Should I give up with WM devices

[Guest bizshows]

I have had WM phones since the first Orange SPV and have been routinely frustrated by the reliability and usability problems - as well as HTC build quality that leaves a lot to be desired.

I currently have an i-mate SP5m from Expansys, using the SIM from my Orange M2000 (which stopped working and was going to take too long for Orange to replace). I kind of like the SP5m but still get annoyed by it's lack of processing power (sometimes it can't even ring without stuttering because it's doing something else) and its poor mic/earpiece quality when compared to Nokias, for example. The M2000 was so clumsy to use and I found dialling a nightmare - although I appreciated the Windows apps.

Because of what I think is appalling CS from Orange (who I've been with since they started) I am planning to move to TMobile on a Flext tariff. So, time to select a new handset.

Now for the question...s

I was about to end my affair with WM devices and go with a Nokia N73 (having memories of the early Nokias with great menus and solid build quality), but then noticed the MDA Vario II...

1. Is the MDA Vario II appreciably better than previous HTC models? I see a thumbwheel and faster processor and WM5 - but does it deliver or frustrate?

2. Is the sound quality on a par with the best?

3. A big deal for me is the PC sync for calendar & contacts. Does anyone know if Nokia (or other manufacturers, for that matter) have solutions for syncing to Outlook so that it is maybe now as seamless as with WM phones?

I would ask more about the merits or otherwise of TMobile and loads of other stuff, but I guess this is enough. Sorry to ramble on. Thanks.

Andrew

[Guest jimbouk]

Quick answer - the Hermes is awesome. Faster processor, 3g (and HSDPA), good keyboard.

If you dont muck yours up with third party programs they run fast and reliable.

Sound Quality isnt AMAZING but its good enough.

Nokia's sync still isnt as good as MS's.

(BTW I tried a few nokia N series. They were all buggy as hell and slowed down as you used them more).

[Guest ix666]

Short answer NO.

I had moved from various WM PDA's to a N93. The N93 is awesome, some minor bugs, but each firmware update is eating those away. Lots of nice touches to the operating system. You have to purchase a few bits of WM 3rd party software to equal the S60 v3.

BUT.

You will miss the many 3rd party WM programs you are fond of, few if any have been ported to the S60 v3. It is very frustrating to have a powerhouse device and no cool games (except Snake) or applications to show off or use. So I chose to sell my N93 on eBay and get a Hermes (Cingular 8525).

I had to try it (S60) and would not have been happy if I had not.

Good Luck,

Edited December 16, 2006 by ix666

[Guest]

I have had WM phones since the first Orange SPV and have been routinely frustrated by the reliability and usability problems - as well as HTC build quality that leaves a lot to be desired.

I currently have an i-mate SP5m from Expansys, using the SIM from my Orange M2000 (which stopped working and was going to take too long for Orange to replace). I kind of like the SP5m but still get annoyed by it's lack of processing power (sometimes it can't even ring without stuttering because it's doing something else) and its poor mic/earpiece quality when compared to Nokias, for example. The M2000 was so clumsy to use and I found dialling a nightmare - although I appreciated the Windows apps.

Because of what I think is appalling CS from Orange (who I've been with since they started) I am planning to move to TMobile on a Flext tariff. So, time to select a new handset.

Now for the question...s

I was about to end my affair with WM devices and go with a Nokia N73 (having memories of the early Nokias with great menus and solid build quality), but then noticed the MDA Vario II...

1. Is the MDA Vario II appreciably better than previous HTC models? I see a thumbwheel and faster processor and WM5 - but does it deliver or frustrate?

2. Is the sound quality on a par with the best?

3. A big deal for me is the PC sync for calendar & contacts. Does anyone know if Nokia (or other manufacturers, for that matter) have solutions for syncing to Outlook so that it is maybe now as seamless as with WM phones?

I would ask more about the merits or otherwise of TMobile and loads of other stuff, but I guess this is enough. Sorry to ramble on. Thanks.

Andrew

Hi bizshows.

I would suggest that you persevere with WM phones a little longer.

I've used both WM and Nokia phones over the years and to be honest what I found is that for the basic phone fuctionality Nokia wins but for more integrated flexible smartphone functionality WM phones tended to win. WM5 is an improvement on MSFT past efforts albeit an incremental improvement. I don't think that's a major surprise Nokia are phone builders first and foremost MSFT are software developers... :)

So to answer the 3 questions...

Build quality? I'm not sure.... I'm on my 3rd HTC unit I think the Orange equivalent is the M3100. This is the first time that I've had to change so many units of the same model in over nine years. In both instances Orange got me a replacement within 24 hours delivered to my hands. My experience with Nokia when I had a problem with a handset was woeful. Perhaps I'm bias - I like the phone, features, etc - but I'm inclined to put my experience down to bad luck.

Sound (Call?) Quality? I've been surprised and impressed so far. Call quality is good and the speakers are meaty enough for me.

Sync software? Nokia has imho always been appalling when it came to sync software. I never tried any 3rd party alternatives but not surprisingly once you set up Activesync it does work well. It's not perfect but it does work.

Hope that helps. :D

[Guest richard_d]

I've switched from Symbian to WM5 and IMHO WM5 is far more stable. The N73 is a good phone but very limited compare to a Hermes. If you rarely do anything but phone the N73 is probably the better option but for serious non phone usage...

[Guest bizshows]

Thanks very much for all your considered views. Maybe I'll hang in there and give the MDA II a go!

[Guest]

I've switched from Symbian to WM5 and IMHO WM5 is far more stable. The N73 is a good phone but very limited compare to a Hermes. If you rarely do anything but phone the N73 is probably the better option but for serious non phone usage...

Hi bizshow.

richard_d said in a couple of lines what I rambled on about :D

If you only need a basic phone to do "phone stuff" then Nokia is pretty hard to beat. If you want to do more of the "smartphone" type stuff I'd give the edge to WM5 devices if only because they intergrate will with most (Windows bias) stuff.

You will have to surrender some stability and simplicity though :)

[Guest bizshows]

Well, I bought a Vario II on TMobile and am so far pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Partly with the phone and partly with TMobile - how I stayed so long with Orange is completely beyod me!

One thing - is there a way to insert a dfialling pause or wait in a dialling sequence using WM5? Can't seem to find this anywhere.....

[Guest Sp00k]

Well, I bought a Vario II on TMobile and am so far pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Partly with the phone and partly with TMobile - how I stayed so long with Orange is completely beyod me!

One thing - is there a way to insert a dfialling pause or wait in a dialling sequence using WM5? Can't seem to find this anywhere.....

Welcome to T-Mob! Orange can best be likened to an efficient vacuum-cleaner IMHO!

150w112 will dial your allowance-remaining info announcement, when you press the action key after the polite lady asks for input...

150ppppppppp112 will do the same, 9 seconds after the auto-answer starts, without your needing to press a key.

Hope that helps... Using the numbers given above, you can test it at no cost... :)

Edited January 3, 2007 by Sp00k

[Guest bizshows]

Welcome to T-Mob! Orange can best be likened to an efficient vacuum-cleaner IMHO!

150w112 will dial your allowance-remaining info announcement, when you press the action key after the polite lady asks for input...

150ppppppppp112 will do the same, 9 seconds after the auto-answer starts, without your needing to press a key.

Hope that helps... Using the numbers given above, you can test it at no cost... :)

Hmm - thanks, but this does not work at all on my Vario II. I have started a new topic 'cannot dial p and w' to try to find a solution. Regards.