Comments on: The Universal Dilemma http://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:19:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Larry@PILhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-24 Larry@PIL Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:40:48 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-24 Hi Judie, just vistied your new site, it's really great! Keep going! ^_^y From this article knowing that your are a heavy user on using palm sized devices. Here's my old site that share with you. Hope it will remind you something... http://www.palmislife.com/~larrydiy/ This old site contents really "HARD" things and sorry it's all in Chinese characters again... -__- However, pictures tell everything. I've been using my Hermes for 5 days. It does have a nicer appearance than HTC cht9000 (a custom-made model launched by Chung-Hua Telecom Taiwan) though they somewhat look like twins. Not to mention WiFi function build-in, in my country, 3G(384kbps) is definite a cheaper option and runs faster than GPRS for conneting onto internet. Especially 3.5G will soon be kicked-off (start from 1.8Mbps then up to 3.6Mbps)and Hermes has been ready for it with its HSDPA spec. Unfortunately I am getting mad on tuning my Hermes. Some problems still need to be resolved. I will share with you once I got answers... Hi Judie, just vistied your new site, it’s really great! Keep going! ^_^y

From this article knowing that your are a heavy user on using palm sized devices. Here’s my old site that share with you. Hope it will remind you something…

http://www.palmislife.com/~larrydiy/

This old site contents really “HARD” things and sorry it’s all in Chinese characters again… -__- However, pictures tell everything.

I’ve been using my Hermes for 5 days. It does have a nicer appearance than HTC cht9000 (a custom-made model launched by Chung-Hua Telecom Taiwan) though they somewhat look like twins. Not to mention WiFi function build-in, in my country, 3G(384kbps) is definite a cheaper option and runs faster than GPRS for conneting onto internet. Especially 3.5G will soon be kicked-off (start from 1.8Mbps then up to 3.6Mbps)and Hermes has been ready for it with its HSDPA spec.

Unfortunately I am getting mad on tuning my Hermes. Some problems still need to be resolved. I will share with you once I got answers…

]]> By: brucewilsonpahttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-23 brucewilsonpa Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:50:20 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-23 Great site, Judie -- glad to see a fellow "gadget geek" doing well! I've had the HTC TyTN, same as your JasJam except for color, since it came out 6 week ago. It is truly a great device! I had the K-Jam before so this was not a major change for me, although I went from the IPAQ hx4700 to the K-Jam and that took a bit of getting used to. But I quickly discovered that I much prefer the smaller size in my hand and pocket and the display is not only quite readible but I've come to like it better than the larger ones because it is so convenient in my palm. I have the slingmedia player on my TyTN and it's great -- when used in landscape the picture is actually large enough and clear enough to read Fox News' ticker on the bottom. Only problem with slingplayer is finding a fast enough cell connection -- Cingular 3G isn't in my area yet. I agree with your comment regarding wifi -- originally thought I wouldn't need it, but it's really handy to have and often offers the better choice for bandwidth/speed. Great site, Judie — glad to see a fellow “gadget geek” doing well!

I’ve had the HTC TyTN, same as your JasJam except for color, since it came out 6 week ago. It is truly a great device! I had the K-Jam before so this was not a major change for me, although I went from the IPAQ hx4700 to the K-Jam and that took a bit of getting used to. But I quickly discovered that I much prefer the smaller size in my hand and pocket and the display is not only quite readible but I’ve come to like it better than the larger ones because it is so convenient in my palm. I have the slingmedia player on my TyTN and it’s great — when used in landscape the picture is actually large enough and clear enough to read Fox News’ ticker on the bottom. Only problem with slingplayer is finding a fast enough cell connection — Cingular 3G isn’t in my area yet. I agree with your comment regarding wifi — originally thought I wouldn’t need it, but it’s really handy to have and often offers the better choice for bandwidth/speed.

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-19 Judie Mon, 02 Oct 2006 05:06:15 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-19 Hi Chris, today is the first day that I have really started using the Hermes...so I hate to make any snap judgements about anything. However, the keyboard slider does feels very solid. I have never owned a Wizard, but I did have the Apache and this slider feels as good or better. I want to give HTC kudos for the matte black case and the overall look of the Hermes. I never warmed to the painted silver of the Apache; this feels much more professional and classy. I haven't yet dived into the Hermes specs, but a quick glance at the Dopod site shows the 838Pro/Hermes has EDGE/GPRS/UMTS, GSM Quadband (850/900/1800/1900)+WCDMA Triband (850/1900/2100). <a href="http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Hermes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">XDA Developer's Hermes Wiki</a> shows GSM 850/900/1800/1900, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS(3G), HSDPA(3.5G). It's funny you said that about not needing WiFi: I might have felt the same way since I have an unlimited data plan through T-mobile, but when I got to Franfurt and then Thailand, the only way I could get online with my JasJar was by either connecting via UMTS/GPRS (at $15 a MB!!) or via WiFi when it was available. I was really glad to have the WiFi option, especially in the Mobius meeting rooms where it was free. ;-) I had to use UMTS/GPRS more than I would have liked on the trip; I am not looking forward to that bill...but it was worth it! Now obviously I don't leave the country every day, but having more ways to connect opens more options and allows you to roll with whatever situation is presented. :-) Hi Chris, today is the first day that I have really started using the Hermes…so I hate to make any snap judgements about anything.

However, the keyboard slider does feels very solid. I have never owned a Wizard, but I did have the Apache and this slider feels as good or better.

I want to give HTC kudos for the matte black case and the overall look of the Hermes. I never warmed to the painted silver of the Apache; this feels much more professional and classy.

I haven’t yet dived into the Hermes specs, but a quick glance at the Dopod site shows the 838Pro/Hermes has EDGE/GPRS/UMTS, GSM Quadband (850/900/1800/1900)+WCDMA Triband (850/1900/2100). XDA Developer’s Hermes Wiki shows GSM 850/900/1800/1900, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS(3G), HSDPA(3.5G).

It’s funny you said that about not needing WiFi: I might have felt the same way since I have an unlimited data plan through T-mobile, but when I got to Franfurt and then Thailand, the only way I could get online with my JasJar was by either connecting via UMTS/GPRS (at $15 a MB!!) or via WiFi when it was available. I was really glad to have the WiFi option, especially in the Mobius meeting rooms where it was free. ;-)

I had to use UMTS/GPRS more than I would have liked on the trip; I am not looking forward to that bill…but it was worth it!

Now obviously I don’t leave the country every day, but having more ways to connect opens more options and allows you to roll with whatever situation is presented. :-)

]]> By: ChrisSperahttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-18 ChrisSpera Mon, 02 Oct 2006 04:36:42 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-18 I thought the Hermes also has UMTS/HSDPA connectivity. I'm not certain, because I honestly haven't had the opportunity to put my hands on one. Don't know that I will either. I'm on a huge convergence kick right now, and with being in a new city (we purchased a home in Oswego, IL this past weekend... we're new to that part of Chicago) I'm going to get a lot of use out of the iPAQ 6515 I have. I'm really looking at picking up the 6945, and wouldn't seriously consider any device that didn't have QUAD GSM, EDGE, GPS and WM5. I'm not real big on WiFi, so I know I won't use it a lot (don't need it with the unlimited data package I've got), and don't want to pay more for UTMS/HSDPA. I'm also very big into non-sliding keyboard access. My K-JAM is getting a bit wiggly and I don't want to damage it, so I've given it a break. What's the keyboard slider like, Judie? Is it similar to the Wizard? I thought the Hermes also has UMTS/HSDPA connectivity. I’m not certain, because I honestly haven’t had the opportunity to put my hands on one. Don’t know that I will either. I’m on a huge convergence kick right now, and with being in a new city (we purchased a home in Oswego, IL this past weekend… we’re new to that part of Chicago) I’m going to get a lot of use out of the iPAQ 6515 I have. I’m really looking at picking up the 6945, and wouldn’t seriously consider any device that didn’t have QUAD GSM, EDGE, GPS and WM5. I’m not real big on WiFi, so I know I won’t use it a lot (don’t need it with the unlimited data package I’ve got), and don’t want to pay more for UTMS/HSDPA.

I’m also very big into non-sliding keyboard access. My K-JAM is getting a bit wiggly and I don’t want to damage it, so I’ve given it a break.

What’s the keyboard slider like, Judie? Is it similar to the Wizard?

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-15 Judie Mon, 02 Oct 2006 03:10:11 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-15 Hi Ellen! Wow, this feels like old home week!! :-D Your vote of confidence is a good one for the Hermes...I feel like we should start a score board. ;-) Hi Ellen! Wow, this feels like old home week!! :-D

Your vote of confidence is a good one for the Hermes…I feel like we should start a score board. ;-)

]]> By: Ellen Beemanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-14 Ellen Beeman Mon, 02 Oct 2006 03:07:21 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-14 Judie, grats on the new site! I've used a loaner Hermes for the last few days, and I agree with you, it's great. I'm going to hold off on buying one for a few months (having been burned badly as an early adopter several times, I like to wait to make sure the manufacturing defects are resolved), but it's definitely my next device. ---Ellen Judie, grats on the new site!

I’ve used a loaner Hermes for the last few days, and I agree with you, it’s great. I’m going to hold off on buying one for a few months (having been burned badly as an early adopter several times, I like to wait to make sure the manufacturing defects are resolved), but it’s definitely my next device.

—Ellen

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-12 Judie Mon, 02 Oct 2006 02:07:38 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-12 Hi maceyr, it's great to have you here. :-) Hi maceyr, it’s great to have you here. :-)

]]> By: maceyrhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-11 maceyr Mon, 02 Oct 2006 01:52:12 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-11 Wow! Quite a shock to find out via jkOnTheRun that you now have your own site. I've been a fan for a few years and actually didn't even know most of the gadgets out there had there not been theGadgeteer. Congrats on your new site. Looking forward to more great stuff! And thanks for a quick intro on where you've been. It's always nice to read. Wow! Quite a shock to find out via jkOnTheRun that you now have your own site. I’ve been a fan for a few years and actually didn’t even know most of the gadgets out there had there not been theGadgeteer. Congrats on your new site. Looking forward to more great stuff!

And thanks for a quick intro on where you’ve been. It’s always nice to read.

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-10 Judie Mon, 02 Oct 2006 01:34:09 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-10 Thanks Joel :-) @Doug: I'm a huge eBook reader, too. That's what makes giving up the Universal's large screen unappealing. But the Hermes' scroll wheel does look handy! Too bad HTC won't release a Universal with a scroll wheel. :-P Thanks Joel :-)

@Doug: I’m a huge eBook reader, too. That’s what makes giving up the Universal’s large screen unappealing. But the Hermes’ scroll wheel does look handy! Too bad HTC won’t release a Universal with a scroll wheel. :-P

]]> By: joelgeekhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-9 joelgeek Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:35:00 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-9 Judie, great site, btw! -Joel Judie, great site, btw!

-Joel

]]> By: joelgeekhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-8 joelgeek Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:18:54 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-8 I'm sold on the DoPod, for now. I've been using it to send and receive email and even administer a site or two. It's a solid device and it's SO EASY to just extend the keyboard when you want to type a lot of stuff. I was a hard core Pocket PC user until the Smartphone came into my life. Now that I've been using the DoPod I'm finding that my Smartphone is more of a "going out for the night" device, and not nearly the workhorse I once thought it was. Then again, I've also got the i320 on deck so the DoPod may be short lived in my gear bag, not to mention that the Excalibur really is sexy, and then there's the Treo 750 and then . . . I’m sold on the DoPod, for now. I’ve been using it to send and receive email and even administer a site or two. It’s a solid device and it’s SO EASY to just extend the keyboard when you want to type a lot of stuff.

I was a hard core Pocket PC user until the Smartphone came into my life. Now that I’ve been using the DoPod I’m finding that my Smartphone is more of a “going out for the night” device, and not nearly the workhorse I once thought it was. Then again, I’ve also got the i320 on deck so the DoPod may be short lived in my gear bag, not to mention that the Excalibur really is sexy, and then there’s the Treo 750 and then . . .

]]> By: dougomhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-7 dougom Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:03:22 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-7 Well, I'm probably picky because my two favorite applications/uses for my PDA are eReader and watching videos, so having a big screen is pretty important to me. That's one thing that drives me crazy about these convergent devices; all the phone manufacturers (at least, the ones that target *this* country) seem to have taken some kind of vow to have a maximum screen resolution of 320x240, which I find a major step back. But like I say, I'm picky. Well, I’m probably picky because my two favorite applications/uses for my PDA are eReader and watching videos, so having a big screen is pretty important to me. That’s one thing that drives me crazy about these convergent devices; all the phone manufacturers (at least, the ones that target *this* country) seem to have taken some kind of vow to have a maximum screen resolution of 320×240, which I find a major step back.

But like I say, I’m picky.

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-6 Judie Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:17:08 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-6 Ha! Many of your objections are the exact ones I have been throwing back at friends who're telling me that the Hermes is the "second coming" of the PDA! ;-) To be fair, there are a couple of features that make it a very intriguing choice, like the scroll wheel on the upper left side, its more pocketable size, and the layout of its buttons - just to name a few. The Hermes really is a slick little device...I just don't know if I will be able to go back to such a small screen and lesser (IMHO) keyboard. Time will tell; I am loading it with applications right now. :-) Ha! Many of your objections are the exact ones I have been throwing back at friends who’re telling me that the Hermes is the “second coming” of the PDA! ;-)

To be fair, there are a couple of features that make it a very intriguing choice, like the scroll wheel on the upper left side, its more pocketable size, and the layout of its buttons – just to name a few.

The Hermes really is a slick little device…I just don’t know if I will be able to go back to such a small screen and lesser (IMHO) keyboard.

Time will tell; I am loading it with applications right now. :-)

]]> By: dougomhttp://www.geardiary.com/2006/10/01/the-universal-dilemma/#comment-5 dougom Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:06:27 +0000 http://geardiary.com/?p=6#comment-5 I don't understand; the Hermes has a smaller resolution, smaller sized screen, a slower processor, smaller keyboard. . .aside from it being Quad-band and having a nicer camera, it seems like the Universal's the better bet. Does it an extra graphics processor or something? I'm cornfused. Doug I don’t understand; the Hermes has a smaller resolution, smaller sized screen, a slower processor, smaller keyboard. . .aside from it being Quad-band and having a nicer camera, it seems like the Universal’s the better bet. Does it an extra graphics processor or something? I’m cornfused.

Doug

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