I'm ready to chuck my Treo 650 across the room! I'm on my third one, having had two replacements due to the audio jack breaking--and the bloody thing just broke again. Incredibly poor design. I've been waiting for Palm to get their act together and release a new smartphone with an updated PalmOS platform, but it seems they never will. So it's time for me to bid adieu to Palm and look for something else, and that (unfortunately) seems to mean Windows Mobile. Ick.

What's that you say? Don't I work for the largest manufacturer of mobile phones (http://www.nokiausa.com/) in the world? Yes, yes I do. But I don't want to leave Sprint, and Nokia makes exactly one phone for Sprint: the 6165i (http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_217579), an itty bitty flip phone that's not exactly a valid replacement for a Treo.

My requirements:

Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A2DP#Advanced_Audio_Distribution_Profile_.28A2DP.2 9).
WiFi.
Java-capable (I believe any Windows Mobile device can run Java).
Full QWERTY keyboard.
Ability to tether to my laptop for modem use.
Touch-screen.
Sync with PC for contacts and calendar.


Browsing Sprint's smartphone selection, I'm drawn to the HTC Mogul (http://www.america.htc.com/products/mogul/default.html). It seems to cover all my requirements.

Any Sprint people out there with smartphone recommendations? Anyone used the HTC Mogul, either on Sprint or another carrier?

My husband and I would be no help to you whatsoever because I don't pay attention to phones and he's campaigning me to "let" him by a certain new phone (Well, a future generation anyway) that, well, I'm sure you can guess what it is and what carrier supports it. ;)

Adrienne

a certain new phone (Well, a future generation anyway) that, well, I'm sure you can guess what it is and what carrier supports it. ;)

I have nothing against the iPhone per se, it's a lovely piece of machinery. However, it doesn't run Java applets, it doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard--no soft keys, please--and even unlocked it isn't available on Sprint.

I've been kind of going through the same thought process, although I'm not really in a big rush to upgrade as I still have several months left on my current contract. My needs are pretty much identical, though, including the grudging expectation of transitioning from Palm OS to Windows Mobile.

If you want something right away, you are probably right that the HTC Mogul is really the only choice that is going to come close to meeting your requirements. The only major shortcomings that I've seen with it (besides its rather high price...) are that it is a pretty big phone and it currently isn't compatible with the faster speed EvDO Revision A data network. The latter problem is supposed to be eventually corrected with a software update, but that is kind of in the vaporware category after a number of delays. On the other hand, that might not be a huge deal for you since I don't believe the Treo 650 even did EvDO at all, meaning even the slower version will be an improvement.

If you can wait a little bit, there are a couple other phones expected to come to Sprint in the next couple months that could fit your needs. Most notable is the Treo 800, which is rumored to be out in March or April. The leaked details that I've seen have indicated that it will be a Windows Mobile model on Sprint that will also be Palm's first phone to have built-in Wi-Fi. The form factor should be the pretty standard Treo design, although likely a bit smaller than the 650/700 series.

-Jeff

Any Sprint people out there with smartphone recommendations? Anyone used the HTC Mogul, either on Sprint or another carrier?

You could check out the forums here, and see what folks are saying:
http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/

I have a Sprint 6700, and while I really liked it at first I think it's getting a bit 'big'. My usage/requirements have changed, and I'm really not liking the keyboard. I think the slider mechanism is just something else to break. I notice that it's not as still as it used to be, and that's just from getting jostled in my pocket.

I'm looking at the HTC 'Touch'. Take your Treo in to the sprint store and compare the sizes. You might enjoy having something w/o the keyboard.

Why is it on youre requirement list?

One thing you may not know is that the Windows Mobile supports a 'Block Recognizer' mode. Which is just like Graffiti.

My first SmartPhone was a Kyocero 6035 (which I still think is one of the better designed phones I have had), and I grew up on the Graffiti interface since the beginning. I understand that due to a patent issue with Xerox, Graffiti had to morph. So the current Treo's have a modified version.

Anyway, I never read any documentation about the Block Recognizer mode and was able to pick it up instantly. It is closer than Treo's implementation.

Anyway, another site is:
www.pdaphonehome.com

I haven't given into smartphones yet. But I love my Katana II.

If you want something right away, you are probably right that the HTC Mogul is really the only choice that is going to come close to meeting your requirements. The only major shortcomings that I've seen with it (besides its rather high price...) are that it is a pretty big phone
I haven't seen one in person yet, but will probably stop by the Sprint store tonight.

and it currently isn't compatible with the faster speed EvDO Revision A data network. The latter problem is supposed to be eventually corrected with a software update, but that is kind of in the vaporware category after a number of delays. On the other hand, that might not be a huge deal for you since I don't believe the Treo 650 even did EvDO at all, meaning even the slower version will be an improvement.
Apparently the update is coming very soon (http://www.htcwiki.com/thread/1043409/EVDO+Rev-a), but you're right in that any EV-DO is faster than the 650's not-quite-3G.

If you can wait a little bit, there are a couple other phones expected to come to Sprint in the next couple months that could fit your needs. Most notable is the Treo 800, which is rumored to be out in March or April. The leaked details that I've seen have indicated that it will be a Windows Mobile model on Sprint that will also be Palm's first phone to have built-in Wi-Fi. The form factor should be the pretty standard Treo design, although likely a bit smaller than the 650/700 series.

I really think I'm done with Palm. Given their past history--how long did it take them to figure out that a smartphone should have WiFi?--I expect poor hardware design and standards support. I like PalmOS, but if PalmOS is dead then I really have no reason to stick with Palm devices.

You could check out the forums here, and see what folks are saying:
http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/

Thanks for the link! Always good to check out the community opinion first.

I'm looking at the HTC 'Touch'. Take your Treo in to the sprint store and compare the sizes. You might enjoy having something w/o the keyboard.

Why is it on your requirement list?

I will check out the Touch as well as the Mogul, but a real keyboard is just a usability must for me. I've played with the iPhone a bit in Apple stores and was very quickly frustrated by the softkeys. I like being able to pick out buttons by feel.

One thing you may not know is that the Windows Mobile supports a 'Block Recognizer' mode. Which is just like Graffiti.
[...]
I understand that due to a patent issue with Xerox, Graffiti had to morph. So the current Treo's have a modified version. Anyway, I never read any documentation about the Block Recognizer mode and was able to pick it up instantly. It is closer than Treo's implementation.

I did not know that, and it's good news. Since moving from the original Handspring Visor to the Treo I've not been able to get really comfortable with the "new" Graffiti.

Anyway, another site is:
www.pdaphonehome.com

I'll check that one out too. Thanks!

btw, I understand your position on buttons. That is why I think the Kyocera 6035 was such a well designed product. It had a great tactile keypad for dialing. You could flip down the pad, and see a full-screen palm (about at the same rev as a Palm V).

But one of my big complaints about my phone is that you can't dial it by feel. It makes it a bit dangerous for use while driving. The 'keyboard' is really for email/sms, and not usful for dialing in the blind.

The saving grace is microsoft's voice command. Check out www.handango.com and look for voice command. It offers speaker independent voice recognition to *all* of your contacts. It eliminates the need for a keypad.

But if you think you'll really be sending out a lot of email/sms and need to enter in text, then I see your point regarding a keyboard.

Anyway, I'll go look, but I *think* the keypad/board on the mogul is of the same type. So it'll be 'useful' for email, but not for dialing w/o looking at the phone.

But one of my big complaints about my phone is that you can't dial it by feel. It makes it a bit dangerous for use while driving. The 'keyboard' is really for email/sms, and not usful for dialing in the blind.

Sorry, I've been conditioned. You shouldn't be dialing by feel or by sight while driving. Either version is a 'bit dangerous'. So is any distracted driving, which can even include hands-free talking on phones.

/Steps down and hands soapbox back to ...

Sorry, I've been conditioned. You shouldn't be dialing by feel or by sight while driving. Either version is a 'bit dangerous'. So is any distracted driving, which can even include hands-free talking on phones.

/Steps down and hands soapbox back to ...

I don't really respond well to 'zero tolerance' sort of thinking. It leads to rediculous outcomes like confiscated light sabers at the airport.

The better position is to accomodate the driving conditions.

Police officers manage to talk on the cell phone, watch their mobile data terminals, and talk on their radios. If they can manage that workload, I think I can manage to determine what level of attention is appropriate to the driving conditions.

And if you say your spending the same about of brain cell cruising down the five down the central valley and driving in stop-and-go LA traffic, you're fooling yourself.

I don't really respond well to 'zero tolerance' sort of thinking. It leads to rediculous outcomes like confiscated light sabers at the airport.

The better position is to accomodate the driving conditions.

Police officers manage to talk on the cell phone, watch their mobile data terminals, and talk on their radios. If they can manage that workload, I think I can manage to determine what level of attention is appropriate to the driving conditions.
Perhaps, but unless someone comes out w/ statistics which show that LEOs are no less likely to get into vehicle accidents in which it can be shown/proven that cell-phone (or similar devices) distraction was a major factor...one would be hard-pressed to convince our legislature to pass a law which allows for exceptions such as that for LEOs.

Now I'm not totally unsympathetic to your disagreement; I'm sure there are quite a few folks who aren't thrilled about all of these "nanny" laws being enacted because our government feels that the majority of us aren't capable of using better judgment in our day-to-day activities.

I love my Palm Treo 700p. I haven't had a problem with it. And I once dropped it in a glass of Diet Coke, and after a good 48 hour dry out, and it still works perfectly.

I've just been finding out about a class action lawsuit involving the Treo 650 (http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/1508-1.htm). I've been lucky, because I haven't had any problems with me, save for the occasional freeze. I've been a Handspring fan since their first smartphone (It looked so much like a Star Trek communicator, I had to geek out and get it), but I've also heard and read Palm's future prospects aren't so bright. I'm due for a new phone, and so I'm resigning myself to try and warm up to a non-Palm device soon. But I may still get the Treo 755p or hold out for whatever new device Palm releases later this year, before calling it quits with them. :(

I need a new phone too. Badly. I'm tired of my phone having a blank screen all the time. I'm thinking about getting the Voyager. Anybody have one?

Sorry, I've been conditioned. You shouldn't be dialing by feel or by sight while driving. Either version is a 'bit dangerous'. So is any distracted driving, which can even include hands-free talking on phones.

/Steps down and hands soapbox back to ...


That is exactly why I gave up my Blackberry and got an iphone. I was texting(work) while driving with my toddler in the car. I could do it by touch, but I knew I was tempting fate.

Now I CANNOT do that with the soft keys. I think that's a good thing.

I went ahead and ordered the HTC Mogul from Sprint. With my "you've had the same phone for more than two years" discount and a further credit from the retention specialists, it cost me $200. Should arrive this week sometime and I'll have 30 days to evaluate it.

Best of luck, let me know what you think.

I'm glad I don't need a phone right now. I really would like to see an iPhone 2.0 that addresses many of your concerns, and adds 3G.


http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2259606,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532
Screw Windows Mobile, I'm Getting an iPhone
For the better part of a year now, I've been using a Windows Mobile phone. Specifically, the HTC Mogul from Sprint. At first, I liked it well enough. Yeah, it's kind of bulky, but much slimmer than a lot of smartphones with slide-out keyboards and certainly a step up from earlier models. Sure, the "Sprint Yellow" theme is almost unbelievably ugly, but I made sure that I could easily fix that before I left the store.
...
So why am I getting rid of it? Because the annoyances have worn me thin. My initial geek rush of new technology and the willingness to do a little work to get things the way I like them has worn off—and now I curse the constant need to fiddle with my phone to get it to behave.

So far my main gripes are that I refuse to install Outlook on my laptop but can't find another way to sync contacts and calendar entries, and that I have to bounce the Bluetooth setting on the phone to get my car to recognize it. So I'm looking for an alternate sync method, and hoping that the upcoming firmware update (promised for late this month or early March) may resolve the Bluetooth issue. Otherwise, so far, so good.

Otherwise, so far, so good.

I agree with the author of the article. Windows Mobile offers a great opportunity for customization. Unfortunately, customization comes at the cost of stability.

Recommend you cruise over to www.handango.com and see if there are some utilities you want to install. See if these compromise your stability.

I *LOVE* the Microsoft Voice Command program/feature. But I'm pretty convinced that it is compromising the phone's stability. My understanding is that in WM6, they have integrated some of the voice command features. So maybe you don't need to (or aren't interested in) installing this feature.

So does your phone do voice dial out of the box?

So far my main gripes are that I refuse to install Outlook on my laptop but can't find another way to sync contacts and calendar entries,

What program do you use to store contacts and calendar entries? I'd be surprised if someone didn't write a conduit for it.

Recommend you cruise over to www.handango.com and see if there are some utilities you want to install. See if these compromise your stability.
[...]

So does your phone do voice dial out of the box?

I'll take a look at Handango. The Mogul does voice dial, but I haven't programmed any numbers in yet because I'm hoping to find a way to sync my very large address book over from Palm Desktop.

I'll take a look at Handango. The Mogul does voice dial, but I haven't programmed any numbers in yet because I'm hoping to find a way to sync my very large address book over from Palm Desktop.

Does the mogul support speaker independent access to all entries in your contacts (ala Microsoft Voice Command)? Or only to a subset? Or does it need to be trained to your voice?

Handango is like 'www.palmgear.com' but for WM6 devices. You might find your syncing solution there as well.

For a number of reasons (read AVP's old phone being smashed in the hatch of her van by someone), we suddenly found ourselves having to update our phones on Tuesday. We were at the 2-year renewal point anyway, so that made it a little less painful. I try to replace both of our phones at the same time, so that we can share chargers, we keep our contract in synch, etc.

We ended up getting the Verizon XV6800 (made by HTC), which is a cousin to the Mogul. So far, I am pretty happy with it. I installed the Opera browser which moves much faster than the IE version. I love the ability to pull email for all of my different accounts on one device. And, this should allow Adrienne to see orders coming into the store in realtime.

My only real gripe is that you have to 'turn on' the phone everytime it has sat idle for more than 30 seconds...

I installed the Opera browser which moves much faster than the IE version.

Is that Opera Mobile or Opera Mini?

My only real gripe is that you have to 'turn on' the phone everytime it has sat idle for more than 30 seconds...

Start -> Settings -> System tab -> Power -> Advanced tab. Adjust the two timeout settings to your liking.

Opera Mobile. Very nice interface all the way around.