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I am going to swap cellular carriers and want to buy a Touch Dual. I already have a CDMA Touch and know its features well, but what are the main differences betwenn the touch and the touch dual. I know the dual has a slide out keyboard and a smaller screen, but what else is different. What are your like and dislikes?
I suppose you can easily find out about most of the good/bad features simply by reading one of many reviews available via Google search. So, perhaps I'll try to point out some things that are often left out of reviews.
Touchflo - This is over-hyped. The default Touchcube is quite useless because of the unintuitive choice of shortcuts. Prepare to have to mess around with registry and image files to get the Touchcube the way you want it. Grab-to-scroll is great, but it's nothing exciting nowadays.
The new photo viewer - Also over-hyped. The gestures take time to get used to. Performance is slow if your photo collection gets large. Most importantly, it doesn't allow you to organize your photos in directories. I've since ditched this for Resco's Photo Viewer.
The HTC Home plug-in - Arguably the best Today screen plug-in available.
WM6 - Will offer you limitless customization options if you are willing to take risks with registry and ROM files.
The camera - Almost unusable. Blurry photos unless you steady your hand against a solid object. This is either caused by an extremely slow shutter speed or it's a driver issue. The consensus is that it's the latter. Fortunately, HTC will be releasing proper drivers soon.
Internet Explorer - The default browser is useless. There's a bug that makes viewing large pages painful. The more you scroll away from the top, the more lag you experience with scrolling. Fortunately, there a fix for that here in this forum. Also, you will need to add PIE+ if you want any functionality out of the browser.
HTC Audio Manager - This is quite nice to use personally. Don't understand why some prefer WMP. But I suppose this is a personal preference thing. The sound skips every few minutes. But it's not a big deal.
As a phone, the Touch Dual is a dream come true. There are so many ways to dial. You can use your quick contacts. You can scroll through the contacts list. Or you can simply begin typing your contact's name or number and it will search through your contact list in real-time. This is simply great. Writing SMS and emails are great either with the touch screen or the keypad. Absolutely flawless as a phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=368144
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=361548
is it that hard to perform a search?
Stay away from the latest HTC phones until they've fixed that driver issue (www.htcclassaction.org).
DaVince said:
Stay away from the latest HTC phones until they've fixed that driver issue (www.htcclassaction.org).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your choice, I like the Dual and feel that is as fast as I need.
bydandie said:
That's your choice, I like the Dual and feel that is as fast as I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. It has it's flaws. But it is still a sweet device. After some tweaks, I'd it is a joy to use. And if HTC is going to release drivers as speculated, then it's just going to be that much better.
DaVince said:
Stay away from the latest HTC phones until they've fixed that driver issue (www.htcclassaction.org).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its only an issue if you're a serious gamer though. And a serious gamer would be more likely to use a different device?
Unfortunately, it's not just with games and video. It's the entire GUI itself. You can't even scroll without getting agitated! Imagine running your PC in safe mode.. Or running your PC with the default VGA drivers.
For those who insist on getting a Niki. Go ahead. you're the one getting screwed anyways.
Hi all Xperia owners,
As a owner of this hyped phone, it has comed to my greatest astonishment that the Panels cannot be "used" concurrently.
For example:
If I wished to activate the multimedia panel to listen to some MP3 while at the same time do FaceBook panel , there is no way this can happen.
Or, whats the point of just staring at the FM Radio panel when I could be viewing some photos in the photo album while having my favourite FM Station running in the background?
To further add salt to wound, Sony did not bother to put these programs to be executable from the native Windows/Program folder.
Am I missing a point here from Sony as in this multitasking windows environment, they have decided to make their Panel technology run serially? Or maybe i did miss out some important settings ?
I agree with your statement above, panels are not multitask-friendly. My guess is that it was an attempt from SE to make their winmo distro more stable, preventing these processes from overlapping each other and taking up memory. I've noticed that the video playback performance is better on the Sony media experience panel than coreplayer (go ahead flame me) although not as flexible. Something similar happens with the popular iPhone, if you've ever messed around with one you'll notice it's basically unitasking, one app at a time, the only apps you can multitask with are the ipod and phone, but rarely crashes.
Actually, I was thinking about this. I, like many people, thought that the panels would just sit there, with nine different apps running side by side. Obviously this isn't the case. Could it be that this is just the first stage in the panel interface, a kinda test run? What about the next Xperia? X2 or X5 or whatever it's gonna be. Maybe it'll deliver what most people expected from the panels...
I think you guys are missing the point of panels.
If that's the case, you don't need panels, you just need applications running concurrently.
zenkinz said:
I think you guys are missing the point of panels.
If that's the case, you don't need panels, you just need applications running concurrently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally have found the SE media panel to be the most useful of all. For everything else that I don't demand high system priorities for, just run them as regular apps concurrently.
zenkinz, in your opinion, what's the point of panels? Please read my post above about what I think they are for (stability and performance).
if they were there would be much much less ram and cpu juice left
the arm cpu's are not as powerfull as computer cpu's
so believe me if they were you would suffer
wrong thread... edited out.
Which in actuality proves my point that the Panels are nothing more than fancy graphics or multiple "todays" screen.
Any WinMo/Symbian device today without Panels can definitely do Media browsing and FM Radio/Music and MORE without the slightest sign of sluggishness while Xperia with its powerful processor and available RAM lacks multitasking due to its much talked about "Panels"?
Strip its Panels and a slightly longer (but not wider) display , Xperia does not even come close to the Touch Pro with TF3D, G-Sensor, better sound and built quality
cmloo said:
Which in actuality proves my point that the Panels are nothing more than fancy graphics or multiple "todays" screen.
Any WinMo/Symbian device today without Panels can definitely do Media browsing and FM Radio/Music and MORE without the slightest sign of sluggishness while Xperia with its powerful processor and available RAM lacks multitasking due to its much talked about "Panels"?
Strip its Panels and a slightly longer (but not wider) display , Xperia does not even come close to the Touch Pro with TF3D, G-Sensor, better sound and built quality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Xperia was designed by HTC based on SE's standards. What I did with mine was flash it with one of the cooked roms in the roms section which gave me the TF3D and it's pretty fast. I also added the panels, but for the sole reason of the SE media experience panel which I like for playing smoother video. In the end, it's all software, and it doesn't lack multitasking, only among panels. The rest is all good old winmo.
yeah, panels are a disapointment, the should let do some multitasking or at least run panels as an application (facebook one for example).
anyways, I think we currently have a "beta" rom in our xperias, since it's from august/08... maybe next mont we get a big update... let's hope...
this, or just a cooked rom without problems
The thing about Panels is that they allow you to change the look and feel of your device. On one hand i have a simple Today screen, on another i have the detailed today screen... then i have an SPB screen... and now we have Touch HD's TF3D as a panel too! Soon... we'll have more panels, like a home screen that allows you to navigate with ease (navigation panel). The main point is that regardless of the panel of your choice, you have access to all the windows mobile software along-side it.
I think panels are a really powerful feature of the phone! And as far as multi-tasking is concerned... you can run media player or the more famous core player and write messages, etc. and work with your selected panel of choice without much lag. And this to me is very powerful. not taking into consideration the likes of iPhone, but going straight to Symbian... Symbian too is powerful, but i consider windows mobile to be further ahead. What you can do with symbian, you could do with a simple windows mobile phone without panels or TF3D or gadgets and so on...
In my opinion; Xperia delivers what it set out to do... a powerful experience. Sure there are lags at certain times... but overall it is the perfect windows mobile device!
Sure two panels don't run simultaneously... and it would be awesome if in a future update we do get something like that... but overall it works great!
rpereira said:
I personally have found the SE media panel to be the most useful of all. For everything else that I don't demand high system priorities for, just run them as regular apps concurrently.
zenkinz, in your opinion, what's the point of panels? Please read my post above about what I think they are for (stability and performance).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the point of panel is to offer different "theme" of Today screen based on your primary usage of your phone at that particular point in time.
It's always good to have quick access to your next appointment, or tasks, but really you probably only do that when you are in meeting, or while you are working. When you are at outside office hours, you probably be spending time listening to music, watching video, or just simply idling. You may get a new email notification, or have to reply an incoming sms, but after taking action for these sporadic events you will be back to the 'Today' screen that offers you the theme you are in..
That's why I came out with the idea of Car navigation panel, where I need not worry about fumbling with new email notification, or having to switch to media player to change albums, as I can always go back to 'Today' screen easily.
In anycase, that's just my view (or maybe how I like to think that way), because if it's meant to be a concurrent active desktops, you might be better off with just running the programs and using taskmanager to switch from process to process.
I'm very happy with the panels too
maybe the real questions is one of expectations
if people belived they were getting 9 pda's they could switch
between it would likely be an disappointment
but it's not likely to be the last with these pda phones
cmloo said:
Which in actuality proves my point that the Panels are nothing more than fancy graphics or multiple "todays" screen.
Any WinMo/Symbian device today without Panels can definitely do Media browsing and FM Radio/Music and MORE without the slightest sign of sluggishness while Xperia with its powerful processor and available RAM lacks multitasking due to its much talked about "Panels"?
Strip its Panels and a slightly longer (but not wider) display , Xperia does not even come close to the Touch Pro with TF3D, G-Sensor, better sound and built quality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to each his/her own.
I find Touch Pro no better than my Xperia. TF3D is just a flashy interface that offers limited function. The tabs acts like a panel, but there's so limited you can do within the tab (e.g. music player, stock quote or photo browser, they are just plug-in rather than full blown application)
TP is also nowhere near (imho) to Xperia in terms of performance (Xperia is so much responsive and fast), design (curvy body versus brick design) and keyboard ergonomic (many would disagree, I go for overall experience over total number of keys)
Just my own opinion only
Rudegar said:
I'm very happy with the panels too
maybe the real questions is one of expectations
if people belived they were getting 9 pda's they could switch
between it would likely be an disappointment
but it's not likely to be the last with these pda phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree, and also, it's one thing about providing 9 active panels with 1 glance (as some folks are frowing over lack of the capability), it's another being able to consume all the information offered by all the 9 panels at one go, not to mention the miniature fonts you have to handle ..
Makes sense. If i were depending on my navigator to show me the way while driving, it would really suck to get random notifications from other programs, so I think your panel idea will be quite useful.
I'm also sideing with the "Panels are good" guys.
I love the versatility that they give me, and am just patiently waiting to see what comes out of the Panel Development Competion, S.E. are supposed to be running.
I have had as many as 5 different UI's set up on different panels, as much to test them out, as to give me different screen "looks" when i felt like a change.
My latest way is to use different panels as "software themes". Like, I can set up a multimedia panel with all my video, and audio players shortcutted into it. A navigation panel, with all my sat nav style apps set up .
etc. etc.
It can only get better, in my opinion.
I do think 50% of people are missing the potential of Panels, tho.
i dont mind the panels too much. however what i am unhappy about is that sony ericsson advertised the panels as being active. therefore theoretically you could press the xpanel button and the 9 panels shown would update in realtime. currently the panels are little more than shortcuts to some fancy apps or homescreens
msalmank said:
The thing about Panels is that they allow you to change the look and feel of your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more and I am satisfied w/ the panel too.
One important fact many people forget about is WM as of right now has a max limit of 32 processes (including background that run your phone). Some tricks can be done to workaround this issue but there's still a limit and the OS will close some of the non active processes if you reach that. It doesn't matter how fast your CPU or how many ram you got.
I'm coming to believe that the applications runing on Panels are just on top of another layer instead of running straight on top of the OS.
iPhone and BB have no problem filling the "desktop" with icons that are no more that a call to the program. Functionally they are more efficient to reach any where that even Touchflo 3D
What's the purpose to have a whole panel to run a program. That's stupid. for exmaple FM radio or FaceBook.
The Panels are not more that an ill conceived idea, with some BS marketing ideology behind them. All they did was destroy one one best smartphones ever built.
Hey guys...
I am to buy a Blackstone and i am really looking forward because I think it is the best device ever.
But I'd like to hear your opinions.
What do you think is the stupidest and best thing about blackstone??
Please name only one thing
this may be interesting
thanks
(@mods: if you think this thread is stupid feel free to erase it, thanks )
Stupid;
MP3 Ringtone for sms plays until the song is over
TF3D is extremely limited
Agenda is annoying, can I replace it ?
Can't change the clock.. I want it smaller !
( only have the phone for a couple of days now tho ..)
gidii said:
Stupid;
MP3 Ringtone for sms plays until the song is over
Can't change the clock.. I want it smaller !
( only have the phone for a couple of days now tho ..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL... Well how long should the phone play a file for SMS? The phone doesn't care that you're using a 3 minute mp3, it sees it as a single file, and plays it fully - just like it would play a 1 second file. The sms is an instant event, it does not have a duration such as incoming call, so it's quite normal that it will play the whole file. In case you want to play short mp3's you can use the mp3 trimmer software that came with your THD, and edit the length of any mp3 file.
About the clock... Just scroll your finger across the clock upwards, and voila!
NOT a big deal, but the power button is waay to flush (not tooo bad, but it is sometimes a bother) to wake up the device, and so with the volume rocker buttons.
The LED notification for sms/missed calls, etc. is too tiny to even notice.
These are just some examples...i know you said just one, but hey! Almost the best phone ever; nothing's perfect.
gidii said:
Stupid;
MP3 Ringtone for sms plays until the song is over
TF3D is extremely limited
Agenda is annoying, can I replace it ?
Can't change the clock.. I want it smaller !
( only have the phone for a couple of days now tho ..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont you have a program on your blackstone called "mp3 trimmer"?
(Not really topic-related, but...)
@ Rozenthal:
Nice tip regarding the ability to change the size of the clock; didn't know about that. Perhaps your nugget of information might be best put into the "Hints & Tips" tread.
-thanks
On my nokia 6300 I installed an MP3 as ringtone.. when I opened the text msg the mp3 stopped playing. Doesnt work on the HD.. =)
Stupidest thing: With no d-pad they didn't build in any features to allow us to use the g-sensor or re-map the volume buttons to aid in list selections and stuff. Luckily there are 3rd party options to allow for that. Would've been nicer if HTC had included that stock though.
Best thing: Giant screen, great performance, sexy form factor. The device itself is it's one best thing.
big plus :
- highly customizable. Getting to the point after 1 month of tweaking where I'm really starting to love my touch HD.
to the cons :
hardware-wise
- 5mpx camera : the number is good for advertising but its quality in low light conditions (even inside) is IMO worse than on my old Motorolla Razor V3 (to be fair though: outside quality is surprisingly good) ;
- 65K colors : I'm not asking for 24bit colors as I don't see the sense having so many colors packed on a tiny screen but 256K seems a bit outdated - make it e.g. 256K colors or sth like that.
software-wise
- inappropriate video drivers: old story but with such a high screen resolution, video drivers need to be optimized, given that the CPU is still the same than the one in the Diamond.
- volume increments/decrements are not subtle enough on the TouchFlo 3D player, resulting in a too high volume when using headphones, even when tweaking with Advanced Config (HTC Audio Mgr).
Regarding the remarks made here :
*Agenda: it's absolutely worth spending the 15 bucks for ThumbCal. If you don't want to, then you can still use the old freeware version (search this forum), which is also nice. The paying version gives you the possibility to replace the WM agenda in the today screen, maybe with some registry tweaks this can be done with the freeware version.
* SMS sound : change your SMS sound to sth shorter, why use a whole song ?? simply cut a portion out of it, either using MP3 trimmer on your HD or a open source software such as Audacity on your PC.
Good things:
- great screen, perfect for e-books when you travel
- 3.5mm jack for earphones (but read the bad things to know why it's useless)
- it looks really awsome
- tf3d - it's limited but if the functionality it provides is all you need, then it's really great - I personally like it very much.
Bad things:
- it feels slow (because of the screen res and lack of hardware accel)
- you can't just carry it around in your pocket - the device has slide2answer built in, but the virtual keys below the screen are unlocked (even if you lock the device) during incoming call, so you'll answer / reject every call while taking out hd from your pocket. You have to use s2u2 or buy some hard puch to keep your hd in it
- YOU MUSTN'T BUY THIS PHONE IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO MUSIC ON IT
There is sound stutter problem - it's in Diamond too since the beginning - and there's really small chance HTC will fix it. If music playback is important to you don't, under any circumstances, buy this phone, or you'll be sorry.
- Loudspeaker sound quality is terrible - a lot of ringtones become heavily distorted when ring loudness is set to more than 40%.
My short comment - Considering the price I am VERY DISAPPOINTED and I will never buy HTC phone again, no matter how great it's look and specs are. I learned my lesson. HTC sucks.
GOOD:
- Big and clear screen
- Take out stylus will turn on the machine,
call connected; your phone will vibrate,
can choose not to charge when usb connected,
auto backlight (all of these are quite impressive...to me)
- Consider the display size, the battery is quite durable.
BAD:
- Terrible 5MP camera, slow response and nosiy pictures in room.
- Soft keyboard is no good.....need to swap between number/symbol and alphabet frequently.
- TF3D is customizable, but why only can change wall paper on first tab but not the others w/o tricks? (I think this is stupid)
- ***MOST*** need to remove the back cover in order to press the soft-reset button (use HD Reset can help some, but not all).......
bad point: stylus at the bottom of the device makes it impossible to remove it from A)- the case or B)- a holder without dropping the pen - suprised I aint lost it yet!
Stupid:
a. The small delay on ringing. Even though I have the ring tone in the \windows directory on the phone there is a one ring delay before the phone actually rings.
b. The phone is actually quite slippery. So far, I've had no accidents but I suspect it will slip out of my hands one day.
c. TF3D is pretty but also pretty limited. It's great eye candy but for any serious function you often will need a full app. One exception is the stock tab which has a great extension. Shame the number of stocks is limited. Weather is very pretty tab but seriously limited in options.
d. The volume buttons are designed for a gorilla - why do they need to be so big?
e. TF3D does not allow any other today plugin to run at the same time. Luckily we have SecondToday - great app. I run it with SBSH PocketBreeze.
Great:
1. Screen, the WVGA is wonderful, the screen is also very good, did I mention the fantastic screen?
2. Battery is good for a full/busy day
3. Memory is good - I never get a memory problem, there's enough !
4. Form factor - big and slim
Pros:
Big Screen (great for playing encoded videos using the encoder found in this forum and for showing off TomTom 7 to all those iPhone lovers)
Can run Microsoft's Voice Command (which i think is pretty cool)
Not an iPhone
Cons:
Buggy TF3D music player (limits the number of songs that can be shown in the playlist while Windows Media Player shows all)
Some issues with flickering on the grey bar (HTC has come out with a fix)
Sometimes will auto restart when listening to the radio (or maybe its just mine)
stm2008 said:
GOOD:
- ***MOST*** need to remove the back cover in order to press the soft-reset button.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this I use Singh's Tings Soft Reset:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450643&highlight=!SINGH!
Being Microsoft o/s I find this soft reset very helpful. I don't take the back too often now - I'm not sure the plastic could put up with the frequent stresses !!
Stupidest things:
- HTC took the rotate gesture out of the Album!
- TouchFlo 3D only works in portrait mode
Bad thing:
- makes me constantly wait for the next ROM version and WM version (6.5) because there's always a bug
Good things:
- great media device, especcially with Kinoma Player
- great sound from the 3.5mm headphone jack
- huge display
- decent camera
- lots of RAM
- plays high-res .mp4-videos smoothly
- syncs very well with OSX and syncmate
- much more........
Best thing:
- unlimited possibilities of Windows Mobile!
stupidest: the camera
best: the screen
stupid: no flash on camera
bad: mp3 skipping sometimes
smart: windows mobile despite bugs and nonfingerfriendly interface has so many 3rd party apps!
best: screen, for all aspects. brightness, resolution, size and sensitivity...
Best: Screen
Worst: F***en bull***t video recording (virtual 30fps - never got that), it should be called "super finely blurred slideshow capture mode" not video
best thing about the HD is; forum.xda-developers.com
seriously with this site in mind i had no reservations getting the HD
so many smart people making great software, and tweaks, and ROMs, and other cool stuff
most of the annoying things about my HD are gone or a mitigated by things found through out this site
this site is simply amazing
especially if you lurk and search a lot
I'm on the fence about buying one of these for USA use. I don't want to pay $100 for a monthly cell phone plan, so I probably won't need the 3g for "GPS" or a lot of internet usage.
I will however most likely take advantage of the array of programs available and heavily use a calendar application to schedule appointments, reminders, alarm clock, etc. Can someone comment on how a Touch HD helps to simplify and organize their daily routine and keep appointments?
Also, I had a chance to get one of my hands on one in Malaysia and I have to say that the interface is very slick. Is it possible to use the stylus to scribble notes on a notepad? Is this a popular and quick-to-use feature for on-the-fly note taking? I don't see it mentioned very much in the forums here.
I won't be returning to the States until April, so I'll be keeping my eye on some other up and coming phones that have GPS built into the phone for an annual fee.
ModernMuseum said:
I'm on the fence about buying one of these for USA use. I don't want to pay $100 for a monthly cell phone plan, so I probably won't need the 3g for "GPS" or a lot of internet usage.
I will however most likely take advantage of the array of programs available and heavily use a calendar application to schedule appointments, reminders, alarm clock, etc. Can someone comment on how a Touch HD helps to simplify and organize their daily routine and keep appointments?
Also, I had a chance to get one of my hands on one in Malaysia and I have to say that the interface is very slick. Is it possible to use the stylus to scribble notes on a notepad? Is this a popular and quick-to-use feature for on-the-fly note taking? I don't see it mentioned very much in the forums here.
I won't be returning to the States until April, so I'll be keeping my eye on some other up and coming phones that have GPS built into the phone for an annual fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I can definitely say that using a stylus to jot notes will NOT get you far unfortunately :S . The screen is only ~1.8" wide, the screen isn't near sensitive or accurate enough, and devices like this aren't very fast even w/ the latest clean rom, registry tweaks, and drivers. They are still pretty..SLOW. But that is highly a problem of windows mobile and qualcomm driver-less chipsets.
You might try something like:
iPhone
G1
Treo 800w
Treo 850 pro
Palm Centro
for stuff like that I guess...simply because each of those devices is easier snappier or has a better screen.
But if you just want to take notes using a software on screen keyboard on the HD...then you should be good to go. Just keep the notes program minimized (cuz it can take a while to open when you start getting 200+ notes). Then pop it open, hit new, and start typing away when you need to type something down. I would HIGHLY recommend pocketcm keyboard BY FAR for this. Plus its free.
Best of luck to you! (toshiba is also supposed to be producing what looks to be a pretty sick device, and the blackstone / hd should have android up and running hopefully within 2 months or so (which would enhance smoothness and snapiness of device) or perhaps the G2 will become real and be produced by then).
As for calendar / scheduling / alarm capabilites...it isn't anything fantastic by any stretch of the imagination or anything (windows mobile), but it will get the job done well.
Well I find the HD invaluable for keeping track of my appointments and buzzing when one is due. But, any windows mobile device will do that.
I also use apMemo to make quick notes on the fly and alarm them if needed. In the car I have on the HD a button mapped to the Resco Note recorder so I may make a verbal note.
I also have loads of applications, like GPS, a copy of wiki, etc etc.
I find SBSH PocketBreeze the best diary program and have this running with TF3D by using SecondToday.
I like TF3D weather and stocks.
Jim and Dave -
Thanks very much for your response. You definitely answered my questions.
I'm not sure at this point that I need a stylus, but it sure would be a nice asset to have, as with the HD. I guess I will most likely wait around a few more months to see what else comes out. The HD is kind of impractical in the US right now since it can't be integrated into the purchase of a celllular plan.
Deleted. Double post for unknown reason.
For me, it definitely helps organize my life. In fact, I would be crippled without it.
In the morning, I rely on it to wake me up with a fantastic alarm clock application called G-Alarm. It has big button to snooze and stop, and plays my favourite music to wake me up.
I have lousy memory, so I rely on it 100% to remind me to pay me bills, renew my insurance, road tax, etc. There are finger friendly calendar applications that lets you enter text 100% without stylus. Try TouchPal or Tengo as your software keyboard, and Thumbcal as the way to enter new appointment.
Of course, birthdays, contact details are all kept in my HD, together with theri emails, etc.
Most of my emails are compiled using my HD, but since the contact could be sync to desktop, you would find it equally convenient to compile emails there too.
I pay all my bill via internet using my Touch HD. So far, Opera is able to 100% handle all my banks, although you might find some bank's website requiring desktop browser to completely carry out the transaction.
All my user id, passwords, warranty expire dates of stuffs I buy, bank accounts details, insurance details, credit cards details, health cards, library cards, software serial numbers, etc etc are all kept using my HD. There are so many nice applications to organise these informations. I use eWallet, but may others are equally good.
I drive around using Tom Tom 7, even on familiar route. Why? Because I tend to day dream and forget the speed camera, school zone hours (where during certain time of the day we must drive at 40Km/h), red light camera (to remind me NOT to enter the intersection if there is a traffic jam (lest having to pay hefty traffic fines), and to stay within the road speed limit. While in unfamiliar places, I'm 100% relying on it to bring me to the destination. While travelling in Asian countries, Tom Tom and iGO are completely useless, so I use Garmin and Mapking in those countries. All these GPS are installed on my HD at all times. Forget iPhone.
I use the stock information a lot, checking it many times during the day.
Then while coming acrosss words I don't know, I use my favourite Lexisgoo to find out what they mean.
There are times when I need to convert unit of measure from one system to another (for example, from cm to inches). I use Panoramic Calc Pro to help me in such task. The standard winmo or iphone calculator is not going to help here.
I live in Australia, where the price of petrol changes frequently duing the day, and there is always a need to know where I can get the cheapest petrol. I have emails sending such informaiton to me twice a day, but I have also bookmark this website to look up instantly when my petrol runs low.
I keep many other reference information on my HD. I install applications such as Wine Guide, Travel Guide on my HD.
While having time to kill, I amuse myself with ebooks using a fantastic ebook reader called AlReader. It is also 100% finger friendly.
I use youtube a lot. There is also an application that lets you view video from sources other than youtube, called Web Video Downloader. With WVD, you could watch from youtube, liveleak, porkolt, dailymotion, tube8, google, eskimotube, pornhub, bootyfix, and xyxx. I don't know most of them as I use only youtbue, but it works for all in my test. You can watch video in MP4 (higher quality that FLV) format there, so I prefer it over the standard youtube player.
Radio, MP3, videos, picture viewing are some other pastimes.
I own video recorders and good cameras, but these days I don't bring them with me anymore, as I find my HD doing very good job in most situation. The only problem is taking picture is very poor lighting condition.
All my telephone converations are recorded automatically using Audio notes touch. There is no need to fumble for pen and paper while speaking on the phone.
I also use AgePhone for VOIP calls using my HD. Just 8 aussie cents per call anywhere in the world untimed.
While playing golf, I use Mobile Golf Scorer to track our scores, calculates the stapleford points of everyone, and rank us if we want to hold competition against each other. It calculates all our handicaps automatically. It tells me the distance of my postion to the water hazards, to the green, etc.
The screen brightness of HD is just excellent beyond my expectation. It has an automatic sensor. I am able to see things very clearly under the strongest sunlight.
My HD is fast. I'm using standard ROM.
HD has excellent battery life. I used to have to use the car charger everytime I get into my car. Now I don't anymore as its battery is so good. Anyway, I also bought a spare battery, so when I run out of battery before going to bed, I simply swap in the new one. You can't do that with iPhone.
I have lots of spreadsheet models that I had created using my mobile device. I use SoftMaker to give me 100% of the desktop editing capability for word, spreadsheet and presentation. I am able to view all email attachment on my HD, with or without internet connection. No such capability with iPhone.
Okay, this is getting too long, but I hope it helps you get the picture.
ModernMuseum said:
The HD is kind of impractical in the US right now since it can't be integrated into the purchase of a celllular plan.
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Click to collapse
hey, the hd can be used fine in the us. you just wont get 3g. everything else will work fine. you can use jit with any sim card (at&nt, tmobie)
I find taking notes with the stylus very easy.
There's no lag at all!
In fact I do it all the time, Notes is mapped to my right softkey in the home menu.
like some others here, i would struggle without my winmo fone now.
i use the calendar for all my work appts (can be a dozen a day at various venues with various people for various reasons) i sync the calender with outlook both at work and at home, over the mobile network at times. my personal life is stored on there as well such as parties, hols, birthdays etc etc
i collect my work email on the move and can schedule meetings with it
my whole address book is in it, as well as being able to access the corporate address book
i use tomtom to navigate to meetings at places i dont know via my contacts
i make notes on it during meetings and have no trouble making my own minutes in real time. i even make voice notes if in the car and need to recall something
for me, the term Personal Digital Assistant is the perfect description
@jim..... i fond the stock winmo applications to be all i need, just that you have to set them up to your preferences. i use spb diary and shell for my front end though, preferring that over TF3D
eaglesteve said:
All my user id, passwords, warranty expire dates of stuffs I buy, bank accounts details, insurance details, credit cards details, health cards, library cards, software serial numbers, etc etc are all kept using my HD. There are so many nice applications to organise these informations. I use eWallet, but may others are equally good.
...
Okay, this is getting too long, but I hope it helps you get the picture.
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Click to collapse
First off, great post for selling Windows Mobile!
One thing that caught my eye is when you mentioned storing software serial numbers. I couldn't tell you how many online purchases I've made of various pieces of software where I've forgotten where I wrote down the serial number, or worse yet what programs I've even purchased.
You use eWallet to track that, or is there something better that you know of?
I could maybe get rid of the tons of user manuals I hang on to only because they have the serial numbers for installation.. lol.
sschrupp said:
First off, great post for selling Windows Mobile!
One thing that caught my eye is when you mentioned storing software serial numbers. I couldn't tell you how many online purchases I've made of various pieces of software where I've forgotten where I wrote down the serial number, or worse yet what programs I've even purchased.
You use eWallet to track that, or is there something better that you know of?
I could maybe get rid of the tons of user manuals I hang on to only because they have the serial numbers for installation.. lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I use is Ilium Listpro. This is a great list application and comes with a PC app that is exactly the same and produces the same files - so, copy and paste to the HD is childs-play.
I have one list (of many) for applications and I try to update that each time I load something up including the version, password/free, web site. See my post on this in the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442663
I have in that listpro lists a set of sub-lists for applications I had on my old Tytn II etc. So, I can always track back to an app I might want to try on the HD.
Here is my listpro entry for listpro !! (minus password):
Ilium Listpro 5.0.0.2016 http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/lp/listpro.htm
ModernMuseum said:
Jim and Dave -
Thanks very much for your response. You definitely answered my questions.
I'm not sure at this point that I need a stylus, but it sure would be a nice asset to have, as with the HD. I guess I will most likely wait around a few more months to see what else comes out. The HD is kind of impractical in the US right now since it can't be integrated into the purchase of a celllular plan.
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Click to collapse
No problem. One thing that I wanna mention real quick though is that...w/ winmo, the big problem (and advantage) that I'm sure you have noticed on these forums is...you're not going to get anywhere w/o 3rd party apps. Basically everything kinda sucks :S lol.
But once you get rolling w/ those...you're great. But the problem therein is that so many apps can begin to bog the device down and cause software conflicts.
The great news....both winmo 6.5 and android are soon to be on the HD (I give it 3.5 months guaranteed they are both running well on it).
EDIT: Basically though, the overall simple answer to your base question is: YES. Maybe other devices could do it better, or it will take tweaking, but YES. And even if you do NO tweaking whatsoever the answer would still be: YES...just not nearly as strong a yes.
Thanks for all the replies guys. I really appreciate it.
@eaglesteve-
When you take notes during meetings, do you use the stylus or your finger, and what program do you use?
ModernMuseum said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. I really appreciate it.
@eaglesteve-
When you take notes during meetings, do you use the stylus or your finger, and what program do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was another guy's post that talks about note taking. I sometimes take sermon notes in Sunday Church services. I use TextMaker with Tengo Thumb keyboard without stylus. Tengo Thumb is the only keyboard that lets me type fast enough to catch up with the speaker. It has only six hugh keys, requiring very little travelling distance (my thumb concentrates around the tyghbn region only, so your thumb and finger need not move all over the screen). Same concept as TouchPal, but just 6 bigger buttons instead of 14 smaller buttons.
eaglesteve said:
It was another guy's post that talks about note taking. I sometimes take sermon notes in Sunday Church services. I use TextMaker with Tengo Thumb keyboard without stylus. Tengo Thumb is the only keyboard that lets me type fast enough to catch up with the speaker. It has only six hugh keys, requiring very little travelling distance (my thumb concentrates around the tyghbn region only, so your thumb and finger need not move all over the screen). Same concept as TouchPal, but just 6 bigger buttons instead of 14 smaller buttons.
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Click to collapse
Or you could use a sound recorder ? I have Resco which I find works well but I don't use it for long sermons !
Cheesy Dave said:
Or you could use a sound recorder ? I have Resco which I find works well but I don't use it for long sermons !
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Click to collapse
I suppose we could do that too.
Not in a meeting! Hehe.
**crackle**
Keith, don't forget to send that report to the nazi bossman by the end of the day. Oh, yeah, and buy condoms on the way home.
**crackle**
ModernMuseum said:
I'm on the fence about buying one of these for USA use. I don't want to pay $100 for a monthly cell phone plan, so I probably won't need the 3g for "GPS" or a lot of internet usage.
I will however most likely take advantage of the array of programs available and heavily use a calendar application to schedule appointments, reminders, alarm clock, etc. Can someone comment on how a Touch HD helps to simplify and organize their daily routine and keep appointments?
Also, I had a chance to get one of my hands on one in Malaysia and I have to say that the interface is very slick. Is it possible to use the stylus to scribble notes on a notepad? Is this a popular and quick-to-use feature for on-the-fly note taking? I don't see it mentioned very much in the forums here.
I won't be returning to the States until April, so I'll be keeping my eye on some other up and coming phones that have GPS built into the phone for an annual fee.
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Click to collapse
Let me start of to say that I don’t own Blackstone yet. Therefore I can’t tell you much about the device performance itself, but I am using WinMo since some 8-10 years now.
During this time I have used quite few different devices and I can tell you that I never had device that was “perfect”. Somehow you will have always some issues that you not very happy with it. Speed, Size, keyboard, Battery live, Screen Size, stability etc. etc.
Furthermore after while you will start to visit this site more and more. Times will pass then you will find out that you spend more time here on this site then you talking to your wife. You will be addicted!!! You will wait of custom ROM releases like you have been waiting for your first child. You will use your device more for flashing and testing new ROMS then you will actually use your device. You will start to install so many Software’s that you think they are useful but then you will find out you use them actually only first couple of days.
Coming to using your device to Organizing your live.. Well looking back to 8-10 years I would say a PDA did become a must for busy people, especially if you work a lot with Microsoft outlook on your desktop.
The OS WinMo gives you basic application and of course there plenty 3 party software that improves the capability and functionality of the Device. Indeed you may find more than one software company that offers almost same software. Well again same as the hardware there is no perfect software besides everyone has own favorites.. I would say try them and find the best for you.
Here is the list of software that I have installed:
Pocket Informant ( PIM)
PhatNotes ( database Notes)
PhatPad (handwriting notes)
CalliGrapher (Hand writing Input)
HiCalc ( calculator and Unit converter)
PhoneAlarm Pro (this software can do more than one thing..check it out)
SKTools (Utilities)
Resco explorer(file explorer)
Google Maps
TodayAgenda (displays appointments and task on today screen)
LingvoSoft Dictionary’s
Softmaker office (Replacement for Pocket word, excel etc.)
Flexmail ( email client: I use this only for POP and IMAP email accounts)
I am a business user. I have daily 80-150 emails. Many Appointments and Project/Task that I need to remember and follow up.
I work mainly with MS outlook on my desktop. Therefore all my appointments, task, Reminders and Contacts are organized in outlook. After Sync. with my Hand device the Pocket Informant gives me the best tools to keep me Organized for those.
I use PhatNotes for all my information that I need to keep as notes(database) to remember. There is 2 versions for PhatNotes. 1) integrates with outlook notes 2)has own separate desktop application. I personally use the separate desktop version. I can organize my notes under different categories. I can protect sensitive notes with passwords
I found Phatpad is one of the best hand writing Notes.. I use it mostly in the meetings to take handwritten notes ( like on paper) I can with the help of the calligrapher convert my handwriting to text and save it as word document or txt file. Moreover it is a great tool for using it like yellow sticker notes. You can add reminder to your notes as well.
Well I can go on like that for hours for what else I am using my WinMo. In Short I would say I would be lost without it. The only Advice I can give you is to install only the software’s that you really use daily base.
Maybe HTC is reading this forum, so I start a thread for your changes and wishes for HD2. My changes are (wishes for HD3):
- Oled display
- display with capacitive sensors AND press sensitivity , for gloves, finger nails, stylus
- More battery power or less power consumption
- Hardware GPU support for ALL applications !!!
- TV - Out with adapter
- Hardware Buttons in better quality AND going inside (like iphone , Grr) , so you don´t press always any button if you just take the phone in your hand
- Maybe better CPU power or dualcore. I don´t need it right now, but 1 year is a long time and I want to avoid that htc use the same CPU for another 5 years as in the past
- Camera with 720 p video and better lenses.
- stronger WiFi connections
And my manila wishes are:
- manila style Task manger / switcher
- manila style task management tool instead of MS office old thing.
- manila style notes
- manila style counter and stopwatch, like it is in Android right now.
- manila style Email client !!
- better album application, with easy folders access.
- much better mp3 player ! : I want rate my music (and sync, of course), intelligent playlists for my own ( 4 stars, for example), I want to search for music with keyboard and switch fast though it with letters on the right side to jump to S for example. The last two wishes are already there, in the contact manager !! I want the same for music and video ! Better caching of thumbnails, there should be no reload every time I scroll. (same as contacts, there IS no reload !! right now )
- video player with folders and DETAILED view: I want an image AND the name of the movie ! Most time you can´t see what file it is, because it is just a small image . Rateing and playlists, too. And of course keyboard search and Jump to letter, just the same interface for contacts, music, videos, Footprints, weather cities with same slight modifications for each area.
- manila style google maps application with smooth !! multitouch.
- Opera 10 with multitouch, of course.
And : SAVE AND SNYC with ALL Manila and System settings with my desktop or in a file at least !!!!!
Imagine, you do a Rom Update or Hard Reset, just load this settings file and ALL your favorites and "make it mine" settings are back, without hours of tweaking again, your email is set up again, you weathers, your ringtone, ALL of it ! What a dream.......
edit - deleted until HansZimmer version 3 is released with a better humour chip.
I don´t understand your message. Do you think HTC is not going further anymore ? I don´t think so and just want to tell what for me as customer is important for the next device. And as far as I know htc is building the devices for us customers, so I let them know which areas are important for me. If you don´t have anything to tell about this subject, please let you opinion on another place. thank you.
How would I change HD2? I'd have it fulfill all the promises on the box and the specs: SMS without anguish, all notifications working as advertised, OS that worked out of the box and not needing constant hotfixes, a battery that doesn't have you constantly scoping out the next available wall plug...
Shall I go on?
Yes, please. This is the why I started this thread
Hardware: Nothing. I'd say it's perfect for now. No doubt it will be improved with faster processor, more memory, wimax in the future, but that's how it goes, and for its time it's just perfect.
Software: A "bigger" Sense. As in continue what has been done now, and "finish" putting that excellent layer over the old WM to hide it completely. But I'm pretty sure that's what WM7 will be. And don't forget to store a whole lot of settings in the registry so that we cant continue to tweak them to our own liking
Also, unified software and hardware specs to ensure inter-device compatibility, so we dont have software that works on some devices but not others, or miss support for hardware capabilities anymore, and a marketplace that goes with it. Also part of it as it seems.
longer battery, more than 3 alarms
that's it
imagine an HD2 with the same buttons on both side of the screen but the middle buttons are dpads/trackpads/touch screen maybe even track balls!
Audio Oblivion said:
imagine an HD2 with the same buttons on both side of the screen but the middle buttons are dpads/trackpads/touch screen maybe even track balls!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love that! It'd be like the HP iPAQ hx4700 (4" VGA display PDA), which I LOVE. Buttons on sides and trackpad in the middle. Though I wouldn't want to make it bigger or make the screen smaller...
Stereo speakers. Such a beautiful device needs beefy sound to complete the package.
Bigger internal storage.
Sense should BE the default UI for Windows Mobile... forever. It is the most beautiful UI on any Phone OS to date!
HTC Should build their own proprietary OS just for their phones so that it is tailored to work the best in terms of speed and stability. And not some overlay on another OS. Love my HD2 tho!
The HTC HD2 is almost perfect! What changes I would like to see...hmmm...easy
1- Remove the camera protrusion in the rear.
2- TV-out
3- More internal memory
4- Video Call feature
5- Built-in VoIP SIP
What I would "want" them to do...
a- capablity to install Xeon QuadCore processor chip
b- Twin Hyper cooling fans for the processor
c- Night vision with heat/UV vision camera
d- Direct Blu-Ray quality video recording
e- Capablity to Plugin a USB external HDD
...think I've oozed out too much greed....I'll just stop now!
athar13 said:
The HTC HD2 is almost perfect! What changes I would like to see...hmmm...easy
1- Remove the camera protrusion in the rear.
2- TV-out
3- More internal memory
4- Video Call feature
5- Built-in VoIP SIP
What I would "want" them to do...
a- capablity to install Xeon QuadCore processor chip
b- Twin Hyper cooling fans for the processor
c- Night vision with heat/UV vision camera
d- Direct Blu-Ray quality video recording
e- Capablity to Plugin a USB external HDD
...think I've oozed out too much greed....I'll just stop now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And don't forget this important aspect: purchase price!!
Putting the new HD3 on the market at $199 (€145, £127) would definitly be the best aspect of them all
And don't forget to give all accessories prices like: $27 for car charger, $ 25 for extended battery + cover etc..
Ah well... we'll have to keep dreaming, 'cause who knows what the 'evil' minds of HTC are up to next
Grtz,
Degake
santahtc,
yes, bring us good stereo speakers as my sharp 903 had.
and an always accessible SDhc card slot.
and a flat back, not that surfboard one!
I'd like the HD2 to have a more constructive forum on xda, where there's less trolls and flamers. Other than that, I can't fault it.
A touchscreen that enables typing would be nice. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=595655
See what I mean
johncmolyneux said:
See what I mean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol I was expecting just that.
There is nothing wrong in pointing the good and the bad stuff.. I happen to be one who has those problems... Shouldn't I be looking for solutions?
Cheers mate! Peace!
Is it just me, or are people wanting a quad core laptop in a smartphone...
The reason I got the HD2 was to combine my phone, PDA and media player, and it does
My pockets are so light now.
One thing, I wish I could lock the screen during music/video playback I want to see the screen and not pause the playback accidentally
USB host
Video Out
Better battery performance
IrDa to control my TV