I've owned a couple of these HTC phones, formerly a Cingular/Siemens SX66, and also a small one by Audiovox...can't remember model but WM based, now got a Tmobile Dash.
All based on Windows Mobile, and my question is: HTC PHONES DO THEY REALLY WORK???
In the Forums I read nothing but problems, my experience's not good either. My first SX66 was defective, the replace froze way too often/needed reset (WM froze, CONNECTIVITY was POOR as it was on the Audiovox (I threw it against the wall and smashed to pieces) and STILL IS on the Dash..maybe not as BAD
I want to install a new language support on the Dash....doesn't seem to be possible
I "upgraded" to WM6 but I think I actually lost rather than gained in terms of versatility features and feel...
I'm thinkin of gettin a TyTn....but is it worth the aggravations and headaches, since I'm going to need to unlock and most likely extra language support for text messaging.....Is it possible to Add???
INPUT/OPINIONS WELCOME
THANKS
The two most common, recurring problems that I know of are screen alignment and battery maladies. Each seems to be somewhat device-specific for the most part. That to say that screen alignment issues appear frequently on the Wizard and TyTn and probably a few others, and battery issues occur on the Universal variants and a few others. While there's no arguing the fact that some phones do have problems we must remember that folks that have problems (or questions) are more likely to post something about it/them than are people who don't. So what we see on the internet might not be a fair representation between good and bad experiences.
I was told once while having a conversation about researching products that the internet can sometimes offer too much info, especially about opinions that are more subjective in nature than those concerning an issue that is either black or white, with little in between. Perhaps misery loves company and this prompts us to share our troubles more than our triumphs.
Just my $.02, and fwiw my Wizard is dying after only a year of gentle use. Screen alignment issues and flaky behavior concerning incoming calls are becoming more than a minor annoyance.
Just a note to say that I've had my TyTn for almost a year now and never had a screen alignment issue. I thought this was only an issue for early models?
HTC do have a variety of different official WM6 language ROMs out for it.
Another note to say that if you can hold out for a month or two and can afford it, you may want to wait for the Kaiser, it's like an upgraded TyTn with GPS and more memory/storage.
It may be an issue only with early models, and it may not. But on the TyTn site there is a poll that states that 56% report the issue. I seem to recall that some were talking about new devices, but then you don't know how long the device sat on a shelf somewhere before being purchased.
I came close to deciding to wait for the Kaiser, but in the end the 2.8" screen and the possibility that the alignment problem could carry over made me go another route. Plus my Wizard is becoming increasingly frustrating and that made waiting more than a simple exercise in patience ;o(
here the test and review by GPS PASSION
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=105771
energy59 said:
here the test and review by GPS PASSION
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=105771
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Click to collapse
This device, as attractive as it may be, is starting to rack up some real negatives:
1) the confused (for consumers) situation with the Qualcomm chip and the US Court injunction (what effect may that have on overall sales and consequently warranty, quality control etc ?)
2) variations in build quality (sliders, screens unglued etc)
3) constant WWE ROM supply problems and high prices
4) the ongoing argument over video drivers (may not be a real issue, since it seems unlikely to me that any class action will actually occur)
I'm getting a small amount of "sand in my shoes"
I wonder: why are we bashing this device more and more lately? The more we bash, the less people buy, the worse TC sales are, the less support we'll get and eventually we might wind up with NO software updates at all..
So let's try to think about the positive things shall we
ianl8888 said:
1) the confused (for consumers) situation with the Qualcomm chip
2) variations in build quality (sliders, screens unglued etc)
3) constant WWE ROM supply problems and high prices
4) the ongoing argument over video drivers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: is a non-issue, by the time in 2009 when HTC will need to use a new chip, this device will have been replaced in all likelihood, or will have a slightly different chipset. No problem.
2: I've not heard of any problems, slight noise from a screen and concerns here and there, but no issues with previous build so why this one? Anyway, you get a defective one, you return it!
3: supply will level in a month or two, place an order now and you should have it early Feb. The fact that it's popular should tell you a lot.
4: again is a non-issue - either you want a multi-purpose phone like this or you don't. The video will be as released, I don't believe anything more will happen with it. It's fine as released for general purpose stuff...
Essentially, if you wanted a high-performance video device this one was never for you; if you want a great PDA phone it is. Make your choice. For me build quality is excellent and the rest is of no importance.
If you want great video performance buy a Cowon iAudio A3 (I got the A2), great rendering to high resolutions too in widescreen format, bigger and heavier than the TC but good for all your video/audio/FM radio/pictures/document needs. No input possible of course. That's why I needed the TC
SabbeRubbish said:
I wonder: why are we bashing this device more and more lately? The more we bash, the less people buy, the worse TC sales are, the less support we'll get and eventually we might wind up with NO software updates at all..
So let's try to think about the positive things shall we
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple.
Post cognitive dissonance:
http://www.ciadvertising.org/sa/fall_03/adv382J/mbabbott/advertising.htm
There have been high expectations from the device for a long time, combine that with the difficulty in actually getting hold of one and a couple of new models from other manufacturers on the horizon, and those expectations will change. Cognitive Dissonance is a much more difficult problem for companies to manage these days, mostly because of the internet.
I must say, truly interesting! And indeed I've caught myself luring to Eten and LG devices, but none are up to the TC challenge imho.
All i can say is i am right with rickgillyon.
Everyday, i am happy to have TC.
GPS, sound, screen, weight, radio, phone are perfect.
A lot of Applications are available.
I haven't buy this device for video but if it works well, i will use it some times.
Ziggy
fishes234 said:
Simple.
Post cognitive dissonance:
http://www.ciadvertising.org/sa/fall_03/adv382J/mbabbott/advertising.htm
There have been high expectations from the device for a long time, combine that with the difficulty in actually getting hold of one and a couple of new models from other manufacturers on the horizon, and those expectations will change. Cognitive Dissonance is a much more difficult problem for companies to manage these days, mostly because of the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True enough, although I have not yet made a decision to dissonate about. I had been somewhat interested in the ETEN X800 until some independent tests showed a slowness in its response - some people report it is now improved with some ROM changes, others don't think so.
My decisions tend to be based on the actual experience of the product - paper specifications simply weed out those that do not interest me to start with.
It's also interesting that the optimists here discount issues - eg. one reply to my "sand in my shoes" post suggested that by 2009 the Qualcomm Court injunction will be irrelevant as HTC will be using a different chip. But I don't really intend to change devices annually, so for me it is a potential issue, particularly as the outcomes cannot be easily predicted.
Supply is an issue - we've been given way too many false dates since August to believe "the next one". And there has been no real attempt at an explanation - but given the seemingly unglued screens and flimsy controls reported on some units, quality control on production issues may be a factor. Simply returning it is a very last resort, especially from O/S. It's far better to avoid the problems to begin with.
But then, without the optimists life would be dull I suppose. Even when they quote posts selectively ...
ianl8888 said:
It's also interesting that the optimists here discount issues - eg. one reply to my "sand in my shoes" post suggested that by 2009 the Qualcomm Court injunction will be irrelevant as HTC will be using a different chip. But I don't really intend to change devices annually, so for me it is a potential issue, particularly as the outcomes cannot be easily predicted.
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The outcome is already known, replacement chips are ready according to Qualcomm, and you won't have to change your device - they won't make us hand our phones back in...
As I say, it's a non-issue for the end user.
rickgillyon said:
The outcome is already known, replacement chips are ready according to Qualcomm, and you won't have to change your device - they won't make us hand our phones back in...
As I say, it's a non-issue for the end user.
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Click to collapse
I've discussed this out in another thread - so repetition is pointless. If you believe Qualcomm's rationalisations (after they have been convicted of knowing patent infringement), then I have some shares in the Sydney Harbour Bridge for you. Cheap, too. Such chips need to be fabricated, then assembled in new devices for testing. Qualcomm's "new" chips are also subject to a further Court examination next February before design release- the time and results of that are not predictable.
I'm not suggesting that the devices already sold will be recalled - do you understand the term "straw man" ? If world wide sales of the P3650 are repressed through this issue, HTC will reduce development and support for this model as fast as it can ... that's the core of my comments.
It's racking up real negatives. The only defence to this is cool examination of potential outcomes, or risk wasting money.
Chips need to be fabricated? Really? I'd never have guessed...
Fact is that Qualcomm, naughty as they undoubtedly are, have been working on this problem for some time as they knew they would lose. I see no reason to doubt that chips will be ready, and will be available. The reason Qulacomm will be hurrying out a replacement is to avoid the punitive commission they are paying right now.
HTC support? Surely you're kidding?
If, as you say, the issue stretches beyond early 2009, and supplies stop in early 2009, what's the difference? How often have you seen real support or development of an HTC product after the first few months? IME that support and development only comes in the cooked ROMs.
This still looks to me like the best device available right now, and with Qualcomm and HTC able to use the chip until 2009, not much of an issue for us. What's the alternative?
I am surprised at the amount of stick this device seems to be generating. I bought it as a replacement for my original Touch as I missed 3G and I have to say it's a fairly stunning device. Build quality on my unit is excellent, the slider and the scroll wheel are firm and responsive. The unit itself performs what I expect of it: PDA, email, fast internet. I fully expect this to be my longest lasting phone for quite a while, easily until end of FY 2009/2010. Problems like video drivers etc I don't really understand, it's adequate for a phone. If I want to watch videos I tend to use a full video capable device (eg PSP) rather than try to watch them on a phone.
SabbeRubbish said:
I wonder: why are we bashing this device more and more lately? The more we bash, the less people buy, the worse TC sales are, the less support we'll get and eventually we might wind up with NO software updates at all..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if we don't bash them, they think everyone's happy with the current performance and they don't bother improving it or doing anything about it.
andyturner said:
But if we don't bash them, they think everyone's happy with the current performance and they don't bother improving it or doing anything about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no, I do insist we bash them PERSONALLY, but not on the sales websites, as potential future customers may be scared in the future, even if the issue is already resolved, and therefore make the release of TC a fiasco, which would make HTC not distribute any sw updates...
Just a question:
How much would an external antenna help to get a better signal?
I would like to use the TC to track a short hike. Due to the test mentioned above, I would be forced to take the TC in my hand all the time. So I thougt I plug in an external antenna and fix the end somewhere to my clothes/backpack. Would that help?
Straputsky said:
Just a question:
How much would an external antenna help to get a better signal?
I would like to use the TC to track a short hike. Due to the test mentioned above, I would be forced to take the TC in my hand all the time. So I thougt I plug in an external antenna and fix the end somewhere to my clothes/backpack. Would that help?
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Click to collapse
Depends on the satellite coverage... My country has only 8 satellites covering it, so we couldn't utilize it fully even if we wanted to. (I don't know the background but thats the max number of lockons everyone gets around here)
But if your TC performs well in the city, i don't see any need for an external antenna, but an extra battery is a different story. And I hope you have other tracking softwares in your arsenal than the included TomTom...
gnick666 said:
...And I hope you have other tracking softwares in your arsenal than the included TomTom...
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With TomTom it would be a very short trip.
No, I plan to use TrackMe which was created by someone here in the community. It allows you to turn of the display, so the device consumes less power.
The problem is, that the TC didn't perform that good and I was thinking if it performs better with an external antenna. Especially in wooden areas I hope to gain a significant better signal.
Straputsky said:
...Especially in wooden areas I hope to gain a significant better signal.
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Click to collapse
You'd definitely get a better reception, but that would increase battery drainage. Bigger external antenna, heavier the drain on the battery.
But you can always pack the external antenna, and use it if needed. You won't loose anything, and we'd get some fieldtest results from the woods in Germany
@rickgyllion
Wot, no Harbour Bridge shares ? I'll even lower the price ! Oh well ...
"If, as you say, the issue stretches beyond early 2009 ..." I never said that, I simply pointed out that Qualcomm still faces unpredictable Court examination of its new designs. An inconvenient fact ...
"How often have you seen real support or development of an HTC product after the first few months?" Since the 1st non-English ROM devices have now been out a few months, one might think that stage has already been reached.
Between Qualcomm and HTC, it's a real stuff-up.
My attempt at resolution is that I have pre-ordered both the P3650 and an alternate non-HTC device. Both are due "in February" or "real soon now" or whichever comes first. When one or the other finally makes it to the retail market, then I'll make a decision.
Hello everyone!
I was considering purchasing a new TyTN II, and I was offered an Orange-locked TyTN II, brand new, for 280€ (approx. 300$ I think).
Now given such a VERY low price, is there anything I should be wary of? Might it be a stolen phone? One still under contract (and thus illegal to SIM unlock with the tools on XDA)? Am I purchasing a good phone or should I wait for a price cut on the Touch Pro/Omnia? I am looking at an hybrid entertainment-office machine which can last for years to come (I don't want to change it in just two years! My old Nokia is now well into its sixth year), is the TyTN II what I am looking for?
As I'm expected to give an answer in a few hours, I would be tremendously grateful to any who will answer. Thank you!
Assuming you want the slide out keyboard, I would go with a Touch Pro/Raphael. It is, IMHO, a significant upgrade to the TyTN.
emesbe said:
Assuming you want the slide out keyboard, I would go with a Touch Pro/Raphael. It is, IMHO, a significant upgrade to the TyTN.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer, emesbe! Yes, the QWERTY keyboard and GPS are a must, as all I do is texting, reading documents and PDF's, sat nav and of course talking. In short, I don't need a multimedia phone -I don't care about MP3's and videos- but I do need a PPC. I was leaning towards a i780, but now I have this TyTN II brand new for the same price.
I'm on a budget, unfortunately, so the Raphael is totally out of my price range: question is, for €260-280, is the locked TyTN II a good bargain?
Um, anyone, please?
maybe look at discount prices for rapheal. btw you didnt mention who offered you this phone
I did check my local prices, and they are in excess of 680€ ($780 I think); the phone has been offered by a colleague's friend who has just finished her contract.
i reckon just go for it at least you can hold a person responsible if there is a problem if you buy online there just emails to be sent
Is it still in factory-sealed packaging? If not it certainly can't be called new
If it is not, it might be hardly-used and still be a good deal.
Can you take it for a test drive first?
Plug it in to a computer, make sure it gets a good connection and can charge and sync.
While it is plugged in, gently move the USB connector up and down and side to side. If it loses its connection or if the the charge LED goes off, the unit has a bad connector.
Make sure the GPS works -- while connected run the QuickGPS app and make sure it can download and install the latest GPS settings.
Make sure you can connect to a WIFI hotspot.
Test the touch screen -- see if you can find any "dead zones" that don't register a touch.
If all seems well, do some research on the Kaiser forum here -- you'll need to become familiar with the tools used to unlock the phone.
Otherwise the price seems reasonable for a locked phone -- a new unlocked one is going for about $500 now.
Ok I got my tilt, which is TyTN II for about $330. Now it might be expensive to get it from UK, but I just want to throw it out there so you might know.
Also, TyTN II is almost out dated. It might be worth to spend that extra money on Raphael.
Personally i own a kaiser and love it but if i were you, i would look into getting a touch pro or touch hd if you can
This is a warning to all prospective buyers of that phone.
A local network provider has bundled the Garmin-Asus A10 with a pretty sweet data plan, which has convinced me to obtain it. I am however, very disappointed with the phone.
The obvious complaint most Garmin-Asus Android phone owners have gone back on their word and have stopped trying to provide an upgrade to Froyo for the phones. However, i find this... acceptable. Updates are a form of service, we bought a manufactured good and hope for adequate service, but it is not something that is implied that we paid for. The poor service we receive are partly our own fault for trusting a bad company.
This however, i cannot accept. The LCD on my A10 has a significant amount of dead/lazy pixels. This becomes very apparent on the black screen of the app “Dead Pixel Test”, especially in a dark room. Be warned, once you see it, it will bug you forever, if you never found it, it can probably be ignored.
In any case, I have sent it back to Asus Royal Club for repair twice, and each time they sent it back with an LCD screen that has a similar amount of dead/lazy pixels. To that, i found other A10 owners and noticed the same issue with their phone.
Be forewarned. It is likely that every LCD screen Asus uses for the A10 has this problem. Without a sharp enough eye, people are unlikely to notice until you start looking for it.
Suffice to say, Asus is now at the very bottom of the list of manufacturers i will buy from.
On a side note, just to end this post more positively, despite the poorly built LCD screen and weak phone antenna, the GPS receiver in the phone is, as you would expect, excellent. I even managed to get a GPS lock indoors within minutes! If you need a GPS that is also an Android phone, and can live with dead pixels on your screen, and this phone is at a bargain basement price, it might be worth getting. Otherwise, avoid.
You have been warned.
A dissatisfied consumer.
PS: In my country, you cannot return a faulty product for cash. Having the right to have it repaired is already considered a privilege.
Good evening all (UK question)
Just wonder how we stand if htc dont revise the back cover and make it fit the phone without gaps and the wifi Ariel is not moved? consumer direct, small claims?
Not good. Unless it is a problem with every phone made and it causes actual damage as oppose to incoveninance (sp?). Because its not a safety issues like with cars for example I dont think they can be made to do so either. The best case we can relate this to is the iphone4 reception problem. So at best we could probably hope for a free cover case.
Also unless HTC were based in the UK which I don't think they are the UK trading standards would be much harder to impose.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my HTC Sensation.
The only thing I can think of is returning your phone to the network supplier for a replacment phone. Either another sensation or similar.
Sent from my HTC Sensation.
from the other forum posts its a design flaw... just gota hope they fix the signal issue with a new cover, the overheating is not gona be fixed imo due to it just being crap rushed soc
If its a design flaw then there isnt much hope. There is no fault. Just un thought out workmanship. Don't quote me on this though I could be wrong but have spent some time around issues like this in the past. I'll do a bit of research later. As long as these flaws continue to cause no defect to the phone and don't impose a safety issue then nothing will be done as there is no fault to function other than minor inconvenience.
Sent from my HTC Sensation.
Same legal cover as with the iphone 4's external Airplane mode button.
IE the item is not fit for purpose then the retailer must either repair or replace, or refund if that is not possible.
If memory serves with the iphone issue, owners could get out of their contracts and return the phone.
The Sale Goods and Services 1979 provides that goods sold must be of 'satisfactory quality'. This means of a standard that a 'reasonable' person would expect.
Having wifi cut out because of how you hold it is not reasonable, assuming you're reasonably close to the wifi router.
You must inform the retailer of the issue within 6 months of purchase, as before 6 months you do not have to prove there is a fault, it's up to the retailer to prove there isn't (not that they'll try that considering how well documented the issue is).
Now, if they can't repair it, and you want to keep the phone, then that's your choice to put up with the issue.
Having said that, all the demonstration Sensations I've looked at had no problems with the cover fitting (couldn't test wifi obviously).
It could be that some warp in the heat (during transport for example) in which case a replacement part is likely to resolve that issue.
From what I gather about our friends on the other side of the pond, we are extremely lucky to have such good consumer protection laws.