Virtual SMS Keypad on Hermes?

[Guest stevem999]

So, am interested in getting a Hermes (either a V1605 or a Vario) and have three no doubt daft questions:

1) Does it have a virtual keypad that appears at the bottom of the screen so you can tap out SMS messages as you would on a traditional phone or is it only through the keyboard? I ask as I have a tendency to do a few texts whilst sat in traffic jams and my phone is in a holder so opening the keyboard wouldn't be possible.

2) T-Mobile sell the Vario and Vario 2 - what's the difference? and which one is the V1605 the same as?

3) The web-'n'walk tariff on T-Mobile seems great value but what connection methods does the free data/calls apply to - WAP/GPRS/HSDPA (if applicable etc)?

Cheers all

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

1. It has a virtual QWERTY keyboard, handwriting recognition, block recognition and letter recognition - no T9 tho.

2. Vario 2 = v1605, Vario 1 = old skool.

3. GPRS/3G/HSDPA

P

[Guest Confucious]

1) Yes

2) The Vario II is the Hermes (same as the V1605) the Vario is the old wizard

3) W'n'W is great value for money - certainly allows 3G but there seems to be some confusion as to wether the new tarrifs allow HSDPA or which ones do - best check. When there were just the 2 the £7.50 didn't and the £10 did - although some people got it activated on the £7.50 one

If you have a 3G phone and don't have someone else paying the bills T-Mobile are the only operator with decent (ie affordable) pricing. I used over 400Mb (standard 3G not HSDPA) last month and just pay £7.50 for data (less my 25% diiscount which is no longer available) - The only reason for not going T-Mobile is if you don't have reception.

[Edit]Paul posted his reply while I was typing this - I'm a slow typer...[/Edit]

Edited November 23, 2006 by Confucious

[Guest stevem999]

Great news, seems like a great device. Would have it on Voda except for complete absence of data tariffs (see another thread!). However can you just clarify the virtual on-screen keypad. I saw a very quick demo in a T-Mob shop where a traditional 'phone' keypad was on the screen which you could tap/touch and dial numbers but does this allow SMS entry in the traditional manner (i.e. hitting the number 2 three times to get a 'C')? I know it doesn't offer predictive text but as I don't use that much anyway it would be good to know if I can do the old fashioned way!

I have seen posts elsewhere on here that the virtual phonepad is now missing from Hermes so the above isn't possible but I'm sure that I saw it in T-Mob - maybe just a T-Mob tweak?

Cheers

Edited January 3, 2007 by stevem999

[Guest tubaloopy]

Great news, seems like a great device. Would have it on Voda except for complete absence of data tariffs (see another thread!). However can you just clarify the virtual on-screen keypad. I saw a very quick demo in a T-Mob shop where a traditional 'phone' keypad was on the screen which you could tap/touch and dial numbers but does this allow SMS entry in the traditional manner (i.e. hitting the number 2 three times to get a 'C')? I know it doesn't offer predictive text but as I don't use that much anyway it would be good to know if I can do the old fashioned way!

I have seen posts elsewhere on here that the virtual phonepad is now missing from Hermes so the above isn't possible but I'm sure that I saw it in T-Mob - maybe just a T-Mob tweak?

Cheers

To write a text message you do not use the traditional 'phone' keypad (like T9 on most mobiles). That will only select phone numbers or contacts already stored on the phone. To write a text you would have to slide out the QWERTY keyboard or use the small one that pops up on the screen (which you would have to tap with the stylus). There is also a methods for writing on the screen with the stylus as well.

There is a hack to add a phonepad which does T9 but I don't think the forum rules would allow us to post details here. It involves taking parts from the ROM of a different (older) PPC phone.

[Guest argh]

There is a hack to add a phonepad which does T9 but I don't think the forum rules would allow us to post details here. It involves taking parts from the ROM of a different (older) PPC phone.

There are also other one-handed alternatives PhonePad which aren't exactly T9, but work in a similar manner, such as TenGo (which comes in free and pay flavours).