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09 April 2006

TECHNOLOGY MDA Pro

Afer many hours searching the internet, I have ignored all my previous suggestions and have bought my new phone, a T Mobile MDA Pro. Andrew kindly suggested that I looked at XDA Vario, the model below the Pro. Despite its slim form and slide out keyboard, I was put off the Vario by the lack of 3G.

The MDA has 3G / GPRS, small camera for video calling, 1.3 megapixel camera with flash light, runs Windows Mobile 5, has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and came with a 512mg SD card. Somewhat confusingly the phone has different names with different providers. It is sold without contract as the I-mate JASJAR, O2 call it the XDA pro and Orange the SPV M5000.

My initial impressions are very positive. It is such a feature rich machine. The most obvious fault with the MDA is its size; its a damn large and heavy phone, and even a rather large and heavy PDA. I get the distinct feeling that this won't be a 'phone I leave in my pocket whilst out in town and indeed will not fit inside my jacket pocket without causing an unseemly bulge.

The screen spins and pivots round so it can either be used as a mini laptop or a more conventional tablet form PDA. More than anything in mini laptop mode, the MDA reminds me of my old Psion Series 3. It is the first PDA I have bought since then which has had a decent keyboard.

The operating system is functional, but Microsoft still have not produced a stable and as simple a platfrom as palm. I still think it is a real shame that Sony stopped producing the Clie. A sony clie palm phone would have doubtless been an interesting prospect.

I've been quite pleased with the package I have got from T Mobile. Their web and walk offer at £5.63 per month allows (almost) unlimited web access. When in a 3G area, the internet is only a little slower than my broadband at home.

I've always felt a little guilty using the internet on my P910 because of the data costs incurred. I am hoping that this package will allow me to make full use of the web browser on the MDA, much in the same way as when I changed a number of years ago my home internet service from one that charged by the minute to an unlimited package.

Best review of said product is at Coolsmartphone. Enough ramblings from me - off to dowse my head in water to alleviate hangover.

posted by Matthew at 12:57

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