Guest pisquee Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 The name was revealed here FIRST ages ago, but HTC have officially unveiled the HTC Universal, say The Register. HTC today formally introduced 'Universal', the palmtop-like PocketPC phone a number of European network operators have already announced, but on which the handset's vendor has kept quiet. Microsoft's announcement yesterday of Windows Mobile 5.0 - aka 'Magneto' - provided the motivation for HTC, which claimed Universal is the "world's first" WM5 handset. Universal first appeared in February, when T-Mobile announced the MDA IV in Germany. Soon after, it emerged Orange was planning to rebadge the same device. Since then, Vodafone has joined the others. It will offer Universal as the VPA IV. All three branded Universals are expected to ship this later this year, though T-Mobile revised its original summer release to an autumn debut. HTC provided no better guidance beyond saying Universal will ship in the second-half of the year. Universal builds on HTC's previous PocketPC phones by adding 3G support, along with a clamshell casing that reveales the device's QWERTY keyboard. Universal's screen can rotate and fold back to present the user with the more traditional tablet PDA form-factor. To support 3G video calls, there are twin cameras on board, and twin stereo speakers. There's quad-band GSM/GPRS in there too, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Windows Mobile 5.0 provides software support for 3G communications. It also integrates 'push-to-talk' functionality. Note the 'soft keys' for the new Pocket PC functionality in Windows Mobile 5!
Guest SystemicAnomaly Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 First opinions.......I LOVE IT. I WANT ONE NOW! Now all Motorola have to do is release pics of their RazrBerry 3G Windows Mobile 2005 device and i'll want that more. What does everyone else think?
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 I think a Razr Smartphone and this device would be an awesome combo ;) P
Guest pbird49 Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 The most obvious question has to be - When will it be available on either Vodafone or Orange?
Guest mstockham Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 According to the register today, yes and yes Universal first appeared in February, when T-Mobile announced the MDA IV in Germany. Soon after, it emerged Orange was planning to rebadge the same device. Since then, Vodafone has joined the others. It will offer Universal as the VPA IV. The most obvious question has to be - When will it be available on either Vodafone or Orange? <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 The question is when will it really hit the shelves ;) P
Guest efjay Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 How is anyone going to use this one handed? IMO its too big and cumbersome, soft keys or not
Guest spacerace Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 very similar form factor to the Clie UX50, which works very well. looks like a great device to me.
Guest renzo4000 Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 Is this the rumoured C600? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are there some specifications? At first sight this machine is huge!!!! Can it be compared with a HTC S100??
Guest benzo Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 Are there some specifications? At first sight this machine is huge!!!! Can it be compared with a HTC S100?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Will it get dust under the screen ;)
Guest iwod Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 Any spec on it? Size .. etc? If it support will 3 put it out? ( Bound to the cheapest )
Guest Pondrew Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 Any spec on it? Size .. etc? If it support will 3 put it out? ( Bound to the cheapest ) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Do a search for HTC Universal and you'll find a couple of threads with full specs in the News Forum including one by me...
Guest zeta101 Posted May 11, 2005 Report Posted May 11, 2005 can anyone make an educated guess when to expect to be able to buy this? are we talking sometime this summer? this autumn? or this xmas?
Guest pierre Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 It got all possible dreamed specs. Looks really good to me. Wonder if it's bigger or smaller than a M2000 once closed...
Guest vinterbird Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 Is it the final design? Because that gorgeus iPod white color is looking amazing. So this summer it will be released?
Guest spvdk Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 If this thing was the size of the S100, I'd buy one without hesitation! Sadly, it isn't... It's as huge as a standard PDA ;)
Guest pierre Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 If this thing was the size of the S100, I'd buy one without hesitation! Sadly, it isn't... It's as huge as a standard PDA ;) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If this thing was the size of the S100, I'd buy one without hesitation! Sadly, it isn't... It's as huge as a standard PDA ;) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, quite big I guess, but it's got lots of features. Can replace a laptop in many cases I suppose.
Guest spvdk Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 Yes, quite big I guess, but it's got lots of features. Can replace a laptop in many cases I suppose. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have been watching the PPC community from a distance for quite some time. Sure, the functionality of a PPC was nice, but there was no way I was gonna carry something that huge. Instead I have owned various smartphones for the past few years. Then HTC came up with the Magician and due to its size, I was finally able to jump the wagon. I believe the same thing goes for a LOT of other smartphone users. We need something pocketable, and that doesn't change with the emergence of the Universal. There is no doubt in my mind, though, that for those of you who have been using standard size PPC's before, this is a must have. Personally I'm just gonna wait for the functionality of this new device being compressed to the size of the S100, before I grab for my wallet ;)
Guest nickcornaglia Posted May 12, 2005 Report Posted May 12, 2005 Waaaaay too big for me. I'll need to pass on that one.
Guest paddy_mcnulty Posted May 13, 2005 Report Posted May 13, 2005 Maybe if it's out by Aug I can get it for my upgrade...but oh the cost. I reckon's it's gonna be high!
Guest schmeegle Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 In the pick the screen is lanscape, I presume it goes to portrait when closed up?
Guest Monolithix [MVP] Posted May 21, 2005 Report Posted May 21, 2005 I would imagine so, portrait/landscape supposrt was introducted in WM2003 Second edition ;)
Guest extravagant Posted May 21, 2005 Report Posted May 21, 2005 Waaaaay too big for me. I'll need to pass on that one. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree, its far to big.. plus it lacks GPS, it would be amazing if it was integrated in it.. and as far as replacing a laptop, not really ;)
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