James says we should jump on this and Matt highly recommends we should download it. If you’ve got a compatible device that is! Opera Mobile 9.5 will be available as a public beta for Windows Mobile on the 15th July. Its based on the same browser engine as the desktop 9.5 version which has quite a fast rendering engine. (I had some issues when I tested 9.5 Desktop with javascript-heavy pages recently though. I hope that doesn’t filter through to the mobile version because it will impact a lot of the web applications.) The mobile version also has some nice small-screen and finger enhancements too.
I’ve got an option to test out the HP iPAQ 214, the 275-Euro, 624Mhz, 4″ VGA, Wifi, Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 6 PDA and as before, I’m wondering if Opera Mobile 9.5 would turn it into a MID. It’s not 800×480 but at 275-Euro, it might make a nice pocketable companion device for a feature phone. I think i’ll take up the offer. It might be good to side-by-side it with a MID anyway.
If you haven’t bought that 214 yet, don’t. Read the owner comments over at the Brighthand forum. It is seriously bad.
I´m using the Ipaq 214 as a mini MID, mobile Video player and eBook reader and I’m more than satisfied with it.
It is the fastest PDA, I’ve seen and with a bright 4″ Display it feels nearly like a small UMPC with a battery life of 5-10 hours.
I’m using it with coreplayer, Netfront 3.5, Adobe 2.5(HTC)
Coreplayer runs desktop coded video flawlessly. Netfront loads and renders websites really fast. Opera 9.5 is somewhat slower but has a nice interface.
Both browsers are capable of rich websites like iGoogle and google mail (Ajax)
Only downsite: no flash until now, but hopefully later.
I’m using it as my main surf device
Some downsides of the 214:
-low speaker volume (coreplayer can compensate this)
-unusual thick touch screen, which is not good for finger touch, but not so good for stylus
Typo Correction:
screen is good for finger use
I own iPAQ 214. There certainly are some issues, but they are not major ones. I do not regret my purchase.
The only other devices with 128MB RAM and large VGA screen are much more expensive PDA phones HTC Advantage and O2 XDA Flame.
iPAQ 210 section on Brighthand is valuable reading anyway.
I have fs loox n560 with intel 624mhz processor and an raon everun and i must say you can not compare them.
Browsing with pda even with opera and 624 mhz arm is a pain!!!
With mid device is almoust good!
I previously owned an Axim 50v and with netfront 3.3 and opera 8.65 surfin was no fun.
Now, with the 214 and Netfront 3.5 it is a total different story.
The netfront is a big improvement, feels like a total different browser.
On the hardware side the Axim has 128/256 Ram/Flash and the new PXA310 cpu, which make the device more responsive compared to 624mHz Axim.
A real UMPC IS faster, but at least twice as expensive/big/hot/loud/less battery life…
The ipaq 214 is something beyond a UMPC but provides close to Desktop/UMPC browsing experience, plays videos easily and fits in every pocket without hassle.
It´s more of a fun device than business…
Chippy, ipaq 214 is not a phone :P But, I totally agree, it can occupy the place of MID with either opera 9.5 or Netfront 3.5
@focus. Nice info. Thanks. Any chance of a vid showing a comparison?
A 214 wouldn’t fit with me but I think for people that like carrying a very small feature phone, this could make an interesting option for a low-end MID. I have the feeling that it might be better than an N800 due to the huge range of software available and good processor. Anyone got thoughts on that?
Steve.
@chippy:first i must say i observed your opinions about umpc are close to mine’s.
Second:there is no match between mid and pda.Pda are clumsy devices!We need an better mid,thats all!
Think an litlle:wm6 is an joke oposed to win xp!
I will try to make that video and keep you posted.