HTC 9100 Smartphone

When you are looking around todays array of so called "smartphones" you will inevitably run over the product line from a company called HTC. The funny thing is that you will actually very rarely find HTC written on these phones. HTC sells, like a lot of other companies, branded versions of their smartphones. Branded means that the software built into these phones is slightly altered from the standard version to include the company logo of whatever phone company you have or putting in predefined settings or even restricting certain features. HTC goes even farther with some of their phones as sometimes they also provide different looking shells so the phone looks different.

That said, lets look at the HTC Qtek 9100. It's the same as the XDA Mini S from O2, the MDA (Vario) from T-Mobile, 8125 from Cingular and probably a lot of others too. Again, some phones don't even look like the QTek 9100, like the 8125 from Cingular, still it's the same phone.

So after we know what is behind the fassade of the name, lets look behind the fassade of the cover and look into the inside. We are dealing with a Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA/Smartphone here with the following specs:
- OMAP850 Processor running on 200 Mhz
- 64 MB of RAM - some of that gets taken by Windows itself
- 128 MB Flash ROM
- Display size is 2.8", Resolution 240x320, 65K colors with touchscreen
- GSM 850/900/1800/1900 GPRS, EDGE
- WI-FI, Bluetooth, Infrared
- 1.3 Megapixel built in camera
- slot for MiniSD memory cards
- Stereo headphone jack (2.5mm), built-in speakers

What PDA's usually not have is a QWERTY keyboard. The Qtek9100 has one that you can access by moving the top part of the phone to one side. The phone also features quick access buttons to switch directly to functions as email, internet explorer, contacts, camera and the voice control. The buttons can be individually programmed with other features if one so wishes to. On top of that, you have a 5 way steering pad and the classic "pick- and hang up" buttons on the bottom of the phone.

That pretty much sums up the most important technical features. If you ever had a PDA running Windows Mobile 5.0 you can pretty much expect the phone to act just like that.

Soooo... is the phone any good? Well... that is actually hard to say. I have never found a smartphone with so much good and bad paired into one device.

Let's start with the good:
- It runs Windows Mobile 5.0. That means you have access to a virtually unlimited array of software you can install on this phone. You can even run Navigation-Software on it and use it with a Bluetooth GPS device for your car.

- It (almost) seamlessly integrates with Outlook on your computer over Microsoft's Active Sync so you always have all your contacts, notes, emails, etc. with you.

- Over the MicroSD slot you can expand the memory to an almost insane level. I have a 2gig memory card in mine now and I would be hard pressed to get that full. Unless I am determined to install lots of software. Oh, and even when I do.. I just by a second card and swap them like a disc drive. I remember my PC not even having a 2 gig harddrive not too many years ago...

- The display is very good. I have rarely not been able to use it because of direct sunlight. Usually its enough to just find an area with a little shade. And inside a building? No problemo ever.

- The built in QWERTY keyboard actually helps a lot in writing documents, txt messages, etc. And you can still use a virtual keyboard, the touchscreen or the handwriting recognition that comes with the phone. Also the latter is just too weird for me and I found that I am faster with the virtual keyboard.

- It can recharge over it's USB connection to the PC, like all the other PDA's. So if you sync it, it charges too.
- I like the phone slightly bigger size, since I am not a big fan of flimsy, slim little plastic boxes. You should take a look at it for yourself though.


And now the bad:
- It runs on Windows Mobile 5.0. What is a blessing in terms of available software is also a curse in terms of system stability. Hey, it's Windows, what do you expect? There is a reason why Windows Mobile PDA's (and this thing is no exception) have a easy accessible reset button. Even the guy that I bought the thing from said "It's Windows, expect to reset it at least once per week-probably at the most inopportune moment." He was right. Why do I put up with that? I am a Systems Manager for a Windows Computer Network in my worklife...crashes don't phase me anymore...

- The keyboard has some pretty stupid keymappings. Why, for example can I punch the comma key normally but have to use the special "second function button" to be able to use the period? Are Windows Mobile users not supposed to end their sentences?

- The battery life of the phone is close to ridiculous. It says 200 hrs stand by (which basically means, never actually use it) and 5 hrs of battery life when you speak or use the PDA. I found that to be more close to 2-3 hrs. It usually doesn't become a problem since I am not a heavy phone user and I leave it connected to the computer a lot, where it recharges over it's USB connection.

- The speed of the PDA is not optimal. That is mainly due to the fact that the CPU built in the phone is on the lower end of the scale. If you can deal with that, okay. If you want a phone that quickly responds to anything you do...stay away from it.

- Active Sync, the program used to synchronise the phone with your computer has it's own problems. Expect to have double entries once a while after a synchronisation process. Freeware tools to take out those double entries are readily available on the net...and needed too.

- In general you will need third party software to keep the thing running smoothly.


And then there is some stuff that is not really good or bad, but nevertheless, people interested in this phone have to be aware of. The most important one: I think this thing is advertised wrong. I don't see it as a phone that has PDA functions but the other way around... it's a PDA that can be used as a phone too.

Why is that? Well, first of all you are missing the standard numerical keypad. Making phone calls is done either over the contacts folder or a keypad that gets put on the screen as soon as you punch the phone button. That is not as easy as with a regular phone. Anybody who has ever tried to blindly and accurately punch in a number on a touchscreen will agree. But then again... when you buy a smartphone like that... you should be aware of that before you buy. In the end, that means usually using two hands to make a call or using the voice recognition.

And why is it important? If you expect this thing to be primarily a phone, you will be utterly disappointed. I guarantee you that.

So bottom line is... if you want a small PDA that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars and can be used as a phone too... you should take a look. If you are willing to put up with Windows Mobile 5.0 little problems (and lets face it, the only real alternative is a PALM), you will get a cheap, yet full fledged and pocket size friendly PDA that's also a phone.

If you need a phone and you also want it to have PDA functions... stay away from it. The fact alone that this thing doesn't have a numerical keypad will ruin your day.

No matter what you do... I don't recommend ordering this thing online before you actually had a chance to hold it in your hands. If you have some store nearby that specializes in cell phones, go there and see if you can check it out.

A VERY IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE
Like I said in the beginning, different cell phone companies might use different "branded" software in their versions of he Qtek 9100. Be aware that those could actually make you life easier or harder, depending on the type of change and how good it has been implemented. It is possible though, to flash the ROM and to put the original HTC firmware into the phone. That though, is a thing that only geeks should attempt!!