Phone Scoop - Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier) Info

User Review: A decent ebay find

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:34:39 GMT

jskrenes submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

I bought this phone off of ebay just to see if I would like the smartphone concept. I needed something that had a speakerphone, bluetooth, and could edit Microsoft Word and Excel. This phone was the cheapest that met all those requirements, and although it has its shortcomings, it is a good "first smartphone," and will serve as a decent backup phone if my new smartphone ever needs replacement. I would not recommend this phone for a new purchase, but it is sufficient for a backup or test phone.

PROS:
large touch screen, windows media player, highly customizable calendar and contact list, bluetooth, speakersphone, can edit microsoft documents.

CONS:
Slide-down QWERTY keyboard feels cramped, large touch screen makes the phone a bit large, battery life could be better, quiet ringer, bluetooth is occasionally finicky.

It's not a great phone, but it's a good-enough phone. Samsung's new smartphones can't come soon enough, and I can only hope one goes to Verizon.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: My Beloved PDA.

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:26:58 GMT

anarkissed submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

I needed to replace my lost iPAQ device. I also wanted a cell phone. I use my PDA for a many things, games, reading, music and movies. I used pocket office as well.
I looked at a number of available devices, and one smart phone after another had too small a screen. It seemed as though with each upgrade my screen got smaller! then I looked at the Audiovox Harrier. I was delighted to see that the screen was as large as my iPAQ had been! The win mobile OS meant that I could reinstall my favorite software applications.
pros:
I love the Bluetooth and telephone. I can leave it in my purse and answer the phone with my headset. I love the screen size. I love the OS, all of the apps I have can get for it, even freeware. I love the SD card slot, so I can add movies and music. I love the LED illumination light for the camera, it acts as flash or video light. One of the devices I have been dreaming of getting is a simple cheap video camera. In this new PPC, I have acquired just that!
Things I don't like about this unit:
The keyboard is a gimmick, much slower than the traditional win mobile input format. Although this device will take videos and pictures it will not send video and picture messages. The telephone does will not assign ring tone's to caller ID, I can only customize the main ring tone. This device really needs WiFi, especially with the exorbitant cost of data on cellular.
In summary, I love this device. While I miss the WiFi, I have nearly everything that my little iPAQ once delivered. Plus the ability to receive and send phone calls, and as an added bonus, I don't have to carry a digital camera around! My purse just got a lot roomier. This is not a device for people looking for a telephone with PDA functions, but rather for people looking for a pocket computer with telephone functions. I will be trying to find an SDIO flash memory with WiFi card to add that extremely important WiFi functionality to this device.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: worst phone

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 04:26:32 GMT

fischer7 submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 0 (out of 5)

I have never had such a horrible phone. Im on my second Adiovox 6600 as the first one kept freezing...the phone battery kept popping off, and the phone contacts are wiped off the phone daily. I was sent a second phone and it is still happening, Verizon refuses to give me a new phone even though I said I would take the cheapest phone available to replace this piece of junk. There is no good benifets to having this phone as the bad outways everything...Oh and I forgot the worst thing...The phone only rings about 1/10th of the time that a call comes in. I will drop verizon as a carrier if they do not do something immediately as I have had it.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Good for a time...

Sat, 20 May 2006 21:39:12 GMT

cingulamastah submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

This was probably the best phone when it came out... I purchased it about a year and a half ago. It's been the most useful, entertaining, and reliable pda/phone I've purchased. The windows mobile OS was great. However after long use of a year and a half the phone did not last it's course. The slider, which I had a gut feeling about became loose, the keyboard with it's rubber overlay (another gut feeling) wore down some of the keys so they were much harder to push. Worth the 450$ I paid? No way. I pay 450$ the phone better last me years. I had a cheap crappy simple nokia 5160 for 6 years and never had any problems it was 1/4th the price of this phone.

Pros:
Extremely powerful PDA
All the joys of WindowsOS
Backlit keyboard!
Big huge beautiful color screen
Rarely had an application fail (installed hundreds)
Lots of memory
Bluetooth works like a charm
Decent battery life for a PDA
Plays fancy games very nice!
Movies look great and sound great!
The headset (that comes with it) plays MP3s like a cheap boom box but decent enough for a couple of earbuds.

Cons:
-The phone is not built to last.
-Slider is a ridiculous idea it's obvious it will wear out with the way it's built.
-Keyboard with a rubber overlay and a slider phone with flat edge? Gimmie a break it was designed to rip apart.
-At times the phone completely reset itself, I dropped it on my bed after a long day of work and lost all info? Wtf? Thank PDA heavens we have hotsync backup but too bad the hotsync doesn't recognize an existing user after a PDA reset to factory settings mysteriously so you have to copy and reinstall all programs manually. Lame.
-Many times have to soft reset due to freezing, for some bizarre reason. ut hey it's WindowsOS who hasn't had that problem?
-After long use of the slider phone the screen became affected, when raised to full length the video distorts with fuzzy colored sprites.
It takes so much memory to show an incoming call it refuses to answer at times.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: The Best Verizon Pocket PC So Far

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 01:50:23 GMT

daddyonthedell submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 5 (out of 5)

I know it's a bold statement, but not only do I own one WITH the camera, so does my fiance, and we both LOVE these phones. We have had our phones for a long time, and battery time is good, between 3-4 hours straight talk time, which is what anyone expects from all-digital phones nowadays. The screens on these are darn near perfect, as clear as can be, no wavy lines or dead pixels. Call reception is great, very rarely drop a call, no trouble on either end (VA). I have had to soft reset once or twice, but I consider that normal for a computer device. Now what's sad (and great) about this phone is that the camera in both picture and video mode is better than the XV6700, and the overall processor performance is faster, which didn't make alot of sense to me considering that on paper it should have been the other way around. Also, the keyboard and the TALK and END buttons are far more brighter than the XV6700. I make this comparison because I bought a XV6700 and almost immediately returned it because I was willing to accept a smaller screen, and I was excited about Windows Mobile 5, but I can't accept the fact that a newer phone is going to suck harder than the one I've had and depended on for so long. If your concern about getting Windows Mobile 5 was because it has ringer ID and picture ID, there are programs to add that to this phone. And everyone gripes about the speaker volume on this phone: just how loud do you need it to be? Has anyone ever heard the ringer on a Samsung i600? That's horrible! Oh, and on the XV6700, you have to hold the camera button down for 3 seconds before it activates...another sore point with me. This is by no means the BEST POCKET PC EVER, but as far as Verizon goes, with what youre given to choose from, forget about XV6700. Forget about Palm Treo 700w, it was worse and even slower. For a Windows-based Pocket PC on Verizon's network, coming from a long-time user of Pocket PC's, I recommend the XV6600 (and ONLY the camera version) to anyone.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Is this the one for you???

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 10:17:23 GMT

Amil01 submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Ok this phone has so many pros and cons I really think if you can tolerate the inconsistencies it may work out for you. Ok the fone obviously has a great screen and keyboard. The Microsoft platform makes it wonderful from afar but there are alot of problems that you have to adjust to such as the ringer, it rings too low but you know if you add a ringtone, put the phone on vibrate and ring and you will possibly get the call. The problem is sometimes it says unable to answer the call and there isnt a damn thing you can do about it but call back. Another thing I dont like about this fone is that for it will often ring once and drop into voicemail or sometimes it wont ring. If you have a bluetooth connected you cant answer using the headset all the time and by the time you do you missed the call. The volume is always too low to hear anyone without a doubt, here is your answer for that. You hold down the send button and the speakerphone will come on and if your in public turn it down, if not turn it all the way up and move forward. I do not like the way that Verizon knows absolutley nada about the phone and forget about calling in for a simple question coz there is a big chance that the rep is winging it like the rest of us.Also if you have Verizon switch to T-Mobile if possible coz Verizon charges you to download a simple pic msg. If you dont have a unlimited data pkg they will charge you at their discression with no explanations for the charges coz noone in the company can explain any of the data charges. Also the phone is too bulky to attach to your waist and wear comfortably so forget about it! I really hate the way the phone locks up about every couple months(if ur lucky) and reseting the thing is the biggest pain coz you are forced to redo all of your ringtones picture photos and it takes forever to get the setting just right. IF YOU CAN ADJUST TO ALL THE BLIPS IT CAN BE A FAIRLY DECENT PALM/FONE if this is too much work for you you may want to try the Palm Treo.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Great phone, not as bad as people put it out to be

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:21:52 GMT

byoung submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

This is a great phone. I work in the wireless industry and see and use many different phones & PDA's. This one here is great, very easy to use/sync with your computer.

By the way, contrary to the previous review, it does have a speakerphone! Press & hold the green "send" button for 2-3 seconds. It will then pop a little message up telling you that it is on.

Pros:
*Windows based
*shortcut buttons below & above the screen.
*Shows upcoming events on the main screen
*Has an external antenna port on the back
*battery life is much better than expected!
*infrared/bluetooth
*menu setup

Cons:
*very low ringer/weak vibrating
*no voice dialing

I would recommend this phone/PDA to the consumer.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: We Can't win

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 20:36:57 GMT

User Review: I thought it was just ok

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 03:49:24 GMT

Kel42069 submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

Well as of now 2-5-06 I've had this phone for about a week and a half and I think it's just an ok phone but now for me I sold my Samsung A880 to get this and I miss my A880 but here are my pro's and con's.
PROS-
1.All the cool programs that you can install
2.Good memory
3.keyboard (great for typing it's better than the screen keyboard)
4.big nice screen
5.Awesome web browsing
6.Windows Media Player
CONS-
1.Camera-WORST camera I have ever seen on a phone people considering getting this phone your better off getting the cameraless version (6601)
2.Very low ringtones-you will miss calls
3.Slow and buggy I have to reset it sometimes a couple of times a day and it can be slow and take awhile to load things
4.screen gets dirty a lot
5.sometimes hard to type on the onscreen keyboard
So overall I think if you want a Pocket PC just get a regular one and stick with a regular type phone.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Yet another review

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:56:54 GMT

jpatota submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 1 (out of 5)

This phone it the bane of my existence. I urge anybody in the market for the xv6600 to please listen to my experiences and make your decision accordingly. I have created a list of minimum expectations of PDA's in general which anybody, regardless of the device they are looking for, should make sure their investment meets in order for it to bring the functionality and reliability you really do need. The full version is avb at http://johnpatota.com/xv66000.htm

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Nice Try, but...

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 02:12:49 GMT

saaoi submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 1 (out of 5)

Been using this phone for Bus/Pers use for 2 years. At first Excited because it was Pocket PC based and I'm a Windows Power user. Sync w/Outlook is Fantastic, ability to charge while in cradle is great. Screen is clear but difficult to see in sunlight. Sound quality overall good, but Sprint coverge is spotty at best in S. California.

Cons: Battery life not good, software freezes frequently and decides to randomly freak-out, requiring system resets far to often. Headset jack is not standard size and stereo ONLY works with handsfree (included) wired headset if you want to use it as MP3 player. Side screws seem to loosen up too easily causing stylus to fall out & at $$ for 3 it gets kind of pricey! Buttons over time have become unresponsive. It was a nice try, but overall the phone wasn't built to last and for the $700 price tag when it was released I expected a whole lot more.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: awesome device

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 02:20:54 GMT

rogeen submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

In regard to saving calls to contacts - this device can do that - Am I missing something? You Tap and hold on the call in your calls log and pick "save to contacts". I found the spin up on theis device to be frustrating - like other folks I had the volume travails, and resolved them by uploading my own ringtone, got a good holster for it, set the button lock so I wouldn't inadvertantly turn it on while carrying it, got a little app called SPB pocket plus that allows changing wallpaper, setting icons and changing menus, made saving web content really easy, and a bunch of other nice items, I put a memory card in it, so I can play 1GB of MP3s on WMP9 - nice! I can't say enought good things about this device.

Oh - one other thing - for the folks who say this cant be used with one hand - wrong! You can arrow through stuff just fine on this phone with the directional pad - I can find numbers in my list and dial with one finger!

Even the new Treos with Windows won't play TV like this thing will, with the kind of screen size and clarity - esepcially on Verizon's EVDO network - slammin quality, no lags...

Pros: almost everything

Cons: learning curve, need to spend a decent amount of time setting it up correctly and getting used to using it. I too almost sent it back and I am SO glad I did not -

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: I hate this devise

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 04:30:32 GMT

psychofran submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 1 (out of 5)

OK, first confession - I am not a techno wizard. I got this devise on the advice of the verizon guy. I've happily used PDA's on Palm platform for about 10 years and also needed a way to get on the internet to check e-mail when away from computers. I'd initially intended to get the Treo but the Verizon sales guy said I'd be much better off with this.
Here are my complaints: the battery life is dreadful and since an incoming call can turn on the devise - you can not be using it and discover that the battery has drained when you do need it.
It is a rotten phone. Ringer is too quiet so you miss calls. And others can't hear me well regardless of the headset (wired or bluetooth) that I've used.
Ergonomically - it's a disaster. You generally need three hands to operate it. I've even installed voice command but the devise is cumbersome to hold and manipulate.

OK, so I can tell you the weather in Tokyo for the next 5 days and the screen is pretty but it has been far more hassle than help in my life.

Unless you enjoy programming - stick with something more user friendly.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: My 6600

Sun, 18 Dec 2005 06:32:17 GMT

BIGHOPS2000 submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

ITS EVRYTHING YOU WANT IN A PHONE/PDA SO ILL SKIP TO THE FEW FAULTS THAT IT HAS AND HOW TO COPE WITH THEM

-yes, the ringtones and call volume are surprisingly soft. still, on full volume you WILL hear it. It just isnt your typical "annoy everyone around you when your phone rings" type phone. Anyone in a professional environment wont have a problem.

-the platform can't be updated. anything that can't be done on this platform can be done in a 3rd party application. If you don't want to pay for one...then you must not want the features bad enough. the feature were plenty during its release period.

-The pictures look great in the scope but one you hit "capture"...ewwwwww. They still look good once you transfer them over to your PC. And its a PDA phone....screw the camera. its good to have but really who buys a PDA becuase its has a "good camera"

-Battery life could be better. with the retractable usb sync cable/charger you won't care or have this problem.
BUY THIS PHONE

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Awesome - Finally a Super Smartphone that Works

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 22:12:20 GMT

ghdavis submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

Greetings... I have been actively searching for a "Do it All" smart phone for almost two months to replace my Palm T5 (great box) & cell phone. First attempt - I purchased a Palm Treo and was forced to use Earthlink (they use Sprint as their backbone), not a good combo. Treo is clean looking, design, etc. Bad Email / Internet service (mega slow because of WiFi)clumsey KB. Used it three day's sent it back. Second try - purchased the new Blackberry with T-Mobile. Old technology, very feature poor and the wort part was T-Mobile. Sent it back. Walked into a Verizon wireless store, noticed the xv66oo on the wall, inquired about it and purchased it, with service, for a paltry $150. HEAVEN! Broad Band Internet (DSL Speeds, not WiFi dial up)Push Email including Lotus, HeRes camera, voice recorder, streaming video, GREAT cell phone!

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Satisfied with Overall Quality

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:51:49 GMT

allier submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

While this PPC has a few faults as many of the other posters have described in detail, it's overall quality is impressive. I have had the phone for over six months now and it has done a great job of reducing the amount of paper and clutter in my personal and professional life. It takes some time to get used to but with a few software installs and accessory purchases, it easily outdoes most, if not all, of what's on the market right now. I'd be lost now with its keyboard.

I still haven't found a case or bluetooth headset that I like though so if anyone has any recommendations on those or a software program you can't live without, I would love to hear them.

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Looks Good on Paper... Do NOT Buy!

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 05:25:34 GMT

NWJazzMan submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 1.5 (out of 5)

Pros:
- once in a while the synchronization works
- good speaker
- good character recognition
- Verizon's broadband internet is nice (when in an area supporting it)
- MP3 is adequate, but no comparison to my iPod

Cons:
- no way to program phone to retrieve vmail off my office system. Tech support no help.
- speed dialing (hold down a programmed number) infrequently works. Real buttons would work much better.
- ringer volume way too low (and WHY should anyone have to download an adequate ringtone??)
- synchronization works some days, frequently craps out. Since it will resume working without any intervention it is my phone or the carrier.
- the software which supposedly keeps your password, does not. You will get used to frequently re-entering your login information.
- no voice commands (my fault for not finding out before purchase)
- battery life is a joke. By 3:30pm get warnings about remaining power. Don't even think about 2 days on standby.
- frequent crashes.
- so-called "push" setting for email will deliver incoming email in about 40 minutes.
- camera: joke

I have Verizon service. I give the tech support folks good marks. The phone however is unreliable and doesn't even have features of phones I had 10 years ago (voice dial, and programming for message retrieval). I switched to the XV6600 from a Treo 600, after my Blackberry. I am going back to a Blackberry 7250 next week. Blackberry is bullet proof even though it doesn't look as good on paper...

BUY THIS PHONE ONLY IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO B**** ABOUT.
Jazz

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Uggggh!!

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:33:59 GMT

brendybrat submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 1 (out of 5)

I've had this phone for just over 3 months. I am a busy real estate agent and MUST be organized and have my contacts readily available at all times. I read the important information about not letting the battery and/or backup battery go dead or you will lost all of your information (calendar, contacts, appointments, etc). It was working just fine until this morning. I came into my office to find my phone DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! DEAD!!! EVERYTHING GONE! All of my appointments, schedule, escrow numbers, EVERYTHING. I almost died. Last night my main battery (not backup battery) was on 50%, which is above average for when I turn it off for the night. So, something went terribly wrong. I heard that smart phones can get a "virus" via the bluetooth connection which kills your battery really quickly. Maybe that's what happened. I don't know. All I know is I'm off to buy another regular phone, just the basics from now on!! And, a paper and pencil organizer!!!

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: Good Phone/PDA Combo, But Be Careful

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:19:24 GMT

petedoggydogg1976 submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 3 (out of 5)

a) Make sure to get a car charger and at least 1 travel/extra charger.
b) It works great *because* I've hardly installed anything on it. (I learned my lesson with older PDA's. Never install shareware on your 'live' PDA. Alywas test it first.)
c) Best Practices dictate that all software is to be tested prior to installing on your 'production' equipment.
d) I can't get backup to work, either to the SD card, or as an STG file (created via ActiveSync's backup utility.)
e) I've never used the BlueTooth on the device, so I have no comment on that.
f) It is a Windows device, so get used to resetting it regularly. I recommend proactively resetting it, perhaps every other day, or once a week. That way, it won't tell you "Unable to answer call" when you need to take the call!
g) This is a huge improvement over the Audiovox Thera that it replaced for me.
h) The volume does suck, although I may have hearing issues, and furthermore, there may be certain carries that the earpiece doesn't sound as well when connecting to.
i) As with any computer or PDA, do not give it too much to do. Be patient, give it one thing at a time to do, and regularly use the 'Stop' button on the 'Running Programs' tab within the Memory utility, to prevent crashes, slowness, and hangups.
j) If you are not a gadget freak, or an I.T. Professional, I do not recommend this device.
k) If you are, and you can get a good price, go for it. Or, just wait until the Treo 650 comes out on Windows, which is soon...

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)

User Review: PP660

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:56 GMT

Themis submitted this review of the Audiovox PPC-6600 / PPC-6601 / XV6600 (HTC Harrier):

Overall rating: 2 (out of 5)

Terrible ringers, can not be heard most of the time. Because of this, I have numerous miss calls.

Same goes for the alarm sound. The only ringer, you can actually set it on, is the (jig) sound. Which is the loudest that comes with these cellular PPC-6600.

I can not assign ringtones, after I was advised this service is available. I guess it was just to sell me the cellular. But, if I am wrong and this feature is available, can someone tell me how?

I am about to contact the manufacturer tomorrow, I want a different cellular. Not satisfy with this cellular at all.

Thanks,
Themis

(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)