ieXbeta Board > HTC Touch Diamond and Pro

Chugworth

Jul 1 2008, 01:08

So I have been waiting to replace my old XV6700 with a Google Android phone, but now something else has caught my attention:

Oooh....

Ahhh....

The web browser is Opera Mobile 9.5.

They're coming out with two models of it: Touch Diamond and Touch Pro. A comparison table is available here: http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilephones/pdapho...39289630,00.htm

Some nice features of both phones:

Wi-Fi
640x480 display
GPS
3.2 megapixel camera
Second camera on front for video calls
FM Radio

I love how thin Touch Diamond is. It lacks a SD slot like the Pro model has, but the built-in 4GB "ought to be enough." I rarely use the keypad on my XV6700, but if I do need to type a lot of text then it does come in handy. I would almost pick the Diamond, but HTC's site mentions a significant feature of Pro that CNET's table missed: TV-Out. Whoa!

I wanted to wait for Android, but damn this is just too tempting. TV-Out is awesome. I can't wait until the day when cell phones have a docking station that hooks up to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, so you could work on them like a regular computer. As they get increasingly powerful, I don't think that's too many years away.

Xenokira

Jul 1 2008, 20:22

I've got a Touch right now and I'm waiting for Sprint to pickup the CDMA version of the Pro (just passed through the FCC!). Hopefully by this fall they'll have it (and hopefully I'll be able to afford it!). I love the "manilla" interface, it's pretty slick. I've played with it on my friend's European Diamond. Both models are quite sexy.

EDIT:
Engadget posting about Touch Diamond for Sprint from today (original article link on page located at the page below):
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/htcs-to...-sprint-attire/

Chugworth

Jul 2 2008, 03:21

QUOTE(Xenokira @ Jul 1 2008, 16:22)

EDIT:
Engadget posting about Touch Diamond for Sprint from today (original article link on page located at the page below):
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/htcs-to...-sprint-attire/

Yeah, and to quote Gizmodo, "there's a big yellow Sprint sticker on the top right where the, uh, front camera is supposed to be."

I knew that as soon as companies like Sprint and Verizon got a hold of it, the first thing they would do is crap it all up and cut out features. I can't stand how you have to buy the phones through the cell service companies. I wish I could just get a phone that comes straight from the manufacturer and without a hint of the cell service provider's crap on it.

Xenokira

Jul 2 2008, 04:00

QUOTE(Chugworth @ Jul 1 2008, 21:21)

QUOTE(Xenokira @ Jul 1 2008, 16:22)

EDIT:
Engadget posting about Touch Diamond for Sprint from today (original article link on page located at the page below):
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/htcs-to...-sprint-attire/

Yeah, and to quote Gizmodo, "there's a big yellow Sprint sticker on the top right where the, uh, front camera is supposed to be."

The removal of the camera was actually discussed on the PPCGeeks thread where those pics were originally posted (or was it comments on the article?) because that was a complaint of one of the posters. However, someone else brought up a good point. CDMA can't handle utilizing voice and data concurrently, making the video conference camera on the front of the phone worthless.
I'm really interested to see how much the CDMA versions of the Diamond and Pro will be with & without contracts.

Chugworth

Sep 21 2008, 16:20

Well here in the U.S., Sprint just recently started offering the Touch Diamond, and Verizon is expected to offer it within a month. If you're on a GSM network (like AT&T or T-Mobile), then an unlocked Touch Dimond compatible with the U.S. 3G has just been listed at Best Buy.

My current network is Verizon, and I think I'm just going to stick with them. I'm likely to buy the Touch Diamond when they offer it, but I haven't decided for sure whether I would rather wait a little longer for the Touch Pro.

In other news, HTC has just revealed the Touch HD. It's similar to the Touch Diamond and Pro, but has a larger screen that displays at 480x800. It's a really awesome phone, but I expect it will be a while before it reaches the U.S., so I don't want to wait for it.

Xenokira

Sep 21 2008, 17:07

I really wanted to get the Touch Pro for Sprint when it comes out in October, but between HTC's build of TouchFLo 2D (that I can run on my current CDMA Touch) and my how much money I currently have, I've decided against it. I'd have to buy it w/o contract, and $600 is a lot to spend on just a phone.
If you're thinking about the Verizon Diamond when it comes out, you might want to read this article from August:
http://www.windowsmobilecool.com/2008/08/l...-touch-diamond/

Chugworth

Sep 21 2008, 17:33

QUOTE(Xenokira @ Sep 21 2008, 13:07)

Yes, I have seen that chart. I couldn't believe that Verizon removed the Motion-G sensor from their phone, and I was disappointed that it had less memory and a slower processor. Unfortunately for me, wireless coverage for AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile is nonexistent in my area. My choices are Verizon, Alltel, or Nextel. Alltel will soon be bought out by Verizon, and no one in their right mind would buy a Nextel phone.

One thing that I absolutely despise, totally loathe, is how wireless providers take phones and fuck them up before offering them on their network. I wish that I had good GSM coverage around me, because then I would ONLY use unlocked phones like the one I posted from Best Buy, and I would not consider a phone if it so much as had the wireless provider's name stamped on it.

But the dilemma that I have to deal with is coverage. Even if AT&T or T-Mobile did have coverage in my area, I have to also consider the areas around me. Both Verizon and Alltel have very good EVDO (3G) coverage all around me. AT&T and T-Mobile do not.

Chugworth

Sep 26 2008, 22:17

A Verizon employee training schedule has been leaked, showing that training for the Touch Diamond will be available on 11/3, and is expected to be completed by 12/3. Lame. On top of cutting out features, they drag their ass on releasing it. Hopefully that training will be good for the Touch Pro also.

Chugworth

Oct 3 2008, 20:54

Check this out. The Touch HD:

Wow...

Xenokira

Oct 4 2008, 16:28

The Touch HD looks like such a beautiful phone...not to mention it's fairly obvious that it's a direct attack on the iPhone (which I'm entirely okay with!) The enlarged display is fantastic.

To comment on your message from Sept. 21, it really pisses me off that wireless companies (aside from GSM) have the say as to which devices you can and cannot run on their network. I was with T-Mobile for a while and really liked that I could just swap to whichever phone when I pleased. AT&T's coverage sucks where I am (I tried AT&T out for about a week before returning the phone). T-Mobile's is okay until I go back home for a weekend, then I have very weak coverage. Prior to T-Mobile I had Midwest Wireless (since it has merged with Alltel), whose coverage was pretty good, but I got really sick of their customer service blowing me off. Now I'm with Sprint, with great coverage in my area--not to mention I'm on a SERO plan, so my bill totals to be only $41/month. I like my Touch, but I wish I could use the new phones that come out sooner than when my carrier decides they'll pick it up.

Xenokira

Oct 7 2008, 17:19

Looks like the Touch HD isn't coming to the US

http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/touch_hd..._to_the_us.html

You could still pickup a Euro one--although you'd be missing out on US 3G

Chugworth

Oct 7 2008, 20:12

QUOTE(Xenokira @ Oct 7 2008, 13:19)

Looks like the Touch HD isn't coming to the US

http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/touch_hd..._to_the_us.html

You could still pickup a Euro one--although you'd be missing out on US 3G

Well I'm kind of relieved. I would have had a hard time buying a Touch Diamond or Pro knowing that the HD might be just around the corner. My guess is that sometime late next year U.S. phone companies might start getting new designs that are based on the HD.

madTaMsKi

Oct 23 2008, 20:31

Just got myself a Touch Diamond (on contract) and loving it.

Nice little phone, battery life kinda sucks ass though, but that's maybe because I haven't left the sexy beast alone!

Just looking around for some software and customisations.

It also comes with a YouTube dedicated proggie that works very well.

What's mad is that I've been using it to surf the web at home when I have perfectly good desktop and laptop machines lol

Boys and their toys eh?

Scott

Oct 23 2008, 21:36

Yeah, I'm on a BlackBerry Bold right now. The last HTC device I had was the T-Mobile Dash/S620. I just hate Windows Mobile but to his/her own.

Nice phone though, I wouldn't mind playing around with it.

Chugworth

Oct 24 2008, 01:26

QUOTE(madTaMsKi @ Oct 23 2008, 16:31)

Just got myself a Touch Diamond (on contract) and loving it.

Nice little phone, battery life kinda sucks ass though, but that's maybe because I haven't left the sexy beast alone!

Just looking around for some software and customisations.

Here's a few interesting programs for Windows Mobile devices:

Free Programs:

Google Maps Mobile - A must-have for any smartphone
vxUtil - Collection of handy network utilities
Evernote - A really well-made notebook service
Total Commander - A powerful file manager for Windows Mobile. It also supports modifing the registry, accessing FTP servers, and accessing shared folders over the network.
WiFiFoFum - Excellent WiFi scanner. It can also remember the GPS location of access points, and save them to a file that can be read with Google Earth.
ESET Mobile AntiVirus - Free right now because it's in beta, but most likely it will be not be free in the future.
Opera Mobile 9.5 - The best mobile web browser. It's free during the beta, but it may not be in the future.

Paid Programs:

WebCamera Plus - This program is pretty cool. It turns your phone into a wireless webcam. The picture is transferred to your computer, and works with any program that supports webcams.
True Connect - Control your Windows Mobile phone from your PC.

Google Synchronization:
If you want to synchronize your Windows Mobile phone with Google calendar and contacts, then you have a choice between GooSync or OggSync. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, so I will give a comparison. I don't know whether you would need this information, but perhaps it would be helpful to someone.

GooSync connects to your Google account through GooSync servers, and OggSync is a standalone application that connects directly to Google. OggSync may sound like the more secure choice, but not necessarily. You see, with OggSync, you have to enter your Google username and password into their application, and that has to be transferred each time the device is synchronized. GooSync never requires your Google username and password. You use a separate GooSync account, and it is permitted access to your Calendar and Contacts using the Google Data APIs, which is maintained by Google. You can see this association listed under your Google account settings, and remove it at any time.

So which is more secure? Well that depends:

GooSync never needs your Google password. You only login to Google one time to confirm the calendar and contacts association. The disadvantage to this method, however, is that your calendar events and contacts are transferred through GooSync's servers.
OggSync communicates directly with Google over SSL. The disadvantage to this method is that your Google password is stored on your mobile device, and is transferred on each synchronization. You have to trust the application in handling your Google password.

Personally, I chose GooSync since the service does not require your Google password at all.

Techneut

Oct 24 2008, 07:07

Thanks for the links! VERY useful...

madTaMsKi

Oct 24 2008, 07:35

Thanks Chugworth, most appreciated buddy.

I'm really interested in Total Commander. I'll install it tonight

Chugworth

Oct 24 2008, 20:52

QUOTE

Hot new phones coming to Verizon next month!

Verizon “Big Red” Wireless wants to be better than Santa and prepares a bunch of hot new phones for the Holidays (scheduled to be released in November), an internal document tells us. We’ve heard about them in earlier rumors, but here is the real deal:

The Samsung OMNIA SCH-i910 looks exactly as the GSM version, with the Widgets on the homescreen and optical mouse between the send and end keys. From the few listed specs it seems to be the same when it comes to features, too. Instead of GSM it is a CDMA/EV-DO phone but also runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS and features 5-megapixel camera, 8GB internal memory plus microSD slot, 128MB RAM and GPS (for VZ Navigator). As there is a main menu button on the bottom of the home screen we guess that the Verizon OMNIA will have the same personalized interface as the original.

If you are keen on Windows Mobile but don’t like the OMNIA, don’t worry, Verizon Wireless will spread some HTC magic as well. The CDMA version of the Touch Pro appears as the PCD Raphael C XV6850. We guess that stands for Raphael CDMA (Raphael is the internal name of the Pro) and the carrier will call it Verizon Wireless XV6850, the successor of the XV6800. Features include EV-DO Rev. A support, Windows Mobile 6.1, 3.2MP camera, Wi-Fi, microSD slot and VZ Navigator. We hope we’ll see the TouchFlo 3D interface as well, although it is not shown on the picture.

The third new Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional smartphone is the Samsung Saga SCH-i770. This is the VZW variant of the Epix and will replace the i760 as a CDMA/GSM hybrid (it is quad-band GSM for global roaming). Saga features EV-DO Rev. A, WI-Fi, Bluetooth, microSD and 2MP camera.

Oh, it seems Verizon Wireless really is in love with Samsung, doesn’t it? The Korean manufacturer will bring another global phone, supporting both CDMA and quad-band GSM frequencies – the Samsung Renown SCH-U810. It is a clamshell reminding of the Gleam, with 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microSD slot and one of the few to offer Visual Voice Mail.

Which one do you like most? Do you plan on buying for a self-gift for the Holidays? Tell us in the comments section below!

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Hot-new-ph...cle-a_3375.html

Alright! Verizon is going straight to the Touch Pro, which will be branded the XV6850 (my current phone is the XV6700). I can't wait!

Danthe

Oct 25 2008, 11:03

I can't believe you don't buy an iPhone instead O_O

Chugworth

Oct 25 2008, 23:24

QUOTE(Danthe @ Oct 25 2008, 07:03)

I can't believe you don't buy an iPhone instead O_O

Well AT&T has no cell phone coverage in my area. But with that said, I still would not buy an iPhone even if they did. The big reason is, I like to have control over what is allowed on my phone. Not Apple. And "better web browsing experience" is no longer a valid argument since Opera Mobile 9.5 was released. It really is the best mobile web browser out there.

Danthe

Oct 26 2008, 11:20

Opera Mobile was always the best browser. I care not what's allowed or not allowed, as long as it's enough and it's enough. Couldn't make a day without my iPhone

Illrigger

Nov 13 2008, 15:25

Even more options:

The HTC Touch Max 4G, most of the features of the Touch HD and the first WiMAX capable unit
The HTC S740 Smartphone, the Diamond-era slider candybar.

From early indications, it appears that AT&T has actually IMPROVED the Touch Pro from the stock HTC model, adding two extra buttons (Start and OK - the two I use the most often on my PDA) and improving the onboard apps - not that's a first from a US carrier. On the flip, VZW is still up to it's old tricks - their Touch Pro will have less RAM, have several WM6.1 features removed, and cost $50 more than Sprint and ATT as well. Pay more for less should be VZW's new motto.

If you don't need a touchscreen, the S740 is a damned sexy looking candybar....

As far as mobile browsers, Skyfire blows Safari Mobile away as well, and it's looking like IE6 Mobile (to be included in WM6.5) will too. Even the rather limited Iris Browser packs almost all the "innovations" of Safari Mobile.

Given the closed platform that the iPhone is, the rapidly-being-left-behind browser makes it less appealing every day, especially considering you don't have an option to use anything else. While I was once excited and wanting one, this new gen HTC line has rid me of such silly thoughts.

Chugworth

Nov 26 2008, 01:34

Well Verizon has finally released their Touch Pro. They decreased the memory even more than expected (giving it only 128Mb). On top of that, I haven't seen this confirmed, but people suspect that the GPS may be disabled to other programs besides the VZW navigator. They take out the tilt-sensor, give it a slower processor, reduce the number of keys while still making the phone larger, and then for good measure charge $50 more for it.

So I'll just place my order and... Hell no! I'm not buying that piece of shit!

I'm just going to stick with my XV6700 for now. Opera Mobile 9.5 does work really well with it. As for Skyfire, I don't like the way it zooms, and the fact that all of your web browsing is going though their servers means that I would never logon to any serious online accounts through it. From what I have seen with with IE6 Mobile, I don't like the way it zooms, and the fact that it's based on the IE6 rendering engine is nothing to brag about. Basically it's a day late and a dollar short.

Which brings me to Microsoft's mobile division in general. I'm not happy with them. Over the years they just haven't invested enough in advancing their mobile operating system, and now they are really falling behind. At least their system is open to other applications, but that's all I can say for them.

Xenokira

Nov 26 2008, 02:07

ouch, it's really too bad that the rumors shortly before Verizon's launch of the TP weren't true. I received my Touch Pro from Sprint about a week ago and I really like it. HTC has really given Windows Mobile a nice face lift with TouchFlo 3D (although it is unfortunate that the interface had to be designed by a 3rd party).

As for browsers, Opera 9.5 is the best of the main three. I really don't like IE at all(although I haven't used 6 at all, just the previous/current version), it's slow and not terribly useful. I only use Skyfire for accessing Flash content (although Opera's implementation of Flash Lite is nice, it doesn't support newer Flash content).

I agree with you about MS's mobile division. They really haven't put much into development. There's been some minor changes here and there, but that's really about it. I was disappointed that Windows Mobile 7 was pushed back, but supposedly 6.5 is right around the corner. I'm curious to see if MS has finally made some usability improvements. Improved performance would be nice too. Unfortunately, there really isn't much info on it right now.

Chugworth

Dec 1 2008, 05:54

QUOTE(Chugworth @ Nov 25 2008, 20:34)

As for Skyfire, I don't like the way it zooms, and the fact that all of your web browsing is going though their servers means that I would never logon to any serious online accounts through it.

I was playing around with Skyfire some more on my XV6700. I was shocked at just how well it could stream Flash videos over my EVDO connection. After watching a few YouTube videos with no problems, I went to Hulu and watched an entire episode of Family Guy with no problems. Apparently Skyfire's proxy server optimizes the video for your wireless connection, and it does a mighty fine job at it. The framerate is reduced, but at the benefit of no buffering or re-buffering time. The video just plays, and the sound stays in-sync perfectly.

I still don't trust sending passwords through their proxy though. It would be nice if they offered a Skyfire proxy server that you could host for yourself.

Danthe

Dec 1 2008, 09:13

Apparently Microsoft are developing Zune phones. Perhaps they're worth waiting for instead of these HTC things? (oh I really wanted to use a mean word, but...but... *hits post reply*)

Xenokira

Dec 1 2008, 14:09

QUOTE(Danthe @ Dec 1 2008, 03:13)

Apparently Microsoft are developing Zune phones. Perhaps they're worth waiting for instead of these HTC things? (oh I really wanted to use a mean word, but...but... *hits post reply*)

i think the earliest we'll see the Zune phone would be next fall. Supposedly, Windows Mobile 6.5 will have a Zune-like interface and should start showing up on phones in Fall 2009. I'm 100% sure how factual that is, but I'm confident to say it'll be at least another year before we see something like that.

Danthe

Dec 1 2008, 16:12

Alright. Well, I'm still satisfied with my iPhone as if it was bought yesterday. Too bad Apple disgusts me, hah.

Illrigger

Dec 1 2008, 16:33

QUOTE(Xenokira @ Dec 1 2008, 06:09)

QUOTE(Danthe @ Dec 1 2008, 03:13)

Apparently Microsoft are developing Zune phones. Perhaps they're worth waiting for instead of these HTC things? (oh I really wanted to use a mean word, but...but... *hits post reply*)

Information I have seen lines up with that. WM6.5 will be Zune-compatible and the WM start page will be very Zune- and 360 NXE-like (vertical scrolling for categories, horizontal scrolling for items under it). There's rumbling that the Zune 4.0 software will be released at the same time and both new product lines will be kept in sync from here on. That would all line up for a Fall 2009 release.

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