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Suitable upgrade for HTC Universal

I have been very happy with the HTC Universal over the last 5 years.
Unfortunately it is beginning to get a little loose and worn.
I have already replaced the screen on the poor thing after one accident.
Could someone help with advice on a suitable upgrade? I don't appear to see one on the HTC website which fits my likes (or any on other sites).
I have been looking through the HTC website, and thought the Athena/x7500 would be suitable, but then realised that this appears to be EOL already.
Items I like on the Universal, is the hi-res 640x480 screen. Better would be nice. It appears to be ~4" or so
I like the size of the keys on the keyboard, it is just about right for me. (it is a must, to be able to hide the keyboard). I like the way that the keys are rounded, and I can use it without light. Unfortunately, I do not like the way that the keyboard can be slid in on the HTC touch pro, I think I will hit the top screen with my fingers?
I like the way that I can attach a bluetooth GPS device and use it as a navigator for the car.
Quad band would be extremely useful, although I have an alternative quad-band phone for when it is required, it would be very useful to have it in the main phone.
Internet browser is a must (but is there any phone nowadays which doesn't have one?). Hi-speed internet is not a requirement.
Touchscreen is a must. (as is a stylus hide-hole)
I doubt it makes any real difference, but I am currently on T-Mobile UK.
An SD slot (or CF alternatively), would be good for storage. It would be useful if the phone had Excel and Word, or compatibles, as I do often use these.
Thanks in advance,

A good question!
I have Universal also and have found very hard to get a real replacement for great Uni!
I have now Rhodium, which to my opinion is the closer to an upgrade but I have to be honest there are some things still miss...
Better keyboard (Uni has the best hardware keyboard to this date)
VGA
From factor (unbeatable)
But we have to face the fact that HTC made Universal so good, so advanced to it´s time that hardly they will make something on the same line (I really hope I´m wrong)
Rhodium can make you feel good in the meantime

orb3000 said:
But we have to face the fact that HTC made Universal so good, so advanced to it´s time that hardly they will make something on the same line (I really hope I´m wrong)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I suppose i can take some solace that there are others that think the same!

Of course!
We are several people thinking that way, just have a look on Universal section and you´ll see how in love members are with great Uni!

WP7 Alternative Keyboard?

Hi Guys,
Long story short: Digitizer died on my HD2, tried to replace it, couldnt put it all back together again. Friend has given me an HD7s which was spare.
I was running cyanogenmod on my HD2 and the android keyboard (gingerbread I guess?) is (well, was) much more enjoyable to type on than the NoDo WP7 keyboard.
Firstly the WP7 keyboard feels sluggish when typing at speed, and corrections and suggestions aren't nearly as good.
Are there any registry tweaks I can use, or has anyone created a custom keyboard (similar to the cyanogen/gingerbread one).
Hardware-wise I'm getting used to the lack of physical buttons, software-wise I'm looking forward to Mango... I just wish my friend had a spare Desire HD instead as I feel much more at home with Android

streetster said:
Hi Guys,
Long story short: Digitizer died on my HD2, tried to replace it, couldnt put it all back together again. Friend has given me an HD7s which was spare.
I was running cyanogenmod on my HD2 and the android keyboard (gingerbread I guess?) is (well, was) much more enjoyable to type on than the NoDo WP7 keyboard.
Firstly the WP7 keyboard feels sluggish when typing at speed, and corrections and suggestions aren't nearly as good.
Are there any registry tweaks I can use, or has anyone created a custom keyboard (similar to the cyanogen/gingerbread one).
Hardware-wise I'm getting used to the lack of physical buttons, software-wise I'm looking forward to Mango... I just wish my friend had a spare Desire HD instead as I feel much more at home with Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each their own, I guess, but I have a Gingerbread android phone for work and WP7 for my personal phone. The WP7 onscreen keyboard it head and shoulders better than the one for GB. I use Swype for my work phone most of the time now and it's better if I actually swype. If I tap to type then WP7 wins again.
But, hey, like I said, to each their own. To answer your original question, I don't believe there is a way to replace the SIP on WP7.

Avatar28 said:
To each their own, I guess, but I have a Gingerbread android phone for work and WP7 for my personal phone. The WP7 onscreen keyboard it head and shoulders better than the one for GB. I use Swype for my work phone most of the time now and it's better if I actually swype. If I tap to type then WP7 wins again.
But, hey, like I said, to each their own. To answer your original question, I don't believe there is a way to replace the SIP on WP7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be a case of having to get used to it, but it definitely feels slower. What WP7/Gingerbread devices are you using? The HD7/HD2 comparison feels fair as the devices are the same size, just typing feels slower and one of the irritations is that if I write half a word and hit space I'm left with half a word, rather than the auto-correct suggestion for the word I wanted. Seems android is better in that regard.
In terms of typing accuracy it's probably the same - just need to type less under Android than I'm having to do under WP7.
I guess Mango is a few months off, not sure whether to try to pickup another HD2 off ebay or a DesireHD or just hang onto this one... It's a US phone which will be great when I'm in the US next month (4G) but I only get EDGE in the UK which is rather slow!

[Q] Bluetooth keyboard

Can anyone recommend a decent bluetooth keyboard? I would like one that would also work with other machines such as a windows laptop (I am just future proofing a bit here!)
Thanks.

astromark said:
Can anyone recommend a decent bluetooth keyboard? I would like one that would also work with other machines such as a windows laptop (I am just future proofing a bit here!)
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Motorola Keyboard and use it between the desktop and Xoom all the time. Really convenient with the volume buttons and such (as they both work for windows and the Xoom).

hipstreet keyboard/case combo is pretty nice. feels secure and the screen props at a nice angle. pretty much makes it feel like a touchscreen laptop
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

Bought the Moto keyboard for $40 a couple of weeks ago and they threw in a mouse. Can't beat the deal and it's a very solid keyboard. Bit plasticky in build in comparison to some others I've used (and the Xoom itself) but it seems like it should hold up to daily abuse just fine.

Acer has a nice compact Android specific keyboard as well. I have both the Acer and the Motorola and like the Acer for it's size, build and typing feel better than the Moto.

Motorola keyboard is good.

Thanks all. I've ordered the moto one. It should arrive tomorrow. It'll sure beat typing on screen.

My Motorola keyboard arrived the other day. It's well-built although the layout of some of the keys takes a little getting used to. Quite why the forward apostrophe ' and the backwards one ` are where they are I don't know, as they're the wrong way round.
And it`s (see) a British layout, with the pound sterling symbol above the 3, but ICS is refusing to play ball and pressing that gives me #. Pressing quote gives me @ and pressing rats-tail at gives me "
I know there is a separate thread about this; I assume it`s (there it is again, wrong!) because I have the US ICS ROM.
It's also a bigger keyboard than I had expected, but it is at least easy to type on.
But right now I just kind of wish I had got a standard Windows keyboard, at least I know instinctively where the keys are on that.
The media and Android keys are useful, but on the wifi XOOM, ones like MMS/text are useless - the ability to redefine their action would be useful.
And anyone know what the three horizontal lines key, next to END, is supposed to do?

Looking for a bluetooth keyboard for Tab S 8.5 inch, need your suggestion!

Hi, I need a small bluetooth keyboard for Tab S 8.5 inch, it's a gift for Father's day, I hope it can work with both android and windows system, because my
mom has a windows system tablet, if you have any good recommendation, please let me know, I really appreciate if you can share a link, thanks in advance.

tomatoguy said:
Hi, I need a small bluetooth keyboard for Tab S 8.5 inch, it's a gift for Father's day, I hope it can work with both android and windows system, because my
mom has a windows system tablet, if you have any good recommendation, please let me know, I really appreciate if you can share a link, thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on the price you are willing to pay, the quality you want, and the features you expect.
For a highly unique keyboard that has some great features, typing size, compatability, and is small enough to give some cellphones a run for the money the textblade is an interesting choice
text blade
Logitech makes a couple android compatible keyboards. This one is a respectable size and has the compatibility you want. The only downside (imho) is the use of aaa batteries instead of a built in rechargeable one but some may see that as a bonus plus keyboards can last a long time on a single set of batteries
logitech keyboard
There are various others but without having more information on the person who will be using the keyboard. Where the keyboard will be used. The main use for the keyboard. (Email, spreadsheet work, or maybe writing a book) Without this information all I can give are a very safe keyboard and a very interesting one.

I love the keyboard. Having this separate keyboard allows me to keep my laptop safely off to the side and out of the way of my separate flat screen display. The tactile feedback from the keys is equivalent to my Tab S 8.5 . Not that "mushy" feel that I have experienced with other keyboards. In terms of size, it is almost equal, and the slight upward angle makes it very comfortable on my wrists. Response time is as quick as using my built in keyboard.

acdbrn2000 said:
It really depends on the price you are willing to pay, the quality you want, and the features you expect.
For a highly unique keyboard that has some great features, typing size, compatability, and is small enough to give some cellphones a run for the money the textblade is an interesting choice
text blade
Logitech makes a couple android compatible keyboards. This one is a respectable size and has the compatibility you want. The only downside (imho) is the use of aaa batteries instead of a built in rechargeable one but some may see that as a bonus plus keyboards can last a long time on a single set of batteries
logitech keyboard
There are various others but without having more information on the person who will be using the keyboard. Where the keyboard will be used. The main use for the keyboard. (Email, spreadsheet work, or maybe writing a book) Without this information all I can give are a very safe keyboard and a very interesting one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your sharing, both looks great and interesting, but the price is kind of expensive. And you are right, people need a fittest keyboard, not the most expensive one. Maybe I will get one for myself,, it's just not my father's type. Thank you all the same.

camillety226ty said:
I just got a new bluetooth keyboard from Ebay.
I typically don't buy keyboards for tablets because the keyboards usually aren't that good and few tablet apps make great use of the keyboards anyway. However, I decided I would try out the Keyboard since I already had the Samsung TabS. Here are my thoughts on the Keyboard:
The keyboard works pretty well. Typing up small messages, web searches, and social media posts work just as you expect it to work.
The keys and trackpad both work well. It's a great deal for the price .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, this is great, it looks just like what my father need, and it has a touchpad, this is awesome for the price, can't wait to give it to my father as a surprise. Thank you so much, dude.:good::good::good:

i have this one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61090583&postcount=34 I prefer this design because of portability. I would have gone for the TextBlade as well but I thought I'd wait for the price to drop a bit.

any slide keyboard cases ?

Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks

Caffeineshock said:
Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got you, but I highly doubt any company will sell that product, as the phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.

Aliciakeystx said:
I got you, but I highly doubt any company will sell that product, as the phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plus Android has sucked at bluetooth keyboards for a long time. Just the way a physical keyboard is handled by the OS sucks.
Every time you click on a text box your on-screen keyboard will appear regardless that you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected. I hate to bring Apple in this but they handle that so much better, like if external keyboard connected -> don't use half of the screen for the on-screen keyboard.

Update
Caffeineshock said:
Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you man
I bought my Note9 because it makes the user interface /experience a little more
like the desktop i am used to. Tapping on a touchscreen is very ineffective so the S-pen and some tricks
really improve our everyday use.
I would also like to search for this item, first of all it should be a keyboard that flips/slide
as you will need a case for your phone anyways. Just look at this nice product (too bad its another phone)
but it offers a tactile real keyboard as the top cover:
store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1
Currently found accessories
amazon.ca/Keyboard-BoxWave%C2%AE-SlimKeys-Bluetooth-Integrated/dp/B07HJGC369
Universal:
kanbkam.com/sa/en/microsoft-universal-bluetooth-keyboard-for-smartphone-and-tablet-black-9267671
Another universal item, kick-starter, I think its not available thou:
yahoo.com/news/brilliant-smartphone-keyboard-never-needs-recharged-154726860.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD5_pmfj4zRBRIkuhSWQk4dQ-QaBfod0TjbzHn5JXD-QVOh-vvawS-nT3W0Wz0gNB_52MkOQXOJzRPQDAd9CYQiY3e_hupvwJrrHBEifbzHBzwf4_F9wc3ooy9wTAh_CP-7nHBvQ47RMAa8rMc5cXkk9leSp-ROSGz0SpB5YW3YJ
This maybe could be something? Seems like its only a beta-product for Pixel phones at this moment:
Evo Type case from Tech21
watch?v=9w5fknQKOUk
Aliciakeystx said:
phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We´re old habits desktop users.
Wont never be as fast or productive with the touchscreen
apatcas said:
Plus Android has sucked at bluetooth keyboards for a long time. Just the way a physical keyboard is handled by the OS sucks.
Every time you click on a text box your on-screen keyboard will appear regardless that you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected. I hate to bring Apple in this but they handle that so much better, like if external keyboard connected -> don't use half of the screen for the on-screen keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really?
No fix for that?

i use b.o.w HB199 it is very compact

I have long hated the virtual keyboard. Well good news! You can tell it to hide when a hardware keyboard is present, it's in settings :input.
Now, I'd pay $100 for a GOOD slider keyboard specifically fitting our Note 9. I loved the Droid 2. That phone design was dope. A bigger qwerty slider would be amazing. I am faster with a slider keyboard. If there was such a thing... I'd pay up. I may try to 'make' one someday like I have seen some here do.