Windows Mobile 5 Compatible ?

[Barakka]

Anyone have any info on any devices confirmed to be compliant with Windows Mobile 5 ?

Need a device now (can't wait for the launch) and need GPRS/Tel either built-in or available, but ideally want to be future compatible with WM5. I thought if any it would be the HP devices as they seem most in bed with MS at the moment, but all the rumours seem to point to only PDAs with Intel chips being WM5 compatible, hence HPs leaked new 6700 series with Intel chips.

I know it's a long shot...

[dangel]

You can install WM 5 on the XDA2 - check out www.xda-developers.com for lots of info...

[Aaron]

I would warn against the above. It's illegal and will void your warranty.

The only company that has confirmed that it will be offering it's customers an official upgrade to WM5.0 is Eten (makers of the M500 and M600). Even Eten have been sending out a mixed message as to whether they will release an upgrade or not though.

HTC, Motorola, HP, BenQ, etc. have all confirmed (as far as I know) that they will not be offering an upgrade for their existing PDA phones, not even for a fee. Companies seem a lot keener to offer upgrades for non-connected devices for some reason.

I think your best bet would be to wait for the HTC Universal to be released in Oct-Nov or just go for whatever WM 2003 device takes your fancy.

[Barakka]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I would warn against the above. It's illegal and will void your warranty.

Cheers for the warning, has to be all above board as it's not for personal use... shame, been offered the XDA II for nowt Guess we'll just have to bite the bullet and go for a WM2003 device and be prepared to bin it when WM5 comes out

Only other option from what i've seen is one of the HP devices that is rumoured to be forwards compatible with WM5 (hx4700 i think ?), but would need a GPRS card for that one.

[dangel]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I would warn against the above. It's illegal and will void your warranty.

Well yes it's technically a bit naughty but then's so reflashing your device with any ROM - should it stop you? No, not really, you can always reflash it to the original ROM if necessary. If it's non-working they're going to replace the whole motherboard (and ROM) anyway or just send you a new device. I'll leave the morality issue up to the individual - as you say HTC (and the operators) have blown out official upgrades so it's not as though they're offering a legal upgrade path (which is a bit silly really as they'd make good money as many people will be locked into contracts past the release of new devices next year).

Anyway, it's a good deal if you can do it - XDA2's can be picked up second hand for very good money and with WM5 they're sorted. I've had an XDA, XDA 2 and i'm now on the Qtek S100 (othewise known as the i-mate jam, orange m500 etc) which runs WM2003SE which is fine for my needs. There's still a lot of incompatibility with WM5 stuff so i don't miss it too much tbh.

[Barakka]

Cheers for the replies everybody...

Think i'm gonna go with the XDA II if I can get it for free, then we'll think about upgrade problems when WM5 comes out and we start using it. We're definately going to need WM5 for some of its extra functionality but some of that will have a significant development lead time on it as the programmers skill up anyway

[dangel]

TBH the only thing i missed from WM5 was the not-loosing-data when battery goes dead - the rest of it was so-so and not a world away from 2003SE for me.

[Barakka]

Originally Posted by dangel

TBH the only thing i missed from WM5 was the not-loosing-data when battery goes dead - the rest of it was so-so and not a world away from 2003SE for me.

It's all about PUSH !

[dangel]

Originally Posted by Barakka

It's all about PUSH !

Fair comment for business users There are ways to do it on older devices tho