MDA Compact IV

[imranbashir_uk]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if T-Mobile has debilitated their version of the HTC Touch Diamond, called the MDA Compact IV by removing Wi-Fi, similar to what they did with MDA Compact III and others before that?

[imranbashir_uk]

Here’s a video of the T-Mobile variant of the HTC Touch Diamond I was talking about above along with the customised (branded) TouchFlo 3D interface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhrnATHTlkQ

It really worries me that they might have removed WiFi from their phone, with their unlimited Web & Walk tariffs now, what possible advantage would they have to do this?

[imranbashir_uk]

If you look closely at the video above when the person goes into the settings menu, you are able to see under the condensed communications menu it does say WiFi.

But this is a pre-production model so it might not be accurate. Also, I noticed on the home screen there was no WiFi active icon on the title bar, but this might be because it wasn’t turned on.

Finally, if you look at the four buttons, they are reversed when compared with the HTC Diamond, the call and answer are at the top on the MDA Compact IV, whereas they are on the bottom on the HTC Touch Diamond.

Now if T-Mobile, have gone as far as switching the position of the buttons, then they might of also requested that WiFi is disabled. Then again, as it was a pre-production model, the buttons on the production version might be in the same place as the HTC version.

So many questions, and no answers!

[bram_smulders]

Hey guys,

i was wondering off to the Tmobile website(dutch version) and the site says that the compact 4 is coming soon!!

gr. bram

link: Dutch T-mo Compact 4 (http://www.t-mobile.nl/persoonlijk/htdocs/page/diensten/binnenkort_verkrijgbaar.aspx)

[imranbashir_uk]

Thanks bram_smulders,

I noticed that they don’t mention WiFi anywhere, just Web & Walk. Also notice how the buttons are still the other way round when compared to HTC’s OEM version. I hope someone can give me a definitive answer, but at the moment the signs don’t look good!

[TPA]

Thanks bram_smulders,

I noticed that they don’t mention WiFi anywhere, just Web & Walk. Also notice how the buttons are still the other way round when compared to HTC’s OEM version. I hope someone can give me a definitive answer, but at the moment the signs don’t look good!

With the MDA compac III in NL there was GPS and WIFI on it, so why shouldn't it be on this one.

[rorydaredkign]

the uk and probably other places compact 3 has no wifi, wheras the exact same device on o2 in terms of the insides [the orbit 1] has wifi...

[Dark Fire]

It really worries me that they might have removed WiFi from their phone, with their unlimited Web & Walk tariffs now, what possible advantage would they have to do this?

That looks like the whole point to me. If their Web & Walk tariffs are unlimited, and the Touch Diamond has HSDPA, who needs wifi?

[imranbashir_uk]

Your comment is really quite ignorant.

Wi-Fi has many advantages over 3G and HSDPA in terms of speed, and reliability to name just a few.

Businesses that have WiFi LAN’s and WAN’s setup for sharing their intranet, storage servers, exchange servers, are behind a firewall and cannot be accessed over the internet even using VPN use it with their laptops and mobile devices.

If your device has WiFi and HSDPA then using appropriate software you would be able to make your phone into a mobile WiFi router, and connect a laptop to the internet in an emergency.

At home, WiFi can be used to stream video, audio, share NAS drives, and printers, the list goes on and on.

Additionally, you might live in an area that has no 3G coverage, then you’re stuck with GPRS or nothing, but if you had a wireless router at home, then that’s not a problem.

Finally, if you’re on a legacy tariff or cannot justify the additional £7 per month for Web & Walk as it’s only for occasional use, then WiFi is a free option, assuming you have access to a WiFi network.

Do you want more reasons?

[Dark Fire]

The people at T-Tobile obviously are ignorant.
But your reasons assume and ignore a lot too:

1. Wifi itself may be fast, but broadband internet connections are not necesarily faster than 3G. Ireland is a good example. Where Rory (daredking) lives is also a good example (and that's in London!).

2. If you work for a business that has such high sceurity, that's your problem. Don't get a T-Mobile phone.

3. You can connect a laptop to the internet via your phone with bluetooth too. Personally, I've never seen it done with wifi - bluetooth and USB connections for that are much more common.

4. At home, again, bluetooth and USB can be used for at least most of those things. If your house is too big, why are you getting a T-Mobile phone?

5. If you live in the middle of nowhere, you're more likely to have a bad broadband connection than lack of 3G (at least in the British Isles).

6. Wifi may be free, but it has very limited coverage. Most people don't spend their lives within a few tens of metres of a wireless router.

[imranbashir_uk]

The people at T-Tobile obviously are ignorant.


I’m glad we agree that T-Mobile is wrong to disable WiFi, or at least I think that’s what you mean. To answer the rest of your points:


1. Wifi itself may be fast, but broadband internet connections are not necesarily faster than 3G. Ireland is a good example. Where Rory (daredking) lives is also a good example (and that's in London!).


I never said broadband is always faster than 3G I said WiFi is faster that 3G and HSDPA. Never the less in most cases broadband is still faster than 3G, but possibly not HSDPA depending on who your ISP is and what your local exchange supports.


2. If you work for a business that has such high sceurity, that's your problem. Don't get a T-Mobile phone.


That’s my point exactly I shouldn’t have to be forced away from T-Mobile or forced to by an unsubsidised phone.


3. You can connect a laptop to the internet via your phone with bluetooth too. Personally, I've never seen it done with wifi - bluetooth and USB connections for that are much more common.


Why on earth would you want to connect your laptop over Bluetooth thereby limiting your connection speed to 2Mbps or 1Mbps with 1.0, and limit your range to a few meters. Even that assumes you have Bluetooth on your laptop which may not be the case. To use USB, you got to have your cable with you take out your phone, and have a desk handy to put everything. More info on WiFi to HSDPA router here, once you do it you will never look back at Bluetooth, give it a go! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=341398


4. At home, again, bluetooth and USB can be used for at least most of those things. If your house is too big, why are you getting a T-Mobile phone?


LOL I’m not even going to both responding to the comment that if my house is to big I shouldn’t be getting a T-mobile phone! I didn’t know T-mobile was only marketing their phones to people with small houses! All my equipment runs and streams over WiFi, this give me better range, and more bandwidth there is no point or advantage in doing it over Bluetooth.


5. If you live in the middle of nowhere, you're more likely to have a bad broadband connection than lack of 3G (at least in the British Isles).

6. Wifi may be free, but it has very limited coverage. Most people don't spend their lives within a few tens of metres of a wireless router.
[/QUOTE]

What’s that got to do with anything? The point I was trying to make is that when available it’s better to use WiFi over 3G. i.e. at home and work I connect over WiFi, anywhere else I use GPRS or 3G.
At the end of the day, it comes down to choice, T-Mobile have chosen to disable WiFi. I and many others who do use WiFi are forced to choose between a subsidised handset from T-Mobile, or moving to a different service provider, or buying an unbranded phone. If T-Mobile didn’t disable the WiFi like O2 and Orange, well then this thread would not exist!

[rorydaredkign]

I’m glad we agree that T-Mobile is wrong to disable WiFi, or at least I think that’s what you mean.
At the end of the day, it comes down to choice, T-Mobile have chosen to disable WiFi. I and many others who do use WiFi are forced to choose between a subsidised handset from T-Mobile, or moving to a different service provider, or buying an unbranded phone. If T-Mobile didn’t disable the WiFi like O2 and Orange, well then this thread would not exist!

I actually agree with you totally. Having known Mark (Dark Fire) for 7 years, i argue with him every day, but youve got him beat in my view here. im sure hes going to stab me or something now, but anyways, i think youre right.

On a side note, I dont think they have actually disabled it. If anyone can point me somewhere it says they have done, then please do, but i thought this was a thread firstly asking if they would, then slowly moving on to why tmobile are stupid if they disable it, then onto why it doesnt matter if its disabled.
Anyway, like I said, if somebody can show me somewhere it says it is disabled on the diamond, please do
Rory

[Dark Fire]

This could obviously go on for ages. I am not supporting T-Mobile at all - I just said that their flawed reasoning was obvious.

"I’m glad we agree that T-Mobile is wrong to disable WiFi, or at least I think that’s what you mean." - Clearly that's what I mean.

"I never said broadband is always faster than 3G I said WiFi is faster that 3G and HSDPA." - How else is a wireless router going to connect to the internet?

"That’s my point exactly I shouldn’t have to be forced away from T-Mobile or forced to by an unsubsidised phone." - O2 forced me away through their lack of mobile internet. These things happen all of the time. Get used to it.

"Why on earth would you want to connect your laptop over Bluetooth thereby limiting your connection speed to 2Mbps or 1Mbps with 1.0, and limit your range to a few meters." - If you're on your laptop, connecting to the internet via your phone, your phone is obviously going to be within that range. Most servers have such slow connections or are used by so many people that a connection faster than 2Mbps doesn't make a difference (my broadband connection is 13Mbps, and I really don't notice the difference over 2Mbps). BTW, I only have a Touch, so doing wifi stuff with it is a bit pointless.

"I’m not even going to both responding to the comment that if my house is to big I shouldn’t be getting a T-mobile phone!" - You're completely misinterpreting that point, as I knew you would. My point is that most people don't have houses that are so large that the majority of the house is going to be outside bluetooth range - the distances over which I've achieved bluetooth connections have been surprising, and they can also undoubtedly be improved using several techniques.

"The point I was trying to make is that when available it’s better to use WiFi over 3G. i.e. at home and work I connect over WiFi, anywhere else I use GPRS or 3G." - No, you've missed my point again. My point is that, at least in the British Isles (I really don't know about other places), 3G is going to perform better due to lack of good broadband speeds at exchanges and distance from exchanges. As I said before, wifi may be fast, but it's the broadband speed that matters (unless you're accessing the local network, which you will not be most of the time).

Oh, and Rory, you always think I'm beaten, but you know that I kill people on details.

[someone1234]

So on these phones that had wifi disabled, was it a hardware modification or just disabled in software?

I know the usual way to disable Wifi through software is to delete calibration and setup data in the WiFi chip. This can be reinstated if you have a path to direct connect to the wifi chip - either through OS or via baseband.

Was any effort made at all to try to enable wifi in those phones?

[Dark Fire]

I don't really know, but from the way people have such strong feelings about it, I'd guess that it's a hardware modification. That does seem a bit extreme, but T-Mobile will have their reasons. Personally, I'd say that wifi disabled through software modification is a good feature - it would certainly provide many more hours of fun than having working wifi to begin with.

[rorydaredkign]

it was hardware, much like the disabled gps in the hermes.
disabled wifi by soft would be solved by a rom update
and yes, they tried to fix it [come on, its xda-developers, not xda-users lol]
Rory

[someone1234]

Thats interesting, so they probably completly removed the WiFi chip itself.
I guess you could solder a new one in place, but thats alot of work :)

[rorydaredkign]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35879&d=1174679272
that pic is of a mda compact III, and shows why theres no wifi, its because the antenna is missing...

[someone1234]

Hmm, but you would still be able to enable it (after flashing the right rom/bootloader), but would probably get a really weak signal.

But i guess from that its not just the antenna, but the main chip too. It wouldnt be dificult (costly) in production to run a set of boards without that one chip.

[rorydaredkign]

exactly, but i think tmob prob lost a lot of custom to o2,seeing as msot palces have all the phone shops [at least here in the uk] so its easy enough to walk down the road to an o2 shop and get the exact same phone but with wifi...
so im saying its not gona have crippled wifi...
ill look around for proof :)
having looked for proof, i havet found any, but the tmobile netherlands site doesnt say wifi in specs, btu does say hsdpa, bluetooth 3mp cam and 4gb flash memory.
but....... when paul from modaco "stumbled upon the compact 4 specs at the mobile world congress" it had wifi in the specs
so still inconclusive
Rory

[someone1234]

Hmm considering the casing is different for the T-Mobile version (and the buttons are the other way round?), if the T-Mobile Germany has wifi, i can't see them customizing it again for the UK.

You never know, but personally speaking there isnt a huge threat to the carriers from wifi in the UK yet. To get a nationwide account for all these hot spots your talking no less than what it costs for WnW anyway.

[Dark Fire]

Well, free wifi is starting to appear around the place quite rapidly. McDonalds, for example, recently started a free wifi thing in all of their restaurants.

[rorydaredkign]

[off topic] the mcdonalds wifi thing causes me a great deal more work...grrr

[someone1234]

Hmm i wouldnt want to pull out an expensive phone in a mcdonalds round here :eek:

[rorydaredkign]

me and mark are always abusing their wifi. luckily it isnt the one i work at, because im sure my boss would get pissed at me raping my discount and the wifi... but were always there using it...
and weatherspoons have it too...

[Dark Fire]

Yeah, having a friend who is an employee and who can protect you too, is handy. :)

[someone1234]

whats their policy at mcdonalds? Surely you cant buy a mcnugget and sit there for hours on end?

[Dark Fire]

Hahaha...Technically, yes. And I don't think they'd stop you from standing outside and using the wifi anyway. Actually, I've never tried to buy a single McNugget. I must try that. Have you ever had to deal with that Rory?

[someone1234]

[off topic] i heard once that if the burger isnt as in the picture - i.e. the chese is in the wrong place - they have to give you another one? true or urban myth?

[rorydaredkign]

dont have to buy anything. manager might politely ask you to leave. but they usually only do that to kids. as long as youre not sitting about 3 feet from the tills, youre ok. i think they like the image of people with laptops in the store. plus, its run by the cloud, so i dont think they pay at all.
the sad thing for me is, the router is on the ground floor, and the crew room is on the second floow. and with no repeater, we get no wifi signal... and all this in a million pound a year store. cant afford a hundred quid on a repeater for its staff
lol
mcdonalds: unless u complain massively, theyll say sorry...and maybe do nothing, maybe give u another [customer service is the most important thing in mcd]... but depends who it is. my advice- go to one of the shift managers, not the actual manager... they are essentially normal workers, but like run things if you know what i mean.. because they dont really care about the money. an example, my manager/asst. manager never give me free stuff and make me pay. shift managers give me anything. normal workers give me nothing... probably the same for you
BUT: the chances of the making it wrong are slim. very slim. would have to be a new peoson working or something.
best thing to complain about is chicken

[Dark Fire]

[off topic] i heard once that if the burger isnt as in the picture - i.e. the chese is in the wrong place - they have to give you another one? true or urban myth?

If that's true, the Burger King in Brent Cross owes me a lot of Bacon Double Cheeseburgers. I deliberately buy them because they're virtually the only fast food burger without fruit or some sort of random sauce. However, the Burger King in Brent Cross doesn't seem to be aware of that fact...
(All of the other outlets I've been to have always got it right).

[someone1234]

ok thread hijack.. less about diamond.. more about how to get free food from mcdonalds..

hey its a long wait till release date :D

Ok somewhat back on topic.. whats the policy like on t-mobile WnW over 3G these days? Do they go nuts if you start streaming lots of video content over the month? I can see this being a real problem once i get my hands on one of these.

They seem to have launched this mobile TV thing now, but its the same kind of rip off sky have.. blocks of packages with only 1 channel you want, it'll end up costing the same as my sky sub - no thanks.

And.. which design do you prefer? HTC one or the T-Mobile one?

[rorydaredkign]

hmmm... dont mind either design, but if you go over 3 months in a row, they send u a letter. orange on the other hand charge u per megabyte.
o2 are the same as tmob i think
but i read somewhere [probably here] that a person went over every month and didnt even get the letter
Rory

[Dark Fire]

You could probably take them to court over the term 'unlimited' if you really want to, because the actual limit that they have is really quite limiting.

[rorydaredkign]

its from the days when there wasnt a way in hell you could use 1gb, so it was called unlimited. now WnW plus and max are introduced which are more unlimited

[someone1234]

I suspect its somewhat based on how much you spend each month too.

Thats good to hear tho. If it becomes an argument with them i think i'll just VPN through my home network so its not blatent that i've been using things like voip :)

[rorydaredkign]

lol... for sky, shy not get sopcast, and vpn that?

[someone1234]

hmm good idea :)

sopcast ftw

[imranbashir_uk]

Ok time to clear up some misconceptions.

@ someone1234,
The QUALCOMM chipset in the MDA Compact III supports WiFi, TV Out, USB on the Go, GPS and many other things. So you don’t have to ‘solder’ an additional or missing chip on to the phone. It has no antenna and the feature is not enabled in the firmware. Yes you can fix the firmware with a cooked ROM, but your still stuck without an antenna.

@ Dark Fire,
You have me beat at nothing, a debate is not a competition to be won, but a point of view that is shared with others. I am not trying to impose my view on you, nor do I expect you to agree with all my comments, if this was the case, this forum would be very boring indeed.

If you would like to continue debating over WiFi vs 3G we can do it over PM, and as for killing me in detail, I’m sure I can hold my own.

Now can we get this thread back on topic please!

[Dark Fire]

I never said I beat you at anything. I was simply exploring the argument from T-Mobile's side. I would not buy a Touch Diamond without wifi (unless it was really cheap). Everyone knows your view, because that is the general view, but I find it hard to believe that T-Mobile don't have real reasons for lack of wifi. Continuing the argument by PM would not let it fulfil its purpose. And why is everyone on this forum so psycho about threads staying on topic? Conversations naturally progress through topics.

[someone1234]

Interesting.. so you could buy the antenna as a spare part, or make your own. I guess if there's demand for it i could make one and sell it. I do alot of RF design for work :)

[imranbashir_uk]

As do I, I also do firmware in VHDL and high speed digital electronics. But in this instance I would have to say, rather than buying a spare part and fitting it, it is far cheaper / quicker / easier to sell and put the money towards one from Orange or O2!

[someone1234]

I guess it depends where its mounted and the price difference.

I used to do alot of verilog, but its mostly VHDL these days for me too.

[selspiero]

any reports on a release date for the MDAIV in the UK on t-mobile?

My upgrade is due next week, thinking either getting the Nokia N95, then selling it - and buying the un branded Diamond - or just getting the t-mobile version... will depend on the wifi i suppose!

[rorydaredkign]

theres nothing to suggest the wifi will be disabled. as i have said many times. its scare-mongering.
you wont even get much for an n95 anymore, its been out 13 months. so id say wait. i dont think its on the tmobile coming soon, and the people in phone shops are so shit they wont know what it is... but tmobile netherlands has it coming soon, so not too long, july?
Rory

[imranbashir_uk]

Last update I got is that it will be freely available in July and I am in the same situation as you, my contract has just ended. I too will wait and see if it has WiFi, if it does great, if not its going straight onto eBay boxed and sealed or to someone in this forum if they want it. The money is then going to go towards buying an unbranded version.

Also its not scare mongering, every one of T-Mobiles devices in the UK that have been branded MDA have never had WiFi. So it’s a very real possibility.

[walshieau]

Last update I got is that it will be freely available in July and I am in the same situation as you, my contract has just ended. I too will wait and see if it has WiFi, if it does great, if not its going straight onto eBay boxed and sealed or to someone in this forum if they want it. The money is then going to go towards buying an unbranded version.

Also its not scare mongering, every one of T-Mobiles devices in the UK that have been branded MDA have never had WiFi. So it’s a very real possibility.

well the one i have has WiFi and works a treat!!!

[imranbashir_uk]

Really!
Which one is it, MDA Compact III, MDA Compact IV?
Where did you buy it, directly from T-Mobile UK?
When did you buy it?

[bram_smulders]

T-Mobile netherlands specified to me today that the copact 4 is planned for 1st of july.

it was planned end of may but there are troubles delivering it.
The guy alsospecified that the compact 4 is a direct cooy of the diamond, hardware that is.

gr bram

[selspiero]

theres nothing to suggest the wifi will be disabled. as i have said many times. its scare-mongering.
you wont even get much for an n95 anymore, its been out 13 months. so id say wait. i dont think its on the tmobile coming soon, and the people in phone shops are so shit they wont know what it is... but tmobile netherlands has it coming soon, so not too long, july?
Rory

cheers, will wait and see!

[athanaso77]

well the one i have has WiFi and works a treat!!!

Ho can we find one of those? Some more details?

[Jmii]

Phones I've had from t mobile that have had wifi, T-Mobile MDA Vario 1, 2, 3.

This phone does look very cool, but can I wait? my upgrade is due this week. The longer I leave it the longer I have to wait for my next upgrade, I hear the 8gb n95 is out start of June, might jump ships for this year, if theres no confirmed date soon.

[rorydaredkign]

out june? its been out ages i think. somebody i know has had one or a long time. diamond comes out soon, within 6 weeks id say.. just wait lol :)

[maxehret]

I'm really curious when the T-Mobile version will be launched? has anyone information? I will get the Diamond with a contract renewal, so I can't get the unbranded Version )-:

[damiantmc]

Early July is currently whats on the tables for it. along yes with the 8gb nokia n95 0n 1st of june, better late than never with that one lol. and I take offence to the people in the shops not knowing anything! as far as I am aware the wi-fi is enabled but thats not official

[sub69]

As you can now get a T-Mobile Hotspot plan added to your T-Mobile account (http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/mobile-internet/hotspot/), it would be rather perverse for T-Mobile to disable WiFi in any of their phones these days.

That would just be cutting off a potential revenue stream. Not sure if that was the case when previous MDA's came out, but I see no reason for them to kill WiFi this time...

[maxehret]

This Noon, T-Mobile officially launched Press information in Germany! Why I know? Google News is filling up since about one hour!

With official Press Photo: http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Aktuell-Telefon-Handy-MDA-compact-IV-MDA-Vario-IV-Ameo-16GB-Neue-PDAs-von-T-Mobile_2948176.html

[maxehret]

A very kind reporter from a well known German mobile magazine just confirmed my thaugts:


Sehr geehrter Herr XXX,

die Pressemitteilung von T-Mobile erreichte uns heute gegen 13:00 Uhr. Deshalb ist mit einem offiziellen Verkaufsstart in Deutschland wie angekündigt im Juli 2008 zu rechnen. Preise werden bislang leider nicht genannt.


Beste Grüße,
XXX XXX


quick facts: Press release done at 13:00, start of July confirmed for launch, no information on Prices,

BUT: Specsheet seems to be available now! In the next hours we'll know!

[someone1234]

whats the MDA vario IV? is that the raphael?

Yeah it is.. hmm looks really nice actually.... hmm 18mm is to othick tho for me, i dont need the keyboard _that_ badly. Seems to be the same specs as the X1 (but VGA screen instead of WVGA).

Full specs:

T-Mobile MDA Vario IV
http://www.gsmhelpdesk.nl/en/specs.php?id=2522

T-Mobile MDA Compact IV
http://www.gsmhelpdesk.nl/en/specs.php?id=2521

T-Mobile Ameo 16GB
http://www.gsmhelpdesk.nl/en/specs.php?id=2520

[selspiero]

why is it that i know more about phone than the people in the t-mobile shops in the UK?

honestly - justhave a coming soon page on the web site - would make things easier....

[rorydaredkign]

i know
people in phone shops are twats.
real twats
i dont think the tmob people even know that htc make mda's
and when i asked about a job there, they were like u gota be 18. i wanted to just destroy them to prove they had to emplloy me, but i left it, being 16 at the time. now im nearly 18 i may try again.
btw, same can be said for pc world

[selspiero]

i dont think the tmob people even know that htc make mda's

so true - i have an unbranded touch, when i showed it to the guy in there he asked me how it worked on t-mobile....

anyhoo - 1st July is being touted as the release date - my upgrade is due NOW!! :mad:

[someone1234]

i know
people in phone shops are twats.
real twats
i dont think the tmob people even know that htc make mda's
and when i asked about a job there, they were like u gota be 18. i wanted to just destroy them to prove they had to emplloy me, but i left it, being 16 at the time. now im nearly 18 i may try again.
btw, same can be said for pc world

The thing is companies employ people like that so that they can feed them promotional information and send them on their own training - that way the employees explain things the way the company wants, push the products the company wants. They're blank canvases!

Ocasionally you get one guy in the store who _thinks_ he knows stuff - those people are more irritating.

Not to start an argument, but i find it just as funny when I read posts like yours. These guys in the stores arent really expected to know the kind of stuff you or I do. With regards to knowing about new devices, they won't be told about them until the last minute because the companies want them to continue pushing existing products for as long as possible.

I know its anoying when u bump into these guys in the store, but c'mon do you really go into the store expecting them to know :confused:

[imranbashir_uk]

All, check out this announcement from T-Mobile, it shows both the MDA Compact IV (aka Touch Diamond) and the MDA Vario IV (aka Touch Diamond Pro).

More importantly the specs say that it will have WiFi built in, admittedly it doesn’t say that this is the case for all T-Mobile regions, but I would hope it is. Don’t look to bad either in the way that it has been re-designed.

Moving on the MDA Vario IV looks like it has expandable memory, as from the specs it shows no internal memory. A TyTn II / Shift upgrade possibly...

http://www.slashphone.com/t-mobile-announces-mda-compact-iv-and-mda-vario-iv-28550

[someone1234]

hmm cant say i like the more rounded design.. it makes it look more like a windows mobile PDA than a cool new phone

[maxehret]

that is indeed a reason to be sad... looking at the pictures of the new diamond variant "victor", it seems that this is the o2 version, xda diamond (looks similar). why cant they just make it look like this??

[imranbashir_uk]

i know
people in phone shops are twats.
real twats
i dont think the tmob people even know that htc make mda's
and when i asked about a job there, they were like u gota be 18. i wanted to just destroy them to prove they had to emplloy me, but i left it, being 16 at the time. now im nearly 18 i may try again.
btw, same can be said for pc world

LOL dude, that would be a waste of your talent, go and work for a place that would actually appreciate your knowledge.

For the rest of us poor souls, well we can only hope that these electronic shops will eventually realise that it might be better to employ people who have a passion for gadgets and a good level of knowledge to boot.

Hey what’s that I see outside is it a flying pig...

[rorydaredkign]

i saw a bunch go by earlier when i heard htc made good roms

[Dark Fire]

Hey what’s that I see outside is it a flying pig...

Dah...All I've seen recently is flying pengiuns...

[D3TH METAL]

Good bye Wing, hello compact VI. Can't wait! anyone have a idea how much it would cost with a 2year contract?

[imranbashir_uk]

All, I emailed T-Mobile UK a couple of days ago just to see if they could confirm if WiFi has been disabled. Here is the response in full (only personal information has been edited).



Subject: Re: 004359018
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:56:22 +0100
From: XXXXX
To: XXXXX

Good evening Mr Bashir

Thank you for emailing us about the disappointment caused due to the WiFi function not being available on our MDA Compact III and maybe the MDA Compact IV. I appreciate your comments and concerns.

I can confirm that the function won’t be added to the T-Mobile MDA phones as this was a business decision by our marketing team. However, I appreciate that you’d like our marketing team to know your comments. As such please forward your full comments to me at XXXXX and I’ll forward them to the specific team. They’ll be more than happy to receive your feedback and make any necessary changes that they see fit.

I look forward to hearing from you soon Mr Bashir and thank you once again for taking the time to email us.

Kindest regards

XXXXX
Directors' Office Co-ordinator

T-Mobile (UK) Limited
Company Registered Number: 02382161
Registered Office Address: Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BW
Registered in England and Wales

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
This email (including attachments) is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, notify the sender immediately, delete this email from your system and do not disclose or use for any purpose.


Looks like bad news for the UK, I have already responded to her email and asked her to check the latest press release by T-Mobile Germany, as it looks like they will include WiFi and am awaiting a response.

As she works in Directors’ Office Co-ordinator (AKA senior customer service rep) she might be wrong or didn’t bother checking and just asked a colleague or something. I hope she goes to speak to somebody in engineering. I will keep you all updated.

[Dark Fire]

Well, there's no way I'm moving to T-Mobile anytime soon.

[imranbashir_uk]

Yeah, it’s a shame really as I have a Flext Web&Walk package with F&F discount to boot so no other service provider can offer me a better price.

I guess I will be selling the compact IV and O2 Orbit and put that money towards an unbranded diamond, and possibly an Xperia X1 for Xmas...

[someone1234]

i'm in the same boat.. flext 35 with WnW and employee call - so its not smart for me to change networks.. T-Mobile are always behind in handsets - just like every other operator. I always check the upgrade cost vs highest price on ebay for profit margin and just sell my upgrade.

The only problem is right now we're in that middle stage between handset releases and the only half decent phone is the n95 8gb, which doesnt sell for much on ebay. So i'll give it another month, maybe two and see.

Yeah, it’s a shame really as I have a Flext Web&Walk package with F&F discount to boot so no other service provider can offer me a better price.

I guess I will be selling the compact IV and O2 Orbit and put that money towards an unbranded diamond, and possibly an Xperia X1 for Xmas...

[damiantmc]

Oi! please don't tarnish us all with the same brush, I happen to work in a phone shop, and a tmobile at that! and I know lots, I use duttys roms on my tytn 2 and there fantastic, I'm always on here just reading through stuff and trying out new bits. I recon i'm very knowledgeable with windows mobile and i'd never have anything else. So please don't put us all down with your stereotypes.

Rant over lol

DTMc

[rorydaredkign]

Oi! please don't tarnish us all with the same brush, I happen to work in a phone shop, and a tmobile at that! and I know lots, I use duttys roms on my tytn 2 and there fantastic, I'm always on here just reading through stuff and trying out new bits. I recon i'm very knowledgeable with windows mobile and i'd never have anything else. So please don't put us all down with your stereotypes.

Rant over lol

DTMc

fair enough, but i get tarred with the same brush all the time. usually about football. but, that doesnt make it right.
but youve gota accept that most people in the shops know fuck all about windows mobile. they can work a nokia, but tell them to change the brighntess on wm and theyre screwed..
Rory

[damiantmc]

Yeah thats fair enough lol. I think it was just a bad morning and then all the bitching lol, i'm ok now though. Its when you get people in saying "I know you probably know nothing about the phone but do you at least know a date when (insert wm phone here) is coming out" gets on the nerves some times lol.

DTMc

[rorydaredkign]

yeah, even people who know nothing about the phones assume the people in shops know even less.
Any news on uk Compact 4 or vario 4 release dates?
Rory

[Dark Fire]

Haha...When I meet people who know me in such shops, they ignore the staff and ask me stuff.

[maxehret]

http://www.ots.at/presseaussendung.php?schluessel=OBS_20080529_OBS00 19&ch=technologie

[imranbashir_uk]

http://www.ots.at/presseaussendung.php?schluessel=OBS_20080529_OBS00 19&ch=technologie

Thanks,

I want to see the back, I think its rounded and a simpler design when compared to the Diamond i.e. no triangles

[JontyJonty]

Haha...When I meet people who know me in such shops, they ignore the staff and ask me stuff.

Having spoken to someone very high up at HTC who works with T-Mobile to release the MDA devices I can confirm that the MDA Compact IV will have WIFI enabled. Also the release date has been set as the 1st week in July 2008 for the release, however this may be delayed due to the software testing T-Mobile do on their handsets.

[ChesterZZ]

Thanks,

I want to see the back, I think its rounded and a simpler design when compared to the Diamond i.e. no triangles

Here are some nice live pics :)

http://www.mobilmania.cz/Titulni-strana/T-Mobile-MDA-Vario-IV-a-Compact-IV-zive/sc-21-sr-1-a-1119217/default.aspx

[Dark Fire]

I like the triangles. :(

[imranbashir_uk]

Hey thanks,

Just as I thought it’s quite understated. Not too bad as a business phone I guess.

More importantly has anyone noticed the T-mobile MDA Vario IV (Diamond Pro) has a camera light on the back! That coupled with more RAM, microSD slot and a more standard VGA screen compared to the Xperia X1 less standard WVGA could outsell the Xperia X1!

I guess it all depends how well WVGA screens handle applications that are not WVGA aware.

[imranbashir_uk]

I like the triangles. :(

HTC's version for students, and T-mobiles version for the rest of us...

[rorydaredkign]

and the diamond pro vs the x1 battle also depends on carriers, i doubt theyll have both, theyre directly competing.
Rory

[ChesterZZ]

Hey thanks,

Just as I thought it’s quite understated. Not too bad as a business phone I guess.

More importantly has anyone noticed the T-mobile MDA Vario IV (Diamond Pro) has a camera light on the back! That coupled with more RAM, microSD slot and a more standard VGA screen compared to the Xperia X1 less standard WVGA could outsell the Xperia X1!

I guess it all depends how well WVGA screens handle applications that are not WVGA aware.


I noticed it :D And I noticed too that on the Vario IV’s back it says 3.1 Mpx whilest on the Compact IV’s back it says 3.2 Mpx :D

[imranbashir_uk]

I can also see a headphone socket on the bottom, looks like 2.5 mm but better than using HTC's supplied buds!

[sub69]

I can also see a headphone socket on the bottom, looks like 2.5 mm but better than using HTC's supplied buds!

I think you'll find that's a reset button, it's too small to be a headphone socket.

The headphone symbol and the USB symbol will both relate to the Mini USB port.

[imranbashir_uk]

I think you'll find that's a reset button, it's too small to be a headphone socket.

The headphone symbol and the USB symbol will both relate to the Mini USB port.

Indeed your right, oh well for a while there I was happy. Just been looking at the new android phone vids, not bad at all...

[Cyrus Kourosh]

And the P3702 Victor
for people who does not like the diamond casing
http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2008/05/28/htc-touch-diamond-twin-p3702-victor-for-taiwan-available-june/

[beaker656]

As of last week T-Mobiles intranet shows the phone being available from 1st July and it has Wifi. I checked again today and nothing has changed. Just waiting to place my upgrade order, though most of the upgrade team and sales either know nothing about it or only know what they have read on forums or the internet

I also know that 3UK have been testing it on their network, but no word as to whether or not they will be taking it

[imranbashir_uk]

As of last week T-Mobiles intranet shows the phone being available from 1st July and it has Wifi. I checked again today and nothing has changed. Just waiting to place my upgrade order, though most of the upgrade team and sales either know nothing about it or only know what they have read on forums or the internet

I also know that 3UK have been testing it on their network, but no word as to whether or not they will be taking it

Iv'e heared that the MDA Vario IV has video out can you confirm?

[selspiero]

As of last week T-Mobiles intranet shows the phone being available from 1st July and it has Wifi. I checked again today and nothing has changed. Just waiting to place my upgrade order, though most of the upgrade team and sales either know nothing about it or only know what they have read on forums or the internet

I also know that 3UK have been testing it on their network, but no word as to whether or not they will be taking it

sweet - thanks for the info, i'll be waiting til then

[D3TH METAL]

* Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
* Qualcomm MSM 7201A @ 528MHz
* 512MB ROM / 256MB RAM
* 7.2MB HSDPA / HSUPA (rev A EVDO for Sprint versions)
* 2.8" VGA screen
* WiFi
* Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
* eGPS
* 3.1MP Camera with flash
* Forward facing camera
* TV out
* Orientation sensor (a-la-iPhone)
* FM Radio
* microSD expansion
* 1350mAh battery
* Raphael: 51x99x17mm

[leventero]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35879&d=1174679272
that pic is of a mda compact III, and shows why theres no wifi, its because the antenna is missing...

i have also the t-mobile mda compact 3 and my phone has everything.dutch version

[selspiero]

just spoke to t-mobile UK

Compact IV is 'on the system' as coming soon, which she said means about 2 weeks.

[King of Rapture™]

I like the specs of Vario in comparison to Diamond. But I not a fan of a sliding keyboard and especially being an owner of tilt, I am not much of a fan of sliding keyboard without tilt! :D

KOR! :)

[beaker656]

Iv'e heared that the MDA Vario IV has video out can you confirm?


Apparently it will have "HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0, audio jack, and TV Out in one)"

[rorydaredkign]

HTC ExtUSB doesn't have TV-Out. Unless it is a new Ext-USB maybe. The TV out on the Athena is done through another port on the device.
Rory

[beaker656]

HTC ExtUSB doesn't have TV-Out. Unless it is a new Ext-USB maybe. The TV out on the Athena is done through another port on the device.
Rory

Unmatched Style With Complete Productivity
Like the Touch Diamond, Touch Pro is crafted with precision to fit comfortably in a user’s hand and brings together elegant touch screen response with the direct precision of HTC’s trademark sliding keyboard design. Introducing a new five-row QWERTY keyboard layout that makes typing-intensive tasks like composing email or working on Microsoft Office® documents quick and easy. Built-in TV-out functionality means users can deliver the perfect PowerPoint® presentation from the Touch Pro.

http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=49524

[selspiero]

couple of pictures of the MDA version of the diamond

http://i27.tinypic.com/x6gbb7.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/2z9chlz.jpg

one things for sure, i will be re-flashing with the original HTC ROM first thing!!

[D3TH METAL]

Why does t-mobile always have to ruin a nice product?:D

[Dark Fire]

lol
Rory knows the phrase that I would reply with. ;)