09-05-2006, 02:30 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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HTC: Yay to More Tunes, Nay to Infrared
"High Tech Computer (HTC), the world's largest maker of mobile phones that use Windows Mobile, plans to further develop music playing functions in its handsets in the future, while it will slowly phase out infrared. The company already offers music functions on most of its phones, since they use a mobile version of Microsoft's Media Player. But going forward, HTC will add more flash memory and other hardware to make its phones increasingly music-friendly, said Peter Chou, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of HTC, in a group interview. The strategy meshes with Microsoft's plan to launch the Zune digital music player and challenge Apple Computer in the growing digital music market. Up to now, Microsoft has focused on digital music on the PC and home media systems, as well as a few mobile phone ventures, such as one with Verizon Wireless announced earlier this year."
So, HTC wishes to lure music lovers with more flash memory? No objections here. But hey, why not ditch that blasted proprietary audio connector as well? Speaking of "ditch", that's exactly the path that infrared is taking. HTC no longer sees it as a necessity.
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09-05-2006, 03:33 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 287
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I never did use Infrared on my phone - BT only (and a cable now and then).
No reason why I guess, just never had IR on mydesktop so never cared for it not being there.
I still won't listen to music on my phone. I need it too much for work, I can see me runnign down the battery and losing a call to a client or my boss.
No thanks not needed 
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09-05-2006, 03:53 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 67
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I find IrDA much more compatible and trouble-free than Bluetooth. There are many security policies and complexity on Bluetooth, that some PPC devices don't let other devices to send them files (e.g. my QTek 9100 with the latest firmware version). IrDA on the other hand, always worked.
So no, I don't like the fact that they are phasing out IrDA. There are some cases --few cases, granted--, where i'ts still very valuable.
__________________
PDAs: x50v, rx3115, PalmV, TH-55, SL-5500, T-615C (previously owned: Axim X5-Adv, h2210, e800).
Phones: QTek 9100, W810i, M600i, E61, A780, 6288, SLVR L7, U8500, KG800, ROKR E2, D840, K300i, 3300, K700i, i-Mate, T310, (previously owned E680i, E398, MOT M1000).
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09-05-2006, 04:04 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,389
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I use IR all the time.. It is usually faster and easier than bluetooth. Besides my mom's old pocket pc doesn't have bluetooth. How else am i going to beam her the cab files for her software updates?
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09-05-2006, 04:07 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 658
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I have to agree. Myself, I like to use IR not only for transferring files and whatnot wirelessly (even between older generation devices!) but also as a universal remote. I really hope they reconsider their decision about IR. It still proves to be quite useful for a number of people nowadays.
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09-05-2006, 04:29 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 148
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I'm adding my voice to the people who still use Infrared. I have a HTC Star Trek and I love it, but it's irritating that I can't use it with the IR keyboard I recently bought.
Don't get me wrong, I love Bluetooth. But IR still has a role to play.
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09-05-2006, 04:42 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 81
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yea....SAVE IR.......
unless bluetooth becomes as hassle free as IR...
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"May the potato be with you!"
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09-05-2006, 04:52 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 171
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I'm done with IR. I've used it a few times and it does admittedly work well. But chances are more things will move to BT and security is likely to improve on that. Same with improvements in multiple pairings (laptop, car, cell, spouse pda). IR is a fairly large footprint on a PDA and having to line things up is not particularly efficient.
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09-05-2006, 05:07 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 740
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I have to agree with most everyone here. Unless and until BT becomes as trouble free; AND is included in EVERY PC and laptop by default (without the need for a dongle or 3rd party add-in card) IR support should stay. I use it all the time, especially when trying to connect to my laptop to either sync or transfer files when I don't have a cable or cradle handy. I also use it to beam contacts and appointments to my wife's Cingular 2125.
Killing this support now, without the backbone needed on the PC (laptop OR desktop) side is a mistake, I think...but that's just my 2 cents.
__________________
Kind Regards,
Christopher Spera
Gear Diary Review Team
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09-05-2006, 08:28 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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I think some of you are stuck in the past with old equipment. :wink:
There iisn't any IR on any of the last 4 laptops I have purchased (all Dell's BTW). They at least offered Bluetooth when configuring, but no IR. IR is dying, the masses are too lazy to try and deal with the line of site issues. IR was NEVER a standard item on desktop PC's, either. Their just is no compelling reason to consider IR a must have for forward looking devices - as there is a shrinking market of compatible devices to talk to - other than for use as a remote, but even then, most of the devices don't have Consumer IR, so they don't fill that need anyway.
The idea of adding more FLASH has memory is one I've been screaming for for the last few years. I'm amazed it has taken HTC this long to figure out that they are missing a big potential market by ignoring this need. It is simply so cheap to add large amount of this type of memory to devices that it's amazing that they have only now had this revelation. :roll:
[EDIT] Okay, I imagine IR was an option when ordering these, but I don't recall seeing it when configuring the devices for purchase. Maybe I purchased the wrong models...]
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