[Req] XDA 2i

Random

I'm looking to get a XDA 2i. I want one that's gonna come with a warranty of some kind and as such the Buy and Sell or Ebay isn't ideal.

What's the cheapest way to get one without some mad €85 per month contract?

hshortt

Be very wary of purchasing this device now! Its no longer distributed by O2 in the UK. They must just ship their old gear here thinking we'll take it.

It also runs WM2003 which has since been replaced with WM5 (Windows mobile)

Have a look at the O2 UK site and click XDA from the right hand menu to see the latest offerings, I'm running an XDA Mini-S and its very good. I've used various XDAs in the past and can offer help if you need.

I got my sister to buy mine in the UK, there are some good deals to be had.

Cheerio
Howard

Random

The one's in the UK are gonna be locked to O2 UK though, no ? Do XDAs work based on unlocking codes or do you just install a new "OS" ?

And the XDA 2i is still listed on the UK site? What do you base your comments on ?

hshortt

They are not locked, which is also a bonus, but there is a large following of dedicated tweakers at http://www.xda-developers.com where you can find unlockers for other brands and various roms, and rom tools.

The O2 Mini-S is also known as i-Mate K-Jam, T-Mobile MDA Vario, Qtek 9100. They all fall under the common model name HTC - Wizard.

My comments are based on my experience, have a look through the various online forums at xda-devs, 4winmobile.com, msmobiles.com and others, buying a 2i now would not be a good purchase, it's using older OS, plus the Bluetooth stack has been rated poorly, for connections to headsets etc. The one bit of good news is that if you check out the xda-devs site you can actually install the newer WM5 rom on it, but then you'll invalidate your warranty.

I'd consider it akin to buying a new PC with Windows 2000 preinstalled rather than XP. It's still widely supported, but in decline.

Good luck.
Howard

hk797

hshortt wrote:

They are not locked, which is also a bonus, but there is a large following of dedicated tweakers at http://www.xda-developers.com where you can find unlockers for other brands and various roms, and rom tools.

Howard sounds like you know more than the O2 guys I just spoke with - looking for something that will run skype - what do recommend? sick and tired of waiting for Palm to get its act together and having to lug a laptop everywhere - also whats the real story on battery life? thks

hshortt

Realisticly running Skype would normally require a 400Mhz processor. However, Skype themselves are aware of the new range of TI OMAP 850 dual core processors being used in some of the new devices. (Wizard & Prophet) These are typically 195-200Mhz processors.

Skype will work on these devices but you need the low cpu version from Skype.

Some devices like the Universal (O2 Exec, T-Mobile MDA Pro, i-Mate JasJar) are using a new Intel X-scale Bulverde Processor at 520Mhz. They can also run Skype.

The Wizard (Mini-S) that I have, uses the TI OMAP and I have used skype on it for Skype out and pda2pc calling. It does work but quality varies with connection speed, number of users, broadband contention etc etc.

Battery life is a tough nut though, usage will vary from one person to another, but typically I can get from Midday Friday to Monday without having to recharge. My usage will involve multiple calls, wi-fi for at least 30 minutes (reading email in bed!) and BT while driving (GPS). I generally don't use it for MP3's.

When syncronising data via USB the device is charging, so in any normal day when I'm at my desk, the device is on a third party cradle (they mostly don't ship with cradles anymore) syncronising data and charging, I pick it up when I go for lunch or to meetings etc.

I have not had a device lose power from battery drain yet.

As for Palm, well you know about the Treo 700w right? it runs Windows Mobile 5! Available now in America, don't know if will ever appear here though, as it's CDMA and not GSM.

The current range of Smartphones available here is shameful, but give it time. Palm is in decline and having now released a device with Windows Mobile on it, I suspect you'll not see another Palm OS revision, which is a shame.

cheerio
Howard

hk797

The current range of Smartphones available here is shameful, but give it time. Palm is in decline and having now released a device with Windows Mobile on it, I suspect you'll not see another Palm OS revision, which is a shame. [/QUOTE]

Thanks a mill for taking the time to share Howard - got the Tungsten C a couple of years back in expectation :rolleyes: that Palm would deliver VOIP solution - this time around I'm going to make sure what I get does the job up front - agree with you on Palm - pity the 700w has no plans for wifi :eek: which is carrier driven - been happy with the 400Mhz Intel processor with XScale on the TC so will probably go up instead of down given I need both skype in and out - anyroads thks again - your advice is much appreciate.:D

hshortt

Anytime, look me up on 4winmobile.com (or here!) if you need any help with configuration or anything.

Cheerio
Howard

Random

Above all that any ideas on where I might get one, the cheapest way ?

hshortt

If you want it new & local, then O2 is the way to go. I'm lucky I've a sister in the UK who was able to get mine, walked in bought the phone, paid up front for the contract price shipped it home to me. The previous device I had was a Magician (O2 XDA Mini, MDA Compact, i-Mate JAM) I bought it SIM free from http://www.mobilejoker.de they ship cash on delivery, the device came in German and I switched the ROM to English using tools as mentioned from XDA-Devs.

Ebay is always a good place to buy and you may get better deals there.

Good luck,
cheerio
Howard

Random

Ideally I'm looking for one with a warranty intact