AT&T's "Tilt" Kaiser variation spotted in the wild
by Donald Melanson 
posted Sep 28th 2007 at 10:51AM
It looks like that purported first pic of AT&T's version of the HTC Kaiser, dubbed the "Tilt," wasn't entirely on the mark but, as you can see from the shot of the real deal above, it wasn't too far off either. One of the most noticeable changes is a new silver dialpad of questionable taste, which sorta matches the seemingly shinier than usual navigation keys on the face of the device. Also, if you squint hard enough you'll see that there's an option to "Get TeleNav," which means that you won't be getting TomTom, and also likely means that you'll need a data connection to use it. Hit up the read link below for a few more pics courtesy of HowardForums member "jlczl."
Update: It looks like that delay we'd heard about might be for real, at least if retailer Negri Electronics is to be believed. It's now listing the Tilt with an expected in stock date of October 23rd, which is a fair bit later than the September 30th date it was quoting earlier.
Update: It looks like that delay we'd heard about might be for real, at least if retailer Negri Electronics is to be believed. It's now listing the Tilt with an expected in stock date of October 23rd, which is a fair bit later than the September 30th date it was quoting earlier.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
djaladin @ Sep 28th 2007 11:41AM
Get Telenav does NOT mean you CAN'T get Tom Tom. Get Telenav means exactly that... you can get and use Telenav on it. I would venture to bet a month's salary that the GPS will not be locked. The option to use one software does not mean there is no option to use another, Engadget. You should know that!
dwella @ Sep 28th 2007 1:06PM
Well I am glad I ordered the TyTN ll today. That picture sold me. Just because it will be cheaper from att doesn't mean it has to look cheap and it does. That chrome or whatever it is is going to chip off and those white keys are going to look dirty in no time. I'm dissapointed.
Me @ Sep 28th 2007 12:53PM
When they said you won't be getting TomTom they meant TomTom is not included... No?
Big Sam @ Sep 28th 2007 12:04PM
I hope its not locked. I'm looking forward to using the Google Maps app with GPS.
Andy @ Sep 28th 2007 1:21PM
It probably will be. I've completely given up on onboard GPS chips. They are almost always locked to the carrier's software so they can make more money off you.
ppcmd @ Sep 28th 2007 5:26PM
This is AT&T they always want a cut of the action or they won't let you use GPS otherwise.
djaladin @ Sep 28th 2007 6:36PM
Every company wants to make money. But this phone's GPS will NOT be locked. Neither was the Blackberry 8800's, nor the Ipaq 6515's, nor will the new Curve's, the Backjack 2's, etc.
Phones are locked to carrier. Hardware, as a rule, generally is not. Unless you're talking about Verizon's bluetooth, of course...
Damon @ Sep 28th 2007 1:22PM
Here's the thing. I use verizon, works with my in car phone (GM car) and gets reception, everywhere, particularly in some places I travel to where other carriers don't get service.
But DANG Verizon...AT&T will ship the TyTn 2 before you even ship the 6800/TyTn. Get with the freaking program will ya!
tim @ Sep 28th 2007 1:54PM
Same feelings here... Much of it is understandable from the technology perspective (GSM vs CDMA), but the Mogul has been on Sprint for so long already.
This thing has really got me looking at AT&T's coverage and considering giving them a chance. Wish they had more 3g coverage.
Anyone know of a site with info regarding their future 3g plans?
Jeff B @ Sep 28th 2007 2:34PM
Info pops up here all the time.
http://att.centralcast.net/rss/getfeed.aspx?category=21
ShortFuse @ Sep 28th 2007 1:46PM
Some people (not confirmed) on xda-developers (aka the HTC hackers) are claiming AT&T's Tilt's GPS isn't locked to TeleNAV based on speaking with people who work for AT&T.
djaladin @ Sep 28th 2007 2:55PM
"Me", you're right that I may have incorrect when I assumed the that Engadget was insinuating that "not getting Tom Tom" meant not being able to USE Tom Tom. On second read, they may have just meant Tom Tom is not included in the box.
But that seems to be the popular (and unnecessary) debate... whether AT&T will cripple the GPS to only use Telenav. As far as I can remember, I've never noticed AT&T taking a perfectly usable device and crippling it. Yes they removed the front camera on the 8525 as well as the Tilt. But the price for the Hermes and Tytyn II is always a few hundred more than the AT&T devices, even without contract discount. You get what you pay for, but I don't think I need the front camera enough to pay $200 for it.
So my apologies to Engadget if I misread your no-Tom-Tom statement.
derX @ Sep 28th 2007 8:17PM
Wow, this is the first time I can remember where someone genuinely apologized for a misinformed rant against Engadget. You've got humility.
Dude, you get props in my book.
----------------------
Yeah, to me, AT&T is normally good about not crippling phones. The only thing I can think of is how they removed WiFi from the Nokia e61 and downgrading the screen from 16.7M colors to 262K. But this wasn't an attempt to cripple the features, it was an attempt to make the phone more affordable and encourage people to buy PDA phones, being that it was affordable. They even changed it from Nokia's normal connection to miniUSB to also help accomplish these ends.
Anyway, seeing as the Tilt has a VERY good price point, the most I can see them doing is removing hardware--such as the front-facing camera--but I don't see their locking the remaining hardware to their software, either. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.
Pat @ Sep 28th 2007 3:46PM
Uhh... Negri Electronics (the same company that posted a crappy Photoshop job of the TyTN II and called it the 8925/Tilt) is to be trusted?
Urban Strata @ Sep 29th 2007 1:40AM
Negri Electronics is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG... Why does Engadget keep posting their info?
The Saint of South Boston @ Sep 30th 2007 11:41AM
Quick rundown of specs from at&t employee:
128MB of Flash ROM and RAM.
MicroSD supports up to 32GB.
Built in GPS (not sure if locked or not, will try to get more details).
Bluetooth (duh).
Wifi (duh).
3.0MP camera.
Soft touch rubber stuff all over the bottom half of the phone.
at&t employees told shipment within the first 2 weeks of October.
$350 out the door with $100 MIR with $40+ data package for new accounts and upgrades.
Around $500 full retail.
If any of you get a phone from at&t and get the MIR form, just look on there... the Tilt and Pantech DUO are on there.
Expect them soon.
.Saint.
The Saint of South Boston @ Sep 30th 2007 11:42AM
By bottom half, I meant the keyboard part. Not like the bottom half where the nav buttons are.
UrsuSH @ Sep 30th 2007 5:25PM
count on xda-developers to weave some magic with unlocking and gps
Tyler71 @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:04PM
Any word on if any other carrier will be importing/selling a version of this phone? I have been looking to make a move but I have been leaning towards TMobile. Still have a bad taste in my mouth from my last expirence with Cingular.
Tyler71