The HTC Universal is a Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PCPDA manufactured by High Tech Computer Corporation. It was the first 3G/UMTS-enabled Pocket PC PDA with a telecommunications function, and also the first to come with Windows Mobile 5.0 pre-installed. It is sold by many different vendors under the names of O2 xda Exec, Orange SPV M5000, Dopod 900, Qtek 9000, T-Mobile MDA Pro, I-mate JasJar, Vodafone v1640, Vodafone VPA IV, E-Plus PDA IV, etc. Despite all the different model names and housing appearance, they all have identical hardware specifications with small differences in the external color and branding. The most eye-catching feature of this device is its 180-degree swivel screen, allowing a quick swap between portrait mode and landscape mode. The GUI automatically adjusts screen orientation accordingly.
SIM lock
Most network-supplied versions of the Universal are shipped SIM-locked, with the O2 XDA Exec being a notable exception. However, a free SIM unlocking tool was released. This process involves flashing a new Radio ROM onto the device, and it may invalidate the warranty.
There are many high-capacity "extended" batteries available for the HTC Universal. 2600mAh, 3150mAh, 3200mAh, 3800mAh, 4800mAh and even 5200mAh models have been sold by various retailers, which allow the device to run for more than a week in many cases on a single charge. All extended batteries have one big drawback though, they are all supplied with a new plastic back to hold the battery, which considerably increases the size and weight of the device. The 3800 mAh battery is a Li Ion battery with model number PU16B manufactured by Dynapack International Technology Corporation in Taiwan. It is rated at 3.7 VDC. It increased the weight of HTC Universal to 350 g. It allows the use of the camera by holes built in the battery plastic container. Its price is about 30 EUR as of October 2008. With this battery, HTC Universal can operate up to 200 hours without GSM/UMTS/Bluetooth/WiFi or about 100–150 hours with UMTS and Bluetooth on.
Unofficial extensions
With registry editing and/or ROM re-flashing, substantial extra functionality can be added to this device. A few examples follow :
Wireless G connectivity. This only allows the device to communicate using the 802.11g protocol instead of 802.11b, it does not give a speed increase beyond 11Mbit. However, numerous online sources now say this no longer works.
Full emulation of an "SD card reader".
Full VGA graphics, as opposed to the "QVGA emulation/compatibility mode" which the Universal runs in by default. The two main downsides to this are that some software cannot handle "true VGA" mode, which usually results in corrupted graphics, and that it can be quite difficult to see such small screen elements like text.
Emulation and mapping of additional keys not found on the Universal native keyboard, such as CTRL and ALT.
Support for SDHC cards. 8GB, 16GB and 32GB cards have been tested successfully. This is only made possible via a third-party hacked driver.
128MB of RAM. It is possible to replace 64MB memory modules with 128MB one. It can be only used with 128MB enabled ROMs but it makes more space for running applications.
It is possible to install a custom version of Linux on the HTC Universal. Despite the lack of cooperation by HTC, drivers for most of the device's components are functional. It is possible to run various handheld Linux distributions on the Universal, though application support is in its infancy.
There are numerous "unofficial" builds of Windows Mobile 6 which have been made to run on this device, and now even some tools which allow users to create their own custom WM6 ROM images. There is a thriving community of people dedicated to improving these WM6 builds on the Universal.
