HTC Touch Pro2 (Verizon): initial impressions from day 1

I got my HTC Touch Pro2 (HTC Rhodium - CDMA version) from Verizon Wireless today. Here are some of my initial thoughts after using it for a few hours:

• What? No LED flash for the camera? (I need a flashlight!)
  
• This thing is HUGE! (of course, the screen is 3.6" and I'm used to the old Windows Mobile smartphones that had 2.8" screens). Actually, the phone isn't that big. It's just taller than most.
  
• I love the big screen. The 480x800 resolution can be good and bad. This may cause some problems with some software.
  
• My TomTom navigator software doesn't work (must be the display setting)
• I don't really need a world phone...
• This thing is fast, even with TouchFLO 3D
• Love the chiclet keyboard (think of Chiclets gum)
• Thin and wimpy stylus, but who needs it?
• Very finger-touch friendly (thanks to TouchFLO 3D)
• I wish it had a 4-way directional pad (or D-pad)
  
• Great sound and speaker phone quality
• Love the tilting screen when I have it on my desk.
  
• Thank you for staying with a mini-USB connector. I can use all my old USB cables and chargers!
  
• Opera is very stable (no crashes, although I mainly use Skyfire)
• Can't wait to load a custom ROM
  

When I set the HTC Touch Pro2 next to an Apple iPhone, the screen sizes look very similar. The height and width are also very similar. However, the iPhone is much thinner. My old HTC XV6800 (HTC Titan) seems small compared to the Touch Pro2 (it's actually shorter, but thicker). For the last few days, I've been using the XV6900 (HTC Touch/Vogue) and that phone is tiny.

So, my overall impressions are a bit mixed. I think this is one of the best smartphones that Verizon has ever carried. If I could change a few things on this device, I would add some type of compatibility mode to change the screen resolution so that older software will run on it. I'd also bring back the LED flash (I used that all the time as a flashlight). The hardware keyboard adds bulk to this device, so that's unavoidable unless you get a different phone that lacks the keyboard. 

Ordered the HTC Touch Pro2 (Verizon Wireless)

I've decided that it's time to bite the bullet and get the HTC Touch Pro2 (also known as Rhodium). The CDMA version on Verizon Wireless and Sprint is a bit different from the GSM version and you don't want to go around loading a custom ROM on the wrong type of device. Otherwise, get ready to have a nice brick (paperweight) that sits on your desk.

You can expect a series of posts related to the Touch Pro2 as I share my personal experience with this phone.

To me, the most compelling features on it are:

• Larger screen (3.6" vs. the traditional 2.8" screen found on most older Windows Mobile smartphones)
• The larger amount of RAM (not storage space, but RAM used to run software and the operating system)
• The tilting screen/keyboard. This is a great feature when you set the device on your desk.

The processor speed is the same as the original HTC Touch Pro. The upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't a big deal since you can run Windows Mobile 6.5 on the Touch Pro as well. The battery isn't too bad at 1500 mAh, but that's not much of an improvement over 1340 mAh. The fact that it's a world phone isn't that important since I probably wouldn't use my phone overseas anyways (who can afford those roaming fees?).

The single most compelling feature was the large screen. I'm the type of person who likes to keep my old gadgets as long as they're still usable. In the case of the Touch Pro2, when it comes time to retire this device, it will make a really nice standalone GPS device. My old XV6800 is now a GPS for one of our cars. The phone radio isn't on and it doesn't receive any service, but it makes a decent TomTom navigator.

Is the HTC Touch Pro2 coming to Verizon this month?

There are so many circulating rumors about the possibility that the HTC Touch Pro2 may be coming to Verizon Wireless this month. Along with those rumors, people are saying that this new Windows Mobile smartphone will be priced at $199. That would seem like a reasonable price if you look at some of the other popular smartphones such as the Apple iPhone, the Palm Pre, and the HTC Hero. Will the HTC Touch Pro2 be the most popular Windows Phone this fall/winter? I think that will depend on when Samsung launches their line of smartphones.

I plan to stick with my current HTC Touch Pro. I just got this phone a few weeks ago! I could theoretically return it since I'm still within the 30 day return period, so maybe I'll change my mind if the price is right. However, I'd rather stick with a free phone for now and then upgrade in a couple of years when Windows Mobile 7 comes out (maybe by then it will be 7.1 or 7.5).

Windows Mobile 6.5 coming in October

According to quite a few circulating rumors, it sounds like smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 will be arriving in stores in October. Of course, you can probably find a custom-built ROM for many smartphones that are built on Windows Mobile 6.5. My HTC Touch Pro is currently running a custom ROM based on Windows Mobile 6.5. It's not the final build, so it lacks certain features, but it's an improvement over Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1.

I think it's great to see how Microsoft is changing their smartphone OS to be more finger touch-friendly. Soon, those days of the thin stylus pen will be gone!

Don't use a single Epocrates account on multiple smartphones or PDAs

I recently switched smartphones. I went from an old HTC smartphone running Windows Mobile and I tried the BlackBerry Storm. Then, I switched back to my old HTC, and then I recently ordered the HTC Touch Pro running Windows Mobile. That's the phone I'm using right now.

In the midst of all this smartphone switching, I loaded Epocrates so that I could see how it runs on the BlackBerry Storm. All of this took place over several weeks and as a result, I got a note from Epocrates indicating that my account was being used on multiple devices. I quickly explained my situation and received a pleasant reply from the support folks at Epocrates.

This made me think: perhaps some medical students and residents might try to get together and "share" a single Epocrates account on multiple smartphones or PDAs (I'll refer to the iPod touch as a PDA). If you try this, you'll run into some problems. Therefore, make sure you're using your own Epocrates account on your device.

So what if you have multiple devices? I suggest you contact Epocrates support to see what they suggest. In my case, I use a Windows Mobile smartphone. I also have an Apple iPod touch, but I don't use that as a PDA. I use my iPod touch to entertain my kids during long car rides.

Epocrates is available for free, or you may wish to purchase Epocrates Rx Pro, Epocrates Essentials, or some of the other upgraded software suites they offer (may not run on all smartphones).

Hidden smartphone "gems" at Verizon Wireless

I don't understand why Verizon Wireless stores and kiosks don't stock more smartphones. They have a decent selection of Windows Mobile smartphones online, but if you walk up to a kiosk or go to an average store, you won't find some of the best smartphones that are available on Verizon Wireless. Why?

If you're on a budget and you don't need the "latest and greatest," then let me make a few suggestions for some great Verizon smartphones that are "hidden" from many people:

• XV6900. This smartphone is made by HTC and is also known as the "Touch" or "Vogue." It's a simple smartphone, but it's snappy, small, light, and has a touch-screen. It runs Windows Mobile and has a built-in GPS (that won't work unless you "unlock" it by flashing custom ROMs and doing a bit of tweaking - not for beginners). The camera is nice if you want to take a picture of a patient's rash (get permission first). I have one and I really like it. No Wi-Fi on this tiny phone. Verizon is getting rid of them, so I don't know how much longer they will be around. You won't find this in any of the stores.
  
• HTC Touch Pro. Here, Verizon decided to keep the name "HTC," even though this phone is also classified as the XV6850 (but I don't think anyone knows that). This slider is a great phone that also has a built-in GPS (Verizon unlocked it, so you're free to use it on Google Maps or TomTom). Touch-screen, Windows Mobile, and this device has a high resolution screen (may be a bit too high res for some of you). The camera on this device also includes an LED flash. You won't find this in any of the stores.
  
• HTC Touch Diamond. This is like the Touch Pro, but it lacks the slide-out keyboard. So, this is a very thin phone that's like a "professional" version of the XV6900 with a high res screen. You'll get Wi-Fi and GPS (but you'll have to do a bit of tweaking to unlock the GPS) on this device. Simple camera without an LED flash.
  

So, what do we have in common with all these smartphones? They're all made by HTC, they all run Windows Mobile, they all have touch-screens, they all have cameras, and they all have an internal GPS chip (although you may need to do some modifying to get the internal GPS to work).

Why didn't I mention the HTC Ozone? You'll see this in the stores, but this smartphone lacks a touch screen. If you're planning on running medical software, you'll be much more productive if you have a smartphone that has a touch screen. Avoid getting anything that lacks a touch screen.

Keep in mind that several new smartphones are coming to Verizon this fall and next spring. So, if you're eager to have the latest devices, then you're better waiting until some of these new devices emerge.

HTC Touch Pro: a great (free) medical smartphone

If you're on Verizon Wireless, you may qualify for a free upgrade on your phone. They've changed their "new every two" plan, so you may only get $30 or $50 of credit, but if you're an "old timer" like me, then you may qualify for $100 of credit towards a new phone. If you're thinking about getting a new smarphone, you should seriously consider the HTC Touch Pro (which is currently priced at $99). This phone used to be much more expensive, but the prices have been reduced because new Windows Mobile smartphones are about to come out this fall/next spring.

If you're not in a rush and you're willing to pay more, then I would encourage you to wait for the HTC Touch Pro 2. I'm not sure when this phone will be released on Verizon Wireless, but it's going to be better than the current Touch Pro.

I've been using the Touch Pro for a few days and I'm very impressed by this phone. I used to have an XV6800 and I really thought that the Touch Pro was going to be similar. However, the Touch Pro with the higher resolution screen and faster processor is really a considerable upgrade from the older XV6800 (aka as the HTC Titan or Sprint Mogul).

If you get a Touch Pro, make sure you load a custom ROM running Windows Mobile 6.5. You won't find an "official" version out there, but I've found that the custom ROMs that are "cooked" out there by enthusiasts work really well.

Here are the custom Windows Mobile 6.5 ROMs I've tried over the last several days:

• MightyROM6
• Juicy 8
• DCD
  
• SsS-ROM
• EnergyROM Warhawk
• NFSFAN (currently using this ROM)

Since Windows Mobile 6.5 is still in development, we will see updated versions of these ROMs over the next several months. My current phone has Build 23001 (although the latest ROMs are running Build 23028). I don't have time to update my phone every time a new build comes out, so I'll probably try this ROM for a few weeks.

Flashing a custom ROM on my HTC Touch Pro

Yes, I'm now flashing a custom Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM on my Verizon Wireless HTC Touch Pro. I've done quite a bit ROM flashing in my life. First, it began with the XV6800 (aka, HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul). Then, I recently did some ROM flashing on the XV6900 (aka, HTC Vogue, Touch). Now, I'm flashing the ROM on my new HTC Touch Pro (aka, HTC Raphael).

Why all this custom ROM flashing? I originally did it to get the GPS working on my old XV6800. Now, I'm doing it to get the latest operating system: Windows Mobile 6.5

The GPS is already unlocked on the Touch Pro (thanks to an update provided by Verizon Wireless). I wish they would unlock the GPS on all their old phones too, but they're not doing that.

I got the HTC Touch Pro from Verizon Wireless

No, not the Touch Pro 2. I got the original HTC Touch Pro from Verizon Wireless. In fact, I got this one for free. I tried the BlackBerry Storm and gave that a fair chance, but it didn't take very long before I quickly realized that I needed to go back to Windows Mobile. Now, I've replaced my old slider (XV6800, also known as the HTC Titan or Spring Mogul) with another slider. I really didn't want to do that, but I'd rather use a slider than spend any extra money. Why? Because at this rate, I'll probably upgrade to a new phone every two years with the credit provided by the "new every two" plan. I just hope that Verizon continues to keep their smartphone prices competitive with the Apple iPhone and Palm Pre. $99 for a smartphone isn't too bad. Free is even better.

So, the HTC Touch Pro has been around for a long time and there are many custom ROMs floating around out there. It has an unlocked GPS (or aGPS) so I can use TomTom or Google Maps without flashing a custom ROM. However, I still plan to load a custom ROM so that I can run Windows Mobile 6.5 and have an OS that is more touch-friendly. The HTC Touch Pro didn't get rebranded by Verizon as the XV6850. Instead, it was called the "HTC Touch Pro." That makes more sense, doesn't it? When phones get rebranded, it causes a tremendous amount of confusion.

I admit that it would have been nice to wait and get the Touch Pro 2, but I didn't want to wait and spend any money. Contrary to popular belief, I don't always need the "latest and greatest." I'd rather be practical and save money where I can. As long as the Touch Pro has the capabilities of what I need, I'm fine.

BlackBerry Storm: my initial impressions

So the BlackBerry Storm is an old phone and it's been reviewed by many people on the Internet. However, since I recently switched from Windows Mobile to BlackBerry, I'm writing from the perspective of a former Windows Mobile user.

I've played around with the Storm extensively, but I've never used it as my personal smartphone until today. I'm not your average user who occasionally uses the browser an app here and there. I'm constantly using my smartphone for e-mail, web browsing, GPS, notes, etc.

So, here are 10 of my initial impressions after using my BlackBerry Storm for a few hours:

1. I miss the ability to use a stylus. Since the Storm uses a capacitive touch screen, it has no stylus. You use your finger instead. Hence, no more drawing or scribbling notes on the screen.
2. I miss having a scroll bar. When you install a new app, you often have to scroll through all the disclaimer/agreement/legal stuff and then hit "agree/accept" before you can move forward. You can sometimes bypass the scrolling by hitting the "MENU" button and then you'll see an option to accept/reject. However, this option isn't always available. If I had a scroll bar, I could simply tap my stylus and quickly scroll to the end of the page.
   
3. I miss the ability to double tap on the word and highlight/select it. This is useful when you're trying to delete an entire word or if you're performing a copy/paste. This double tapping to highlight/select is not there on the BlackBerry.
   
4. I miss having physical keyboard buttons. The Storm uses an on-screen keyboard. It's just not the same.
   
5. I miss having space on the screen that isn't occupied by the large on-screen keyboard buttons. In landscape mode, the keyboard fills over 50% of the screen. You're left with a small "sliver" of a screen where you can see/navigate.
   
6. I miss having a single button that I can click to make the on-screen keyboard appear/disappear.
   
7. I miss having more memory for apps. Although the Storm comes with an 8 GB microSD card, you can't load apps on that card. Instead, you're only given 128 MB or RAM for your apps. I've only had my phone for a few hours and I've already filled 110 MB of that space. 18 MB left.
8. I miss having the ability to edit Word/Excel files. I realize that if I purchase Documents to Go Premium, I can have this ability. But why pay for something that should be a standard feature?
9. I miss the ability to close programs (vs. just minimizing them) with a single tap. By closing programs, you free up more memory. On the BlackBerry, you can still close programs, but it takes a bit more work. On Windows Mobile, you can install little free apps that make it much easier for you to close apps.
   
10. I miss running my Windows Mobile apps. Which apps? TomTom navigator (for GPS navigation) along with medical and productivity apps. The nice thing with staying with Windows Mobile is that I don't have to repurchase the apps that I currently have. By switching to BlackBerry, I have to purchase a number of apps that I already own.
    

So, those are my initial impressions. Am I planning on keeping this phone? I have 30 days to test it, but I don't think I'll need 30 days to decide. I think that by the end of the week, I'll make my decision. After all, the prices on Windows Mobile phones have dropped significantly on Verizon Wireless so I may go with the HTC Touch Pro (even though I really don't want another slider).

Verizon drops prices on smartphones

Just after I ordered the BlackBerry Storm, Verizon Wireless dropped the prices on several of their main Windows Mobile smartphones, including:

• HTC Touch Diamond
• HTC Touch Pro
• Samsung Omnia

These are now available for $99.99! That's the same price as the BlackBerry Storm!

Verizon XV6175 (HTC Snap)

I really don't get it. The HTC Snap is being branded as the Verizon XV6175 on Verizon Wireless. HTC phones were getting rebranded as Verizon phones (remember the XV6800 and the XV 6900)? Then, Verizon came out with the HTC Touch Pro and the HTC Touch Diamond. They didn't rebrand those phones. So what's going on? Why the rebranding again with the HTC Snap? This phone will work on the CDMA network but also have quad-band GSM capabilities for world travelers.

Smartphones for Residency

In a few weeks, medical school graduates will be starting residency (technically, it's internship, but we all simply call it residency now). Many of them will be purchasing smartphones and upgrading from standard PDAs. Do they know which smartphone to get? I'm a strong believer of touch-screen devices.

Here are my suggestions based on the type of operating system (OS) you prefer:

• Apple iPhone OS: You only have once choice here. Apple iPhone. If you're tight on cash, you'll be able to find a used iPhone 3G. Good luck getting a new iPhone 3G[S] by July 1.
• RIM BlackBerry: Storm (or Storm 2 if you can wait until after July 1. This is coming later this summer).
  
• Google Android: T-mobile G1 (there are other phones coming later this summer)
• Palm WebOS: Palm Pre
• Palm Original OS: Used Treo (why buy a device that's running a dying operating system?). Avoid the Palm Centro.
  
• Microsoft Windows Mobile OS: this is where things get really complicated. There are several new phones coming out later this summer, so if you can wait, then you'll end up with a much nicer phone. If you prefer something like an iPhone, then go with something like the Samsung Omnia of HTC Touch Diamond . If you prefer a slider, then go with the HTC Touch Pro (or Touch Pro 2 or Samsung Omnia Pro).

Sounds complicated, doesn't it? How do you decide on the operating system? How do you decide on a mobile phone carrier? (In many cases, that's decided based on the phone you choose). I'll write more about these topics later this week, so stay tuned.

Samsung Omnia Pro or B7610 Louvre

If you're a Windows Mobile user on the Verizon Wireless network and you happen to like sliders, then you're probably going to love the new Samsung Omnia Pro (aka, B7610 Louvre). This phone runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and will be upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5. You'll also get a slide-out full QWERTY thumbboard, a 3.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen with WVGA resolution (800 by 480 pixels), a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, and 1GB of internal memory. I think this is going to beat out the HTC Touch Pro, but I don't know how it compares to the newer HTC Touch Pro2.

AMOLED = active-matrix organic light-emitting diode
We don't see many phones using OLED screens, but maybe this trend will change with the next generation of smartphones.

HTC Touch Diamond2 or Touch Pro2?

HTC makes some great phones for Verizon Wireless. My HTC Titan (branded as an XV6800) is getting old but I'm still using it every day and it works fine. Now, you can get either the Touch Diamond or the Touch Pro. The Touch Diamond 2 and Touch Pro2 are coming soon. Which one should you get if you're in the market for a new smartphone? Maybe you're a medical student and you're getting ready for your clinical clerkships. Maybe you're a recent graduate and you're getting ready for internship.

If you want something small and light (like an Apple iPhone) and you don't need a hardware keyboard, then the Touch Diamond is a great Windows Mobile phone. This phone has been around for a while but it only recently showed up on Verizon. Who knows when the updated Touch Diamond2 will appear. Let's hope it shows up soon after the BlackBerry Storm 2 appears.

If you prefer a slider that has physical keyboard buttons, then wait for the Touch Pro2. If you can't wait, then the Touch Pro is not a bad phone, but I think the Touch Pro2 will be significantly better.

HTC Touch Diamond Now on Verizon Wireless

The HTC Touch Pro has been available through Verizon Wireless for a while now. Well, they're moving backwards and they're now offering the HTC Touch Diamond (the slim version without the slideout keyboard). It still has TouchFLO™ 3D, so it's touch-friendly and it looks like a great phone for medical students, residents, and physicians who want something small, thin, and light. It's a shame that Verizon Wireless doesn't offer the Apple iPhone, but I suppose this allows other companies like HTC and RIM to market phones like the Touch Diamond and the BlackBerry Storm.

Windows Mobile 6.5: Touch Input

According to the folks over at Brighthand, Windows Mobile 6.5 is official. However, it may be a while before you see it out there (unless you happen to know some people at Microsoft). Of course, developers have been working on leaked ROMs that are based on Windows Mobile 6.5.

Smartphones are transitioning to finger-only input. The phones that are "business" or "professional" still have a hardware keyboard with physical buttons. But the vast majority of other phones running Windows Mobile are relying on screen-based touch input.

We've seen this phenomenon burst with the iPhone. Now we have the BlackBerry Storm. On the side of Windows Mobile, we have Samsung with the Omnia and HTC with the Touch Diamond, Fuze, and Touch Pro (which is a slider with a keyboard). LG has the Incite.

So are you ready to transition to a phone that only has a touch screen? Can you live without a hardware keyboard? How will this impact your search for drugs when you're using Epocrates? What if you're typing an email or editing a contact?