Which PDA Phone

[charlie_boy]

Ok guys, just a quickie.
My contract is up this week and I need your advice on a PDA type phone. I need to be able to access basic excel spreadsheets/word etc so I need that software pre installed on the phone. I am not bothered about camera etc. Is it really between the ORbit on O2 or the Vario III on T Mobile? If so which is the better? Thanks

[garyb9900]

XDA Exec on O2 if they still do it.

[mattartist]

Hi,

Couldn't comment on your examples and not sure if you've discounted Orange for any reason. I currently use the HTC Prophet which Orange branded as the M600. I personally think it's great esp with built in WIFI. Win Mobile 5. Excel, Word, PP etc included - though you might already know the PDA editing tools aren't as vast and occasionally you're unable to save spreadsheets without losing certain desktop created features e.g. Comments. I'm sure there are other issues. Outlook's fantastic in terms of contacts and calendar synching with desktop(s) - though of course, this isn't just m600 specific! There are loads of great things about this Pocket PC, not least benefiting from PDA functionality housed in a relatively small, pocket friendly, form factor. Good for one handed use too when unable to use stylus. No hard button Qwerty (has soft keyboard with tiny buttons though), but the on-screen PhonePad function works superbly for me.

The 'm700' is out/imminently which has GPS built in - (though I think you need a reg hack as Orange firmware disables it) I'll certainly try to get that - free of course - when my contract ends this April (but is minus PhonePad ).

All the best
Matt

[Autopilot]

It might be worth holding out for the release of the latest version of Windows Mobile, which is due fairly soon.

[professor_k]

I too have been looking for a PDA phone and have opened up a thread for opinions for the ones I've shortlisted, see here:Orange SPV M3100 vs. Orange SPV M700 vs. XDA Orbit - Best of the Bunch?

The T-Mobile variant I understand does not have Wi-Fi enabled so if Wi-Fi is something you require, you may have to discount this and look at the orbit.

I am in two minds between the Orange M700 and the O2 XDA Orbit myself.

If you can get to a O2, T-Mobile and Orange shop, have a look at these phones in the flesh, it may help you decide.

Although Windows Mobile 6 is on the horizon, it may be a while before devices are actually released on the networks, unless anyone knows of any impending devices and due dates?

Professor K

[Autopilot]

Originally Posted by professor_k

The T-Mobile variant I understand does not have Wi-Fi enabled

Are you sure? Where did you here that?

[siany]

The MDA Compact III does not have WiFi whereas the MDA Vario II does.

It's not just the T-Mobile variant; i-mate JAM (Compact III on T-Mobile) does not support WiFi so it doesn't matter which network variant you buy.

[professor_k]

Originally Posted by Autopilot

Are you sure? Where did you here that?

Hi there,

The review here states it: http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article705.html

and there has been a post on this here: MDA Compact III - Worth a mention!

This applies to the UK version though. I think Dutch T-Mobile Compact III's have wi-fi enabled. If you do a google search, it will come up with more info about this situation.

It is a shame really, T-Mobile have excluded those potential customers who have a need for need wi-fi, who I'm sure would still use web and walk, especially as the device is not 3G.

[Autopilot]

Thanks for the info. I am about to send my Vario of for repair. Due to previous problems tmobile said they would offer me a different model if it was unrepairable. I was going to go for the Compact III, wont bother now as i use WiFi.