My HTC Touch Diamond saga.
So I got the phone. And too, hated it. Not only because of the Windows Mobile platform, but because it took forever to do anything!
But I persevered, convinced it wasn’t the phone’s fault, but TouchFLO 3D. I was right.
TouchFLO 3D is by far the slowest software I’ve ever had to use. Pretty, definitely. Functional, if you don’t mind waiting a few seconds for it to do anything you ask. Pain in my arse, without a doubt.
So I killed it. Eventually. It took me 9 days to find out where to deactivate it. HTC didn’t reply to my email asking how to do it (fuckers), so I soldiered through and finally found where I needed to be. Thing is, I’m positive I got there a few times before, but that option was never available to me at first. And this is my concern.
It felt to me, and maybe I’m crazy, but that more options slowly became available as the days went on. Bizarre?
After 2 full weeks I’ve eventually got the thing working. 2 days to get Missing Sync working 90% correctly (my contacts wouldn’t sync, at all). 10 days to find the best software replacement (I highly recommend Spb Mobile Shell and Spb Diary from Spb Software House, thanks Rich). And finally, only 30 minutes ago, by some divine intervention (I did nothing out of the ordinary when connecting my phone to my Mac), my contacts synced with my Address Book, and now I am satisfied.
Eventually.
Before installing the Spb products I installed some rad Today add-ons. I also installed a bunch of rad little games and apps from Freeware PocketPC, including this little gem, which unlocks my device like the iPhone. Silly, but awesome.
I’d definitely recommend the phone, but expect to be very, very frustrated for at least a week while you get the phone to your working order. I’m hoping these tips will shorten your frustration.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Noted - thanks for the tips…now I’m scared of the phone.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Wow,
that didn’t go too well for you. Sorry to hear.
I highly recommend stopping by at xda-developers.com, there are dozens of absolute experts there that usually are very happy to help solving such problems.
By the way, they have also compiled new ROMs for the diamond that make TouchFlo3d work with no lag whatsoever.
I specifically bought 2 HTC phones because I knew I would be able to draw on all this expert knowledge. I am very happy I did.
If it wasn’t for xda-developers (especially the forum), HTC would probably never have become what they are today. They might not even have gotten to the point of releasing the Diamond ;-).
Have fun with your diamond,
w0nk0
July 28th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Aquila: Dude, I really dig the phone, now. It’s got the raddest game called Teeter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEy6qM93mjw&NR=1)
w0nk0: Thanks a bunch. Will def look into it.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Did you try the E71???
August 7th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Not yet, heard it’s gonna rock tho.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:53 am
You will love it… best device ever