The Beanster Blog

I purchased an htc chacha about a 3 weeks ago. I must admit that it was a moment of weakness I have been using an iPhone 4 for about a year already and wanted to tinker with something else. I chose the chacha over a Samsung Galaxy Pro (also a QWERTY bar device but with lower specs). I postulated that the chacha would A.) have more ROM chefs B.) htc Sense. C.) better resale value over the Samsung Galaxy Pro I've had some experience with htc Sense the skin that the Taiwanese handset maker puts on top of Android and found it beautiful. The device is a QWERTY bar form factor with the lower portion curved (the htc Hero had a similar chin) the logic for this is to keep the screen elevated and off the surface when you put the phone face down on your desk and to move the mic closer to your mouth when on a call. The screen is a tiny 2.6inch touch screen I must admit that I have been spoiled with the larger screen of the iPhone, and I found myself going back to the iPhone when I wanted t...

HTC just wrapped their event in London. So what did the Taiwanese based smartphone maker show this time? For starters they showed off the way way way more powerful HTC Sense. The custom UI they lay on top of Android (and WindowsMobile not WindowsPhone7) Things that grabbed my attention: Maps caching (no more waiting to download maps as you navigate... might save on data cost if you do it before your trip over wifi) Phone Locator Remote Wipe Web Access to your phone Two new Android devices (a shame there were no WindowsPhone7 devices) HTC Desire Z specs: http://android.modaco.com/content/android-news/317889/htc-launch-the-desire-z-formerly-known-as-the-htc-vision/ HTC Desire HD specs: http://android.modaco.com/content/android-news/317890/htc-launch-the-desire-hd-formerly-known-as-the-htc-ace/ Looks like HTC wants to differentiate itself even more from the multitudes of Android devices out there by improving HTC sense. I think HTC sense is the best ...

Today I finished talking with palm support and trooped to Makati to get my palm Treo Pro replaced AGAIN! This my 3rd Treo Pro… this is getting ridiculous… What the hell!? The keypad frame was falling off on the refurb unit I got. BTW I haven’t dropped my device yet. [here are some pics of the faulty device] When I got there the guy gave me my replacement unit I inspected the keys and found out the start button was stuck so I asked for another unit. Thankfully this one had better keys. Hard reset my defective TP, took out the SIM, microSD, stylus, battery and back cover. I then installed those to the new one and powered it up. The guy at the drop off zone moved the screen protector for me too. I setup google sync so I had my contacts/calendar until I got back to the office. Finished signing stuff and I was off. My 1st device’s d-pad failed after six months the 1st refurbed units keyboard frame failed in 2 weeks. I hope this device lasts longer… I really don’t have the mo...

I’m selling my approximately 3 month old slightly used HTC Touch3G. It’s in excellent condition and has been slightly used only. Screen protector applied and silicone case applied since day 1.   Reason for selling: tired of it. Includes Box and contents: USB sync/charge cable AC Adapter Wired Headset Documentation Some specs: Qualcomm MSM7225 528Mhz RAM 192 ROM 256 Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 GSM/GPR/SEDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz UMTS: 2100/900 with HSDPA 2.8-inch TFT-LCD flushed display [240x320 QVGA] WiFi 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.0EDR 3.2MP Camera htc touch3G product page ROM upgraded to latest htc asia official  Asking price [negotiable]: 24,000.00 PhP serious buyers may reach me at: +639228912690 / +639189912690 / @bnycastro

Last Saturday I went to Megamall with Chinang and traded-in my old palm Treo 750 to get a discount on an HTC device. I was intending to get the 1st HTC Touch for just 10,000PhP but the shops ran out of stock. I decided to get the HTC Touch 3G. I’ll be putting it thru the paces and post a proper review [hopefully] in a week or so. The specs are ok for any modern smartphone. I am not happy that this device has no auto focus and 3.5mm jack, but my main gripe is the lack of buttons. This is the barest device I’ve ever owned. The screen is very bright and ultra responsive. More to come as I use it some more.

HTC Touch Diamond2 Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional [FREE 6.5 Update when available] ROM/RAM: 512Mb/288Mb Dimensions: 107.85 X 53.1 X 13.7 mm Weight: 117.5 grams Display: 3.2-inch TFT-LCD 480 X 800 WVGA resolution Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz & HSDPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz TouchFLO 3D + Zoom bar WiFi 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.0 EDR HTC ExtUSB 5MP AF / 0.3MP FM Radio G-Sensor microSDHC 1100mAh -- Say good bye to 4Gb internal storage and hello to microSDHC expansion, The main camera has more megapixels [still no flash], the screen is bigger physically and has a higher resolution display, higher capacity battery, still no 3.5mm jack

HTC Touch Pro2 Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional [FREE 6.5 Update when available] ROM/RAM: 512Mb/288Mb Dimensions: 116 X 59.2 X 17.25 mm Weight: 175 grams Display: 3.6-inch TFT-LCD 480 X 800 WVGA resolution Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz & HSDPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz TouchFLO 3D + Zoom bar WiFi 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.0 EDR HTC ExtUSB 3.2MP AF + Flash / 0.3MP FM Radio G-Sensor GPS 1500mAh microSDHC Slide out 5-row QWERTY keyboard -- I like that they’ve brought back the slide and tilt form factor from the HTC TyTN II and slapped on a higher resolution display but it doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade from the Touch Pro it is set to replace. HTC adds Straight Talk™ which they claim is crystal clear automated speaker phone, just flip your device over and lay it down on your desk and talk away.

As I am typing this post I am watching the live stream from Mobile World Congress [MWC09] Barcelona. Balmer and Lees, give us the low down on Microsoft’s next mobile OS. -- Windows Mobile 6.5 is announced officially and some features are discussed. New Lock Screen   New Today Screen Honeycomb Interface New Internet Explorer New Services for Windows Mobile: Microsoft My Phone – Sync to the Cloud Microsoft App Store – App Store Partners: HTC: Peter Chou, HTC’s CEO: mentioned that they are committed to Microsoft and the platform. He also mentioned that customers who buy their new devices namely the HTC Touch Diamond 2 and HTC Touch Pro 2 will get a free upgrade to the forthcoming OS. LG: Dr. Skott Ahn, LG’s CEO: 50 models are planned from now to 2012. Yes that’s 50 models from the Korean company. WOW! Orange: Yves Maitre, senior VP of devices Orange: Operator which doesn’t really mean anything for us here i...

FACEBOOK EVENT

Here is my review of the Palm Treo Pro. palm’s latest GSM Windows Mobile device. Packaging palm has really outdone itself with the packaging it’s nice, classy, and simple.  Unfortunately my package seems to be lacking the regular flat pins that are common here in the PH. I will try to contact palm about this. What’s in the box: palm Treo Pro palm wired stereo headset Li-ion 1500mAh Battery micro USB sync /charge cable AC adapter with interchangeable plugs. Documentation palm did not bother including a CD but has instead put a 1st setup option on the device. I did not bother with it as well because my system already has WMDC. It’s a nice touch though. It is disappointing that palm did not include a screen protector, an extra stylus or even a simple case. I like that they’ve made the wall charger smaller it will be easier to carry around or throw in my gadget bag. Specifications: Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 Quadband GSM & Tri-band UMTS ...

My palm Treo 750 has been acting up lately… so I asked my shobe to get me one when she was in SG over the weekend. It’s here now I haven’t opened the box yet but I hope it has a screen protector or I won’t be able to use it till I get one installed. It came out way way way cheaper than the parallel imported TP I saw in GH which was selling for 42,0000 PhP. I got my TP for 930SGD which is approx. 26,900 PhP and they included a 4Gb SanDisk Class 2 microSDHC card with it… A steal if I dare say so myself! I think this is the cheapest Windows Mobile Pro device I’ve bought. w00t! I’ve read the surface is a finger print magnet and is easily scratched so I am looking into getting a bodyguardz or invisible shield for it. I hope it arrives fast though… I am not the most patient person and I baby my devices.

Let this be a lesson to your my fellow gadget fiends [yes we are fiends, admit it!] -- DO NOT FRIGGIN' WATCH UNBOXINGS AND VIDEO REVIEWS OF HIGH END DEVICES THAT ARE NOT IN THE MARKET YET. -- That being said if you still want to salivate over HTC's latest top of the line slider... Head on over to mobilitysite's video unboxing and review HERE -- I had previously put this device in the 'DO NOT BUY' section of my list... I keep a mental list of devices that can replace my current 6 months into owning it [if it lasts that long that is] well the TyTN2 is well over the 6 month period and I had resigned myself to getting back into the QWERTY bar herd with either A) a palm Treo Pro or B) an hp iPAQ 914c with the Treo Pro inching out on a slim lead because it is just plain sexy!  -- That all changed a few minutes ago when I saw the video I linked to above.  -- The screen is just... drool worthy and the response time on the Touch Pro is really impressive. My graphics driver l...

YAIK - Yet Another iPhone Killer HTC's newest shot accross the iPhone bow is the HTC Touch HD which started to make it's appearance last week is now official on HTC's site. This touch-centric device is clearly designed to subvert the iPhone. Here's some specs and some images of the Touch HD. 3.8in TFT 800x480 WVGA flushed touch screen Qualcomm® MSM 7201A™ 528 MHz RAM: 288Mb ROM: 512Mb HSDPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz Dimensions: 115 mm x 62.8 mm x 12 mm (4.35 in x 2.5 in x 0.47 in) Weight: 146.4 grams (5.164 ounces) with battery Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0) Built-in 3.5 mm audio jack, microphone, speaker, and FM radio Battery: 1350 mAh microSDHC 5MP AF / 0.3MP Camera FM Radio, G-Sensor Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional -- What's Hot: 3.8in 800x480 WVGA 3.5mm Stereo jack 528MHz Processor 5MP Camera What's Not: No Flash f...

HTC Taiwanese super company HTC has the following devices either in the stores or in the works: HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Diamond Pro, HTC S740. These are all updates to their devices. I am not too sold on the square and hard edge fingerprint magnet finish of these new devices. I am curious if they will be updating the Shift line. HTC is a really aggressive Windows Mobile device maker so their devices will be a part of their total business. It is interesting to see that they have been selected to make the Google Android powered T-mobile device codename: HTC Dream. palm palm is coming out with a shiny new Treo for GSM markets in the Treo Pro [Treo 850] and the web is a buzz with this newest Treo. While this device has shined the limelight albeit momentarily on the palm camp I don't think this is enough for them to be competitive again. I really think they should put out their next OS and get ODMs to license it, if not may be they should close the OS part of the business and start...

Review|HTC S730 By: Vincent Benedict P. Castro http://bnycastro.blogspot.com I was in Hong Kong a few weeks back and decided to buy an HTC S730 aka HTC Wings not to be confused with the T-mobile Wing which is also made by HTC. This is a Windows Mobile Standard device which in layman's terms simply means non-touch screen. -- Specifications: Windows Mobile® 6 Standard Qualcomm MSM 7200 400Mhz 64Mb RAM / 256Mb ROM 2.4in 240x320 non touch screen 802.11b/g WiFi GSM/GPRS/EDGE [850/900/1800/1900] UMTS [2100] Bluetooth 2.0 EDR [A2DP/AVRCP] 12 Key Keypad / QWERTY Sliding Keyboard 0.3MP [front] + 2MP [rear] Camera HTC ExtUSB microSDHC expansion 1050 mAH battery Weight: 150g with battery Dimensions: 105.8mm x 51 mm 19.4 mm -- Package Contents: HTC S730 1050 mAH battery USB Sync Cable Autovolt AC Adapter [HKG/UK plug] Wired Headset Carry Pouch Documentation Getting Started CD Spritebackup CD -- Foreword: I bought the HKG WW...