HTC Touch will Bell Unlimited Browsing?

[Kipper is King]

I am looking for a cellphone, but I can't spend a lot of money, and I like to browse the Internet. (One website in particular)

I was excited upon hearing that Bell has a $10 Unlimited Mobile Browser add-on for any plan. Unfortunately, the only Windows Mobile phone compatible with this plan is the HTC Touch. I have heard mixed things about that phone.

For those of you who have tried the HTC Touch, do you like it? Does anyone have any other suggestions for phones or plans?

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I am looking for a cellphone, but I can't spend a lot of money, and I like to browse the Internet. (One website in particular)

I was excited upon hearing that Bell has a $10 Unlimited Mobile Browser add-on for any plan. Unfortunately, the only Windows Mobile phone compatible with this plan is the HTC Touch. I have heard mixed things about that phone.

For those of you who have tried the HTC Touch, do you like it? Does anyone have any other suggestions for phones or plans?

I have this phone and it's old now. It's not the greatest, but it does its job. The iPhone is a much, much better phone.

• Pros: Unlimited data
• Interface is pretty easy to use
• Can get weather/email updates very easily (not as good as blackberry though)

Cons

• Slow/laggish
• Occasionally will run out of memory (no idea why... just clear everything)
• Pretty outdated phone
• Screen gets scratched up easily
• My friends have the white ones and they had to get it fixed a couple times (blue one for me is fine)
• battery life isn't great... especially if you surf/talk a lot

If you ask me if I were to get the phone again? Hmmm yes but only because of the unlimited data. If you could get it with any other phone I definitely would. See how much it is to sign a 1 year vs 2 years. This phone by the end of 2 or 3 years would be like a vcr to blue ray.

It's not a great phone, but because of the unlimited data it's acceptable.
Grade Scale on the phone: B-

I heard the new HTC phones are much, much better. What type of use is it for? Recreational? Work?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I heard the new HTC phones are much, much better. What type of use is it for? Recreational? Work?

Not for work, just casual use. The problem is that a proper smartphone data plan costs so much more, and with any WM smartphone, I could use my Slingbox, which is much of the appeal for me.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

Not for work, just casual use. The problem is that a proper smartphone data plan costs so much more, and with any WM smartphone, I could use my Slingbox, which is much of the appeal for me.

Honestly, for this phone... it's either get a wicked phone plan deal or don't get it. Bell used to have a $5 for unlimited data for this. The phone is a tad glitchy, but it's supposedly pretty easy to hack. However, since it's so old, the hackers are moving on already.

I forgot to add, the big bonus is Google Maps. A lot of the times if I'm not exactly sure where anything is or whatever, I whip it out... GPS finds my location and tells me where I am, and how to get there. Also, the other big plus is if I'm in Vancouver and I want to know where McDonalds is... type it in and you'll get the closet and a list of them to choose from. Neat program.

Having data is huge bonus. But I'm guessing in the near future the data rates will plummet. I'm hearing rumors a couple big players are looking to come into Canada. Also, Bell is also going to GSM... just a FYI.

I could probably tell you anything about this phone so if there's any other questions just let me know!

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I forgot to add, the big bonus is Google Maps. A lot of the times if I'm not exactly sure where anything is or whatever, I whip it out... GPS finds my location and tells me where I am, and how to get there. Also, the other big plus is if I'm in Vancouver and I want to know where McDonalds is... type it in and you'll get the closet and a list of them to choose from. Neat program.

I hear that GPS can work on the phone without paying the absurd monthly fee for GPS to be activated?

Also, Bell is also going to GSM... just a FYI.

But they aren't going to leave all users under contract in the dust, will they? What impact could that have?

Also, another question for you...which keyboard do you find is the best? Any programs that are "must downloads"?

Thanks for all your help- I probably will go for the Touch. I can bear some glitches and a less than ideal interface if it gets me cheap unlimited data.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I hear that GPS can work on the phone without paying the absurd monthly fee for GPS to be activated?

Monthly fee for GPS? I have an older HTC P4000, the GPS chip became active when I updated the O/S to Windows Mobile 6.1 which was a free update. Didn't have to pay anything to get it working nor use it.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I hear that GPS can work on the phone without paying the absurd monthly fee for GPS to be activated?



But they aren't going to leave all users under contract in the dust, will they? What impact could that have?

Also, another question for you...which keyboard do you find is the best? Any programs that are "must downloads"?

Thanks for all your help- I probably will go for the Touch. I can bear some glitches and a less than ideal interface if it gets me cheap unlimited data.

Well I know you can hack the GPS so it can work without the monthly fee. However, I just use GoogleMaps and it works for me so I can't tell you how the Bell GPS works. I forgot my link cable in Edmonton so next time I head back I could try to hack it and report back.

Keyboard... there's a couple online you can try out or the ones they have for you. I downloaded the diamond keyboard and it's probably my favorite.

As for applications... Googlemaps definitely a must and try different browsing applications. My favorite is Opera, my friend likes sky fire. But I can't remember if they fixed it but it used to be in Opera, you had to use the keyboard with all the letters.... like a real keyboard and not the keyboard with 2/3 letters on it. I left my phone in the car and when I go to get it I'll let you know.

Also, with the interface, you can change it too. Some people added the Android interface, diamond interface etc. Not sure how well these work though. I was using the Android before it was finished and it was a tad glitchy but they should be done it now so it should be good.

No, Bell is still going to have CDMA still. They're only putting GSM for the olympics so they have lots of $$ from foreigners. But if you're looking at a GSM phone only, it might work for you now. (I'm not sure though)

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

my friend likes sky fire.

Skyfire is terrible. At least it is on my phone. Text always appears a little blurry even when zoomed in.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Monthly fee for GPS? I have an older HTC P4000, the GPS chip became active when I updated the O/S to Windows Mobile 6.1 which was a free update. Didn't have to pay anything to get it working nor use it.

For the touch, it comes with windows 6.1 HOWEVER, you have to go to the HTC website and download a new Bios. Once you do that, the GPS will be active.... at least for Googlemaps. I think they work on the same interface (not sure) but I know google maps triangulates by cell phone towers

[DrJ]

My buddy hates the phone with a passion. Everytime I see him, I swear, he literally wants to destroy it. TBQH, I have no idea why he doesn't like it and I've never used it.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by DrJ

My buddy hates the phone with a passion. Everytime I see him, I swear, he literally wants to destroy it. TBQH, I have no idea why he doesn't like it and I've never used it.

There are times where it drives me bonkers. Some annoying things like you can't change the alarm to something you want... at least I haven't been able to. You can change the ring tone though.

Sometimes when I'm surfing it'll be 'insufficient memory' and start going at turtle pace. Or if you open too many programs you have to close them for the phone to go back to 'normal' pace. But that said, having a cheap plan for unlimited data is priceless.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by DrJ

My buddy hates the phone with a passion. Everytime I see him, I swear, he literally wants to destroy it. TBQH, I have no idea why he doesn't like it and I've never used it.

I tried sky fire, it sucked. It would load slow and I try to click somewhere and then it would load when I clicked and go somewhere else.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

For the touch, it comes with windows 6.1 HOWEVER, you have to go to the HTC website and download a new Bios. Once you do that, the GPS will be active.... at least for Googlemaps. I think they work on the same interface (not sure) but I know google maps triangulates by cell phone towers

You sure about that? When I fire up google maps on my phone, I click on "activate GPS". Takes a few seconds but at the top of the screen, it says "seeking GPS Satellites" and will then show how many of them it is recieving signals from.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

You sure about that? When I fire up google maps on my phone, I click on "activate GPS". Takes a few seconds but at the top of the screen, it says "seeking GPS Satellites" and will then show how many of them it is recieving signals from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gqipmbcok

Watch around 1:20 mark. I'm not sure if they changed it, but I think if your phone has GPS it also does that.

[GoinAllTheWay]

I can't watch that vid atm as I don't have speakers at work. Looks like they were talking about the blue dot which is the "my location" button. As far as I know, the only thing that does on my phone is show me where I am (If I was panning around for instance, I tap that button and it snaps the map back to my current location).

The way I understand the function of the GPS on a cell phone is the GPS will show you were you are but needs and active cell line connection to actually download the part of the map you are currently in. You move around and the phone will use the cell line to continuously download and update that part of the map. Unlike a dedicated GPS device that likely has all of North America already installed on it.