BoxerFlat4

Ok, need help speccing out a new toy. I want to be able to do the following :-

• Use bluetooth to communicate with my laptop, as well as use the PDA device for making and receiving phone calls via a bluetooth headset.
• Use wireless networking to access the internet via my broadband router/modem at home.

Now, while the 5550 seems to provide all this, I'm none too clear (after having read up on several forums) as to wether I can use it as a mobile phone. The i-Mate PDA can be used as a mobile phone, but does appear to have some connection "issues" with certain bluetooth headsets, while I'm none too clear as to wether the XDAII will operate as a mobile phone as I described.

Can anyone advise ? I'm particularly interested in comments from users of the 3 devices, and their respected views on each device : the usually functionality of MP3 playback, screen quality and general usuability would be usefull, as well.

Moon on a stick, thats me....

gregh

Nope, the 5550 isn't a mobile phone. There are rumours of an IPAQ coming out that is a mobile phone in the near future.

your options are the XDA II, the i-mate or the P900

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

(Greg - those rumours are well old m8 - about the time the 5450 came out over a year ago )

BF4

The XDA2 & iMate are the same device, one by O2 & the other by One2One (whatever they're called).

An XDA2 is

A PDA with all the usual address book, pocket word etc etc
It is a phone as well
It is able to run a wide variety of games/software that use the PocketPC OS - thats a lot more than the P900 can run
It has a camera (not bad quality for what it is) & does .jpg, .avi & sound recorder
It has Bluetooth
The Bluetooth can
Connect to Bluetooth Headsets (although there are issues with some)
Connect via Bluetooth to BT enabled Laptops/PCs - either to AutoSync or act as a modem for a Laptop or possibly to browse the Internet wirelessly
Using a Wireless SD card, it will be able to connect via WiFi
Plays MP3s as well I understand.

The P900 will, I'm sure, do a lot of these things, but is less versatile. It is smaller (screen smaller too) and lighter. Depends how much of an issue this is for you. I think the XDA2 is easier to use (have played with both)

XDA/iMate are supported well by an on-line community @ http://forum.xda-developers.com with lots of bug-fixes, upgrades, downloads and all-round great help.

BoxerFlat4@Work

Many thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated.

I'm beginning to consider wether I'd want a mobile/PDA solution in one box : thinking now of having a nice small bluetooth mobile, with a bluetooth/wireless PDA solution working with it. Should give me the best of both worlds.

R1916v

The Ipaq smart phone thing is supposed to be ou tmid this year now, and thats an unofficial confirmed date from our account manager at HP

He said its slipped more times than a on elegged iceskater but this date 'shoiuld' be pretty solid.

chrisowe

Details of HP Ipaq Smartphone http://www.smartfone.net/?m=show&id=262&page=1

Brendan Hughes

Excuse the stupid question, but do these things support 3G as well? I haven't seen it on spec lists. I'd hate to buy one and watch it be outdated in a year.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Nope

They are 2.5G



They're more aimed at the corporate/tech market than consumers & I imagine will be around for a while to come

Brian the Sn@il

any one ulocked the xda2 to run all networks as im a vodafone guy ?

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Yep - my XDA2 is unlocked - not by O2 either

Also had BT Manger updated so as to run BT Serial as req for BT GPS devices


THE BEST PLACE FOR ALL XDA1/2 INFO

forum.xda- developers.com

It Rocks!

Tiggs

i use an XDA2 and the guys in the office running ipaq'a are all going to get one- its superb.

i looked at the p900 but found the screen far to small, i use my XDA as a PDA 85% so didnt want to compromise on screen size.

also as it runs pocket pc stuff there are LOADS of apps for it- specificaly i use a client database software called ACT.....they do a palm or pocket pc tie up but nothing else.

i stick my xda on its cradle..it syncs with my works data based and updates 600 client files and diary links.

when a client calls their name pops up on the phone! vice versa i can go into the client files and call any choice of phone contact direct from there (or email them!)

cool as can be!

R1916v

I use my ipaq mostly for playing monopoly and worms, still need to find a valid work use for it

gregh

yes, but as you can see this is a confirmed rumour now Puff