[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] simon_darley:
Ok, I was in the same boat as you, had the XDAII, hacked to WM2003SE, got sick of the bugs, and upgraded immediately for wm5 and the new tools. Never looked back. But to answer your specific questions:

1. Is the flip and twist gimmick useful?

Wonderful, love it, not for the flip and twist, but for the keyboard. I also like the clam approach to protect the screen. It also adds enormous geek factor. I really got sick of the tapping on the screen to type, and there is no way I could get into the sms or email thing tapping the screen. the keyboard makes typing and communication via a keyboard so much easier.

2. Is there much software compatible with the sideways screen and the qwerty keypad? And does it have to be specially written for Windows Mobile 2005?

There is a lot of software becoming now far more popular for WM5, but perhaps only say 50% of the software on the market, but those are usually the mickey mouse software apps, the serious contenders have updated most of the apps for this.

3. Will my old apps from my XDA11 work on it?

Some, maybe, but not all. Most of the apps usually have an upgrade policy. GPS systems struggle and need to be hacked. I was unable to get Navman to work. SPB has new releases for most apps, resco has been updated. So you may have to pay for an upgrade.

4. Would I have to resize all my videos from Media Player that are currently 320x240 or does it fit them to the screen size?

You can if you want them in full screen, change them to 640x480, but the existing camera still only uses 320x240 so they only use about 1/4 of the screen. This is the most common complaint, and my biggest gripe. An app called TPCMP will stretch the videos for you to full screen. Its free.

5. I'm clueless about WIFI. If I bought a wifi adaptor kit for my desktop PC, could I lie in bed surfing the net from my Exec on a WIFI connection?

Yes. You can also use it to share folders, copy your videos and pictures to your computer, stream music and videos from your PC to PPC. This is the biggest bonus and favourite bit for me, along with 3G fast internet.

6. Is Internet Explorer better featured than the previous versions? I always found it a bit lacking (no forward button, no side-on option, poor image viewing capability, etc). Or would you recommend a 3rd party browser?

It hasnt changed. You get a little bit more text to a screen, but no extra functions. There are 3rd parties, but I dont recommend or use any other. I find it is sufficient and acceptable, but not state of the art.

7. Does Media Player support MPEGs yet?

Not sure, but if you want full screen, you will probably use TCPMP anyway. Everybody else does.

8. Are MP3 ringtones supported?

Yes. I use them.

9. Is it also called the Jasjar? I keep seeing that word spouted around

Yes, O2 Exec, Imate Jasjar are the same hardware, and 95% same software. O2 has three different releases, useless, next to useless, and barebones basic, which is similar to the Imate. Both have crap support.

10. WHERE CAN I GET ONE THE CHEAPEST? It's £149.99 on O2 site, is that the cheapest? Also do I need to wait for my contract to come up for renewal again or can I get one now?

I paid $1,500 AUD to pay cash up front so that I could change and use whatever network and service provider I want, when I want. Its about 600 pounds (sorr my keyboard doesnt have a pounds symbol I am on the bottom end of the world).

I think you need to understand some of the other issues:

1. Speed, slower

2. Pemanent storage, limited but handy

3. Bluetooth better, but not good enough yet

4. Updated ROM has push email, but not the released rom

5. Landscape awesome

6. Camera, ok, not brilliant, but significantly better than XDAII

7. SD Card rather than Mini (on other devices)

8. No backpack, no VGA output

9. Two cameras, second for video telephone

10. Hot Keys for quick access to primary functions

11. Impoved Office tools word and excel

12. Better sound

13. Lacks external display, so you dont know who is calling unless you keep it in PDA mode

14. Extra size and weight makes it bulky

15. The case it comes with is crap.

Eitherway, no matter what, I do recommend the Universal device, though I was happy with the XDAII overall, I really really really wanted a proper Qwerty keyboard, and built in WIFI.

Hope it helps

Cheers

Simon