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(More customer reviews)I will admit to initially having some of the same frustration(s) with this device, to which others have alluded, and I, also, considered returning it within the thirty-day period allotted by Verizon. However, the capabilities of the HTC Touch Pro are extensive, and I found it difficult to fully appreciate everything the device can do in six weeks, let alone three or four.
First, my hands and fingers are larger than average, but I've found it easy and quick to navigate using the touch-screens and buttons. I use the stylus from time-to-time, and my experience is that it is sometimes necessary to use it when objects are crowded close together on the touch-screen, but I found this to be an infrequent necessity. The keyboard is very good, though I initially found the odd placement of the letter "M" a little disconcerting, but I did eventually get used to its location. These are certainly things one can try out in any Verizon store, and don't have to be left to chance; the same with build-quality, which I've found to be very good, check it out to your own satisfaction.
I use my Touch Pro mainly for business and am a heavy user of Microsoft Outlook Tasks, Calendar, and Contacts, so easy synchronizing these things with the same items on my desktop PC is very important to me; the HTC Touch Pro does this very well, though I'd have liked the Verizon Wireless Sync capability included with the basic data package, without having to pay extra for wireless sync. But I've gotten used to synchronizing by using the USB cable; it's quick and easy.
Setting up the device to download my email from four different email accounts, and four different providers, was easy and quick. One just types in the email address and password (you only have to do this once at setup) for an account and the device software does most of the rest. I did not find it necessary to download any additional software for this. I just followed the directions in the user guide. For each account, you can choose from a variety of time-intervals for checking your email (5 min., 10 min., 15 min., 30 min., 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, or once per day), or you may check manually in just seconds.
At first, I did find the operating system seemed to slow down or freeze from time-to-time. Invariably, this was due to having too many programs running at once, a condition cured with two touches on the main screen (with two touches, you can close any one program or close all open programs). Also, I found that getting photos and music off the device and onto a memory card resulted in faster operation. The device has a lot of memory, relatively speaking, but keep in mind that it has a lot of programs and capability. Re-setting the device (soft-reset, that is) is also a solution, but probably should only be done with the same frequency as you do it on your desktop or laptop--which is, hopefully, infrequently. If the device completely freezes, of course, your choices may be limited to a re-set. You may find, as I did, that once you learn how to get around in the device, moving more efficiently between and among its functions and programs, the incidence of freezing will drop to zero.
This is a great device for business, though the 3D TouchFLO interface (an I-Phone-like experience) seems fun to use and may be easier for some to navigate to more frequently used functions; I don't use this interface much, preferring the--perhaps more boring--"TODAY screen" interface and the full complement of functions available through menu choices. In any case, I found there are a number of ways of accomplishing typical tasks, some easier and quicker than others. For instance, text messaging, of which I do a lot with my daughter, is as easily accessible as it is for a regular cell phone; just three or four quick touches will get you there with the Touch Pro. For receiving a text message, a notification link takes you to the read/reply screen with only one touch.
In the end I've reacted positively to this device, especially for business. And I very much like the familiar "Windows" look and feel. Among those things for which I have less appreciation are: Cost (it's a pricey phone from Verizon); the highly polished, piano-black finish, is easily smudged with fingerprints; there is an atypically long delay in the phone ringing when a call comes in--the person calling will hear five rings while you will have heard only two--even if you're in the same room. Incidentally, in the event you plan to get your device from a non-Verizon source, you might want to check with Verizon to see if you might be by-passing some benefit (like "new-every-two" or a credit on a new phone when your plan expires--just a thought).
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HTC Touch Pro XV6850 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)Get down to business and stay close to all your most important contacts and documents while on the go with the HTC Touch Pro Smartphone for Verizon Wireless, which combines a slide-out QWERTY keyboard paired with HTC's intuitive, graphic-rich TouchFLO 3D touchscreen user interface. The TouchFLO 3D user interface responds perfectly to your finger gestures when scrolling through contacts, browsing the web, and launching media--all vividly displayed as photos and artwork on the 2.8-inch screen powered by the 3D graphics processor. And with the power of the updated Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, you'll stay easily connected to your business and personal data on the go with support for a wide variety of email accounts as well as the ability to edit Microsoft Office documents.
Accessing information and entertainment on-the-go is made simple with the Opera Web browser, which enables Web pages to be viewed in the format they were originally designed to be viewed on the HTC Touch Pro's vivid 2.8-inch VGA display. You'll also benefit from the phone's Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) and built-in A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, Windows Media Player 10 digital audio and video player, MicroSD memory expansion up to 16 GB, and up to 4.2 hours of talk time.
Verizon Wireless Service With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps that can be quickly panned and zoomed. Other features include weather updates for a location without knowing the ZIP code, optional rerouting based on current traffic conditions, and a gas finder feature for finding recent gas prices in your area and getting directions to gas stations.
With BroadbandAccess Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
Wireless Sync always-on email service (subscription required), you can stay connected and get the job done while away from the office--without a delay and in a secure environment. Email is delivered to your device in real time across the National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area, and you get the ability to forward large attachments via email as well as access both your personal and corporate emails on one device. Wireless Sync offers strong security with AES encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard) technology so that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter application data transmitted over wireless networks.
Personalize your phone using the VZAppZone, a mobile marketplace that allows you to browse and purchase content and add-on applications. You'll get weather updates for up to five locations, news updates from Reuters, and a storefront for discovering and downloading ringtones, wallpaper and applications.
Phone Features With the TouchFLO 3D interface, HTC has taken a great leap forward in touchscreen innovation. It's designed for one-hand operation using simple, gesture-based navigation, allowing you to simply touch, hold and slide along the screen tabs. A quick slide on the home screen quickly activates the most used features such as e-mail, text messaging, music player and camera. This instinctive interface extends to the powerful Web browser, where a useful "zoom in, zoom out" feature makes it especially easy to access the Web via the included Opera browser, which provides for desktop-like Web page renderings and user interactions. An integrated accelerometer senses when you change the position of the phone from portrait to landscape viewing, and it auto-rotates the screen's orientation.
The HTC Touch Pro features a sharp, 262K-color 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen (480 x 640 pixels) for touch-sensitive navigation control, complete with three-dimensional animated transitions. For email, messaging and other data input, the HTC Touch Pro also comes equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the smartphone's side.
Business users can choose from several popular platforms to access your corporate e-mail. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform offers seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook information including email, contacts, calendar and to-do lists. You can access and edit email attachments using mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint.
In addition, the HTC Touch Pro supports scores of industry-specific applications as well as Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM), an enterprise-grade mobile device management solution that also provides security, mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) and software distribution for Windows Mobile devices enabled for Windows Mobile 6.1. For maximum flexibility, customers can choose to use either the classic Windows Mobile interface or HTC's acclaimed TouchFLO 3D graphical interface, which makes popular applications easily available at the swipe of a finger.
This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity with EDR (enhanced data rate), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You'll also be able to access open Wi-Fi networks in offices and hotspots via the integrated 802.11b/g wireless connectivity.
Other features include:
3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus; video capture up to CIF resolution (352 x 288 pixels)
Windows Media Player compatible with MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV file formats
512 MB of ROM, 288 MB of RAM
Compatible with ActiveSync 4.5 and Windows Mobile Device Center
Support for polyphonic ringtones as well as real-music ringers
Voice command capable.
MicroSD memory card expansion (up to 16 GB capacities)
WorldCard Mobile business card reader
USB 2.0 connectivity with mass storage capabilities
Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PAN (personal area networking), PBA (transfer contacts)
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3
Vital Statistics The HTC Touch Pro weighs 4.94 ounces and measures 4.17 x 2.04 x 0.71 inches. Its 1340 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.2 hours of talk time, and up to 350 hours (14.6 days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as Verizon Wireless's EV-DO data network.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 offers 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 6.1, 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 6.1 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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