Thinking about moving from Palm and Symbian to WM5 PPC some ??'s

[Harry Tuttle]

Hello all, as the title states I'm thinking of buying a Universal. I've lurked this site for a couple of weeks now and have lots of questiones answered but some are still lingering. I am a Palm user using a Sony UX-50 I'm hooked on this form factor tablet and laptop modes( one of the reasons I like the Universal similar from factor). But it has no phone capability which makes for carrying a phone. So I have a Symbian OS mobile phone(SX-1). The Palm device has piss poor battery life for on line use; and the phone has version 1 OS that cannot be upgraded and a lot of the software being created is not backwards compatible so I miss a lot of the apps that are coming out.

Which brings me here... when the Universal came out I thought it was the best converged device brought to market, but the price tag was too steep and rumours(at that time) was the OS was very unstable; times have changed prices have dropped and there are many ROM upgrades for this device so I'm thinking about getting one.

One of my concerns is the Caller id issue I have a headset that displays #'s but would like to have name as well per this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=264700&highlight=Bluetooth+caller+id
I would like to get the Tekkeon headset and be able to see the phonebook not sure if this is possible with Jetware software.

Also the use of Dual sim cards I know it will work per this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=246114&highlight=dual+sim+holder but can it work without turning off and on the phone I believe it was a paticular ROM upgrade that made it possible?

But my biggest concern is the future; I know technology is always moving forward and newer and better devices come out every 6 months. This device seems to be expandable ie. people are using WM6 already unlike my Palm and Symbian OS that are not able to upgrade their systems; it seems that this OS or device is able to keep moving forward with technology. I have many many more questions but will search for those answers.

Anyways thanks for reading this and any and all help is appreciated.:D

[bukwit]

I suggest you goto a local store that stock them and have a play around first before spending your hard-earned cash. I'm always worried when someone mentions how long a particular pda/mobile will last..its entirely down to the individual. Most people buy what's available at the time they can afford it. I've known friends that have owned pdas and mobiles for years and are still content with them. You need to ask yourself if the universal is what you're looking for. There's a significant difference in size compared to a sony clie ux50. However if youre looking for that perfect convergence device, I doubt you'll find the answer...its horses for courses unfortunately.

[Harry Tuttle]

Thanks for the reply; it's not the life span perse but the upgradability of the OS will this device be able to handle; let say WM7.5? The UX is still on par with most PDA's today but its life cycle is coming to an end Sony pulled out of that market warranties are nonexistent.

The size is not that much of a deal breaker for me; I toyed with one a year ago and liked it. I guess I'm down to the little details. I guess, like other people I'm looking for the Ultimate converged device and so far this seems to be the closeset out there.

Cheers

[bukwit]

ok..however theres no real guarantee at all that there will be further upgrades to the Universal. Look at the HP hx4700 for example. It was the top of the range HP pda for a while until HP decided to discontinue it, but a Windows Mobile 5 upgrade was made officially available for it. Alas, its still a dicontinued pda and its future remains at an end. Its obvious that the Universal will have a successor, and manufacturers will continue to produce better, more efficient devices. The Universal will eventually be superceeded and discontinued, however it will have a following. There is currently a WM5 Crossbow rom, albeit in different flavours, available that works quite well, especially Helmi's version, and hopefully a newer build will be out soon so theres plenty of life left in the Universal. I've had mine for over a year now and am very pleased with its functionality. In fact, the newer rom makes it a more interesting device to own. I've also owned most other pda/mobiles and have found I return to the Universal for its vga screen, keyboard, speed and overall class above the rest status. Remember, you're at the best stage to be contemplating its purchase as its had more than 12 months of "shelf-life", and as newer roms become available, it will get better.

[Harry Tuttle]

Thats so true, I am an early watcher; but late adopter, so with that I will be getting one.