T-Mobile launches downmarket HTC Touch Viva as MDA Basic
By Sean Cooper 
posted Jan 15th 2009 7:35AM
posted Jan 15th 2009 7:35AM
T-Mobile Germany's MDA Basic is just that friends, a no muss no fuss affair for those looking for more than a feature phone -- at least in some regards -- can offer, at bargain basement prices. We've covered all the details on the HTC Touch Viva set, but to refresh it includes a 2 megapixel camera, GSM / EDGE, TouchFLO 2D, WiFi, and even GPS. It's a bit mad that basic sets now includes things we only could dream about a couple years ago, GPS in a $6 Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro device is always OK with us. This set should stumble into retail in early February for about €4.95 (roughly $6.50) on a two year contract.Update: I guess adding Germany would help folks figure out where they can pick this thing up, huh? Thanks Matt.
With an name like MDA Basic, is anyone likely to buy it?
I mean who wants the basic of anything?
It's all for the up-sell isn't it? They'll probably tell you that for $6.50 you can get the basic version, but if you pat just a little bit mohre, you can get an MDA Compact IV!
It does beg the question why they even bother charging $6.50 on a 24 month contract though.
Know see why cant tmo USA get devices with this type of pricing, I mean sure its basic, but at that kind of price i would probably pick it up over the behold, at least with winmo you have some freedom as far as apps go, where the behold is locked up for the most part!
I mean come on $6 on a 2 year contract, tmo usa still wants $20 for the original RAZR,
do they really make that much more of each user each month over there?
What the hell are you saying now?
Yeah - I wonder what they'll charge out of contract. If you could really buy this phone on its own for less than $100 it'd be perfect for people like me who are out of contract, but waiting for a better Pre / Android Phone before they use their upgrade credits.
Also, aren't 2-year contracts the exception in Euroland rather than the rule?
Hey Sean, have you considered mentioning in your article whether this is T-Mobile Germany, or T-Mobile US? I can tell you're talking Europe by the pricing quote, but still...
This is a wonderful blog!