Database Develop

Ditching ETEN, return to XDA II

I recently bought an ETEN M500 because of the announcement that it would be upgradable to WM2005 and the size of the device. The extra software on the M500 is nothing short of amazing. Never have I seen a pocket pc with so many apps out of the box. I did not have to install SPB Pocket Plus, Pocket Zen or Voice Command. It had similar programs already. And voice dial over bluetooth, WOW, it's about time. So why am I returning to the XDA II. Signal strength. The M500 has horrible reception, I get 4 bars in my house with my XDA II. The M500 couldn't get a signal without me walking outside, not even in the garage with the door open, I had to be outside away from any trees in the open. Yeah, crazy. Maybe they should have spend less time on the apps and focused on building an adequate phone first. None of that matters if you can't use the thing. I also note, even when it showed full bars, the voice of the other person would break in and out. Using my HS820 with the XDA II no one can even tell I am using a headset. Using it with the ETEN, the first thing I heard from everyone was, " what the hell is wrong with your phone". Maybe I just got a defecto, but that would be a reason to keep away as well.

o...is it really a bad machines? How much u paid for it???

I was in the same boat kermit780, but the M500s still a very good device and theres no way in hell I'd go back to a present mda/xda/imate-type product.
This phone was not made with North America in mind (yet) so there are obvious frequency issues- particularly with the 1900mhz range. Eten is on the ball when it comes to issue with this product though. If not the upcoming firmware upgrade, I'm sure the next one will have some sort of radio fix. I'm trying to sell one right now- the primary reason being I needed something with qwerty. The lack of signal as annoying as it was- only secondary because I know it will be a fix to that soon enough.
And no I wouldn't buy a pda2k for that. Its not the size issue- I like going throgh these forums to see whats new out there...not to spend 3+ hours a day searching for a "hack" for something or other. Down right embarassing the amount of money spent on htc phones and the guy standing next to me on the subway with his $200 americanized crap technology Isn't so crap after all because it actually does (did) more than my mda2.
Just my opinion though...M500s a very, very good phone. It will be a great phone once the frequency issue is resolved but doesn't matter if you're not in N American anyway.
For Sale...Cheap. See what real voicedail is like - Plus $20 off for Western Union payment instead of Paypal (avoiding Paypal Final Price Fees so you save...)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5794520477&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

is it gay T&T, or htc, or is it windows mobile, or is it the qualcomm chipset???

let me start of by saying that thanks to everyone that has left, inquired about or done something on this site to help others in customizing their phones beyond what is normally acceptable. and to the women of the men that have to deal with the guys tinkering around with their phones all day and ignoring you. lol. that being said, i have a few questions that i think after searching this website for almost a year i dont think anyone has targetted. as the title states, what do you think it is. is it possible for 3g devices just to not hold a connection to a tower, even with 3g turned off? i drop calls constantly and i dont mean a dropped call, i mean my phone just looses connection with the tower. 3rd fuze, so many different roms lata, still the same thing. now let me also inform you that i live in a part of town where there really is no coverage inside my house and i accept that fact. but even when i'm sitting outside my house, my phone will go from 2 bars to zero and the bluetooth in my ear keeps beeping till the stupid phone finds the stupid network. now talk about frustration. i have tried an Iphone, i have tried blackberries, i have tried symbian, basically i have tried anything that gay t&t can throw at me in terms of hardware and mind you these handsets are not cheap, i have the same issue in the same spots. i also live in one of the biggest markets in N America for wireless service and using the official coverage viewer, i am currently in a "great" 3g area. this area being the wonderful metroplex of dfw. now after doing some research and lots n lots of playing around with windows phones (going on 5 years) and finding out the downfalls of windows mobile, i am completely willing to accept those downfalls and still wanna use it on a day to day basis. hands down there isn't another OS as open to doing what you want, having the information you want in a efficient way. call me a fanboy but windows still has a hand up in the game even though it still looks like crap and the big 800 pound gorilla that is MS isn't willing to conform to anyone else's standard and make their OS look pretty. its about functionality and to the smart user thats where its at. i have also read a lot on qualcomm and this issue of drivers and performance and how devices that are almost pre historic are running better emulators, videos and the such without any luck on getting performance on the device. okay now that i have written a novel and most of you will be asleep by the time you read this, i need some honest opinions. really what i'm trying to do is figure out where to point the finger. or maybe by having enough ppl ***** about the same problem we might have someone look into better technology that is not only practical but is also reliable. not just one of the two.
thanks to all that got this far. lol
frustrated.
b.t.w i work in wireless so plz dont respond back with your an idiot blah blah blah, i deal with enough customers that are like that on a daily basis.

I am sure what you say is interesting, but franky I try to read your post and lost it after three lines. TBH, the first thought I had when seeing your post was to close the firefox tab ...
If you add some return to line to your post, it would really help.
And I don't mean to be rude, I just want to help you get more people to read ...

thanks for moving

I am not sure what you are asking...or telling?

yasserwaqas said:
is it possible for 3g devices just to not hold a connection to a tower, even with 3g turned off?
i drop calls constantly and i dont mean a dropped call, i mean my phone just looses connection with the tower.
3rd fuze, so many different roms lata, still the same thing.
now let me also inform you that i live in a part of town where there really is no coverage inside my house and i accept that fact. but even when i'm sitting outside my house, my phone will go from 2 bars to zero and the bluetooth in my ear keeps beeping till the stupid phone finds the stupid network. now talk about frustration.
i have tried an Iphone, i have tried blackberries, i have tried symbian, basically i have tried anything that gay t&t can throw at me in terms of hardware and mind you these handsets are not cheap, i have the same issue in the same spots.
i also live in one of the biggest markets in N America for wireless service and using the official coverage viewer, i am currently in a "great" 3g area. this area being the wonderful metroplex of dfw.
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I have split out the key points so this is a bit easier to read,
my first thought was to say its either a hardware fault or you need to upgrade your radio, however I then saw this part of your post....
i have tried an Iphone, i have tried blackberries, i have tried symbian, basically i have tried anything that gay t&t can throw at me in terms of hardware and mind you these handsets are not cheap, i have the same issue in the same spots.
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surely if your getting the same issue on completely different devices then it is a network issue in your area?
it maybe worth a look at getting a pay as you go sim from another network and trying that to see if you get the same issue.
Ril

I have similar AT&Tcoverage issues in my house, but when I have a strong signal, the phone works fine. No dropped calls or lost connections.
If you like the TouchPro, you may want to try Verizon. You can sign-up and have 30 days to cancel if the coverage is not good. One difference between AT&T & Verizon is that AT&T will support simultaneous voice and data connections where Verizon will not. This is why I chose AT&T, but my coverage is so spotty in Charlotte, I wish I had gone with Verizon. The simultaneous feature seemed important, but in practice, I am not sure I have ever needed it.
The only other challenge with Verizon is that you have to use their phone. You cannot get your own and drop in a SIM card. This limits your ability to waste time and money chasing the latest and greatest hardware which is kind of a bummer.
Good Luck.
Doug M.

lets do this.....
Why dont you...
b.t.w i work in wireless so plz dont respond back with your an idiot blah blah blah, i deal with enough customers that are like that on a daily basis.
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Well if you are a super-knowledge about wireles why you didnt found the answer yet...?
Maybe you can test this... dissassembly your oldest device... phone or whatever symbian, iphone whatever!!! every device gots the anthenna like a green ribbon inside the phone housing, if the phone's MotherBoard has a contact conector try to unplug the ribbon from the housing then connect it and see where does the phone gets the signal strenght enough as you wish, see all around maybe there is a big metal structure or big building and far repetition anthenas or behind.
As you must know
b.t.w i work in wireless so plz dont respond back with your an idiot blah blah blah, i deal with enough customers that are like that on a daily basis.
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In some parts of the country has great signal or bad signal streght because of many natural things, like magnetism, surface, and weather.
Ask to your neightbor if he gets the same issue on his phone... dude... get out of there if the device lost completly the signal.

dwmackay said:
One difference between AT&T & Verizon is that AT&T will support simultaneous voice and data connections where Verizon will not.
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Actually I'm pretty sure Verizon will also support simultaneous voice and data connections. I also regrett picking at&t because coverage is so much better where I live (charlotte as well) but then I think about how verizon tends to cripple their phones and the whole locked to cdma carriers thing. For example when the vz touch pro first came out, the gps was locked to only their gps software so no tom tom or google maps and they also cut the ram down to 192.

I think its just your area

sorry bout the post in the wrong place n thank you for moving it. for you that couldn't understand what this post was about, this was really an attempt to c if anyone else is having these problems. are they due to technology limitations or am i just expecting too much.
i will address the replies one by one, atleast the ones that had somethign useful to say.
r4st4m4n'--- If you add some return to line to your post, it would really help.
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(wut does that mean)???
blackc5 ---i am not sure what you are asking...or telling?
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hahaha....read my friend read.
Ril --- surely if your getting the same issue on completely different devices then it is a network issue in your area? it maybe worth a look at getting a pay as you go sim from another network and trying that to see if you get the same issue.---
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thank u for splitting up my points. this is probably why my english grades were never betta than a C. as far as ur point on network issues. definately a good possiblity although at&t techs have been in the area to test connections and coverage with no luck.
we use a code with agent plans that gives the "network support team" a msg saying there is an issue with a specific tower. waiting on getting this code and sending them a bunch of "*#" requests. lol.
dwmackay ---If you like the TouchPro, you may want to try Verizon. You can sign-up and have 30 days to cancel if the coverage is not good
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i wouldn't consider verizon cuz of the cdma thing. i know i know, call me picky but i do travel internationally (not that much) but still. and there is no way i wanna pay roaming charges to fill the pockets of some big wig.
+ Que PPC --- Well if you are a super-knowledge about wireless why you didnt found the answer yet...?
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i wasn't the one i said i was "super-knowledge" about wireless, you did. All i was stating was that i "work" in wireless. not sure how that makes me a wireless genius but okay. i like someone tooting my horn. haha. and disconnecting and connecting my antenna cables is a little too much for a casual user to mess with. do you think i can tell that to a customer that i just sold a fuze too. they would laugh in my face. but on ur request i will try this process just to c if i'm wrong.
DrzNight --- about voice n data
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i think its a 3g thing. voice and data simultaneously, have tried to do it on other gsm phones that were edge and wouldnt' allow.
dnieman13---I think its just YOU...
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haha. n finally i think ur rite. it prolly is me.

Mmmm maybe....
Quote:
+ Que PPC --- Well if you are a super-knowledge about wireless why you didnt found the answer yet...?
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i wasn't the one i said i was "super-knowledge" about wireless, you did. All i was stating was that i "work" in wireless. not sure how that makes me a wireless genius but okay. i like someone tooting my horn. haha. and disconnecting and connecting my antenna cables is a little too much for a casual user to mess with. do you think i can tell that to a customer that i just sold a fuze too. they would laugh in my face. but on ur request i will try this process just to c if i'm wrong.
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So as you work in wireless, the meaning of "i think its yours" is like this...
b.t.w i work in wireless so plz dont respond back with your an idiot blah blah blah, i deal with enough customers that are like that on a daily basis.
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Stay cool dude if you ask for something read too... in just tellin you that you may live in an area with issues on signal... agian... ask to your neighbor maybe he gots the signal strenght low.
Oh yeap, I just laugh on faces when the question is wrong applied and sounds so bad, bad enough to think that person is a jerk, but if you ask correctly your answer always comes clearly.
keep it up dude!

okay let me respond to that ppc.
i'm sorry if i came across as rude. wasn't my intent, i was just telling you what you had said.
and yes i have tried having three different carriers,(at&t, t-mobile n verizon) numerous different phones and in and around my house i'm just getting horrible service. matter of fact, the only i have not tried is sprint, and again due to the limitations of that network i just rather not go there. i can't just up and move out of my house and having cell phone coverage is HIGHLY important. guess i'll just have to wait on the femto cells at&t is promising before the end of the year...

Why doesn't my cell phone work in the air?

I am a pilot.. Usually my signal fades out around 2000feet or so. This seems to be worse with T-Mobile. I flew with a guy who had an iphone on att and it worked fairly well at 9,00ft. I had a CDMA phone a few years ago and it would work at very high altitudes 30,000ft plus. Nowadays, I usually cruise at less than 10,000ft, but I still have no service.
It seems to me that I should get better service at altitude, but this is not the case..It seems like one might have the same problem at high altitude in mountainous regions... .I have googled this for years but never found the answer... I was hoping someone on here might be able to answer my question: Why does my cell phone signal drop out at altitude? (I understand this :http://ashsd.afacwa.org/print_article.cfm?homeID=17917 but I am on a private aircraft) I understand the rules, but they don't explain the loss of signal...
I hope this is the right place to post this and thanks for your help!

iflyabeech said:
I am a pilot.. Usually my signal fades out around 2000feet or so. This seems to be worse with T-Mobile. I flew with a guy who had an iphone on att and it worked fairly well at 9,00ft. I had a CDMA phone a few years ago and it would work at very high altitudes 30,000ft plus. Nowadays, I usually cruise at less than 10,000ft, but I still have no service.
It seems to me that I should get better service at altitude, but this is not the case..It seems like one might have the same problem at high altitude in mountainous regions... .I have googled this for years but never found the answer... I was hoping someone on here might be able to answer my question: Why does my cell phone signal drop out at altitude? (I understand this :http://ashsd.afacwa.org/print_article.cfm?homeID=17917 but I am on a private aircraft) I understand the rules, but they don't explain the loss of signal...
I hope this is the right place to post this and thanks for your help!
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I believe that most cell sites work by line of site. If you are above them then I can see this happening. Besides, cell sites have a limited range anyway. Going straight up... who knows. But I only put my phone on Airplane mode while on flights and turned it on once (feeling rebellious) and had no signal. Of course I wasn't really surprised. Besides, cell towers have to hand off the signal from one tower to another to prevent dropped calls. If your travelling at 300+ mph I can see how that might complicate things as well. But these are just my own theories. CDMA signal is possibly more powerful than GSM. I've been out of the game for a while but again... it's just a theory.

Binary100100 said:
I believe that most cell sites work by line of site. If you are above them then I can see this happening. Besides, cell sites have a limited range anyway. Going straight up... who knows. But I only put my phone on Airplane mode while on flights and turned it on once (feeling rebellious) and had no signal. Of course I wasn't really surprised. Besides, cell towers have to hand off the signal from one tower to another to prevent dropped calls. If your travelling at 300+ mph I can see how that might complicate things as well. But these are just my own theories. CDMA signal is possibly more powerful than GSM. I've been out of the game for a while but again... it's just a theory.
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Sure...but I am usually less than 2 miles high and usually under 200MPH..Signal usually goes out when climbing out at under 150mph...
Thanks for your reply....

I was told a few years ago that it's the association with cell towers being the problem.
If you are going over them at 150mph+ its going to struggle to keep a decent signal....
Although i can confirm satelitte phones do not have this problem (neither does GPS tracking)

Burko said:
I was told a few years ago that it's the association with cell towers being the problem.
If you are going over them at 150mph+ its going to struggle to keep a decent signal....
Although i can confirm satelitte phones do not have this problem (neither does GPS tracking)
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I suppose I should have also stated that the same thing happens when I climb into a strong headwind and travel over the ground at 100mph or less..does not seem to be speed dependent..

I know this thread is kinda old.. but I am still wondering..
I don't think it was anything to do with speed.. I could do very tight circles in the plane and still have the same results....

Just guesswork here, but it could have a lot to do with antenna design. In a prior life I had to design a couple of wireless WANs and found a wide variety of dispersal patterns available in different kinds of antenna. By restricting the pattern you can concentrate all your available power in any particular direction. I'm guessing they narrow the vertical dispersion to get more effective signal strength horizontally. Don't know if that's actually the case, but it sounds good to me.

Hesitant to upgrade from g1 due to reputation

So what if any issues have you had with your stock nexus1 ? Has rooting helped or hurt?
I love my G1 but it will be time to upgrade soon. Ive just done a wipe and upgrade to cm 5.0.8 DS and like it so far.
Id love to have a rooted N1 but the horror stories with post as recent as today about wifi,trackball & screen issues make me reconsider. So far I don't know of anything else in the same ballpark that will work on Tmobile.
Thanks for any input
G1 rooted with cyanogen 5.0.8 DS
Xda app

I have not seen any issues with wifi, trackball nor screen. I been the owner of my Nexus One for over 2 months already and I can tell you, This was the best investment ever. Now, with custom ROMs you can improve the functionality of the Phone by a lot. 720p video, faster, wifi n, radio fm maybe? etc...
The N1 has very good hardware, it has things that may be officially unlocked in the near future who knows, though they are already unlocked for custom roms.
Also good to have if you plan to be the base for Android, Since Google will use the N1 as their main device, everything will be optimized for you. (That's my bet, we all saw it with Froyo Demos)

It's fine. 99% of the people wit thing are happy with it, the 1% with problems are understandably vocal. I have two N1's on my account mine (which is rooted) and my girlfriends (which isn't rooted, but has been running the Froyo test ROM for a while). Both work great.

I loved my G1. Probably the phone I loved most when I had it.
The N1 is a better phone in almost every single way ((I was able to change alot of the hardware kb/tb/covers etc on G1)) which is why i loved it.
Nexus One is a leap ahead of every phone prior to April its not even funny. Dont hesitate the N1 >> > and >> over any other phone on Tmobile right now. I love the Mytouch slide but the power ability of N1 are a much better choice.
IMO N1 still has best overall feature set in HW/SW available on the market. Even though that lead has slimmed its still the best you can get right now.

The only problem I have ever heard with the N1 is dust under the screen. But that seems few and far between.
I have had my N1 for about 2 months not and zero issues. I came from an iPhone 3gs (unlocked and jailbroken) and I'll never look back. The N1 is the best phone I have owned. Nothing comes close to it.

they arent problems, just people complaining vocally. the wifi works great, the screen works great, and i've never heard of any trackball issues. go for it you wont regret it.

[IO]ERROR said:
The only problem I have ever heard with the N1 is dust under the screen. But that seems few and far between.
I have had my N1 for about 2 months not and zero issues. I came from an iPhone 3gs (unlocked and jailbroken) and I'll never look back. The N1 is the best phone I have owned. Nothing comes close to it.
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My exact situation, and thoughts. I actually have my 3GS in the cabinet here at my desk because I thought I might want to switch back and forth, but I haven't touched my 3GS since the N1 showed up in the mail.

That's exact what I'd like in an N1 and get a 8" or less touchpad running android later lol
Now I need to decide on a renewal or pay full price
Sent from my HTC Dream using XDA App

Ok so after checking the Google page I qualify for an upgrade and with overnight shipping ( which oddly is the same as ground shipping) for $313.38
Does T-mobile charge anything else?
My current plan is the MyFaves 1000 and I guess will be the Even more individual 500 plan. which wont be so bad now that everyone texts rather than calls, and there is wifi calling

issues
The N1 has issues with the voice cutting out frequently (at least, mine does, on Rogers/Fido). Look on the Google support forum to see lots of people complaining about this issue. Maybe T-Mobile units are unaffected?

Haven't had any voice issues at all on Fido in Canada.

Your voice as in people you call cant hear you?

Hesitant to upgrade from g1 due to reputation
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Why? If you don't like it, return it. If you like it and you have a problem with it, HTC will fix or replace it under warranty.
Honestly, the "reports" on this or that regarding Nexus One deficiencies were broadcasted much louder than any other phone because of the hype surrounding the device. In reality, they are the same few and far between issues you'd find with any other phone on the market.
From someone who used to swap phones as frequently as once every month, I have been using the Nexus One since launch day, had problems with the first AT&T version I bought, and had HTC replace it. Not a problem since.

Where do these reputations come from? the dust issue is the only real one ive seen and htc has fixed the glue problem. its a great phone buy it.

midtoad said:
The N1 has issues with the voice cutting out frequently (at least, mine does, on Rogers/Fido). Look on the Google support forum to see lots of people complaining about this issue. Maybe T-Mobile units are unaffected?
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I've never had this issue on Rogers and I've installed practically every ROM available.

Personally, I would wait for a phone that has a better touch surface. I was really looking for a multi-touch keyboard but was really disappointed to find out that the phone would never be able to do that. Other than that I love it.

benricosan said:
Personally, I would wait for a phone that has a better touch surface. I was really looking for a multi-touch keyboard but was really disappointed to find out that the phone would never be able to do that. Other than that I love it.
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1. Swype. I'll never go back.
2. The possibility is there for an app to have it.
Back to topic, I love my N1. I kept it stock for a few months, but I rooted it about a month ago and somehow, the phone is that much better. It's a staple of what I have the freedom to do now. AGPS + nav is phenomenal and comes with the phone. The camera is great. Video can now be shot at 720p (if rooted), and will soon come to Froyo. The hardware is crazy fast, Javascript 2.1 vs 2.2 vs iPad, 40+MFLOPS performance. And, since this is Google's baby, it will be the first to receive updates like Froyo.
The touch surface isn't as bad as people are making it seem, and if you're really up for gaming you can hook a wii-mote to it. Talking on the phone is fine. I occasionally have a weird call, but my friend with an iPhone drops/no-connects calls way more than me.
It has it's quirks. The antenna is located at the bottom of the phone. The reception isn't the best, and T-Mobile doesn't have the strongest signal. I work in a office building/warehouse, and getting 3G in some parts of the first floor (built on a hill, sometimes underground sometimes not) is difficult. A few N1s have had dust under the screen (fixed from what I've heard). Other than that... The phone is excellent.

midtoad said:
The N1 has issues with the voice cutting out frequently (at least, mine does, on Rogers/Fido). Look on the Google support forum to see lots of people complaining about this issue. Maybe T-Mobile units are unaffected?
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I also got the AT&T Phone, but No Issues with voice or anything like that.
The only downside of AT&T phones are.... NO FROYO GOD DAMN IT... well just yet.

pass and wqit
pass on the n1. I own an n1 for a few months now and HATE THE 3G ISSUESthat it has. also miss the physical keyboard... your g1s keyboard is great and I'd toss this nexus for a snapdragon g1 in a heartbeat.
I'd also suggest not renewing your contract so youccan chose any phone.... any carrier.
two cents

That's Funny
Haha, reluctant to go from the G1 to nexus? I guess I kinda understand. I went from my G1 to the Nexus 6 months ago and god damn I haven't thought twice about that decision! Rooting your phone just makes things that much more fun too!

New to N1 - Signal issues

Hey guys, I bought my N1 2 days ago right when Google announced they were closing down N1 sale..... I was on the fence for long!!! I am trying hard not to like the phone yet since I have seen some signal issues with this phone! I live in downtown and work around the same area, T-Mobile coverage map shows strong signal but my phone keeps switching between Edge and 3G. If that is bad enough, some times it shows 3G and if I try accessing Market, I get data connection lost error!!
When phone was shipped, it came packaged with 2.1.1 and soon after I got an OTA and upgraded to 2.2!!
Is it how it is going to be? I use this phone for work so definitely can't keep it if I can't get good signal. Is there a fix without rooting? Can I try a different radio or something!??
Also, I have contacted all 3 companies in the mix and waiting for the response! Any help to get this thing fixed, if possible, would be greatly appreciated!!!

It could be that you are just in a bad Tmobile/Att area, the Nexus One has a small problem with signal strength, nothing that has EVER dropped a call or stopped me from surfing.

its really sensitive to your hand blocking the antenna. leave the internal antenna exposed by slightly spreading your fingers apart. antenna is on the bottom behind the words HTC.
question: why are so many recent cell phones so sensitive to the hand obstructing the antenna? samsung galaxy s is it worst that i've ever seen. HTC nexus one has this issue, htc incredible, desire, nokia e71, etc. is it because these phones are getting so thin that it puts the distance between our hand and the antenna that much closer? i cant think of any other reason. i refuse to believe that its from poor components considering samsung, htc, nokia, all different manufacturers have the same problem. so it cant be quality of components.

Ive been having the same issue from Day 1 with my nexus but only in certain areas. Buildings where the T-Mobile coverage map shows 3g but it just switches back and forth edge/3g when i pick it up(block antenna)

Thanks a lot for all your response guys! So if I buy a rubberized cover, should it improve the situation?

Don't trust carrier coverage maps. Where I live tmobile promises good coverage. I got zero bars. Try to compare the reception with another phone on tmobile.

blablum said:
Don't trust carrier coverage maps. Where I live tmobile promises good coverage. I got zero bars. Try to compare the reception with another phone on tmobile.
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Its a bummer that carriers lie on their coverage map! This is the only T-Mobile phone I ever owned and I don't know anyone else with T-Mobile 3G handset!! Well I just have to see next few days and decide whether I want to stick with it or not! I really hate to return it though!