Verizon's Touch Pro gets HTC-style introduction
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Nov 23rd 2008 1:23PM
posted Nov 23rd 2008 1:23PM
[Thanks, Leindurstit]
posted Nov 23rd 2008 1:23PM
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
why did verizon have to screw with the keyboard. i was seriously considering this phone until i saw that it lost about 10 keys and that the up arrow is between the n and m. NOT Cool
Doesn't the Sprint vs AT&T vs the Telus(I think) models also have a different keyboard set with the Sprint one maybe being the best of the group?
+1 to that. The time is approaching to switch to AT&T -- if for no other reason than the incomprehensible decisions Verizon makes with their phone designs. Isn't this crippled with respect to hardware too? Slower, less RAM or ROM?
I agree on the keyboard comment. I guess I'll just have to get used to it, since I'm tied to Verizon cause my woman can't afford the minutes if I go to another carrier. I do like the body shape a little bit more on this one than the fuze though.
@Juggernaut
As far as I can tell, the hardware is not crippled as originally suspected. Though the additional $50 price tag has me a little miffed.
@Bill
There was a leaked spec sheet that confirmed 192MB RAM (vs. 288MB in the Sprint/AT&T models, basically they took out a whole 96MB bank). No confirmation on the CPU speed, but history indicates that it will be a little slower, probably by around 20%, to improve what it likely to be a barely-adequate battery life.
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/12/touch-pro-launching-on-verizon-november-24-in-stores-december-1/
That said, rumors are floating about ppcgeeks and xda-developers that you can put the Sprint Touch Pro on Verizon with a lot of work -- and cooked ROMs are emerging with larger page pool sizes that significantly improve the OS performance on the device, which is something tech-savvy folks should look at regardless of their carrier.
@D
While yes it is spec'd with a lower amount of RAM it is not clear at this time whether it is physically less than the sprint or att editions or if it is how verizon is choosing to report it. Basically the OS could be eating those missing 96MB which leaves 192MB for the user which is the number Verizon is touting. If this was the case though, I must say I fail to understand the logic of it.
That being said I could be way off, but that was my impression so far.
I do remember reading on boygeniusreport.com that the processors are essentially the same, one being a revision that avoids Broadcom patent infringement. There has not been any underclocking as was initially speculated.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/11/12/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-verizon-wireless-touch-pro/
@Bill:
Interesting...the WM Experts' review of the Fuze lists 288MB RAM...but then indicates ~200MB total available. Though it says at most 72MB is taken up by Windows Mobile and Touch Flo 3D.
I guess we'll just have to wait until after December 1st to know for sure about the Verizon Touch Pro.
...I'm still getting a cooked ROM for the page pool increase though. :-)
Verizon customer support tells me December 1st...
Is it me or does the qwerty look retarded? What is wrong with VZW?
Dude, Shut up..
What in your right mind makes you think that VZW has anything to do with HARDWARE changes...
the Keyboard was HTC's call not VZW's..
The bigger question to me is where is the Touch Diamond? I remember hearing that was going to come out for Verizon first. With the lack of rumors or anything on HTC's website, I'm starting to think all they will get is the Touch Pro. If that's the case, I'm highly disappointed.
Verizon got the ppc6800 way before the 6900... the Touch Pro is replacing the 6800 and the Touch Diamond is replacing the 6900. Well, in Verizon's lineup anyway, so it makes since to get the Pro first... No, I'm not a Verizon fanboy. I, am actually in love with the Sprint Touch Pro. But, thats just my view on it all.
Sorry but HTC offering the phone with different configurations doesn't mean that Verizon had to chose the not so friendly keyboard. Verizon is known for changing things so why would it surprise you if they request hardware changes. The Fuze has the same number of keys with different mapping.
See the Fuze http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,1205,l%253D233849%2526a%253D233847%2526po%253D2,00.asp
See the Sprint Touch Pro
http://www.pcmag.com/image_popup/0,1871,s%3D1713%26iid%3D218039,00.asp
I love my Touch Pro the battery life sucked until I used the always trusted ppcgeeks websites. After some great hacks it works even better.
Sorry replied to the wrong comment. That one was for Kenshinffx
Keyboard - whacked
Form - looks less hand-friendly than my Sprint T-Pro
Did anyone else audibly laugh when they read 'best internet experience' and realized the text was referring to mobile internet explorer?
Hey guys, check this page here: http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Verizon-Tech-Tour---Fall-and-winter-lineup-article-a_3457.html
It makes mention of a Verizon rep who states an "around January" release for the Touch Diamond. That's what i'm waiting for. With T9 entry on screen, I can't justify the extra cost with having a QWERTY keyboard with a messed up layout, and an accelerometer.
I bet the price will be way lower too since it won't be the "pro" version, and it'll be after the popularity of the Storm settles down.
The read link to HTC is dead.
Glad some people are finally doing research on the processor. Everything I've read states that the 7500A and 7501A are identical minus the Broadcom infringement, so no underclocking here. They both run at the same speed.
As for that keyboard, it looks identical to the GSM Touch Pro. Not sure why VZW decided to keep it. The prototype VZW device that I used had the same keyboard as well, not sure if the production one will ship with it, though.
The phone is slated to be released 11/24.
Ok, I have one of the Verizon Touch Pro's. My question is: Can I use the BUILT IN GPS receiver without paying Verizon a $10 a month fee? How can they charge a fee for something that's built into the phone?
Assuming I can't get around the Verizon GPS gimp, is it possible to buy an unlocked phone that will work on the Verizon network?
Decided to go with the Verizon Touch Pro because Verizon's network in the Washington, DC area is unparalleled. Found out later how crippled the Verizon version is. Had to completely junk Touch Flow in favor of Spb Mobile Shell. Downloaded a few other essential pieces of software for it and then found that having outlook and a couple of other programs running at the same time creates memory problems. Additionally, the battery life is the worst I've every seen on any mobile device. With ActiveSync running (a must for push email), I can't even get through one workday without charging... and that's with taking NO CALLS whatsoever. The only thing keeping me from taking the Touch Pro back right now is the fact that I've spent considerable time and effort configuring it... torn.