HTC Excalibur / O2 Xda Cosmo reviewed

If the Boy Genius' soiled-trow, hands-on of the HTC Excalibur had you gasping for more, then peep the full review of the O2 Xda Cosmo just posted at the::unwired. Their unit from O2 Germany came ready to go with Windows Mobile 5.0 and AKU3 which, besides some low-level tweaks, brought a new Internet Sharing application in replacement of HTCs Wireless Modem app. The reviewer who admittedly comes from a more traditional GSM phone background (read: no real experience with a QWERTY/Z Smartphones or BlackBerrys) found the keyboard confusing for "regular phone stuff" like entering a phone number or searching for contacts -- apparently preferring T9-style input instead. Still, he was stoked by this quad-band GSM phones WiFi, GPRS, and EDGE data connectivity options and "satisfied" by performance under normal usage or while watching live, Slingboxed TV. However, the reviewer then goes on to worry unnecessarily about the OMAP 850 processor getting overloaded if say, using it for GPS, watching live TV, and listening to audio over Bluetooth all at the same time. Hell, why not agonize over the risk posed by it getting lodged in your skull when used near certain supermodels? Geesh. Bottom line: if you're looking for a WinMo device with keyboard and "all the latest and greatest technologies" (well, almost all) then the Cosmo is a "great device."

[Aaron @ Sep 11th 2006 9:08AM]

Why is the "Y" and "Z" switched on the keyboard? Anyone know why?

[blaster @ Sep 11th 2006 9:31AM]

Because in Germany zey like ze Y at ze bottom, und the Z at ze top!

[Nik Recob @ Oct 7th 2006 3:45PM]

Good one! Thanks for the laugh!!!!!! ;)

[krizage @ Sep 11th 2006 9:37AM]

The qwerty keyboards in central Europe switch the z and y. There are a couple of other odd little difference as well I think. Which is the real problem with this phone. Are they going to be releasing this thing on this side of the pond?

I have been wanting to make the jump to a smart phone and reduce the bulk of my utility belt. I am willing to change my cell phone service to do it... Any suggestions.

[clement @ Sep 11th 2006 10:04AM]

this phone is so ugly, definitely one of the ugliest one 2006. i'd rather wait for the coming samsung i600 or get a treo instead.

[flipper @ Sep 11th 2006 10:20AM]

to clement: you can't possibly think this is ugly compared to the treo (aka the ugliest phone of all time!)

[eight @ Sep 11th 2006 12:07PM]

No 3G? Ouch. :(

[mike @ Sep 11th 2006 1:13PM]

Krizage,

yes it being being released on this side, and it will feature a QWERTY keyboard instead of a QWERTZ leyboard so it should look like a normal keyboard over here.