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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!
I would like to get some opinion from you guys....
I am a startup developing a new kind of mobile device that combines a phone and tablet - putting a 7" screen on a less than 5" phone body. (It is not like the Galaxy Note, where the size is fixed.)
SO when you just want to make calls, check SMS and emails, just use the "phone mode" with a 4"+ screen.
When you want to surf web, watch videos/photos, transform it into a 7"-screen tablet.
Now my question is about the potential market for this device, as it seems that no company is creating a device like this, I am worried if there's no market for it.
a) For those of you carrying two devices (a phone and a tablet), are you feeling a bit inconvenient, annd would you like to have this device?
b) For those of you carrying only a phone, would you like to have a bigger screen, perhaps 7", while retaining the same portability?
c) Would you still buy a 10" tablet after you have this device? (assuming you already have a laptop)
Your help will be very much appreciated!
the first thing that came to mind upon reading this post is the asus padfone.
i do carry the 2 devices (S2 + TF101), and IMO it isn't really a big inconvenience, thus i might not be that interested. Unless it comes with a unique feature / selling point?
cheers.
if the tablet could make calls and i could pair a Bluetooth headset to it, i would get it. maybe it would stop me from texting and driving if it was 10 inch
I see no market for it. Some will buy it for what it is but not enough to make profit or even break even. Try focussing resources on let's say the body of the Droid Razr with an edge to edge screen, custom ROM that gets rid of the touch buttons of the bottom of the device so that can be more room for screen. I would buy something like that.
Or how about a smart-watch that can sync with any tablet to become a secondary display.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
Didn't they already do this? And if I recall it kinda flopped... Not being negative, but I think people are used to carrying around a bunch of gadgets...
deliriume said:
the first thing that came to mind upon reading this post is the asus padfone.
i do carry the 2 devices (S2 + TF101), and IMO it isn't really a big inconvenience, thus i might not be that interested. Unless it comes with a unique feature / selling point?
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
There are some aspects of Padfone that we don't think it will be a market success:
1. You still need to carry the 10" screen, and it is not as portable as a 4+" phone 2. When the phone is inside tablet, you'll need a headset to receive and make calls
Anyway our product is not in compete with padfone, although we have something in common - to combine devices from different categories. The key difference, besides the size, is that we emphasize on PORTABILITY; while they probably emphasize on versatile performance.
Our device is small and light and easily slip into pocket, yet comes with a beautiful 7" screen.
BTW, we think the combination of devices (our device + laptop/ultrabook) is more reasonable than (Padfone + laptop/ultrabook), because Padfone size is already very similar to laptop, and almost everyone already has a laptop.
STIDRIVER said:
Didn't they already do this? And if I recall it kinda flopped... Not being negative, but I think people are used to carrying around a bunch of gadgets...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback!
Do you mean Sony's Tablet P?
However, since there is a bezel between the two screens, it cannot be seen as a one screen tablet when unfolded. In fact this is one of the main reason why it gets poor reviews and market reactions (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-21/what-was-sony-thinking-with-tablet-p-rich-jaroslovsky.html). The bezel is simply annoying.
Our startup have found a way to remove the bezel.
Yes people now used to carry around many gadgets, because currently we have no choice
I love the idea of the padfone...4 inch phone during the day, 10 inch phone when at home.
If you have something to offer please let me know, as of know i am seriously looking at the padfone to be my next phone.
Sent from my overclocked desire z via tapatalk app
I love the idea of the padfone!
bigboxrate said:
Maybe this one can be a good choice for you if you do not mind using big screen to make telephone calls.
http://www.tinydeal.com/7-pxp7fh-p-39587.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
800 mhz and 256 ram, gross...
Sent from my overclocked desire z via tapatalk app
Good Stuff....Thanks
Tablet s Phone
I really dont understand why Tablets dont incorporate phones, I own a Dell Streak Mini 5, (best phone Ive ever owned) also a sony tablet s.
Both brilliant devices but most of the pros are duplicated by one or the other,
Dell streak, android device, good general purpose but screen too small for word processing or watching vids, not to mention the small onscreen keybord.
Tablet s, android device, good for all things android but no phone.
I dont follow the logic that there would be no market for a tablet device with a phone, I carry a phone and I carry a tablet I would far rather only carry one, i.e. the tablet with a phone in it, I use a blue tooth earpiece for all my phone/music/audio books so its not as if Ive got it stuck to my ear all the time, in fact the phone never comes out unless i want to use an app.
So the answer for me is a resounding YES device of that nature.
This is a great idea. Today's smartphones have all this horsepower but what good is it if the tiny screens make it a chore to get anything done. I'm having difficulty imagining how one would go about incorporating an additional big screen on a phone, but if you can do a clean job at it, I believe it will be success. By clean, I mean the screens should be good quality either glass or matte, not some flimsy folding ****.
noobletsausecakebbq said:
This is a great idea. Today's smartphones have all this horsepower but what good is it if the tiny screens make it a chore to get anything done. I'm having difficulty imagining how one would go about incorporating an additional big screen on a phone, but if you can do a clean job at it, I believe it will be success. By clean, I mean the screens should be good quality either glass or matte, not some flimsy folding ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes we are not using folding screens.
I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note exactly for this reason.
The screen is big enough for non-phone usage but small
enough to fit inside a pocket to carry around like you would
carry around a phone. It's already 5.4" so 7" is not that much
larger, you'd better have a real compelling reason for your
device in order to convince people who would otherwise
pick the Note.
Cool Idea
I don't know of your resource base, but have you seen the new translucent material they have demoed for new tablets. That would make your product something that would stand apart. They demoed the material at one of the electronic shows this year.
fetchinson said:
I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note exactly for this reason.
The screen is big enough for non-phone usage but small
enough to fit inside a pocket to carry around like you would
carry around a phone. It's already 5.4" so 7" is not that much
larger, you'd better have a real compelling reason for your
device in order to convince people who would otherwise
pick the Note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup! Ive had my g2 since the day it came out. The two devices im looking at is the padfone or the galaxy note. Im on tmobile usa so hooping one will get 4G sometime this summer. August is my upgrade month
Sent from my overclocked desire z via tapatalk app
challa3223 said:
I don't know of your resource base, but have you seen the new translucent material they have demoed for new tablets. That would make your product something that would stand apart. They demoed the material at one of the electronic shows this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, we are using standard touchscreens...
I think you will have a harder time distinguishing yourself from the padfone since it is out now.
Any potential successor to our beloved Photon Q? Has any of the big makers announced a more powerful, better spec'ed smartphone to take the throne from our Photon?
I don't think any of the new phones have kb's.
The Q might be one of the last sliders. Enjoy it.
Nope, nothing so far :'(
It's quite dramatic. I have owned an HTC One X prior to this, and in no way typing on a touch screen is as fast, precise and ergonomic as typing on a hardware keyboard.
I have owned the Nokia E70, E90, N900, as well as the Motorola Droid 2 Global and Samsung Captivate Glide in the past, and I really hope the Photon Q won't be the last one.
I have been thinking the same thing recently - this is the last Android phone with HW keyboard (if you do not count some low level Chinese phones). Seriouslyyyyyy - it is the middle of 2013 and there are zero phones announced. I am not complaining of lack of speed but I would really appreciate some battery life improvements, build quality and maybe display resolution .
idimitro said:
I have been thinking the same thing recently - this is the last Android phone with HW keyboard (if you do not count some low level Chinese phones). Seriouslyyyyyy - it is the middle of 2013 and there are zero phones announced. I am not complaining of lack of speed but I would really appreciate some battery life improvements, build quality and maybe display resolution .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully in the future someone will make a handset with full keyboard unlockable for any network. Open source phones. Hopefully in the future.
Was there ever a point in the past that had zero qwerty phones on the horizon? Is there a period of drought we can compare this one to or is this one unprecedented?
matt2k12 said:
...Was there ever a point in the past that had zero qwerty phones on the horizon? Is there a period of drought we can compare this one to or is this one unprecedented?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If memory serves correctly, QWERTY phones didn't start showing up en masse until Blackberrys came onto the scene. Even in their heyday (if there ever was such a thing), hardware keyboards were niche products.
I've always been partial to the physical keyboard, myself. At first, it was because my large hands have a difficult time using the on-screen keyboards effectively (even with swype or some derivative). Now in addition to that, the tactile feel of pressing buttons makes it seem like I'm doing something useful with my phone.
xaelith said:
If memory serves correctly, QWERTY phones didn't start showing up en masse until Blackberrys came onto the scene. Even in their heyday (if there ever was such a thing), hardware keyboards were niche products.
I've always been partial to the physical keyboard, myself. At first, it was because my large hands have a difficult time using the on-screen keyboards effectively (even with swype or some derivative). Now in addition to that, the tactile feel of pressing buttons makes it seem like I'm doing something useful with my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess we need to go buy the new BB to game the market for physical keyboards? lol.... Samsung or Motorola will have the next QWERTY phone, whenever that may be. No one else has any interest.
matt2k12 said:
I guess we need to go buy the new BB to game the market for physical keyboards? lol.... Samsung or Motorola will have the next QWERTY phone, whenever that may be. No one else has any interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HW keyboard phones have always been slow for new models to come out. it's a much smaller market. but those of us that love the keyboard will always be there. A new keyboard model will come out eventually. I just got my Photon Q in May because I knew there was no other model in the near future with a HW keyboard.
I've been looking around, and there are a few keyboard cases that will go on the likes of an iphone or a Galaxy S4. I think that's going to be the best option for those of us with thick thumbs. I would pay a premium for a good phone with a good keyboard, but there's just not enough demand for it anymore, I guess.
Sent from my XT897 using xda premium
So recently, I got sick of my Samsung Epic 4G despite it running the latest Android and being, generally, a great phone. I decided to go to the S4 when I saw bluetooth keyboards were available for it. I like the idea of slider keyboards as my Epic has a five row one that works flawlessly. I'm now asking for any keyboards that people have found that aren't god awful.
So I bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009MJ0V5E/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And it is honestly the worst product I have ever bought. Not only is it IDENTICAL to every slider case that exists on amazon (A lot of different brands, too), it has MANY problems.
-The buttons are hard to press down
-The space bar is the width of two letter keys across. TINY
-Delete key is intuitively placed BETWEEN KEYS.
-Delete key is also the size of one letter key.
-No spacing between keys
-Caps and FN keys are not toggle-able.
-Only a 4 row keyboard, so numbers are "FN" buttons
-This requires holding down the FN key to use a series of numbers
Overall, it was the biggest disappointment in my life. It's bad enough where I'm selling the S4 and going back to my Epic. If anyone finds a good BT keyboard and wants to stop me from making this decision, by all means. And there's a white version floating about that's exactly the same that prices anywhere from $30-90.
Go back to your epic. If you really need a slider keyboard THAT bad then this isn't the phone for you. Doubt you'll like any bluetooth keyboard.
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
elflip88 said:
Go back to your epic. If you really need a slider keyboard THAT bad then this isn't the phone for you. Doubt you'll like any bluetooth keyboard.
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been waiting on a post like this for a while. I'm in the same spot. Love my Epic, wish I had 3 extra processors.
I've been looking at this case recently:
http://www.hypercel.com/best-sellers/bluetooth-keyboards/bluetooth-keyboard-case-galaxy-s4-white
and am waiting on some feedback as I'd hate to go all in only to be let down.
elflip88 said:
Go back to your epic. If you really need a slider keyboard THAT bad then this isn't the phone for you. Doubt you'll like any bluetooth keyboard.
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the problem that there's really only one bluetooth keyboard. If one is to look on Amazon, they all have an identical design, aside from the ones that really are full-sized keyboards.
The problem is that the iPhone crowd started a trend of "buttons are so barbaric". Every phone company jumped on board because adding a keyboard meant higher manufacturing cost. Back when the HTC Touch Pro was on the market, it was thee biggest phone. Now keyboard phones are released with last-years mid-range specs. To get latest specs, you have to axe the keyboard. I simply don't know why Samsung doesn't release their own BT add-on. It's possible, and with a real company behind it, it might actually be a good add-on. There wouldn't be so many clones on Amazon (and there are near a hundred different "companies" that released the same bluetooth keyboard on Amazon) if there weren't a significant amount of buyers.
dannyzen said:
Been waiting on a post like this for a while. I'm in the same spot. Love my Epic, wish I had 3 extra processors.
I've been looking at this case recently:
http://www.hypercel.com/best-sellers/bluetooth-keyboards/bluetooth-keyboard-case-galaxy-s4-white
and am waiting on some feedback as I'd hate to go all in only to be let down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the exact same keyboard only in white. The fact that it's $80 adds layers of insult to injury. Sorry man, wouldn't make the purchase.
I mean, this add-on makes the phone significantly thicker than my Epic, but I'm a guy. They put pockets on our jeans.
TPMJB said:
It's the problem that there's really only one bluetooth keyboard. If one is to look on Amazon, they all have an identical design, aside from the ones that really are full-sized keyboards.
The problem is that the iPhone crowd started a trend of "buttons are so barbaric". Every phone company jumped on board because adding a keyboard meant higher manufacturing cost. Back when the HTC Touch Pro was on the market, it was thee biggest phone. Now keyboard phones are released with last-years mid-range specs. To get latest specs, you have to axe the keyboard. I simply don't know why Samsung doesn't release their own BT add-on. It's possible, and with a real company behind it, it might actually be a good add-on. There wouldn't be so many clones on Amazon (and there are near a hundred different "companies" that released the same bluetooth keyboard on Amazon) if there weren't a significant amount of buyers.
It's the exact same keyboard only in white. The fact that it's $80 adds layers of insult to injury. Sorry man, wouldn't make the purchase.
I mean, this add-on makes the phone significantly thicker than my Epic, but I'm a guy. They put pockets on our jeans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.amazon.com/TOP®-Wireless-Removable-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B00D03KVYE/ref=pd_sim_cps_4
http://www.amazon.com/Arbalest-Remo...&sr=1-16&keywords=wireless+keyboard+galaxy+s4
These look like the other option you have, but I don't see anything else. The delete key seems to be in a better position.
i prefer physical kb also. not sure the battery drain from having bt on all the time would be worth it.
Phatdawg said:
http://www.amazon.com/TOP®-Wireless-Removable-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B00D03KVYE/ref=pd_sim_cps_4
http://www.amazon.com/Arbalest-Remo...&sr=1-16&keywords=wireless+keyboard+galaxy+s4
These look like the other option you have, but I don't see anything else. The delete key seems to be in a better position.
i prefer physical kb also. not sure the battery drain from having bt on all the time would be worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*sigh*
I'm wondering if I could frankenstein something out of my spare Samsung Epic and my S4. Would likely require more know-how with the software than I currently have.
epic 4g is still a great phone, the most ergonomic i've ever used and the keyboard really comes in handy not only for typing but as a "holder" to view the screen & navigate
these days i use it as a remote/mouse when i hook my PC up to the tv and it works flawlessly
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.