01-10-2007, 05:00 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,520
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From Mt Olympus Comes the HTC TyTN
Product Category: Windows Mobile 5 Phone Edition Device
Manufacturer: HTC
Where to Buy: Mad Monkey Boy's Gadgets
Price: $689.00 USD
System Requirements: ActiveSync 4.x, Exchange Server Account Recommended for MSFT features.
Specifications: Dimensions: 112.5 mm (L) X 58 mm (W) X 21.95 mm (T). Weight: 176g with battery. Processor: 400mhz Samsung Stacked CPU. Wireless: UMTS 850/1900/2100, GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad-band, WiFi IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth Compliant with v2.0 without EDR. Battery: 1350 mAh. Expansion: Micro-SD memory card
Pros:
GPRS/EDGE/UMTS;Slide-out Keyboard;WiFi b/g.
Cons:
Micro-SD
Summary:
The TyTN came on the scene with much fanfare and much anticipation, mainly due to the inclusion of every GSM frequency and every UMTS frequency known to man. Does the the TyTN turn out to be the fine device so many had hoped for? Or does it amount to an anti-climatic experience. Read on to find out...
Read on for the full review!
Introduction
Introducing the TyTN...
Figure 1: The TyTN looking below.
In a world where the people suffer under the oppression of tri-band radios, 200 mhz processors, 32mb of ram, Bluetooth 1.x, and lack of WiFi... a hero has arisen; standing high above searching for any Pocket PC user in need; listening for the outcries from low memory tyranny. The champion is here. A warrior to free us all of the burden of choosing which wireless technology is most important. WiFi? Or Bluetooth? Face the dilemma no more.
Figure 2: Other Pocket PCs bowing down.
A hero so great, loved by those who came before. It's not worship, just undying adoration. The great one has arrived. The Hero... Our hero! The one to deliver us.
Figure 3: The TyTN in my hand.
Let us welcome the Mighty TyTN!
...okay, enough of the drama. Onto the review.
What�s In the Box
Figure 4: The box contents.
The HTC TyTN ships with the phone (of course), a Mini-USB headset, AC Adapter, USB Sync cable, and leather pouch. Conspicuously missing from the box is a cradle of any kind, which, according to HTC's website, they'll be willing to sell you at an additional cost sometime this December.
Up Close - The Hardware
Figure 5: The Front.
Along the top:
Messaging Button
Internet Explorer Button
Wireless LED Blinks blue when bluetooth is active and green for WiFi.
Radio LED Blinks green and amber for GSM/UMTS standby, waiting messages, and battery charging.
Along the bottom:
Video Call Button;
Green Talk Button;
Two Dedicated Softkey Buttons;
Dedicated Start Menu Button;
Dedicated OK Button;
Red End Button.
Unfortunately only the Talk and End buttons light up in the dark. There have been many times when I thought that I was pressing the soft key buttons in the dark only to end up hittng the OK button instead. This, of course, causing the application to disappear from view.
Figure 6: The Back.
On the back we have the following:
Car Antennae Connector;
Self Portrait Mirror;
Main Camera;
Flash Light.
Figure 7: Toshiba e830, Ipaq 2215, TyTN, ETEN m500, 3125.
Figure 8: 3125, ETEN m500, TyTN, Ipaq 2215, Toshiba e830.
The TyTN turns out to have almost an identical feel as the ETEN m500, which is not so bad when you consider that the TyTN packs in a sliding QWERT keyboard. When pulling the TyTN out of its box I was afraid that it was going to end up being too thick, but after using this phone for some time it turned out to be just the right size for my large hands.
Figure 9: Top View.
The top is completely smooth and featureless.
Figure 10: Left Side.
From Left to Right:
Jog Wheel: The wheel spins 360 degrees. It can be pressed in to perform the select action.
OK Button.
Voice Command Button: Pressing the button activates the built-in voice speed dial application. Holding the button allows you to record voice notes.
Micro SD Slot: The slot is slightly recessed to prevent accidentally ejecting the memory card. As long as I've been using the phone, I've never had the card pop out on me. On the downside, it seems like everytime we get a new device we're forced to start at the bottom of the storage capacity ladder. While SD cards are peaking at 4GB, and MiniSD at 2GB, here we are with the MicroSD format beginning to rise above 1GB capacities. Here's hoping that our little friend catches up fast with its bigger brothers.
Figure 11: Right Side.
From Right to Left:
Power Button;
Comm Manager;
Camera Button;
Stylus.
Figure 12: Bottom View.
From Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
Infrared Port: While most vendors seem to be leaving out infrared, HTC still found room to include it.
Reset Button;
Microphone;
Battery Cover Release;
Sync Connector/Headphone Jack: That�s right, this phone doesn't come with the standard 3.5mm head phone jack. HTC's trend seems to be in these Mini-USB jacks. It'll be a boon in new accessory sales for someone. The worst part about these is the fact that they're always on the bottom of the device.
Figure 13: The Keyboard.
The first thing that jumped out at me when I opened the keyboard was how fast it switched to landscape mode. There was almost no delay before I could start to use it.
The full QWERTY keyboard was comfortable to use when typing quick emails or text messages. Even short paragraphs were fine. I have to admit that there were times when a dedicated thumb board would have been nice for even "quicker" text messages, but when I think about losing the larger rectangular screen, I come back to my senses.
I would have preferred a dedicated number row rather than having to select the blue function key (left-most button on the bottom row) for each number or punctuation symbol. It gets tedious when having to type several numbers in succession. Like a phone number. And finally the keys click just entirely too loud for my taste.
What�s On Board
Figure 14: Today Screen.
The TyTN comes with all of the standard Windows Mobile plugins. You access the battery information and the Comm Manager directly from the Today screen.
Comm Manager
Figure 15: The Comm Manager.
The Comm Manager brings together all of the TyTN's Communication technologies under one view, with the exception of the Infrared.
From Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
Phone;
Bluetooth;
WiFi;
Microsoft DirectPush Email;
Data Connection;
Ringer;
ActiveSync.
Using the Comm Manager makes activating WiFi easy. I have two wireless networks in my home. One being B and the other G. All I have to do is turn on the radio, and in a few seconds I'm connected. Compared to the hoops that I had to jump through with other devices (most notably pre-WM5 devices), the TyTN made it simple.
Figure 16: Network List.
Here you can view available networks and add preferred profiles.
Voice Speed Dial
Figure 17: Voice Speed Dialer.
HTC has bundled a Voice Speed Dial application that allows you to open applications and contacts using your voice. The downside is that you have to record voice tags for anything you want the application to recognize. The upside is in the tests that I've done, it's pretty accurate. But then it only has to match my voice with my voice. I personally prefer MS Voice Command, but that�s an additional $40.
Zip Application
Figure 18: Zip Application.
You would expect a pretty basic application here, but there are quite a few options that should satisfy most people looking for an archiving application.
The Zip application allows you to send any archive via email or infrared. No bluetooth option though. One of the options allows you to choose the compression level on a scale of 1 to 9.
I would have liked to see integration with Windows Explorer. And softkey support would have been nice too. But hey, it�s free.
ClearVue PDF
Figure 19: ClearVue PDF.
ClearVue allows you to view PDF files on your Pocket PC. I was surprised that this application also lacked Softkey support. HTC bundled version 2.42.434. Perhaps the later versions have added it.
As a Phone
Using the TyTN as a phone had its ups and downs. The downs are probably the same gripes that I would have with any Pocket PC Phone Edition. Receiving calls was fine. The phone rings, hit the green answer button. Done. Dialing out caused another one of those moments of temporary insanity when I wished for a dedicated hardware keypad. But all the other benefits of the device outweighed the desire and it passed.
Besides there are third party applications, like Contact Breeze, that make it easier.
Figure 20: The Phone Dialer.
The Standard onscreen dialer. Bigger buttons would have made it better to use for me. But that perspective is probably dependant on the size of your fingers.
Figure 21: The Smart Dialer.
HTC's Smart Dialer is a great application for finding the number you want. When you start typing on the keypad, it searches for both numbers and contact names.
3G Data
The TyTN has been called "future-proof" due to the fact that it supports just about every GSM and UMTS spectrum there is. I don't know about that, but I don't know of another phone that deserves the title of World Phone more than this one.
When I first got the TyTN, a few months ago, the UMTS coverage was spotty at best. Cingular is still in the process of rolling out the network. In fact I've yet to see any official announcements or commercials for their 3G access.
Now I get pretty good access where I work in Chevy Chase, MD.
Figure 22: UMTS Meter.
According to Izaino, I've been able to get upwards of 320 kbps. The difference between UMTS and GSM is definitely noticeable. Especially when browsing or synchronizing my IMAP email accounts.
The specs say that it also supports EDGE, though I've never seen the E in my menu bar. Either G, or U. I guess I'll have to take their word for it.
Conclusions
I have had the opportunity to use the TyTN as my daily workhorse for a couple of months now and it is a great device. I don't have any serious complaints or regrets about purchasing it. Between the large screen and slide out keyboard, it has been able to keep me organized during my crazy workdays. And I've put it through the paces. You have noticed a few scratches on the case. It�s had a few drops but I've never had any problems with it.
HTC has bundled several value added applications with the TyTN to make the device more productive. Including a PDF viewer and Zip archive application.
With all of the wireless technologies packed in to the TyTN, you'll be hard pressed to find an excuse to not be connected. Unless you just don't want to be. The only thing that would make this device perfect would be included GPS.
If you're a fan of slide out keyboards, and you're looking or a 3G device then they TyTN is definitely the one for you.
Phillip is a full-time software team leader by day. And a electronics addict by night. Okay he's an addict all day long. He enjoys reading about new toys and staring at the Xbox 360 in Best Buy.[/b][b]
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01-10-2007, 08:47 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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2 small points
Good review, Phillip. Just 2 things though:
Pressing the function key twice locks it in symbol mode, enabling you to use the numbers as a keypad. Pressing the function key twice again unlocks it.
Getting Windows Mobile to show an E when using EDGE is as simple as a registry change. :roll:
Other than that, great stuff. I can't wait to get mine. :mrgreen:
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01-10-2007, 10:26 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 92
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Demand more!
Nope - dead on arrival - when are you people gonna realize that MS mothership has moved on? UMPC, Tablets, Vista, etc.
Strikes me funny to read that people think that a simple registry hack to fix something that shouldn't be broken in the first place is OK.
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01-11-2007, 01:09 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 378
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A great review and this is truly an awesome device. I especially applaud HTC for their quad-band GSM/tri-band UMTS devices and I hope they keep it up. It fits my every needs and I can't wait to get mine. I'm just waiting for the price to drop a little more... :mrgreen:
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01-11-2007, 01:28 AM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,111
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Re: Demand more!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by DarkHelmet
Nope - dead on arrival - when are you people gonna realize that MS mothership has moved on? UMPC, Tablets, Vista, etc.
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DarkHelmet, you've posted inflammatory comments in two threads now - tone it down, please. There're politer ways of getting your points across without having it construed as a personal attack.
__________________
"A planner is a gentle man, with neither sword nor pistol.
He walks along most daintily, because his balls are crystal."
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01-11-2007, 02:30 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 53
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TyTN has the EDGE?
Having enjoyed my TyTN for a whole week now, I can definitely say it's the best Pocket PC Phone I've used (that list including the E-TEN M500, an i-mate JAMin and a Treo 650).
The question surrounding EDGE is one that I also had, but I have the following theory: if those Cingular towers that support UMTS only support UMTS because they've been upgraded and that upgrade actually boosts the tower from being just a straight GPRS tower to a GPRS+EDGE+UMTS tower then, if I have a UMTS-capable device (which I do now), I will never see an E icon ever again -- if the tower can do EDGE, it can also do UMTS, and my device will always choose the latter over the former when available. Sound plausible?
Also, I have done some throughput testing (although I would definitely not call it scientific, by any stroke of the imagination) by using my TyTN as a modem for my laptop. Tethering via Bluetooth yielded up to 400Kbps, while tethering via USB yielded up to 500KBps. I'm guessing the Bluetooth speed is limited by the Bluetooth connection itself (with non-EDR 2.0 BT only supporting 708Kbps, right? and then halve it for real-life throughput). All-in-all, very satisfactory!
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01-11-2007, 06:38 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
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Re: Demand more!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by DarkHelmet
Strikes me funny to read that people think that a simple registry hack to fix something that shouldn't be broken in the first place is OK.
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I agree. A registry hack should not be required; however, it is. Besides, there are applications freely available that do it for you.
Windows Mobile, as with other versions of Windows, can be streamlined to get the best out of it.
Funny how the same is pushed as a strength in Linux, for example, but as "broken" in Windows. :devilboy:
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01-11-2007, 08:11 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 53
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I've had my TyTN (batch 624) for almost 6-months now -- and still think it's the best device suited for my needs, both personal and business.
Pros: by far the most complete converged device marketed yet...
Cons: lack of standard headphone jack (useful during flights)
Recommended accessories for the TyTN:
HBH-DS970 bluetooth stereo headphones;
1Gb microSD card
Desktop Stand/Charger (one for home, one for office)
Retracting USB connector (for USB charging from notebook)
GR-230 bluetooth gps mouse
screen protector
Software Essentials:
PocketBreeze on the desktop
Wisbar Lite (task manager)
PocketPlayer (media player)
Efficasoft's GPRS Traffic Monitor
FlexWallet
PocketInformant
Resco Explorer
Resco PhotoViewer
CityTime
There's a tweak available to unhide 9.6mb of extra ROM space that can be unlocked and used for program or data storage -- will even be there after a hard reset.
Optional:
Mobem's CE-Star (Standard) for Chinese input and display
PocketWeather
Papago (Taiwan Navigation Software)
MapKing (China Navigation Software)
Mapopolis (compared to Papago, very spartan but useful in U.S.)
Voicedialer or Voice Commander...
Lot's of good tips and upgrade tricks over on xda-developer's site.
Cheers from Taipei
dopod cht 9000 wm5 5.1.195 (build 14955.2.3.0)
ROM 1.35.255.2 HTC 11/14/06 Radio 1.18.00.10
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01-11-2007, 01:55 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 53
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Registry hacks please
1. Registry hack for the EDGE icon: where did y'all find out about this? Is it really the case that you don't get an E icon because it's actually deactivated in some way? Does that mean you still get EDGE but you only get a G (or U) icon?
2. Extra ~9MB storage/program space: where do I find out about THIS hack? That's something I'd definitely be interested in doing. Also, I see you're on the latest ROM -- did you upgrade your own ROM? How does the upgrade compare for you? I've visited the XDA developers site (but only started doing so recently, since I got my TyTN), can you point to the specific threads concerned?
Thanks!
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01-11-2007, 02:22 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 309
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Cool... i hope the price will come down sometime... :roll:
__________________
This site should go the way of msmobiles.com. Forget WM and start talking android. Androidthoughts.com
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Linear Mode
