Got mine!

[krazyfiend]

Originally Posted by haus

Would love to see a hardware comparison (not specs, but usability) between this and the TP2. For example, does it have a working call/email notification light? Gorilla Glass? Does the lack of spring keyboard action bother former TP2 users? The TP(1) didn't have spring action and I remember feeling "wow" when the TP2 came along, so that might drive me crazy to have to go back.

Took back my first one, defective ear-piece/speaker. Slight squelching on the end of all words, like the speaker was loose/blown (in dire need of some dynamat).

I had left BB already and did not make a call in-store. Came back to the store about an hour later after thoroughly testing at all levels, different voices (male/female/Claire many times) and finding it un-acceptable. Store folks did as well. Swapped out & everything is good to go now. Finding the phone quite lovely, coming from a TP2 & WM6.5 ... I'm versed with Android though as I work with it daily @ work--can't wait for a perm root and hopefully Cyanogen

The volume rocker and power button..as well at the 4 instead of 5 row keyboard..take some adjusting to get used to. So does using the d-pad instead of the directional arrows.

The TP2 keyboard and spring is just flat out one of the best keyboards we'll see (and recall).

This device is basically me saying no to Samsung and their folly of an upgrade schedule on the Epic, but not getting really left behind with WM6.5 on the TP2. It served me well, you could do all kinds of things, but the lag (even with the quickest roms)..it was getting time to retire it to a backup phone. I had the Mogul>TP>TP2 (was free replace option for my plagued TP)

Had to stick w/ my roots and knowing all well that I can not go all touch\Swype ... a phys KB was a must.

Honestly, I'm getting used to this 4-row KB (w/o dedicated number keys) and w/ the speed of android 2.2 on it...u can just be more productive.

superuser app + z4root already garners a successful temp root.

although right next together, the size is almost the same..that all changes from the side profile and especially when you pick it up. The Shift feels much more natural compared to the TP2 (with the KB in). The weight/balance feels perfect to me.

With the overclock potential exhibited by the cousin (g2)... I think this will be a winner until a 4.0" HTC slider comes out, and even then..that might be just too much bulk. For size, I'll just opt for a Asus tablet slider/transform w/ honeycomb 3.0 on it & wireless tether my 4g signal from the Shift to it. I find 4.3" to be just a bit too large for me personally, to each, their own. 4.3" starts making my eyes wish for a 7" Tab (have one thanks to work, wouldn't buy one on my own--especially w/o a Tegra 2 chip, at the least).

Feature set, camera (the flash is ridiculous on this thing..in a good way!), development future (crosses fingers it will be similar to the reg EVO for rls's) .. I like this option and I sacrificed up my old F&C retention plan I was on.

If you have any direct questions or request for specific comparison pics..lemme know/msg me.

Cheers
kf

[lgmayka]

Originally Posted by krazyfiend

superuser app + z4root already garners a successful temp root.

Can you be more specific as to exactly what worked for you? I'm looking for a simple root, just sufficient for WiFi tethering.

[lgmayka]

Originally Posted by lgmayka

I'm looking for a simple root, just sufficient for WiFi tethering.

It was easy.

1) Download and install Astro File Manager from Market.
2) Download and install z4root from xda-developers.
3) Download and install Wireless Tether from Market.
4) Run Superuser; set to temporary root.
5) Run Wireless Tether; set WPA password; enjoy.

[YoungCorruption]

Originally Posted by lgmayka

It was easy.

1) Download and install Astro File Manager from Market.
2) Download and install z4root from xda-developers.
3) Download and install Wireless Tether from Market.
4) Run Superuser; set to temporary root.
5) Run Wireless Tether; set WPA password; enjoy.

i'm new to all this but what is a root?

[haus]

WOW thank you. I think I like the idea of 3.6" screen more than 4.x. The TP2 is big enough. If the other phones like the EVO/Epic had higher resolution then I'd think about it, but 480x800 is 480x800 whether it's on a 3.5" screen or a 4.6" screen (as long as my eyesight holds up).

Does it have a notification light? This is actually an important feature for me as I don't use email audio notifications but I like to know when something comes through without having to turn on the phone screen.

I suspect this phone will get less of a developer following than the EVO because it's not "latest and greatest". But it does look very interesting to me, particularly with Windows Phone so dreadfully far behind in apps and usability (no copy/paste, and I actually use SSH and FTP on my TP2, something not available with WP yet). I think it will be at least a year before any WP CDMA handset (HD7 Pro) comes anywhere near this in the unique combination of hardware and software I'm looking for.

I may give the local radio shacks a call and see if they have one. I know this is a general FAQ, but if I'm unhappy with the EVO Shift 4G, I can return it within 30 days and go back to my standard Everything Data 450 plan (no $10 4g fee), right? The 4G coverage in my area ends about 50 yards from my friggin' house...I'm wondering if that means I'd have a shot at getting 4g or I have to walk down the street.

[haus]

Some other questions...

1. Does it happen to use the same battery as the TP2?

2. Does it have/need a reset button (LOL you can tell I'm a WM faithful).

3. Is there "play" between the sliding halves when the keyboard is closed? The TP2 can be wiggled and pulled apart slightly. I know this is typical as I've owned a few sliding KB phones, but I'm curious how the EVO Shift feels in this regard since it is kind of unsettling.

4. Can you run a sharp metal object across your screen and let me know if it scratches?

[Compusmurf]

1. Probably. The EVO does.

2. No, not needed. This is android.

3. I've never seen a slider that doesn't have "play" in it. It's not a finely engineered German car, it's a consumer phone that gets abused by the masses.....

4. If you are asking if it's "Gorilla Glass" then no. I don't believe HTC has adopted that yet. Do you regularly run sharp metal objects across your screen when you use it?

[haus]

Originally Posted by Compusmurf

3. I've never seen a slider that doesn't have "play" in it. It's not a finely engineered German car, it's a consumer phone that gets abused by the masses.....

Fair, but the TP1 was worse than the TP2 (on mine, at least), and I wonder if the lack of tilt function allows it to be tighter or if any new developments have made it better.

4. If you are asking if it's "Gorilla Glass" then no. I don't believe HTC has adopted that yet. Do you regularly run sharp metal objects across your screen when you use it?

No, but I despise screen protectors. Though the AT&T ones for the TP2 weren't all that bad. I leave the phone in a front pocket with nothing else in it.

Another question - does the speakerphone turn on automatically when you face-down the phone on a table like the TP2 does?

[krazyfiend]

Originally Posted by Compusmurf

1. Probably. The EVO does.

2. No, not needed. This is android.

3. I've never seen a slider that doesn't have "play" in it. It's not a finely engineered German car, it's a consumer phone that gets abused by the masses.....

4. If you are asking if it's "Gorilla Glass" then no. I don't believe HTC has adopted that yet. Do you regularly run sharp metal objects across your screen when you use it?

Pretty much on point..

1. Certainly does...It's behind the Mic grill and is much more noticeable than the TP2's indicator

2. Nope, doesn't really need it. Been sucking down 4g and had the screen on constantly all morning long, tons of network traffic and switching onto & off of wireless...barely putting a dent in the battery usage. I'm impressed.

1500ma/h battery (might have the designation wrong there) is definitely running the 800mhz processor smoothly (will see how it does when overclocked like a g2...with the second gen hummingbird processor, it should do just fine even when OC'd)

3. Slightest play of any slider Ive hard... and I had the 6700, 6800, TP1, TP2, and Epic for a few days. Honestly, it's as close to 'no play' as you can get. Although it doesnt have the Z-hinge of the G2, this slide does the job and is a surprise to anyone I show the phone to (the fact it is a slider isn't all that evident to the non-phone geek).

5. HTC isn't on board w/ GG , yet. Rumored for the next ver of the big boy Evo...but honestly...this thing is rock solid feeling. A far cry from the feel of a Epic when slightly squeezed. The screen seems durable..... but I did opt to put a Zagg protector on because I have no intention of putting a case on this thing. I really don't have any qualms with taking it off after a few months as the screen seemed fine with it off. Just first few week jitters/wanting to maintain, ya know?

----

additional question...

Speakerphone on this thing is B.A. Clarity and pickup of the Mic (for regular calls and on speakerphone) kills the TP2 from my initial tests.

I did not try the setting down to switch to speakerphone thing, but it does have the proper hardware to be able to do it with the proximity/light sensor being very on point in terms of bringing away from your head, etc.

I give the speakerphone a few more goes and try out the nifty option we had on the TP2 stock (im sure if its not built in oem, there a widget or background app that can make it happen)

This thing has no trouble juggling a multitude of running app's...ive had very little need to go 'task' manage anything.

[haus]

Thanks again to both of you. I have seen the links for the EVO (original) screen "test" this guy Roman G did, and it seemed to come out pretty well. I am used to resistive screens, of course, which have a thin flexible plastic layer over them and scratch very easily. Capacitive screens are solid glass on the front, which makes them much more resistant to scratching.

Again I really appreciate your answering questions here...krazyfiend we have pretty much the same phone history...mine has a few quertybar phones tossed in there as well.