O2 UK: Kaiser model?

[Osbornaldo]

Hey guys,

I'm looking around for a PDA, I've never really had one before but I really like the sound of the Kaiser.
Does O2 (UK) have a Kaiser based product?

Many Thanks

[Nicky]

I have read a couple of things which suggest that O2 don't intend to pick up the Kaiser. Not sure how accurate the source information is though.

[myk_83]

I've been hoping since I first saw the Kaiser that O2 would be picking it up to release this year, as my contract runs out in November so I was going to upgrade to it then...

But since they've only just released the TyTN as the XDA Trion in the last couple of months, and that phone has been with every other network for over a year, I doubt very much they'll replace their "flagship" phone I suppose with a new one inside 6 months :-(

[Nicky]

Yeh, I think you are probably right myk_83.

I have to say I can't imagine going back ot O2 now anyway. I used to be with O2 and they were fine, a good company, but with phones like this I find the Tmobile Web'n'Walk incredible value for money.

Unlimited data (within reason :)) for under a tenner a month, compared to the other networks per mb charging. It is no exaggeration to say that my data use would cost me a couple of hundred pounds per month on the other networks

[Osbornaldo]

Say it isn't so!
I've been with O2 for 18 months now - on just a regular phone - and I've been really impressed with them, I've no experience with there data services but I'd hate to have to switch networks.

:(

[Nicky]

Say it isn't so!
I've been with O2 for 18 months now - on just a regular phone - and I've been really impressed with them, I've no experience with there data services but I'd hate to have to switch networks.

:(

Yeh, I never had any problems with O2, they were a good company. With these types of phones though, chances are you are going to want to download your emails, surf the net etc... and you will find that your data use creeps up faster than you realise.

I am not sure what O2 are currently charging but generally the other networks seem to charge around £3 to £4 (it used to be £7.50 per mb with most networks!!) per megabyte of data. I wouldn't consider myself a particularly heavy data user but I have used 40mb in a month before now which would cost me a fortune!

With Tmobile, it is just £7.50 per month ... big difference.

[Osbornaldo]

Aye,

E-mails and web connectivity are a large part of my needs.
I'm also looking at the possibility of developing custom apps to make me more productive (I'm a .Net developer by trade) and these apps would often rely on connectivity to the web.

I don't want to switch providers... but I'm starting to feel it may be inevitable.

[Nicky]

Yeh, it may be the way to go. I haven't looked at O2's tarriffs though since I got my Vario 2 a year ago so perhaps they now offer a data plan, they didn't then but they might now. It's worth asking.

Only thing I would say about Tmobile is that in my area there is limited 3G coverage which means for the most part I am on the slower GPRS connection. This doesn't bother me at all but would bother some who use the video calling or need a faster connection. If you decide that it is time to try a new network, if you need 3G, check on the coverage for your area first.

[Nicky]

... also, you can take your number to Tmobile if you need to, I did and it was nice and easy.

[myk_83]

I think O2 include 1mb of browsing with their contract tariffs for free, and then they charge £3 for 2mb, or £5 for 4mb as bolt-ons. For me, that's not much of a problem, because pretty much everywhere that I'm not driving and can use my phone there's a wi-fi network I can access, so I very rarely use GPRS (can't use 3G at the minute cos I have a Wizard).

I can see this being pretty useless tho if you ever use GPRS or 3G internet, as I've noticed most pages loading about 150-200kb on average, so that's only gonna be about 10 sites with the 2mb package :-/ I guess it depends on what you use it for, and like I said, it probably wouldn't bother me, but it'd be nice to have 3G and be able to use it without paying a bundle!

There's not much chance of O2 selling the Kaiser tho, and although O2 in general have been pretty good to me for about 10 years, they don't seem overly fussed with PDA phones in general (they never did an AKU 3.x upgrade for the Mini S, and stuck at 2) and are slow to upgrade models, so I'm gonna check around when my contract's up and just try and move my number wherever I go.

[Osbornaldo]

Bit of a knee jerk reaction... but I think I'm already sold on T-mobile.
I just need to check coverage because I work in a few remote locations.

[Osbornaldo]

Crikey Mate!
I work in the sticks - but according to T-mobile's website there 3G coverage is at absolute maximum in my area plus very good @ home and the other sites I work...

Really do have no excuses now :)

[budo*85]

I'm also on O2 and my contract is running out in December....T-mobile seems like a good bet IMO....what's the Kaiser named on T-Mobile?

[Nicky]

I'm also on O2 and my contract is running out in December....T-mobile seems like a good bet IMO....what's the Kaiser named on T-Mobile?

When it gets released, it will be branded as the MDA Vario 3 I think

[cottinghamm]

I've been hoping since I first saw the Kaiser that O2 would be picking it up to release this year, as my contract runs out in November so I was going to upgrade to it then...

But since they've only just released the TyTN as the XDA Trion in the last couple of months, and that phone has been with every other network for over a year, I doubt very much they'll replace their "flagship" phone I suppose with a new one inside 6 months :-(

I have no information on this at all, just an opinion. The Kaiser is a direct replacement for the Exec, which is 2 years old & can't be selling much now. There is a definite case for O2 to replace the Exec with what is essentially HTC's best ever product & one that would generate them considerable revenues especially data. If I was XDA product mgr at O2 I would be selling the Kaiser straight away.

The matter of data charges is somewhat irrelevant to O2's ability to market this product - anyone who use significant date on O2 should have one of their data tarrifs, mine is for 36Mb per month, I usually have a little left over each month & I leave my emails on all the time & I look at lots of web sites each day.

Either way, I really hope that O2 do market the Kaiser.

[Mr.Clark]

I thought that the Omni was going to be the successor of the Exec (Universal), while the Kaiser was the next gen Trion (Hermes).

I'm basing this guess entirely on looks, of course...

Also, I thought that O2 had just got some shiny new XDA device in, as well as their Cocoon. I can't see them getting another (better) device in to overshadow them.

I'm happy to jump ship to T-Mobile, as the O2 data rates are extortionate.

[bennec83]

I thought that the Omni was going to be the successor of the Exec (Universal), while the Kaiser was the next gen Trion (Hermes).

I'm basing this guess entirely on looks, of course...

Also, I thought that O2 had just got some shiny new XDA device in, as well as their Cocoon. I can't see them getting another (better) device in to overshadow them.

I'm happy to jump ship to T-Mobile, as the O2 data rates are extortionate.

t-mobile suck ass for service tho!

my gf has so many problems with the customer services, network coverage etc etc

[Mr.Clark]

Well, my choice appears to be:

Stay with O2 and get no TyTN II (or get it SIM free, which is expensive)
Switch to Orange, Vodafone or T-Mobile and get it on contract.

My O2 contract runs out at the end of September.

Interesting...

[agentp]

according to the announcement today, the group that owns O2 will be getting it, so you may be in luck if you hold on with your current contract.

personally i'd move to tmo, they're pretty committed to developing all their 3G services

[GordonTGopher]

Expansys appear to be able to sell the Kaiser on O2 & Voda contracts, might be worth a call.
http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=258736&view=findpost&p=840064

Gordon

[Steve-C]

I have read a couple of things which suggest that O2 don't intend to pick up the Kaiser. Not sure how accurate the source information is though.

Clove suggests that O2 will be releasing the Kaiser....

Clove Website (http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?category=0A33F854-4108-4A5E-805C-63811E7D6256&product=B1306B43-EAFD-477F-8C6F-89D7523D34B5)

Cradle + AC Adapter
Compatibility
HTC TyTN II (P4550/Kaiser), O2 Stellar, MDA Vario III, Vodafone v1615

Stellar would be in keeping with the XDA Orbit naming system and all the other names match. Can't find any other info though. Guess it's a call to O2 Select in the morning then!

[HTCFAN0923]

A question for you guyz over in the UK..I'm getting the Kaiser next month and will be going to a wedding in France in december...I'll also be stopping by London..My question is how much data is offered through prepaid sim cards...in about a month..I go through about 14GB of data...I pay roughly around $50US a month for unlimited data and would like to use the video calling feature while I'm there...any advice on which provider to go to for 3G service while I'm therefor a week? What prices am I looking @ for say 2-3GB of data in a week..300 minutes...and about 10-12 video calls?

[XSIVSPD]

A question for you guyz over in the UK..I'm getting the Kaiser next month and will be going to a wedding in France in december...I'll also be stopping by London..My question is how much data is offered through prepaid sim cards...in about a month..I go through about 14GB of data...I pay roughly around $50US a month for unlimited data and would like to use the video calling feature while I'm there...any advice on which provider to go to for 3G service while I'm therefor a week? What prices am I looking @ for say 2-3GB of data in a week..300 minutes...and about 10-12 video calls?

GB or MB? 14gb is a LOt of data to use in a month... 14mb is about half what i use lol

[Brian_Mattey]

Hi,

It's definitely going to be on O2 as the Stellar ... I have seen a pre-release test version being used by someone at O2.

Sadly I don't know exactly when it will be avalable or how much it will cost :-(

Regards,

Brian

[HTCFAN0923]

GB or MB? 14gb is a LOt of data to use in a month... 14mb is about half what i use lol

It's defintely gigabyte...although I think for a week..2GB isn't too much...

[si200]

just had a breifing and the O2 version is out in november

[berabi]

just had a breifing and the O2 version is out in november

Just spoke to O2's XDA number (available from the www.my-xda.com website) and they told me that they're looking at releasing this mid October. Call back early October for an exact date :cool:

[weasel]

It will be interesting to see what happens when O2 release the Kaiser. I currently have an Exec & am looking to move to a Kaiser, but my current thought is to switch to T-Mobile simply because of the data rates. A few months ago, I telephoned O2 to check out what their "unlimited" data rate was and it was more expensive than getting a T-Mobile data-card. So unless O2 are willing to do a deal, I will be switching to T-Mobile as soon as my contract is up in a month or two

[nlhall]

It will be interesting to see what happens when O2 release the Kaiser. I currently have an Exec & am looking to move to a Kaiser, but my current thought is to switch to T-Mobile simply because of the data rates. A few months ago, I telephoned O2 to check out what their "unlimited" data rate was and it was more expensive than getting a T-Mobile data-card. So unless O2 are willing to do a deal, I will be switching to T-Mobile as soon as my contract is up in a month or two

With O2 announcing the iPhone they also mentioned an "Unlimited" data package to be released in Oct. if they are getting the Kaiser mid Oct, O2 dont lock their phones down so this might be a big contender for my next contract...

[berabi]

Weasel, I know what you mean. I can't say that I haven't considered switching to T-mobile simply because of the data rates but I too have heard that with the released of the iPhone will come some kind of mega data offerings from O2. Would be excellent what with the internet phone functionality available on WM6 - a guy at my uni actually didn't use any of his minutes because of the data being limitless on T-mobile...food for thought :D But yes, I spoke to O2 yesterday (on the XDA information line - 0800 032 1502) and they told me that it's likely that it will be released mid-October.

I too have an Exec and whilst the functionality is big, the size is in tune with that and frankly, it sometimes gets on my nerves that it's not just a tad smaller. Roll on the mighty Stellar!

[churchwa]

I just spoke to O2, the have a release date of 8th October.

I have heard that one before, my guess is november. lol

[foaf]

I'm definitely getting the Kaiser, but just deciding whether to ditch O2 for T-Mobile or not.

O2 Have now launched their data plan, and though it is the same price as T-Mobile and Vodafone, it is a meagre 200Mbs a month, as oposed to T-Mobiles 1Gb. http://www.o2.co.uk/mobilestariffs/tariffs/consumerdatabolton

Also T-Mobile seem to be getting the Kaiser to their upgrade customers already, while O2 requires a wait. Finally the T-Mobile version is ugly grey/silver, I'm hoping O2 stick with HTC's black.

O2 had better hurry up with a solid release date, (I waited about 4 months for the SE P990i last year, what a waste).

[Mr.Clark]

But yes, I spoke to O2 yesterday (on the XDA information line - 0800 032 1502) and they told me that it's likely that it will be released mid-October.

I too have an Exec and whilst the functionality is big, the size is in tune with that and frankly, it sometimes gets on my nerves that it's not just a tad smaller. Roll on the mighty Stellar!
I just spoke to upgrades, and he said that he hadn't heard of it at all and the newest phones were the Trion and the Cocoon. :(

[churchwa]

Try talking to their XDA department, rather than the upgrades, they tend to know much more.

[Mr.Clark]

Right, good news and not so good.

It is the TyTN II, with GPS, 3G, all that shizzle. It's the replacement for the Trion. She said it was a very nice device and anyone that liked the Trion would approve of it.

However, for the release date, I was told it was "confidential information" and would be out "by December", and it would be up on the O2 website when that information was available.

No hold music, it got picked up straight away, which was nice.

Meh. I don't know whether to wait or not now.

I'll start getting quotes from Orange, Voda and T-Mobile and see what they're like, compared to staying on O2 out of contract with my Exec.

Maybe I'll wait until the 20th October and if there's no sign of the Stellar, go for another network...

[evilc]

I had an O2 XDA IIs (Blue Angel) and I hated the O2 changes - O2 active was buggy and useless - you needed to enter a corporate code at hard reset to not install it else it was a bugger to purge. O2 were beind with the OS updates, the device was locked (For about 5 mins until I found this site).

When I decided to get a kaiser, and knew that I would eat through 3G data at a rate, I decided to move to T-Mobile. Much better flat rate prices (OK so O2 sort of caught up recently, but until recently it was still over £1 a megabyte) and a long history of actually delivering on the unlimited promise (Even more than they actually say - officially all but web pages is banned on the £7.50 a month tariff, but I have used everything with no worries so far)

Plus I get better reception with T-mob at home.

I wanted one before T-Mob launched the Vario III, plus i wanted an unbranded one, so I got the most expensive phone I could for get for free with my T-Mob contract and flogged it new and unused on ebay to subsidise my Kaiser purchase.

[sbsdegb1]

I have just spoken to O2 and they have said the release date is 19th November. So thats another month. My contract ended last December and I am still waiting for something to upgrade to. I like many am thinking of jumping ship to TMobile. I was just hoping that the O2 sytling might be better than TMobiles flat buttons and silver finish.

[darklondon]

I went to a O2 store yesterday and the first guy told me never heard of it, after consulted his boss he told me not until Janary.
SAD.

[rmg]

Get it on Voda. Minimal customisations and its teh sexy black.