vB Easy Archive - Quality of HTC devices as a phone?

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Quality of HTC devices as a phone?
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Posted by: gnunn

I'm thinking about getting one of the HTC devices with a slideout keyboard like the TyTn or the 4350 for example. I current have a Motorola MPX220 which works well as a phone (well after upgrading to the latest cingular ROM) but only so-so as a PDA. The biggest problem with it as a PDA is the inability to easily input things into the device.

Having said that, I'm wondering if going to the HTC device is going to be a sacrifice on the phone aspect. For example, how easy is it to dial a number on the HTC devices without a hard keypad? Is answering calls easy? Is the sound volume adequate (this was the big problem with the MPX 220, poor call volume).

Like most people I want one device that does it all, however at the end of the day one of the primary functions for the device is to be a cellphone and I want to be sure it adequately performs this task.

Finally, if there is anyone who works in downtown Toronto who uses one of these devices could comment on the usefullness of the wifi I would appreciate it.

Posted by: captainmicahp

I think they work great as a phone, call quality is excellent, and I find it easy to dial numbers on the screen.

Posted by: dabadie

I got a 4350 coming today, I will post after I get it and let ya know what I think

Posted by: OwenV

I'm using a Dash (HTC S620) so I can't comment one the usability of the touchscreen devices but it has very intuitive phone features, I just start dialing the number or typing a contact's name to make a call and receiving one is as simple as any other phone. using a bluetooth headset is equally straightforward.

Posted by: TLCC

I had the t-mobile MDA and I have a 4350 on the way. HTC devices are axcllent phones - I would put them on par with my Palm 680.

Posted by: hybrid.09

My XDA (TyTN) is great, great PDA and phone

Posted by: Mr Pink57

^^I am suprised on this move by you. I figured you SE or die!

pink

Posted by: hybrid.09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pink57

^^I am suprised on this move by you. I figured you SE or die!

pink

I still got a K790a, just needs a new LCD and housing (got for $150)

Posted by: JwY

i find the ppc phone edition isn't as good as smartphone edition, but it's not bad. it should be fine, just that you don't have as much easy one handedness unless it's the treo.

Posted by: gnunn

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I'll be picking up a 4350 tomorrow.

Posted by: dabadie

you will be happy, im liking it more and more

Posted by: b3p0

Quote:

Originally Posted by JwY

i find the ppc phone edition isn't as good as smartphone edition, but it's not bad. it should be fine, just that you don't have as much easy one handedness unless it's the treo.

Im curious why you find the ppc edition not as good, im debating which way to go myself. Can you share your thoughts? Thanks!

Posted by: timsalmon

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3p0

Im curious why you find the ppc edition not as good

I think that the reason the PPC Edition is 'not as good' is because of its handling when using one hand as a phone. I don't think anyone can deny that having a hard keypad on the front is always much easier. In every other respect IMHO it is far superior to the SmartPhone Edition. The P4350 is the first PPCPhone that I've ever decided to keep as I'm *that* impressed with it (even the camera is usable for the first time), but watch out for the HTC 'Wings' which does have a front 0-9 keypad as well...

Tim

Posted by: JwY

Quote:

Originally Posted by timsalmon

one handed access is definately part of the reason. ppc pe was ppc with phone added ontop of the ppc so it's more pda oriented. smartphone was built around the phone. for example, profiles are built-in to smartphone, while in ppc, they have to be added by third party or be included by the vendor. also on smartphone, when you start dialling on the homescreen, it starts looking up the info right away, while in ppc you'd have to enter the dial pad. i also find smartphone's phone quality a bit better at higher volumes (might vary between devices). smartphone devices also tend to be smaller, but ppc has the advantage of more apps and touchscreen.

Posted by: b3p0

Good info, thanks. Especially re: the profiles.

I think the phone quality has more to do with the manufacturer, than the OS.

Also, i thought the SmartDial was identical in PPC vs SM? IE, when you dial on the homescreen you get lookups right away? Or do you mean you have to push the green phone button first to enter this as an OS drawback?

Thanks!

Posted by: JwY

SP has the dial built-in so it looks it up right away. you don't even need to open up contacts. ppc requires the extra step of pressing the green talk button. i know i'm picky, but an extra step adds up. smartdial isn't built-in for ppc, it's an add on by htc for example. i can't deny typing on a physical keyboard is much more satisfying than on the virtual one (that's why even the iphone doesn't seem practical to me). a lot of people don't mind, but i find myself able to call someone faster on SP than ppc. when WM photon comes out, it's supposed to bridge the gap between the platform so you get both. my ideal device would be a combination of the phone capabilities of SP and the power of PPC.