Unboxing of the HTC Cavalier

[Rocco Augusto]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://blog.timcarmichael.com/2007/06/28/unboxing-my-dopod-c730/' target='_blank'>http://blog.timcarmichael.com/2007/06/28/unboxing-my-dopod-c730/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Two independent (but somewhat related) articles have surfaced, both focusing on the HTC Excalibur replacement, the HTC Cavalier. Over on <a href="http://blog.timcarmichael.com/">Tim Carmichael's blog</a> there's a great <a href="http://blog.timcarmichael.com/2007/06/28/unboxing-my-dopod-c730/">unboxing gallery</a>, including some Excalibur comparison snaps. Also, recent documents have surfaced on the FCC site, indicating the device is approved for use in the USA. This thing has been hot and cold for a few months now, maybe now we will finally see some traction...?"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/augusto-20070710-cavalier.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />There is nothing more exciting than the smell of a brand new phone. Unfortunately, this "new phone" is no more than HTC's on-again/off-again QWERTY Windows Mobile Standard phone. I don't know about you guys, but when we first announced this device, which seemed like an eternity ago, I was filled with nothing but joy. Then HTC decided to ‘can’ the device... then decided to launch it and then canned it again. While I am happy that HTC is <i>finally</i> releasing this device, I feel the boat has pasted on what would have been a Smartphone media frenzy a year ago.<br /><br />I don't know what has happened to HTC over the course of the past year, but they used to be on top of the world and now they're just on top of my yawn list. If anyone from HTC actually reads this, for the love all things mobile and good, just give us something new and innovating and not just an upgrade to an existing product... oh, and seriously, 1999 called and they want their camera lenses back.

[surur]

I don't know what has happened to HTC over the course of the past year, but they used to be on top of the world and now they're just on top of my yawn list. If anyone from HTC actually reads this, for the love all things mobile and good, just give us something new and innovating and not just an upgrade to an existing product... oh, and seriously, 1999 called and they want their camera lenses back.

Why dont you just buy an IPhone. I know you want to.

Surur

[Rocco Augusto]

Why dont you just buy an IPhone. I know you want to.

Surur

I couldn't. No matter how beautiful the UI is, I could never get over how smudgy the phone gets. I spent a good amount of time playing wiht it in my local Cingular store and the amount of smudging that is visible, even with the LCD on, is just unbearable.

At least when my Blackjack has some finger smudges on it, I can't see it when the LCD is on.

[xyphos]

There is nothing more exciting than the smell of a brand new phone. Unfortunately, this "new phone" is no more than HTC's on-again/off-again QWERTY Windows Mobile Standard phone. I don't know about you guys, but when we first announced this device, which seemed like an eternity ago, I was filled with nothing but joy. Then HTC decided to ‘can’ the device... then decided to launch it and then canned it again. While I am happy that HTC is finally releasing this device, I feel the boat has pasted on what would have been a Smartphone media frenzy a year ago.



I feel the same way, when it was first announced I could not wait to get my hand on it. Now, I'm fine letting this one pass.

[donb]

just give us something new and innovating

Just give me something old and useful. Enough of the qwerty boards and phones trying to be all things to all people. There are virtually no traditional smartphones (i.e. updated SMT5600) available out there. Not at Cingular or Verizon anyway. All I want is a good [small] phone that is 3G, will sync with my Outlook and occasionally let me respond to an email using T9. I don't need cameras, dedicated media buttons, useless homescreen designs that take up all of the valuable real estate. If you ask me, Smartphones have taken a wrong turn.

[Stinger]

I remember when I first saw the Orange SPV C500 about 3 years ago. After the rather lacklustre SPV/SPV C100/SPV C200, I was amazed at how small it was and all of the features it managed to pack in.

These days HTC are getting left behind. They release the occasional "almost" device like the S710 but the real innovation in small smartphones is coming from Nokia, Samsung and Motorola.

Every smartphone should have 3G. Consumer-orientated smartphones should have a decent autofocus camera, not merely music buttons. A few models with integrated GPS would also be nice.

HTC used to be top dog but I'm finding it harder and harder to like their new Smartphone releases.

[acharn]

just give us something new and innovating

Just give me something old and useful. Enough of the qwerty boards and phones trying to be all things to all people. There are virtually no traditional smartphones (i.e. updated SMT5600) available out there. Not at Cingular or Verizon anyway. All I want is a good [small] phone that is 3G, will sync with my Outlook and occasionally let me respond to an email using T9. I don't need cameras, dedicated media buttons, useless homescreen designs that take up all of the valuable real estate. If you ask me, Smartphones have taken a wrong turn.

I agree with your assessment about homescreen designs. I don't use any of the 3rd party plugins because they just look to cluttered. I think smartphones are advancing. For instance, I have had the SMT5600, the 2125, and now a Blackjack. I love having a keyboard and don't anticipate buying a phone without one in the future.
Most cell phone companies are adding the ability to sync and respond to email so you might want to consider a more traditional phone now. They are getting smarter and many are where the 5600 was a couple years ago.

[Rocco Augusto]

I enjoy what Samsung has done with their homescreens. They included the default homescreens for those that perfer something more traditional, and then they included the new homescreens which are fun and different. It is a little bit of something for everyone. :)

[Pete Paxton]

I couldn't agree more that HTC needs to WOW us soon. But in their defense, who is? I mean the iPhone has the UI but not much else that interests me. I took a look at the BB 8800 and the Curve. Neither of these has 3G or WiFi and neither could play my Star Wars.avi video nearly as good as my Dash could. I can't believe that the Dash is nearly a year old and yet for me it's the best choice out there. HTC are you listening?

[Mike Temporale]

I couldn't agree more that HTC needs to WOW us soon. But in their defense, who is?

Well, that's exactly the point. If there is something that not very many are doing right now, then it would be wise to step into that segment and offer your customers a little more. :)