Verizon's HTC Vox as the UTStarcom SMT 5800

[Pete Paxton]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/08/15/verizon-gets-the-htc-vox-incarnated-as-the-utstarcom-smt5800/' target='_blank'>http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/08/15/verizon-gets-the-htc-vox-incarnated-as-the-utstarcom-smt5800/</a><br /><br /></div><div><em>&quot;Tis the season for product releases, and we&rsquo;ve got a couple of gems destined for Verizon&rsquo;s network to share with you. First up is Verizon&rsquo;s take on the HTC Vox, known from here on out as the UT Starcom SMT5800. This is, as you may have surmised, the CDMA version of HTC&rsquo;s slick Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition QWERTY slider. It&rsquo;s small, light, and quick, with no touchscreen to slow you down (or speed you up, depending on your preference). The SMT5800 will sport Ev-DO out of the gate, upgradeable to Rev. A whenever the head honcho&rsquo;s see fit. Other specs include a 2 megapixel camera, 128 MB of flash/64 MB of RAM, microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0. Nothing revolutionary, but it&rsquo;s a solid addition to Verizon&rsquo;s steadily growing Windows Mobile lineup. Yeah, baby!&quot;</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1187240329.usr11642.jpg" /></div><div></div><div>Well, more good news for Verizon customers. The Vox is heading your way. No WiFi to speak of but at least it will come with Ev-DO to start and will be upgradable to Rev. A later. If I was a Verizon customer, I would highly consider this one. I'd pick this way over the Q. So let's hear it from all you CDMA people, are you going to jump on this one when it's officially in Verizon's possession? </div><div><em></em></div><div></div>

[Mike Temporale]

I wouldn't pick this over the new Q's. But that's just me. I've seen these in the Telus stores here in Canada. It's a nice phone, but not really my speed. I would have to play with it more, but I don't think I can get used to the keyboard being non-center. Plus having to slide out everytime I want to type something... blah! :p

[Hyer]

I've had a VOX for about 6 months now and really like it, but the AT&T network sucks! I've been with them for 18 years and am at the point of moving to a new carrier. My poor VOX locks up a couple times a day because it drops the data connection in mid sync (I assume this is AT&Ts problem). Pluse when I do a speed test, I'm happy to get 3kbs. The guys at the local store say we will get an EDGE upgrade in October, but I don't know if I can wait. (I'm in Denver and we didn't get the iPhone upgrade other parts of the country got. They say its the FCC, I don't buy it.)

Is the Verizon VOX running the same processor as the original? Mine's a 200MHz model and is the only thing that really bugs me.

[possmann]

Yes - I agree that I would pick this over the Motorola Q9 - I ahve never had a great Motorola device - sure they start out great but end up dead within a year - too much of a bother for me to consider...
I'm still waiting to hear WHEN verizon will come out with the 6800 (another UTStarcom device) so anyone have any take on when this one will hit the streets??? Same time? later? end of this week?

[possmann]

Just talked to a manager of a local Verizon store - they have no clue and in talking with his business sales people they haven't heard anything either - although they say they have had training on the devices about 4 months ago already.
Looks like the 15th has come and gone and nothing yet - sigh.

[Jerry Raia]

I wouldn't pick this over the new Q's.

Having owned the old Q (and similar form factors) and now the VOX, I would choose the VOX over them.

[possmann]

Where are you (which cell phone service provider) that you own a VOX - or are you talking about a previous version?

[Jerry Raia]

I'm with Cingular (ATT) in Los Angeles. I got the VOX (unbranded) from a secret source. :D

[jfreiman]

I'm with Cingular (ATT) in Los Angeles. I got the VOX (unbranded) from a secret source. :D

Microsoft?

[michaelgarcia]

This phone is already out on QWEST (or a similar phone): HTC 5800.

I just pick mine up today.

It's not on the QWEST website (I will probably be up in a few days), but it is up on the HTC website:

http://www.america.htc.com/products/products-carrier.html?qwest

I only had the phone for a few hours, but I like it alot!!!

[Mark Larson]

Wow, Sprint's MVNOs are getting some very nice phones. Pity Sprint isn't.

[possmann]

I like the site - the only question I have is that being on verizon I just can't buy a "quest" phone and ask verizon to activate it can I? I mean because they are CDMA technology I have to actually wait until verizon finally (ugh) releases the phone - or do I???

[michaelgarcia]

yes they use the same technology (CDMA), but I am pretty sure that this phone can only be used on QWEST's network. I think that you will have to wait until Verizon releases the phone. I know, bummer!!!

[michelle b]

HELP ME!... attack of the blinking service light ... i downloaded the radio led and it installed and looks like the example but my light still blinks.. i might throw it up against the wall... please someone assist me... any new software out there??? suggestions???