HELP! Joe-Boy's Quest For a New Toy

[jigwashere]

Buying a subsidized phone, then returning it and paying ETF might not be the bargain you're thinking. "If you received a discount based on the purchase of an item, the return of that item will result in the forfeit of the discount, which may be deducted from any refund amount. " -VZW Return Policy

[Varjak]

I think if you wait a certain amount of time, you can keep the phone at that price. Still, I'd check into it further.

[questionfear]

Just to throw another twist into the mix....

What about looking into buying the phone from your preferred carrier (based on version, aesthetics, ROM, etc.) and then paying the ETF?

I could see myself buying the Verizon version for $200 (subsidized) and then paying the $175 ETF. $375 total? And I think it has both the GSM and US CDMA bands.

Buying a subsidized phone, then returning it and paying ETF might not be the bargain you're thinking. "If you received a discount based on the purchase of an item, the return of that item will result in the forfeit of the discount, which may be deducted from any refund amount. " -VZW Return Policy

I believe AT&T has a similar policy, but the way around that is to pay for 2 months of service, THEN cancel...

So in that case, it's 250 for the TP2, 175 for the ETF, ~180 for two months of service...

Basically it's not any cheaper than buying unlocked.

[JRakes]

As you're hopefully read by now, Jen Edwards loves the Touch Pro2 (see here) and I think it's one of the best smartphones coming out this year (see here).

Welcome to the Windows Mobile world. I think you'll be pleased by the device and by the range of third-party software available.

p.s. As was said already, HTC is the giant of the WinMo world, and makes some of the most impressive phones running this OS.
-

Oooo... I'm honored! A personal welcome from King Ed!

Yeah, I saw the review thread "up top." Even commented in it!

Seriously, though, in looking around, this device seems to be the best "fit" for me. It's certainly not cheap, regardless of how you get it, but it's a high-end device and apparently has very high build quality. The several reviews I've read have been quite positive, some bordering on gushing. I'd prefer more memory, but it has a card slot (a BIG plus with me) so that shouldn't be a big issue. At worst, it's probably a tradeoff - I won't be limited to 8GB forever! The biggest other "ding" I've read is regarding the camera, which isn't of major importance to me. Of course, the lack of US 3G on the international version is a slight let-down but, again, for my expected use, it's not a sufficient issue to make me turn my back.

All that said, you folks thought my expectations were high before? If King Ed thinks I'll be happy...

HTC was even a major player back in the big PDA era.

The Dell Axim X50v/X51v and HP iPAQ hx4700, among others? HTC-manufactured!

Heck, I think even some of the Windows Mobile Treo models were HTC-made.

Even if it's not explicitly branded as such, chances are that if it's running Windows Mobile, HTC most likely built it, even if the final device might have some other label on it.

I didn't realize that. If they're "private branding" for several other companies, that's probably why. A couple of the "phone geeks" at work had never heard of HTC. Guess they're not as much of a phone geek as they think, eh? (Note: I never claimed to be, hence a big part of this thread!)

Just speculating again, but it makes me wonder if they put their highest quality and top features into the devices they "self brand." They certainly seem to have a better rep than many other brands, and from what I saw during my touch-it feel-it see-it-in-person tour of devices last weekend, the HTC brand devices certainly "feel" better than most others. Just speculation on my part, though...

Just to throw another twist into the mix....

What about looking into buying the phone from your preferred carrier (based on version, aesthetics, ROM, etc.) and then paying the ETF?

I could see myself buying the Verizon version for $200 (subsidized) and then paying the $175 ETF. $375 total? And I think it has both the GSM and US CDMA bands.

Buying a subsidized phone, then returning it and paying ETF might not be the bargain you're thinking. "If you received a discount based on the purchase of an item, the return of that item will result in the forfeit of the discount, which may be deducted from any refund amount. " -VZW Return Policy

I believe AT&T has a similar policy, but the way around that is to pay for 2 months of service, THEN cancel...

So in that case, it's 250 for the TP2, 175 for the ETF, ~180 for two months of service...

Basically it's not any cheaper than buying unlocked.

I'd actually thought of that, Varjak. Also thought of at least checking into seeing what the no contract price was. Alas, AT&T doesn't have it. Out of curiosity, I checked Verizon, who is sold out. Sprint's site was crap all the way around and I couldn't even get to a price. But as I thought about it further, I came to the same conclusion as QF, although that was a moot point since AT&T (my current carrier) doesn't even have it and they're the only ones through whom I can do a PAYG data plan (per Hook's approach.)

OK, a little humor: Through the day today, I pretty much decided I was gonna order one (providing I can actually FIND one in stock somewhere this side of Mars...) I was also thinking that if I'm gonna jump, I'm gonna jump. I want it NOW. RIGHT NOW! (Hey, this whole middle-aged-responsible-adult thing sucks if you can't be a bit childish at times, and when it comes to my toys, I'm as impatient as any child... ) That's what got me thinking I'd at least check into the local carriers' stores.

Then it happened: As I left workie, a big black cloud rolled in. And I mean "rolled." As in nasty, ugly, ominous, and threatening (think "spring tornadoes.") With the lightning blinding me as I neared home, and the thunder drowning out the car's music, I decided to skip that and get on home. As I was coming in the door, the storm let loose - The lightning was constant and dramatic, such that I could hear the sizzle before the flash and smell the ozone. Naturally, I took that as a sign! I'm gonna order one. I mean, really, folks: If I'm ever gonna finally go down the stupid smartphone road, how much more encouragement do I really need...

Heeheehee...

[jigwashere]

Here's a Japanese phone you might be interested in, Joe: Docomo Teases World to Pun their "Touch Wood" Prototype

[RickAgresta]

Oooo... I'm honored! A personal welcome from King Ed!

Yeah, I saw the review thread "up top." Even commented in it!
***SNIP***
OK, a little humor: Through the day today, I pretty much decided I was gonna order one (providing I can actually FIND one in stock somewhere this side of Mars...) I was also thinking that if I'm gonna jump, I'm gonna jump. I want it NOW. RIGHT NOW! (Hey, this whole middle-aged-responsible-adult thing sucks if you can't be a bit childish at times, and when it comes to my toys, I'm as impatient as any child... ) That's what got me thinking I'd at least check into the local carriers' stores.

Then it happened: As I left workie, a big black cloud rolled in. And I mean "rolled." As in nasty, ugly, ominous, and threatening (think "spring tornadoes.") With the lightning blinding me as I neared home, and the thunder drowning out the car's music, I decided to skip that and get on home. As I was coming in the door, the storm let loose - The lightning was constant and dramatic, such that I could hear the sizzle before the flash and smell the ozone. Naturally, I took that as a sign! I'm gonna order one. I mean, really, folks: If I'm ever gonna finally go down the stupid smartphone road, how much more encouragement do I really need...

Heeheehee...

otoh, that might be a sign from God (or at least, your stable of T3s)

[JRakes]

I figured it was a sign for something! But Palmie has given his blessing. Of course, I had to promise that he will remain in full service for a while. No problem there - I'll continue to rely on him as I get acquainted with Touchie, then slowly replace apps, migrate stuff, and generally work my way through the learning curve. That latter might take a while, as my limited time isn't exactly going to help speed things along...

Here's a Japanese phone you might be interested in, Joe: Docomo Teases World to Pun their "Touch Wood" Prototype

Heeheehee... That would go quite nicely with my Woody!

Actually, I really like that wood housing - Very elegant, IMHO.

Question: Anybody here dealt with or know anything about the following potential sources:

• Overseas Electronics
• OnTheGo Solutions
• Smart Mobile Gadgets

They're some of the few places that actually have the TP2 in stock for immediate shipment, at least at a price I can choke down. I've read mostly good stuff about each of them while searching for reviews, but I've never dealt with any of them myself. Any first-person experience or other recommendations? Amazon has just added this device, but it isn't available yet, Newegg won't have them for 2-3 more weeks, and Expansys is pushing the limit on price.

[JRakes]

I know it's generally quiet here at BH on the weekends, but I was hoping for some poor soul (who has no life) to come along with some input regarding a source. Alas, most everyone seems to have been out and about enjoying their weekend!

So lacking that, I'm off...

[Mi An]

I know it's generally quiet here at BH on the weekends, but I was hoping for some poor soul (who has no life) to come along with some input regarding a source. Alas, most everyone seems to have been out and about enjoying their weekend!

So lacking that, I'm off...

Sorry, I've never heard of those 3 you listed. Amazon's price is highway robbery. Unless you want to order from overseas (clove.co.uk), I don't have a retailer in mind that I'd trust.

Waiting for Newegg (I do like them) could be growth experience or lead you to enlightenment.

[JRakes]

AND... It is done. Touchie should ship tomorrow and be here by Wed!

I went with Smart Mobile Gadgets, as their price was one of the best and, more importantly, their credentials looked good. We whall see!

I've spent some time this weekend doing more research, AND getting "prepared" for the new arrival - I've set up folders and such for associated stuff in my Favorites and data files to collect and organize links and software. Even downloaded a few freeware apps that are replacements for current Palm apps, i.e. HandyShopper, PTVB, etc.

Once he arrives, I'll use him strictly "out of the box" for a while, syncing only with my OL stuff, to get acquainted, start to learn my way around the WinMob architecture (and TF3D,) etc. Then I'll start adding apps and migrating stuff. Palmie will remain my primary workhorse for a while, of course!

So thanks, Gang, for the help, advice, and encouragement. As I've mentioned before, I'm sure there will be some annoyances, frustrations, and (hopefully very short-term) disappointments as I migrate, but I'm optimistic I'll ultimately be quite happy with him.

I'll most certainly be frequenting the WinMob and HTC forums quite a lot now, asking lots of questions and looking for more specific / detailed info regarding the hardware, OS, and apps.

One up-front question, though: Which backup app do you folks recommend? I'll DEFINITELY want to get / install that right away. Given that I'll be in a steep learning curve for a while, I need to be prepared for hard resets / restores (a la BackupMan or BackupBuddyVFS Pro for Palm.) So what backup app will be my best bet and most reliable for WinMob?

Thanks again, All!