11-14-2008, 02:14 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 518
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Gave up - bought a Fuze....
Finally climbed down off of the fence have been sitting on - for some time now - and bought a Fuze last night.
Have not had a lot of Play Time with it yet - less than 24 hours old, and there ARE other priorities during the day (  ) - but a couple (?? ) of interesting observations thus far:
As noted in reviews, feels nice in hands - width & height are about same as my old Razr, and the added Depth actually makes it MORE comfortable to hold. Weight is higher, of course - although doesn't seem as much heavier as would expect.
Of course, MOST calls will be via Bluetooth, so this won't matter much - and it connected easily to my primary earphone (Motorola Pure).
While nice in hand, unit felt Heavy in pocket at first, although grew more accustomed to it during the day. And it IS smaller & lighter than the Axim (in its case) AND especially with the Razr COMBINED with the Axim....
The accessory dongle is a crazy looking getup: no less than 4 ports on it! 3 for headphones, one for USB/Power + the tail leading back to the Fuze itself. Have trouble imagining ever wanting to use it...
Nice that the Sylus is held into the (BOTTOM FACING) port with a strong magnet: really clicks into place, which is appreciated (have had to put a couple of wraps of tape around the Axim stylus to keep it from falling out of its TOP Loaded port!). Also appreciate having an extra stylus in the box.
Stylus itself is short & thin, but Usable. Those with larger hands might have some complaint.
There IS a screen cover included with the unit, although this does NOT show up on the "Included In The Box" list. Like nearly all screen covers have used to date it is a Royal Pain to properly align - without having dust or fingerprints beneath the darned thing. Although the Fuze screen is NEARLY Flush with the top of the unit, there is still a small ledge around it: just enough to Raise the edges of the screen protector if it is not laid down correctly.
Interestingly, the "screen protector" actually covers the entire top portion of the unit - not just the screen itself - and as such it includes a cut-out for the ear speaker....
Keyboard slides up well & seems to work well - again, have smaller hands (Medium Gloves, if that helps), but it is easy enough for two thumbs to tap out text messages - and the extra keys are nice as they save having to Always seek out the FCN or Shift keys...
Making phone calls seems easy enough, as the on-screen numeric keyboard is big enough to hit numbers without problems.
Have not learned all of the menus yet, and have had some trouble finding things - like accessing missed calls (which unit "reminds" you of periodically) - and the Text Messaging has been problematical: VERY Slow response to opening / replying to a message, often accompanied by the entire system simply FREEZING for a bit - and then suddenly trying to run Every Command you tried to enter to wake it up. (Recall a reviewer that had similar problems).
This MAY have been due to my defeating the TouchFlo interface: after continued Significant problems with Text Messaging & generally slow response decided to hit the RESET button (which appears to have a small Headphone graphic above it - ??) and since that time the unit has been much snappier.
Perhaps a Reset is required to flush TouchFlo out of the system??
Oh: and did I mention the SCREEN IS LOVELY?
Well, the Screen is LOVELY!
It responds well - on most menus used thus far - to Finger Touch. Stylus use will require a bit more practice: seems a bit reluctant, requiring more force than am accustomed to, especially around the edges (Scroll Bar....)
However the entire unit is indeed one large Fingerprint magnet.
Also: It recognized our home wireless network & properly requested security passcode - but have NO IDEA whether it accessed the internet using the WiFi connection OR the AT&T 3G network: and have not yet figured out HOW to tell!
A mystery that will probably have to wait for another day.
So, thus far, some good points, some not so good points. 30 days to Finally Decide - albeit at cost of $20 Restocking Fee.....
Last edited by Reid Kistler; 11-14-2008 at 02:17 AM..
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11-14-2008, 06:06 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 28
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Since you're used to using an Axim, what did you think of the screen-size? I've checked out the Pro, and was just shocked at how small the screen was (I'm used to using a PPC with a honking big screen.)
I agree, it's a really nice device. Hope you enjoy it.
Last edited by Farmer Ted; 11-15-2008 at 04:12 AM..
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11-15-2008, 01:19 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 69
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Thank you for the nice review. This phone has me seriously tempted.
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11-16-2008, 02:35 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 518
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Since you're used to using an Axim, what did you think of the screen-size?
Yes, was also surprised (for some reason) at the small screen size, and have not yet decided how much functionality that is going to cost. Although that small screen also permits the Fuze to be thin enough to be comfortably held in Phone Position, something that would not be true of the Axim.
In terms of legibility, the screen is fine: have worn Progressive Lenses for - well, A While  - and have had no trouble at all reading things on the Fuze: the increased sharpness (remember my Axim X30 has only QVGA display) more than makes up for the loss of screen space. (But then even some of the newer small QVGA displays outshine the Axim: the lower resolution means bigger pixels as screen size expands, one reason a 20" SD CRT usually looks better than a 36" SD CRT... and find that the Axim screen looks jagged & washed out compared to many newer devices, even given the same QVGA spec: and the Fuze offers Brilliant VGA - it is truly an impressive display.)
The bigger question will be how useful the screen size is for on-screen manipulation: the scroll bars are Thin & the screen edges seem to require more pressure to register input - as does the entire screen surface, for that matter. (Comparison, again, is to Axim X30 Mid.)
However, have already seen a Registry Edit that purportedly significantly lowers the pressure required for screen input, which would be a good thing.
My main concern was (is) on-screen (SIP) text input. The standard QWERTY software keyboard is large enough for easy text input - IF I could only remember how to move the stylus to find the right letters! (Fitaly snob... )
Have not yet loaded Fitaly, which will be the "Real Test" as the Fitaly keyboard puts more blocks on the screen - which results in smaller boxes to hit!
Of course the Fuze DOES come with a hardware keyboard as well, and have actually made fairly good friends with it. It works well for short messages - Phone Text Messages, for example - although would not want to have to take lecture notes using it: don't think my thumbs would hold up to the pace!
DID try playing a game or two (Purely to test out the graphics capability, of course...  ) and guess is that the small screen size could well hamper the play of some games: Jawbreaker (or whatever Fuze calls it) seemed much more difficult to play at first - although did grow more accustomed to it on 2nd run through - and would expect any game with relatively fast moving - & Small - objects would be more difficult than on Axim... (Kevtris, Quartz, Snowed In..... Not, of course, that we have had experience with any such games....)
But then also do not know how many of these would transfer from 2003SE to WM 6.x - ??
Hope this feedback helps....
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11-16-2008, 05:14 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 28
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Thanks, that does help. The better resolution should make everything easier to see. The screen on my asus is starting to go, so a device with a sharper screen will probably help, even if it's only ~70% of the size. I read a lot of ebooks, and my only concern is that it will be annoying on a smaller screen. I'm sure that I'll get used to it, though.
I did notice that the screen felt harder than I'm used to, but that's probably a good thing in the long run, as far as durability goes.
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11-20-2008, 08:00 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 518
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Fuze Update:
1) Downloaded latest version of Fitaly (using Wifi connection  - I think.... ): it loads OK & the standard keyboard layout looks about as great as everything else does on the Fuze's display. (Have I mentioned that the Fuze has a Wonderful Display??? )
Even using the LARGE Size option - which does fit Fitaly across the width of the screen - the keyboard is obviously smaller than on the Axim's larger screen, but remains usable: can even hit the 1/2 cells (numerals or punctuation) accurately.
Only problem is the relatively high pressure required to register a "hit" on the Fuze's screen: it requires extra thought & time, thus slowing down typing speed.
(Have yet to try the Registry Edit that is supposed to make the screen more sensitive.)
FWIW department: Fitaly offers 3 keyboard sizes: the Medium & Small size keyboards remain remarkably legible, and could easily see someone (with good eyesight & excellent motor control....) being able to use the Medium one - but would expect even Bishop would have trouble with the Small version! (Think "Aliens"...)
2) Still having trouble figuring out how Fuze connects to internet: That is, even after turning WiFi on - and showing connection to a network - am still not clear if it is hooking up via the WiFi connection, or Defaulting to 3G/Edge at all times.
Account check is worthless: "Due to recent account changes we are unable to report on your data usage at this time..." (Or some similar wording...). But then AT&T is almost ALWAYS "unable to report data usage."
Unlike the Axim, have never noted the WiFi Antenna indicating traffic. And unlike my Razr, have never received the "Terminate Connection?" or "XXXX Data Used" messages when quitting browser(s).
THINK that it uses the Wifi, if you have it turned on & connection shows up - but may in for a larger-than-anticipated bill!
3) Two browsers to choose from: PIE or Opera Mobile. Thus far, have been very unhappy with Opera: seems slow & buggy (improper page displays), whereas PIE seems much better than the version on my Axim.
One thought that crossed my mind was ?? of whether PIE was using the available WiFi connection whereas Opera was defaulting to 3G/Edge! After hearing all the reports about how Speedy Opera was results so far have been very disappointing.
4) Was disappointed to find that Fuze is packaged with only a 60-day trial of Outlook. The Axim came with a full version of Outlook... 2002 (!): alas, it seems that WM6 Active Sync will only Sync with Outlook 2003 or 2007 IF you are running Vista.
My desktop is dual boot (XP / Vista) and was hoping to begin the move over to greater Vista usage by syncing Fuze to Vista, while letting Axim continue to sync with XP until such time as am willing to let the Axim go.....
Understand that there MIGHT be some 'work-arounds' to use an earlier version of Outlook, and may have to take a look at those: Outlook 2007 runs something like $100 (!), which is way more than I want to spend for an app that primarily serves only as a Back-up for the PPC Contact & Calendar databases!
Liked the Palm (actually HandSpring...) approach much better: they provided a desktop app that matched the hand-held app. Limited functionality, but useful as backup & priced right....
5) Have yet to make a Real Friend out of "Voice Command" - sometimes it seems more like a call to someone's Off-Shore "customer service" department than a Precise Control mechanism.
6) This seems like a lot of COMPLAINING - and suppose it is - but all-in-all continue to enjoy the Fuze more & more the longer it is in use.
Naturally a lot of that is simply due to increasing familiarity with layout: knowing the buttons & menus and their various functions improves productivity. But, still, the display (!), hardware keyboard, variety of input methods (stylus, keyboard, fingers), speed & comfort in use, and overall flexibility would seem to put it at least among the top WM6 competitors at this time.
Hopefully it will prove to be as long-lived as the Axim has!
Last edited by Reid Kistler; 11-20-2008 at 08:05 PM..
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11-21-2008, 09:25 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 52
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ActiveSync is ALWAYS active on my Fuze!
Yo, I have had my Fuze since early 11/12 but haven't yet figured how to make ActiveSync stay OFF. ActiveSync is on when I turn on the device---even though I turn ActiveSync off immediately prior to turning off device. It was like this out of the box---I didn't connect and sync with Outlook till 12/20---and still is. I find no settings to make it INactiveSync. I sync with Outlook 2003---The initial partnering and sync required just a couple of minutes at most---fassst and simple (compared to my iPAQ 211 which requires much longer). I have never ever turned on ActiveSync, and I use the Device Center to sync, so the compulsive eagerness of this (unnecessary?) program eludes me---and drains the battery juice of which there is not an overabundance.
My main complaint about my Fuze is the extended time length of the initial AT&T World Phone screen TWICE---It appears when the device is powered on AND after a 3G splash screen with sound, both of which I'd get rid if I could discover HOW.
Page 31 of User Manual states that maps are installed, but I've yet to locate them. (AT&T customer service could not help me with this.) Must I activate QuickGPS or subscribe to AT&T Navigator to access the maps?
Although the cam is quite adquate in MP, it is difficult for me to hold it still and take an unblurry pic. However it is fasssst to access and gives quick options for types of pics (such as for contacts).
I love this phone more each day because:
1) The CLEAR vga screen is easier for my old (66 years) eyes than any of my puter screens, and I think I might could read an entire ebook with little or no eye fatigue.
2) Email took 30 seconds to initiate, and can be set (along with TMs) to be read aloud upon arrival. Email (from my personal Outlook account) arrives instantly and notifies me on front (TouchFlo) screen.
3) The touchscreen responds naturally to my fingers; a bit more pressure is required from stylus (compared to my iPAQ 211) but not enough to be a bother.
4) The tiny hardware pullout KB is quick and responsive and can be combined with use of the soft QWERTY KB onscreen. (I use the onscreen KB for numbers.)
5) Voice Command works well about 80% of the time, but always asks for confirmation so that I won't dial work when I mean home or something more serious.
I have yet to locate a leather case worthy of this dude . . . :-)
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11-23-2008, 10:05 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 518
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Glad to hear you like the Fuze!
Some thoughts on your notes:
1) Haven't figured out ActiveSync On/Off status: have yet to actually Sync the Fuze, and for first week or so never saw ActiveSync icon - now if OFTEN appears in the Task Manager, but not ALWAYS: something must "trigger" it. Wonder if ANY incoming signal causes it to activate?
In any case, would not worry very much: it simply sits in the background, and while it uses some Program memory, the Fuze has so much that think I could move EVERY APP currently installed on my Axim to the Fuze, open them ALL at the same time & still have room left on the Fuze!
Also, Mobile Device Center is the replacement for ActiveSync on Windows Vista machines - you still need ActiveSync running on your PPC to make the connection.
2) You mean you don't like the cool graphics on start-up?!?!?! Well... OK: sort of Fun the first time around, but would also like to toggle off. Might be a Registry setting?? But perhaps not - might get activated before Registry even read...
OTOH, you should only have to view it maybe ONE time per day: turn Fuze ON in morning & OFF at night. See no real point in turning it OFF during the (usage) day.
And sometimes don't bother / remember to turn it off: battery drain while in "Sleep" mode seems pretty minimal. (Also - often have the Fuze on CHARGER over-night anyway.)
3) Yes, the Getting Started Guide does mention that AT&T Maps is installed, but also cannot find such an APP on the Fuze - NOR is it mentioned in the Fuze User Manual....
The screen IS a delight & am surprised at how small of a font is legible on it. Am getting more accustomed to the amount of pressure required for the touch screen, and although TouchFlo is fun to play with, will PROBABLY drop it once have all of my Apps moved over from the Axim...
The hardware keyboard is handy for short messages, and still like the Numeric layout it uses: simply don't have a problem locking numbers ON using two quick taps on FN key.
Will plan to use FITALY for longer text input, although may have to try registry edit to increase screen sensitivity. Am using the On-Screen Telephone number pad when placing a call - and really enjoy the Contact Database search function it provides.
Still wrestling with Voice Command - and, alas, especially for trying to Dial Out when using a headset...
As to CASES, have you checked out Cases.com? They have several for the Fuze (HTC Touch Pro). The Piel cases seem expensive compared to the PDairs - although note the PDairs all seem to be out of stock (or, perhaps, Not Yet In Stock??).
Have an Industrial Stength RhinoSkin for my Axim, but don't see how design could be altered for Fuze. Also have a nice looking Belkin black leather case for Dress & some of the PDairs remind me of it (although care less for their contrasting stitching....).
Have a good day!
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11-25-2008, 05:19 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 28
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Yo rkistler, I've got a couple more Q's (I'm still waffling on what to get!). First, I was checking out the Touch Pros again yesterday, and noticed that it was kind of hard to push the volume knobs on the side of the phone. They were sort of stiff, and it caused me to flex the keyboard as much as push the buttons. Is this a problem at all? And second: there's a little menu bar at the bottom of the screen (with email icons etc.). Does this disappear when you bring up a web browser or something similar (like mobipocket full-screen)? Or is it always there, taking up space?
Thanks!
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11-25-2008, 06:39 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 518
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noticed that it was kind of hard to push the volume knobs on the side of the phone. They were sort of stiff, and it caused me to flex the keyboard as much as push the buttons.
Have you ever noticed the Black Splotches that appear in the upper right corner of a movie Just Before the reel needs to be changed?
I never had - until somebody pointed them out a few years ago. Now I see them "constantly."
Well, also had NOT noticed any trouble at all with the Volume Buttons on the Fuze; in fact, was rather happy with their function. & especially with the user interface they call up.
However, am Absolutely Convinced that I will now spend the rest of my life wondering how I EVER was able to push those darn things without having the keyboard slide slightly out & in... (Gee - thanks a lot for bringing this up!  )
Seriously: using the volume buttons really had not bothered me, but now that you DO mention it, the keyboard does tend to rock back & forth a bit. HOW you are holding the unit makes a difference - and would have to believe that the SIZE of your hands does as well.
Usually hold the unit cradled in my right hand, as Stylus use is with Left Hand, and in this position my middle finger rests naturally on the lower portion of the Volume Down button - it is then easy to actuate either Volume button, and the keyboard movement is either absent or all-but-eliminated. Probably why had not noticed it before....
Of course the keyboard is DESIGNED to slide in & out (or out & in...) so see no harm in a bit of motion. Also think that the Volume Buttons are better off a bit "tight" than a bit "loose" - would rather have changes in volume be a Conscious Choice rather than an Accident....
there's a little menu bar at the bottom of the screen (with email icons etc.). Does this disappear when you bring up a web browser or something similar (like mobipocket full-screen)? Or is it always there, taking up space?
Assume you are referring to the gray-scale TouchFlo menu bar, and, Yes, it does disappear once you are in an actual Program. This interface (TouchFlo) is entirely optional: it runs as a Today "Item" (Settings / Personal / Today / Items), and if selected it Defeats any other Items you have chosen (it duplicates most of these within its own screens).
Interestingly, you can STILL select a Windows Theme under Today / Appearence, which provides a bit of relief from the gray-scale theme AT&T / TouchFlo uses as the default.
The TouchFlo interface remains gray-scale, but you gain a splash of color in the top & bottom status / menu bars - which I find both LOOKS better AND is easier to "read" - and once you move away from TouchFlo the OS screens become fully colored according to the Theme you have selected (again, much better than the gray AT&T sticks you with out of the box!)
Have mixed feelings about TouchFlo; although AM getting better at using it, still have not decided whether it is truly an enhancement or merely a novelty....
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Linear Mode
