HTC Shift HTCX9501 Unlocked Phone with 40 GB Memory, 3G, GPS, Vista OS, and Wi-Fi--International GSM Version with No Warranty Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got the HTC Shift for writing on the go. And it's eighty percent or better of what I wanted.
Yes, firstly, the Shift is smaller in the hand or the bag than expected which is good. And it has the speed to run streaming videos acceptably. All in all, I would buy this computer again, since I want one that will fit it in a backpack and not take up half my carry-on allowance. The transformer is very small and portable and the Shift came with a 3 port USB junction, which also has the ethernet port.
I look forward to travelling with it and video-Skyping back to the US.
The handwriting software is better than I've used before but it doesn't seem to have the write-anywhere-on the-screen feature that I like. But for writing text quickly, a laptop with a full-sized keyboard is still preferrable.
Minor quibbles:
The faux-leather case is a little too bulky and makes the computer bigger than it needs to be to fit into a small carry bag. And the case is screwed on with three torx screws and even when the case is removed still more torx screws need to be removed to keep the base from scratching a table top. There is no pocket in the case to put these screws in for safekeeping. The front flap of the case also makes the whole unit hard to use since in unfolds toward the user. This also makes the unit harder to hold when using as a tablet.
I wish the display image could be rotated 90 degrees for tablet use, but it's workable.
I was surprised that SnapVue e-mail did not work without the SIM card. And I have not gotten the handwriting recognition in SnapVue to translate to the screen page, so I have to use the small keyboard which is functional but cramped. Again, the image doesn't rotate 90 degrees for tablet use. Moreover, SnapVue doesn't have the quick note-jotting ability I had hoped for.
One more thing: The Shift did not come with the activation codes for Office. Office still works, so far, but every time I boot it up, I have to quickly go through the whole decline-to-activate thing.
It's a good, small full-function tablet. And the rest of its features will be tested when I run out of the country next.

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HTC Advantage 7501 (Unlocked) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got mine about 3 weeks ago and have been running it through its paces ever since. Before getting an X7501, you have to realize that this thing is really a mini-laptop/mega-smartphone. It was made for a person who prefers a single device with convergent technologies, the more the better. Besides making calls, I use it to navigate with its built in GPS, surf the web with Opera and/or Explorer via HSDPA/WiFi and run all kinds of windows mobile apps (from a TI-89 emulator to XCOM: UFO Defense). I have plenty of space for several GB worth of music/movies and the 3 megapixel camera is nice (especially the panoramic feature). Oh, and I can cut and paste text too, unlike a certain other iDevice I know... hihi.
Pros:
-The SIM chip from my old AT&T 8125 worked fine with no issues. I was immediately able to access the 3G/HSDPA network (I had been stuck with just EDGE before on the 8125). I have used the X7501 between Princeton NJ and Washington DC with no issues to 3G availability. Subjectively, transfer rates seem to be noticeably quicker than EDGE (several times faster). I had issues with slow Google Maps loading on EDGE, but HSDPA makes the application functional and practical to use while driving.
-WiFi connected just fine. WEP encryption was straightforward and easy to configure.
-Bluetooth headset works fine, but sound quality varies depending on the headset. I use a plantronics voyager 510 for calls (good sound) and Southwing 505 for music (some noise). You can also answer calls using the speaker phone or an included wired microphone. The microphone jack is 1/16" so you can use regular headphones with it to listen to music, but you will have to get an adapter for regular wired microphones or just go with bluetooth.
-I can't tell you how nice it is to have a 5" diagonal screen to surf the web and watch video with. The screen is even big enough to edit Excel and Word documents without going blind.
-There was a nice attachment cable included that allows you to output to a Monitor or TV if it has the connector.
-8GB microdrive AND miniSDHC slot. The 2GB card I have worked fine. I'll have to get a 4GB card to test the high capacity. 8GB+miniSDHC means I have effectively unlimited storage and can transfer files easily.
-WM6 has a feature which now allows applications to truly close when you press X button. No more of that annoying need to go into settings/memory/close all hassle.
-So far, most applications I loaded onto the X7501 work fine:
TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) works. I was able to load and watch an .avi movie. I'll have to watch a long movie all the way through during my next flight out of town to test for stuttering midway through.
Skype installed and worked just fine. No complaints.
OctroTalk (for free GoogleTalk) works fine. No complaints.
VTI Pocket Emulator (free TI-89 scientific calculator emulator) works well. Slightly laggy, but usable. I was able to take derivatives and integrate functions just like on a normal TI-89. Not sure about loading programs to do Laplace transforms etc, but that's hardly a concern for 99.99% people.
GSPlayer was able to play Shoutcast music streams without a problem. HSDPA allows for higher bitrates than I was normally able to listen to using EDGE.
XCOM: UFO Defense (free old PC turn based game ported to WM) worked, although I had to switch to vertical mode.
-Comes with both Windows Explorer and Opera installed. I prefer Opera's tabular browsing and have been using it almost exclusively.
-Battery is removable, so having a spare battery is possible and even recommended. Battery life seems "okay", but I have not done a real runtime test yet. For the most part, I have had it plugged in a lot (either my car adapter for GPS or my laptop at work to stream music). WiFi and bluetooth do seem to run the battery down quickly. I wouldn't count on more than 3 hours of continuous browsing and streaming media.
-Using a universal USB charging port allows for a lot of recharging options and is compatible with my other portable electronics so I carry fewer plugs/cables. Works with my emergency usb charger.
-Nice complimentary leather wallet, screen protector and extra pen included. Small stuff counts!
Cons:
-Out of the box the intro screen says, "Test Only - Not for Sale". A little disconcerting but the unit works fine, so I plan on keeping it. I ordered my X7501 through Amazon a month before release. Hopefully later units don't have this.
-No stand alone GPS software like TomTom or iNavigator. It has Google Maps (which uses the GPS to track and show your location but this requires a data link (HSDPA or WiFi) to download maps, plot routes and get traffic info. It also has TeleNav Navigator (which is a subscription based payware GPS nav system)
-iNavigator 2.1.2 GPS software wouldn't recognize the 8GB microdrive. This was disappointing, but I am thinking of getting OCN6 to run on it since their website claims WM6/X7500 compatibility.
-FreeOTFE(Free On The Fly Encryption) wouldn't install correctly. I couldn't create an encrypted volume. I'll have to do more research to see what the problem is or if it's a PEBKAC error.
-There's no way to get around it. The X7501 is bulky. It fits fine in a pair of cargo pants, but is uncomfortable in a pair of khakis or jeans. It just barely fits. Get a bluetooth headset. You look like an idiot holding this to your ear.
-No vibrate mode to receive calls.
-The VueFlow operation seems kind of gimmicky to me. Basically, the screen will pan up/down/left/right by varying degrees depending on how much you tilt the screen. There's potential here, but it often moves when I don't want it to, so I've disabled it.
Parting Thoughts:
The HTC Advantage X7501 does everything it is advertised to do and is a significant upgrade from a 8125 or even 8525. I chose this over the iPhone because I prefer more functionality when I travel and work. Thats exactly what I got, but at the cost of size and weight. I'll definitely be keeping my other older (and smaller) cell phone around to carry if I want to travel light. On the road however, this is the king of PDAs. I haven't seen anything out there that has the same set of features in one package.

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The most powerful mobile office to date, the HTC Advantage 7501 is lighter, more compact, and more portable that even the smallest PC notebook. Offering online connectivity anytime, anywhere, it's the ideal companion for the business traveller who needs instant access to email and the capability to view and edit on-network Microsoft Office documents, including Excel, Word, or PowerPoint files. It includes a thin, magnetically connected QWERTY keyboard and a brightly colorful 5-inch LCD screen. And with its 3G cellular (HSDPA-ready), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities, you stay connected to the world.
With the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, you can view and edit Word and Excel documents as well as keep in contact with associates using the Windows Live Messenger IM application. (See more details about Windows Mobile 6 below.) The included Outlook Mobile software offers up-to-date e-mail, calendar and contact information. If you use the Advantage 7501 in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server, you can get instant e-mail from your work account as well as enhanced security features that let you clear data from a device if it is stolen or require high-security passwords to access information.
For storage, it provides an on-board 8 GB flash memory and can be expanded using miniSD memory cards. Use the TV Out feature to output contents on the screen onto an external display such as a Projector or TV when doing presentations or sharing photos. It also features a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus and a built-in flash.
Its 5-inch VGA color touchscreen and innovative, magnetic QWERTY keyboard are ideal not just for editing Microsoft Office documents, but also for enjoying leisure time. You can watch videos, browse the web, use instant Outlook push e-mail, synchronize your contacts, tasks, and calendar.
Power of a PC The HTC Advantage 7501 has a huge 8 GB hard drive, 256 MB of ROM and 128 MB of RAM combined with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0, so you can run your most demanding business applications and store all the documents and files you need. It runs on the 624 MHz Intel XScale PXA270 CPU with with an ATi W2284 graphic chip.
Global connectivity With its always-on, high-speed global connectivity, the Advantage 7501 keeps you in contact and contactable worldwide. As well as your email being "pushed" to you instantly, you can wirelessly synchronise files when away from the office so you're always up to speed with what's going on in your world.
Communication choices The Advantage 7501's on-board Wi-Fi and stereo Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities open up a world of communication options. It also supports the GPRS data protocol, as well as the high-speed EDGE wireless data service and UMTS 3G wireless broadband. (Note that 2100 Mhz UMTS service is not offered by any U.S. carrier.)
Performance The Advantage has been optimized for outstanding performance, whether it is to deliver the best possible web browsing experience or to give you up to 8 hours of battery life and 5.5 hours of talk time.
Easy to use The Advantage 7501 has a large 5-inch touch screen, ensuring you can easily view and work on your documents, while the detachable QWERTY keyboard makes it simple for you to work with everyday office applications. The color, transreflective LCD screen has a 640 x 480-pixel
Take photos The integrated 3-megapixel autofocus camera takes high-quality images (, 2048 x 1536 pixels), so you need never miss a moment. You can then safely store your pictures on the Advantage's hard drive, or onto an optional MiniSD memory card. You can also shoot videos (352 x 288 pixels at 15 frames per second) in 3GPP and MPEG4 formats.
Multimedia entertainment The 8 GB hard drive can store up to 5 hours of video, 2000 songs or 25,000 photos taken on the built-in, auto focus camera. You can also enjoy high-quality video and music streamed to the Advantage over EDGE and HSDPA networks. Use the TV Out feature to output contents on the screen onto an external display such as a projector or TV when doing presentations or sharing photos.
Vital Statistics The Advantage 7501 weighs 12.7 ounces and measures 3.85 x 5.25 x 0.62 inches. Its 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.5 hours of talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6 Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.
With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC's Microsoft Office suite. You'll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting--without affecting tables, images or text--as well as view PowerPoint presentations.
Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
With Excel Mobile, you're not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

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