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"Great smartphone with one crippling problem" on by Rypper72
Pros: Smooth, finger friendly interface.
Hides the disadvantages of WINMO well
WINMO 6.5 instead of 6.1
SD-micro card compatible
Beautiful screen
Responsive resistive screen - but no multitouch (see below)Cons: Old processor - not quite up to handling touchflo3d well
limited onboard memory (which some programs have to run in)
REALLY bad battery life - see below - with some workarounds
Resistive screen - so no multitouchSummary: Overall, I like my Imagio.
On the plus side, the interface is excellent. It shows a commitment by HTC to convert the stylus-only WINMO interface into something a finger could navigate. Essentially the interface hides pretty much ALL of WINMO on the surface. However, if you dig down a bit, you'll see WINMO in there with all of it's stylus loving glory. In any case, for daily and routine use, Touchflo3d becomes the operating system. In addition, it's WINMO 6.5, which is better than 6.1 on many levels. (Google Windows mobile 6.5 vs 6.1 for more details).
Of course having an SD-micro-HC slot is great, but as any WINMO fan knows, there are many programs that will not run off of the card, and there is LIMITED onboard usable program memory available. It is what it is. If you want your phone to be your computer, you may want to look for a device with more onboard memory.
The screen simply defies words. It's great (despite having a color depth of only 65k - thanks WINMO). It's bright and BIG. It also may be a big power suck. Luckily HTC built in the now accepted features of a face sensor to turn the screen of when the phone is against your face, and auto-off timers etc. My wife (a iPhone 3Gs user says it easily outclasses her screen, and I agree) It's not OLED though (oh well)
The touch functionality of the screen is actually very good. It is a resistive (as opposed to a capacative) screen, and does not have multitouch features, but it does have great response. I can actually type faster on the keyboard (portrait or landscape) than I could on my i760 (which actually had a physical keyboard) with the same or ever fewer errors. It seems to register keypresses well and accurately. I would love the ability to pinch zoom and all that jazz, but the zomm bar at the bottom is a nice alternative, and works well. Navigating the web is reasonable, but a bit slow because of the processor.
The processor bears mentioning as a minus for the device. It's the same processor that captains many of HTC's (and numerous other) devices, and is really a previous gen processor. That being said, for most things, it's fine. But you will see some slower load times, and sometimes a pause or two as the processor catches up with the demands of the user. It's frankly annoying. 95% of the time for the average phone user, it'll be ok, but if you're a power user, or like to load up your devices with high power programs and surf the net significantly, you MAY be disappointed. This issue may be what makes me take the phone back to Verizon to await the Omnia 2, which has a much better processor (but possibly WINMO 6.1 - ack)
Finally, the wooden shoe that nearly made me take the device back to Verizon yesterday... and I'll copy from my own comment left on another review earlier...
"I too had the battery life issues with the Imagio, leading me to nearly return the phone. I tried everything that I thought would help, but continued to lose around 10% of battery charge every 30-45 minutes or so, leading to an inability to complete the workday with it. What helped was turning off bluetooth and outlook push, and setting my phone to CDMA only, which slowed down the battery drop to a trickle. What is weird is that when I had either of those services ON, my handset would get fairly warm, leading me to believe that it was burning either transmission energy, or CPU cycles on some non-essential task. (perhaps trying to connect with every bluetooth or cell tower all the time)
This is disappointing, and may be secondary to some misprogramming, and will hopefully be corrected with a software/firmware update. I still may return it and go back to my old i760 (which would last for days) and wait for the Omnia 2."
I hope that this issue is just a firmware fix away from being solved, but this is a serious PITA (pain in the kiester). I had resorted to carrying a USB to 5pin USB retractable cord around with me to charge from any available computer as I go. This was not really acceptible, and until I discovered the workarounds above, I was about ready to chuck the device. I still am not happy to have to turn off most of my FEATURES/CONNECTIVITY to keep the phone alive. A 1500 mA Li-Poly battery should REALLY last longer than it does in this device. I'm not the only one who's had this problem. When I called Verizon, they said that they've recieved several calls like mine. (and the extended battery is sold out... wonder why?) We'll see what happens, and I will keep you updated through comments on my review below.
Thus overall the phone is summarized as follows...
- Pretty phone, nearly as sleek as the iPhone
- I like touchflow 3D
- Slower processor compared to new phones on horizon
- Limited memory
- Nice responsive but resistive screen
- Craptastic battery life unless you disable bluetooth and outlook push, and go straight CDMA. (unless I just have a lemon or a bum battery) -
"HTC Imagio - The Best of Both Worlds" on by DaHarder
Pros: TouchFlo 3D, Touchscreen Accuracy, Build Quality, V Cast Mobile TV, WinMo 6.5 Flexibility, Call Quality, Aesthetic Appeal, Browser Options, Marketplace, Media Player Sound/Video Quality.
Cons: Battery Life Suffers More Than Expected When Using Media Player Functions (but I do have an extra). That's It!
Summary: I was a dedicated AT&T man until I bought my 1st iPhone, a decision resulting in dropped calls, and fewer bars in more areas. The iPhone itself was plagued with issues as well, namely: abysmal battery life, poor/low resolution screen, mediocre media player sound/video quality and the like, but... I stuck it out through 2 generations of the phone hoping things would improve - They Didn't!
When I heard that the HTC Imagio was coming to the Verizon Network, I eagerly awaited its arrival, ordering one the second it become available.
Well, I've had it for a bit over a week now, and could not be happier. The Verizon Imagio is everything I expected, and so much more.
1. The build quality is simply impeccable, with a nice weightiness and solidity that makes my former phone seems rather wimpy/cheap by comparison.
2. My Imagio truly looks the part of a serious phone, with very few impractical 'blingy/shiny bits' that look fine for the 1st two minutes of ownership, but smudge and scratch very easily thereafter.
3. The HTC TouchFlo 3D interface is masterfully wrought, as forward-looking as it is a pleasure to use. Every menu holds another aesthetic/functional surprise, one's that make my previous 'grid-locked' experience with my iPhone look like some left-over remnant from 2005 (which, of course, it is). Honestly, one would hardly recognize TouchFlo 3D as having any relationship to WinMo 6.5 if not for the little Windows icon in the upper left-hand corner.
4. Having used a capacitive screen for so long, I'd forgotten how nice a truly well-done resistive display could be. The Imagio's screen ranks up there with the very best I've ever had the pleasure of using. 3.6 inches of awesome technology. The display is highly accurate, the resolution 480 x 800 (true 16:9 widescreen) is simply stunning, and having the choice of using either a finger, or (for those times when typing accuracy/speed is essential) the included stylus is very nice. Hint: Choice Is Certainly Good.
5. (Speaking of 'Choice') HTC saw fit to include both Opera as well as IE6 Mobile on the Imagio. Personally, I prefer Opera, but knowing that IE is there (in addition to any other browser one might install) just shows that Verizon/HTC really cares about offering their customers the mobile browsing experience most to their liking. It's refreshing, and certainly better than being relegated to a single browser such as Safari.
6. Yet another pleasant surprise is the 'choice' of media players HTC allows on the Imagio. The induced media player apps are fine (Windows Media Player and HTC's), but I chose Kinoma Player. Kinoma is easily the most flexible, well thought-out media player I've had the pleasure of using on a mobile phone, and it handles every codec I throw its way without complaint. The integrated social media apps included in the app are thoughtfully implemented as well, making this the true WinMo 'Killer App" - IMO.
7. Another aspect of my Imagio that came as a surprise is the excellent sound and video playback quality. I'm extremely critical when it comes to media player sound quality, and abhorred the lackluster sound of my iPhone. With my Imagio, I'm very happy, it's well-balanced, lively, powerful, and very 'musical' sounding even at lower bit rates. The video playback on the 480 x 800 display is also top-notch, with nicely saturated colors, zero pixelization, and smooth frame rates. It's an entirely different/better experience than my previous phone at a mere 320 x 480 pixels.
8. I'd be remiss if I didn't comment about the core functionality of a mobile phone: the call quality. In a word - Spectacular! My previous carrier experience was extremely disappointing, with zero bars in more places than I could count, constant dropped calls, and spotty customer service, but with verizon, that's all changed. Every call has been as clear as can be, with no drop-outs or anything call-prohibitive. No matter where I've traveled on the West Coast, I've maintain a strong signal, even my (wonderfully) V Cast TV always connects and looks as good as my many of my pre-recorded videos. All those things I heard about Verizon's service have been confirmed.
In Summary: I'm very happy with my verizon/HTC Imagio, and consider it a quantum leap (in the right direction) over my iPhone 3G. It offers everything I could want (at this point) from a mobile calling device, plus countless extras (Opera, Kinoma, V Cast TV, FM radio, True File Browser, 480 x 800 resolution, Excellent 'Resistive' Touchscreen, et al). Sure, the battery life does suffer when playing media files, but at least with my Imagio, I have the option of carrying an extra battery, or even buying one of higher capacity in the future if I so choose (couldn't do that with my iPhone).
Above all, my Verizon Imagio does the one thing my iPhone never did/could... It gives me CHOICES. The choice of input method, browser, media player, and when/where I can actually make/receive calls. This One's A Keeper! -
"An amazing mobile experience" on by Bahaa360
Pros: Very intuitive and responsive touch screen. Good battery life compared to other PDA/Smart Phones. Windows Mobile 6.5 adds alot of needed features. Great Picture and video quality. Good call quality
Cons: Texting and typing needs getting used to. Windows Mobile market place needs more free applications.
Summary: This is one of the few touch screen phones that I can say is almost flawless. It's amazing in every aspect and for the week that I have it now I faced no problems.
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"I wanted to love this phone this but..." on by jmikereal
Pros: Packed with features including long-awaited VCast for smartphones; great feel in your hand; beautiful screen; WinMo 6.5
Cons: Not enough memory/sluggish performance; lack of customization of TouchFlo interface; no D-pad; no on/off button
Summary: I really wanted to love this phone. I always thought if they released the TouchPro 2 without a physical keyboard, I would definitely get it; and the Imagio appeared to be that with VCast. I has a great screen, great feel, and all the features you could want, including WinMo 6.5. Even the TouchFlo 3D interface is cool.
The problem is that package has some serious flaws in my view. First of all, it appears that WinMo 6.5 is a resource hog because I got several "lack of resources" messages when I wanted to open a web page and the phone was only running one app. The performance was uniformly sluggish, even if the TouchFlo interface was disabled.
Also, as slick as the TouchFlo 3D interface is, it lacks the flexibillity to customize the home page. You need to click and slide and click again to get to common features or applications. I want the efficiency of having the few critical apps or contacts right there when I turn on my phone. WinMo 6.5 couldn't do it either and the addition of a UI that could like SPB Mobile Shell just slowed the machine down even further. I see that HTC is correcting this flaw on the HD2 interface but its too late for the Imagio.
The other functional hardware flaws are the lack of a D-pad and a standard on/off button. The first is a great option for one-handed selection and clicking in spots that still aren't finger friendly in WinMo apps. Sure you have a stylus but who wants to use two hands when you can use one. The second is just another efficiency issue. I want to be able to click one button to turn off the screen and stow the device. This device requires a long button click and a selection. Just another of the devices inefficiencies.
Am I being picky? Sure, but sometimes these little issues can make a big difference in daily use. I use them a lot more often than I watch Mobile TV. I think you can be choosier now since Verizon has a bunch of potentially great new phones coming out in the new few weeks and months. -
"Cool at first, but after one day, already frustrated" on by bollingerlr
Pros: It's a nice attempt at an iPhone concept. Touch screen is very large and colors are lovely.
Cons: As with the other reviews, the battery life is eaten up very quickly. But I have two main complaints. Texting is awkward. Some programs are sluggish and even after a day the device froze and I had to re-start by removing battery.
Summary: In both portrait or landscape the virtual keyboard is awkward to use while holding the phone. I use my pinky finger to support the phone because it slips easily out of my hands, but my finger cramps up in the position I have to hold the phone. In portrait, the virtual keys are too high up on the screen to be comfortable for regular texting. In landscape, the device is too wide to comfortably text. Also, in landscape, the space key is between the 'v' and 'b' keys, and I often accidentally hit that. Right below the virtual space key is the virtual key to make the keypad vanish. If you're not precise, you can accidentally hit that key in the middle of a text. This may be personal preference, but I find texting slower on this device also because I have to press the number/symbol toggle key to get any number or symbol besides a comma and period, and then I have to press it again to get back to normal letters. Also, I would like to be able to press one key to open a new text message, but that is not an option here.
As far as photos, it's great that it has 5 megapixel lens. I'm very disappointed that it has no flash. This degrades the appearance of a lot of indoor photos, and forget trying to take a photo in low light situations or at parties. I understand there are different advanced settings for ISO and such, but I don't want to waste my time fiddling with settings when I just want to take a quick photo.
I feel that this phone gets very hot during charging and during normal operation. That is concerning to me.
This phone is great for viewing videos on you-tube, but in web browsing I found the zoom bar to be delayed and less responsive than advertised. There is a setting to designate the responsiveness of the zoom bar, but after troubleshooting that, it still was slow and/or unresponsive.
Also, in less than a day of owning this device, the accelirometer lost calibration and would stay in landscape mode even when I tried to switch it to portrait. Then I attempted to turn it off using the "end" key, but it would only lock. I feel like there may be a bug in the programming. The only way that I could turn this phone off was to take the battery out, replace, and turn back on. If this is how a brand new, high-speed phone is acting in one day, I'm afraid to see how it will perform over the long term.
My inclination now is that I want to return it and get something else.
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