HTC S620 - Mobile Messaging Fit for a King

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.europe.htc.com/products/htcs620.html' target='_blank'>http://www.europe.htc.com/products/htcs620.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The stylish HTC S620 makes light work of hand-held email and document management on the go. This slim and compact messaging smartphone is one of the sharpest tools for business and busy people. Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0 Smartphone with Direct Push technology gives you instant access to your emails, calendar and contacts anytime."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20060907-HTCs620.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />The Excalibur is now officially known as the HTC S620 Smartphone and features a built-in QWERTY keyboard, a large 2.4 inch QVGA landscape display, Quad-band EDGE/GPRS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2 with wireless stereo, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, MicroSD, HTC's ExtUSB connector, and HTC's new JOGGR technology (jog touch strip on the side of the device). It measures in at 111.5mm (L) x 62.5mm (W) x 12.8mm (T). HTC's website also claims that this device will support viewing of your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents - most likely using a third party solution. The specs are pretty much what we expected when we <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11929">first posted about this device</a> back at the end of July. So, I'm in - who else is going to get one? 8)

[alese]

I just can't get used to it's design.
I know it's not realy pear shaped, but it looks like that every time I look.
Maybe the gray/silver area could be darkened?

UMTS/HSDPA would be nice too...

[raaden]

My wifes contract is up with T-mo this month.

If they want to keep her/me then they should get their butts in gear and put this out by the October timeframe, otherwise it is time for her to join me and the minions of the beast (Cing :twisted: )

And if Cing could get it together and skip the 3125 and just put out the I600 I might actually be a happy minion :lol:

[Pete Paxton]

Well, I really wanted the new Samsung i600 but since it's only tri-band I think this will be my only other option. I like that it has wifi and a qwerty pad but I wish it had the form factor of the i600 and I wish it had UMTS.

[Pete Paxton]

You know, they have a big picture of this phone at engadgetmobile.com and I have to admit, I'm actually getting used to the looks of it. I wonder when the US will get this phone? By Christmas I hope?

[HalM]

I am probably "in" too, especially if it beats the Palm 750 to market by any substantial margin. As far as looks go, I am much more interested in function plus I bet it looks better in your hand than on a computer screen.

[ID64]

[quote= So, I'm in - who else is going to get one? 8)[/quote]

I already have one :)

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_9366.jpg

[HalM]

Ok, ID64. Very cool. Now tell us about your experiences with it so far. The good and the bad. In your opinion, should we lust after it?

[ID64]

Ok, ID64. Very cool. Now tell us about your experiences with it so far. The good and the bad. In your opinion, should we lust after it?

I personaly love it. It's very light and very thin. Keyboard is very good for one hand typing and two hands typing. Reception is great - I was using for about a week in North America (Canada on FIDO) and now I am in Estonia and reception is great on Tele2 network here. Screen is very sharp and very bright. Sound quality while using it as a handset is great. Bluetooth radio is very strong and A2DP is very stable. I've applied well known hacks for A2DP to improve sound quality and get real stereo from it and it works without any skipping with Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970. BT headset works very well with it. Tried Jabra JX10, Nokia BH-800, and Samsung WEP (sorry dont remember model, small black one :) that works the best BTW) Speakerphone is good. Battery life is OK. This pre-production unit has 960 mAh battery and it's good for a day of heavy usage - GPRS is ON, checking email every 1 hour, BT is ON, occasional WIFI usage and some web browsing. Taking in account that this is a pre-pro unit it's very stable and very fast. Never had any lockups with it since day one.
So far applications that I have installed on it:

Agile Messenger ---- OK

Automatic Keylock ---- OK

CCDialer ------------- OK

Mapopolis ------------ OK

Conduits Pocket Player -------------OK

TCPMP ---------------------- OK

SmartPhone Notes ------------ OK

Couple of things that I am still trying to figure out:

How to select text in email, SMS etc

How to enable BT DUN

[HalM]

All of this sounds great. Thanks for your thoughts!

[ID64]

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_9372.jpg

[ricoks]

MAN that nokia looks huge!!! :?

I would like to see this pic with the i600 included. it too would be my top pick if it werent' for the tri-band (US Cingular here)

hmmm - i'd like to see this in hand first before I feel the aforementioned 'pear' shape gets forgotten (ignored)
I can't stop focusing on that shape................ :evil:

Ricoks

[dstrauss]

When will HTC just start selling these to the public? I'd kill to take an unlocked Excalibur to my Cingular account - and being a great world phone, I'm sure others would follow around the world. Are these manufacturers so captive to the the carrier market that they can't drop phones through their own marketing arms?

[ricoks]

well, one thing that makes them so cuddlie with the carriers is that they will subsidize the MSRP in order to get new activations. this allows for better market penetration at a faster rate than to sell them outright.
That's my take on it, anyway - any others can certainly comment!!

Ricoks

[Mike Temporale]

well, one thing that makes them so cuddlie with the carriers is that they will subsidize the MSRP in order to get new activations. this allows for better market penetration at a faster rate than to sell them outright.
That's my take on it, anyway - any others can certainly comment!!

Ricoks

You're bang on. Just check out the results of our survey (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12123) regarding the device you're using. Carrier subsidized phones beat out all the other devices - easily.

However, I imagine that HTC will have these in the proper channels soon enough. Keep your eye on Expansys. But the number of HTC branded devices sold won't match the carrier branded version of the same device.

[Macguy59]

I must have that green HTC theme for my Q 8)

[encece]

I'm thinking...debating...I really like it but I promised I wouldn't get a new phone unless it was 3G ready.....

....nah! I'll wait..... (maybe!)

[Foo Fighter]

Damn! I own the Nokia E61, and the Excalibur is even smaller than it! 8O

The downside is the screen is also smaller as well..of course. What are the exact measurements of the screen?

[Kris Kumar]

CCDialer ------------- OK


Did I read CCDialer..yes I did. Thanks.

Wow! CCDialer is Excalibur compatible. :)

Now I better go and fix the bugs that have been bugging me and the rest of the users.

[Kris Kumar]

More than the device, I am drooling at the quality of the photographs. Wish all the reviews and spy shots are half as good as these, but then everyone doesn't have Canon EOS 5D. :wink:

Awesome pix ID64! Thanks. 8)

[sub_tex]

wow. The size is much much smaller than I thought!

Despite the ugly design (to me, at least), the size and features may win me over.

At $150 or even $200, I may just do this...

[ID64]

More than the device, I am drooling at the quality of the photographs. Wish all the reviews and spy shots are half as good as these, but then everyone doesn't have Canon EOS 5D. :wink:

Awesome pix ID64! Thanks. 8)

You are very welcome :)

[bnycastro]

so it's landscape but not qVGA. Hmmm very interesting that A2DP on this model performs [from what I've read] better than on a Hermes [aka TyTn] which has a faster processor [Samsungs over OMAPs] so I guess A2DP issues on the Hermes maybe software related then. Waiting for dopod to launch these for AP regions. If the Q GSM version doesn't come out I might get this instead. 8)

[Foo Fighter]

so it's landscape but not qVGA.

Incorrect. The display is indeed QVGA (320x240).

[bnycastro]

wow! then it is looking better already... :lol:

[Mike Temporale]

What are the exact measurements of the screen?

I think I read that it's a 2.4 inch screen - large for a Windows Mobile Smartphone.

[ricoks]

I think I read that it's a 2.4 inch screen - large for a Windows Mobile Smartphone.

The moto Q is also 2.4 according to what i read

[Pete Paxton]

Here are some great hands on pics:

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/07/the-boy-genius-report-hands-on-with-the-htc-excalibur/

[Mike Temporale]

Here are some great hands on pics:

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/07/the-boy-genius-report-hands-on-with-the-htc-excalibur/

Nice, but the lighting is better on ID64's pics. ;) Either way, this phone looks great. :drool:

[Pete Paxton]

Yea, I really wasn't trying to one-up ID64's pics, just trying to give it a different perspective. But as you say, it all looks good.

[spacehog]

ive been using the excalibur for some time now. if anyone has questions on usability, reliability, aesthetics etc.. let me know. i can also take some pics on request (though i cant guarantee my S400 can take as good pics as the other ones in this thread..)

[Mike Temporale]

i can also take some pics on request (though i cant guarantee my S400 can take as good pics as the other ones in this thread..)

If you're S400 is anything like mine, you can't guarantee that it will even take a picture. :evil:

Alright, since there's so many Excalibur / HTC S620 owners here, I got a question (or two):

1. What's the battery life like over the course of a day? Better or worse than the Q?

2. What's the speakerphone like? On all my past HTC phones it's been pretty crap. Is there any chance it's as loud and useful as it is on the Q?

3. What else is in the box? Just the usual or any new and fun things?

[Kris Kumar]

My question to Excalibur owners: where do you live? HTC factory? :?

Now the serious question: I want to find out how thick the unit is compared to the Q. I don't think I saw any photos.

[Rocco Augusto]

i really want this phone, except im not sure if i should hold out for a 3G Smartphone. While I love the design, and I'm sure I can eventually get use to the right handed jog-srip, I'm just not sure I can deal with EDGE anymore :)

[Tim Williamson]

I was contemplating picking up the Moto Q this weekend and switching from T-Mobile to Verizon, but now I hear the Excalibur will be a T-Mobile exclusive at first, so I think I better hold out a little longer.

Anyone know a release date?

[Mike Temporale]

I was contemplating picking up the Moto Q this weekend and switching from T-Mobile to Verizon, but now I hear the Excalibur will be a T-Mobile exclusive at first, so I think I better hold out a little longer.

Anyone know a release date?

I would expect November. Hopefully sooner, but I don't expect that. Also, I haven't heard anyone say T-Mo's going to have an exclusive on this. They might, but I haven't heard anything about that yet.

[spacehog]

i can also take some pics on request (though i cant guarantee my S400 can take as good pics as the other ones in this thread..)

If you're S400 is anything like mine, you can't guarantee that it will even take a picture. :evil:

Alright, since there's so many Excalibur / HTC S620 owners here, I got a question (or two):

1. What's the battery life like over the course of a day? Better or worse than the Q?

2. What's the speakerphone like? On all my past HTC phones it's been pretty crap. Is there any chance it's as loud and useful as it is on the Q?

3. What else is in the box? Just the usual or any new and fun things?

1. No idea vs. the q as ive never used it, but it's on par with the old imate sp5. maybe slightly better.

2. Ill test it out tomorrow and report back. To tell you the truth, i have never consistently used this feature on any of my phone. never. Don't see how this would be useful in any scenario (except office, where i already use a bluetooth HS).

3. No retail pack available yet (at least not today, but the HTC version has started to creep its way into retail shelves in Europe) but I don't expect any surprises: charger, sync cable, outdated outlook cd and faux-leather carry case.

[spacehog]

i really want this phone, except im not sure if i should hold out for a 3G Smartphone. While I love the design, and I'm sure I can eventually get use to the right handed jog-srip, I'm just not sure I can deal with EDGE anymore :)


Initially I found this "feature" to be nothing more than an excuse for HTC to justify its Innovation catchphrase on all its ads. However with enough usage and practice, I've found it to be as useful as a jogdial, but only for e-mails. When i'm browsing through menus I usually just punch in the corresponding numeric key to launch the desired application.

[TopDog]

After using HTC TyTN for a while, I can't really say I feel the need for 3G...

OK, video-calls can be fun once in a while, but usually it doesn't work, and I don't surf much on the phone. I use it for MSN, IRC, and messaging.

For that EDGE is enough. 3G also uses a lot of power, so I'd rather have better batterytime than 3G.

I'm really looking forward to testing the HTC S620!

[Mike Temporale]

1. What's the battery life like over the course of a day? Better or worse than the Q?

2. What's the speakerphone like? On all my past HTC phones it's been pretty crap. Is there any chance it's as loud and useful as it is on the Q?


1. No idea vs. the q as ive never used it, but it's on par with the old imate sp5. maybe slightly better.

2. Ill test it out tomorrow and report back. To tell you the truth, i have never consistently used this feature on any of my phone. never. Don't see how this would be useful in any scenario (except office, where i already use a bluetooth HS).

1. The Q is 1 day. So if it has the staying power of the SP5, then that's better. :D

2. Oh, I use speakerphone all the time - in the car, office, home, etc.. At least I used to until i-mate did such a poor job of it on the SP5m.

[Survivant]

Forget the Excalibur look for the Samsung SGH-i607 (BlackJack). It's coming to Cingular (ie subsidized price) and has North American 3G, Wi-Fi, and is very thin. My only concern is that some rumors have it only tri-band while other quad-band...

Look here :

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/09/blackberry-pearl-8100c-and-samsung-sgh-i607-coming-to-cingular/

[Mike Temporale]

the BlackJack looks great, but everything we've seen so far is tri-band. And Samsung hasn't had a WinMo device in North America for a while now. Also, our sources indicated that the StarTrek will be the last WinMo device released on Cingular this calendar year.

I wouldn't mind one, but I'm not going to wait past the availability of the S620. ;)

[Tim Williamson]

Also, I haven't heard anyone say T-Mo's going to have an exclusive on this. They might, but I haven't heard anything about that yet.

Isn't that what this article (http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=245273) is talking about? Or I guess it could just mean that T-Mobile is getting it first.

[Mike Temporale]

Also, I haven't heard anyone say T-Mo's going to have an exclusive on this. They might, but I haven't heard anything about that yet.

Isn't that what this article (http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=245273) is talking about? Or I guess it could just mean that T-Mobile is getting it first.

That just says it might be coming to T-Mo. But it doesn't say anything about an exclusive agreement like the one we see with the Q and Verizon. There was no exclusive for the Typhoon or the Tornado. I don't know that HTC is in the business of exclusive agreements. Especially since their devices are available from numerous other sources, it's not like an Excalibur will be hard to come across if anyone wants one. :wink:

[Tim Williamson]

Also, I haven't heard anyone say T-Mo's going to have an exclusive on this. They might, but I haven't heard anything about that yet.

Isn't that what this article (http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=245273) is talking about? Or I guess it could just mean that T-Mobile is getting it first.

That just says it might be coming to T-Mo. But it doesn't say anything about an exclusive agreement like the one we see with the Q and Verizon. There was no exclusive for the Typhoon or the Tornado. I don't know that HTC is in the business of exclusive agreements. Especially since their devices are available from numerous other sources, it's not like an Excalibur will be hard to come across if anyone wants one. :wink:

I see, that's good to hear anyways, in case T-Mobile doesn't end up with it for some reason it should still be pretty easy to get my hands on one.

[Mike Temporale]

in case T-Mobile doesn't end up with it for some reason it should still be pretty easy to get my hands on one.

Yup, just like the soon to ship Cingular 3125 can be had as a Qtek 8500, i-mate Smartflip, or dopod something or other. They're all the same HTC StarTrek Smartphone just re-branded. ;)

[Tim Williamson]

Has anyone seen shots comparing the S620 to the Palm Treo 700x?

[kmcx8]

Important question #1: who is the service provider?

Question #2: "Pear-shaped?" You got a problem with "pear-shaped"? You're gonna have 30 million Rubenesque women coming down on you!

Question #3: New Samsung i600? Where? When? How?

[bnycastro]

in case T-Mobile doesn't end up with it for some reason it should still be pretty easy to get my hands on one.

Yup, just like the soon to ship Cingular 3125 can be had as a Qtek 8500, i-mate Smartflip, or dopod something or other. They're all the same HTC StarTrek Smartphone just re-branded. ;)it's dopod s300 :) the StarTrek I mean. I wonder what number/name this will get under dopod... Hmmm come to think off it dopod hasn't announced the new PPCs and Smartphones yet... :?

[sabesh]

Mapopolis ------------ OK

I'm getting an error at launch and mapopolis shuts down. Using version 4.7 installed to the storage card. Which version are you using? Which install did you choose? (.cab or windows .exe). Did you install to memory or storage card? Thanks.