the treo - but I'm already over the 650, it's just not as functional as I'd hoped. As people were asking in the other post on this, any tips for getting this actived, preferebly with Sprint?
Jay Contonio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
That's a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be damn.
webdoctor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Looks really cool... It would have been a better phone if it had a number pad and a small screen on the closed side in picture 2.
Christopher Woe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Will it work with tmobile?
Where would you recommend buying one?
Does a new htc need to be unlocked for use in the us?
How big is it compared to a sidekick?
diem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
as i feared, its WAY too big to be a phone.
I owned a hp 6315 for a couple of weeks, and it was a nice screen, nice functionally in the PDA department, but my needs are more telephone weighted, than organizer. This device looks huge.
Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Perhaps instead of photographing it next to a Treo, you could photograph it next to a ruler. More of us have rulers than have treos.
Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Nice job with the photos! You guys don't bite your nails or cuticles like I do.
If my choices are this device or a Treo with Windows Mobile, I'd go for the smaller Treo. Since my real choice is a Treo with Palm OS vs this device it's a tough call. Of course what I'd really like to see is a Treo with 3 megapixel camera, at least a 4GB hard or flash drive, and WiFi.
Any word on the thickness of the soon-to-be-released LG F9200? Maybe I have a basic phone that I can pocket and a Mebius subnotebook (sold mine on ebay - sniff, sniff) for the virtual heavy lifting.
Duncan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
6. - the official measurements are: 127.7 x 81.0 x 25.0 mm (or - 5.03 x 3.19 x 0.98 in.)
Duncan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
6. - the official measurements are: 127.7 x 81.0 x 25.0 mm (or - 5.03 x 3.19 x 0.98 in.)
boe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
What is the issue with phone manufacturer's not giving specifics on the bluetooth. 1.1 is USELESS. Unless they say 1.2 or 2.0 I'll have to assume it is 1.1 since 1.2 or 2.0 would be a selling point whereas 1.1 would be an issue they would want to keep buried.
Orion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Ok...so when you said consumer IR....my jaw dropped....now lets be clear....this device has the same IR port I can use to control my TV like on my HP iPAQ 2200....because if it does OMFG...that was about the only thing I would miss from my current device.
Orion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Ok...so when you said consumer IR....my jaw dropped....now lets be clear....this device has the same IR port I can use to control my TV like on my HP iPAQ 2200....because if it does OMFG...that was about the only thing I would miss from my current device.
oBLIQUE @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Does it have Bluetooth 2.0?
Nope, just Bluetooth 1.2.
FROM question and answer session from earlier today.
Duncan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
10. - the HTC Universal has BT 1.2. HTC and the various carriers have all been very open about it, the Bluetooth Qualification confirms it and Engadget also say so in their review.
bkim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
why can't they make regular PDA's like this... *sigh*
Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
That thing is ginormous. The Treo is about the biggest device that I'd be willing to carry with me all the time.
Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
bkim: why don't you just get this? You don't need the phone functionality? Maybe it has a "flight mode"...
gopi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
boe writes, "1.1 is USELESS"
Can you elaborate, please? I've found it quite useful, personally, and continue to find it useful. While 1.2 and 2.0 are better, 1.1 is hardly "useless." Please, share with us what has made 1.1 useless.
Very, very few people understand the difference; I'm fairly confident nobody is hiding the BT version of the device, they just figure nobody cares.
Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
can u take a picture with the keyboard backlit please? thank u
Orneta @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
When will T-Mobile US release the HTC Universal? Are there already plans to release it?
Mad Cow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Picture of keyboard while backlit?
Size next to any regular PDA? Any PPC or Palm will work, I just haven't been able to play with that many treos.
JAmerican @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
HUGE???? I guess you all think the Treo 650 is huge. The device is perfect for what it does. Its amazing. You expect a device with 3G, lots of RAM, Video, Audio, SD slot, stereo speakers, large screen, phone capabilities and replaceable battery to be small like an iPod, then you must be on drugs. Its perfect size. Stop hating.
JAmerican
Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Five and a half questions in three categories:
1. Is voice dialing with the dedicated button while the device is closed comfortable enough that you don't miss a number pad? Does voice dial work over a Bluetooth headset?
2. How is the rocker switch programmed? Does it function like a jog dial by default, and if not then can it?
3. In "PDA mode" (screen accesible and keyboard inaccessible), how usable is the device as compared to a Blue Angel or other WM2003SE Pocket PC Phone Edition, considering that they have as many as six or eight application buttons (to the Universal's zero), but do not have soft keys?
malingerer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Looks like the HP omnigo.. best damn pda design ever..
Larry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
I'm confused by the whole 1900 band thing. I've read in some places that it will not work on Cingular in the USA, and in other places I've read that it will. Can you defintively clarify this? Will it work on Cingular in the USA, or only T-Mobile?
Thanks!
tim Skrastins @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
#18 - see the earlier post on Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000080056633/ -- looks like this won't be showing up in the US from carriers...which makes sense since it's not really tuned to best take advantage of our prevelant network technologies (i.e. no 850 band for Cingular, no EDGE for T-Mobile).
#23 - Cingular uses a combination of 1900 & 850...most 1900 is in larger metro areas, the 850 is the older infrastructure so is often found in less populated/built up areas. T-Mobile doesn't have this issue because they are all on 1900.
The bottom line is that this phone would be a second-best choice for Cingular users since it doesn't have 850 band and it would be a second-best choice for T-Mobile users because it doesn't use the high speed EDGE service. Oh well....maybe next year we'll get a good VGA screen PPC phone for the US...
boe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Sorry - I missed the specs about it having BT 1.2 - thanks for letting me know.
As far as why I find 1.1 useless is the noise/static. I know plenty of people using them and I've tested them myself and they are annoying to say the least. I get really ticked when I speak to people and it sounds like they are in a war zone. I have 1.1 on my phone and would really like to use a BT headset but they all have issues with too much static unless I'm very close to the phone with my headset and their is nothing e.g. a pocket to block the signal in any way or you get too much noise. I have a feeling a lot of people I speak to who use the BT headsets don't realize how often I get static/noise on the other end.
silk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Can we get samples of the camera quality please?
Drevil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
No edge? So ghetto...
BritOverseas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Being a Treo650 owner, the whole point of this kind of device for me was to not have to flip/change/turn/morph/etc/etc anything for it to work. Just get it out turn it on and of you go. I mean it's nice and all but it just doesn't make that much sense and lets face it the ommission of EDGE was, err, interesting to say the least. Oh, and it is HUGE!!
Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
The lack of edge shoudlnt be a big deal, since this is the Euopean version and has 3G support (WCDMA 2100mhz). I'm pretty sure that in the US, WCDMA operates on 1800mhz so even in an area where Cingular does have UMTS, the Universal couldn't use it. Hopefully, an American version will be released with edge or WCDMA 1800mhz or maybe even both.
Anyone looking to purchase a Universal (without 3G in America, with 3G in Europe) can buy an unlocked one on Expansys. Of course, its going for $1,100, so you need to really really want it to lay down the cash.
ali @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
could you post some video clips for the device
please
Cydex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Cant wait for this device ( note not calling it a mobile phone) Its coming out in the UK on O2 for 150 and 30 a month contract. Here's the thing... Im going to use this as a MP3 Jukebox in my car.. Touch screen, mediaplayer10, 1Gb of SD all linked to my cars headunit :) How about this...Leave it in your jacket pocket and just use a small bt headunit as a mobile phone. Voice dial and receive.. sorted.. Right the best bit... I have wireless broadband in house so i can sit out in the garden and surf the net for free.. could u ask for a better device. P.S. Im working on a "Vista Theme" for the phone to customize it to look like Vista. Black and sexy.
Dhiram Shah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Looks damn sexy and beats the MPX and P910 by miles.
joe joe joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
i don't know if i would want to be holding something that size up to my ear...
mabye if i had a bluetooth headset
teksama @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
If we collectively asked for it or had a petition with people that would buy one (or pre-order) I am sure they would produce US versions. Companies don't say no to easy money. And this is neccesary only if HTC doesn't
fenris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Do anyone know when O2 will be releasing the xda exec?
HairyH @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Following links suggest E.O. Sept. / October 2005.
Looking forward to an upgrade!
http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1696.html
http://www.coolsmartphone.com/images/stories/full-o2-leaflet.jpg
teksama @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
If we collectively asked for it or had a petition with people that would buy one (or pre-order) I am sure they would produce US versions. Companies don't say no to easy money. And this is neccesary only if HTC doesn't
kevin m @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
I can't wait for this gadget to come out, but they need to speed up the process. It must have bluetooth technology and reasonably priced.
Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
when would the htc universal be released in the united states ? Does anyone have an idea of the price range?
expattraveller @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Hi people...I'm looking for help/advice! Was about to buy PDA2K 'till saw jasjar. I'm NOT very knowledgable, so here's my basic needs: travel overseas 6 mths /year. Was using tungsten W, (I know it's old); change sim card in each country (middle east, africa, eu); need pda organiser,phone, e-mails (HTML), in that order, + mp3, camera / video would be a benefit, all for work. Also carry laptop. Need to copy / access big e-mails from Co. server from laptop when in hotels.Also, can -emails be copied to laptop?
JasJar (big bucks!!) or PDA2k? any comments/ advice appreciated.
Keeplaya @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
My JASJAR is supposed to ship Monday the 12th, "order total is US$1020.90 plus UPS Next Day Air - $31.00". Ordered from expansys.com, have seen it as high as $1199.00 on convergentech.com. I ordered a 2GB SD card from newegg.com
This is a universal cellphone, Tri-Band/Dual mode, works worldwide w/ sim or without. This device is no comparison to the Treo 650,the JASJAR has a 520MHz Intel processor, thats faster than some of your PC's.
It has Winndows Mobile 5.0, IE, Office, Outlook, Messenger,PDF, Zip, Camera, Camcorder, Divx, MP3, SDIO, Wi-fi, 3G, USB, infrared, WMA, WMV, Stereo speakers, and headphones, VGA 640x480, backlit keyboard, touch screen, hand writing recognition, camera flash and video light, flight mode, games, and videophone!
I read Trend Micro is coming out with a compatible anti-virus for Window Mobile 5.0 Oct 1st. Gotomypc already has a pocket PC version, so if you have a pc at work you will now have it in your hand. It's more a mobilePC than it is a cellphone.
Myk_Myk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
I don't know why everybody is so freaked out that there is no screen on the outside. It looks like you could could just leave it open with the main screen out (like most PDAs including the Treo are all the time anyway) and see who's calling that way.
That screen and keyboard alone, more than justify the size for me.
Jaimi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
The screen rotates. You can have it on the inside, or the outside. It's great!
Martin Tibbitts @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Would be nice to see a version of this with Edge. Since Verizon did this with their version of the Pda2k perhaps there is hope. Martin Tibbitts
Colin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
Can you use a full size bluetooth keyboard with it?
Robert C. Greenstone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM
I'v ebeen drooling over the HTC Universal ever since they announced it. I had a functioning Treo 600 which died, then bought a 650 which didn't work with my ACT! contact management software the way my 600 had, so I returned it and decided to wait until the Universal was released. And I'm waiting and waiting....
I can't find out if and when ACT! intends on making their softare portable to MS Mobile 5. Does anyone know the answer to this? Outlook is a good email application, but way too limited to maintain all the extra data fields, queries and notes my business requires. I want to stay with ACT! if I can.
So here are my questions: (1) If I buy an unlocked Jasjar or other HTC Universal version over the internet now (say, from Europe) would I be jumping the gun? (2) Does Cingular in NYC support UMTS high-speed wireless networking now? (3) Can I simply slide my SIM chip into the HTC Universal and expect the phone to work properly?
Questions, questions... anyone with answers?