T-Mobile Dash Now Available in Stores and on Web

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Detail.aspx?device=f164419f-eee9-4cf6-a1bd-070dbe4b5023' target='_blank'>http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Detail.aspx?device=f164419f-eee9-4cf6-a1bd-070dbe4b5023</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Everything you need to stay connected, all in one sleek package. Send, receive, and reply to your personal and business e-mail easily with a full QWERTY keyboard and the convenience of Microsoft® Office Outlook® Mobile. View photos, videos, and large attachments, and share them with others or browse the Web using super fast Wi-Fi connectivity. All of this in a slim Windows Mobile® Smartphone that's comfortable to hold and provides crystal-clear calling."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20061026-TmoDash.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />The new T-Mo Dash has hit the streets and some of you were busy yesterday getting your very own Dash. While the official T-Mo price after rebates is $199, some of you have managed to pick it up for just $99 with a one-year contract! So, all you lucky new Dash owners, I would like to hear some thoughts and feedback on your new QWERTY goodness. Tell us what you think of the keyboard, battery life, screen, and of course, size counts too. ;)

[nutzareus]

Mike,

I won't double-post, but I gave my quick impressions here:

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12631&amp;start=30

[Mike Temporale]

Mike,

I won't double-post, but I gave my quick impressions here:

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12631&amp;start=30

Cool. But let's discuss it over here. ;)

It might take a little time for the accessories to start showing up. I would expect a holster in 3 months or so. Just a guess.

[sub_tex]

Picked mine up yesterday morning.

My first WM5 smartphone!

Overall I'm impressed with both the OS and the device. Moreso the device. Light, fantastic screen, very responsive (Not Palm OS fast, but not sluggish at ALL).

I think whoever made the default Email and SMS app should be tarnished! Why must I do Menu-->Delete instead of the more intuitive and normal highlight message+ hit the delete key?

And the IMAP flags don't synch. boo.

But FlexMail will be out soon enough.

I had to run that unlock app to get unsigned apps to install. That being done though, I've installed Vito CopyPaste (a must!) and a few other free apps. Why is copy/paste not part of the OS? That's just nuts.

I also did the regedit to get rid of those totally intrusive and annoying "message sent" confirmation screens.

I absolutely love the customization of the Home screen via XML. I've already installed a gorgeous home screen called Black Beauty (http://smartphone.kleinweder.ch/downloads/index.php). So slick.

I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me over the next few months as I get aquainted with this device.

I wish the Joggr worked like a scroll bar. The volume-only thing is not very well implimented and way too easy to hit by accident when you are talking on the phone.

Wifi works great. BT was flawless. Got transfers between the Dash and my Ubuntu box set up with no hassles. I'm not sure how to do BT synching in Windows yet, but I'll do some research this week.

The size of this thing is just right. I'm getting used to the keyboard being wider than my Treo's was. Some misspelled words here and there. That XT9 needs to go away, or at least not be the default input type for text fields on this phone. On a standard keypad it would be great though.

Overall, at $200 it's a fantastic deal. Totally well worth the money.

[Tim Williamson]

Picked mine up yesterday morning.

My first WM5 smartphone!

Overall I'm impressed with both the OS and the device. Moreso the device. Light, fantastic screen, very responsive (Not Palm OS fast, but not sluggish at ALL).

I think whoever made the default Email and SMS app should be tarnished! Why must I do Menu-->Delete instead of the more intuitive and normal highlight message+ hit the delete key?

And the IMAP flags don't synch. boo.

But FlexMail will be out soon enough.

I had to run that unlock app to get unsigned apps to install. That being done though, I've installed Vito CopyPaste (a must!) and a few other free apps. Why is copy/paste not part of the OS? That's just nuts.

I also did the regedit to get rid of those totally intrusive and annoying "message sent" confirmation screens.

I absolutely love the customization of the Home screen via XML. I've already installed a gorgeous home screen called Black Beauty (http://smartphone.kleinweder.ch/downloads/index.php). So slick.

I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me over the next few months as I get aquainted with this device.

I wish the Joggr worked like a scroll bar. The volume-only thing is not very well implimented and way too easy to hit by accident when you are talking on the phone.

Wifi works great. BT was flawless. Got transfers between the Dash and my Ubuntu box set up with no hassles. I'm not sure how to do BT synching in Windows yet, but I'll do some research this week.

The size of this thing is just right. I'm getting used to the keyboard being wider than my Treo's was. Some misspelled words here and there. That XT9 needs to go away, or at least not be the default input type for text fields on this phone. On a standard keypad it would be great though.

Overall, at $200 it's a fantastic deal. Totally well worth the money.

Ditto. :)

You literally hit on the exact same praises and gripes I have. I need to use your post as a reference for some of the fixes/utilities you've loaded.

The first programs I loaded were Pocket Informant for Smartphone (why doesn't this allow you to remove the task listing from calendar screens?), PocketBible (doesn't go to chapter/verse when just typing it out), and FlexWallet (why doesn't Smartphone support file sync??? Luckily Flexwallet uses a separate sync program).

I want to remove the XT9 input, not useful for me with a full keyboard. Is there a way to sort the Start Menu by name? I have no clue what random order it's using. :?

I can't wait to start customizing the Today screen!

Finally, the size of this device is perfect, fits nicely in the pocket.

[Pete Paxton]

I wish the prices weren't so contract binding. I considered upgrading my current phone to the Dash but found out that I will have to pay the full $380. Needless to say I'm going to stick with my SDA for now. By the time I qualify for a discount I'm sure there will be a phone I will want more than the dash anyway.

[stephman]

I wish the Joggr worked like a scroll bar. The volume-only thing is not very well implimented and way too easy to hit by accident when you are talking on the phone.

Seems like some cats over at howardforums got the Dash's volume JOGGER to work as scroll bars.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1029394

So far, I'm liking the Dash.
It's taking me alittle time to get used to it and WM5 again after coming from the Nokia E61.

[chaznet]

I really liked my new Dash when that jogger strip was working for volume only -- but your tip on the registry entry that gives it full funcitonality spiced things up quite a bit -- even the 'back' and 'mail' launcher tap-areas are there, just not labled as with the HTC version. THANKS!!!

[Kris Kumar]

A quick FYI

In case anyone is interested, the Dash costs $430 WITHOUT T-Mobile service. It is a locked unit, you will have to figure out how to unlock it for use with other carriers. ;-)

[sub_tex]

Seems like some cats over at howardforums got the Dash's volume JOGGER to work as scroll bars.

FANTASTIC!

Works perfectly!

[Tim Williamson]

What registry editor can anyone recommend for SP?

[sub_tex]

Regedit STG is free and works quite well.

[Tim Williamson]

I installed Vito CopyPaste, but couldn't get it working, is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

[nutzareus]

Is it just me, or is that rubber "door cover" for the mini-USB port annoying as hell? It wasn't there for the MDA or SDA, and I had no dirt or connection problems with those units...

[sub_tex]

I installed Vito CopyPaste, but couldn't get it working, is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

You need to have your phone application unlocked. Vito CopyPaste only works on unlocked phones.

SurrealNetworks App Unlock is a free app that will edit the registry for you to handle that.

[Mike Temporale]

I installed Vito CopyPaste, but couldn't get it working, is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

You need to have your phone application unlocked. Vito CopyPaste only works on unlocked phones.

That might not do it for you either. I've had no luck with Vito C&amp;P app on my SP5m which has been fully app unlocked. Unfortunately, Vito's C&amp;P app seems to be hit and miss on some devices. Not really sure why. :?

[kidoco]

Where is it being offered for 99.99. Thats a great price. What kind of hoops did they make you jump thru.

[Tim Williamson]

I installed Vito CopyPaste, but couldn't get it working, is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

You need to have your phone application unlocked. Vito CopyPaste only works on unlocked phones.

SurrealNetworks App Unlock is a free app that will edit the registry for you to handle that.

When I execute the .exe file it comes up with the message that the app has started, but when I hold down the middle button in a text field it doesn't do anything. Would unlocking fix this (since it seems to start without any problems)?

[sub_tex]

When I execute the .exe file it comes up with the message that the app has started, but when I hold down the middle button in a text field it doesn't do anything. Would unlocking fix this (since it seems to start without any problems)?

Yup. It did the same for me before I app unlocked mine.

[Tim Williamson]

When I execute the .exe file it comes up with the message that the app has started, but when I hold down the middle button in a text field it doesn't do anything. Would unlocking fix this (since it seems to start without any problems)?

Yup. It did the same for me before I app unlocked mine.

Oh awesome, I'll have to unlock it when I get home. I thought it would have come up with some warning message or something.

[Tim Williamson]

I absolutely love the customization of the Home screen via XML. I've already installed a gorgeous home screen called Black Beauty (http://smartphone.kleinweder.ch/downloads/index.php). So slick.

WOW!!! Those are amazing looking! Thanks for the tips, I recommend everyone do the tasks on your list. :D

[Mike Temporale]

Yeah, Kleinweder makes some great screens. I use them all the time. :)

[Kris Kumar]

For the record here is my first reaction. (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=79468#79468) :drool:

I can't wait to get one for my pocket.

[Gavino1212]

Actually, this post is pretty much cut and paste from my response to the
T-Mobile Dash-A-Day Giveaway post in the other forum.

*I like the Dash so far. only had it since the 27th. Ordered it soon as I saw it on the T-Mobile website.

It'd be cool to win one. I already have one . I bought it soon as it became availabe online from T-Mobile. My previous phone was the T-Mobile SDA. Still can't seem to close apps without going to the task manager first, but over all it really is a vast improvement over the SDA which is a pretty cool phone itself.

One annoyance the Dash has is a very sensitive touch strip on the side of the phone that controls the volume, and I do mean very sensitive. But overall it is a sweet phone.

It is smaller than the 'Q', and cannot edit Office docs, only view them. It has more memory than the SDA, and with the 1 gb micro-SD card I added, it should suffice.

Overall, I heartily recommend the T-mobile Dash, and no, I don't work for T-Mobile........lol.
Actually, in the 'settings' menu there is a Volume Touch Strip menu and it seems that the sensitivity can be adjusted. Bear in mind I've only had the phone for two days...lol and am still learning it. I really do like it. It's the second 'smartphone' I've had, the first being the SDA.

I've had a Nokia 3560 I think it is, with the rounded bottom and circular keypad, it was a pretty cool phone but not really a 'smartphone'.

The touch strip can be disabled entirely, or not, and has an "Applies To" where it can be applied to calls only, or system and calls only.

Also there is an "Activation speed" setting which can be set from 'very slow' up through 'very fast'.

And the "Sensitivity/tap speed" which I've adjusted to 'slow'. Haven't tried it yet. I've been discovering this as I've been typing this post..lol. Yet to apply it.

It's a pretty good phone so far. I like the dedicated keys, messages, the full qwerty keypad far outweighs the SDA.

Before this phone, I hated the 'T9' functions as they never really predicted what I wanted. But this phone has the 'xT9' which pretty much writes my texts for me!!

Stop by a T-Mobile store and see a hands-on display if possible. Best way to preview it.

Anyone have the SDA? Or equivilant? How do you like it? Overall it still is a pretty cool phone, long way from the bulky walkie-talkie like things in the 80s.*



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[sosnow]

I am very close to making the switch from my 2125 to the Dash. This will be my first full keypad smartphone and I am a little nervous about the increased size, but I think that will fade quickly.

I do have one question for those you have the Dash...

Can anyone confirm that the mini-USB on the DASH is truly mini-USB and not the HTC "special" connector? I have multiple min-USB cords and would hate to have to purchase new cords.
Thanks

[Tim Williamson]

It is the "special" connector (aka HTC ExtUSB)... :?

[Kris Kumar]

Can anyone confirm that the mini-USB on the DASH is truly mini-USB and not the HTC "special" connector? I have multiple min-USB cords and would hate to have to purchase new cords.

It is ExtUSB connector. But the standard miniUSB cable works just fine.

I just picked one up, and I used one of the cables I had lying around for sync. It workd like a charm.

Infact the sync cable included in the box is also a regular miniUSB cable.

The only time you will get affected is when trying to connect a headset, the headset requires ExtUSB connector. Sync works fine with mini-USB.

[sosnow]

Can anyone confirm that the mini-USB on the DASH is truly mini-USB and not the HTC "special" connector? I have multiple min-USB cords and would hate to have to purchase new cords.

It is ExtUSB connector. But the standard miniUSB cable works just fine.

I just picked one up, and I used one of the cables I had lying around for sync. It workd like a charm.

Infact the sync cable included in the box is also a regular miniUSB cable.

The only time you will get affected is when trying to connect a headset, the headset requires ExtUSB connector. Sync works fine with mini-USB.

Thanks Kris,
Will we be getting some feedback of the Dash, now that you have one in your hands...:)

[Kris Kumar]

Will we be getting some feedback of the Dash, now that you have one in your hands...:)

Definitely. 8)

[algorhythm]

Well, after b*tching and moaning about my SDA's memory issues for several months I went into a T-Mo store this week, ostensibly to find my wife a new phone. Any techgeek married to a "normal" person will know what's coming next....she couldn't find anything she liked, but I walked out with a DASH. 8)

Been playing with it for a couple of days, did the JOGGR strip and a few other hacks...and so far this thing is pretty sweet. The width doesn't bug me as much as I thought it would....it seems to be offset by the thinness. I agree the rubber thing is stoopid.... :roll: ....annoying but not a deal-breaker. And as nice as the screen is, it still won't stand up to the AZ sun. But overall, first impressions after two days....N.I.C.E.

(One strange thing...for me, the JOGGR hack stopped working after a couple of restarts. Did a restore from Sprite b/u and re-installed it, but maybe it's b/c I haven't run the app unlock yet...?)