HTC Touch Pro2 (T-Mobile)

Pros: - TouchFlo 3D and Wmo move in and out seamlessly;if you want one or the other, both easy to get
- Very impressive TouchFlo 3D improvements, including Facebook integration
- Great display
- The BEST mobile keyboard ON THE MARKET TODAY

Cons: - Lack of all possible automatic rotation (from landscape to portrait and back based on phone position)
- Where is my Tab key?
- Included leather case is terrible without a clip or secure button

Summary: I was thinking that I may have needed a few shots of vodka before going into the T-Mobile store, having tracking this phone online prior to launch for months and practically messing up my keyboard with drool. The night before launch, price speculation was firing back and forth, with $350 as the most common reported (and ultimately the most accurate) cost of the new Touch Pro2. But when viewing the floor model, and encountering two salesmen that did not know anything about the phone, didn't seem like they would ever need to, and reported that they hadn't sold any up to that point that day at 5.00pm in a populated Rochester, NY suburb. I even overheard the salesmen joking about how long I was looking at the phone but they knew I wasn't going to buy it because "that's what always happens". Turns out, I was so impressed, I walked out of there in a half hour with my new gem. Yes, I had to upgrade to their new $25/month 3G compatible data plan, but having the data plan before and awaiting the 3G arrival, the salesman informed me the 3G network had rolled out in the area already a week ago (and I still thought I had a few months).

You can flow in and out of the upgraded TouchFlo 3D and Windows Mobile 6.1 seamlessly. I find Wmo useful at times and have not had any problems getting to where I want to in either operating shell. I found several mistakes in reviews prior to my experience with the phone, all of which I have corrected or found solutions to myself just by using the phone and knowing what the hell I was doing. The GPS is responsive. All of the software I wanted was uploaded and installed without difficulty (including RealVNC mobile, SiriusMP5, MyTinyTV, etc.). IM+ was a little slow and the VNC doesn't allow for free finger swipe like the rest of the OS software, but I was happy with replacing all of my old and commonly used Wmo software. I know there's 50000 more apps to look through, but I'll have to take a day or two off from work to really look (considering the afternoon it takes iPhone users to browse through their apps for Fart Simulators and applications reaffirming that they are hippies). Microsoft Exchange worked first try and Mobile Office and Google Maps was already loaded. I did find out that the Google Maps had to be updated, as well as the NET compact framework (in order to use Remote Tracker - the lost phone finder for Wmo). With a Wmo phone, the user can MASTER their property, unlike other Android and Apple phones, and the Touch Pro2 is no exception. Plus, you don't have to HACK the phone with illegal software to go beyond the built-in settings; Wmo developers have got you covered with freeware. I've heard numerous reviews of a camera that was not on par with other new phones, but if you're coming from 1.2MP, you'll have no problems. Considering I had a digital camera with 3.2MP 2 years ago that worked great, I'm not worried at all. Plus, you have to remember, the US phones with cameras are years behind those in Japan anyway. My T-Mobile account info is a couple swipes away; the local weather is a swipe away; the 5-day forecast is built into the calendar; the speakerphone turns on with a flip of the unit; the stereo speakers work better than I've heard on any mobile phone; the Facebook integration makes your contact list thrive and together with your PC internet lives; Wifi works fast, Bluetooth connectivity the same. I'm not hugely into using my phone as an mp3 player, but some have a problem with the lack of headphone jack. The box comes with a USB-headphone adapter, but the adapter also has room for TV out and an additional USB port and such an adapter is nice to see included with a mobile phone. I haven't investigated too much yet, but the TV-out capability sounds very interesting. In addition, the speakerphone noise-canceling is supposed to be one of the best on the market today.

Yes, many phones out now are priced at $200 a pop with the 2-year contract. I don't often switch between providers and am not really worried about the contract status (especially since the providers nowadays are offering rewards for sticking around for years). But for $200 with any contract, I guarantee you're not getting such a quality unit. This is, by far, the most advanced and PACKED smartphone/pocket-PC out there. And definitely the best Wmo phone on the market. They say the weight is noticeable, but a true HTC/Pocket-PC user is not going to care nor know the difference: they are all heavier than cheaper, less capable phones. This is worth your investment. But if you're still on the fence, go into the T-Mobile store and mess around. And don't be just a casual demoer. Try it out for real. Go in there and mess around with stuff. Mess with the settings and download whatever you want. The feeling I got from the salesmen may not even know or care what you're doing with it, because they're stuck on selling MyTouch3Gs or Sidekicks, built for people that need directions to open their car doors on a daily basis.

Updated on Nov 28, 2009

Now into late November, I still absolutely love this phone. I watched an entire movie on it today, laying in bed. I can pull music and video right from my desktop through LAN access, not to mention control my laptop and desktop with VNC. It is still in PERFECT condition. I almost sometimes prefer to type on this rather than on my computer because the keyboard is so nice. The communities at PPCGeeks and XDA have been wonderful in providing any support and directing people to a wonderful selection of applications (that just don't happen to be all in the same place, which can be misleading to people concerned about WinMo v. Apple when it comes to apps). Customizing it periodically, including changing the regular black and white slider icons to color, has been such a treat. E-mail arrives on my phone at least 2 minutes before it shows up in my Outlook on my work PC. And the phone COMES with tethering software (no additional price with T-Mobile). It has really been a great ride.