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(More customer reviews)I've been using the CDMA Sprint Diamond for 5 months. With the stock Sprint ROM (referring to the software preloaded on the device) you'll be plagued by several problems which thankfully can all be overcome with some software mods and tweaks from great resources like ppcgeeks and xda. These forums host an enthusiastic community of windows mobile developers and "power users" and participating in the community can be one of the most rewarding aspects to owning this type of device. Just by lurking around the forums and reading the stickies you will learn a lot and be well on your way to customizing the device to suit your needs. That said, this tweaking process is not for everyone; if you're not interested in learning about technology and prefer something that just works right out of the box then get an iPhone instead. Out of the box, this phone has the following severe issues:
1. Poor battery life and significant battery drain even while the phone is not in use.
2. Slow system performance and lag while TF3D is running. TF3D (Touch Flow 3D - AKA Manila) is HTC's very slick user interface which sits on top of windows mobile looking pretty and giving you quick access to your most essential info and programs. With usage the phone will periodically become unresponsive or freeze and need to be restarted. (Think back to Windows 98)
3. The phone will wake up from an incoming call or text message or when changing cell towers. That means the screen will turn on and become active which makes the device prone to pocket dialing while it's in your pocket. On this diamond there is no way to disable that behavior. (There is a registry edit that works on the GSM Diamond) The work around is locking the phone before tucking it away but the default lock program is not great.
4. TF3D does not include a calender or task screen. That means you have to use pocket outlook to manage appointments and tasks. Like most native windows mobile 6.1 applications, pocket outlook is not finger friendly so you'll either need to be very accurate with your finger nails or use the stylus.
5. Some of the phones capabilities have been hidden.
As mentioned, the good news is that all of these issues can be overcome and I'll tell you how. First, go to the HTC Diamond forum on PPCGeeks.com and read the stickies on how to unlock your phone and flash a custom Rom. If you have a basic working knowledge of windows, zip files and things of that nature - this stuff is easy to do.
MightyRom is currently the most popular custom ROM on PPCGeeks. I'm running MightyRom version 4.7. Due to the upgrades and enhancements that mighty has "cooked" into his Rom, the phone becomes much more usable. In a nutshell, battery life is doubled, performance is faster and smoother...and stability is improved but the occasional restart is still necessary. Hidden features such as Internet connection sharing are enabled. Even the built in FM radio is working thanks to an app that was ported from the European GSM diamond. While some ROMs are packed with lots of applications, mighty keeps his light and clean which means it doesn't come with many applications pre-installed other than the essential ones. Fortunately, installing any other applications of your choice is as easy as downloading the .CAB file to the phone (or copying it to the phone) and then running it on the phone.
Beyond the ROM, there are a few applications in particular that I recommend because they address the other issues that I mentioned above.
1. S2A2 (Free) - Slide to Unlock 2 is a replacement for the default lock screen. It's essentially a knock off of the iPhone's lock screen. S2U2 works well with MightyRom, is easy to use, looks good and has lots of options.
2. ThumbCal ($19.95 USD) - This sits on top of Pocket Outlook providing you with a finger friendly calendar and task manager. The week view is especially well designed and very useful. 14 days free trial. There are also other free soft keyboard alternatives you can try.
3. TouchPal ($19.99 USD) - While the included software keyboards are good, touchPal is the best in breed. The compact QWERTY layout in TouchPal gets the most functionality out the small amount of space available on the Diamond's screen and it's actually FUN to use once you get the hang of it. Fully Free for 30 days with a nag screen after that if you don't buy.
4. G-Alarm (Free) - This is a free finger friendly alarm program with tons of options. I use it to set up alarms using an MP3 playlist which snooze when I turn the phone upside down.
The above makes up the core of my setup which really works nicely for me. Of course, there are many other directions you could go in.
Perhaps the most exciting news on the horizon is the new version of TF3D that HTC is putting in the new Diamond 2. It's being ported to the Diamond (see: "XBmod Rhodium Beta Manila"). This version of TF3D includes some extra tabs such as a working Calender tab which may alleviate the need to buy a separate calendar app like ThumbCal.
One final note: Sprint finally released an official ROM update which is an improvement over the originally shipped ROM but the best custom ROMs will still offer the best performance and features for your Diamond.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung SPH M220 - Cellular phone - CDMA2000 1X - folder (flip) - blue
Attractive and attractively affordable, the Samsung M220 clamshell phone for Sprint provides all the essentials for voice and text communication and on-the-go productivity. You'll enjoy handsfree calls via the integrated speakerphone or via an optional Bluetooth headset, and the phone offers voice dialing capabilities. You can choose such optional Sprint services as NFL Mobile Live (with live audio broadcasts and up-to-the-minute stats), Mobile Email and Mobile Sync, which provides easy online address book synchronization and more. Other features include dual LCD screens, Web browser, and up to 4.4 hours of talk time.
Sprint Service Options Sprint brings you closer to this season's NFL action with NFL Mobile Live, which enables you to listen to the live radio broadcasts of every NFL game throughout the 2008 regular season. Sprint is making it easier to follow a specific team by carrying a live radio broadcast for each game, including pregame and postgame reports in most instances. NFL Mobile Live also allows NFL.com fantasy owners to monitor the performance of every player in real time directly from their phone. Key information for individual players will be easily accessible, including real-time game and season cumulative stats, rankings, player profiles and photos. NFL Mobile Live is free of charge to Sprint data subscribers.
With Sprint Mobile Email, you'll get easy access to your favorite home email services including AOL, Yahoo!, Gmail, and MSN/Windows Live Hotmail and more. And Sprint Mobile Email Work enables you to access email from corporate servers, including Microsoft Exchange 2000, 2003, 2007 and Lotus Notes Domino versions 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 (with the latest software update).
The Sprint Mobile Sync service enables you to store and manage up to 5,000 contacts in your Sprint Mobile Sync address book, including phone numbers, addresses, notes and other fields. After your phone is activated, every change you make to your address book will be automatically saved on the Sprint network and every change you make online will be updated on your phone. Create and manage personal Group Connect groups to instantly reach up to 20 other users, at the same time, via Nextel Direct Connect or texting. Import contact fields to your address book or synchronize them with your Microsoft Outlook contacts.
Sprint Vision provides innovative wireless services like web access, and email and text messaging capability. Plus, with the Sprint National Network, you get the nationwide coverage and excellent voice clarity.
Phone Features Styled with a smooth, rounded finish, the Samsung M220 has dual LCD screens--an internal 2-inch, 65K-color display with a 128 x 160-pixel resolution and an external 65K-color display with a 96 x 96-pixel resolution (which provides an easy view to signal strength, battery life, and current time). Inside the clamshell, you'll find an alpha-numeric keypad and standard five-way toggle with send/end keys and two soft keys for navigation. The phone can store up to 300 contact entries--each storing 5 numbers, email and internet addresses--and it supports caller groups as well as ringer and photo IDs.
For convenience and adhering to local laws, the phone has a speakerphone that lets you hear callers loud and clear. It's also Bluetooth-enabled (version 2.0), allowing you to communicate handsfree with an optional headset or car kit.
Instantly send and receive SMS Text Messages across the room or across the country, anywhere in the Nationwide Sprint Network. Send voice messages to any mobile phone or email address--just select a recipient, record a message and send. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
Other features include:
Speaker-Independent Voice Dialing: Say the name of any entry in your phone book and the number is dialed automatically without using the keypad. This feature is speaker-independent, so there is no need to train the phone to respond to any one person's voice.
Built-in productivity tools including a calendar, scheduler, to-do list, world clock, calculator, stopwatch and alarm clock
Voice memo for up to 60 seconds with a maximum of 10 recordings
Choose from a wide selection of polyphonic ringtones playing in rich, 32-chord harmony
Compatible with select TTY devices
Hearing aid compatibility = M4/T4
Wireless Backup to manage contacts list in the event that the phone is lost, stolen or damaged
Downloadable screen savers, ringtones, applications and games
Vital Statistics The Samsung M220 weighs 2.7 ounces and measures 3.6 x 1.9 x 0.7 inches. Its 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.4 hours of talk time. It runs on the 850/1900 MHz CDMA/CDMA2000 1xRTT frequencies.
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