Curve user disappointed with the TP so far..

chancellar · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 05:20 PM

So I decided to give the Touch Pro a try on a 2nd line of service and I'll be posting some of my experiences on this thread for awhile.

I think that I'll probably switch back to the Curve. Aside from Slingbox support, the TP seems lacking in so many ways. The Curve seems much more usable and efficient.

Wifi has been a major disappointment, my TP will connect to my Netgear router but seems unable to use it for anything. My girlfriend has no problems connecting her iphone to my router and surfing with Wifi speeds. I turn off cellular data and try connecting the TP to my router but it times out connecting to google.com. Anyone have an idea of what's wrong with my TP?

Web browsing (whether through Opera or Mobile IE) isn't what its cracked up to be on the TP. Surfing web forums and pages is frustrating and takes me about 3 times as long as it does on the Curve's simplified browser. The Touch Pro's two browsers are optimized for touch-based surfing a la the Iphone, but since the TP lacks the responsiveness and precision of Apple's product, trying to surf the web quickly and efficiently becomes a frustrating endeavor.

E-mail and messaging on the TP can't compare to the Curve. Mobile outlook is still the same as its ever been, I haven't really noticed any changes. The only plus is that the TP has HTML email support which is still lacking on the Sprint 4.3 OS on my curve.

I've been a big windows mobile user in the past coming from the HTC Wizard, Moto Q's, Mogul, Q9C, Touch etc. The OS is somewhat smoother on the TP but I was very disappointed to find that it is still quite sluggish compared to the BB OS. WM still has the same antiquated system alerts and retarded alarm clock that I despised.

Anyone have any opinions or input? I'm not trying to bash the TP because I do think its a good phone. I'd also like to see what kindof performance hacks and adjustments people come up with. I'm just skeptical that any after-market mods will remedy the sluggishness of the device (very apparent when you try to surf the web).

**lipidfats** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 07:18 PM

Mine surfs just fine connecting to my router and also using sprints evdo network. you said you also had the mogul before right? is the touch pro slower than your old mogul? because it should be much better navigating around the device because of the improved ram and processor. I was actually amazed at how snappy touchflo3d was... and i'm loving opera mobile and the youtube app. The skyfire browser is great (something that iphone can't do, view webpages as they were intended to be viewed), but it's not yet vga compatible..
Maybe you have one of the faulty ones? sucks if that's the case... even if i had to go back to my mogul i'd still prefer it over a blackberry... customizing and the development of windows mobile apps make it hard for me to ever go to a different OS.
oh and since you're hating the default alarm clock, maybe you should try g-alarm... great finger friendly alam with nice features. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=422362

edit: I could see how browsing the net could be annoying if your connection isn't how it's supposed to be, but i definitely disagree if it's working properly... the new scroll wheel, which enlarges and decreases font size on command, is a great feature... plus being able to rotate the screen like the iphone improves web surfing too. Since you're coming from a "simplified" browser, these advances should be nice in viewing full web pages i would think... I definitely can't wait until i get to use skyfire again like i did on my mogul.

If there's nothing wrong with your TP, maybe you've just outgrown Windows Mobile? Perhaps simplicity with the blackberry does it for you now - as in gets the job done and performs the basic necessities. I hope you figure out what's wrong with your phone if it's messed up... that way you can give it another try...

mdodge · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 07:56 PM

I really think these type debates come down to user experience and preference. If you want simplicity and something quick and easy, iphones, BB are for you. But for those looking to get every little penny out of their device and have it truely be "Pocket Computer", then windows mobile devices are the choice. And the TP is the best of that offering yet IMO. The TP is a wonderful playground to tweak, hack, modifiy...etc. Its more complex but that is why hardcore users like it so much. We love having to tweak it out, make/add custom apps, and get every byte out of it. You cant do that with an IPhone, curve or other device, at least not to the same degree.

Its not to say that the TP is better or worse than anything, its just how the user perceives its uses. For myself, I know that right from the beginning, no matter what device I get, Im going to spend alot of time customizing, tweaking/fixing things. I expect that and actually enjoy that. A BB device or iphone would be worthless to me because it doesnt give me that same range. But for those who just want it to work quickly and simply out of the box, then a TP is going to be to much for you.

**OR78** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdodge

I really think these type debates come down to user experience and preference. If you want simplicity and something quick and easy, iphones, BB are for you. But for those looking to get every little penny out of their device and have it truely be "Pocket Computer", then windows mobile devices are the choice. And the TP is the best of that offering yet IMO. The TP is a wonderful playground to tweak, hack, modifiy...etc. Its more complex but that is why hardcore users like it so much. We love having to tweak it out, make/add custom apps, and get every byte out of it. You cant do that with an IPhone, curve or other device, at least not to the same degree.

Its not to say that the TP is better or worse than anything, its just how the user perceives its uses. For myself, I know that right from the beginning, no matter what device I get, Im going to spend alot of time customizing, tweaking/fixing things. I expect that and actually enjoy that. A BB device or iphone would be worthless to me because it doesnt give me that same range. But for those who just want it to work quickly and simply out of the box, then a TP is going to be to much for you.

Coming from the BB Curve I must agree with this post. It is not perfect but it is nice to give the TP my own little quirks,tweaks,mods, or whatever you want to call it. Its not the perfect phone but so far I have been able to pacify my needs in a PC Phone. To each his/her own. As I like to say, whatever creams your twinkie, lol.

Hovthagawd · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 08:50 PM

Well said sometimes I often wonder why people bash windows mobile or the touch pro. Seriously though no disrepect to anyone but considering we as community have never had a perfect ppc why knock the touch pro.Yeah it has it's fair share of problems as every other ppc before it. You would think from reading the forums that this phone was as bad as sprints iphone killer the Instinct.

chancellar · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 10:18 PM

I understand what you guys are talking about the difference between being a power user and a more casual user. I'm all for a little tweaking but is it too much to ask that the phone be fine out of the box?

I'm not a stranger to Winmo devices. I guess I'm just disappointed that no matter how much the processor and memory improve that the OS always seems to be sluggish in comparison to its peers.

The TP is definitely an improvement over the Mogul in terms of web-surfing but the TP is competing against the Iphone and G1 nowadays. I don't think the Iphone is a superior device as it too lacks basic functionality such as multi-tasking and copying and pasting. However, I think it was a mistake for the TP to emulate the web-browsing style of the iphone when it lacks the responsiveness and accuracy. I'm not sure how you guys can be so fine with it as I know it drives me nuts.

Thanks for the G-Alarm recommendation, I'm going to give it a try.

I'm not trying to bash the phone, just wanted to offer my thoughts and see what you guys think.

SporkLover · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancellar

I understand what you guys are talking about the difference between being a power user and a more casual user. I'm all for a little tweaking but is it too much to ask that the phone be fine out of the box?

I'm not a stranger to Winmo devices. I guess I'm just disappointed that no matter how much the processor and memory improve that the OS always seems to be sluggish in comparison to its peers.

The TP is definitely an improvement over the Mogul in terms of web-surfing but the TP is competing against the Iphone and G1 nowadays. I don't think the Iphone is a superior device as it too lacks basic functionality such as multi-tasking and copying and pasting. However, I think it was a mistake for the TP to emulate the web-browsing style of the iphone when it lacks the responsiveness and accuracy. I'm not sure how you guys can be so fine with it as I know it drives me nuts.

Thanks for the G-Alarm recommendation, I'm going to give it a try.

I'm not trying to bash the phone, just wanted to offer my thoughts and see what you guys think.

The user of a WinMo based phone will typically be a different type of phone user than those of your Iphone, and Iphone wannabes (G1, instinct).

That being said the thing that attracts those folks to these phones is also the biggest turn off, and thats WinMo. While extremely customizable, it is not a fast and responsive OS....plain and simple. If you want that you probably need to look elsewhere.

As far as the websurfing goes.... I see that less as a fault of the phone and more a fault of the lack of a developed browser for powerful devices for the WinMo platform. Microsoft rests on their laurels and hasnt put any real effort into developing the PIE platform, and the only other real option, Opera, still lacks the features you would want from Safari mobile.

chancellar · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hovthagawd

Well said sometimes I often wonder why people bash windows mobile or the touch pro. Seriously though no disrepect to anyone but considering we as community have never had a perfect ppc why knock the touch pro.Yeah it has it's fair share of problems as every other ppc before it. You would think from reading the forums that this phone was as bad as sprints iphone killer the Instinct.

Well the phone is no Instinct thats for sure. I don't think its too much to compare it to phones like the G1 or the Iphone since they are all at similar price points and occupy similar positions in their respective lineups.

**OR78** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancellar

Well the phone is no Instinct thats for sure. I don't think its too much to compare it to phones like the G1 or the Iphone since they are all at similar price points and occupy similar positions in their respective lineups.

I sure hope you are knocking the instink!!!! If so then nothing more to say, if not then i suggest you go back to the instinctinsight.com page and see how many people complain about that phone. I tried the instink and it was the worst phone I ever used. Samsung should stick to TV's

chancellar · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OR78

I sure hope you are knocking the instink!!!! If so then nothing more to say, if not then i suggest you go back to the instinctinsight.com page and see how many people complain about that phone. I tried the instink and it was the worst phone I ever used. Samsung should stick to TV's

Hehe, TP > Instinct of course.