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Hi everyone, I am in the market for a new Pocket PC style phone with a QWERTY style keybaord on it. Through my research I have found out that all QWERTY style Pocket PC's are also phones.
So after looking around at a number of models out there the i-Mate JASJAR phone really caught my eye. However, also while looking around I found this site and figured I would ask an active community what my best choice would be. I will buy from anywhere in the world if it will be cheaper in the end.
I have a plan with Fido currently and a sim card in my LG phone working at the moment.
The things I need in a Pocket PC Phone:
Hardware
- Fido Canada Compatability (GSM ~1900) for phone
- WiFi (802.11b) for data
- Bluetooth support
- SD Card Slot for my 1gb card
- USB port to connect to computer
- Decent processor and RAM.
Software
- Windows 2005 (or whatever the latest is)
- General Word / Excel Applications
- MSN Messenger
I'm not used to looking up information about phones and cross compatibility, and being in canada all I am used to is being screwed up the rear with cell phone costs and locked phones. So thats why I am coming here for help.
Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thank you all in advance.
Antonio the Knight of Ni.
Hello,
If all you you need are those listed, basically you can pick any PPC that is offered today by the cell phone providers today in North America, as it will be cheaper than buying an unlocked one. Mostly the providers today offered one of the Wizard varians, like in the USA, most of the providers (Cingular, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint), all of them carry of the Wizard varians, with price around US$350 for 2 years contract. Full price without contract here is around US$500.
I'm an owner of i-mate Jasjar (Universal). Compared to a Wizard, Jasjar/Universal is much more expensive here in North America, because no provider carry it, thus we have to buy full price.
Compared to Wizard, however, Universal has the following:
1. Processor is twice/more faster technically.
2. Screen is VGA, compared to Wizard (QVGA).
3. Heavier, bulkier, etc.
4. Universal is wow when used as a mini laptop, but Wizard is wow when used a mini PPC and phone.
I can tell you, I'm always impressed with my Uni when I read PDF doc, emails, remote connecting to my PC, watching videos.
All of your requirement can be easily fulfilled by a WIzard instead of a Universal.
Well, I am willing to spend up to $800 so I dont have to be in a contract, and my goal is to get it to work on my Canadian provider Fido. So, the phone is going to have to be unlocked in order for me to beable to use it on my provider as they dont sell any pocket pc phones, only their parent company rogers does but I am on a grandfathered contract with fido that gives me unlimited calling, so i would like to maintain that.
So, as far as unlocked phones go, your saying that the Jaspar is probly the best call? Excuse the pun.
In the market
I am in the market for a ppc phone as well and I have come down to a decision between the Universal and the Wizard, but I would like some user feedback about both models. I noticed the Wizard has a 200mhz TI cpu and the Universal has a 520mhz intel cpu. What is the actual performance difference between the two? Does the wizard use its clock cycles more efficiently closing some of the gap or is the universal really 2.6 times faster? What about the resolution difference? I think this might be a big selling factor for me. Does it make a big difference? I know on a computer I can't stand to use anything less than 1600x1200. The bottom line is it looks like it is going to cost me twice as much for the universal as the wizard is the extra money worth it? I am looking at using T-Mobile here in the states. They only offer the MDA(Wizard) and not the MDA Pro(Universal) but I think either way I will probably pick one up off of ebay and try and save some money. Thanks in advance for your help.
Last year, around Oct-Nov, I was in the same place you were today. I had the plan that I did not want to lose. I did not want to sign any new contract.
I want unlocked Pocket PC so that I can use it when I travel to Asia and any where. And I decided I would not mind to pay the full price. My budget was... however, I pushed it all the way to over $1000 in order to buy the best.
I considered that single invesment to fullfill at least many years to come needs, therefore, go with the most advance one, rather than buy a cheaper one, but half way.
That's the whole reason I was finally decided to get a Universal. But if you ask me to share my opinion with you today, after using Universal more than 6 months, I think it was not the best decision I made with the purchase. Do not get me wrong, I learned and experienced many new things since I had my Uni, and its extremely well built and nice device, nothing like it really. The screen especially, may be the best you will ever see in any Pocket PC. But for daily use, for phone, for carry around, for many occasions, I do not use it, simply its not pratical. I usually swiched back to my old one. Then I would blame myself, why did you buy it if you do not want to use it? Sad
Most of the time now I leave my Uni at home to be used with my home wifi. I have seen many ppl are happier with their decision to get a smaller scale one like Wizard or Prophet. Prophet is about the same size with the Wizard, except its thinner as it has no keyboard but better button layout. They do not mind even though the screen is a quarter than the Universal and the processor speed is half of the Universal as well. And indeed, for daily practical use (phone, email, notes) it does serve the purpose. Absolutely, when you want to browse the web, then smaller screen is not as good as VGA like Universal Smile When it comes to size and easy carry, smaller size is better.
Hope I'm not making your more confused. But if I can re-decide I would pick a Prophet instead. Since I have decided with a Uni, I'm happy to live with it as I do not want/cannot afford a new one right now.
KJam and Jamin (Wizard and Prophet) are identical in term of hardware spec (procesor, memory, etc) but has different apperance.
KJam/Wizard is thicker because it has a keyboard, Jamin/Prophet does not have one, but Jamin/Prophet has a better button layout that will allow single handed use of the device.
The last thing which is very important to know as well, KJam/Wizard use Mini SD, Jamin/Prophet use SD (Full size). Many ppl (like myself) will not buy something that use mini SD as I have invested quite a lot in big size SD card and would like to continue using the same card.
keep in mind that canada and a lot of the US uses 1900 and 850 freq for cellular
that being said, the wizard will work in more places than the universal because there are places that are 850 only and the universal doesn't have it
but if you want more pda features, then you'll have to give up some possible reception
Here, check out this link:
http://www.htcamerica.net/products/default.htm
Here you can find all the Wizard variants that are being offered in the US market, by each cell phone provider. Canadian providers are also listed here.
I signed up for service with T-Mobile a week ago and just got a crappy $10 Samsung R225m for the time being. I decided I will get The Universal and if I know I am going somewhere out in the boonies where I will need 850mhz analog I will grab the samsung. Is cloning your sim legal? Like let us say I want to have multiple cards in case something happens or if i want a data telemtry device in my car which would be used rather infrequently to share everything.
Wait a minute.... I was just looking and the Universal doesn't have EDGE does it? Does anyone in the states know how widespread T-Mobile's EDGE coverage is? How much of a difference does it make in speed?
OK - due to a change of jobs and the time coming to upgrade anyway, I am looking to get a PDA phone. Previously been a nokia user.
Was looking at the Jamin, but then along came the Hermes.....
New place is all Terminal Server based so not sure if i will be able to sync with Outlook. May still want to use calendar on phone independently.
As far as I can see, the pros and cons are as follows :
Jamin - thinner - more likley to fit in pocket whereas Hermes will be a bit bigger.
Hermes has keyboard however - and jog wheel - useful especially if I use the calendar without syncing and have to enter data. (suppose i could sync with my home pc calendar and enter that way tho.) How much do people really use the keyboard on it? odd friends with them tend to say not much. But not having a keypad still concerns me.
Hermes is faster/newer, but uses micro SD cards and mini USB for headphones. Jamin uses SD and 2.5mm jack. Jamin can be overclocked a bit (seemingly with no great impact on stability) but should make it reasonable.
Both have wifi, both vibrate I assume and both can have MP3 ringtones.
I am currently on orange and their current plans suck quite honestly. Obviously T mobile have web n walk or whatever, but I still remember the days of one to no-one and have concerns - A phone with poor reception is useless to me. (mind you not sure the Jamin is available on other networks?) How much data would I really use anyway whilst out and about.
Hmmmm. Its all a bit too much and most of the shops near me don't have examples I can go in and pick up to see what they are like to even hold.
Any advice or things I have missed would be greatly appreciated.
I currently use M500, unlocked to use with T-Mobile Web'n'Walk.
I upgraded to M600 (again, unlocked it to use with T-Mobile), but it wasn't even capable of scrolling through pdf documents, so I've just got rid of it.
So, if there was a choice between M600 and M3100, I'd go for the M3100 due to the extra processor speed, even though I've never been keen on the extra thickness caused by having the thumb-board.
Another major reason for preferring the M3100 is that the M3100 has 3g and is capable of 3.5g, the best the M600 is capable of is Edge.
If I do get the M3100, I will of course unlock it and use it on T-Mobile web'n'Walk.
Incidentally, I was a loyal Orange customer for nearly 10 years, but I refuse to pay their data charges. I have had no issues with T-Mobile coverage, but then I am in London, so woulldn't really expect any problems.
Regards
Well I love my Jamin which I had for almost 3 month now. (Used regular Motorola for phone and iPaq for PDA before that).
I have a long commute on a bus each day, and it makes it pass quite fast, listening to MP3 and surfing the web at the same time.
For all my daily uses I never had a speed problem, and I never overclocked it. Although I don't use navigational software and Skype.
Yes, the full SD is a plus, but if I had the choice now I would probably choose the Hermes because of the 3G and the faster processor.
Mainly I would have suffered the microSD because the device is newer overall, but I like gadgets.
As for the keyboard, I used my PDAs for over year and a half for various stuff and never felt the need for it. Unless you intend to type word documents or very long emails, the virtual keyboard will do just fine.
Personally I would prefer a phone pad like on ASUS 525 (not out yet, unfortunately).
Well that's just another opinion for you.
Still not decided
Cheers guys, although I am still in a quandry.
I guess the remaining key questions are:
How much of a hassle is the lack of a normal headphone socket on the Hermes?
Given that I have finally concluded that I can live without a keyboard is the jog wheel on the Hermes worth the extra thickness - I have heard it is great for quick and easy use.
How much would I notice the slower speed (not bothered re Skype) - I have heard that people who have not had pda phones before notice the speed the most.
Any experiences advice welcomed again.
Cheers
C
How much would I really use the data part whilst out and about (as wifi at home) - could get a good deal with say vodafone if you exclude the data element. Am still worried about T mobiel coverage - I live in Kent and work would take me round the country once or twice a month - reception then would be useful.
Just seen main tytn thread about possible new Orange data oackage - may answer one of my questions.....
OK - the unlimited GPRS off peak only bundle is not what I was looking for.(Orange- you really don;t have a clue about this data stuff...)
Am still in a quandry, have been watching the tytn threads as well. Cost is also an issue at the mo, and looking at the other threads the device cost may be a bit steep for me.
Seems to be quite a few suspect handsets around with dodgy keys and screens that lose alignment. Byt the time the device comes out on Tmobile and Orange (imminent I know) and then gets out of stock and back in etc it will be months before I got one anyway. I am now thinking it would be better to get a Jamin on Orange and just not really use the data during the day too much. Just sign up for 12 months and look again next year.
Would be able to use existing and cheaper SD cards. 2.5mm jack is good. T mobile reception for the data still worries me as I would be travelling a bit. Hopefully most of the bugs are now ironed out of the
Jamin, and it is thinner.
Any other hints/advice would be appreciated.
Hello everyone!
I sold my Athena in the favour of the upcoming HTC Touch Pro, but now I am wondering... Is it better to but the new X7510?
Can you please tell me what the differences are between the old X7500 and the new X7510?
I do know that X7510 has an 16GB SSD drive instead of the 8 GB Hard Drive, but what else is new?
With my X7500 I had some problems while watching videos, that the audio and video got out of sync after a while, I read somewhere that it was becouse the X7500 did not have the proper drivers installed, just like the Tytn II devices! Is that still an issue with the X7510?
Also I think that the X7500 did not perform very well in other applications either, to give you an example: TomTom was performing much better on the Tytn II then it was on the X7500 even tough tytn II has a slower cpu!
Please tell me if this new X7510 still has the same issues, and what more except the harddrive is changed?
Looking forward to your reply!
my X7510 is still on original HTC ROM, and running great with TomTom 7 (it comes free with TomTom 6)
i do not notice any noticeable slowdown
MP3 and Videos running fine, via my Bluetooth headsets.
coming from a Palm Treo, everything seems wAY!! faster for me. LOL
on the same topic, since i'm coming from the Palm World, i transfered my licenses to software i know by heart
Pocket Tunes for MP3 and TCPCMP for videos (freebie), and many other applications, that i transfered from Palm to PPC
I also was choosing between those two devices, and i went for the X7510 becuase big screen, and 16GB flash.
Darn, you beat me to it, I was going to post a thread on the two. You should insert a Poll, to see what people think.
You might not like the X7510 because you previously own a X7500. The major complaint is the lack of hard buttons. But for me, I don't need anything except the home button, so the X7510 is perfect for my needs.
Heres the poll!
hollywould said:
Darn, you beat me to it, I was going to post a thread on the two. You should insert a Poll, to see what people think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Inserted poll, hope there will be many voters!
cktlcmd said:
You might not like the X7510 because you previously own a X7500. The major complaint is the lack of hard buttons. But for me, I don't need anything except the home button, so the X7510 is perfect for my needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I do know that there is less hardware buttons, but I dont really need them on athena anyway! The most important thing for me to know right now is if there is a problem with missing drivers like on the X7500?
How is watching videos, does it skip frames like on X7500, does the audio/video come out of sync?
What is the biggest difference in the hardware between the X7500 and X7510, does it have another chipset or what?
These are all the questions that I need answered!
I see that I'm the first voter!
For me, if my interest is in watching video (and I watch lots of them), there is a no brainer that a 5 inch screen is the way to go. I don't have any issue with the driver or anything like that. I find the video fluid and smooth, sound clear. I just do't demand it to be as good as my home theatre system in terms of clarity and sound quality that's all. I have lots of youtube collections and even if I watch them in 100% size, where the clarity is the best, the picture size is probably still as big as stretching it 200% on a 2.8 inch screen.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with the driver. I came across an article before explaining that even HTC did not know that it was not their fault that the ATI Imageon Decorder is not peforming. Apparently it is because another party had intentionally disabled some capability due to licensing and pricing issue. So it was a pricing rather than technical issue that we are not getting the best performance. If I come across that article again, I'll post it.
Other than being the best device to play video, Athena (whether it is 7500,7501, or 7510) are also best internet device out there at the moment. I've tried using iPhone which has only a miserable 3.2 inch. Although it has a very nice Safari, using it for internet is a pain. Everytime I want to see something, I have to use my finger to stretch it until the text are large enough to be readable. I then have to keep scrolling left and right to read. With Athena and Opera Mobile 1184, I can read without zooming in and out (if I set the minimum overview zoom to 85%). It is so easy.
Then, when come to using Softmaker or Office application, the 5 inch screen is simply unmatchable.
Even my TomTom 7, which runs very fast BTW, looks much better on the 5 inch than on 2.8 inch screen. Talking about TT7's speed, make sure you use the right ROM, as I did have issue with loading speed and memory on some ROM. Use the latest irus new 0MB pagepool ROM, MiChY 1.88, or Sogarth base ROM. The former two are particularly fast and TomTom friendly. My start screen is displayed in split seconds, and does not get half frozen like in some earlier ROMs.
I did have chance to play with a 2.8 inch device lately, and I was just too frustrated with the unacceptably small screen size. It is not finger friendly for me for most of the applications.
As your poll is between 7500 and TouchPro, I will not mention too much about the hardware button. However, as I use the device tablet style, I got to have those bottons. When using MP3 programs, I use it to skip song, repeat songs, volum up, down, blank screen, go to song list, etc. In mail, I use it to go to next mail, next account, etc. In news feed, the same things. When I walk around with MP3 in my pouch, I do not want to take it out, turn on the power, change a song, find a way to blank the screen, and put it back to my pouch. So, hope that settles once and for all why buttons are so indispensable for tablet style users, which I believe account for about half of Athena owners.
Another thing I should point out is that the microdrive is not less unreliable than my storage card, other than being a lot faster. This is based on my own experience after almost one and a half year of use by now.
I do not say that the Athena has no room for improvement. There are plenty to improve on. But there is no device out there good enough to replace it yet.
x7510 or Touch Pro
I currently own a x7500, Iphone 3g, HTC Diamond, Blackberry curve, blackberry pearl. Sometimes I wonder why do I need so many devices. The truth is that I like each of them for their different features. Let me share with you my knowledge from experience. HTC Diamond or HTC Pro. Though the display is sharp the screen size is way too small for serious pda users. I believe you guys are if not you will not be accessing this website. As such this device is a no no.
The Blackberry curve is good for emails as its reliable and the price plan is quite cheap. (Cheap I will explain later) Emails are really fast and reliable. Blackberry pearl, typing is not that convenient but I like it as the size of the phone is small.
The iphone 3g, its a love and hate device. A week ago, I brought it roaming in Japan. With mobile me I received about 120 emails in 2 days. Replied to about 8 of them. Check 2 websites. Made a 5 minute phone call. The bill for roaming came out to be about US$150 for that 2 days of usage. Although Mobile me is more superior as it can display pictures and html, the cost of using it overseas will make it an impractical option. In addition the emails do not arrive as fast as the blackberry emails. Someone above mentioned that you have to zoom in and out with your fingers. Actually there is an easy way. All you need to do is tap twice on the paragraph you are interested and it automatically zooms in. Video display is first class. The software seems to run smoother than pocket pc. In addition, it feels smarter and faster. Its a love and hate relationship. Though I like the software, there are many things I dislike. That is why I am still carrying my HTC Advantage
HTC Advantage x7500, is one of the best all rounder. You can edit excel, you can save any kind of documents on the device. You can sync notes and tasks with outlook. You can have tom tom or mapking on it. You can cut and paste from calendars or contacts to anywhere.
These are the things iphone cannot do. Just waiting everyday patiently for an update from Apple itunes is driving me crazy. Not only that you cannot sync it with your work and home computer. You have to pay for most of the useful software like Skype and so on
I am tempted to give my iphone to my wife and continue using the HTC Advantage.. Though I don't own a x7510. I think the main problem with it is that HTC did not spend enough efforts to main it a better device. They have the technology to increase the download speed from 1.8 mb/sec to 7.2 mb/sec but they didn't. HTC Diamond is running on 7.2 mb/sec. This actually have a big impact when you are watching youtube or slingbox using 3g. Unlimited data plan is already so common in where I live and it will be the same for the rest of the world will be so common in the next 1 to 2 years.
Hope these information help you guys in deciding which is the best device for you.
It will be very hard to acept the screen of PRO for you. After 5 inches i cant work with my Nokia E61. The main problem of Athene is the fact that ATI and HTC dont want to use the whole abilities of these phone. The ATI cheep doesnt work correct. But still X7500 is amasing. I dont need 16GB of memory, but i need hardware buttons. And i wount change my phone neither to 7510 neither HTC PRO
He is talking about the 3.6 touch pro2. I will hopefully also get it in a month or two and I think my Athena will be relegated to when i have ebooks or movies to catch upon use.
You made a big mistake the x7510 has no equal you got scammed like a sucker
branko.savic said:
hello everyone!
I sold my athena in the favour of the upcoming htc touch pro, but now i am wondering... Is it better to but the new x7510?
Can you please tell me what the differences are between the old x7500 and the new x7510?
I do know that x7510 has an 16gb ssd drive instead of the 8 gb hard drive, but what else is new?
With my x7500 i had some problems while watching videos, that the audio and video got out of sync after a while, i read somewhere that it was becouse the x7500 did not have the proper drivers installed, just like the tytn ii devices! Is that still an issue with the x7510?
Also i think that the x7500 did not perform very well in other applications either, to give you an example: Tomtom was performing much better on the tytn ii then it was on the x7500 even tough tytn ii has a slower cpu!
Please tell me if this new x7510 still has the same issues, and what more except the harddrive is changed?
Looking forward to your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DUDE YOU NEED to sell off the blackberry pearl and curve as the bold is superior to those 2 devices in every category you can even get the bold refurb for FREE on at&t the htc diamond don't even support at&t 3g a waste of money as the X7510 is superior in all aspects. I would sell off the x7500 and diamond for the x75210 or even the Leo and sell off the curve and pearl for profit and upgrade blackberry plan with bold or magnum(q4 realease) and get a better blackberry and extra $$$.
greatestkelvin said:
I currently own a x7500, Iphone 3g, HTC Diamond, Blackberry curve, blackberry pearl. Sometimes I wonder why do I need so many devices. The truth is that I like each of them for their different features. Let me share with you my knowledge from experience. HTC Diamond or HTC Pro. Though the display is sharp the screen size is way too small for serious pda users. I believe you guys are if not you will not be accessing this website. As such this device is a no no.
The Blackberry curve is good for emails as its reliable and the price plan is quite cheap. (Cheap I will explain later) Emails are really fast and reliable. Blackberry pearl, typing is not that convenient but I like it as the size of the phone is small.
The iphone 3g, its a love and hate device. A week ago, I brought it roaming in Japan. With mobile me I received about 120 emails in 2 days. Replied to about 8 of them. Check 2 websites. Made a 5 minute phone call. The bill for roaming came out to be about US$150 for that 2 days of usage. Although Mobile me is more superior as it can display pictures and html, the cost of using it overseas will make it an impractical option. In addition the emails do not arrive as fast as the blackberry emails. Someone above mentioned that you have to zoom in and out with your fingers. Actually there is an easy way. All you need to do is tap twice on the paragraph you are interested and it automatically zooms in. Video display is first class. The software seems to run smoother than pocket pc. In addition, it feels smarter and faster. Its a love and hate relationship. Though I like the software, there are many things I dislike. That is why I am still carrying my HTC Advantage
HTC Advantage x7500, is one of the best all rounder. You can edit excel, you can save any kind of documents on the device. You can sync notes and tasks with outlook. You can have tom tom or mapking on it. You can cut and paste from calendars or contacts to anywhere.
These are the things iphone cannot do. Just waiting everyday patiently for an update from Apple itunes is driving me crazy. Not only that you cannot sync it with your work and home computer. You have to pay for most of the useful software like Skype and so on
I am tempted to give my iphone to my wife and continue using the HTC Advantage.. Though I don't own a x7510. I think the main problem with it is that HTC did not spend enough efforts to main it a better device. They have the technology to increase the download speed from 1.8 mb/sec to 7.2 mb/sec but they didn't. HTC Diamond is running on 7.2 mb/sec. This actually have a big impact when you are watching youtube or slingbox using 3g. Unlimited data plan is already so common in where I live and it will be the same for the rest of the world will be so common in the next 1 to 2 years.
Hope these information help you guys in deciding which is the best device for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from the X7500 I owned for nearly two years until it got broken - exactly when my phone contract had to be prolenged by two more years.
I was looking around for a new device and ended up to order a X7510 - I even asked my provider (T-Mobile) to sell me a new device although they hadn't listed it any more.
In my eyes there is actually no other device available offering this huge screen in addition with 16GB internal memory and the possibility to install even more memory via SD-card. I use my devica mainly for business purposes when travelling (mostly by car) - calling contacts, making appointments, adding new tasks and so on - therefore the bigger the screen the better...
The first weeks with my X7510 I was missing the hardware buttons - but meanwhile...no more.
The only thing I'm still sad of is the missing support here for my X7500 there are lots of Roms to play with and those were better than the OEM Roms
Nowadays with my X7510 I kept the original T-Mob Rom and added SPB Mobile Shell - I think the device is now very close to my ultimate phone
However - there could be a little bit more memory - maybe I'll try Michy again
Dieter
I've really been considering to buy the Fuze, but I'm getting mixed reviews. For all the Fuze owners, please answer the poll so that us potential buyers will know what to do.
Thanks!
anyone else wanna vote?
theomni said:
anyone else wanna vote?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm stuck in between the Fuze and the Touch Pro now... I really don't know which one is better? They are the same price nowadays.
I recommend it. I had the Tilt before and I love the Touch, its probably the best WM phone I've had (I've used the Sprint 700wx, Sprint Q, Sprint Touch, AT&T Tilt and now the AT&T Fuze).
I'm sure the few issues that exist with the Fuze will be fixed within a month or two because of the wonderful people we have here making custom ROMs, porting radios, etc.
I am very happy with my Fuze. It's not perfect and definitely needs some tweaks, but I think it is the best Windows Mobile phone ever put out. The screen is fantastic and makes it worth it by itself.
Pros:
VGA screen
Excellent multimedia
Youtube works both in it's own app and the mobile website
Slingbox looks fantastic
Expanded keyboard
Sleek design
Touch Flo 3D really works good
Finally, good bluetooth reception
Cons:
So-so d-pad
More remappable buttons needed
No headphone out jack
I do miss the tilting screen of the Tilt
No forward facing camera (why AT&T?)
Overall, I love the phone. I don't even need to use my laptop much anymore. Plus, it should only get better. I can't wait to see the Fennec web browser released for WinMo.
The Fuze can run on AT&T's 3G bands, which is the biggest difference. Physically, the Fuze has a PTT button (remappable using a trick in this forum) and the Pro has a front-faceing camera, but they are otherwise the same. You can install whatever Touch Pro ROM you want on the Fuze once you flash Hard SPL on it, so the software difference should not be an issue. If you're on AT&T and in a 3G area, it's a no-brainer decision between the two.
Tempest790 said:
No forward facing camera (why AT&T?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
US carriers don't support that functionality so it's cheaper for HTC to leave it out all together.
I've swithed from iPhone after droolling over Fuze release date for 2 months. First couple of days had slight regret (my first WM phone), but once I got the hang of it I fell in love with it. My girl tried it out and dropped her iPhone for Fuze aswell. IMHO, Fuze is on a much higher level and you just can't customize the iPhone the way you can Fuze, no matter what Apple commercials say. Oh and by the way, I realized how crappy Apple products are, but that's another story.
I said no because its not for everyone. I read a lot of people wanting something other than the iphone because of the data plan, this is not an iphone. Then they go and complaint that they cant do this, that its slow, that this, that that. I confess, I am/was one of those whining byotches. I know its not an iphone, I'm just afraid to customizing with roms and then f-it up and be stuck with a nice $300 paper weight. So maybe after my month is up, I'll have the balls to customize it.
Do you have to buy a data plan with the Fuze like you have to with the iPhone, for AT&T?
Only if you want the rebate.
If you want the best browser/entertainment device thats easy to use get an iphone. If you need a business phone outside of entertainment, get the fuze. Both are aimed at different type of consumer.
I know this is exactly what everyone hates to hear, and they just want a plain yes or no, but it really does depend on the person.
If your the kind of person thats really into the stuff they buy, and wants a device that has tons of opportunities and possibilities, then you will probably like the fuze. The beautiful thing about winmo devices is how much you can mess around with them. You can download tons of apps, customize, flash new ROMs, experiment, all kinds of stuff.
If you want something that is ALWAYS going to be friendly and never ever give you any quirks or problems and you just want something that is very cut and dry, the fuze may not be for you.
I would line up your priorities and see what is most important to you and more importantly, what would make you want to throw your phone out the window, cause those are the things that are ultimately going to make you happy when your using your device.
Fuze thoughts:
I have had this phone for 3 days now. My prior phone was an 8125. I unlocked and customized that phone after 30 days. I will most likely do the same thing with this one. Gotta read read read.
Initial review: Absolutely the awesomest phone I have had to date, only the 3rd PDA, though.
I miss the programmable buttons. I haven't figured everything out, but I am getting the hang of it. It has advanced customization, though I haven't even touched the surface. The keyboard is a little different from my 8125, and as I have used it extensively for 2 years, I am accustomed to the numbers being along the top row. I think the 'Full 5 Row QWERTY keyboard on the phone should more closely resemble a normal keyboard, however, I am certain I will get used to it with a little practice.
I have one problem that AT&T doesn't know how to fix: the error message "Smart Chip Not Provisioned MM #2" comes up and shuts off phone signal. I initially thought it was the smart chip. I placed it in my 8125, and no problems. Then I exchanged the phone. Still no fix. It isn't a hard error I can readily duplicate, it just happens intermittently, but only in a specific location, so now I suspect the towers serving the area in which it happens. I suppose it could be the sim card in conjunction with the 3G network which the 8125 doesn't support, but further troubleshooting will eventually solve this one.
Addtionally I was hoping that AT&T wouldn't cripple the forward facing camera, but it isn't there, and I'm not willing to pay $550 more for a Touch Pro off Ebay just for that. As there isn't a lot of network support for live video conferencing, it really isn't that much of a problem for me anyway.
Reception seems to be about the same as my 8125, but again, further testing will support or disprove my initial experience. I am currently having trouble with the GPS function, but it is probably just a configuration/setup issue that I have not played with enough. The phone will tether without the laptop connect package, but you have to make a small edit in the registry. This is a relatively painless process.
This is not meant to criticize the Fuze. These are the only real problems (and minor to me) that I have encountered, and would give this phone a HIGH recommendation.
MrRuss
A while back I bought a Samsung SCH-I760 off Ebay for $100. I chose it because, at the time, it was the best phone that could be activated on Verizon without a data plan. However, by the time I got around to activating it, Verizon changed the rule from all phones after October '08 to all smartphones period. Now I am stuck with a Wi-fi PDA instead of a phone as I can't justify paying for a data plan. I have become unsatisfied with my I760 because of its lack of GPS, low ram, and most of all, its lack of a rom cooking scene. I am now looking for a phone for $50-$100 with the following features in decreasing importance:
1. Wifi (necessary as I won't be activating the phone)
2. An active rom cooking scene
3. Hardware keyboard
4. GPS
5. VGA or WVGA screen
6. 128+ MB ram
7. Faster processor than 400 mhz
8. Bigger screen than 2.5 in
9. Multitouch lol can't think of much else
The phone doesn't need to be unlocked, as I wn't be activating it. However a GSM phone would be nice, as I might be able to eventually use a normal phone plan's sim card in it, but far from a dealbreaker. Probably my dream phone(in this pricerange at least) would be a Touch Pro/Fuze but I've seen those are more expensive than $100 here. I couldn't post this in the marketplace forum because of my low post count. I'll probably start doing stuff here now to get it up. I only signed up for downloads originally.
you must be kidding searching for HTC <100$ with these features, LOL.
more - say thx to HTC for killing other companies, ideas and devices that will never be.
Welcome to forums
have a look on marketplace, perhaps you can find something around your budget
Good luck,
Umm.......
You could prob get a used diamond / raphael quite cheap from forum marketplace, but for 50 - 100 $, i am unsure
soz
Badwolve1
I think diamond or fuze will be your best bet...but need to increase your budget slightly I guess
Get a used HTC Hermes Tytn (but not GPS on it). The more features the more the price
Thanks guys; that's pretty much what I was thinking. I'll just have to keep checking the marketplace for a deal on a fuze/touch pro. I saw that Tytn. It did look pretty interesting for the price. I really want to put WM 6.5 on it and to a lesser extent, android though. I saw the tytn II has some pretty active hacking; it has ports of both oses. What about that? A quick search of the forums didn't show many sales. How does that match up to the Fuze? From what I see it looks to be just generally less powerful. However, I've been reading about the performance problems on the touch pro. Is it really as bad as the sticky thread makes it sound? Have there been any advances in drivers for the gpu? Lastly, since I won't be activating this phone, does it require a data connection to start? I heard Android won't boot if it isn't connected; is that true for WM?
And Pupakota, if you didn't figure it out from the others, my list was in decreasing order of importance, aka not all the features. I don't think a single WM phone exists with all those features; HD2 is the only one with multitouch AFAIK.
Oh yeah, I would love to put a Leo rom on it.