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- My rating: 0 stars
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17 out of 30 people found this review helpful
1.5 stars
"T-Mobile Dash (HTC) nice try falls very short of the mark."
Pros: Nice form factor, good call quality.
Cons: TMobile has broken the ability to transfer data via WiFi
Summary: T-Mobile Dash (HTC) nice try falls very short of the mark.
HTC Dash Review - tested with MacBookPro (OS/X 10.4.8) -MissingSync for Windows Mobile
Shortcomings that disqualify the phone:
The main disqualifier: TMobile has broken the ability to transfer data via WiFi using typical apps such as Internet Explorer and email. One must use GPRS/Edge.
Since each time I have traveled abroad for the past five years, I have not been able to use my T-Mobile account abroad despite having gone thru the tech support fire drill prior to each departure. The walk you through unlocking the phone and enabling international roaming privileges. Yet, on arrival, nothing works at all. Yes, I know how to switch GSM carrier networks manually. Since the past is often a reasonable indicator of future performance, I have no confidence that even if was inclined to spend an additional $30/month for antiquated and slow GPRS/Edge data connections, I would not be able to use the device abroad for data access. In the past, the only way I could use my phones was to buy a local chip and put the TMobile SIM in my wallet for the duration of the trip. Even if TMobile was present, for example in England, it was still unable to roam, even after an entirely wasted day at the mall in Manchester with inept TMobile people who wanted me to call the USA office on my own dime on a phone that would not work. You get the idea, a typical SNAFU.
Other nagging problems that made me want to hurl the phone to the floor and smash it to bits:
2. No notepad or text editor. Must set up an email account to edit any text. Even then, there is not a cut and paste feature. You cant even select text. Brilliant! I had to manually type in WEP bin hex key despite having transferred a text file to the phone to copy the key from on the phone. The text file was NOT able to read by ANY app on the phone. It is a standard Unicode text file readable by any platform anywhere except of course for Microsoft.
3. You can?t set up email without paying TMobile even if you use your own WiFi access point at home. USB email sync does not work on Mac, at least with Mail or Thunderbird. Did not try with Entourage, but I do not wish to use Entourage, a terrible program in terms of standards based messaging services.
5. Infrared on phone does not exist. A myth. A nasty myth.
6. Direct Push and Data Connection both require TMobile based services and preclude WiFi based Access. This issue prevents using any email service without TMobile provisioned datacoms. You can use Push with Outlook, of course that only exists on Windoze, and requires that you connect to your computer. Checking email while mobile is not practical as a result.
7. WiFi reception is poor. And the questions remains of what you can actually use WiFi for anyway given the main shortcoming above!
9. Volume touch pad just stinks. Unintuitive, unresponsive, and if you don?t read the manual, you will wonder what that is for, and why the volume randomly changes.
10. File system browsing (Start Menu etc) is incredibly slow.
11. Browser is just plain useless. Can?t connect except via Tmobile services.
4. Mac issue - Bluetooth connection malfunctions. Cannot pair with Mac either direction. Pairing from phone does not illicit pass code response on Mac. Pairing from Mac finds the phone, succeeds in pass code response handshake then finds no usable services (like OBEX or other BT protocol apps). You can "beam" a file to the phone via BT, but that is all.
1. Using Missing Sync App for data sync -
a. Only able to sync via USB cable. Bluetooth sync attempts time out halfway thru the connection.
b. It took nearly 45 minutes to put 1200 contacts onto the phone, first sync. Second sync hung and was not able to be recovered.
c. USB cable not recognized without reinserting each time. App does not detect the presence of the cable-connected phone unless cable re-inserted.
- 14 replies to this review
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???Do you actually believe that people will take time to read this novelette of a review of yours??
What kind of messed up English is "broken the ability"?!
I am so glad Im in the majority.
HTC rocks. -
He claims that you cannot sync over wifi - WRONG.
He claims that you must connect the phone to computer for email push to work - WRONG.
He complains about lack of note/text application and lack of cut/copy/paste of text - AND HE BLAMES HTC AND/OR T-MOBILE - THIS BLAME SHOULD BE AIMED AT MS SINCE IT IS THE OS THAT LACKS THESE THINGS.
THIS INCOMPETENT MORON COULDN'T GIVE AN INTELLIGENT REVIEW OF A CRAYON, LET ALONE A HI-TECH PHONE. I AM SIMPLY AMAZED THAT HE IS ALLOWED TO USE WORDS AND WALK UPRIGHT!! -
Reading through the original posters entire review, all i can say is that the reviewer does not know what he is talking about. I wonder even if the reviewer actually owns the DASH phone or just got some info from somewhere and decided to post.
What an ignorant, dumb person. -
There's no two ways about it. Either the parent's let him get to their computer and he is upset that they won't buy him a Dash or he is simply a complete and absolutel idiot.
1. He complains about his inability to roam overseas (so much for him being a 10 year old, that leaves only one choice). What does that have to do with the Dash? Not a Dash issue, complain to T-mobile or learn how to use your International Service.
2. No notepad or text editor? You're kidding right? Go buy a text editor for $3 on Handango! If the complaint is about not having a MS WORD editor then buy a PocketPC with MM 5.0 and NOT a smartphone. Most smartphones don't come with MobileOffice and again, compatible varients are readily available. Again, not a Dash issue, blame Microsoft.
3. What do you mean you can't set up your email service? Is is becuase you don't know how? Syncing with your email via Wi-Fi or USB is free. Having it pushed to you while on the EDGE network costs money. Get with the program junior, you have to pay to play. Again, if you don't know how, either ask for help or keep your mouth shut.
4. There is no 4, he can't count either.
5. Infrared doesn't work? Obviously he can't read either because he would have KNOWN that there is no infrared on the Dash! It uses BLUETOOTH to beam and connect to your computer. IR is an outdated line of site technology and a dinosaur of the past, get over it.
6. Push only works with "Windoze"...ummm excuse me, your stupidity is showing. Yes, it only works with Windows. What about WINDOWS MOBILE 5.0 slipped pas you? Okay, once again, the Dash runs Windows, it syncronizes with Windows and is made to interact with Windows programs. Beginning to see a pattern? Hint: Windows? Oh, and by the way, IF you are using the Dash with Windows it works FINE!
7. Wifi reception is poor? The only thing that's poor is your computer literacy it would appear. Wi-fi reception on the Dash is stellar as is its EDGE reception. AND since you failed to mention it, it supports WPA2 with AES which is one of the very few devices supporting this newest security for WiFi. MUCH faster connection time than my SDA.
8. Again, with the inability to count.
9. I hate to admit it but I agree. The only think that I don't like is the volume touchpad. It is very flakey and doesn't work as advertised without a degree of frustation.
10. The only thing that is incredibly slow is you. Browsing on the Dash in all aspects is quick and painless and you never see the "wait symbol".
11. The browser is just plain useless you say? Not as useless as your review. The browser can browse in widescreen as well as native, is extremely fast and works with most websites. Full blown sites using things like ActiveX or certain Java scripts won't work and won't work on any mobile browser.
4. Oh, here's number 4. The infamous Mac issue. Again, you do know that this is a WINDOWS DEVICE RIGHT? If it bother's you so much, way not wait for the iPhone from Apple? I'm sure it will suit your needs as a "Windoze" hater.
The rest, is not even worth addressing.
The Dash is the best phone I've had to date. Having dropped and broken my T-Mobile SDA, I did the research between going over to Cingular's Blackjack or Blackberry Pearl, Verizon's Q or staying with T-Mobile and getting the Dash. After 3 days of research ALL the reviews point to the Dash.
After 3 days with the Dash, I have to say they were ALL RIGHT. From the time you open the box you realize that pictures don't do it justice. The smooth rubber feel of the phone's skin is a real treat and the widescreen is crystal clear.
I've been able to get EDGE service consistantly and the load times for data are respectable. However, via Wi-Fi the Dash becomes a viable laptop replacement in many respects. This is my 8th PDA / Smartphone / Blackberry type device and for the first time I actually surf the mobile web because the widescreen is very viewable thanks to its crystal clear high resolution and its spritely download times.
The keyboard is usable if not a little cramped but its great to have a full keyboard after moving from the SDA.
Email setup is a breeze either via Exchange or via regular POP3 or IMAP and direct push ensures that you always get your email promptly.
Quite frankly, this IS one of the best phones on the market. It's slim, great looking, feels great (not cheap) in your hand, AND it is compatible with bluetooth stereo headphones (very few others can say that).
The Dash is jampacked full of every feature except Office Mobile (even though it comes with Clearvue). For the $$$ it simply can't be beat.
I have to say again, the Dash is the best phone I've had to date. -
I have traveled all over the world using T-Mobile, not only hubs like Amsterdam and London, but countries including Russia, Georgia, Romania, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkey (you get the idea), and I have never had any problem with instant roaming, including data. Whenever I land in a new country, I always have all of my email messages sitting in the inbox before the plane has finished taxiing. I can't imagine how you could not get this phone to work in England.
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These are like little small details that shouldn't even bug you. I never had any problems with the USB. If you don't want to pay for e-mail, why don't you just go to the website and check it? I get wifi everywhere. I even use it to check the surf report on the beach right by the water. If the system is going slow, why not free some memory?
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Why this false rating is still here?
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This reviewer is a liar that posts false information
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I tried to report this post, unfortunately the CNET site is experiencing an issue. To anyone considering the Dash I suggest you read a different review, even CNET's own editor review which gave this device an 8.0 out of 10. The reviewer has completely misrepresented this device and its capabilities, specifically the unrestricted Wi-Fi.
This review is full of incorrect information that hurts the reputation of T-mobile and CNET. There have been many replies from CNET users "thanking" the author for the information, preventing them from buying this amazing device. The review states that T-Mobile has crippled the WiFi to disallow users access to the web without paying T-Mobile. This is absolutely incorrect. The WiFi access is unrestricted and allows internet explorer, email and any 3rd party app to access the web over ANY WiFi access point. Please delete this false review that STATES incorrect information in a "matter of fact" way. An appropriate retraction/clarification is also expected from such a respected tech site as CNET.
Thank you,
SN -
Wifi reception is second to none. You don't need any tmo service to do email and Internet, unless you need push which works only over GPRS. The best smartphone so far. Treo had been the only device that I could live with, this Dash beats Treo into dust. Superb battery life, feather thin and light, stylus-free one hand operation, charging and Internet via USB, all programs included, for only $350 before any rebate.
The poster simply does not know how to use/setup such a great device. -
hello, when you tested your new device, did you take it out of the plastic and put the battery in? your review of the dash is almost completely filled with falsehoods and half-truths.
point by point:
1) right now i am using my apple wireless base station, *not* my EDGE connection, to browse the web, sync my calendar application, and view e-mail and maps from google.
2) it's a mobile phone. i understand your need for high speed access no matter where you roam on this earth, but to be perfectly frank, it's a mobile phone. what could you possibly need to access on your mobile device at a speed greater than 200 kbps?
3) do you have an inability to install applications on your dash? i have a very nice notepad application that i installed on my dash. using mac os x, no less.
4) you can have any sort of e-mail using wifi. i set mine up with my mac os x server, with absolutely no problems. lots of people are using push e-mail without using their edge connections. and if that doesn't work, well, gmail does wonders.
5) I did a wireless speed test (dslreports.com/mspeed) using my wifi connection. 2 Mbps! I guess that's not fast enough for you.
6) don't like the volume control? then hack your dash like all of us cool kids and restore the original S620 JOGGR functionality. if you're not that skilled, then try configuring the sensitivity of the volume control.
7) I can send files between my mac and my dash, both ways. over bluetooth. very easily. it's called "beam" functionality.
In short, if you don't know how to use your dash or your mac, that's fine. but don't go spilling tripe all over the internet because of your blatant inability to use technology. -
Great review!
I almost went out and bought it until I read your review. Most peoples review shows that they buy this phone without even intending to use the features.
For me it is mandatory to write and read text files. I got to read my little text notes, write notes and open password text-files after decrypting. Since it does not do that it's useless.
A note on T-Mobile:
I had the exact same problem. They tell me the phone will work in Germany. So I fly to Germany and it did not work. Once back in the US T-Mobile told me that they had a bug in the system and my international request did not go through. They promised it will work on the next trip; yeah right. So what I do instead is buy a T-Mobile prepaid card in Germany. And that works even though the phone is locked. That is a convenient feature T-Mobile won't tell you even if you ask.
Cheers! -
Thanks for your review. Before deciding to buy a Dash, I called T-Mobile tech support, because my house is served by a roaming partner (Suncom). T-Mobile told me that the Suncom local network would support all functions that the T-Mobile native signal supports. Further, I was told that my home wifi would allow the Dash to do everything except voice calls. Based on your experience with wifi, this phone will not meet my needs.
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While I agree that the volume strip is terribly annoying, and I can't comment on email connectivity options, I have to say the Wifi on my Dash works great. Strong connection to my home network and local coffee shop. And the benefit is being able to browse the internet as speeds much faster than EDGE or even other 3G connections. I check several Yahoo mail accounts, GMail, and have little problem generally browsing. I wouldn't buy a phone without Wifi.
Coming from the PC world, this phone works great for me. If the Dash performs poorly on Macs, then shame on T-Mobile/Microsoft for neglecting the large base of Mac users.
As far as text editing, yes, it is baffling that the Dash comes with a keyboard, yet has limited text options, as if T-Mobile thinks it's just for text messages over their service! However, there are programs to give you "cut and paste" capabilities, but that should have come out of the box, not an add-on.
However, your review title "falls short of the mark", I'm not sure what "mark" you thought the Dash was trying for, but Windows Mobile 5 has been out for a while, and its limitations are well known. But with Bluetooth 2, Wifi, great phone features (this is phone first afterall, not a pocket PC), and the ability to turn the "volume strip" back into a true navigation tool (look for registry setting on Howard Forums), this is a nice combo phone/PDA.
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