Non-HTC Windows Smartphone recommendation

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Non-HTC Windows Smartphone recommendation

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Mikeydav

Dec 10 2007, 01:58

Post #1

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Hi,

I own / have owned 5 Windows Smartphones in my time, 3 off C500s, a C600 (current phone) and an M500 (current but not used).

As you can guess from the title I have decided to buy another (if I can find one I like) and I am determined it won't be made by HTC. Reason ? Well, because of the appalling build quality which is acceptable (ish) if they are free on a contract but just plain aweful otherwise. Never again.

Anyway I am floundering because there seems to be so small a choice if you exclude HTC. I *really* need / want a phone which has only 20 keys (ie not a full qwerty kbd). I don't want a touchscreen (I don't particularly object if it does have one, but I am going to use the kbd exclusively even if it does). I *must* have line2 because I will turn old and grey without and line2 is my secret talisman against this, so...

If I could have everything then it would have a slideout or clamshell kbd because unwanted calls to the emergency services grew old after around the 20,000th time it happened and some of the staff send me texts because they get worried if they don't hear from me for a few weeks. (OK I made that up :-)

But the key (ahem) criterion is NOT MADE BY HTC. Sorry to shout but I have really had it with HTC.

A clamshell version of the C500 that was made by Nokia would be perfect but I know there isn't one... So, any ideas ?

Many thanks,

Mike

Mikeydav

Dec 13 2007, 19:24

Post #2

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That's a "No" then, is it ?

Mike

conan_troutman

Dec 13 2007, 21:04

Post #3

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Device(s): Qtek 8310 with latest Rom

toshiba protege g900
or HO ipaq 514

there the only other two I think would be possible contenders to HTC, for me personally maybe not for others

Monolithix

Dec 14 2007, 09:56

Post #4

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Device(s): HTC TyTN II

I've been playing with a Samsung i620 recently and its a great device (review coming up!). Either that or wait out for the i640 which has a 2.4" screen over the i620s 2.2".

They're available from www.expansys.com (i620) or eventually Vodafone (i640)

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Paul (MVP)

Dec 14 2007, 11:05

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Device(s): HTC Advantage

i640 out NOW on Voda I think?

P

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Mikeydav

Dec 14 2007, 11:45

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QUOTE(Monolithix @ Dec 14 2007, 09:56)

From your experience, can you tell me whether the i620 supports Line2 facility ? I _really_ need that. I'm not over-enamoured of the full qwerty keyboards on phones and I wish someone would bring out a slider / clamshell Smartphone with a decent kbd.

Mike

Paul (MVP)

Dec 14 2007, 11:56

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Device(s): HTC Advantage

All Smartphones SHOULD as it's in the base OS, but of course you can't be sure until you try

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Mikeydav

Dec 14 2007, 20:20

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QUOTE(Paul (MVP) @ Dec 14 2007, 11:56)

All Smartphones SHOULD as it's in the base OS, but of course you can't be sure until you try

That's why I am asking

I take it that it's not a facility you have actually used yourself then ?

Mike

Monolithix

Dec 15 2007, 19:29

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Device(s): HTC TyTN II

Sorry, it's gone back now so can't check! Like Paul says though, it should be a supported feature in all WM Standard/Smartphone devices...

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Mikeydav

Dec 21 2007, 14:12

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QUOTE(conan_troutman @ Dec 13 2007, 21:04)

toshiba protege g900

Well to save other people the trouble I've just been put through I will show what Toshiba tech support said about the G500 the _second_ time I contacted them. (The first time they said the exact opposite, but then that was before I ordered the phone - sigh) :

"Our engineering manager gave me the information below;

This is part of the Orange UK CPHS function.

ALS (Alternate Line Service) is not implemented on the G500.

It has never been implemented on any of our phones.

It is quite difficult to implement, and is only needed for <5% of the
customers on 1 network that we did not sell the phone to.

There is also no plan to implement this on our products as it's specific
to Orange and the G500/G900 will not appear in their portfolio."

So as a warning to anyone else who needs a Line2 phone obviously don't buy a Toshiba.

Cheers,

Mike

Paul (MVP)

Dec 21 2007, 14:59

Post #11

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And there was me thinking it was a standard Smartphone OS function! Clearly not!

P

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Mikeydav

Dec 21 2007, 15:17

Post #12

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QUOTE(Paul (MVP) @ Dec 21 2007, 14:59)

And there was me thinking it was a standard Smartphone OS function! Clearly not!

The functionality seems to be present in the OS because the menu to switch lines in "Settings/Phone/Call Options" is present but you get a "Cannot save settings..." error if you actually try it.

So a special plead to all reviewers to actually try using Line2 before sending the phone back :-)

Note also that there seems to be a generic part of all Smartphones Manuals which mentions the Line2 / ALS because the G500 manual I downloaded from "http://www.toshiba-europe.com/mobile/images/G500_UG_EN_V2.0_for%20web.pdf" mentions Line2 / ALS on pages 22 and 23 even though the phone does not support it.

Soi my questions stands :

What non-HTC Smartphones are there which definitely *do* support LIne2 ?

Many thanks,

Mike

This post has been edited by Mikeydav: Dec 21 2007, 15:20

Paul (MVP)

Dec 21 2007, 15:44

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I would happily do so, but I don't have a Line 2 enabled SIM to test it!

P

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Mikeydav

Dec 21 2007, 15:55

Post #14

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QUOTE(Paul (MVP) @ Dec 21 2007, 15:44)

I would happily do so, but I don't have a Line 2 enabled SIM to test it!

Well, all you need is a time travel machine, the requisite spondulicks and Oranges sales number :-)

Mike

Paul (MVP)

Dec 21 2007, 16:24

Post #15

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Oh, easy peasy then

I used to have Line 2, before Orange drove me away

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Mikeydav

Dec 28 2007, 12:58

Post #16

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QUOTE(conan_troutman @ Dec 13 2007, 21:04)

toshiba protege g900
or HO ipaq 514
there the only other two I think would be possible contenders to HTC, for me personally maybe not for others

Well, unfortunately I seem to have lucked out here as well. I didn't get a reply directly from HP when I tried, but Expansys gave the answer below which seems to be pretty finally "no" as well :-(

Cheers,

Mike

> Hi,
>
> I am considering buying an HP iPaq 514 Windows Smartphone and I have a
> question
> about this phone :
>
> I need to know for definite whether it supports the ALS (Alternate Line
> Service) facility or not ?
>
>>
>> many thanks for your enquiry , please be advised that we don't
>> believe it does as per your request
>>
>> Kind Regards
>> eXpansys.com

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