Database Develop

T-Mobile Vario III. First Impressions

So my Vario III finally arrived today and I've had chance to give it a nice charge and get it setup how I like. Hence, I thought I'd drop a few impressions for those of you waiting for yours to arrive...
The look: It doesn't have the black frontage of the HTC model, but it does have a very nice brushed metal thing going on. The T-Mobile branding is kept low-key with their logo and a simple "MDA" at the bottom of the screen. The Internet button has the Web n' Walk logo. There is nothing at all on the back of the device. I'll try and get a picture of it for you, but I think the only cameras around here are on phones, so it won't be great.
The software: I panicked a bit when I'd done the initial screen calibration and the T-Mobile customisation kicked in... I let it do its thing though, and I'm pleasantly surprised! There's no obvious branding shown anywhere in any of the programs, apart from the Web n' Walk icon and, of course, the homepage of PIE defaults the T-Mobile portal.
The Touch style front end is in full effect works as you'd expect.
There's an installation of F-Secure Anti Virus on here. I'm not sure if it comes with the HTC version, but it doesn't appear to be licensed at all. As soon as the trial runs out I'll be removing it.
One thing that I'd suggest changing immediately is the awful T-Mobile ring tones that are set for the phone ringing, along with a bunch of message alerts and reminders. Oh how I hate those tunes!
Bundled software: The CD is pretty minimalistic but does feature a GPRS monitor and Sprite Backup. There's no Outlook and no TomTom Taster Edition.
That's all I can think of worth telling you for now. If there's anything you want to know, I'll try my best to find out for you.

Does it have the HTC Today plugin on the today screen?
The large digital clock and weather information plus the notifications and tabs for launcher and photo contacts?
I ordered my Vario III Today as a free upgrade!! It arrives tomorrow

Sounds like that's the Touch style front end I mentioned.
It has everything you listed. I must say I'm pleased with how well the weather bit works. Added to that the speed of establishing a data connection and then downloading stuff is far, far quicker than my old MDA Pro (Universal).

I'm glad they got the right device out to you this time.
I managed to get mine ordered at 08:30 this morning and mine should be here for lunchtime tomorrow.
Bummer about the lack of TomTom taster or Outlook. I imagine Tmob have still got an arrangement with CoPilot for SatNav bundles. I'll have to look for a cheap Exchange provider as some of them are giving away copies of Outlook 2007.
How fast is your data speed? and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the Tmob ROMs don't exhibit the SOD that some have experienced.

wizzzard said:
I'll have to look for a cheap Exchange provider as some of them are giving away copies of Outlook 2007.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anybody who doesn't have a free exchange mailaddress to use with the push-mail functionality on WM5 and WM6:
mail2web is still (I think) giving away free exchange mailadresses...
Just go to mail2web.com and sign up!

wizzzard said:
I'm glad they got the right device out to you this time.
I managed to get mine ordered at 08:30 this morning and mine should be here for lunchtime tomorrow.
Bummer about the lack of TomTom taster or Outlook. I imagine Tmob have still got an arrangement with CoPilot for SatNav bundles. I'll have to look for a cheap Exchange provider as some of them are giving away copies of Outlook 2007.
How fast is your data speed? and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the Tmob ROMs don't exhibit the SOD that some have experienced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would make sense as to why TomTom isn't included. I never thought of that. Luckily I have a copy of TomTom 6 that I can use anyway.
Data speeds have been great. Connecting to the UMTS network here is super fast and download speeds have far exceeded what I got from my Universal, although this is downloading virus definitions and weather reports. I haven't tried general Internet browsing just yet.
I can't comment on HSDPA speeds as it's not available here.
rvdgeer said:
For anybody who doesn't have a free exchange mailaddress to use with the push-mail functionality on WM5 and WM6:
mail2web is still (I think) giving away free exchange mailadresses...
Just go to mail2web.com and sign up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Free stuff always makes me a bit wary. What's in it for them? Do they send you spam, or attach ads to your mail? Is it possible to tie it in with my existing email service (which I control)?
I suppose I could go to the website and find out myself...

Noiz said:
Free stuff always makes me a bit wary. What's in it for them? Do they send you spam, or attach ads to your mail? Is it possible to tie it in with my existing email service (which I control)?
I suppose I could go to the website and find out myself...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it for over a year now and never got any spam form mail2web or nasty pop-ups / ads...
They give it away as a free service for personal use and you only have to pay when you want it for professional use...
I never found any strings attached and I can say I've used it quite extensively

I really wish I knew when (or approximately when) T-mobile US plans to release their variant. This way, I can decide to wait or get the unlocked version (and possibly have to switch service providers due to 3g bands)

rvdgeer said:
I use it for over a year now and never got any spam form mail2web or nasty pop-ups / ads...
They give it away as a free service for personal use and you only have to pay when you want it for professional use...
I never found any strings attached and I can say I've used it quite extensively
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I signed up before you even replied, figuring it must be worth a shot. Signup was painless, then I just had to tell my mail server to forward incoming mail to my mail2web account.
Setup the account on my phone, gave it a quick test and it works a treat! Thanks a lot for the recommend.

Can you tell us whether they have blocked MSN messenger?

darthbane2k said:
Can you tell us whether they have blocked MSN messenger?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny you should say that; the Live applications are somewhat absent. Is there a messaging program I can download somewhere? I always used to use Agile Messenger on this plan until it stopped being free and de-activated itself.

just install the windows live messenger cabs flying arounds in these forums

Hmm. I installed Fring and it didn't seem to be able to connect. I'll try again later though.
I'm a bit hesitant to install the Live stuff thanks to its importing all of my messenger contacts into the phone contacts. Something I really want to keep separate!
I'll keep fiddling with 3rd party programs and keep you posted.

darthbane2k said:
Can you tell us whether they have blocked MSN messenger?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I can say they haven't blocked it for the Touch as I gave a college the cab of Windows Live

I use Palringo on my Kaiser on T-Mobile (But my handset is unbranded) and it works.
From what I can tell, palringo seems best. Supports MSN / Yahoo / more... and has PTT Plus it is free...

Noiz said:
Hmm. I installed Fring and it didn't seem to be able to connect. I'll try again later though.
I'm a bit hesitant to install the Live stuff thanks to its importing all of my messenger contacts into the phone contacts. Something I really want to keep separate!
I'll keep fiddling with 3rd party programs and keep you posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This version of WLM separates contacts.

TaurusBullba said:
This version of WLM separates contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate ill install this tomorrow when my baby arrives

TaurusBullba said:
This version of WLM separates contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is a 'hacked' version of WLM? Or has M$ finally gotten sensible and fixed their horrible mistake...?

Noiz said:
There's no Outlook
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Click to collapse
This is pretty frigging ridiculous. From what I can see, syncronising contacts and calendar relies on having Outlook. How am I supposed to sync if I don't have it?

Got mine delivered this morning.
I havnt got the GPS to work so far (applications connect fine just the skies too cloudy to pick up any satellites).
Coming from the o2 Exec im finding the keyboard a bit small, and some of the keys having been moved around but nothing a weeks of use won't fix. Though using the keyboard while plugged into USB isn't all that comfortable.
The tmobile branding isn't as bad as i expected, though i would have preferred the black finish HTC look.
I've had no problems with connectivity. HSDPA and 3G seem to flip back and forth every now and then.

default IM program

I accidentally deleted that OZ instant messenger, where can I get it again?
I have been scouring for free IM alternatives but haven't found any good ones, so I want to just go back to the default one.

scythetleppo said:
I accidentally deleted that OZ instant messenger, where can I get it again?
I have been scouring for free IM alternatives but haven't found any good ones, so I want to just go back to the default one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends if you want IM'ing thorough data plan or text messages. If Data than I use the WLM included with version 10.6.0034.0800. If through your text messaging plan that Oz is the way to go I guess. I would have a look at P1taters downloads, he may have a copy of both of those IIRC.

honestly it doesn't matter, I have unlimited everything. thanks

I've personally always enjoyed Palringo. Seems to be low overhead, and connects to a good variety of services (AIM, Y!, Google, MSN, ICQ etc....) I believe it is still free.
http://www.palringo.com/download.php

I use BeeJive IM for now, untill you have to pay for it. It's really easy to use and it has an iphone feel to it.

look right above your thread and youll see a new thread about AIM for windows mobile new software is out now....you will want to use this software for im'ing way more the OZ...OZ is a trash software and it doesnt let you even sign on unless you connect to ATT data connection. You cant use it through your wifi because ATT "forces" you to connect to their data internet and charge you to be able to use OZ....its trash software and theres no point in even looking for the install cab in your device, get the new AIM for windows mobile that just came out, trust me...or even palringo or any other im client service other then OZ

palringo
I have to agree the Oz software is crap .. Palringo is decent.. just doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the oz but it runs pretty smooth

The new JiveTalk is very impressive (though in beta still) and it is free

Device>Windows>C_OZPocketPC.cab will reinstall OZ Instant Messenger

futbolkeeper said:
It depends if you want IM'ing thorough data plan or text messages. If Data than I use the WLM included with version 10.6.0034.0800. If through your text messaging plan that Oz is the way to go I guess. I would have a look at P1taters downloads, he may have a copy of both of those IIRC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does it depend on something. The guy said he wanted the OZ one and didn't like the others. I don't see there being anything dependend.. At least tell the guys to search or something, don't just say, "well I don't like that software" lol.
oh nice, looks like at least one person addressed his issue. I will give some backup support incase that doesn't work. Check this thread, and remember. USE SEARCH, this took me 1 minute to find.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=343805

Yea, if you have unlimited everything, go for Beejive's JiveTalk for WM or try out the new AIM for WM.
But definitely, JiveTalk.

ChumleyEX said:
How does it depend on something. The guy said he wanted the OZ one and didn't like the others. I don't see there being anything dependend.. At least tell the guys to search or something, don't just say, "well I don't like that software" lol.
oh nice, looks like at least one person addressed his issue. I will give some backup support incase that doesn't work. Check this thread, and remember. USE SEARCH, this took me 1 minute to find.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=343805
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really, I thought I answered his question pretty well. Some people still don't understand that some of the IM apps out there are either Data or SMS. Let's think if the guy didn't have a GD data plan and he used a program that depended on data to send messages, bam huge bill and then he'd come back here *****ing to me about it. And I don't recall saying that I don't like OZ. You might want to read and comprehend the whole post before you start to flame someone next time genius.

Questions from Potential Tilt Owner (n00b)

I'm planning on purchasing a new phone, likely the AT&T tilt.
My family is currently an AT&T customer. They will be adding a new line for me.
Is the best place to purchase a phone through AT&T's site?
Do you recommend refurbs?
Also, I hear that if I do not have a data plan, I could rack up extreme charges.
I want to use Wi-Fi and not 3G Internet to save money. I also want to disable 3G to save battery life.
Upon searching, I see that "Dutty's Diamond V1 Build 19588" may be able to do what I want. I'm also searching for similar builds. If I get a Tilt, is Dutty's the preferred ROM build, and does it offer what I'm looking for (protection from data charges)?
I also want a nice Touch 3D interface (with the option of enabling or disabling it to save memory/CPU).
As far as my experience goes: I've modified various devices from my gaming systems to my iPod Video. I'm just new to cell phones. I'm here learn and hopefully one day contribute.
PS. Current owners: I've read stories. How is the video quality, really? Will this phone be able to replace my iPod Video 5G 30GB for video playback? Also, will I be required to pay $10/mo for AT&T Navigator, or will GPS work fine without the package?
Sorry for the lengthy post. I'll continue my reading and researching. (been clicking links from the sticky)

I personally delete the network settings to prevent any data charges, or you can look into download Modaco Nodata. Touchflo comes with the Tilt and if you want the cube, there are many versions on here so you'll have to find which you like best. I don't mind the video quality. It's not the best but certainly not the worst; works fine most of the time. It might not replace the iPod in video playback to many people's standards, but it would for me. No you wont be requried to pay for the Navigator, you can get Tomtom or iGO that have pre-downloaded maps.

Ok, so eliminate the "Extreme" data charges you will need to install this:
Modaco NoData - this enable you to toggle the ability to use or not use data connections. (very very useful for roaming and etc.).
Then,
I think only one rom has NoData already cooked in but you can always just download it from the above link and put it into any rom you wish.
For any GPS you will need to pay.
3D Touch interface with the ablility to enable/Disable it - nothing spectacular? Sorry.
All the roms include a Communication Manager in which you can turn off 3G data connections (along with wifi, Internet Sharing, Active Sync, Bluetooth etc.)
Dutty's roms are no longer supported - he has moved his development to the Diamond.
This will not replace your iPod Vid. unless you can find a 30Gb Micro SDHS card - even then, i think the iPod battery is tailored more towards video so it may last longer than the tilt if you plan to watch videos on it.

iXneonXi said:
I'm planning on purchasing a new phone, likely the AT&T tilt. ..snip..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have several answers already - here is my take on it -
1. I purchased my Tilt through AT&T and have not regretted it - you might get it cheaper somewhere else - but if they are selling it there is a reason - right?
2. you can turn off the data capability (as several have already said.)
3. there are many things that you can do with Kaiser Tweak to turn off 3G and other things to preserve battery life - but you will not get (realistically more than one day's worth of battery no matter WHAT you do (since most people have to go in DAY increments and I have NEVER gotten TWO out of it.
4. Dutty's ROMs are no longer supported - look at my signature for one that I think is pretty great - but lots of others will work for you as well.
5. GPS - this is FREE totally - no cost - if you want TeleNAV it will cost per month and that is useless because I need it when my cell does not work and it requires cell to work - the GPS works free with live search and I have TOMTOM which is free monthly but you have to purchase maps.
6. I watch videos on it all the time - works fine - not 1080p but adequate.
Just my opinion.
Bill

You can also use "Kaiser Tweaks" to prevent your Tilt from connecting to the internet. You can always deactivate 3G. To use telenav you need to have a data connection. So the best option would be something like Garmin or Tom Tom or something similar.

Thanks. From what I understand, I have to go ROM hunting. I saw somewhere on the forums a person's signature noting use of Dutty's Diamond on their Tilt. It may have been a typing error. From a geek's perspective, that's great. From a paying consumer's perspective, I'd rather not risk a brick.
As far as video goes, I'm not interested in storage space. 4GB MicroSDHC is fine. It is the video quality I'm mainly interested in.
I'm a TomTom fan, I should investigate this. I'm glad I don't have to pay monthly. Also, I know there are alternate solutions, some with free downloadable maps. In either case, my GPS question has been answered.
As I read, one question popped up in response to the data blocking. Does Kaiser Tweaks require a new ROM, or will it work on a stock Tilt? Also, what about Modaco NoData? I cannot view the page because it requires registration. I'd prefer not to pay for software to block data when the purpose of blocking data is to save money.
Thanks for the speedy responses.
PS. I still haven't heard much about Refurbs. Should I worry, or if I can find a refurb much cheaper, is that the best option?

iXneonXi said:
Thanks. From what I understand, I have to go ROM hunting. I saw somewhere on the forums a person's signature noting use of Dutty's Diamond on their Tilt. It may have been a typing error. From a geek's perspective, that's great. From a paying consumer's perspective, I'd rather not risk a brick.
As far as video goes, I'm not interested in storage space. 4GB MicroSDHC is fine. It is the video quality I'm mainly interested in.
I'm a TomTom fan, I should investigate this. I'm glad I don't have to pay monthly. Also, I know there are alternate solutions, some with free downloadable maps. In either case, my GPS question has been answered.
As I read, one question popped up in response to the data blocking. Does Kaiser Tweaks require a new ROM, or will it work on a stock Tilt? Also, what about Modaco NoData? I cannot view the page because it requires registration. I'd prefer not to pay for software to block data when the purpose of blocking data is to save money.
Thanks for the speedy responses.
PS. I still haven't heard much about Refurbs. Should I worry, or if I can find a refurb much cheaper, is that the best option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not brick if you follow instructions.
Modaco NoData is free. it will run on stock.
Vid. Quality is pretty good - but also depends on how you rip it.

whk said:
4. Dutty's ROMs are no longer supported - look at my signature for one that I think is pretty great - but lots of others will work for you as well.
Bill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as an aside, let's not sell Mr, Duttythroy down the river just yet. Even though he has moved on, he has left behind some great roms that work great and are supported by many threads.

In response to zeezee and the video quality: In that case, I'll have fun with my encoders. I'll read the forum and do some of my own testing. I usually set up a good profile for various videos on different devices.
About Dutty's ROMs. They do seem a bit dated, but looking at his package set and some features, it's no wonder a lot of newer ROMs are popping up based on his. If anything, I feel I should try a recent one that is Dutty based. Although, If I decide to cook my own later on, I'll probably start with OEM as a base.
I've been reading more, and it definitely helps. I have a comparison of the 2008-06 and 2008-07 ROMs going on. I may put my results on my site. Thanks to all the chefs for the good ROMs.
For those using cooked ROMS: I see a lot of Touch Diamond ROMs out now. I know some work on the Tilt, with or without keyboard fix. Is that what I really want though as a Tilt user? Are there more Tilt-catered ROMs? Looking at it, I see Jacks V2 Full, WM6.1 ROM _ Ryncppr Version V6, L26_KaiserDiamond_V9, and HyperDragon III.
For audio listeners: Did any Tilt user find an adapter to use normal headphones? Did you decide to get bluetooth stereo headphones (expensive and use battery)? What are my choices? I'd assume since it's WM 6.1 I can play just about any video or audio out there with the use of other media players and creativity on my own part (yay for encoding).
PS. Happy 4th of July to those who celebrate it!

iXneonXi said:
For audio listeners: Did any Tilt user find an adapter to use normal headphones? Did you decide to get bluetooth stereo headphones (expensive and use battery)? What are my choices? I'd assume since it's WM 6.1 I can play just about any video or audio out there with the use of other media players and creativity on my own part (yay for encoding).
PS. Happy 4th of July to those who celebrate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many mini usb to 3.5mm adapters out there, but they are all still rather bulky.
I think you would be better off in the long run with quality BT head phones. But shop wisely , not all headsets play music, some just answer calls.
P.S. Yay freedom : Yay America

One question in addition to the above: I understand Internet will be blocked when using NoData. Will that prevent me from using the IM and MMS feature on my Messaging Unlimited plan?
I ask this because my brother is WIX Blocked and can only send SMS, but we pay for messaging which includes IM and MMS in addition to SMS.

iXneonXi said:
One question in addition to the above: I understand Internet will be blocked when using NoData. Will that prevent me from using the IM and MMS feature on my Messaging Unlimited plan?
I ask this because my brother is WIX Blocked and can only send SMS, but we pay for messaging which includes IM and MMS in addition to SMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will not be blocked from using MMS or IM if you are using NoData
denco7 said:
Just as an aside, let's not sell Mr, Duttythroy down the river just yet. Even though he has moved on, he has left behind some great roms that work great and are supported by many threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh i didnt mean it that way, Dutty's roms are very nice, i was running the hybrid for a while there

zeezee said:
you will not be blocked from using MMS or IM if you are using NoData
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious how NoData works compared to other methods.
Is it a software block? Does it disable portions of the hardware? How does it allow the IM while preventing other applications including Internet from being used? I'm under the assumption that IM is simply another app which communicates the same as the browser.
A link to a good thread, tutorial, or info page would be nice. The previous one linked asked me to login. It may have been a simple copy/paste error.

iXneonXi said:
I'm curious how NoData works compared to other methods.
Is it a software block? Does it disable portions of the hardware? How does it allow the IM while preventing other applications including Internet from being used? I'm under the assumption that IM is simply another app which communicates the same as the browser.
A link to a good thread, tutorial, or info page would be nice. The previous one linked asked me to login. It may have been a simple copy/paste error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It changes registry settings.
The page is a forum and the software is on a thread.

I'm searching around for threads. Are there any "what ROM do you use" polls for Tilt users? Are those discouraged here? I'm trying to get an idea of popular and successful ones.

gps for free
To add a detail: I use google maps on the tilt. You need to download and run "gpst test", which you launch just before starting google maps... apparently, so I read here, google maps can't initialize the gps, it has to already be running...gps test does that for you. Then, launch g-maps, and on the bottom right, pull up menu, and check "use gps". Unfortunately, you need to do this everytime.
The use of gmaps is intuitive. It is NOT nearly as good for finding directions, and driving along, as ANY other gps I have used... it lack simple features linke "track up", for example, always being north up. BUT, it is free...you don't need to load the maps on the phone, it pulls them from the web, along with satellite and traffic data, if you wish. I find it is also more accurate than some other gps databases I have in terms of showing where a certain business is located.
I think yahooo may have a similar product, but I have not tested it.
MIke

iXneonXi said:
I'm searching around for threads. Are there any "what ROM do you use" polls for Tilt users? Are those discouraged here? I'm trying to get an idea of popular and successful ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally i love ROMeOSv2.3, very very stable and run light.
Here is a link if you need it: http://www.mindsofwisemen.com/fileso/other/ROMeOSv2.362808MMs.zip

I'll look into the ROMeOS version.
How does it perform in the "eye candy" department?
Thanks for the google maps info. I want something slightly better, so I may go towards paid software.

iXneonXi said:
I'll look into the ROMeOS version.
How does it perform in the "eye candy" department?
Thanks for the google maps info. I want something slightly better, so I may go towards paid software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, "eye candy" its light and simple, i enjoy it

How is it in terms of speed including but not limited to 3D support?

6.1 SMS to iPhone

I am going to have to evaluate an iPhone in work as we maybe getting them, however I need to work out how I can export my text/sms/mms mesages from my phone into a format where I can then import them into the iphone.
Any help is appricated
I am also using one of Duttys ROMs

Not going to happen . There is no cross-platform software that will allow you to take text messages from the Tilt to an iPhone. And MMS isn't even supported on the iPhone...

I know MMS support was vacant on the iPhone, oh well I guess the directors can't have their sms messages moved
Kimbie

Hey i can do mms on my iphone, and not the email way. anyways yeah theres no way of importing the messages from one platform to another. I guess just write them down or something.

deviusdragger said:
Hey i can do mms on my iphone, and not the email way. anyways yeah theres no way of importing the messages from one platform to another. I guess just write them down or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
prolly cause you hacked it. mms is not supported on stock iphones.

witchdoctor575 said:
prolly cause you hacked it. mms is not supported on stock iphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's like saying "Remote Desktop is not supported on stock AT&T tilts."
Me: I have it working.
You: That's cause you hacked it.
No matter how it works... it works.

lewcamino said:
That's like saying "Remote Desktop is not supported on stock AT&T tilts."
Me: I have it working.
You: That's cause you hacked it.
No matter how it works... it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree, I had to install a cab (which is free from MS) to get remote desktop on my kaiser (which is allowed by the MS EULA, and is within US laws. It is not against ATT's TOS either). Just because they hid it on you, doesn't mean you can't use it.
I also had to flash a hacked firmware / activation crack to get my iphone hacked to install any third party software. Unfortunately this is against Apple's EULA, and the law if you live in the US, and I am sure ATT would be pissed about it too, somewhere in their TOS.
I'm not saying most people care about these things, I am saying that they are different, especially for business users.
Apple is a closed platform compared to WM.

Windows Mobile is meant for people to install all the 3rd-party programs they wish. The iPhone isn't, and needed to be hacked to "allow" it. Not much more to say, no comparison can stand.

Might be late but did big up date today

And as I see nothing changed in this update, no clue what is in it, but every thing looks the same, same crap i mean. Back to HD2 till HTC comes out with a better interface.
Good luck to the rest.

rysky007 said:
And as I see nothing changed in this update, no clue what is in it, but every thing looks the same, same crap i mean. Back to HD2 till HTC comes out with a better interface.
Good luck to the rest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, HTC does not have any say in creating the WP7 interface. If you didn't like the interface, then why buy the phone? Plenty of us on this forum love the metro ui.

rysky007 said:
And as I see nothing changed in this update, no clue what is in it, but every thing looks the same, same crap i mean. Back to HD2 till HTC comes out with a better interface.
Good luck to the rest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cause you can only play and see what a phone has so much in the store, it takes time to really tell if you like a phone or not.
After using HTC sense on the HD2, I assumed that HTC would have a similar interface on this good hardware.
Dont get me wrong, the hard ware is nice, the typing is much better then HD2, but the OS by its self is terrible, just like HD2 original OS, but HTC sense on top of that interface makes it better.
But the OS by its self now, even compared to the HD2, is missing a lot of must have things, settings and features which every phone in today's market, hell any phone in the past ten years market should have.
I kept hearing about amazing updates, but each one is disappointing.

rysky007 said:
Cause you can only play and see what a phone has so much in the store, it takes time to really tell if you like a phone or not.
After using HTC sense on the HD2, I assumed that HTC would have a similar interface on this good hardware.
Dont get me wrong, the hard ware is nice, the typing is much better then HD2, but the OS by its self is terrible, just like HD2 original OS, but HTC sense on top of that interface makes it better.
But the OS by its self now, even compared to the HD2, is missing a lot of must have things, settings and features which every phone in today's market, hell any phone in the past ten years market should have.
I kept hearing about amazing updates, but each one is disappointing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe do some research? If you even bothered to google what WP7 is, you would realize that manufacturers have no say it the software and that it still a new OS.
Don't blame HTC or Microsoft, blame yourself for not taking 5 minutes to research anything about WP7.

XPLANE9 said:
Maybe do some research? If you even bothered to google what WP7 is, you would realize that manufacturers have no say it the software and that it still a new OS.
Don't blame HTC or Microsoft, blame yourself for not taking 5 minutes to research anything about WP7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys crack me up, I did research it, but you really dont get a feel for an OS till you use it, you can watch all the videos you want, until you get it and use it and set it up for what you need and use, you dont get a feel for it.
The tiles I have no problem with, its what you cannot do with the tiles and other settings that bothers me, things not discussed by any one until the phone came out and used by many, I have been following this forum since the day the phone launched, and it slowly turned from "omg we love it " to "wtf is this? problem problem problem.
1. Tethering, yeah I know all the lovers will say "its the cell providers who are against it" wrong, if they were HD2 would not have the feature via third party app, LG has it in all of its new phones, Nokia has had it in every phone it has put out for the past 4 years. The cell providers would prefer you have it since it will increase your data usage, especially ones who dont offer unlimited data plans.
2. Select all - Enough said there, hell windows 3.1 had select all, 2010 OS does not? the predecessor did , why does this one not? Why do you need this feature one would ask? well for the rest of us who use the phone for what it can do and not just spend hours checking on our friends via facebook, when u use email heavily as I do and sms, select all is a beautiful and necessary feature. Again, its a feature that every phone out should have hands down, no questions.
3. Custom Profiles - why? again, old invention that is very very very handy. just make sense.
4. Program view - I thought something was off when i saw how it lists all the programs you have installed, until I disabled HTC sense on HD2 and saw that the original WM6.5 does the same idiotic crap.
I believe in the BC era man figured out that you can display data, much more efficiently when you use columns and rows. Then why the hell does a OS released in 2010 list all of it in one long ass list? Oh yeah thats right, its brand new, give it 5 years to develop, no, not a good answer, again a feature that every phone today should have.
5. Tile Colors - yes i know some one made a program that lets you change them, but do we really have to do all that to have a feature that lets us choose colors we want? hell look at the pre set colors we have, its what my 12 year old niece likes. I was using the phone with the default blue in a public place a girl saw the colors and looked at me like i swing the other way.
6. Now lets get into more advance things -
A. To make a call, you first have to go to home page then hit the
phone area of the tiles then type in a number, man if you in life and
death situation, your done. There should ways be a button to
access the one main feature ( make calls) from any were.
A.1 - Most of us hold the phone toward the bottom, but the
answer and hang up button is toward the top of the
screen? last I checked, over long thumbs are not invented
yet.
B. When viewing your contacts, no alphabet slider on the side, hell my
6 year old nokia had that feature, again predecessor HD2 (thanks to
HTC sense) had it, this one, first you have to scroll to nearest letter
then push it, then select another letter you want to jump to. Why
the extra steps?
C. Email - if face book and gmail is all you got, great, what about
business ppl who have several email addresses? In order for me to
track my 4 addresses, I have 4 tiles dedicated on my home screen.
combine that with contacts and phone, and my screen is full, I
have to scroll more on my home page to find the tile i need then
any were else on phone. ( HD 2, had displayed 14 things for you
on home page) this phone max 6 and you have to scroll. So say
I am looking at one email address and need to switch to anther,
on HD2 simple they were all available right there on the preview
page. On HD7, back to home page we go.
Is that what they call efficiency these days? they keep touting this phone to be easy to use, get what you need faster and move on in their nifty commercials.
I counted, it takes more pushes and steps to achieve what you need on HD7 then HD2.
So yes it has the amazing live tiles, but are they really? when I have emails my HD2 tells me that I have email on home page, SMS? same thing, missed call? same thing, reminder? same thing, so what is the advantage to the live tile?
besides their lack of color options and re size ability? Thats right, when your bff takes a dump and updates his facebook profile that he is amazed at the shape it came out in, you will be the first to know.
If some one would of wrote this kind of a review, clearly stating the pros and cons, I would of never touched this OS, but they didn't, you know why the didnt? cause Microsoft paid very well to make sure the reviews and info was positive, they got a xmas phone to sell. And that they did. (those of you who will say that is crap, Microsoft would not do that, trust me they do, im in a very similar industry)
But i know, you guys are going to flame me, call me a idiot, a hater, and that its a new OS bla bla, the Iphone was bad to when it first came out.
yeah that was 5 years ago, you dont start over, you take it up a notch, and that is not what Microsoft did. Why you guys think they are partnering up with Nokia? cause WM7 flopped.
Let the flaming begin

rysky007 said:
yeah that was 5 years ago, you dont start over, you take it up a notch, and that is not what Microsoft did. Why you guys think they are partnering up with Nokia? cause WM7 flopped.
Let the flaming begin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt care too much to read your long response, because as the other said, research would have stopped you from buying this phone. If you knew what the OS was about, you would have stuck with the HD2.
Anyway, isn't it Nokia who are flopping with Symbian and wanting WP7 to up their phone sales?

I agree to the most of the missing features in WP7 he wrote about.
The wm users are spoiled, they could give their smartphone an individual style and they could customize their apps and design. WP7 is boring in this way. But i flashed my HD2 back to wm 6.5.x, and after one day i felt, that i went back to yesterday. The control of WP7 is modern and in many ways more efficient.
After this desicion i bought a native WP7-Phone, the HD7, and hope for future ways to individualize it. At 1st the start screen... i hope for a chance, to make it more elegant and have a wallpaper background. Then i hope for smart dialing (native, not with a program) and for an email hub with all my accounts. Also i hope, i can create indidual hubs for system, internet, comm apps and so on, so that the start menu is not five miles long and more properly. I hope, to have a chance for a music player, which can open and play my folders...like mortplayer before, and a video player with mpeg and avi support. Also a way, to get advanced memory by using sd cards.
The best way for MS would be, to give back the features of wm 6.5 in a new and modern smartphone with more abilities. Because they made smartphones long, before Aplle and Google woke up. They used the experience of microsoft and give these phones a modern staff and electronic. Why didn´t use MS it´s own experiences and why must they go a seperate way with an unready OS?
So we have to wait, for MS, Chevron and many other creators. Maybe in two years we look much more lucky...or WP is at it´s end.

rysky007 said:
You guys crack me up, I did research it, but you really dont get a feel for an OS till you use it, you can watch all the videos you want, until you get it and use it and set it up for what you need and use, you dont get a feel for it.
The tiles I have no problem with, its what you cannot do with the tiles and other settings that bothers me, things not discussed by any one until the phone came out and used by many, I have been following this forum since the day the phone launched, and it slowly turned from "omg we love it " to "wtf is this? problem problem problem.
1. Tethering, yeah I know all the lovers will say "its the cell providers who are against it" wrong, if they were HD2 would not have the feature via third party app, LG has it in all of its new phones, Nokia has had it in every phone it has put out for the past 4 years. The cell providers would prefer you have it since it will increase your data usage, especially ones who dont offer unlimited data plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tethering on the HD7 is indeed restricted by T-Mobile. Other WP7 handsets on other carriers can tether.
rysky007 said:
2. Select all - Enough said there, hell windows 3.1 had select all, 2010 OS does not? the predecessor did , why does this one not? Why do you need this feature one would ask? well for the rest of us who use the phone for what it can do and not just spend hours checking on our friends via facebook, when u use email heavily as I do and sms, select all is a beautiful and necessary feature. Again, its a feature that every phone out should have hands down, no questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While not a real ctrl+a or select all, the latest update allows you to select as much text as you want by tapping a word, and adjusting the slider. Effective for massive amounts of text? No, but how often do you need to select massive amounts of text on a phone? This method, in my opinion, works fine for a paragraph or two.
rysky007 said:
3. Custom Profiles - why? again, old invention that is very very very handy. just make sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to me it doesn't
rysky007 said:
4. Program view - I thought something was off when i saw how it lists all the programs you have installed, until I disabled HTC sense on HD2 and saw that the original WM6.5 does the same idiotic crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Expect in WP7 the program screen flies in either direction, getting you to what you want fast. Mango will also add the ability to jump to a given letter, like contacts.
rysky007 said:
6. Now lets get into more advance things -
A. To make a call, you first have to go to home page then hit the
phone area of the tiles then type in a number, man if you in life and
death situation, your done. There should ways be a button to
access the one main feature ( make calls) from any were.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two taps versus one tap is that much of a deal-breaker to you?
rysky007 said:
A.1 - Most of us hold the phone toward the bottom, but the
answer and hang up button is toward the top of the
screen? last I checked, over long thumbs are not invented
yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a right-handed person, I hold the phone in my left hand. My thumb easily taps the end call button, and I did not star in Even Cowgirls Sing the Blues.
rysky007 said:
B. When viewing your contacts, no alphabet slider on the side, hell my
6 year old nokia had that feature, again predecessor HD2 (thanks to
HTC sense) had it, this one, first you have to scroll to nearest letter
then push it, then select another letter you want to jump to. Why
the extra steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go into contacts, tap the letter A. SIMPLE.
rysky007 said:
C. Email - if face book and gmail is all you got, great, what about
business ppl who have several email addresses? In order for me to
track my 4 addresses, I have 4 tiles dedicated on my home screen.
combine that with contacts and phone, and my screen is full, I
have to scroll more on my home page to find the tile i need then
any were else on phone. ( HD 2, had displayed 14 things for you
on home page) this phone max 6 and you have to scroll. So say
I am looking at one email address and need to switch to anther,
on HD2 simple they were all available right there on the preview
page. On HD7, back to home page we go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because tapping the Home capacitive button and then a different tile is THAT big of a pain?
rysky007 said:
Is that what they call efficiency these days? they keep touting this phone to be easy to use, get what you need faster and move on in their nifty commercials.
I counted, it takes more pushes and steps to achieve what you need on HD7 then HD2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can say with all honesty, that the 20 people I migrated from HD2's to HD7's couldn't be happier. Literally. My mobile support calls dropped to ZERO. No
rysky007 said:
when I have emails my HD2 tells me that I have email on home page, SMS? same thing, missed call? same thing, reminder? same thing, so what is the advantage to the live tile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also tells you all of this on the lockscreen. Tap your power button, glance at the screen, turn it back off. Also, all these things you mention are on your home page, just like your HD2. Not sure what the issue here is.
rysky007 said:
If some one would of wrote this kind of a review, clearly stating the pros and cons, I would of never touched this OS, but they didn't, you know why the didnt? cause Microsoft paid very well to make sure the reviews and info was positive, they got a xmas phone to sell. And that they did. (those of you who will say that is crap, Microsoft would not do that, trust me they do, im in a very similar industry)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should read Engadget.
If you don't like it, that's fine. However, just about everything you mention here is personal preference, not missing or lacking features.

And here are the changes the updates bring, for the curious...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/basics/update-history.aspx

HTC sense slows down the device.... i never liked it i was using it on my TP2 and i gave it up as it craped up my TP2, used the energy titanium roms only...
i want to see what you will complain about afte MANGO is out....
some things will not be there on WP7 and the rest of them and more will follow with MANGO update...
Nokia will show there first WP7 device soon.
HTC sense will never be on WP7 devices...

Although I agree to lot of stuff being discussed here (good or bad) Mobiles now a days a more of a personal choice
I went and got the HD7 just to feel how WP7 was as I had never used a WM before having come from nokia symbian and android, I found it interestingly different.
for me the email is the best part of the OS and browsing is a joy on the HD7, but I am definitely looking forward to a NOKIA WP7 as I am sure two heads will be better than one