Just got my MDA VARIO III (HTC KAISER)

[Dorza]

Can you guys clarify something for me please since I am confused as to what all the fuss is about over contract phones; I have always been on PAYG. What I don't understand is the fact that you can get the Kaiser for £438, add talk time, which for me is £50. As far as talking and texting is concerned that will last me around about a year, so the cost of the phone is £488. I am not the kind of guy that wants a new phone every 18 months or whatever so I would probably keep something like the kaiser for 3 years. If I added £50 each year the total cost of the phone would be £588.

Now if I were to get the phone on the cheapest web 'n' walk tariff I'd pay £405 for line rental plus £170 for the phone so thats £575 for the phone over an 18 month period....whats the point is my question because I'd be paying so much more in ratio to the period of time I would have owned the phone. Lets make it worse: take the Flext 30 + web 'n' walk...total cost over 18 months is £695 . It seems to me that unless you use all the minutes/txts up each and every month there is no point in going down the contract route?

What major thing have I missed here because there must be something? I know you get free web surfing which I presume is over HSDPA. Is that what makes it worth it since you have to pay to access most WiFi hotspots? If WiFi access was mostly free would it still be worth it? I really want the Kaiser but I don't know what to do; PAYG or contract.

[Funkstar]

You've basically got the jist of it. If you are not going to make use of the inclusive texts an minutes then there is little point in going contract.

There are things that aren't available on PAYG, like Web'n'Walk Plus, which you need if you want to be able to use the Kaiser as a modem or use instant messaging on the device.

[ericb]

Bazzlad

Spooky, we tread the same path.

I went from A1000 to MDA Vario to MDA Compact III to MDA Vario III.

Great minds think alike.

[Bazzlad]

Heres a question to all WM users-

What Apps do you install?

[dangel]

Wisbar advance is a must. I also love phoneAlarm.

http://www.pocketmax.net/phoneAlarm.html

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/

[ericb]

TomTom 6
SPB Mobile Shell
SPB Backup
SPB Weather
Battery Status
Google Maps
Reperion
Resco File Explorer
TCPMP
Tube 2
VTap
WiFi Companion
WIMP

[Tarffie]

Ordered one at the weekend but I have a feeling I'm not going to get it until next week at the earliest. Looks like they didn't anticipate the popularity.

[Bazzlad]

TomTom 6
SPB Mobile Shell
Resco File Explorer

And an overclockign utility - can't remember the name!

[Funkstar]

This looks interesting
http://www.cootek.com/

There is a video of it in use which heps explain things

[Bazzlad]

This is better - if you don't have a qwerty keyboard on your wm device I've used and can recommend:

http://www.tengo.net/

[ericb]

Have a look on 'ipmart forum' for 'HTC Phonepad', this is very good if you like conventional texting type input.

[Dorza]

You've basically got the jist of it. If you are not going to make use of the inclusive texts an minutes then there is little point in going contract.

There are things that aren't available on PAYG, like Web'n'Walk Plus, which you need if you want to be able to use the Kaiser as a modem or use instant messaging on the device.

I'm probably showing a lack of understanding here but whats to stop me running Windows Live Messenger on the regular web'n'walk package? If I have unlimited access (= 1GB/pm) to the net and WLM runs over the net then whats to stop me using it? I don't understand that aspect of the "Plus" plans.

[Funkstar]

I'm guessing ports are blocked or content is fitered.

Either that or it is purely a Terms and Conditions thing

[0iD]

I lub my BlackBerry 8800, so there

[Howard]

I love my SPV C650 Beautiful little smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard in a small standard phone size package It runs WM6 Standard instead of Pro that you Kaizer boys get though Not that it's an issue, WM6 is in itself ace

[Dorza]

I'm guessing ports are blocked or content is fitered.

Either that or it is purely a Terms and Conditions thing

Ah ok, that slipped my mind the port blocking and filtering. Even so, I would have thought that I can still use a web based version through the browser, so there might be something in the terms about it too. Either way it's not worth paying extra for such a service imo. I think I have decided to go for the basic web'n'walk package. The minutes are enough for my usage. Over PAYG internet access would be too expensive in the long run, so this web'n'walk thing is very nearly a clincher for me. Thanks for your insight Funkstar.