First Impressions of the HTC Universal

This unique and very exciting form factor is a real attention grabber to anyone that sees it being demonstrated. I had the opportunity to play with a pre-production version of the HTC Universal that was in the booth at Microsoft’s Mobile Embedded Developers Conference and at the Gartner Symposium ITxpo. People would stop immediately after their eye caught the 180 degree swiveling VGA screen in action revealing a QWERTY thumb keyboard. The hinge design allows the screen to be protected by folding flat over the keyboard (Fig 1.)

This was running Microsoft's recently announced Windows Mobile 5 software. (See fig 4) This latest version of Windows Mobile has lots of internal changes to the software but the obvious ones are the look and feel. It is now more uniform to what you have on a Windows Mobile Smartphone so that one handed operation is more easily accomplished.

Unfortunately the device didn’t have a functional SIM card so I wasn’t able to test phone or data connections. The design idea is that you can still answer a phone call without opening the cover by simply pressing the talk button on the hinge (Fig. 1 again). There is a speaker accessible through the cover for your ear and the microphone is located at the bottom near the SD slot.

Fig. 1: In clamshell mode, you can close the device to protect the screen. The Call and End buttons on the edge of the device let you answer calls with the clamshell closed.

Lift up on the cover to expose the QWERTY keyboard and the beautiful VGA color screen automatically starts in landscape viewing mode. The screen looked amazingly bright, matching the brilliance of the Dell X50v’s VGA screen. PowerPoint presentations viewed on this screen were stunningly sharp and clear.

The keys were plenty large for my fat thumbs to handle but it did take a little time to adjust to the flat feel of these keys. In addition, I had to adapt to the position of the keys. Although it is a QWERTY layout, the keys are aligned on a horizontal/vertical grid—different from the vertically staggered alignment of a traditional keyboard. I think they could have made the keys a little smaller and staggered them, or raised them a little for a better tactile feel (like you find on the Samsung i730).

The clamshell mode with the landscape display above the keyboard is ideal for managing e-mail, documents or simply browsing the Web using the Wi-Fi or 3G/UMTS data connections. It’s also probably the best way to take advantage of the video conferencing capability of the device. The Universal has two cameras built into it. The one on the back of the unit captures pictures and video, which can be attached to e-mail and sent to friends or associates. The small built-in flash to the left of the lens (Fig. 2) helps improve picture quality.

Fig. 2: You can take still images or short videos with the digital camera on the back of the HTC Universal. Note the built-in flash to the left of the camera aperture.

The second is a VGA-capable video camera which can be used for video conferencing. It’s located on the front of the device adjacent to the display and navigation pad (Fig. 3). It’s well positioned for video conferencing with the Universal in clamshell mode sitting in front of you on a desk or table. The Universal has a camera application built into it, which lets you switch between and control either camera. Although the camera on the front of the device is designed primarily for video conferencing, it can also be used to take pictures or video.

Fig. 3: The HTC Universal in clamshell mode fits easily in the palm of your hand. Note the small black circle next to the lower right corner of the display. This is aperture of a VGA-capable video camera that can be used for video conferencing.

Again, since I didn’t have a SIM card, I couldn’t test the video conferencing. However, I did test the Universal’s Wi-Fi capability. It was easy to find and connect to the Wi-Fi network at the show. But because so many people were using the network, the data transfer rate was a little slow.

As mentioned, the display can be rotated 180 degrees and folded back over the keyboard, allowing you to use the Universal as a more traditional Pocket PC. The screen automatically switches to portrait viewing mode when you do this.

Fig. 4: The HTC Universal (left) is only a little larger than one of HTC ’s more traditional Pocket PCs (right). The new Excel Mobile with charting is shown on the HTC.

A little larger, but packed with power

Opened in clamshell mode, the HTC Universal is larger than most Pocket PCs. And weighing in at 10 ounces, it’s one of the heavier Windows Mobile devices around. But we’re talking inches and ounces here. Close the clamshell or fold the screen into portrait viewing mode, and the size difference isn’t that striking (Fig. 4).

The truth is, the HTC Universal needs the extra room to accommodate two digital cameras, a QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transceivers, and a 3G-capable GSM/GPRS phone. All in all, an extra couple of ounces is a small price to pay for the features built into this baby.

As is usual with new HTC phone devices, the Universal will be marketed overseas first. T-Mobile will release it as the MDA IV, Orange will release it as the SPV 3G), and Vodaphone as the VPA IV.

No word yet on which U.S. wireless carrier will offer the HTC Universal. When we find out, we’ll let you know.

Comments

[CHarlie Calvert]

i love it, its great, looks great does evrything you would ever want a phone to do.

[M C]

im looking at either this or the mini (6" screen) tablet pc in 2006 which is supposed to have a phone. as i already have a full tablet, the htc universal shown may be better than a mini tablet as it has two cameras and a "keyboard".

[zidane]

Is there caller id when the cover is closed? I see the talk/end buttons, but I don't see a little external screen. Maybe I'd have to start assigning different ringtones for everyone.

[Glenn71]

I look at thise picture but I do not see a screen on the front when the ppc is closed. Is a bit acuard that you must open the ppc to see who is calling.
I hope that there is a second screen but I could not see any one.

But nice articel.

Regards

Glenn71

[Monsemann]

I love you!!!!
You make me hard!!!!

[Karl]

Does anyone know about any software for Windows Mobile 5.0, that allows you to add handwritten comments (via the pen on the screen)onto PDF-Documents (which are received as attachments to an e-mail and which will be sent off again after adding the comments)?

Many thanks for any hints

Karl

[Akula]

How much is it gonna cost?
When's it comming out?
4" screen?
Camera interpolation?

[Ole]

Zidane: I've heard that WM 5 will include Microsoft Voice Command, which announces the caller. Can't remember my source though.

[G. TRANI]

sarebbe una macchina epocale
se avesse anche le chiamate vocali per i numeri in rubrica , un viva voce eccellente, e delle celle fotovoltaiche sul guscio!
Per un portatile che si usera' quasi esclusivamente in movimento, vuol dire al 90% in macchina, sarebbe ancora piu' fantastico !!

[Akula]

BTW.

If WM5.0 doesnt have voice command, you can spend £30 ($60USD) on MS Voice command to do that.

Pretty cool with a BT headset, just saying "Answer" to answer a phone call.

[MinOtaVrS]

Dear Mr. Dale
Welcome back and thanks for this great preview, do you know the size of internal ram ?

[Camel]

hey dave..
i've managed to get my hands on an O2 XDA Exec prototype, in fact i'm using it to type this comment right now
The device is fabulous! pity i've managed to encounter many bugs in the prototype..
the pocket MSN won't sign in, the thing will freeze if left with the flip closed (screen inside) too long while connected to Wi-Fi, sometimes calls refuse to end, it will also freeze/crash sometimes during general operation too..the cam seems to be of poor quality too, but this one's been thru rigorous drop-testing..so something's probably broken, including the screen's twist joint which I have managed to put back together with some super glue..
there's also poor qualtiy graphics like icons and other bits and pieces that obviously tell you this is a prototype. that's all I can remember off the top of my head now.. I can't get the drivers installed as the software cds I was given don’t work, and so I can't test pc connectivity nor have I found it possible to install any software.
however I will get the production version hopefully soon and make final comments then.
for now, i'm very impressed already, lets hope all the bugs are fixed soon and this will be an amazing device!

[Matteo]

Qualcuno sa dirmi quando questo gioiellino sarà disponibile in Italia e tramite quale operatore?
Ciao Matteo

[rami]

what would its name be if its sold under Imate? i got the jam right now and thought it would be the same size, but now that i see that its a little bigger then the imate pda2k i dont know... kinda discouraging.. btw price isnt an issue

[@min]

Kheyly maleeeeeeeeee :D

[ramoncito]

is the HTC UNIVERSAL touchscreen? Does it have a stylus?

[billy]

that is an awesome review! makes me want one even more!

[Ali Kharari]

I like the idea of this machine!
It looks like this what I need!!

Is this Pocket PC in the maket or not yet? Where I can buy this machine??
Thanks
Ali Kharari

[Ian]

XDA Developers have an extensive amount of info on this device:
Check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26375

[Chris H]

eXpansys Australia advise availability of the HTC Universal badged as the "i-mate JASJAR GSM/GPRS Pocket PC (Worldwide English)" priced at A$1,619.95 (1,472.68 exc.). Availability: Due Sunday 11th September 2005. Information at: http://www.expansys.com.au/product.asp?code=119353

[mikey]

will it work with a 4gb sd card??????

[Paul]

my friend got one in UK, I love it.

Where I can buy this machine in USA.

[George O.Kreenke]

Hi Guys,
where can i buy the HTC Universal and who will be the Provider?

[Nazir]

I want to upgrade my Qtek 9090 which has the below software. Please give the link to download the new softeware.
ROM: 1.22.00 WWE
ROM date: 10/22/04
Radio Version: 1.06.02
Protocol version: 1337.38
ExtROM version: 1.22.167 WWE

Thanks - Nazir

[joy morris]

JOY STORE LTD
24 WHAREHOUSE STREET
LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Sir/Ma,
LETTER OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
We are mobile phones wholesalers.We deals on all brands and models of mobile phones such as Nokia,Motorola,Samsung,Sony Ericsson,Sagem, Nextel,Sidekick II,Sprint,Ipods, Laptops, Mp3 players and many more at very cheap prices.We are using this medium to look for serious buyers of mobile phones.Do kindly reply back if you are interested and as you do you will be glad during business with us, you can reach us through our emailaddress:joystore200@go4.it.+2348034498483 thank's and God bless in anticipation of your patronage. joy morris(sales rep)
WE ARE SELLING ALL KINDS OF MOBILE PHONES LIKE:
MOTOROLA RAZOR V3 AT JUST $140usd,
NEXTEL i930 AT JUST $130usd,
NEXTEL i860 AT JUST $110usd,
SONY ERICSSON P910i AT JUST $160usd
SONY ERICSSON W800i AT JUST $160usd
SONY ERICSSON S700i AT JUST $145usd
MOTOROLA MPX 220 AT JUST $140usd,
MOTOROLA MPX 300 AT JUST $180usd,
SONY ERICSSON S700i AT JUST $140usd
SONY ERICSSON W800i AT JUST $160usd
NOKIA N92 AT JUST $220usd,
NOKIA N80 AT JUST $200usd,
NOKIA N70 AT JUST $180usd,
MICROSOFT XBOX 360 AT JUST $140usd,
PALM TREO 650 AT JUST $140usd,
PALM TREO 700W AT JUST $160usd,
PALM TREO 600 AT JUST $120usd,
NOKIA 9500 AT JUST $210usd,
NOKIA 9300 AT JUST $190usd,
NOKIA N90 AT JUST $210usd
NOKIA N91 AT JUST $230usd
SAMSUNG D600 AT JUST $200usd,
SAMSUNG D500 AT JUST $180usd,
SAMSUNG D415 AT JUST $150usd
SIDEKICK II AT JUST $120usd,
iMate Jasjar............$250usd
iMate K-Jam................$170usd
iMate PDA2k...............$210usd
iMate Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone .....$205usd

Send us an email to our email
below:joystore200@go4.it +2348034498483