After releasing the
T-Mobile Phone Edition, T-Mobile dropped out of the PDA landscape for
some time. While they have had success with the Blackberry and the
Sidekick, it has been years since they have introduced a device that
included more advanced PDA functionality like that of Windows Mobile.
Designed by HTC, the T-Mobile MDA is a small and portable device that
features a slew of wireless functionality and a keyboard that rivals
competitors on all platforms and carriers.
Basic Internals
Like many a couple new Windows Mobile PDA/Phone
devices, the T-Mobile MDA is based on the HTC Wizard design. Similar
editions of the device are available from T-Mobile Europe and from
Cingular in the US. The MDA is powered by the TI OMAP 850 processor
running at 200 MHz. The device includes 128 MB of ROM space and 64 MB of
RAM. For expandability, there is a miniSD slot. Wirelessly, the MDA is
connects to GSM/GPRS networks (though would need to be unlocked to
connect to a non-T-Mobile network) and supports EDGE for faster wireless
connectivity. Outside of cellular wireless, Bluetooth is included for
local connectivity and 802.11b WiFi for more extensive network
connectivity. While it is stated that the WiFi is only rated at 802.11b,
but there has been extensive discussions of the ability to support
802.11g through a registry key change. The screen of the MDA is QVGA
(240x320 pixels) showing 16-bit color. The battery is rated at 1200 mAh
and 1.3 megapixel camera is included on the back of the device. One of
the major hardware features of the device is the slide out keyboard,
which I will discuss more later. The T-Mobile MDA runs Windows Mobile
5.0 and includes some additional T-Mobile specific software.
Device Style
While the HTC Wizard has a specific set of internal
features, the face and some of the device design differs between the
carriers offering the product. The T-Mobile MDA has a rounded front
face. The speaker end of the phone is at the top of the device with two
LED lights. The left light shows WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity while
the right light shows the cellular connection and battery related
notifications. Just below the speaker are two buttons. By default these
buttons are setup as for starting Mail and Internet Explorer. Below the
screen is a number of other buttons, the first two being the soft key
buttons for onscreen one handed control. The send and end buttons for
the phone is below the soft keys with the directional pad and action
button between them. The left side of the devices includes a button that
defaults to the Communication Manager and an up/down slider that is
unusually used for volume control. The top half of the front of the
device pushes from left to right to reveal the keyboard. The keyboard
has 39-keys for keyboard functionality with two soft keys (as the ones
on the front face do not line up when the screen turns to landscape
mode. The keys on the keyboard feature blue lights behind them for
visibility in the dark when the keys are pressed. (Note that the light
does not turn on when the keyboard is opened, only when the keys are
used.) The right side of the device includes a button that defaults to
voice speed dial and one for launching the camera software. On the
bottom of the device is the USB port for connectivity to a desktop or
laptop computer. There is also a 2.5mm connection for a headset and a
latch to open the battery compartment. The devices stylus is accessible
from the bottom of the device. The stylus is only about two inches long
but extends to over three inches. On the back of the device is the
camera with a light that can be turned on or off from in the camera
software. On the top of the device is the miniSD card slot as well as
the power button. While the MDA boarders on being nearly an inch thick,
it feels relatively small in the hand and has a sleek style. The buttons
make the face look smooth and finished.
As A Phone
Because the MDA is available directly from T-Mobile,
the phone functionality of the device is even more important because it
was sold by a phone carrier. While the MDA does bring unique PDA
functionality, being that most users will have to either purchase or
extend a contract to get the device, I place a pretty high importance in
the phone functionality since users will probably also be using the MDA
as their primary cell phone. The sizing of the MDA is much like many
non-flip-phone devices. The speaker is easy to feel as it is right on
the front face of the device. While it is only a slit, the sound quality
is loud and vibrant. I actually run the in-call volume on a relatively
low setting. On most devices, I run it on the high even of the volume
meter. This is both good and bad. It means I have a lot of room for
people that speak quietly, but it can be a problem if someone is loud
(because it is hard to make it quieter) and it, in some cases, may make
it easier for others to overhear the conversation. The speaker does
double well with speaker phone functionality. It is easy to hear the
other end of the conversation. The microphone is on the bottom of the
device like with most Phone Edition products. While it isn?t as visibly
defined as on same devices, the quality is still clear to those on the
other end of the conversation. While the quality of the phone connection
is important, another important consideration is the dialing
functionality. Because this is a Phone Edition device and not a
Smartphone, there is a not a numeric-pad built into the hardware of the
unit. The numeric-pad is launched on screen by pressing the call button.
The MDA does have voice dialing support built in that needs to be
configured, but instead of pressing the call button the voice dial
button can be pressed. While dialing, the phone software will attempt to
find contacts that match the data entered, this is functionality built
into all Windows Mobile devices. With the MDA?s keyboard open, dialing
can be done from the numeric row on the keyboard. When the phone
application is on the screen, the keys will automatically default to the
special character or number for each key. You cannot search contacts
from the phone screen using characters, only using numbers. You have to
go into the Contacts list to search by name (unless you want to use the
number representation of the letter). Unlike some other devices, the MDA
does not have a defined numeric area on the keyboard that emulates a
phone numeric pad. The numbers are only place like a standard QWERTY
keyboard. I particularly like the integration of phone (and other)
notifications in Windows Mobile 5.0 with the hardware. When a call is
missed or a voice mail is left, a notification appears on screen or is
collapsed to the soft key. This makes it easy to get to without having
in to tap the screen.
As A PDA
Like with the phone functionality of the device, a lot
of the PDA functionality is very similar to that of other Windows
Mobiles devices because the same features are built into the operating
system. The device runs Windows Mobile 5.0 which means there are a
significant number of benefits for smaller devices like the MDA when it
comes to usability. The device is easier to use one handed because of
the soft keys. But on top of the software, the form factor also comes
into play in how useable the device is. With all the one handed
functions built in, one question is how easy is it to use the device one
handed? I found the MDA to be structured so it is easy to hold in my
hand. The directional pad is easy to use with my thumb and the
directions are well separated (though this could be a downside for
gaming). It is interesting that it was decided the two quick launch
buttons should go at the top of the device, but actually it is still
fairly easy to reach them with one hand and it is likely that you will
not have to use them as off as buttons like the soft keys and
directional pad. It is an interesting use of space because many
manufactures might have simply put nothing at the top of the device. The
buttons are soft and easy to press but still give some feedback as to
when the have been pressed. I find it too bad that the up/down control
are always mapped to volume. While this can be good for easy access to
the functionality of the sound controls, my thumb often rests over this
button and it would be useful sometimes to use it instead of the
directional pad. As I referenced earlier, there is not a whole lot
different about the PDA functionality then other Windows Mobile devices,
though the keyboard is really where the full experience of using the
device comes into play as it really advances the functionality of the
device. With the keyboard, I can use Word Mobile more extensively,
writing longer documents and making easier edits to documents. I find it
a lot easier having the keyboard because you do not lose screen real
estate when you need the keyboard and can still use the stylus to
augment the usability experience. I often find that I both use the
keyboard and the stylus on the screen together in some cases, combing
functionality to allow me to do more.
The Keyboard
Inside the MDA is a QWERTY keyboard that is accessible
by sliding the screen from left to right while looking at the front face
of the device. Opening the keyboard flips Windows Mobile into landscape
mode so it lines up with the keyboard. The keyboard features five rows
of keys. The top most row features only two buttons, which are the soft
keys. The soft keys are not as directly below the on-screen buttons like
on the front face, but that does not have much effect on the usability.
Unlike a desktop computer keyboard, the letter keys of the keyboard are
placed in a grid but since you use your thumbs to type, the layout has
little effect on being able type effectively. The top full row of keys
doubles as a numeric input when the function key is pressed (not held).
The other keys feature symbols found on the keyboard and additional
symbols not shown (like international characters) can be found via the
space bar. The only symbol that has its own button not requiring the
function key to be pressed is the period. Tab and enter both have unique
buttons with no other functions. Backspace doubles with delete and the
arrow keys also include symbols as their secondary function. The
keyboard includes a Windows key (also known by some as the Start menu
key) and an OK key. The Windows key will drop the start menu while the
OK button will ?tap? the OK or the Close button for the active window.
This makes navigating from the keyboard possible if you remember about
using tab to go between fields. With the keyboard open, the directional
pad on the front face of the device can also be used as opposed to the
arrow keys on the keyboard. Initially I was a little worried about the
keys simply because they were buttons. (I do not know why I was really
worried as I have liked other button keyboards that are on devices.) I
think I also worried that the keys would be hard to use being flush with
the device. Unlike other devices where they keyboard is always exposed
and they keys can be raised, with the design of the slide out keyboard
on the MDA, the keys need to be nearly flush with the piece the bottom
half of the device to it will slide under the top half. Even with
relatively large fingers, I find it easy to type on the MDA and not hit
or miss hit keys. The keys click when pressed so there is a feel when
you have pressed the key successfully. They are placed just right so you
do not often hit two keys at once and the space bar is large for easy
pressing by either thumb. Each of my thumbs can easily reach to any
point on the keyboard so there is little worry of not being able to
reach a key. Once you begin pressing keys on the keyboard, they will
become lit with a blue light. Both the primary and the secondary
functions of the keys are lit, which is a bonus for using the device low
light or simply to highly the letters on the keys and make them easier
to read. One final concern that I initially always have when it comes to
devices with keyboards is the weighting. When it comes to the MDA, the
weight of device is in the part of the device with the keyboard. The
screen only has a minimal weight, which means it will not easily flip
out of your hands while you are using it. Unlike devices that simply
have a built in keyboard, the slide out functionality means that there
is an easy place for your pointer fingers to hold and grip the side of
the device that is under the screen while letting you middle fingers old
the device from under the keyboard. Overall I have been impressed with
the keyboard and have found it easy to use. I even use it to respond too
many of your emails that I get through the site so I can answer
questions on the go. While the buttons do work well, I do like the style
of the square gray buttons found on other versions of the HTC Wizard and
on the HTC Universal. I think those buttons would have given the device
more style though I do not know if they would have improved or hurt
performance. One thing that is missing from the MDA (and may other
similar style devices) is the ability to easily see when locks are
turned on. When you are using a desktop keyboard, there almost always
are three lights to show if the caps, num, and scroll locks are enabled
or disabled. On most mobile devices, you cannot easily see if the caps
lock is on or if you have accidentally double tapped the function key
and now it is locked. This would be easy functionality to either be
included by Microsoft on screen or to be included by the device
manufacture in the form of hardware lights on the keyboard. (If you are
unsure why this is such a big deal, just wait until you try and enter a
password and can?t figure out why it does not work. It is probably
because the function key or caps lock was turned on.)
Wireless Features
The MDA is packed full of wireless. Being that the
expandability is limited by having only a miniSD slot (which it can be
difficult to find a memory card for in a retail store) it is good that
all three types of wireless are included. Of course there is GSM/GPRS
functionality because otherwise it wouldn?t be a phone device and
otherwise it wouldn?t be on T-Mobile. T-Mobile presets the GSM/GPRS
settings so that the device will automatically connect via cellular
wireless if it does not have another connection. This is nice
functionality though beware of it if you do not have a data service plan
as the feature could become costly. The WiFi and Bluetooth functionality
is pretty standard. There hasn?t seemed to be any major limitations to
the functionality. There is a lot of talk about the WiFi being 802.11g
but the functionality being disabled by the registry. I have not tried
this functionality though there is a lot of talk about if it really does
allow for g access or just access to g-only access points at b speeds.
The battery life becomes less when the wireless features are enabled,
but that is to be expected when wireless is turned on. The battery life
on the device is strong on the device though. I normally don?t even get
below 50% in a day of on and off use, only leaving the wireless
functionality on when I am using it.
Other Features
One interesting feature of the MDA is the
stylus. Instead of being full length like in some other similar
products, the MDA is about half size but extends to be near full length.
This is an interesting take as it is even smaller than previous extended
styli that have come to market in devices. With the style of the MDA, I
actually find it useful. It is very small in the hand when you are
trying to use the keyboard and tap the screen at the same time. Since
the MDA has a keyboard, the writing functionality with the stylus is not
really used as often. The MDA does not come with a cradle. It uses a
standard USB interface so it easy to find connectors and there are some
custom cradles available. In the box with the MDA is a pretty simple
case. Most HTC devices come with some kind of cases and this case is
nearly identical. The MDA comes with a case that holds the device
landscape. There is a belt clip built-in. The case is not great for in
the pocket because of the belt clip, so it is too bad it can not be
removed as it would make the sizing a little smaller.
Final Thoughts
It has been some time since T-Mobile has offered a
Windows Mobile based PDA/Phone product. The T-Mobile Phone Edition was
the first, but T-Mobile, like some other carriers in the US, have held
of carrying new Phone Edition devices. With the success of the
Blackberry, Sidekick, and Treo, new style Phone Editions like the MDA
have entered the market. The MDA brings a new style to the T-Mobile line
up, and one that brings the unique functionality of Windows Mobile 5.0
for both the business user and the general consumer. Obviously the MDA
is geared more toward users who are data centric and want a PDA with
phone functionality as opposed to a user that simply wants a phone. The
keyboard is of great benefit to text messaging and the software features
of Windows Mobile like Word Mobile (where some of this review was
written). There are some drawbacks to the device. The size is one issue
I have and another is fear of damage to both the device in general and
the touch screen. Priced at under $400 with a contract, the MDA is a
moderately price PDA but a high priced phone. I am impressed with the
quality of the product and functionality. I think many users will find
it to significantly augment their mobile lifestyle. |
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