T-Mobile MDA Vario

[Guest steve_smith]

MS Mobiles are reporting that T-Mobile UK are to release a number of WM5 Smartphones/PDA phones before Christmas. Including the MDA Vario (which I think is their version of the IMATE K-JAM/HTC Wizard?).

There was a time when T-Mobile had a rubbish selection of smartphones, which is why I left them 12 to 18 months ago for Orange. However, now it seems they are getting much better, and Orange are becoming sloath like at releasing handsets (the MDA Compact appeared ages before the M500 for example).

Does anyone know if Orange are releasing their version of the Wizard anytime soon?

If T-Mobile get there's out first, it's going to be tempting to go back to them, especially on one of the new Web'n'Walk tarrifs.

Steve.

[Guest Fleabag]

You can expect this to be released on October 29th on T-Mobile with an RRP of £189.99.

[Guest steve_smith]

You can expect this to be released on October 29th on T-Mobile with an RRP of £189.99.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, 29th October has come and gone with no sign of the phone or any announcements, so I guess it slipped... Does anyone have another date when this might be coming out?

Been thinking long and hard about the Vario (Wizard) and MDA Pro (Universal). I'm now past the end of my Orange contract, and that "must get a new phone" feeling is burning away. I'm stuck between choosing to get the MDA Pro now, or wait for the Vario :-)

For those who have used the HTC Wizard and the Universal, how usable is the keyboard on the Wizard vs. the Universal? Is the Wizard good enough for typing notes and stuff on the train? The larger keyboard on the Universal is making me think I should go for that instead, but on the other hand I think it's a little on the large side to use as a phone.

Nice to have a choice though, unlike Orange, who appear to only be bringing out one Windows Mobile 5 PDA phone.

Steve.

[Guest Fleabag]

Well, 29th October has come and gone with no sign of the phone or any announcements, so I guess it slipped... Does anyone have another date when this might be coming out?

Been thinking long and hard about the Vario (Wizard) and MDA Pro (Universal).  I'm now past the end of my Orange contract, and that "must get a new phone" feeling is burning away.  I'm stuck between choosing to get the MDA Pro now, or wait for the Vario :-)

For those who have used the HTC Wizard and the Universal, how usable is the keyboard on the Wizard vs. the Universal?  Is the Wizard good enough for typing notes and stuff on the train?  The larger keyboard on the Universal is making me think I should go for that instead, but on the other hand I think it's a little on the large side to use as a phone.

Nice to have a choice though, unlike Orange, who appear to only be bringing out one Windows Mobile 5 PDA phone.

Steve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was only 3 days off, the MDA Vario was released earlier tonight. Call up right now and upgrade if you like! ;)

[Guest steve_smith]

I was only 3 days off, the MDA Vario was released earlier tonight. Call up right now and upgrade if you like! ;)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info, but I'm moving from Orange to T-Mobile, so I'll need to wait until they go on general release :D

Do you happen to know when it's going to appear on t-mobile.co.uk? They seem to offer the best deals on half price line rental (12 months at half price, where as most 3rd party dealers seem to only offer 6).

I emailed T-Mobile to ask them yesterday, but no reply yet (if they're anything like Orange they'll come back with "whats a Vario?").

Steve.

[Guest Pondrew]

Thanks for the info, but I'm moving from Orange to T-Mobile, so I'll need to wait until they go on general release  ;)

Do you happen to know when it's going to appear on t-mobile.co.uk?  They seem to offer the best deals on half price line rental (12 months at half price, where as most 3rd party dealers seem to only offer 6).

I emailed T-Mobile to ask them yesterday, but no reply yet (if they're anything like Orange they'll come back with "whats a Vario?").

Steve.

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Went into a T-Mobile shop today and they said the shop should match the online offer, as apparently will T-Mobile telesales. No reason not to get one now :D

Also had a quick play with the Vario, couldn't believe how SMALL it was. And before anyone asks, yes I've handled the Compact (HTC Magician) but the Vario (HTC Wizard) with it's extra thickness seems somehow... well... smaller! (yes I know the dimensions are the same!)

[Guest steve_smith]

Went into a T-Mobile shop today and they said the shop should match the online offer, as apparently will T-Mobile telesales. No reason not to get one now ;)

Also had a quick play with the Vario, couldn't believe how SMALL it was. And before anyone asks, yes I've handled the Compact (HTC Magician) but the Vario (HTC Wizard) with it's extra thickness seems somehow... well... smaller! (yes I know the dimensions are the same!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doh! I was busy yesterday and didn't get round to phoning T-Mobile. Just tried now and they are closed on Sundays, and it's still not available to order on their website. For some reason here on the south coast I need to drive nearly 40 miles to find the nearest "real" shop (we live in Poole, nearest store, Southampton). I don't think other retailers such as Car Phone Warehouse are matching the 12 months half price line rental offer (too good to be missed I reckon!).

Anyway, I'll probably get mine ordered tomorrow from Telesales. Does anyone know if they will deliver the phone to a work address?

Steve.

[Guest tdodd]

I picked up my MDA Vario on Saturday, charged it overnight and have been setting it up today but I haven't got very far at all because....

The bloody thing refuses to connect to my WiFi network. I run an 802.11g network (not mixed b/g mode) and the Vario will see the network and list it as available - it even understands that it is secured (WPA-PSK) and lets me set up the key but I have not been able to get it to connect.

I've been through endless iterations of shortening my key, dropping back to WEP encryption, removing encryption completely, disabling MAC filtering and even changing channel numbers from 13 to 1 to 11. Of course this was screwing up my wireless network for myself and my G/F as the security settings kept changing and out laptops had to be reconfigured.

The first and only thing that finally enabled me to connect was to implement mixed mode b/g on the network. Finally the phone connected. I've reintroduced WPA-PSK and MAC filtering and everything is still OK with the connection. But I don't want "b" mode on my network and I expect the Vario to be able to run in "g" mode as so many reviews/announcements have suggested it can.

Sadly there is nothing resembling any technical specifications in the manuals or documentation supplied with the phone.

Is anyone having better luck than me with 802.11g connections? How did you get it to work? Have I got a flakey unit I wonder? Next stock is not due in for a month :-( Please help me if you have some ideas.

Thanks,

Tim.

Edited November 6, 2005 by tdodd

[Guest nforsans]

Orange said they would release the Vario in France and other countries - except the UK.

In the UK, expect to get the Vario at T-Mobile and eventually on O2 under the XdaMini label.

The Vario supports EDGE, a 2.75G network, which has not been deployed in the Uk by Orange.

Orange will release their Vario in countries where it has deployed its EDGE network only

[Guest Pondrew]

Orange will release their Vario in countries where it has deployed its EDGE network only

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If true that's a strange decision. After all the C600 is coming out over here and that's an EDGE device too.

I wouldn't be surprised if Orange release the SPV M3000 (as its apparently being badged abroad) over here. But expect them to take forever about it as they always do with their Pocket PC Phones :?:

[Guest Markl9]

I must admit to being totally confused by the array of device names that kick around on theses forums, can somebody tell me what is the smallest Pocket PC phone device currently available, is it the Vario/M3000.

I would like to be able to compare it to an SP5 to guage the difference.

Thanks

Mark

[Guest Pondrew]

I must admit to being totally confused by the array of device names that kick around on theses forums, can somebody tell me what is the smallest Pocket PC phone device currently available, is it the Vario/M3000.

I would like to be able to compare it to an SP5 to guage the difference.

Thanks

Mark

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The absolute smallest Pocket PC Phone available now is the HTC Magician (although it is sold under different names such as the T-Mobile MDA Compact or Orange SPV M500). The Magician is slightly thinner (and I mean slightly) then the HTC Wizard (T-Mobile MDA Vario/Orange SPV M3000) although I'd recommend the Vario for features and overall feel.

[Guest rand]

The absolute smallest Pocket PC Phone available now is the HTC Magician (although it is sold under different names such as the T-Mobile MDA Compact or Orange SPV M500). The Magician is slightly thinner (and I mean slightly) then the HTC Wizard (T-Mobile MDA Vario/Orange SPV M3000) although I'd recommend the Vario for features and overall feel.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have just made the pluge and signed up for the MDA Vario on T-Mobile. I wanted to move back to Orange from 02 as i have no signal where i live but orange are offering no decent models :). From a company who started the SPV and PDA phones they seem to have lost the plot.

Lets hope i like the phone, been using the sony s700i which is ok as a phone but is a phone and ok camera....

[Guest Pondrew]

I have just made the pluge and signed up for the MDA Vario on T-Mobile. I wanted to move back to Orange from 02 as i have no signal where i live but orange are offering no decent models :D. From a company who started the SPV and PDA phones they seem to have lost the plot.

Lets hope i like the phone, been using the sony s700i which is ok as a phone but is a phone and ok camera....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the thing, although Orange have traditionally ruled as the number 1 Smartphone provider (they launched the thing after all!) they've never been particularly strong on the PDA front. O2 traditionally ruled that market with their XDA range while T-Mobile kept their MDA range a closely guarded secret! :)

Orange only entered the fray very recently when they launched the HTC Himalaya as the SPV M1000.

Anyway, let us know how you get on with the HTC Wizard. You're in good company as many of the members here are signing upto the Wizard experience!

[Guest rand]

Anyway, let us know how you get on with the HTC Wizard. You're in good company as many of the members here are signing upto the Wizard experience!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I will do, i have tried so many Pda's and smart phones and really miss the extra things you can do on a PDA. The only bad point about the new Vario is that it does not offer 3G. T-Mobile are giving me a fantastic package where i get 12 months half price line rental but am tied into an 18 Month contract, i get 40Mb of downloads a month included but as the machine is not 3G i think this is a little ambitious. I don;t want to sign up to a contract for 18 months and find 6 months down the line there is a much better phone :)

I will post my opinions as i have used the XDA IIs and spv 500 and 550 etc.