Verizon's Touch Pro gets HTC-style introduction

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 1:23PM

It looks like HTC jumped the gun here just a little bit for two reasons: first, we've yet to hear a single peep (officially, anyway) from Verizon about its Touch Pro's existence, and second, the "Buy Now" link on the product page takes you to... wait for it... Sprint. We don't know much, but we know that ain't right. Anyway, hang tight, folks, because we're still hoping for a release this week -- we've heard rumors that it may have been pushed back, but from the looks of things on HTC's end, they'd just as soon get this thing out the door on the double.

[Thanks, Leindurstit]

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: htc, touch pro, TouchPro, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, wm6.1

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

M @ Nov 23rd 2008 1:49PM

why did verizon have to screw with the keyboard. i was seriously considering this phone until i saw that it lost about 10 keys and that the up arrow is between the n and m. NOT Cool

Neutral

Al @ Nov 23rd 2008 1:55PM

Doesn't the Sprint vs AT&T vs the Telus(I think) models also have a different keyboard set with the Sprint one maybe being the best of the group?

Neutral

Juggernaut @ Nov 23rd 2008 1:58PM

+1 to that. The time is approaching to switch to AT&T -- if for no other reason than the incomprehensible decisions Verizon makes with their phone designs. Isn't this crippled with respect to hardware too? Slower, less RAM or ROM?

Highly Ranked

Bill @ Nov 23rd 2008 2:12PM

I agree on the keyboard comment. I guess I'll just have to get used to it, since I'm tied to Verizon cause my woman can't afford the minutes if I go to another carrier. I do like the body shape a little bit more on this one than the fuze though.

@Juggernaut
As far as I can tell, the hardware is not crippled as originally suspected. Though the additional $50 price tag has me a little miffed.

Neutral

D @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:15PM

@Bill

There was a leaked spec sheet that confirmed 192MB RAM (vs. 288MB in the Sprint/AT&T models, basically they took out a whole 96MB bank). No confirmation on the CPU speed, but history indicates that it will be a little slower, probably by around 20%, to improve what it likely to be a barely-adequate battery life.

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/12/touch-pro-launching-on-verizon-november-24-in-stores-december-1/

That said, rumors are floating about ppcgeeks and xda-developers that you can put the Sprint Touch Pro on Verizon with a lot of work -- and cooked ROMs are emerging with larger page pool sizes that significantly improve the OS performance on the device, which is something tech-savvy folks should look at regardless of their carrier.

Neutral

Bill @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:36PM

@D

While yes it is spec'd with a lower amount of RAM it is not clear at this time whether it is physically less than the sprint or att editions or if it is how verizon is choosing to report it. Basically the OS could be eating those missing 96MB which leaves 192MB for the user which is the number Verizon is touting. If this was the case though, I must say I fail to understand the logic of it.

That being said I could be way off, but that was my impression so far.

I do remember reading on boygeniusreport.com that the processors are essentially the same, one being a revision that avoids Broadcom patent infringement. There has not been any underclocking as was initially speculated.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/11/12/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-verizon-wireless-touch-pro/

Neutral

D @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:11PM

@Bill:

Interesting...the WM Experts' review of the Fuze lists 288MB RAM...but then indicates ~200MB total available. Though it says at most 72MB is taken up by Windows Mobile and Touch Flo 3D.

I guess we'll just have to wait until after December 1st to know for sure about the Verizon Touch Pro.

...I'm still getting a cooked ROM for the page pool increase though. :-)

Neutral

NASTY @ Nov 23rd 2008 2:55PM

Verizon customer support tells me December 1st...

Neutral

EliteDeCiel @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:32PM

Is it me or does the qwerty look retarded? What is wrong with VZW?

Neutral

Kenshinffx @ Nov 24th 2008 4:34PM

Dude, Shut up..

What in your right mind makes you think that VZW has anything to do with HARDWARE changes...

the Keyboard was HTC's call not VZW's..

Neutral

mikesay98 @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:08PM

The bigger question to me is where is the Touch Diamond? I remember hearing that was going to come out for Verizon first. With the lack of rumors or anything on HTC's website, I'm starting to think all they will get is the Touch Pro. If that's the case, I'm highly disappointed.

Neutral

Coty @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:22PM

Verizon got the ppc6800 way before the 6900... the Touch Pro is replacing the 6800 and the Touch Diamond is replacing the 6900. Well, in Verizon's lineup anyway, so it makes since to get the Pro first... No, I'm not a Verizon fanboy. I, am actually in love with the Sprint Touch Pro. But, thats just my view on it all.

Neutral

Big Boy @ Nov 24th 2008 8:43PM

Sorry but HTC offering the phone with different configurations doesn't mean that Verizon had to chose the not so friendly keyboard. Verizon is known for changing things so why would it surprise you if they request hardware changes. The Fuze has the same number of keys with different mapping.

See the Fuze http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,1205,l%253D233849%2526a%253D233847%2526po%253D2,00.asp

See the Sprint Touch Pro
http://www.pcmag.com/image_popup/0,1871,s%3D1713%26iid%3D218039,00.asp

I love my Touch Pro the battery life sucked until I used the always trusted ppcgeeks websites. After some great hacks it works even better.

Neutral

Big Boy @ Nov 24th 2008 8:48PM

Sorry replied to the wrong comment. That one was for Kenshinffx

Neutral

eRs @ Nov 23rd 2008 7:00PM

Keyboard - whacked
Form - looks less hand-friendly than my Sprint T-Pro

Neutral

MEbert @ Nov 23rd 2008 9:50PM

Did anyone else audibly laugh when they read 'best internet experience' and realized the text was referring to mobile internet explorer?

Neutral

beetnick55 @ Nov 23rd 2008 11:21PM

Hey guys, check this page here: http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Verizon-Tech-Tour---Fall-and-winter-lineup-article-a_3457.html

It makes mention of a Verizon rep who states an "around January" release for the Touch Diamond. That's what i'm waiting for. With T9 entry on screen, I can't justify the extra cost with having a QWERTY keyboard with a messed up layout, and an accelerometer.

I bet the price will be way lower too since it won't be the "pro" version, and it'll be after the popularity of the Storm settles down.

Neutral

Fox @ Nov 23rd 2008 11:58PM

The read link to HTC is dead.

Neutral

Pandamonium @ Nov 24th 2008 2:15AM

Glad some people are finally doing research on the processor. Everything I've read states that the 7500A and 7501A are identical minus the Broadcom infringement, so no underclocking here. They both run at the same speed.

As for that keyboard, it looks identical to the GSM Touch Pro. Not sure why VZW decided to keep it. The prototype VZW device that I used had the same keyboard as well, not sure if the production one will ship with it, though.

The phone is slated to be released 11/24.

Highly Ranked

Dan @ Nov 26th 2008 1:35AM

Ok, I have one of the Verizon Touch Pro's. My question is: Can I use the BUILT IN GPS receiver without paying Verizon a $10 a month fee? How can they charge a fee for something that's built into the phone?

Assuming I can't get around the Verizon GPS gimp, is it possible to buy an unlocked phone that will work on the Verizon network?

Neutral

Jay @ Dec 13th 2008 4:44PM

Decided to go with the Verizon Touch Pro because Verizon's network in the Washington, DC area is unparalleled. Found out later how crippled the Verizon version is. Had to completely junk Touch Flow in favor of Spb Mobile Shell. Downloaded a few other essential pieces of software for it and then found that having outlook and a couple of other programs running at the same time creates memory problems. Additionally, the battery life is the worst I've every seen on any mobile device. With ActiveSync running (a must for push email), I can't even get through one workday without charging... and that's with taking NO CALLS whatsoever. The only thing keeping me from taking the Touch Pro back right now is the fact that I've spent considerable time and effort configuring it... torn.