HTC Launches "Diamond" Windows Mobile device
Posted by Tom Warren on 07 May 2008 - 09:00 · 41 comments & 16205 views
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Full name: Tom Warren
Forum name: creamhackered
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Full name: Tom Warren
Forum name: creamhackered
Contact: via forum PM
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(5 replies)
#1 Posted by Redmak on 07 May 2008 - 09:03
- This looks interesting
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#1.1 Posted by Thrawn on 07 May 2008 - 15:12
- It's thinner than an iPhone, out-specs it in memory and processor MHz, and runs Windows to boot!
I'm sold. Looks like $99-150 after rebate. My 2-yr contract ends soon
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#1.2 Posted by eAi on 07 May 2008 - 19:04
- (Thrawn said @ #1.1)It's thinner than an iPhone, out-specs it in memory and processor MHz, and runs Windows to boot!It runs Windows Mobile - one of the worst OSs I've ever used. I have to restart my Windows Mobile PDA 4 or 5 times a day.
I'm sold. Looks like $99-150 after rebate. My 2-yr contract ends soon -
#1.3 Posted by Shadrack on 07 May 2008 - 20:51
- (eAi said @ #1.2)It runs Windows Mobile - one of the worst OSs I've ever used. I have to restart my Windows Mobile PDA 4 or 5 times a day.
My experiences with my PDA running Windows Mobile 2003 (rather old) weren't that bad. Your problems may be as much hardware related as software related. Beyond the bugs you have to deal with, what is your opinion of the interface and the software available for your PDA? IMO Windows Mobile has more to offer than an iPhone does. Of course, Windows Mobile is targeting business types who need a mobile device to stay organized with their chaotic schedules, while the iPhone is designed to be more like a shinny toy targeting young folks who want to be cool.
Don't get me wrong...I'd really like to have an iPhone. I like shinny toys
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#1.4 Posted by mrmckeb on 08 May 2008 - 05:15
- (eAi said @ #1.2)(Thrawn said @ #1.1)It's thinner than an iPhone, out-specs it in memory and processor MHz, and runs Windows to boot!It runs Windows Mobile - one of the worst OSs I've ever used. I have to restart my Windows Mobile PDA 4 or 5 times a day.
I'm sold. Looks like $99-150 after rebate. My 2-yr contract ends soon
You are thinking of Symbian. That's a bad OS. -
#1.5 Posted by +Skwerl on 08 May 2008 - 14:56
- (Thrawn said @ #1.1)I'm sold. Looks like $99-150 after rebate. My 2-yr contract ends soon
$150? Dream the impossible dream!!! No carrier even has this phone, yet, and with those specs, you can bet your a$$ it's not going to be $150 after rebate. My guess is more like $400.
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(2 replies)
#2 Posted by +Berserk87 on 07 May 2008 - 09:15
- looks like it lags horribly....
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#2.1 Posted by creamhackered on 07 May 2008 - 09:20
- That's the impression I get as well. Unfortunately I've had varied issues like this on Windows Mobile devices over the years and have been using them for 8 years!
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#3 Posted by scozzie on 07 May 2008 - 09:29
- Appearence wise it is SCHMICK!
TouchFLO 3D looks really impressive too. But the lack of memory card slot is rediculous...HTC just never seem to get everyting right with one PDA...only some good things on some PDAs.
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#5 Posted by mrmckeb on 07 May 2008 - 09:38
- "In my own opinion until Microsoft revamp Windows Mobile so that any area you navigate to on the device you can use gestures and the Touch-Flo like interface" - that needs rewording.
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(5 replies)
#6 Posted by Daedalus on 07 May 2008 - 10:07
- Windows mobile cannot be operated without a stylus, it is not designed to... Putting a fancy skin on a few screens will not change this!
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#6.1 Posted by +/ -Razorfold on 07 May 2008 - 10:23
- (Daedalus said @ #6)Windows mobile cannot be operated without a stylus, it is not designed to... Putting a fancy skin on a few screens will not change this!
Um? Windows Mobile can be operated without a stylus...if the device supports it or not is a different matter, but then practically all devices do. -
#6.2 Posted by Kushan on 07 May 2008 - 13:11
- (Daedalus said @ #6)Windows mobile cannot be operated without a stylus, it is not designed to... Putting a fancy skin on a few screens will not change this!
When was the last time you used a Windows Mobile Device?
It's split into 2 main categories, one is the PDA-style category that typically uses touchscreens, the other is the standard mobile category that usually DOESN'T have a touch screen. -
#6.3 Posted by Eraser85 on 07 May 2008 - 13:50
- he's talking about another thing.. he's not questioning the touchscreen (which in fact has). He's just saying that using a windows mobile device withoud the stylus (just with fingers) is not possible. That's true because even if you put a fancy skin as an homescreen, there are still programs made with stylus in mind (about the 95% of software)
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#6.4 Posted by +Skwerl on 07 May 2008 - 14:58
- I actually never use my stylus with my T-Mobile Wing. It's certainly not made for clumsy ham-hands, but a fingernail or tip of the finger is very sufficient for most things. I do run SPB Mobile Shell though, and I have to admit that it really is a lot better than using the Start Menu and integrated contact manager.
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#6.5 Posted by Eraser85 on 07 May 2008 - 19:55
- (Skwerl said @ #6.4)I actually never use my stylus with my T-Mobile Wing. It's certainly not made for clumsy ham-hands, but a fingernail or tip of the finger is very sufficient for most things. I do run SPB Mobile Shell though, and I have to admit that it really is a lot better than using the Start Menu and integrated contact manager.
I agree with you BUT you can do what you're saying only if standing still or while seated. You cannot do this while walking (for example) and THAT's a major step back from the buttons-do-it-all era.
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(2 replies)
#7 Posted by emzino on 07 May 2008 - 11:58
- Why does it Lag so much? Is it because of onboard RAM or is it the CPU?
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(2 replies)
#8 Posted by Commodore Max on 07 May 2008 - 14:23
- Windows Mobile needs some big UI updates before it's in a position to compete with the iPhone on that level. Can't blame HTC, they made the best of what they had.
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#8.1 Posted by XeonBuilder on 07 May 2008 - 14:56
- My Treo 700wx does pretty well vs any iPhone
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#9 Posted by +Skwerl on 07 May 2008 - 15:05
- But wait- no full hardware qwerty keyboard?
That bums me out. The device design is beautiful, though, and I could really enjoy the speed of that processor and 192 megs of RAM!
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#11 Posted by z0phi3l on 07 May 2008 - 15:48
- I will most likely get one of these instead of an iPhone if ATT carries it.
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#12 Posted by chulomixed on 07 May 2008 - 16:33
- NOO......... i just bought a ATT TILT back in FEB
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#14 Posted by st_tammy on 07 May 2008 - 17:09
- I've been holding back for 8 years for a device like this and putting up with run of the mill phones.
I think this does everything I need!
OK, it doesn't have keyboard but I can make a compromise.
ALso, this site handtec site says it takes MicroSD!!!!
Lags and jags are to be expected of windows mobile os. What you get in return is the ability to install almost any kind of application you can dream of.
I'm definitely getting this one.
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(1 reply)
#15 Posted by mukati on 07 May 2008 - 18:08
- Its a pre production device, i believe thats why it has issues. Notice the device in the video only has 128mb Ram (when he pops up the device info app), however its stated to have 192mb ram. Am sure these issues would be ironed out (especially the lag) before it launches. Would be really embarrassing for HTC if they dont.
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#15.1 Posted by TheDisneyMagic on 07 May 2008 - 18:35
- (mukati said @ #15)Its a pre production device, i believe thats why it has issues. Notice the device in the video only has 128mb Ram (when he pops up the device info app), however its stated to have 192mb ram. Am sure these issues would be ironed out (especially the lag) before it launches. Would be really embarrassing for HTC if they dont.
Embarrassing,
try doing a search for HTC Touch Cruise drivers.
That is embarrassing and a discrace.
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#17 Posted by Matt on 07 May 2008 - 18:55
- im looking forward to the raphael being released. that looks like a solid phone.
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#18 Posted by david13lt on 07 May 2008 - 20:53
- It does not have SDHC? And Windows Mobile, no. Android or native OS is better for me.
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(2 replies)
#19 Posted by brianshapiro on 07 May 2008 - 21:00
- The visuals are way overboard. The basics of it are nice, but I don't care much about reading my email in little graphical envelopes, or seeing windshield wipers clean my PDA screen when its raining. They just didn't know when to stop.
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#19.1 Posted by +Skwerl on 08 May 2008 - 15:07
- And yet, there are plenty of people out there that will completely love the visuals. I'm one of them. They've done a great job of the software, and it will be very apealing to a lot of people.
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#19.2 Posted by brianshapiro on 08 May 2008 - 15:38
- (Skwerl said @ #19.1)And yet, there are plenty of people out there that will completely love the visuals. I'm one of them. They've done a great job of the software, and it will be very apealing to a lot of people.
Like I said the basic visuals are nice. I don't even mind the weather animatons. But they could have stopped the rain animation at that, and not included the windshield wipers. Thats the type of thing I'm calling over the top.
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#20 Posted by +macf13nd on 07 May 2008 - 23:10
- i like it. plus, regardless of UI, the flexibility of installing compatible windows apps can't be ignored either, as mentioned above.
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#22 Posted by Naveen on 08 May 2008 - 08:15
- Just wanted to add that when I read Diamond I think of Crystal in terms of a clock crystal used in some modern electical stuff.
So I didn't read the rest of the post!
Also, has anyone any experience with the new timing system in modern PC hardware (the high resolution timer and related APIs and BIOS stuff) and if so is it any good? Drop me a PM if you like.
That notwithstanding, please do carry on on your own topics as you would otherwise already be aware. Morning!
The device is equipped with a generous 528 MHz processor, 4GB storage inbuilt, HSDPA, FM Radio, 3.2MP camera and GPS built in. The Diamond runs on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 which is the latest offering from Microsoft. Unfortunately Microsoft hasn't made many great improvements to the user interface of Windows Mobile recently and HTC have built applications and customizations for their devices.
The most important factor of this new device is HTC's new Touch Flo 3D interface. The new interface aims to compete against Apple's iPhone touch interface. From a video demonstration by MoDaCo it appears that the technology suffers from some common drawbacks to Windows Mobile's own interface and system. Occasionally freezing and not always responding to screen taps correctly. Checkout the video below to see what I am referring to. HTC has integrated Opera's mobile browser into the device and it appears to offer an improved interface for web browsing on Windows Mobile devices. A YouTube specific application features on the device almost like the iPhone equivalent.
In my own opinion, until Microsoft revamp Windows Mobile so that any area you navigate to on the device you can use gestures and the Touch-Flo like interface, these devices cannot compete with the interface of the iPhone. The iPhone is specifically built with touch in mind. Unfortunately there is no synergy with Windows Mobile yet and you feel frustrated when you navigate to an area of the OS that does not function the same as another. I am hoping for bigger things with Windows Mobile 7 and Microsoft has promised them.