HTC Wizard, Qtek 9100, MDA Vario, i-Mate K-JAM Review
EDIT
As an update to my last post in which I reviewed my Qtek 9100, I found some new information regarding performance and speed. Qtek is releasing a new ROM revision with new Qtek’s being shipped, a ROM 2-3 months newer. People who have the new ROM or have upgraded their current say the speed difference is night and day and there is hardly any lag. You can read more on this thread over at Howard Forums:
END EDIT
Overview
With business getting more busy I’ve been researching various ways to increase management and organization of information along with handle client info. More email, more appointments, more phone calls, more management… You admins and developers know the deal. But, moving away from the geek norm (in some places), I want to carry the minimal number of devices around with me to get my job done. I opted for this Qtek 9100 Pocket PC Phone (QTEK 9100), aka HTC Wizard aka I-Mate K-JAM aka MDA Vario PDA with full Qwerty keyboard, broadband EDGE GRPS & WiFi connectivity running Windows Mobile 5.
In the package
The Qtek 9100, Belt carrying case, USB connector which doubles as a charger, Power charger, second telescope stylus, Stereo handsfree earbuds, Manual, 2 software CD’s, Starters Guide
Technical Specs & Features
- Operating System -Microsoft Windows Mobile version 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition
- Processor – TI OMAP 850, 195Mhz
- GSM/GPRS Module – Internal antenna, Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900). EDGE (up to 262kbps) GPRS Class 10
- WiFi (manufacture option) – IEEE 802.11b, Internal WLAN antenna, 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps per channel, auto fallback for extended range, ELP mode, Security: WPA authentication %u2013 WEP, PSK, EAP-TLS, PEAP, LEAP
- Memory – ROM: 128 MB, RAM: 64MB SDRAM
- LCD module – 2.8%u201D 240×320 pixels. 64K-color TFT Transflective LCD
- Sound – Built-n Microphone, Receiver, Dual speaker on both sides, Loud speaker for Hands-Free supported.
- Power – Removable and chargeable Lithium ion polymer battery, 1200mAh (TBD). Talk time: 4~5 hours (TBD) Standby time: 200 hours (TBD)
- Camera – CMOS 1.3 Mega pixel with fixed lens, video/flash light, Preview Mirror.
- Expansions – Mini-SD slot
- Connectivity – Infrared IrDA SIR, External antenna connector, 2.5” stereo audio jack, Bluetooth 1.2
- Dimensions – 108 mm (L) x 58 mm (W) x 23.5 mm (T), 150g with battery pack.
- Generic software applications – Photo Album with editing picture capability, Camera capture utility, Camcorder, Zip, Polyphonic MIDI Ringtone Engine Intelli Dial, Intelli Pad, Smart Launcher
Initial Impressions
This device was much needed and anticipated for me so there was a fare amount of excitement waiting for it. I search all around the web and found the lowest price over at Smart Devices Direct.com. It turns out it was a few weeks back ordered and I had to wait which only made things worse but the guys over at Smart Devices were really helpful in keeping me updated and answered any of my questions. I finally got it and I must say, I am quite impressed. It is a VERY full featured device just as I had been wanting. The ability to manage all my clients web hosting, email, browse websites at decent speeds and input information quickly is INVALUABLE. It is basically a mini-mini laptop just like its older brother, the HTC Universal aka Qtek 9000, MDA Pro, I-mate JasJar.
It feels very sturdy and of good build quality. It is light weight at the same time and fits in your hand nicely. The sliding mechanism is very slick and doesn’t look flaky at all, you can feel it click into place when opening or closing the keyboard. The backlight on the keyboard is bright and easy to read in the dark. The 2.8” TFT touch-screen is beautiful and bright also being easy to read in light or dark. I have since bought a screen protector from Clearvue which I can’t even tell is on. The Keyboard is solid, the button pushing is easy, feels good and is easy to use, I have small hands though so your results might differ.
Software
The device comes with Windows Mobile 5 as the OS of course, I have not has experience with WM2003 as this is my first windows mobile device so I will not be comparing them. On the device you get the standard office mobile suite of apps: Mobile Word, Excel and Powerpoint. It comes with a PDF viewer that is nice to use as well. It is also loaded with Internet Explorer, Active Sync 4.0 (which I don’t use but I’ll comment later), GPRS Monitor (which comes on the 2nd CD), Messaging center software for POP/IMAP email, SMS, MMS etc, Java applet manager, Notes, Pocket MSN, Terminal Services, Solitaire, Bubble Burst, Windows Media Player, and Zip Software.
I have since added various programs: Total Commander file manager, Skype (more on that later), TCPMP media player, Password managers, Pocket Breeze, Pocket Weather, Mini Stumbler (didn’t work), IM , Agile Messenger.
Battery Life
Looking at how much this little device does, I’m impressed with the battery but also think it could be better. I come from a Nokia 6230 which I had to recharge every like 4-5 days, so having to charge this every 1-2 was a big change. The WiFi of course drains the most energy REAL fast, full browsing for 2 hours over WiFi will drain 40-50% battery, so use it when you needed. But that is why EDGE GPRS is so great for my situation. Its still quite fast and you can browse ALL day and still have a little battery left on EDGE. Another great thing is with the USB connection cable you can charge the device at the same time you sync it.
Performance
There has been ALOT of talk in this area. As you may know, this device doesn’t come with the 512Mhz Xscale processor its big brother the JasJar does. They opted to go with the OMAP 850 processor, which while it is “dual core” so to speak only runs at 195Mhz. To sum it up before I get into detail, I am satisfied with the performance, it is quick and snappy at most things that aren’t very proc intensive. Now to get a little deeper, WM5 is a bit different than WM2003 and handles memory different along with processes. This is where the multi-core aspect of the OMAP processor kicks it, it offloads various operations to different cores to be processed which aids in more efficient operation. So saying that, you should also know to take FULL advantage of this, software has to be written to do so… Which most is not. So if you run a whole lot of applications, play movies or MP3’s while surfing the web and checking email in the background while talking on speakerphone, well its going to slow down considerably.
When you slide the screen up to reveal the keyboard, it does take a second for the screen to switch into landscape mode but not too long. I loaded skype on it as well. To sum it up the device isn’t ready to handle VoIP or at-least the skype app isn’t optimized yet. I used the recently released “low memory/processor” version as well. If you do a soft-reset and clear all memory, then skype is a bit faster. Making calls with skype out over wifi is possible, just not very good. It takes pretty much ALL the processor and usually hangs the device is there is anything else going on. Like I said, over all and for everyday tasks the device is pretty quick.
Network, WiFi and EDGE
The WiFi is rated 802.11G on this device, which I can confirm works at regular 802.11G speeds. My router is in G only mode as well. Doing file transfers via FTP I was able to get quite fast network connections. The range of the WiFi isn’t STELLAR but it is decent. The EDGE GPRS is what I really like because of course you can’t always be at home or at a WiFi hotspot. EDGE is rated up to 262kbps Class 10 and is pretty fast for regular web surfing and email checking. Telfort is the only provider here in Rotterdam that I’ve found with full EDGE coverage and it works very well. Alot of people wonder why they didn’t input UMTS 3G into the phone like the JasJar, I think its just product differentiation. Especially since there is SO MUCH UMTS here in europe and barely any EDGE (atleast in The Netherlands), but plenty of EDGE and no UMTS in America. Now EV-DO and HSDPA is a whole different story, which I hope will be in the next upgrade to this phone along with a better processor. We won’t see EV-DO in it of course, but that is why sprint and Verizon have their versions of this device: The XV6700 and PPC-6700. Both run on the CDMA EV-DO broadband service and have 412Mhz Processors. They also have this ugly black antenna sticking out the side. I have yet to tether this to my laptop and use it as a modem.
Working with Mac OS X
As you all know I do all my work and development on OS X. Which to my dismay DOES NOT have WM support… at all. But I already knew that before I bought this device. What I didn’t know, is that the two main companies that make software to sync Windows Mobile devices with OS X seamlessly (Pocket Mac and The Missing Sync) do not ha WM5 support yet. I remember specifically reading on their website that Pocketmac did, which is why I bought it, but apparently I misread it. They both claim to be working tirelessly to bring it “Very Soon”, so I will keep my fingers crossed. But even without syncing my mail, tasks and calendar from mail.app, ical etc I think it is STILL worthwhile to have. As of now I can only transfer files via bluetooth to it. But being that it is so easy (and fun almost) to input info via the keyboard, I’ve just been doing that for really important information.
I’ve tested the ActiveSync on my XP laptop and it worked flawlessly, I also upgrade to activesync 4.1.
Likes and Dislikes
Overall I love the device, LOVE IT. It is AMAZING how they put so many features into such a slick and efficient design. Very well done. Even though I said I was satisfied with the everyday operations and speed of it when not doing intensive tasks, I am one to be doing intensive tasks, so I would like a faster processor which I’m sure will be in the next version. Its the tradeoff I get for not getting the huge JasJar to lug around. The battery could be longer under heavy WiFi use, but its not a big deal to me. I’d like a better factory case that is vertical instead of horizontal but that is nitpicking.
The Verdict
Go for it. If you need the features provided and want to increase your availability and productivity with clients, this an excellent device.
Overall: 8.6/10
Performance: 7/10
Design: 9/10
Features: 10/10
If you decide to get one you can go where I got mine, Smart Devices Direct.com. I searched for a week and they were the best price around plus some really stand up guys.
.
Posted on January 9, 2006
Filed Under Business, Mobile Tech, Productivity, Tech
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Comments
24 Responses to “HTC Wizard, Qtek 9100, MDA Vario, i-Mate K-JAM Review”
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I'm Marston and here you'll find my rantings, rhetoric and other useful info. I dig tech, photography, quantum physics and organic food. I'm the founder of SugarStats.com and thats my days developing.
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[...] There’s a nice review of the HTC Wizard over at Marston Online. [...]
Thank you so much for your detailed review. I’m sitting here in Atlanta for the weekend, trying to decide whether to pick one up from an eBay seller located here, this afternoon.
Your battery life and Mac-centric comments were particularly useful. I really hope PocketMac gets it together soon.
I am a T-Mobile Sidekick II user and I am enormously fond of the device. The slow web speed is getting to me, though.
I think I may go with the Qtek instead of waiting on Cingular’s version, so that I can easily switch devices or carriers in a few months.
With UTMS, the Nokia E61, and who knows, maybe even an Apple smartphone on the horizon, it seems like a good year to keep options open.
Definitely Steve, glad I could help. I have played with a Sidekick II myself for a while and the Qtek is a huge step up from that, of course mostly due to WM5. I hope PocketMac gets it together soon, which I think they will due to the “windows mobile 5 support coming soon!” posted in red all over their website. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for both of use. I must say though ,since switching to just EDGE GPRS as my main data transit and keeping WiFi and Bluetooth off when not needed, I’ve save ALOT of battery power. Good luck!
Actually, I bought the Qtek 9100 last weekend, and I’m trying to decide whether to keep it.
Overall, it’s a great device and I’m having a good experience.
I’m having trouble getting it to link to my G5 tower via Bluetooth. Both devices have bluetooth turned on and are discoverable, yet they don’t seem to see each other. How did you do it?
Also, is installing a newer ROM a difficult thing for us Mac folk? I suppose I need a PC for that?
Hey Stephen,
Unfortunately, as you may have discovered the WM5 OS and the Mac OS don’t get along together. There is no way to sync them as of yet. The guys over at PocketMac (pocketmac.net) and Markspace (Markspace.com) are working on it for the next versions of their programs which will hopefully be out soon :-. All you can do now is send files via bluetooth, but you can’t sync address book contacts or calendar items.
As for the ROM upgrade, yes you’ll need a PC for that. Unless you have Virtual PC. Once you get ahold of a windows command promt it is relatively easy with aWizard or similar utility. Good luck! It really is a great little device.
Stephen,
I agree totally with you; the k-jam is great. However, it’s not just nitpicking to wish for a vertical factory case; have you had difficulty when answering a call? the qwerty keyboard partly opens when retrieving the device from the horizontal case leading to the call being either put on hold or lost.
Any suggestions as to availability of suitable vertical case, preferably with belt loop?
Michael
[...] Kizzy and I went to the Art fair Rotterdam today. It was very packed but well worth it to me. I was really vibing with some of the artists and alot of it appealed to me. I didn’t have my main camera with me so these pics are only at 1.3MP because I took them on my Qtek 9100. [...]
Michael,
I’ve had the same issues. I’m still looking for a nice vertical case. Probably one for the S100 or original K-Jam would work the best. If you find any good ones do please let me know.
Thank you for your review.
About the vertical cases for the Qtek 9100 you are looking for, here are two of them (the first one is of specially good quality, and you have different options in colours and skin types).
Piel Frama
http://www.pielframa.com/qtek_9100_cowskin_colors_e.htm
Krusell Handit or Horizontic SWide
http://www.krusell.se/product.php?productID=2089&category=16 Krusell Handit
http://www.krusell.se/productUni.php?productID=1436&category=27 Krusell Horizontic SWide
I’m still doubting about buying the 9100. Finally, I think I will do it, but for me is much more comfortable to carry it in the horizontal case (I had not thought about the problems in receiving income calls)
Boga,
Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely check one of these out. If I grab one I’ll be sure to do a full review and post it.
Hi,
Thanks for the review. I use the WM devices with OS X too. I traded up from the Jam to this K-Jam/Dopod/etc thing…the biggest single issue I have is the lack of bluetooth dial-up modem capability now. The Jam would act as a GPRS modem for the Mac – but I can’t seem to enable this anywhere on this device…have you tried this?
Hey Taron,
I definitely know what you mean and I’m glad to say I got it working great. Check out my latest post here: http://www.marstononline.com/2006/os-x-bluetooth-tethering-on-the-qtek-9100-htc-wizard-mda-vario-etc-in-wm5/
[...] Sad to say, the successor to my phone, the Qtek 9100, has been released at CeBit and does it every look delicious. Time to keep up with the jones’. [...]
[...] Sad to say, the successor to my phone, the Qtek 9100, has been released at CeBit and does it every look delicious. Time to keep up with the jones’. When I said all I wanted in an upgrade was: [...]
hi mate just bought the mda vario two weeks ago havin problems with active sync, the vario seems to first sync when you first install the software on the pc. then aftre your first initail sync, the next time u try and sync it doesnt seem to recognize the device even when u toggle with the connect button.
how do u trouble shoot this??
does ue activesync work all the time ??
thanks
Nazrul:
Hey, glad to hear you’ve picked up an MDA, not so glad about your activesync problems :-. Unfortunately I don’t think I’m going to be much help to you as I use my with my Mac and when I do sync it to my PC laptop it works fine, so I can’t replicate the problem :-
I’d make sure you’re using the latest Activesync, which is 4.1. I know they might ship from the store with 4.0 and I know 4.1 did have some bug fixes. Other then that I think the problem you’re having is computer specific and might have something to do with conflicting software and or hardware in your particular setup. And I know that can be a pain in the ass to troubleshoot.
You’ll probably find some good help in the activesync forums or on the xda-forums: http://forum.xda-developers.com/
Good luck man, if you do come across a fix come back here to post it and maybe we can perhaps help other people out there with the same issue.
I love my K-Jam and new MacBook, but have not been able to get the two to work together (whereas I am able to get an Ericsson T39 and the MacBook to link up, albeit at slower GPRS speeds). I am hoping to use the K-Jam at EDGE speeds. Problem seems to be the MacBook’s inability to recognize the KJAM as a phone (vice PDA) and the MacBook will not offer the GPRS options it offers when I use the T39. I am new to Mac so I may be missing something simple. Any clues? Does anyone have a K-JAM script? Do I even need it?
Hey Jose,
Check out this other post I made on bluetooth tethering:
http://www.marstononline.com/2006/os-x-bluetooth-tethering-on-the-qtek-9100-htc-wizard-mda-vario-etc-in-wm5/
There is a modem script there or in one of the links that lets you do this easily. I use one called iPAQ GSM.
Stephen,
I’m looking into buying an MDA/QTEK 9100 and your detailed review has helped tremendously. I am a little worried about synching with my PowerBook G4 as I noticed on the Pocket Mac website that they still state “coming soon” for Windows Mobile 5. Have you found another option to fully sync with a Mac? Thanks
i have mda vario 2 ,ihave try to install realplayer but its notvalid vertion,ihave extra 2 gig memory.can u help me please.
Hi! Very nice site! Thanks you very much! Si47ljeB4dyoPL
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[...] If you’ve spent 5 minutes in a room with me in the last 6 months you know that I’m completely and utterly obsessed with the new HTC Wizard cellphone about to hit the streets. The only problem: it was supposed to be available 6 months ago. I have been waiting patiently for it since September, every day checking the normal cellphone geek hangouts reading messages proclaiming its releasing “any day now”. As a Type-A personality I’m am completely convinced it will bring absolute and total order to my life. [...]