Well we're sold. T-Mobile looks to be prepping the
Shadow as a
launch-off point for a whole line of consumer-friendly fancyphones that can finally give the Sidekick some competition in T-Mobile's lineup, and this first Shadow certainly doesn't miss its mark. The HTC hardware itself is pretty much spot on in every aspect, with a bright screen, solid slider action, thumb-friendly tactile keypad, smooth scroll wheel and a pocket-friendly form factor. We can't say we're crazy about this copper color, but it's subtle enough, and it's really a question of taste. Typing was a breeze on the SureType-esque keyboard, and while we wish the soft keys were a bit bigger, that's about our only caveat. It is a bit of a chore to slide open the phone and close it without resting your thumb on the screen, so smudgephobia types might have some difficulty, but we're basically resigned to that fate with any phone this glossy. Unfortunately, while T-Mobile has done its best at wrapping up Windows Mobile 6 with a glossy interface, it's still Windows Mobile, and we found the whole interface a bit sluggish. The main screen is also a bit short on data, since T-Mobile has monopolized it with those fave five. WiFi was a snap to set up, but that doesn't mean we're entirely OK with EDGE data as 2007 is coming to a close, and the slow processor wasn't helping our browsing experience either. If those few foibles can be overlooked, this could be your ticket out of smartphone monotony when it hits on October 31st for $149.99.
posted Oct 29th 2007 1:43PM
The UI is better than I expected. It looks great. The sluggishness of the device is due to the screen size was increased but the processor is still the same crap 200MHz that clocks in at 186 MHz. T-Mobile is always getting the 200mHz processor WM phones. What gives. I personally think its just HTC's way of making phones. I think all the 300~400mHz phones have 3G pre-built in and HTC makes phones without 3G technology but it has the low-end processor since without 3G its a low-end phone. Makes the most sense. So Once T-Mobile gets 3G, they get faster phones (network and processor wise).
JAmerican
Screen size increaesed? It's the same 240x320 resolution as the other HTC models TMobile has.
Screen size and pixel size are two different things. The screen is 2.6" while the standard WM standard/smartphone screen is usually 2.4" like the Dash.
JAmerican
Screen size and pixel size are two different things, understood, but that doesn't affect its performance to cause its "sluggishness". All the OS know is the pixel size are the same. It doesn't care if 240x320 is from a 2.6" or a 10 feet screen.
@JAmerican:
> Screen size and pixel size are two different things.
Actually, they're not, since once dictates the other for any given resolution. What you meant is resolution, which is independent of screen size. And as dorseto said, for any given resolution it doesn't matter what the physical size of the screen is, the processor still has to push around the same amount of pixels.
While I don't know for certain if it will work on this phone, Battery Meter freeware will overclock other HTC WM6 phones quite nicely.
My Wing is running at a noticeably snappier 273MHz, switchable back to 200MHz with a tap of the screen.
Any videos of the Shadow in action?
The folks at Gizmodo have a nice explaination up
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/shadow-ui-vid/vid-t+mobile-htc-shadows-5+way-and-wheel-ui-316171.php
Phonescoop has its own walk-thru as well, though I'm not exactly impressed by the narator's oratory abilities
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=161&p=67
Nevermind, I found a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGg3NRrT9yU
LOL! Thanks, blitzkrieg999.
so what's with the miniUSB/extUSB splitter? does this have a different small connector on the side ala StrTrk or is the side port an extUSB one as well like my Dash?
its so you can charge the phone and use the headset at the same time.
Might not be the best device on the market, but probably the cheapest WM device out there. More pictures of the interface here http://htcsource.com
such a shame about the 200mhz processor. i nearly flung my SDA which uses the same processor across the room today because it was being so dog slow... and now they put the myfaves interface on it? ewww. lets see how much more we can bog this thing down... :(
Agreed, my HTC Touch has the 200 MhZ processor and it's easily the weak point of the whole machine (that and the typing). Things are so sluggish, it really affects usability. Of course, with a faster processor, it'd probably be 30% bigger with 30% less battery life, but I'm not sure that's such a bad trade-off.
oh, and how is the camera? because the 1.3mp camera on my SDA is awful. the 640x480 pictures i used to take on my old motorola V300 were better quality than the camera on the SDA.
I want this phone very much, but it's going to cost me $430 =[
Since this has Wifi, does anyone know if this is compatible with the HotSpot@Home feature which allows you to make calls through your home wifi?
Example: http://www.t-mobile.com/promotions/TwoDeviceHotSpot.aspx?Passet=Pro_Pro_TwoPhoneAtHomeLP_b
@ HardD99
It has WiFi but does not have H@H capability.
I was hoping for WiFi, H@H, and 3G but I guess I have to wait for the next WM device from T-Mobile (Kaiser in Q1/Q2 2008).
hey guys had a quick question, i am considering this device, but had a question, did you guys get a retail box version, if so, what else came in the box, i know tmob has been good about including cases, my mda came with one, and my dash came with on as well, just wandering if you could let me know, thanks...
There's an unboxing picture in the gallery of this article. Here's a direct link:
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/gallery/hands-on-with-the-t-mobile-shadow/462561/
HTC is one of the the pride of Taiwan!
LG Chocolate, anyone?
No thanks, I'll pass, I was told me not to take candy from strangers, unless it's Halloween, of course.
--------
I hope you weren't trying to draw any connection between the two. I get it, they're both sliders with scroll wheels--one touch sensitive, the other a physical scroll wheel--but, beyond that, completely different.
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-batterystatus-v0-04-203.html
Free WM6 overclocking utility
Hmm an unlocked version of one these would go nicely as a mate for my BlackBerry.
I want to upgrade my t-mobile phone. I am looking at either the Shadow or the Blackberry Pearl or Curve. Can anyone suggest which one is better?
@bachviet
How strong is your infor on when the Kaiser will be available on Tmob? The only mention I have found that TMob will be caring it is the user manual that Engadget posted on the FCC site but I haven't come across a timeline any where. I would love to get a Kaiser but I have absolutley no desire to sign with ATT.
Thanks