T-Mobile Shadow 2009

[Pete Paxton]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://mobilitysite.com/2009/01/t-mobile-shadow-2009/' target='_blank'>http://mobilitysite.com/2009/01/t-m...le-shadow-2009/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It's not the T-Mobile Shadow II as you would expect, it's going to be called the Shadow 2009. When the original T-Mobile Shadow came out, it was kind of ground breaking. It was one of the 1st Windows Mobile phones to radically change the default UI. It took some criticism, but it also took in a good deal of praise. Well, BGR has some info about the Shadow 2009, but a big problem is looming for it, no 3G support? I realize T-Mobile's 3G network is young and not widespread, but they are doing themselves no favors if they leave 3G out altogether."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1231216455.usr11642.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>With everything else out there, does the Shadow 2009 even stand a chance? It's fairly ordinary looking, no qwerty keyboard, and the real killer... no 3G? This seems more like a 2007 phone than a 2009 upcoming device. It's at least&nbsp;@Home (Hotspot Enabled). Are&nbsp;any of you planning to pick this one up and if so, why? And does anyone else feel T-Mobile is falling way behind? I'm curious to know what you all think.&nbsp;</p>

[benjimen]

I'm grandfathered into a great monthly rate ($39.99 for 1500 minutes) that no one, including T-Mobile, can come close to at current rates. Switching to another carrier would be unwise at this point, so I'm stuck with the antiquated stable of T-Mobile device offerings, and there isn't much to look forward to -- especially when it comes to WM devices. The Shadow 2009 should've been named the Shadow 2005, more representative of the tech it includes. No GPS, no 3G, and a processor in the 200mhz range. Yawn.

It would all be made somewhat better if the unlocked devices available from HTC and others included the 3G bands supported by T-Mobile, that's going to be the only way to get a decent device. A bit more expensive, yes, but less than the annual difference of an equivalent monthly plan at current rates.

After reading about the scheduled launches coming up for T-Mobile, I've given up on getting a decent subsidized handset from them -- the only halfway decent looking one is a 8 megapixel camera device, but it's not WM... :(

[Pony99CA]

And does anyone else feel T-Mobile is falling way behind?
I can answer that in one word -- Android. They may be behind on Windows Mobile phones, but as they're the first (and still only as far as I know) carrier with an Android phone, I can't say they're "way behind".

Steve

[bitbank]

The Shadow is a great phone even if they didn't make many changes from version 1. The bigger problem is that T-Mobile painted themselves into a corner with their 3G spectrum purchase. I hate AT&T, but it's tempting to jump ship for 3G. My problem with AT&T (besides all of their obvious flaws) is that the same plan I have on T-Mobile would cost $30 more per month. Will HTC, Motorola and Samsung make phones which support 1700mhz just to play in T-Mobile's turf...

L.B.

[Pete Paxton]

I guess I didn't state my question very clearly. I meant their network more than the devices they have to offer. I feel their coverage is spotty and their 3G network is the most limited.

[benjimen]

I guess I didn't state my question very clearly. I meant their network more than the devices they have to offer. I feel their coverage is spotty and their 3G network is the most limited.

Their coverage is actually quite good, and yes, their 3G network is limited -- but what do you expect, they just turned it on in October -- already, it's approximately 1/3 larger than it was at launch...

[CeluGeek]

The new Shadow was released this week (1-28-09) and is available for purchase. How come this hasn't been covered by Smartphone Thoughts?

Here is the link (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobile-Shadow-Black-Burgundy) to the Black-and-Burgundy version. There is also a White Mint version that looks like it was painted with a tube of Aquafresh, because it has some green and pink hue to it.

I really want to get this phone. Yes, it has no GPS (I can't care less) and no 3G, but it is the first WinMo device with UMA (Wi-Fi calling) support, so I should be able to get a signal inside my apartment with something that finally is not a BlackBerry or a dumbphone from Samsung or Nokia. I'll be getting this phone as soon as I can find it locally, and I'll be talking and messaging the heck out of it - in and out of UMA during the trial period to see if it's a keeper or not.