HTC Wizard Revealed!!

[JAmerican]

Many in Palm do not see devices with keyboards as profitable, but in the Windows Mobile World, it seems as if many devices are incorporating keyboards into their devices. One device that was discussed for some time was the HTC Wizard. Here are some pics of it. I personally still like the HTC Universal better.

http://www.windowsmobile.no/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=443&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

http://www.windowsmobile.no/bilder/qtek9100/9100_stor12.jpg

JAmerican

[dragonsgames]

What are the specs? Can't read, whatever language that is...

[.PoNeH]

Wow...HTC is going to be the next SONY in the handheld world. They are very innovative and creative. I aso think that the HTC Universal is better though...seems to pack more. And I like the tablet mode better.

[.PoNeH]

Cmon, you can make ou what its saying:

pesifikasjoner (Ikke endelige):
# OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5, Pocket PC Phone Edition

# GSM: Quad band 850/900/1800/1900

# Skjerm: 2,8" QVEGA TFT LCD skjerm med 65.000 farger

# Proessor: TI OMAP 850 på 200 Mhz

# Minne: 128 MB ROM og 64 MB RAM

# Kommunikasjon: Bluetooth, IrDA, WLAN, EDGE

# Minnekort: miniSD

# Betjening: Uttrekkbart QWERTY tastatur

# Kamera: 1.3 megapiksler

[SonyStyle]

at least someone is replacing sony

[.PoNeH]

I agree...and they're using PPC, which means that I also go to PPC!

[JAmerican]

Palm is too dam stubburn. They should make a section for devices like the UX. Everyone that I have interacted with loved my UX. I find that the UX is a great device it just needs to be marketed correctly. I don't remember seeing any handheld commercials for the UX. The only time I saw the UX in motion was at CompUSA and CNET.com. A device like the UX has great potential. It replaces my need to even havea laptop. The UX is the future of mobile computing. Why doesn't Palm at least try a Clamshell device. As PoNeH said, if a Clamshell is running Windows Mobile instead of Palm, hell I'm gonna go to WM. With the new WM 5 on the HTC Universal with the new Office Mobile package, I'm ready to switch.

JAmerican

[SonyStyle]

palm is cheap(wants to cut down costs in R&D development and make large profits) and they are afraid to try new things, look how uninnovative they are. they think the treo already has a keyboard so there's no need to make antoher keyboard device. their concept is "clamshell= bad" because sony failed so we don't want to be like them.

[Jeff Kirvin]

Before you guys say something else you might regret later, y'all oughtta read Piloting Palm, by David Pogue and Andrea Butter. Palm tried out the clamshell thing years before Sony. Like in 1995.

[JAmerican]

Before you guys say something else you might regret later, y'all oughtta read Piloting Palm, by David Pogue and Andrea Butter. Palm tried out the clamshell thing years before Sony. Like in 1995.

So why didn't they continue? If they failed, why not try again? Just because you don't get it once, don't mean you will never get it.

JAmerican

[Jeff Kirvin]

So why didn't they continue? If they failed, why not try again? Just because you don't get it once, don't mean you will never get it.
It's not a matter of failing. They just didn't think that form factor worked for them.

It comes down to personal preference and design choices. From the sound of it, you and Palm see design very differently and you're not likely to agree with their choices. That's okay. If Palm doesn't make the kind of devices you want to see, don't buy them.

Conversely, not everyone wants a clamshell. Your favorite design choices aren't the only way to go. There's no right and wrong here.

[JAmerican]

It's not a matter of failing. They just didn't think that form factor worked for them.

It comes down to personal preference and design choices. From the sound of it, you and Palm see design very differently and you're not likely to agree with their choices. That's okay. If Palm doesn't make the kind of devices you want to see, don't buy them.

Conversely, not everyone wants a clamshell. Your favorite design choices aren't the only way to go. There's no right and wrong here.

Ok, but from what I've seen, the Palm I've seen the most is the Treo 650. A keyboard device. Most people, when they think of smartphones, have some sort of keyboard on it. Why couldn't Palm just take it to the next step. Its like a laptop company saying we don't like Tablets and they loose out of that market share. They might not like it but they should at least release one device with this a clamshell form factor and see how it performs. I hate having to depend on Graffiti 2 to input data. Especially when you are trying to write a paper or something, I'd rather have my full screen viewable not have only 320x320 of it. This is why I didn't like the Tre 650. I also tested out the Treo 650 and I hate the keyboard on that. I guess Palm doesn't know how to make keyboard devices. This is why they are afraid of Clamshell.

No matter what, a company should be open to all design choices. This is a mistake in my opinion and they will loose a lot of UX owners to Windows Mobile due to this choice. Its amazing to me how the Clamshell device has never ever been put the its limit like a regular device has. The Zauruses never were popular due to the Linux OS and little software available. Now the Windows Mobile will be offering a Clamshell device, I have a feeling, it will sell because it is basically a laptop in your pocket.

I have a feeling sometime in the future when there are Clamshell devices running Windows Vista all around that you will change your mind about clamshells and so will Palm, if they still exist, but by that time it will be too late to retain the former UX owners.

JAmerican

[thenikjones]

I have a feeling sometime in the future when there are Clamshell devices running Windows Vista all around that you will change your mind about clamshells and so will Palm, if they still exist, but by that time it will be too late to retain the former UX owners.

JAmerican

The Universal won't be a success because it is a clamshell PDA, it'll be a success because it is a clamshell with a phone in it. The HP Jornada 6xx and 7xx lines were clamshells but failed as they were very expensive ($1000). I have had 2 over the last 2 years but sold them after a few months as they were too big to carry all the time. I'll get a Universal because I think converged devices are good but only if not too big. I currently have the MDA Compact - until now, PPC Phone Editions have been too big - and the UNiversal will prob be next as the design allows screen protection w/o a case.

My favourite ever PDA was the Psion Series 3A! Bought in 1994, it served for over 2 years until the screen hinge broke. The Series 5 and 5mx I replaced it with never touched me as much, as they were too big. The 3A was an excellent size and could be used today if PC synching wasn't important to you.

I love clamshell designs but let's face it, they have not been successful commercially in recent years (i.e. since Psion stopped being viable) as they are always priced too high. If the Universal was sold w/o a phone I'd be interested to see how well it sold. I'd consider it - it is VGA screen after all - but it's the phone that will make it a success.

[JAmerican]

The Universal won't be a success because it is a clamshell PDA, it'll be a success because it is a clamshell with a phone in it. The HP Jornada 6xx and 7xx lines were clamshells but failed as they were very expensive ($1000). I have had 2 over the last 2 years but sold them after a few months as they were too big to carry all the time. I'll get a Universal because I think converged devices are good but only if not too big. I currently have the MDA Compact - until now, PPC Phone Editions have been too big - and the UNiversal will prob be next as the design allows screen protection w/o a case.

My favourite ever PDA was the Psion Series 3A! Bought in 1994, it served for over 2 years until the screen hinge broke. The Series 5 and 5mx I replaced it with never touched me as much, as they were too big. The 3A was an excellent size and could be used today if PC synching wasn't important to you.

I love clamshell designs but let's face it, they have not been successful commercially in recent years (i.e. since Psion stopped being viable) as they are always priced too high. If the Universal was sold w/o a phone I'd be interested to see how well it sold. I'd consider it - it is VGA screen after all - but it's the phone that will make it a success.

I think that it will be a success with or without the phone. It has EVDO/EDGE built into it. Its the FIRST Window Mobile 5.0 device to have that. The phone will attract many more as well but I think it being a clamshell with 2 cameras (1.3MP), 3G, WiFi, BT, new Documenting Software will be a hit. The reason why Clamshells were not favorable is due to companies poor hardware development. The HTC as you can see has a wider hinge making the screen stronger. The UX's problem was that Sony experimented with new hardware in a clamshell device. Thus, they gave it a small battery, made the UX the same size as a phone (even though its not a phone), placed too little RAM in the device and fave it a small hindge. On top of that, they didn't fix up certain software on the device to look better Landscape. This poor setup has made the UX favorable to a few and not many. If the UX was released when the TH was released and the TH was the first HHE device, I have a feeling the UX would have been more favorable.

JAmerican

[thenikjones]

Isn't EVDO/EDGE and 3G integral to it being a phone, i.e. you wouldn't have them w/o phone functionality? I may be mistaken. I still think it's the phone function that makes people look forward to this device. Certainly the design isn't perfect IMO, the screen is a lot smaller than the lid, there's a lot of "dead plastic" there. I have just bought my MDA Compact so am hoping the successor to the Universal will be out in 11 months time!

I had no problem with the Jornada 720, I thought it was good design. OK, Psion die-hards hated it, but I thought the Series 5 sliding keyboard was WAY over-rated (and I was passionately pro-Psion). Using Textmaker and Planmaker on it was great, I just couldn't cary it all day at work conveniently, and if it's not to hand, I can't justify the cost to myself.

In a recent interview, Jeff Hawkins is reported to have said that Palm are working on a "third product line". The URL is http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2005/08/01/focus6.html?page=4

Maybe this will be your clamshell?! I hope to God it's not a version of the Fossil watch!

ps JK - hope the URL not too long. Never used TinyURL.

[intellidryad]

Remembering what I read in Piloting Palm...
They tested the clamshell form factor and the tablet form factor in a trial focus group. Notice here that the clamshell here has "only a keyboard, without a touch screen" and the tablet is a prototype of the Palm Pilot, complete with grafiti.
But come on, will you buy a clamshell with no touch screen? Will yea?
And what's more, that trial is in the "90's", we're now in 2005. People are different. Don't be so stubborn, Palm. You put a crappy device next to one with grafiti in a trial years ago, and you didn't even "fail" with the clamshell, you just got some people that don't like it. Geez...

Now, will HTC be the new Sony? I doubt it. As long as it doesn't market under it's own brand name, only geeks will know them. They go under that name "Dopod" in Taiwan, but use some obsecure name for every other country with every other device. As long as they go on like that, people would think that each device was from different obsecure companies. So much for the innovation.

But anyways, I think the universal is THE device that may eat away the market of iPAQs. Great, I never liked HP.

[Karim]

Conversely, not everyone wants a clamshell. Your favorite design choices aren't the only way to go. There's no right and wrong here.

Quoted for truth.

The only keypad devices that kick *** to me are the phones; specifically, Hiptop and Blackberry. Without text messaging, the need for a keyboard in your pocket drops to next-to-zero for most people; and even less than that without internet (EDGE). People that BUY PDAs don't even usually enter enough information into them often enough to warrant a keypad unless its integral to some kind of business function. My best friend has a UX50 and uses the friggin voice recorder to take notes in class, lol. Not everyone is an author or a business executive officer.

[JAmerican]

Quoted for truth.

The only keypad devices that kick *** to me are the phones; specifically, Hiptop and Blackberry. Without text messaging, the need for a keyboard in your pocket drops to next-to-zero for most people; and even less than that without internet (EDGE). People that BUY PDAs don't even usually enter enough information into them often enough to warrant a keypad unless its integral to some kind of business function. My best friend has a UX50 and uses the friggin voice recorder to take notes in class, lol. Not everyone is an author or a business executive officer.


Most people in the UX forum including me are students who cannot afford laptops. I use my UX for writing papers, text messing via my cell phone and Bluetooth. Using KeyQuick, I programmed certain buttons like the (?_) button next to the A button to bring up the Command Bar. That way, when I press (?_) and S in Docs To Go, I save my file. (?_) + X will cut text. You all think having only a stylus is great, well thats your preference. I use the Voice Recorder as well. The UX does have WiFi, which is fast internet as well as Bluetooth for mobile internet. The UX also came out when EDGE/EVDO where not even heard off. The UX is a great device and has a great form factor. Palm should learn to try many different form factors, not just slate. This is why I don't like Palm products. This is why I used Sony and Danger devices because they look cool and work well. Keyboard + Internet/GSM don't always have to be together.

The UX users like to be different and use a device that's different. We are unique. If Palm doesn't accept that then, I won't accept any of their future devices, which means hello Windows Mobile.

JAmerican

[dragonsgames]

You tell them JAmerican :D

I have a MSB1, so I connect to the web with my Bluetooth cell phone, too.
I use my UX for writing papers, text messing via my cell phone and Bluetooth
Me too, but with my NX.

If Palm doesn't accept that then, I won't accept any of their future devices, which means hello Windows Mobile.
Same here. I will get a HTC Universal :D

[NJL!2016]

The HTC Apache looks sooooo yummy, but I wish it had a VGA screen.

[thenikjones]

The Apache seems odd to me, I personally wouldn't buy a non-VGA device at this point.

Would someone buy a clamshell w/o a touchscreen? Well, the Psion 3 series managed just fine. Look at the latest hardcore Nokia smartphones, the 9300 and 9500. Have you considered either of those? They are a bit long but certainly less bricklike than their predecessors. The 9500 has WiFI, not sure about the 9300. Those looking to move form Palm to WM because of the clamshell design, would you consider a Nokia? If not, why? I was very tempted by a 9300 but went for the MDA Compact (HTC Magician) instead.

thenikjones

[andyvich]

man what about us that dont want a friggin phone!>?!?! I have a phone alreayd, it gets awesome battery life. I have a ux50, it betes awesome battery life. I dont want them drinking from the same cup of battery juice! UX50 features are great, thats why i got one, but it needs upgrades...aesthetically (mechanical and visual (and audible screen haha)) and technologically...if the palm OS doesnt want to lose its market share with me. Im with you J-dawg, a decent windows mobile clamshell device thats not a phone comes out, and i might be having second thoughts.....if the entry price isnt 800+$$$$

[dragonsgames]

Then, don't buy it. :D

[dip]

Using KeyQuick, I programmed certain buttons like the (?_) button next to the A button to bring up the Command Bar. That way, when I press (?_) and S in Docs To Go, I save my file.

Did you give pedit (http://www.paulcomputing.com/) a try? Very nice memo replacement, with linked memos, 32kb memos and also tons of keyboard shortcuts.

[thenikjones]

man what about us that dont want a friggin phone!>?!?! I have a phone alreayd, it gets awesome battery life. I have a ux50, it betes awesome battery life. I dont want them drinking from the same cup of battery juice! UX50 features are great, thats why i got one, but it needs upgrades...aesthetically (mechanical and visual (and audible screen haha)) and technologically...if the palm OS doesnt want to lose its market share with me. Im with you J-dawg, a decent windows mobile clamshell device thats not a phone comes out, and i might be having second thoughts.....if the entry price isnt 800+$$$$

Why would anyone release a WM clamshell device w/o a phone? They DO NOT sell! If you'd bought an HP Jornada, then fair enough, chances are you didn't so you contributed to their downfall.

Now, you can buy the HTC Universal, keep it in Flight Mode and there you go, a clamshell device w/o wasting battery power on the phone signal. If you're buying it SIM-free it'll be pretty expensive. At least you have the option of using it as a phone.

[JAmerican]

Hey look at the motherboard of the HTC Universal...

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/images/chiplist-board_finished.png

This is every UXer's dream. The HTC also has Int. Media of 128MB OMG!!!!!!!. This is exactly want I wanted Palm to release. Well when the time comes, you know what I'll be getting.

The HTC Universal will kill the next Treo!! I bet you all the money in the world. :)

JAmerican