HTC's Touch Diamond / Pro, how would you tweak 'em?

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 9th 2009 at 5:07AM

Once again, this week's How Would You Change over at Engadget Classic pertains to the Mobile realm, so we're pleading for your sure-to-be-insightful input on the matter. The question is quite simple, really, so head on over to read it and toss in your two pennies.

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Windows Mobile

Tags: how would you change, HowWouldYouChange, HTC, hwyc, smartphone, touch, touch diamond, touch pro, TouchDiamond, TouchPro

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Highest Ranked

Jared @ Jan 9th 2009 5:22AM

3.5mm headphone port, bigger keyboard buttons

Highest Ranked

Phillip @ Jan 9th 2009 5:28AM

This is so simple:
Change the screen to a capacitive touchscreen.
Faster processor and more ram.
Install Android cupcake.

Highest Ranked

m.schmidler @ Jan 10th 2009 6:38PM

Guys will you ever stop yearning for capacitive displays?!? If you compare both technologies, capacitive and resitive, you have to admit that resistive wins over capacitive. Why ?
1. I can use a stylus:no matter if my fingers are fatty and in countries like China styli are widely used --- 2. I can use the device with gloves on, especially now in winter this is useful (and don´t tell me Apple plans capacitive-friendly gloves, this is just stupid) --- 3. No chance of accidentially touching the screen on the wrong area.

And above all: Who REALLY needs this multi-touch thing? Compared to the iPhone´s the Diamond´s zoom-function is much more precise and one has also the Touch-Wheel as an alternative. And apart from the zoom-function I can´t remember any other useful implementation of multi-touch, it´s only a big huge marketing gag.

Neutral

m.schmidler @ Jan 10th 2009 6:46PM

On improving the Diamond (I hit "add" too early before..):

1. Use the latest Marvell CPU, more RAM
2. Slightly bigger display (3.2") and battery (~1300mAh)
3. 3.5mm headphone jack
4. Micro-SD slot
5. Smaller front hardware buttons, better pressure point
6. And of course..Windows Mobile 6.5

Definitely no capacitive screen (as explained above), definitely keep Windows Mobile as platform (Android is OpenSource, Xda-Devs port it anyway).

Neutral

Jason @ Jan 9th 2009 5:45AM

I'd be nice to see the phone be skinner

Highest Ranked

Big Boy @ Jan 9th 2009 6:04AM

Sprint Touch Pro user!

-8hr battery life
-3.5mm Headphone jack
-FM transmitter/receiver ( share your tunes in everyones car)
-Dock with audio/video out second port for charging another battery.
-Solid metal casing like the moto's
-Some control over the touch flow environment. (background, placement of shortcuts)
-Ability to hide the windows bar at the top completely
-Stylus should extend a bit.
-Better chamber for the speaker to improve low's
-Camera is slow causing blurred pics in dim and lit locations but takes great daylight and video shots.

For kicks how about 1-2mm thinner and 2-4mm wider display!

Overall even with what I mentioned above I'm extremely happy with my phone. After owning the ppc-6700 so long and not impressed with the Touch or the mogul I welcomed this upgrade with open arms and money to burn.

Neutral

sarnath21 @ Jan 9th 2009 6:17AM

Aside from the stuff already listed (which are all necessary improvements), give it dedicated video ram/gpu. Manila is a resource hog and aside from the fact that simple tasks like opening SMS clients and launching the phone dialer require a count in seconds, the interface is outright slooooow simply scrolling through manila's own interface pages. It's slow after that emergency rom update. It's slow after custom loaders and RUUs. So pretty and so gutless under the hood.

The other issues? Stick a memory slot in the diamond and for the prices of either I should get a dock and free pair of earplugs, especially if they have that freaky sqaure mini-usb plug for audio.

Neutral

tma827 @ Jan 9th 2009 6:59AM

I have a diamond.

what would i change?

-i would give it Touch HD like key's
-sound,it sounds bad,you can't really listen to music with it,and it's too quiet,should be louder
-3,5 jack would be nice
-better batery

Neutral

Dave S. @ Jan 9th 2009 7:09AM

change the "d-pad" (d for dumb!)
ditch qualcomm (forever!)
make it a mm or two longer, lose the unnecessary bezel on top and bottom, and then slap a 3" wide screen

Neutral

Alyssa @ Jan 9th 2009 7:40AM

Definitely the 3.5 mm jack. Just the symbol for it being next to the mini-USB port drives me crazy. Plus, that obnoxious adapter that they include in the box is just completely ridiculous. Why on earth would they do that? Why couldn't they just include a jack in the phone?!
I would NOT change the fact that it is a resistive touch screen. I really cannot understand why everyone seems to prefer capacitive. I HATE capacitive.
The touch-flo is very nice, aesthetically, but functionally, sometimes I feel like I can do without it. I really wish it was more customizable. The standard grey is so boring.
Definitely battery enhancement. For such a thick phone, you'd think that they'd use a bigger battery. Instead they use a battery that looks like it would on adequately power something like the Razr.
For certain sound notifications, when its one Vibrate and Ring, the Vibrate portion is about 5 seconds long. That is completely unecessary, and just annoying.
The Keyboard is good I guess but I would have prefered for them to have put numbers along the top line instead of symbols. That's how it is on a computer's keyboard, I think they should've kept it the same.
The software has a lot of issues that really drive me nuts. Like sometimes the messaging part gets messed up when I slide the phone open.
I think HTC did a good job on the phone, I love it, but they really missed little things that can make a lot of people frustrated with the device.

Neutral

Phillip @ Jan 9th 2009 8:03AM

What part of pushing the screen through the device is actually better then having a capacitive? (Besides being able to use it outside with gloves)

Highly Ranked

Alyssa @ Jan 9th 2009 8:16AM

Well not only that!
Resistive just allows for so much more options in ways to navigate through your device. I love having a stylus, and because I am a girl and I have longer finger nails, capactive touch screens make it harder for me to navigate. Especially on a WinMo device that often has such small selections. Capacitive only limits users to use their finger tip. Resistive includes the finger tip as an option. I just really am trying to understand why everyone likes capacitive so much, and no one can give me a legitimate answer. That's what I'm looking for...

Neutral

Phillip @ Jan 9th 2009 8:34AM

Ahhh, the nails, forgot about them ;) I see your point. I on the other hand have short nails and feel that resistive touch screens are not as responsive as capacative screens. Plus, its sooo 90s ;)

As far as the icons go, thats not really a problem related to the screen but rather to the operating system. Winmo isnt really finger friendly (regardless of screen). I think Android will work better.

Neutral

Alyssa @ Jan 9th 2009 9:33AM

You can't forget about the nails!! I'm sure if I didn't use my nails as a means of navigation, I would prefer capacitive as well. It might be 90's but a lot of good things came out of the 90's! =)
I haven't had as much experience with Android as I would have liked too. Maybe for my next device I'll make sure that's included, and I can get over my love for resistive touch screens.

Neutral

0157h7 @ Jan 9th 2009 3:01PM

I'll assume you have a Fuze and not a CDMA variant of the device. The CDMA versions have numbers on the top row.

Highly Ranked

SPOKE @ Jan 9th 2009 7:50AM

It would be nice to see the sleekness of the UI extended to the WIndows Mobile itself - the winmo settings screens are fugly.

Neutral

Michael Speregen @ Jan 9th 2009 8:16AM

How would I tweak them?
1. At least 3.5" screen
2. Faster CPU (over 600mhz
3. More memory (at least 2gb rom & 2gb ram)
4. SIM card compatible
5. Capable of using both screen and pointer
6. Priced under $250
7. Compatible with 800/900/1800/1900 GSM\CDMA

Thank you

Neutral

buggle @ Jan 9th 2009 8:21AM

A dedicated camera button. Trying to get impromptu pictures is too involved. You have to have the subject set there, forget about getting something while moving.

BIGGER BATTERY, or a warning that says NOT to try to do as much as you can with the phone (i.e. bluetooth, wifi use simultaneously)

Neutral

Soop @ Jan 9th 2009 8:49AM

3.5mm headphone jack
more responsive UI that doesn't make me want to launch it at the wall
a battery that doesn't force me to think "can I connect to the internet? I might run out of battery in an hour if I do!"

I'm considering using my M600 again.

Low Ranked

yakboy @ Jan 9th 2009 9:06AM

Android
err.....
Android
errr.....
Capacitive touchscreen & standard earphone jack
errrr....
Android?

WinMo is 100% loathsome and NEVER a pleasure to use, just occasionally it manages to be useful, but never fun. Yuck. Hate it.

Neutral

Alyssa @ Jan 9th 2009 9:34AM

YES! I forgot about the dedicated camera button! The lack of it really irks me!

Neutral

Kumar @ Jan 9th 2009 9:36AM

1. WM 7
2. Compatibility with both AT&T and Tmob data networks (in GSM flavor)
3. 3.5 mm jack
4. fix the slow GPS in the touch pro version
5. forward facing camera would be nice.
6. a magic reduce-my-aweful-monthly-rates button.

capacitive screens...not so much with this one, since screen is so small....on a bigger screen...yes.

Neutral

Defensey the Clown @ Jan 9th 2009 12:05PM

Just out of curiosity, how much are you paying for service?

Neutral

Derek @ Jan 9th 2009 4:33PM

They have the Fuze.

Neutral

Kumar @ Jan 9th 2009 1:05PM

I'm 'stuck' on Tmob.

Good rates, but I need a business phone to replace my trusty MDA. Their wireless data is all jacked up though, and AT&T's rates are unkind.

Thinking of going with Sprint, since they have better rates...except the phone is...well...not as sweet looking.

I can't remember if sprint disabled the FM player as well....

Neutral

J @ Jan 9th 2009 10:06AM

-dedicated camera button was great on my mogul. why did it not get put on the pro?
-housing feels flimsy. display can move several centimeters off the keyboard when closed.
-keyboard was better on the mogul. put the cluster of numbers on the right side again. that was so helpful!
-as others have said, better battery life and and a 3.5mm headset jack please!

Neutral

dennispg @ Jan 9th 2009 10:24AM

change the painful capacitive dpad to a scroll ball like G1 and bb curve/pearl

add left/right soft keys and let me make home and back be start and ok if i want to!

scroll wheel instead of two up/down buttons on the side

in fact, put all the buttons on the side that my mogul had..

to sum up, buttons buttons more buttons. i get it, its called the touch line.. but sometimes i dont feel as touchy as you want me to be guys.

it could have been fine at least if that capacitive area at the bottom actually served some useful purposes, but for me.. its useless.

Neutral

Damon @ Jan 9th 2009 10:26AM

3.5 mm headset jack
change placement of arrow keys and M key (verzion issue, and it sucks)
clar buttons on the front. I know its a design thing, but when i push the right arrow button, it goes"back" and sometimes pushing left or down launches the phone. no such problems on my 6800 (TyTN)
memory card on the outside.
a carrying case included
too "slick" again, its a pretty looking phone, and its trendy to be shiny, but it also slips out of a pocket easily.
better battery life

Neutral

Jeremy T @ Jan 9th 2009 10:31AM

I like the device, but Winmo has got to go. My improvements would be Android, 3.5mm jack, capacitive touch (in that order of priority).

People have succeeded in running Android on the things to some degree. I keep waiting for it to be end user ready.

Neutral

RCC2k8 @ Jan 9th 2009 10:41AM

1. Buttons, buttons and buttons! Windows Mobile was design to have hardware buttons for maximum flexibility, but HTC has been removing them in their effort of being more iPhony-like. Bring back the softkeys, scroll wheel, camera and recording buttons! And make them fully configurable, not like that crappy PTT button on the Fuze!
2. 3.5mm headphone jack.
3. A real d-pad, or at the very least a trackball. D-pads are better because you can hold down for continuous scrolling in a given direction.
4. A more responsive touchscreen.
5. Bring back the tilting screen feature of the TyTN II and Tilt.

Neutral

000000 @ Jan 9th 2009 11:29AM

Yes dpads are much more efficient than any other method. Hold down in one direction equates to hundreds of flipping/rolling of your thumb/finger. The dpad on the Diamond is HORRIBLE.

Neutral

xo0m @ Jan 9th 2009 10:52AM

Sprint Diamond user here.

-It would be nice to include a locking mechanism that really works. Too many accidental screen touches when phone rings in pocket. There are locking programs that work, but sometimes they crash (s2u2, pocketshield, etc).
-Hardware switch for wifi and/or bluetooth toggle...heck - a hardware lock switch would've been cool too!
-Standard headphone jack would've been nice, but I don't mind.
-Better camera. If I hold the phone completely still and take pics, its not bad...but it ain't no nokia or sony ericsson.
-Expandable memory slot like the touch pro
-Make the d-pad functional please
-An extra hardware button that can be mapped for things like camera, voice, or screen rotation (not a fan of having to press and hold talk or end)
-Enabling the internal storage to be accessed when choosing disk drive mode after connecting to computer via usb (currently kind of defeats the purpose).

Neutral

Bjorden @ Jan 9th 2009 10:57AM

+ seperate chip for camera (using main processor is very limited), enhancing photo qaulity.e.g. 5+ MP camera with good video capabilities.
+ bigger (wvga) screen
+ hardware qwerty keyboard is a must

Neutral

Pete @ Jan 9th 2009 11:17AM

Sprint Touch Diamond
-Music skips / lags on my diamond once every 5-10 minutes. Returned the diamond, same problem on the second one.
-3.5 mm headphone jack
-cradle with audio out
-built in software to customize TF3D to see more than one calendar item on home screen, change themes, etc.
-camera button
-more storage memory

The diamond would be almost perfect if I could resolve the music skipping problem.

Neutral

xo0m @ Jan 9th 2009 1:16PM

Install a custom ROM. Fixed my playback problems perfectly

Neutral

av8or @ Jan 9th 2009 11:19AM

more power
in every respect (cpu, gpu, ram, battery)

do love my sprint diamond though (juicy rom, lots of extra cabs, runs pretty good)

Neutral

Achilles @ Jan 9th 2009 11:20AM

Touch Diamond, use a custom ROM. Juicy's to be exact. It makes this phone 10x better with ridiculous battery life, much better than the stock ROM. This custom ROM also adds an FM radio. The UI is way faster than the stock, way more stable and very responsive.

Neutral

xo0m @ Jan 9th 2009 1:20PM

Have you tried flashing a different radio ROM? I installed the Telus v1.04.05 radio and it not only improved my battery life, but also improved reception at the cost of slightly lower download speeds (very slightly). You can see which radio version you have when you boot the phone up. The stock sprint radio v1.00.00F (while it achieves faster download speeds) kills the battery.

Highly Ranked

gareth @ Jan 9th 2009 11:23AM

I was pretty astounded at the lack of speed with my touchpro. Despite having 300mhz more than my previous pda, it takes just as long to load programs. If that means winMO has got to go, let it be. It sounds cliche considering what ive read above, but having played with Andoid on my Touchpro I can safely say its WINMO thats slow, not the device itself.

The volume on the earpiece is abysmal, I would made that some sort of decent volume.

Lack of a headphone jack is amazingly shortsighted, I would put one of those in there.

Other than that, I love the device, Its a damn shame to know the device has the hardware to be 3d accelerated, but the manufacturer didnt want to pay for the driver to do so.

Neutral

Alan Wolf @ Jan 9th 2009 11:33AM

out of every winmo device I have owned (owned about 6 or 7) I would have to say the fuze (touch pro) is 1 of the only ones I cant really say that I would change. Obviously the 3.5mm jack would be a nice addition but there are so many stereo bluetooth options out there that supplement that. More ram would be nice since touch flo 3d does suck up some of the ram i would probably boost the ram to 512mb like the rom, it would have been nice if they put the 4gb flash stick in the pro like they did the diamond and kept the memory card slot for extra storage like samsung does witht he omnia, and the option for android is a must

Neutral

bonbon @ Jan 9th 2009 11:38AM

1. 3.5mm jack
2. better speaker
3. more responsive
4. bigger screen (like HD)

Neutral

Noe Montoya @ Jan 9th 2009 12:58PM

Fix GPS LAG!

Neutral

makan @ Jan 9th 2009 1:08PM

How about Quad-Band GSM AND Tri Band HS(D)PA, in addition to everything listed above. That way, it can be a true world phone. HTC has built PDAs with these kind of specs before (TyTN, TyTN2) so it shouldn't be a stretch.

Neutral

furiousgtz @ Jan 9th 2009 1:59PM

with custom rom this phone is perfect.

Only complaint is battery 5-8 hour would be nice.

Neutral

Mgates @ Jan 9th 2009 2:08PM

(AT&T Fuze owner)

More buttons
Control/mapping of existing buttons
Soft key buttons!
Included dock w/audio out
Ctrl key on QWERTY (some carriers have it)
Faster CPU/Video (by way of drivers or hardware!)
Someone mentioned a scroll wheel… I like that idea
3.5mm Headphone (A2DP is awesome, but not as ubiquitous)
better D-Pad (playing tetris is impossible… always end up on the home screen)
In Opera, ability to turn off Accelerometer functions
Ability to uninstall unwanted demo software and other unused included programs
Free media services that are free on iPhone! (Pandora, Music ID, etc)
Better GPS. It has AGPS, but is still not nearly as good as my old Holux

Neutral

Akon @ Jan 9th 2009 2:41PM

Sprint Touch PRO User here

first things first, the overall concept of the phone, in terms of style, and keyboard, and stylus are excellent. those who are complaining about its bulk, then go with the diamond. your making a sacrifice if you go with the touch. your giving up the thin frame for a full slide out keyboard WITH a dedicated number row.

the "D-pad" type touch sensitive wheel is ridiculously inconvienient. i have tweaked it a bit but its still not as easy to use as id like. the lack of a 3.5 mm jack is also a huge disappointment.

The battery life on the phone is fine, you just have to balance your use of the product. everyone thats complaining about it dying, then turn off your wifi when you dont need it, and same goes for the bluetooth. the phone can do a whole bunch of features and if you are not using those features then turn them off.

the touch flo is ok, not anything to brag about but its still pretty cool, if you dont like its layout then there are plenty of tweak programs out there that let you customize it entirely.

the winmo is slow in some cases, im thinking about puttin android on instead.....anyone already tried it on their pro? if so please let me know

Neutral

richard @ Jan 9th 2009 2:42PM

NO capacitive touchscreen needed, the currewnt touchscreen is fine, well actually, even better than the capacative ones. It's responsive and you can usa a stylus. What we do need are drivers for hardware acceleration because movie playback sucks ATM. Oh yeah and maybe a 3 inch screen if they can fit that in the current design.

Neutral

0157h7 @ Jan 9th 2009 3:07PM

1. A lot of the problems that are being mentioned can be improved if not solved by flashing a custom rom of doing registry tweaks found at xda developers or ppcgeeks. I know this is not for everyone and most people would say should not need be done, but it is there for people who complain about speed of the device, touchflo3d performance, battery life and others.

2. The 3.5mm jack was left out on both devices because it would have added to the thickness. That is the same reason the sd slot was left off of the Diamond.

3. I like the touch sensitive wheel but I wish there was a better implementation in order to free up the dpad buttons. As mentioned before it is tough to play games.

In closing, I have tweaked tf3d for better performance and to look ore like I want it, gotten the camera on the soft key on the home page of tf3d for a quicker launch (set up s2u to come back to home on unlock), people can find musicid and pandora for free (Pandora may be buggy there i also a last.fm client), Battery life is manageable once gotten used to. My biggest gripe os that there is OEM TF3d customization tool, and performance on 3d games which appears to be a driver issue not hardware.

Neutral

Mgates @ Jan 9th 2009 4:48PM

What irks me the most about the Pandora and Music ID stuff is that you have to pay a monthly subscription if you're a WM user, but the exact same service is free for iPhone. It's totally racist!

Neutral

xo0m @ Jan 9th 2009 6:01PM

I installed Music ID and don't have to pay monthly...am I missing something?

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