HTC Touch Pro

Mr. Analog · January 13, 2009, 01:43:52 PM

Well, after something like 10 years I finally relented and picked up a new mobile.

I was contacted by Telus a few days ago informing me that not only was I up for a new rate/plan but I could upgrade to a Smartphone service. I looked at all the options (including iPhone, Crackberry and even looking at when devices like Android were going to be hitting Canada). In the end I decided to go with the HTC Touch Pro. After having seen Tonnica's and looking at all the features I was after and then actually getting my hands on some of the alternatives I feel that I have picked the best solution available for my needs.

When my PDA was still functioning I used it quite heavily and already I can see myself adopting this mobile into a GTD platform as well as something I can sink my teeth into as a hobby developer (not to mention it's a phone/e-mail solution that I've desperately been in need of upgrading).

Anyway, don't want to gush about it but just saying I finally made the leap from the 20th Century...

Lazybones · January 13, 2009, 02:01:42 PM

Touch PRO was very high on my watch list till I got my iPhone.. Good choice for a WM device.

Gush all you want, it is a slick device.

What type of data plan did you get with it?

Here are some windows Mobile related links to check out
http://www.skweezer.com/ (proxy that compresses web pages to save data)
http://www.freewareppc.com/
http://www.modaco.com/content/smartphone-software-freeware-download-discussion/238545/wm5torage/ (Makes your PPC act like a USB HD)
http://pdaphonehome.com/
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/
http://pdadb.net/
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/ (great software)
http://www.howardforums.com/ (most useful for the provider specific forums)
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/ (hacking and mods)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ (hacking and mods)
http://www.webis.net/ (the agenda app is really nice)

Also you can directly SYNC with your offices Exchange system to keep your Calander, Contacts, and get PUSH email.

Mr. Analog · January 13, 2009, 02:16:13 PM

My Rate plan is the "Your Choice 30", I picked up the "Smartphone Bundle 30" data plan (which is 500 MBs/mo, unlimited text, call display and voicemail).

I'm also going to try out the visual voicemail service (hey, he threw it in for free for 3 months, so why not). He also gave me a 2 Gb SD card

So far I'm very happy with the phone, it's easy to use and highly readable.

Me likey!

Lazybones · January 13, 2009, 02:20:16 PM

If you are going to do streaming over the Cell network I would download Spb Wireless Monitor and trial it to monitor your data use or check through the telus website.

During your 3 free months try an use as much data as you can to get a good idea how much you can and will use.

Mr. Analog · January 13, 2009, 02:22:15 PM

Quote from: Lazybones on January 13, 2009, 02:20:16 PM
If you are going to do streaming over the Cell network I would download Spb Wireless Monitor and trial it to monitor your data use or check through the telus website.

During your 3 free months try an use as much data as you can to get a good idea how much you can and will use.

That's exactly what I said to the salesbot, I figure this plan will show me what my average usage will be and then go back and tweak the plan.

I can't wait to go home and start playing :-D

Mr. Analog · January 13, 2009, 02:23:31 PM

I just realized that I can make my own ringtones with my recording gear at home

Tom · January 13, 2009, 02:26:57 PM

Ohh, new phones are cool. Mine (Sony Ericsson w380) came with a 512M micro-sd card. Its no Smart Phone, but i like it

One of the cooler features is if the phone is ringing and you want it to shut up, just wave your hand over the camera!

Lazybones · January 13, 2009, 02:34:05 PM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on January 13, 2009, 02:23:31 PM
I just realized that I can make my own ringtones with my recording gear at home

Keep them small, mono, and under 30 seconds and store them in Main Memory not your external storage. Trust me.

Mr. Analog · January 13, 2009, 02:34:51 PM

Quote from: Lazybones on January 13, 2009, 02:34:05 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on January 13, 2009, 02:23:31 PM
I just realized that I can make my own ringtones with my recording gear at home

Keep them small, mono, and under 30 seconds and store them in Main Memory not your external storage. Trust me.

Good advice! I can whip together a nice loop in that time easy.

Tonnica · January 13, 2009, 03:28:14 PM

Ringtones exceeding 30 seconds tend to get little blips or pauses in them so it's best to keep it within 30 seconds. Otherwise you can just chuck on almost any old song after a quick Goldwaving to normalize the bitrate and volume and it's good as a ring. Now how obnoxious your rings are is a personal choice (I have spysnort.wav on my phone for purely emergency purposes).

It may just be Windows Mobile 6.1 but it's flexible in its capabilites and the keyboard is pretty darn nice. There's lots of hacks out for the phone already and making new ringtones and themes is dead easy. This thread reminded me I was going to change my startup sound!

SIR YES SIR PRIVATE JONES REPORTING FOR DUTY!

(haha I love the Mister Gutsy robots in Fallout 3. All their quotes are so CAPSLOCK)

Mr. Analog · January 14, 2009, 09:03:57 AM

Holy crap I love this phone, everything is easy to understand and works as I expect it to.

Loading things like music and pictures and setting up e-mail and logging into sites and everything else is so intuitive and easy it makes using this phone a joy.

One of the reasons I didn't use the Contacts list in my old phone was because it was a huge PITA to enter anything, but with this I just whip out the keyboard and I'm off to the races!

Lazybones · January 14, 2009, 10:48:04 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on January 14, 2009, 09:03:57 AM
One of the reasons I didn't use the Contacts list in my old phone was because it was a huge PITA to enter anything, but with this I just whip out the keyboard and I'm off to the races!

Or just enter / sync it with Outlook or Exchange.. That is the best way.

Mr. Analog · January 14, 2009, 11:52:32 AM

Quote from: Lazybones on January 14, 2009, 10:48:04 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on January 14, 2009, 09:03:57 AM
One of the reasons I didn't use the Contacts list in my old phone was because it was a huge PITA to enter anything, but with this I just whip out the keyboard and I'm off to the races!

Or just enter / sync it with Outlook or Exchange.. That is the best way.

I'll be using one of the sync tools for GoogleMail/Calendar but I didn't have a lot of contact data there either.

I haven't used the actual Outlook client since 2005 (crazy eh?)

Thorin · January 15, 2009, 09:57:56 AM

My biggest question when looking at phones these days is, how long does the battery last in an arena? I can go in with a fully-charged phone (it says, "Charge Complete"), make one call before the game, and then make a second call after the game, and that second call causes the phone to beep at me that the battery's low. Yet, if I don't go into an arena for three days I can place lots of calls. Pretty sure it's got something to do with poor service because of the heat shielding in the arenas causing the phone to constantly try and search for a better connection.

Anyway, I'm happy for you that you got a new phone. Like Lazy said, there's been lots of good reviews on it. I hope you have fun playing with it (isn't there a hobby developer suite you can download for Windows Mobile from Microsoft for free?).

Oh, and now your voicemail works, right?

Tonnica · January 15, 2009, 10:48:29 AM

When you're in an arena the signal is weak inside and your phone will go in to digital roaming mode. This mode eats up tons of battery life and will make a phone that can last for 3-5 days of light calling lose charge in a matter of hours. I'm not sure how the Pro would do in roaming mode but I doubt it would fare all that well.

The battery life on the Pro is one of the biggest gripes about the device. It can usually last a day or two worth of light use but all those fancy functions, the big screen, and having it set to auto-download emails and texts effectively hobbles the battery life. I'd have to test it using some controls but I doubt a smartphone would really have the battery oomph to last you from start to end of hockey practice. That is without carrying an extra battery in your pocket.