T-Mobile Launches GSM/802.11 Phone In Germany

prostoalex writes "German subscibers of T-Mobile can now get a hybrid PDA phone that supports both GSM and WiFi wireless networks. The new Mobile Digital Assistant (pretty pictures) will connect to cellular and wireless hotspots built by T-Mobile as well as any 802.11a/g Wireless LANs."

Comments

Some More Information

[Zone-MR]

The Mobile Digital Assistantpage lists two products. One is the MDAI, and the second is the MDAII. The pretty pictures link actually only shows the OLD MDAI model, which still had an external antenna. It is NOT the upcoming MDAIII. I've had the XDAII (same thing as the MDAII, but it's called XDA in the UK for three months now. It's a great product (I love being able to use MSN messenger/IRC from practically anywhere, over a GPRS link, and paying next to nothing [since I'm billed for data transfered and IM/IRC isn't bandwidth intensive]). My only gripe is that its size/weight is a bit larger than standard pocket PCs (then again hardly susprising considering the extra features). WI-FI is the only thing that is missing IMHO, so I am looking forward to the next one.

I read some more info and an original press release. It was posted on www.xda-developers.com (great resourse for MDA/XDA owners). Here are some additional links regarding the upcoming MDAIII:

http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/tmd_mda_iii,20,,news id -3146,en.html?w=1075&h=847
http://www.mtekk.com.a u/browse/page910.html

Wrong links

[Mr_Silver]

The links are all wrong.

The article talks about the MDA III yet the photos show an MDA I and II which have been out for ages and a reasonable amount of time respectivily. The most noticable thing about the MDA III is that it has an integrated sliding keyboard.

Photos of the MDA III can be found here.

I have one in my desk drawer and although I haven't had a proper play with it, it's rather heavy, thick and the back is made of cheap feeling black plastic. The OS is Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.

However it does come with an impressive line up of software - fonix voice apps, album, clearvue pdf, enroller, clearvue ppt, kse truefax, midlet manager, photo contacts, video mms and xBackup to name a few.

Re:Wrong links

[wfberg]

And I'd have to add to that..

The MDA2/XDA2/iMate2/Qtek2020 (HTC Himalaya) also supports wifi, but only as an SDIO card option. Which means you can't extend the memory storage beyond the present 128MB RAM (with backup battery) and approx 15MB flash.

The apps that come with the MDAs are not necessarily included with the XDA/iMate/Qtek, but you can usually upgrade your own device with any vendor's ROMs, or even customize them, thanks to the people at xda-developers. Special kudos to xda-developer Willem/itsme.

SIP VOIP apps are available for pocketpc, even skype is, and depending on how much you pay for your data traffic (e.g. an unlimited plan) it might already work out cheaper than regular calls.

The most iresome trouble with these handsets is that the OS can be very buggy. I know it might seem like Microsoft-bashing, but they've really stuck to some of the worst features of windows for their embedded windowsCE/pocketpc platform. It has a registry! Which even has a HKEY_USERS key, even though it's empty because it's a single user device (and HKCU is not backed up by syncing). Also, DLL hell exists on the platform. Apps need to be installed and will try to install files in default locations. The package management is woeful, like in it's big brother. And back-ups frequently do not work.

The best thing about it, is the extensibility and the LARGE number of applications and tools available for it. The developer community seems to be bigger than the EPOC community was, or the Palm developer community. This in spite of the fact that the platform lacks easy scripting, and you're basically stuck to either handcrafting c++ or going the VB.NET route. Rather daunting, either way.

Pocket outlook is very nice, too bad activesync will only sync with regular outlook (you get a copy, although it comes with product activation).

Webbrowsing over gprs is a joy, though it is a shame there is no opera for pocketpc, if only to give it a whirl.

Oh, and parent poster.. If you don't have time to play with it.. Send it to me please? ;-)

Re:From the article:

[Senator Bozo]

No, German keyboards are QWERTZ, French are AZERTY.

ergonomics & finger finger typists

[tod_miller]

I guess this will cause similar problems with thumb wear as game pads do. Still anything is better than hunched up typing over a keyboard...

The key to good miniature keyboard design is limit the contact space between the digit (finger) and the key.

By making a meyboard out of 1mm diameter 'nipples' with the letter printed larger behing, the total distance between the pressable surface of each key becomes much greater:

The test:

Press the following five boxes with your grubby finger (will need to wipe monitor afterwards)

[ ][ ][ ][ ]. etc

Now press the following smaller dots.

. . . . . .etc
Easier huh? But takes up the same room, but each button eare is bigger, as they over lap. (almost double the size)

It is possible to fit a usable keyboard onto a creditcard in this way. Usable meaning, you can type fairly fast with thumbs, index and middle fingers without getting too cramped.

Cool huh?

Other similar devices

[3waygeek]

include the Motorola MpX, due in Q4, and the iPAQ 6300 series, due out in the next 30-60 days. Both are GSM/GPRS phones -- my understanding is that they'll be software-upgradable to EDGE once the carriers roll it out.

Re:Handy

[Pseud0]

Agreed, however - VoIP with WiFi is not really useful in conjunction with GSM/GPRS until you solve handover of communication.

Wouldn't you say that the foremost ability of a mobile phone, apart from letting you communicate, is that is allows you to be mobile? Unless you want to stay within the same hotspot for every conversation these features are only that great.

Re:It's a Shame (Pocket PC)

[argent]

I've used the existing T-Mobile GSM phone, and the Pocket PC software was just so unreliable it made the lousy sound quality a minor issue. I was routinely rebooting before calls and answering the phone with "Hi, I'll call you back in a minute after I've reset the phone".