MobileBurn Reviews the T-Mobile Shadow

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=3898

"The T-Mobile Shadow is one of the few Windows Mobile devices on the market that makes use of the slider form factor. The design allows the Shadow to use a massive 2.6" main display while still having enough room left over for a full control cluster and a 20 key alphanumeric keypad. The Shadow isn't small, at 104mm x 52mm x 16mm (4.1" x 2.0" x .6"), but it is pretty light for its size: only 108g (3.8oz). The display itself is a 65k color unit with QVGA (240x320 pixel) resolution. There is no brightness control, automatic or otherwise, on the Shadow, but it does have a power saving dim mode that it enters after a user configured number of seconds."

I really like this phone. I would have kept it as my default device if it had 3G support. However, I'm sure it wouldn't have been as thin with 3G built-in. I think that's a price I would be willing to pay for a phone like this. It's a pretty cool device. In my opinion, It's the best feeling slider. In fact, it's a much better slide than the Vox. Check out the review and let us know your thoughts. Where are the Shadow owners - What are your feelings on this device?

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=3898

"The T-Mobile Shadow is one of the few Windows Mobile devices on the market that makes use of the slider form factor. The design allows the Shadow to use a massive 2.6" main display while still having enough room left over for a full control cluster and a 20 key alphanumeric keypad. The Shadow isn't small, at 104mm x 52mm x 16mm (4.1" x 2.0" x .6"), but it is pretty light for its size: only 108g (3.8oz). The display itself is a 65k color unit with QVGA (240x320 pixel) resolution. There is no brightness control, automatic or otherwise, on the Shadow, but it does have a power saving dim mode that it enters after a user configured number of seconds."

I really like this phone. I would have kept it as my default device if it had 3G support. However, I'm sure it wouldn't have been as thin with 3G built-in. I think that's a price I would be willing to pay for a phone like this. It's a pretty cool device. In my opinion, It's the best feeling slider. In fact, it's a much better slide than the Vox. Check out the review and let us know your thoughts. Where are the Shadow owners - What are your feelings on this device?

[chaznet]

I think Windows Mobile is in a transitional stage right now -- from what it was was to what will compete with the iPhone. While the Shadow has it's flaws, it's a great 'in-between' phone. A nice diversion until the good stuff comes out. One thing that continues to surprise me are the people I don't know who ask me about the phone when I have it out.

For anyone considering a Shadow-purchase -- make sure you get a 2nd battery, it's definitely a 2-battery phone and should've shipped that way.

[NYC567user]

I've been testing the T-Mobile Shadow as well and for me... it's no T-Mobile Dash or even a Blackjack. For one, the battery is much, much, much shorter, and the OS tends to lock up at random times.
When I travel and I am away from a celllular antenna...the battery gets drained even faster.
Also...with Radio turned off...as in using it on a plane..the unit tends to forget the radio is off and tries to get mail...thus locks...
When coming out of a non coverage area (subway, basement, etc.) the radio at times does not go back to gprs..but stays locked at lowercase gsm...usually a battery pop fixes this....other smarthones normally adapt and radio goes back up to EDGE.
Did not have such problems with Dash or Blackjack on WM6 upgrade versions...

Also...i get random SIM card rejects at times....definitely not a keeper. HTC is going to send me another test unit...but I think it's more of the model and battery...

The reception is ok..but I've goten better reception on other smartphones in similar locations.

The voice is good, speakerphone is decently loud for calls, a good telephone.

Using it as an mp3 player...the bluetooth radio is good..it holds pairings with bluetooth stereo headsets and gps devices...but the windows media player tends to lag between songs...so when one songs ends or you forward to the next songs..there is a few loong seconds...a rather odd behavior.
Same micrSD card works fine on Dash or Blackjack...

If you're a light user looking for a phone...and some pda functionality then go ahead use this...

If you're like me and have 3 mail accounts, listen to music, talk on the phone several times a day...etc..then look elsewhere...

[sub_tex]

wow, I have the complete opposite experience with the Shadow.

I left my Dash to use the Shadow and haven't regretted it at all.

I do agree that the battery life is worse, but I still get through my day (push email enabled) and have battery left to spare. It can't do a two-day run like the Dash could though.

I haven't had ANY lockups with this phone yet.

It took me about 2 weeks to really get myself used to how the Shadow handles certain things compared to the Dash, but it's no longer an issue.

When coming out of a non coverage area (subway, basement, etc.) the radio at times does not go back to gprs

I'm in and out of the subway all the time and haven't come across this either. I'm starting tot hink you got a bum unit.

[oopl]

How's about the keyboard?