Phone Scoop - HTC Pocket PC Phone (Space Needle) Info

User Review: I used this phone for two years....

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:38:09 GMT

fundarbar submitted this review of the HTC Pocket PC Phone (Space Needle):

Overall rating: 2 (out of 5)

I read through the reviews and I was a bit surprised. I used this phone for over two years. I finally got frustrated enough and went with another more "traditional" phone that gave me the functionality that I wanted, but not as well.

I'll give you a bit of background so you have context: I've been in the technology industry for 20+ years. I've done everything there is to do in a B2B software company..designed and wrote code, trained and supported it, marketed and sold it, etc. I even co-owned a software company. I'm currently a senior executive at a software company and work in sales and marketing. I travel quite extensively domestically and internationally and wanted a device that would combine phone and PDA capabilities to help keep me in touch and organized.

My perspectives:

1) This device is among the best at "organization" and synchronization. I really liked the MS integration.

2) This device sucks as a phone. The sound is poor at my end, and people on the other end oftentimes had a hard time hearing me (I replaced the phone 3 times because of this). The supplied two-piece headset doesn't work for the truly mobile. I was told that the bluetooth device was an improvement, but at $300 retail I didn't want to run the risk of throwing more money at an already expensive device.

3) The GUI was extremely difficult to use if you were mobile. It works fine if you're at a desk and can use the stylus, but that takes two hands. The GUI actually works against the device's form factor.

4) The support was marginal at best (T-Mobile). I really wanted to see this device succeed and I offered several times to provide feedback. I gave up after multiple hours on the phone waiting for the right person in T-Mobile's data staff.

I'm looking seriously at the new Blackberry 7100. It's cheaper, with better sound, easier to use with one-hand and with a much better user interface. It's too bad the Pocket PC people couldn't figure it all out.

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User Review: Erases all my data off SD Card!!

Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:08:01 GMT

LoveGadgets submitted this review of the HTC Pocket PC Phone (Space Needle):

Overall rating: 3 (out of 5)

This phone is awesome except one VERY big problem. Everything you put on the SD Card, like your back up so that you do not lose data, gets erased without doing a thing! This is a major problem, which I feel should be a RECALL on this phone. I love everything about it except you are limited due to this problem. The phone is not what you are paying for. T-Mobile acknowledges that this is a known issue. They said it is a problem with the Bios and keep checking their site for an update............Still waiting.........Do not buy this phone if you plan on needing storage space. I was told to buy a card reader for my desktop computer and to reformat the memory card, that this fixes the problem occasionally. Not the case.....I would be very happy if they fixed the problem, or replace my phone with a similar model, perhaps the HP!

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User Review: NOt bad but one major bug

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 02:28:14 GMT

Zoli submitted this review of the HTC Pocket PC Phone (Space Needle):

Overall rating: 2 (out of 5)

So i like this little gadget, because I was tired of carrying around my pocket pc and my cell phone, since I do not talk alot on the phone this is ideal for me. I like to use my pocket pc as an mp3 palyer as well, this is where the bug really bugs me... sorry couldn't resist the pun...the device erases SD cards...while in use, while not in use, just point blank erases them. called tmobile and was informed it is a known bug. I really like the device, i just want it to fully function. I would have rated it excellent given it a 5 but i does not perform to expectations when it erases the SD card.

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User Review: Great PDA Phone

Tue, 02 Mar 2004 02:37:28 GMT

xerath67 submitted this review of the HTC Pocket PC Phone (Space Needle):

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

I recently ordered one of these phones and I think it is a truly great PDA Phone. The speaker phone is clear and loud. I can easily hear the talking from the person on the other end. So far I only ran into one problem and I must have just been the one I bought. My problem was I could not update the ROM. I contacted T-Mobile, was told Tier 3 Support would call me with 2 hours. A few days later I called up again and finally got ahold of the support. They sent a new unit out quickly with the update installed already. I can't wait for the Windows Pocket PC 2003 to be released for this phone. I would recommend this phone any anyone not wanting to carry around a PDA and a phone. I hope this gives you a little insight on the phone.

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