Anything similar to Athena? - Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo General

Is there any device in market or coming soon similar to Athena?
Important features included:
large screen (5" or above)
under $1000
long battery life
instant on
wifi, gps
weight about 1 lb
It should have more than one in this market segment.
Thanks!

Where have you been? Look at it's successor HTC Advantage X7510: http://www.digitalburn.com/index.php/2008/05/21/review-of-htcs-x7510-advantage/
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alui said:
Is there any device in market or coming soon similar to Athena?
Important features included:
large screen (5" or above)
under $1000
long battery life
instant on
wifi, gps
weight about 1 lb
It should have more than one in this market segment.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. I'm looking for it too. I was hoping that 7510 was going to be it, but no. It was a step backward instead of forward, from my perspective and based on the way I'm going to use it.
I would add FM radio, support High Capacity external memory cards, 5MB camera, fluid video recorder, television, more rounded and thinner than 7500/7510.
I would like it to maintain the existing aspect ratio and not move toward 480x800 for the sake of software compatibility. No thanks, I don't want a 2.8" screen.
As you can see, there is none in the market that meets my dream list. So I guess I'd be using my Athena for a long long time to come still.

alui said:
Is there any device in market or coming soon similar to Athena?
Important features included:
large screen (5" or above)
under $1000
long battery life
instant on
wifi, gps
weight about 1 lb
It should have more than one in this market segment.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
question: All the things you've mentioned are included in the Athena, so why are you looking for something else????

Or if you don't mind a small screen and the absence of a keyboard, check out the Samsung Omnia: http://samsungomnia.com/
To be honest, if this had a better screen size, I would not consider saving up for the X7510, but nothing beats the screen of the Athena and Advantage as of now.
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cktlcmd said:
Or if you don't mind a small screen and the absence of a keyboard, check out the Samsung Omnia: http://samsungomnia.com/
To be honest, if this had a better screen size, I would not consider saving up for the X7510, but nothing beats the screen of the Athena and Advantage as of now.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. You'd really appreciate Athena's (big) size when you're using e-reader program, pdf file viewer, SoftMakers (when in 92dpi especially), and internet browsing. You can see those otherwise too tiny fonts.

eaglesteve said:
Indeed. You'd really appreciate Athena's (big) size when you're using e-reader program, pdf file viewer, SoftMakers (when in 92dpi especially), and internet browsing. You can see those otherwise too tiny fonts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am dying in waiting here... for the X7510. On The Go Solutions will have it in stock by tomorrow. I keep holding back because I am waiting for the price of the X7500 (brand new) to drop to at least $900. If I can't control myself, I'll be buying the X7510 by next week. But before I order, I still want to know that they have it in stock, because the release date keeps moving back.
I even purchased ahead of time the following: Brando Workshop's Ultra clear screen protector, LG HBM 700 BT Communicator, heck... I even ordered a customized belt holster from Nutshell in Horizontal Style that houses both the case and the X7510 with keyboard. I had to make sure I didn't messed up on the size specifications I provided, so I waited for some reviews to confirm it. I guess we'll know in a few days.
...

For my the Athena is the best device today even compared with with the newer devices about to be released, HTC had the chance to get out a much better device with the 7510 but they didn't deliver.
In my opinion the only better thing is they doubled the amount of memory to 16gb and that is solid state rather than a hard disk, so what (8GB micro SDs cost peanuts this days and 16gb will soon be out there) but not joypad or buttons.
I want my next device with a proper graphics chip and the most sensitive gps chip out there and a camera that actually deliver even in poor light conditions
I want the OS and applications as good as those made by Apple or better and for gods sake Athena it is a VGA device, I want VGA working out of the box.
a little more ram will hep too ( for speed) and the phone function should work flawless at all times.
transflective LCD screen any one?
those are the issues that if solved will make a difference to my, and yea they can be solved the proof is this forum and excelent roms and apps.
Is anybody from HTC reading this?
said this I still convinced than Athena+XDA develoers hard work is the best device out there even after a year.
right, I feel much better now
oh yea good try with the new keyboard but not good enough.

i was reading this thread... and i had the urge to bump it up.
lol.
ciao!

HTC SHIFT? A bit Bigger... but loses some of the mobile capabilities and batt life?

Three months later and the answer to this thread is still the same - the 7500 or 7501 are still the best on the market. 7510 gives up too much, and nothing else on the market has the screen size, battery life, instant on, wifi, bt, etc.

For me, the replacement model is the HTC Touch HD.

Touch HD
I am also intrigued by the Touch HD, but I can't see on its spec page if it has VGA out. I use my Advantage to hook up to a projector and run PowerPoint. (Maybe I need a pocket sized projector that takes an SD card instead?)

touch hd lacks the hardware keyboard and gps, right? but atleast maybe they already fixed the graphic card issue in touch hd.

jetherson said:
touch hd lacks the hardware keyboard and gps, right? but atleast maybe they already fixed the graphic card issue in touch hd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have not only gps but also A-gps.
Thank goodness there is no keyboard.

Athena screen size attracted me most, though its a little bulky.
Xperia X1 is my prefer choice, if it is 1 inch more.

eaglesteve said:
They have not only gps but also A-gps.
Thank goodness there is no keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see, i must have misread that gps thingy somewhere.

While Touch HD is the best replacement today, I'm still waiting for a 4.5 inch minimmum screen, with FM and TV and joystick. I don't mind not having the other hardware buttons but I really really want the joystick.
I prefer no keyboard personally. Just want the same form factor as the Touch HD.

I'm intrigued by the t-mob G1
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/g1-appears-on-t-mobiles-site/

black--rider said:
HTC SHIFT? A bit Bigger... but loses some of the mobile capabilities and batt life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"a bit" bigger. nah, it is like several times bigger, i can take and post comparison photos
the truth is, while the shift is really small for a vista pc, the athena is incredibly small. (just don't compare it to normal phones )

Related

Thickness with Keyboard

The specs say it is .6 inches or 16 mm thick. Is that with or without the keyboard... what about in the leather wallet?
bandersnatch said:
The specs say it is .6 inches or 16 mm thick. Is that with or without the keyboard... what about in the leather wallet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 16 mm specs is without keyboard, 20 mm with keyboard, 27 mm ~ 31 mm (aproximately because the leather wallet form is not uniform).
Regards!
Thanks
Thanks much. Seems pretty big. I wonder if it will fit in my shirt pocket...
Not unless you're on the 'large' side. I can only just get it in the big pockets on my combat style trousers. 'Tis a beast for sure!
not going to be the phone for me.
I hate to say it. I've been lusting after this thing since I heard it might be coming to tmo usa. But if it is as big as I think it is, I wouldn't be able to carry it on my person. That 5 inch screen is probably going to be too much of a good thing for me. I would have happily settled for 4.
thinking on the same lines
bandersnatch said:
I hate to say it. I've been lusting after this thing since I heard it might be coming to tmo usa. But if it is as big as I think it is, I wouldn't be able to carry it on my person. That 5 inch screen is probably going to be too much of a good thing for me. I would have happily settled for 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same way, when i first saw this device (heard the announcements about availability on T-Mobile in the UK) i was well excited and pleased, but then i did a thourough study regarding the size, including measuring my old diary which strangely seems to be about the size of the ameo in its case. I gave it some deep thought like "Gavin do you seriously think you can carry that around?, and the fact that you need a headset", hmmm will wait to hear about how others are getting along, especially after a few more weeks or months down the line. Ameo/ Athena users would like to hear more about:
1) You and your device on a daily basis, where do you carry it, and how do you use it? on a table/ lap/ other?
2) How is the keyboard getting along, or maybe you are using some other input methods?
3) What about calls are you using a wired headset or bluetooth stereo?
Just general impressions from owners over the last 3 weeks ( i know its not been long, sorry)
The Weight...
It is also 375 grams. The wizard is 150 grams. It weighs 250% MORE than a wizard....
bandersnatch said:
It is also 375 grams. The wizard is 150 grams. It weighs 250% MORE than a wizard....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where to begin after 2 weeks of owning an Ameo....happy. Yes very happy!
I would never have contemplated doing the things I do with the Ameo that I probably couls have done with previous devices owned (JasJar, Hermes, Prophet, Wizard, Xda Mini and Xda IIi....and others).
The Ameo can do what all these devices put together couldn't do.
TV out is quite a treat and allows everything to be displayed on virtually any other type of display that supports S-Video, Composite or VGA.
The USB host functionality allows a FULL PC USB keyboard or mouse (with pointer) to be used.....and it works extremely well!
Remote Desktop (WM6 version) is a joy to use on the Ameo...a smaller screen just would't be up to the Job. Whilst I'm having problems connecting to my own PC, I am easily and quickly connecting to my wife's XP Pro PC via RDP. It is truly astounding and responsive. You literally see and operate the XP PC as you would through your native monitor hooked up to your desktop PC.
Movie Playback when the occasion calls for it is pure eye candy if your using a DVD Rip. Sheer quality!
The speakers are no sound system but prove to be worthy of being best-in class from my experience of PPC devices to date. It is loud and NOT tinny or hollow.
WM5 is no faster than any other 520Mhz device I have used....but that will change when we can upgrade to WM6.
WMLive (from WM6) works seemlessly and beautifully and you even get a Message tone and visual notification of incoming Instant messages or Voice clips...if on-line at the time of incoming message. It's fast and works very well for me.
Wisbar Advance 2 completely changes the look and feel of the device and this is where standard VGA as opposed to ozVGA comes into its own for me, as the font size is just right for me and the cascading start menu etc works well with this size screen.
The Screen. Yes the screen is amazing.....and if screen real estate is tht important to some...you instantly have a choice of a host of resolutions if using RDP to XP/Vista and there are tweaks such as ozVGA and others if you really need it in the WM O/S.
The keyboard....NOT impressed in the slightest! I much prefer the keyboard on the Universal. With that I can type up a book if need be in comparison to the non-tactile feedback of the keyboard buttons on the Athena....but it's not a major issue for me as I am usually at a desk where this problem is much alleviated by a steady base on which to place the Ameo. Full size USB keyboard and mouse come into their element here with the standard non-supplied 4-1 cable.
The Ameo is a great GPS device with a screen large and clear enough to rival the biggest dedicated in-built GPS systems in top-spec luxury or performance cars. I'm not complaining.
Dual TV screen for GPS, Movies or internet surfing using HSDPA whilst travelling a few hundred miles with the kids is great. The possibilities are staggering.
I won't go on.....because the Ameo has much more to offer IMHO. I was considering a Sony UX UMPC, now I've got the Ameo, forget it. I've got me direct access to a powerhouse desktop PC where I can edit videos download torrents and other large files directly to my home or office PC whilst retaining the enhanced Mobile telephony functions of this baby via a tiny BT earpiece.
Call quality is excellent and I'm able to receive calls whilst on wi-fi or GPRS/3G/HSDPA...but this is sometimes temperamental. The new HTC Shift will be the new king, but for me, I'll be sticking with the barely pocketable Ameo.
Yes it's larger than any other device called a Pocket PC, but then this is far more than the sum of its or any other devices parts.
Did I mention that the on-board 3megapixel camera was the best I have come across in any PPC? and that it far surpassed my expectations? Well it has, enough so that I no longer need to carry another camera around at any time.
Long live the Athena....you could do worse....but I doubt you'll do better for quite some time. It just comes down to what you're comfortable with.
For your information....I carry mine without Leather casing or keyboard happily in my front or rear jeans pocket or inside suit pocket....but it actually fits with everything together aswell, but then it is a tight squeeze.
Hope my long boring post helps some of you to stick to your original decision and get one...you won't regret it...but if not..why not try one for a week and return it to your supplier if your not happy with it.
Very good and informative post. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
eagle 1 said:
Very good and informative post. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the positive feedback.
@ All....Additionally thanks to Eagle1 I can now connect to all PC's in my office/home from my Ameo via wi-fi!! Great stuff....HSDPA - Home network is next on the Agenda.
This device is become more and more like a UMPC, but without the ability to play movies or games....but that can be done natively through WM5 and a PSP if one is that way enclined.
Well, looks really like a cool device, was waiting for a VGA, GPS, fast processor, WM6 with keyboard for a loooong time...
but first what i did was look for the size of Qtek 9000, which had all that, but could not have it (had it for testing for 2 weeks), since it was too heavy and big for a device that i carry with me all the time...
If it was only a little lighter and smaller.... the HP 4700 screen was more then big enough for PDAs, think it was 4", and bigger device then that (also fatter) just does not get me. But the features are perfect, they just need to squeeze it into 4"vga, 250g max. and then ill be running into the store looking for it.. untill then whoever buys it, hope you enjoy it, it looks really like the best pda out now..
But here is somthing that catches my eye...
http://www.gsmarena.com/i_mate_ultimate_7150-1882.php
is this a HTC product? and if, anyone knows their version of this phone?
a VGA 3.5 + keyboard , secondary display outside so you dont have to open the pda if getting a call ...
now thats a heart breaker for me
As far as I know, it's not a HTC product...
Moskus said:
As far as I know, it's not a HTC product...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not, iMate is no longer partner of HTC, this device is made by also a Taiwanese company, but not HTC.
papizdono said:
But here is somthing that catches my eye...
http://www.gsmarena.com/i_mate_ultimate_7150-1882.php
is this a HTC product? and if, anyone knows their version of this phone?
a VGA 3.5 + keyboard , secondary display outside so you dont have to open the pda if getting a call ...
now thats a heart breaker for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took a look at this, but was disappointed that it does not support SDHC, which means I can't have wikipedia and lots of MP3 music with me.
I understand that HTC is the one designing and manufacturing the i_mate (please check this out yourself from wikipedia under HTC). HTC in fact designs and manufactures just about everyone's PDA including Dell's, HP's, etc. but they just put in other's labels until recently when they starts to use their own HTC label.
eaglesteve said:
I took a look at this, but was disappointed that it does not support SDHC, which means I can't have wikipedia and lots of MP3 music with me.
I understand that HTC is the one designing and manufacturing the i_mate (please check this out yourself from wikipedia under HTC). HTC in fact designs and manufactures just about everyone's PDA including Dell's, HP's, etc. but they just put in other's labels until recently when they starts to use their own HTC label.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is only true about 4 months ago, now HTC don't design and manufacture for iMate anymore, it's done by another taiwanese company (can't remember the name).
wu5262 said:
that is only true about 4 months ago, now HTC don't design and manufacture for iMate anymore, it's done by another taiwanese company (can't remember the name).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see... Thanks for the updated info, Wu.

I'm in Love - HTC Kaiser

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/05/24/htc-kaiser-unboxing/
At last something I would consider as a Uni replacement
Mav
MUTINY!!!!
mavrik64 said:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/05/24/htc-kaiser-unboxing/
At last something I would consider as a Uni replacement
Mav
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MUTINY!
The Universal is the undisputed windows mobile device champion of the world. It's only competitor goes by the name of I-Mate Ultimate 7150.
That's the Unis only competitor. So you can take that pathetic 2.8 inch screens to a different forum.
http://www.clubimate.com/ultimate/ult7150.htm
fnordelus said:
MUTINY!
The Universal is the undisputed windows mobile device champion of the world. It's only competitor goes by the name of I-Mate Ultimate 7150.
That's the Unis only competitor. So you can take that pathetic 2.8 inch screens to a different forum.
http://www.clubimate.com/ultimate/ult7150.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ooooooohhhhh!!!!!!
time for another change of underpants
Mav
No VGA
This would be truly awesome if only it had vga.
At the mo i have the universal with TOMTOM6 using a bluetooth receiver and i carry a 6mp camera with 3x optical zoom.
It's kinda a drag carrying 2/3 devices but I love the keyboard and screen of the uni
Another advantage of the uni is that the screen is protected by the lid when you have it closed which i like.
What will you say about E-TEN Glofiish X800, 'Double-Oh Seven'?
This is the only thing currently that probably could lure me away from the Universal...
Advantage is too heavy, others lack VGA or GPS...
The X800 does not have one thing you can think of, and that's Keyboard. Which I honestly to God do NOT need.
The lack of an SDHC interface on either device is enough for me to stick to my Universal.
My Universal hurts me when I look at other phones...
Balur said:
My Universal hurts me when I look at other phones...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine says I can look, but don't touch
Mav
nvatvani said:
The lack of an SDHC interface on either device is enough for me to stick to my Universal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you got a Second Edition Universal (or a Mars Special? )?
Because as far as I know, mine does NOT have SDHC interface, just plain SD, limited to 4GB capacity cards (up to 2GB without problems, with 4GB Camera App has problems).
It even buggered my (non-SDHC) 4GB card recently (one of WM6 editions did so), so now it's only 2GB and I've currently run out of options to restore its 4GB capacity...
fnordelus said:
It's only competitor goes by the name of I-Mate Ultimate 7150.
http://www.clubimate.com/ultimate/ult7150.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my GOD that is a sweet looking device! I might worry a bit about the hinge though.
EastExpert said:
Have you got a Second Edition Universal (or a Mars Special? )?
Because as far as I know, mine does NOT have SDHC interface, just plain SD, limited to 4GB capacity cards (up to 2GB without problems, with 4GB Camera App has problems).
It even buggered my (non-SDHC) 4GB card recently (one of WM6 editions did so), so now it's only 2GB and I've currently run out of options to restore its 4GB capacity...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No ... I only have a 2GB SD card running as well on my Universal.
My point as to why the Kaiser is already redundant even before production is because the Kaiser is nothing more than a Universal+Navigator (or any other Bluetooth based GPS receiver).
The mini-SD interface on the Kaiser is the only key that made it redundant against the Universal.
Hence, the Kaiser is NOT an upgrade of the Universal, but instead a competitor. I would call it a "side-grade" as opposed to an "up-grade".
nvatvani said:
No ... I only have a 2GB SD card running as well on my Universal.
My point as to why the Kaiser is already redundant even before production is because the Kaiser is nothing more than a Universal+Navigator (or any other Bluetooth based GPS receiver).
The mini-SD interface on the Kaiser is the only key that made it redundant against the Universal.
Hence, the Kaiser is NOT an upgrade of the Universal, but instead a competitor. I would call it a "side-grade" as opposed to an "up-grade".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I re-read your first message. My bad, somehow thought you were saying that Universal does have SDHC Sorry!
Right, neither of Uni or Kaiser have it. But this honestly doesn't put me off too much, I don't do video on the devices.
One thing that Kaiser sorely misses: a VGA screen... Otherwise a near-perfect device... just 160 grams, GPS present, all latest connectivity present, v.good 2.8Mpix camera, unique design.
For those waiting for it, here I found that HTC have responded to somebody that they will release the Kaiser in late JULY, not October (October will be the time for HTC Shift).
So may be after all it's worth the wait for you and things are not so gloomy?
Kaiser's lack of VGA ruins the parade for me. This is why I'm looking towards a E-TEN Glofiish X800... also due in July.
In the whole flurry of devices coming each day - I'm yet to find a slick (Universal is the hefty 285 g...), well-connected, GPS-enabled device with a VGA screen...
EastExpert said:
I re-read your first message. My bad, somehow thought you were saying that Universal does have SDHC Sorry!
Right, neither of Uni or Kaiser have it. But this honestly doesn't put me off too much, I don't do video on the devices.
One thing that Kaiser sorely misses: a VGA screen... Otherwise a near-perfect device... just 160 grams, GPS present, all latest connectivity present, v.good 2.8Mpix camera, unique design.
For those waiting for it, here I found that HTC have responded to somebody that they will release the Kaiser in late JULY, not October (October will be the time for HTC Shift).
So may be after all it's worth the wait for you and things are not so gloomy?
Kaiser's lack of VGA ruins the parade for me. This is why I'm looking towards a E-TEN Glofiish X800... also due in July.
In the whole flurry of devices coming each day - I'm yet to find a slick (Universal is the hefty 285 g...), well-connected, GPS-enabled device with a VGA screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow ... that's quite a bit of "VGA" in one post.
Maybe you can try and explain to me why a VGA (640x480) resolution on a 3.6 inch screen device is actually practical.
I have used OzVGA on my Universal and then removed it just after 1 week because the high resolution demanded a higher precision touch-screen input from the stylus. You can forget about using your finger with OzVGA on VGA mode as opposed to the standard QVGA mode. I mean, in VGA mode I "lost" the ability to control scroll-bars, as well as cell/row selections from a table form or even when you want to do "hold down" selection (this is equivalent to the right-click in desktops) - using my finger ofcourse. Things were OK with the stylus.
With such a serious loss, the benefit of VGA is not actually worthy on the Universal because of its screen size.
If you are talking about the HTC Advantage, then VGA is really worthy because we are talking about a 5 inch screen here - and so the loss which the Universal suffers from is not applicable to the Advantage.
I agree, the only thing missing now is the VGA screen.
I am confused, is this device able to flip into laptop mode? From the other pictures, it seemed the keyboard pulls out from behind the screen, but then there is another picture showing the screen folded up on the keyboard.
Do you like the price?
http://www.popularelect.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=29&products_id=437
Mike
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-itttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt! Ridiculous!
mikechannon said:
Do you like the price?
http://www.popularelect.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=29&products_id=437
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing ..... that's just the kind of cash I can pull out of my asshole!
the price is gonna fall down in a few weeks.
That price is for a VERY NICE laptop. wheeeew!
nvatvani said:
Amazing ..... that's just the kind of cash I can pull out of my asshole!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's that easy, can I have some <grin>
They must have the decimal point in the wrong place.
Mav

Who would swap their athena for a smaller device with the exact same specs?

I just sold my athena, and got a touch enhanced. Same rom and ram, 1/3rd processor speed and no 3g are the main differences to me.
But, I was wondering, who would swap their athena for a kaiser or touch cruise if those devices had vga, making them basically the same specs as the athena.
Edit:
It seems that people wouldnt want a vga screen on a device with a small width in inches. I think this is really funny, because all people did when both the kaiser's and Touch Cruise's specs were finalised, was say how if only it was vga. But now I thnk about it, with realvga on my athena [96dpi], it was basically 4 hermes screens glues together, in terms of size and res. So, the text was about the same size on today as ti was n my hermes. But imagine real vga on a 2.8 screen, it would be like having 4 3cm by 2 cm screens glued together. Tiny writing. So i think you're right about the vga.
Rory
I would, but I can't stress enough how much I love the VGA screen. I have a TyTN as well and although the screen size is smaller, I can't stand the QVGA resolution
i imagine most would. I don't know why htc are so slow on the uptake with vga displays, they're hardly new technology. 800 by 480 would be better though
I would not swap my athena for anything but a higher spec upgrade. I would like something with the same size screen but true native vga resolution or above with more cpu and a gpu that can be used. For me the size is no problem and i love the keyboard. People stare at my athena all the time and i think it is funny. The only person that has commented negatively was the typical iphone user. But i shut him up when i told him my device specs My favorite thing to tell iphone users is can your phone do "copy and paste" then i just laugh at them. It seems that they might be fixing that in the next firmware release though. Anyway the athena is my first step into pda phones and i don't think i would be able to use anything else.
mcwtrekkie said:
I would, but I can't stress enough how much I love the VGA screen. I have a TyTN as well and although the screen size is smaller, I can't stand the QVGA resolution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dido.
It is to note that I had a TyTN before the Athena, that had been given to me as a replacement for a Universal. And:
- that was the worst replacement I got ever. To me, screen was too small and low-res --> no usable Internet or word processing, however basic --> no need for the integrated keyboard, however good it may have been + no need for Wifi --> too thick and big, as well as too expensive for its practical use;
- the universal screen is 3,5" and VGA, and even if I am lucky to have excellent eyesight, I found it the bottom limit for readability.
So.... I'm not entirely sure one can really make full use of a VGA+ screen if it is not at the very least 4", and again, *at the very least*.
IMHO, of course.
Hell...I did it!!
What can I say....did I go off the Athena? Never, but my needs changed and I needed to be able to use my all-in-one device as a normal phone, without running into trouble when I forgot to charge my BT headset.
...So I ditched and got the Kaiser. Love the Kaiser even with its hardware driver issues, but I miss that large VGA display. There is nothing like it.
Having said that, that's all I miss. This thing is pocket friendly and with the exception of TV-Out (which I never really use) and the VGA screen, the Kaiser does it all.
Each to their own I guess. But I'll never have a bad word to say about the Athena....she'll always be my baby, lol. She's just too darn big to take out in public. ROFL.
Yeah i ditched too, after only 3 weeks, ive moved on to the tiny touch 256. I love my athena, and i dont want to send it off to its new home in italy, but i dont need it, and my mum's quite happy that i made 130 quid today. I think i will miss the massive screen, its area is about 3 times the touch's.
But i dont drive, so sont need gps, dont use tv out, and the touch at only 201 mhz wont make use of the hsdpa, and at school on both tytn and athena, i usually get 3g max, hardly ever hsdpa.
But theres my reasons for switching.
Oh yer, and because it couldnt make calls [check my sig]
x
No, I won't settle for a screen less than 4.5 inch big. realvga is useless for a 3.5 inch vga screen even at 128dpi.
I also hate having the integrated hardware keyboard. I'm a tablet person, loving Tengo very much.
I don't find Athen any less portable than say a Universal. I carry it without keyboard on my belt pouch, covered by my shirt so you don't even know or see me carry it.
well, before my athena i was using a mio a701 for like a year. it was quite a change because prior to that i was using an xda2i...which had a bigger screen. and switching over to the mio took some getting used to.
but now that i have a 5 inch screen it's so difficult to even think of switching back to a device with a smaller screen. i already upgraded the rom to ak 3.0 and it's the best ever. besides, the large screen is a good pacifier for my 3 year old when she want's to watch toons =)
cheers
why choose? I have both a touch, a tytn II and an Athena. My girlfriend uses the touch.. I use the Athena with a style-I in the car, as a gps, movie player or wherever i need to do work which involves browsing, excel and typing up large text bodies. Using style-i and Microsoft voice command I rarely take it out in public to make a call. The Athena is my best phone ever! The tytn II is a great side kick. Awesome keyboard for fast smses, putting in pim, even though the camera sucks, I still use it sometimes just to make a quick shot (hardly ever use the Athena camera as the quality just doesnt weigh up for the size) I even use the world card reader occasionally. Must say that I don't like browsing with the Tytn II, but it's still handy to have the chance to check some info etc in case my Athena is not close by.
in case of the Polaris, or an old universal for that matter, a 3,5 inch VGA screen is not big enough for my needs, (don't even think I would like a 4" screen) so if I had to choose, hypothetically speaking, I would still go for Athena
The large screen and internet anywhere (especially at 3G speeds) were the biggest reasons I bought it, so no, I wouldn't go back to a smaller screen even if most of the other specs on the other phone were better.
rorydaredkign said:
I just sold my athena, and got a touch enhanced. Same rom and ram, 1/3rd processor speed and no 3g are the main differences to me.
But, I was wondering, who would swap their athena for a kaiser or touch cruise if those devices had vga, making them basically the same specs as the athena.
Edit:
It seems that people wouldnt want a vga screen on a device with a small width in inches. I think this is really funny, because all people did when both the kaiser's and Touch Cruise's specs were finalised, was say how if only it was vga. But now I thnk about it, with realvga on my athena [96dpi], it was basically 4 hermes screens glues together, in terms of size and res. So, the text was about the same size on today as ti was n my hermes. But imagine real vga on a 2.8 screen, it would be like having 4 3cm by 2 cm screens glued together. Tiny writing. So i think you're right about the vga.
Rory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an Athena and love it. I also have a Kaiser (2), Universal, Hermes, Wizard and a couple of other phones. I could/would never switch. The Kaiser is not that impressive. Plus performance on the Kaiser sucks until the driver issue is resolved, etc. Kaisers are also dying left and right so reliability is not up to par. I was a little upset with my Athena due to a MicroDrive hardware issue but after hooking it up to my laptop using WMStorage and formatting the MD with Windows XP and running defrag/scandisk on it, I have not had any issues with it. Let's just see how long I have before experiencing another problem..if it ever happens again.
by the way, find these threads, trying to evaluate the quality of the Athena boring and unnecessary. I will stop posting on them I think...
[email protected] said:
by the way, find these threads, trying to evaluate the quality of the Athena boring and unnecessary. I will stop posting on them I think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you're trying to tell everyone but ok. Take care.
ltxda said:
Not sure what you're trying to tell everyone but ok. Take care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are already many threads about what people think about the Athena. I think people keep it when they like and sell it if not.
[email protected] said:
there are already many threads about what people think about the Athena. I think people keep it when they like and sell it if not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha. Crystal clear.
[email protected] said:
there are already many threads about what people think about the Athena. I think people keep it when they like and sell it if not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
absolutely a good point. Smaller devices with with equivalent specification but smaller vga screen already exist. If there are so many voting yes but don't actually do it in action, something doesn't make sense.
My name is telling you my answer
The big screen is THE reason.
I've installed realVGA and use the 96dpi resolution. My GOD! I can't believe what I'm seeing. For once, a real workable work horse can be carried around. My previous phones does not let me see enough. The only problem I have is the keyboard. It's too small, even if I chose the big key option. Is there a way to make the keyboard standard size?
athenalover get lost. learn something on xda-wiki instead.
[email protected] said:
athenalover get lost. learn something on xda-wiki instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I'm still in the honeymoon period..I'd take my time, not in a hurry.
Joking. Your point taken. Thanks Martin.

32GB, X7510 replacement early 2009?

Some recent unconnected bits of information on the web have got me thinking that sooner or later there will be another iteration of the Athena series, an x7520 if you will.
First, on Engadget/Engadgetmobile, there was the blog on
How would you change HTC's Advantage X7510?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/how-would-you-change-htcs-advantage-x7510/
Then there are the regular posts about new HTC projects with new code names, for instance, HTC QUAR100:
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/09/08/the-htc-quar100-a-north-american-exclusive/
Then finally, even though it hasn't been announced, Samsung is now making 1.0 inch form factor SSD's, and they are not sata, but pata devices (like the 1.0 microdrives). The largest is 32gb, which trumps the x7510's 16gb:
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/productList.do?fmly_id=161
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/productInfo.do?fmly_id=161&partnum=MCCOE32GZMPP
I'd wager that a successor will be announced around the CES show next year.
All I can say, is that it better have great video performance and the joystick back.
What do you think?
What do I think ???
I don't think there would be any replacement for the HTC Advantage. Why? It is not selling well because of their stupid decision to remove the buttons and joy stick control. Not to mention, the only thing they changed is the keyboard and flash memory. No provider wants to carry it. The only phone operator I read offering the X7510 is TMobile Germany. Even at the country of it's origin, it barely made news when released. The only thing that will save the X7510 at this point is if HTC gave it to phone operators at a very cheap price. Which I suggest they should do now rather than let it sit in their storage due to better models coming out with better specs.
I am sorry to admit this... but I think this is the end for our babies with 5 inch screens. Which I hope won't be the case. I believe a better move on their part is to update the HTC Universal.
I think you have some valid points.
Many of the comments on 'How you would change the x7510' on the Engadget thread mentioned lack of joystick and OK buttons. Major mistake on HTC's parts.
So really there are three options:
HTC abandons the format
HTC introduces one more model with 32GB SSD, joystick or not.
HTC introduces a similar form factor, but totally new design.
I believe that they will at least do the 32GB option, as they don't have to change any hardware.
I would prefer the following changes atleast.
1. More slimmer device.
2. Change the old PXA270 processor to PXA310.
3. Newer phones come with 256MB RAM and 512MB ROM.
Hopefully they will change those too in the new model.
4. Windows Mobile 7
6. Support 800*480 Resolution.
--Srini
Heres what I would improve:
1. Remove the buttons on the face, and make the screen larger (stretch in to the corners of the device. Put the removed buttons on the sides or top of the device.
2. Higher res screen 800x480 ?
3. Larger microdrive, 64GB atleast.
4. Full size SD-card lot, maybe even two.
5. Make the device slimmer.
6. Slide out keyboard (portrait).
7. Newer generation and faster CPU (800MHz ?) / GPU (NVidia ?) combo.
8. 300MB RAM (atleast)
9. 512MB ROM (atleast)
10. Better camera with atleast VGA @ 30 FPS recording.
11. Make a docking station for the device in portrait. With the headphone out and USB host in front and the rest on the back. Dont forget support to charge a second battery.
So what do you guys think ?
1. Put vibrate back in.
2. Change screen aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 (would make it easier to hold like a phone and would give us full-page-width browsing, video)
3. Give us a private speaker so we don't have to carry BT all the time.
4. Put the buttons and joystick back.
5. Include chipset for WiMax.
Yeah what he said plus what I said makes it the almost perfect PDA.
there is something in the works that i know of but i dont know if u would consider this a athena successor. cant give details though.
Now why did you do that ? Common tell us something ! Just anything !
StashCompInc said:
Now why did you do that ? Common tell us something ! Just anything !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
problem is i dont know if u would consider it a athena successor. it doesnt have a microdrive and the screen isn't as big. sorry cant give more details.
Touch HD ?, or is it the Omni your talking about ? None of them are up to the task.
StashCompInc said:
Touch HD ?, or is it the Omni your talking about ? None of them are up to the task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. not any one of those. these devices the public doesnt know about.
Well then thats something to look forward to.
Nope the magic words "screen isn't as big" and I loose all interest.
The biggest appeal to me for the Athena is the 5 inch screen.
I would however like it slimmer and a full size sd slot.
With the joystick back, a slimmer unit and a full size sd slot it would be near the perfect device for me.
I don't think HTC will simply abandon Athena form factor. For one thing it looks that MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices) will be a popular thing next year and for me Athena is a true MID and for now the best MID.
So what I'm hoping for is that HTC will come up with a new MID device sometime in 2009, that could be a successor to Athena, hopefully with WM7 (I have a silly idea that WM7 will be released together with Win7 sometime in June/July) and with 5" WVGA screen, new faster CPU and more storage...
Pawel062 said:
nope. not any one of those. these devices the public doesnt know about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pawel,
I know Blackstone is not quite a replacement for the 5 inch screen, but it has FM radio, and faster HSDPA speed. I'm quite keen to go for this. However, if there is something better in the pipeline, I might wait.
I like Blackstone's form factor, but was disappointed with its mere 3.8 inch screen. Of course there are also other disappointments such as the lack of joystick, tv-out, small built-in storage, but the biggest disappointment is the small size.
I hope the replacement model that you have been told retains the 5 inch screen, latest HSDPA, wimax, have embedded earpiece, and similar form factor as blackstone (ie slim and light). Am I likely to be disappointed?
eaglesteve said:
Pawel,
I know Blackstone is not quite a replacement for the 5 inch screen, but it has FM radio, and faster HSDPA speed. I'm quite keen to go for this. However, if there is something better in the pipeline, I might wait.
I like Blackstone's form factor, but was disappointed with its mere 3.8 inch screen. Of course there are also other disappointments such as the lack of joystick, tv-out, small built-in storage, but the biggest disappointment is the small size.
I hope the replacement model that you have been told retains the 5 inch screen, latest HSDPA, wimax, have embedded earpiece, and similar form factor as blackstone (ie slim and light). Am I likely to be disappointed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u enjoy the blackstone. i would go for it. the one im talking about doesnt have all the specs u wanted btw.
edit: btw i want to get the blackstone so there really is nothing too much better in the near term coming.
Pawel062 said:
if u enjoy the blackstone. i would go for it. the one im talking about doesnt have all the specs u wanted btw.
edit: btw i want to get the blackstone so there really is nothing too much better in the near term coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the HTC 8290? If the specs are correct, it's like the Touch HD, except it's got WiMax and TV-out. The lack of TV-out on the Touch HD is a big disappointment to me. I would have bought the HD instantaneously had it had this feature. If the 8290 does have it, and has both WiMax and HSPA, it seems very attractive to me.
Regarding the Advantage, I believe they will keep the form factor because as stated above, MIDs are coming and the Advantage really is pocketable and light enough compared to many other MID offerings. If I were HTC I'd wait for WM 7, and probably use the Tegra APX2500 processor.
Pawel062 said:
if u enjoy the blackstone. i would go for it. the one im talking about doesnt have all the specs u wanted btw.
edit: btw i want to get the blackstone so there really is nothing too much better in the near term coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pawel,
Thanks for your info. I guess I would go for Blackstone as an interim device while waiting for the ultimate Athena replacement. I thought I could live with a 4 inch (and 3.8 inch is close to that) screen, but after making up a prototype and played with it, I don't think the screen is big enough yet. May be 4.5 at the very minimum. I had played with the iPhone and just don't like the small screen. Too much zooming in and out when surfing the net and that drives me nut after a while.
Sigh... May be Athena as it is now is still the best, even when compared to Blackstone.
eaglesteve said:
Pawel,
Thanks for your info. I guess I would go for Blackstone as an interim device while waiting for the ultimate Athena replacement. I thought I could live with a 4 inch (and 3.8 inch is close to that) screen, but after making up a prototype and played with it, I don't think the screen is big enough yet. May be 4.5 at the very minimum. I had played with the iPhone and just don't like the small screen. Too much zooming in and out when surfing the net and that drives me nut after a while.
Sigh... May be Athena as it is now is still the best, even when compared to Blackstone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, i dont mind the 3.8in screen. i have the iphone 3g and have gotten used to the zooming bc of the multitouch. afaik, there isnt anything with a screen bigger than that of the blackstones coming out anytime soon unless theres something in the works that i dont know about.

Athena - End of Life?

I just looked at the HTC website, discovered the new widescreen touch phones, and was taken aback, that the Athena is no longer listed with the HTC products.
So is this the end of the Athena?
R, Michael
Links? When I go to htc.com I don't see the Athena under current "Products", but that's been true for a while. I do see it listed under "Support". I also don't see any new widescreen phones anywhere...
techntrek said:
Links? When I go to htc.com I don't see the Athena under current "Products", but that's been true for a while. I do see it listed under "Support". I also don't see any new widescreen phones anywhere...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not a regular with the HTC website, so forgive me, if didn't find out earlier, that HTC dropped the Athena line altogether. And I haven't seen it mentioned on this forum as well.
"New" widescreen phones means (for the same reason) "new to ME", but probably "water under the bridge" for the better informed.
No, you misread, I wasn't jumping on you. I'm curious what widescreen phones you are talking about and wanted a link to see. The thread that appeared here about the Athena getting dropped from HTC's product line didn't get much activity so it dropped off the front page quickly, so you could have easily missed it.
i looked on the htc Europe page and there they still have the athena
The HTC web site (worldwide) lists two widescreen devices:
Touch HD
MAX 4G
but no X7500/X7501/X7510.
European and german web sites list the Touch HD as the only widescreen device, but still list the X7510.
North-american site lists no widescreen device at all and no more Advantages.
R, Michael
The thing that surprises me is that this niche seems to be emptying. There are the smaller devices with touch interface (iPhone and knock-offs) that are booming, and then the netbooks are booming. But nothing in between. I'm not sure what my next move will be. I've had my x7500 for over 18 months, which is an eternity. But I can't convince myself that there is anything new that I would be happier with. What I really want is a faster, sleeker, lighter x7500 with a 60GB solid state drive. Wouldn't other people want that??
I've had mine 15 months and plan on using it for several more years. Definitely nothing on the market right now that is an obvious replacement for the Athena and I don't think there will be for a while.
I'd love an Athena with a SSD, and a 16:9 aspect ratio screen instead of the 4:3 we have now. It would make it a bit longer but a bit narrower (top to bottom), more like a traditional "candybar" phone. Would give more total screen space but would make it easier to hold like a phone. Obviously that would also require adding a private earpiece. Throw in a vibrate ringer and I'd be there.
wgary said:
The thing that surprises me is that this niche seems to be emptying. There are the smaller devices with touch interface (iPhone and knock-offs) that are booming, and then the netbooks are booming. But nothing in between. I'm not sure what my next move will be. I've had my x7500 for over 18 months, which is an eternity. But I can't convince myself that there is anything new that I would be happier with. What I really want is a faster, sleeker, lighter x7500 with a 60GB solid state drive. Wouldn't other people want that??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude you hit it right on the nail. Or atleast something with an upgradeable memory along with Micro SDHC slot built in, and onboard USB host (no attachments).
hmm
the athena is dieing no one cooks roms for it last was ap5 i think , i love my x7501 ,but the kaiser has more cooks i havent flashed sence ap4 release and i know some one could cook up something better,can a kaiser rom run on a x7501?
Dude where u been?
hey flexedrubi
Mitchy Prima has released many ROMS far above the calibre of the AP ROMS.
I am sure the last one was less than a month ago....
I dont know how u missed it....It is WIZ BANG PA_TANG! (very good)
So go flash it.......
We are indeed a small crowd with our devices and I dont know if anything will come along, I think we are a single generation which were before our time.
In the future we will have XP....sorry VISTA (hssss) or even windows 7 machines - (which are pushing touch screen tech further than Win mobile) the same size and with the same capacity/functionality as our Advantages.
Asus EE pc's come with Sim Card slots now and all you need to use them as phones.
The HTC advantage with the stock Mobile 5 ROM was a pretty awfull device to use as a primary phone we were pioneers with patience lol
Mitchys ROMS have elevated it to heights but its still not really ready to compete with other OS's in terms of simple phone, music, and camera usage
I have been using a combo of N95 8GB (for music, camera and calls) and an x7500 for data for a while now. There is nothing I can see that can beat this combo....
The X7500 is the ONLY PPC in my opinion that I can use for work
Wifi to connect to office (or VPN)
USB host for keyboard and mouse
VGA out for monitor
RDP for TS to access everything I need
I have never used or seen another PPC that could take its place!
I just bought a Sumsung Omnia, I flashed up to newest decent custom firmware (far better than Tmobile stock ROM which was quite bad!) and I loaded up loads of tunes and movies etc, put all my usefull apps on it and expected it to take over from my old combo...
Impossible!
It just cant do it!
I think that Windows 7 (not mobile) or what ever its being called is being designed to plug in to all hardware....
yarod - so what about the Omnia didn't make it good enough to take over from your current combo?
Athena lives?
Just got this from an rss. Looks like Athena lives! Look at this article http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=2357 and you'll see the "Athena 2" apparently code named "Thoth."
Woo hoo!
Wow!
This is indeed good news!
mfschneider said:
This is indeed good news!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope they come out with a T mobile USA 3G version. If not i'm running to AT&T end of my contract before I purchase this handy looking Thoth.
Very good to see that they are continuing development with the Athena line, but it doesn't look much different than the 7510. Still lacks the buttons they took away with the 7510, so right there its a no-go for me.
This is good news
CHECK OUT THIS LINK ALSO
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/12/htcs-full-2009-line-up-leaked
techntrek said:
yarod - so what about the Omnia didn't make it good enough to take over from your current combo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Techntrek
- The omnia was great......BUT comparing to my N95 8GB.........and the Ameo as combo.....
Main things that annoyed me........
unable to use headphones and charge at same time with out of box solution
Also no 3.5 jack without the adapter
FM radio didnt list radio station name ....RDS or something?
Battery (even with newest ROM) doesnt last as long as Nokia (screen is much bigger so maybe that is whats causing it....)
GPS doesnt work as well I only got a FIX Once with my Omnia.......Ameo seems to fix much more reliably as does N95.
Screen is too small to use Remote desktop properly after using ameo - interestingly in this case the only remote app I have for Nokia is logmein which is rubbish
No USB host and I dont want to waste money on Bluetooth combo (top dollar) as I just got a MX3200 set.
The phone application is not as reliable at all.....same with all windows mobile devices, the dialler and phone app on the N95 is integrated into the OS in a much more pleasent fashion - no hangs no issues even if I am running Multiple Applications (web, MMS, video, FM radio etc) the phone app kicks in and out faster and more efficiently with never a crash....
There was no in line remote solution (next/last track, volume, change radio station....
But the omnia could record FM radio!! That was kick ass!
Interesting. Well, here's to many more useful years with our Athenas!
techntrek said:
Very good to see that they are continuing development with the Athena line, but it doesn't look much different than the 7510. Still lacks the buttons they took away with the 7510, so right there its a no-go for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think they are going to bring back the buttons anymore because they are pushing for the touch capacitive screens with integrated touch 3d. We might even loose whatever button is present on the X7510 as it is.

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