HTC Touch Dual w/WM 6.1

JNGold -

It is odd. Like I said, HTC isn't known for it marketing acumen. Regardless, the device description on pdaDB matches the Neon's FCC documentation and is the device that Dave reviewed.

Blue,

Understood. However, the names you are referring to are HTC "internal" product names (ie. Polaris = Touch Cruise, Wizard, Neon, etc). I find it odd, that on the US HTC site, the consumer product "Touch Dual" does not represent the product being sold in the retail channel.

Blue, these specs from the same site match the specs on the version of the Dual that was released with 6.0 in UK and in US according to HTC's websites

http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=736

The specs you referenced look more like the device that Dave did this article on, however, there is no mention of these updates or changes anywhere on either of HTC's websites, UK or US. In addition, the site you referenced is showing the listed specs as "preliminary" vs. "final".

It seems to me the best source would be the box or manual that came with Dave's device. That is why I asked if he could put up a pic of those specs.

Regardless of all of this, they clearly released a different unlocked version of the Dual device for US and thereby set a precedent for what may happen with a US release of an unlocked Diamond. Especially, if it is easy to "Flip the switch" on the radio bands that are used.

Physboy & JNGold -

You're looking at the wrong specs. Your looking at the Touch Dual specifications. You both want the specs for the HTC Neon. You can find them here:

http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=1277

Remember the Touch Vogue was released in the U.S. as the Touch, just to add to the confusion. Makes you wonder what the HTC US-based marketing group is smoking sometimes.

Excellent, so then there is a precedent for HTC releasing an unlocked US version of the Diamond that has 850 band just like they are doing with the Touch-Dual which has only a 900 Mhz band in the European unlocked 20 button offering.

Although, I am a little confused that HTC would be selling this new device offering without having a page for it on their website. They usually put up new or updated pages well before they actually start selling a new product.

Makes you wonder what other specs are different.

Dave, any way you could put up a snapshot of the specs from the box or manual??

That is the WM6 version Phys. This is a completely new release with 20 key keyboard and Quad Band.. I will have the Diamond on Friday so I can answer your question about the 850 band..

HTC's site is wrong. It is a quad band phone.

Dave, how are you finding the coverage since this phone clearly does not have the 850 band? At least according to HTC's site:

http://www.htc.com/us/product.aspx?id=47996

One small correction on the review: the Neon's (HTC's designation for the North American quad-band Dual) display is actually smaller than the original Touch display, 2.6" versus 2.8". Both are QVGA.

Also, something that might be interesting to try. The Neon has a functioning gpsOne chip, integrated into the Qualcomm MSM7200 chip set. To comply with U.S. E911 requirements, it should operate at least during 911 calls.

There's an extensive thread on the subject at xda-developers: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=348978

They never got GPS to work. However, I assume they were experimenting on the EU version of the Dual. With no E911 requirement in Europe, HTC could have easily disabled the GPS just as they disabled the 850MHz band; by not connecting the output off the antenna multiplexer.

In the xda-developer thread there's a simple software procedure for checking GPS functionality. Maybe someone with a Neon would like to give it a try!

I really like the option of buying an unlocked smartphone. I also like the idea of a phone without bloatware from the carriers. This is a good first step in open networks.

Best Buy Mobile,

Thanks for all the information on Best Buy Mobile stores. I had heard the name but knew very little about them. I am excited about the concept. I live in a relatively small market (Oklahoma City) and outside of the carrier stores and authorized agents there are not many options. It sounds like BBM, if it comes to the Oklahoma City area, will provide many more options, particularly for unlocked phones.

Actually, a Non-Best Buy Mobile store would not even carry this product, let alone the monthly performance service plan. But for only $549 for the phone and with Best Buy's Online Trade-In program I can send in my old BB Curve and get a gift card to spend towards my new HTC Touch Dual. Thanks for the video review, I'll be picking this one up when the local Best Buy gets it in.

The main ways to tell if you're shopping in a Best Buy Wireless Dept or a Best Buy Mobile store is:
-are ipods and mp3 players side by side with cell phone? if so, you are in a Wireless dept. ipods and mp3 players are not part of Best Buy Mobile. Only a select few are sold in a Stand Alone Best Buy Mobile, along with high end GPS units.
-how many cell phones do you see? Best Buy Wireless will have 15, maybe 20. Best Buy Mobile carries over 90 pre and post paid phones in store.
-was there a consultation desk with benches for customers to sit on? Only Best Buy Mobile locations have this consultation area.
-What was the phones salesperson wearing? A long sleave button down, light blue, or a short sleave typical Best Buy polo? Best Buy MObile sales consultants will never have a Best Buy Blue polo on.

Your reciept from Best Buy Mobile will not say Best Buy Mobile on it, since we are within a Best Buy store we piggy back on their cash and POS systems.

You will not always get a top notch sales person, even the best are going to have the weak spots. I understand that, but I am not comfortable with that. Some stores hired some Wireless associates to convert to Best Buy Mobile. I run and manage the largest Best Buy Mobile store within a store in the Philly market. Our market was part of the 1st 3 waves before it was decided to launch companywide. What we have been doing since sept 07 is shaping how the rollout will work nationwide. With 8 Stand alone Best Buy Mobile opening up in the Philly market (1000 sg ft stores in malls, strip malls, shopping areas) that will be my personal next move with the company. I would be more than glad to share all I can with your readers and listeners.

Thanks for your comment but the Best Buy I bought it from was not a mobile store (that my receipt says).. So the $7 month made me extremely uncomfortable. BUT what this also says that if my store was one they aren't doing a good job selling the credibility you speak about..

I really appreciate your comment and hope you continue to post responses. We also would love to have you on our audio podcast if that is of interest.

There will be a Best Buy Mobile in every Best Buy by the end of the year. BBY Mobile is a 50/50 joint venture with Best Buy and Europe's CarPhone Warehouse. The Best Buy Mobile locations operates seperate from Best Buy Mobile, and are a store within a store. Stand alone locations already operate outside of Best Buy in NY and NC and will be rolling out as well nationwide.
Best Buy Mobile carries over 90 handsets in store with all the major carriers, and the line up does include unlocked phones.
Best Buy Mobile does offer an accidental damage service plan on ALL phones we sell, every phone, pda, smartphone, and unlocked phone. It is in fact $6.99/month with no limit to claims and NEVER A DEDUCTABLE. Covers all accidental damage including drops, cracks, spills, etc etc. The track record of Best Buy's service plans is irrelevant. Best Buy Mobile is not Best Buy, and operate and offers benefits brought to the table by Europe's number 1 cell phone retailer with over 2000 stores, CarPhone Warehouse. Thus the reason we have unlocked phones in our lineup in the first place. The service plan is a great value to protect your device.

I like the idea of HTC and other OEMs selling devices unlocked here. However, it may be a struggle to sell to consumers that are conditioned to buy subsidized phones.

Apparently, none of the Best Buy stores in AZ have what is called "Best Buy Mobile" in them. The clerk told me that they are getting this upgrade starting June 6th and showed me the catalog of what they were going to be getting. The Touch Dual and Nokia N95 were in it.

However, this is just a few days before the impending iPhone 2 announcement, which could have a lot of people (including me) hold off to see what happens. The sad thing is, I went to Best Buy today intending to buy an unlocked Touch Dual or N95 (or maybe both) to try out. I was disappointed that they didn't have any, and left without spending a dime.

I'll be in Minneapolis this coming weekend, so maybe I'll get to check out their stores up there for one of these.

I went into Best Buy Mobile near Union Square and they had it.

Mickey couldn't find any in Ariz., and a friend of mine says our local Best Buy doesn't have any, either.

Granted, Pensacola, Fla., isn't exactly the big city, but still ...

No Wifi and no GPS could be a deal breaker for some.

I hope HTC continues this trend of selling unlocked phones thru US retail, especially for a phone like the Diamond (hint, hint, wink, wink).

Mickey I can't believe I am enjoying this phone. if the battery life keeps it up it could be the best device so far with the blackjack.

Great overview Dave, I'm headed out this afternoon to my local Best Buy to check it out as well!

I will post more about this as I had to run out today and celebrate the holiday.. Check back soon.