MoDaCo
reports that the
Touch Duals at HTC's launch event were WiFi equipped, despite word straight from the horse's mouth to the contrary. It's conceivable that some carriers will opt to disable the hardware in the hope of boosting data revenue -- or like the
Trinity's GPS receiver, it could be left dormant at launch with the hope of a future firmware update that flips the switch. Anyway, we were gettin' to wondering: how do readers feel about it? The addition of HSDPA over the original Touch helps, sure, but nothing beats good, old fashioned WiFi when you're near a hotspot. Sound off over on Engadget!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marisa @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:47AM
Many more people would have bought the original Touch if it had a better processor and more memory. They were holding off for this phone. Now I think they will look elsewhere. No wifi, no sale for most people I think.
lassi @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:56AM
hsdpa kicks ass over trying to find open wifi.
but that depends largely on your local hsdpa pricing, here it wouldn't be a problem at all(flatfee is relatively cheap), though still, for going abroad wifi would be nice(data roaming prices are horrible).
Lars @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:33AM
I don't care at all for WiFi, it's not very much spread in germany anyway. What I do care for, is that I couldn't buy a smartphone since Nokia communicator 9300 without a camera... And as it seems, it will stay that way for the very long future.
Rob @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:08AM
Now HTC are saying it DOES come with WiFi !!
http://www.europe.htc.com/z/pdf/products/HTC_Touch_Dual_PF2_Eng_250907.pdf
Rob @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:07AM
Strike my last. Turns out you can't navigate directly to that pdf from www.europe.htc.com, it was just a link in my browser history from yesterday. Still, very strange.
Jeff B @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:34AM
I was able to view that pdf from the link just fine. And, it states, "Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g".
Randy @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:26AM
It's 2007 (almost '08). Any Smartphone should have Wifi.
ootpek @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:33AM
I wont buy another phone without wifi. It is THE killer app in my opinion. When travelling my E65 saves me so much in roaming data fees (And you know those are HUGE) that it has paid for itself several times over already.
I don't need a wireless data plan even and wont buy one until they give me one that is REASONABLY priced.
Next trick is to try voip from Russia to home and save myself $2 a minute. :D
NutritionN @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:00AM
A Windows Mobile device absolutely needs WiFi. 3G is not standard, everywhere. And as a TMobile USA customer, there is NO 3G anywhere. Even if I was with AT&T I wouldn't be able to use it in my home turf, Colorado.
I understand this device is meant for Europe right now, but the imported phone market is huge, and I would have purchased this one.
Harry @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:06AM
I am on vacation on the Oregon coast. Cell reception I'd spotty here. But every hotel I stay in has free, *fast* WIFI. Makes a ton of difference when I can use it. My phone flies when I get a good WIFI connect.
Chad Gau @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:12AM
I live in a suburb outside of Denver, very remote with lots of old Ponderosa Pine trees. The reception at my house is spotty and I use my home WIFI all the time to sync my 8525. I use the WIFI every day, and it is a requirement for all future phones.
msi @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:27AM
Hell yeah it does! Traveling overseas wifi for Skype keeps my GSM and HSDPA roaming costs down someplace reasonable.
Rob @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:49AM
@ Jeff B
What I meant was you can't go to www.europe.htc.com and then nagivate to that pdf by clicking the links on the site.
i.e. Products -> HTC Touch Dual -> Download Product Flyer
The pdf is on their site, it is just an old one dated a few days ago (which shows just how recently they decided to ditch the WiFi)
This is the current product flyer
http://www.europe.htc.com/z/pdf/products/HTC_Touch_Dual_CH_EN_300907.pdf
No mention of WiFi
Gears @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:00AM
I don't think it will have WiFi guys :(
http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news3565.html
Rob @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:03AM
quote:
"Furthermore HTC confirmed, that neither the original HTC Touch Dual nor any operator versions will sport WiFi as you might have seen rumored on the web. The explanation is simple: there was no space for WiFi or GPS so it's not an option which carriers can deselect but it's physically not built-in:"
Source
http://www.theunwired.net/?item=photoview-hands-on-with-the-htc-touch-dual-windows-mobile-smartphone
Errr, I think the stated reason for sans WiFi + GPS is inaccurate
Thanks HerpezP @ MoDaCo
vc @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:37AM
I always turn off wifi on the devices I use. It's overrated and overhyped. So long as I have evdo or hsdpa, I could give a rat's patootie about wifi.
Neil Ryan @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:19PM
Was so looking forward to this phone. Now no GPS or WiFi.
T-Mobile has no 3G for a while. WiFi would kind of make up for it.
Chris Jones @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:13PM
No GPS and WiFi is a step backwards in todays devices IMO, but the real killer for me is the lack of Quad Band GSM. Why cut off 25% of possible revenue? Great you "Forgot" GPS and WiFi, but did you forget to make it a world phone at the same time? I could live without GPS (I've got a bluetooth GPS anyway) and WiFi possibly if I had the opportunity to, but somebody "forgot" the 850mhz spectrum. Is the cost that much greater for that one spectrum? Come on HTC, I know you can do it.
robothero @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:26PM
to be honest i'd rather have the GPS. WiFi isnt as important with the 3g network becoming more and more abundant.
Chris Sexton @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:39PM
Yes I need Wi-Fi, in mi home city Buenos Aires, Argentina, every bar, coffeestore and restaurant has free wi-fi. Cause 3g is still in diapers here, we need Wi-Fi.
Alex @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:04PM
It NEEDS WiFi. I also think that GPS at this point is a must in any new "smartphone," but I would probably take WiFi over GPS right now.
hoogey @ Oct 4th 2007 4:28AM
First came the HTC Touch - with WiFI, but without 3G
Then came the HTC Touch Dual - without WiFi, but with 3G
What if you want both!!! Really thought this finally would be the perfect SmartPhone... Looks like I still have to wait...
simon @ Oct 5th 2007 2:08PM
Absolute deal breaker for me. I could use the wi-fi for free at home, work, just about any public place in Toledo OH with more and more hot spots popping up, as well as my parents and my girls parents house. Just about everywhere I go I have access to wifi.
Tarek El-Ghazaly @ Oct 31st 2007 8:12PM
No space for Wi-Fi? Well then MAKE space. It IS worth the extra couple of millimeters.
With Windows Mobile 6.1 coming with the new Touch interface, phones like the HTC Dual Touch will be every user's dream smartphone. It would be idiotic not to include Wi-fi.
Add in Wi-Fi, and this phone will replace my precious E65.