The HTC Touch Pro2

Wow, the HTC Touch Pro2 really looks like a nice device. It will have a 3.6" touch screen (which is almost an inch longer than my current HTC Titan or XV6800 that has a 2.8" screen). Plus, it will feature the tilting keyboard that slides out. Personally, I think this is a great feature because you can set your device on a table and still see what's on the display.

With much more internal RAM and a fast processor, it should run Windows Mobile 6.5 without any problems. Maybe it will even get the upgrade for Windows Mobile 7 when it becomes available (or maybe that's just wishful thinking). Well, I'm happy with my XV6800 for now, so I don't plan to make any changes.

Actually, if (or when) I upgrade to a new smartphone, I probably won't go with a slider anymore. I'll probably get a candybar style device or maybe a thin touch screen device that doesn't have a hardware keyboard. I like to use my phone with one hand and I find that the slider just isn't good for that.

Still Waiting for Verizon to Unlock the aGPS on HTC and Samsung

People are still waiting for Verizon Wireless to unlock the aGPS on the HTC Touch Pro, the Samsung Omnia, and the Samsung Saga. Even though the XV6900 (or HTC Vogue) also has an internal aGPS chip, Verizon won't be unlocking that. So, if you want to use the GPS on that device, you'll need to do some adventurous ROM flashing. I'm still lucky to have the XV6800 (or HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul, PPC 6800) that has an internal aGPS that works really well once you load a custom ROM and apply a few tweaks (or apply a few tweaks to the MR1 or MR2 ROM released by Verizon).

It's so handy to have a phone that has an internal aGPS. The safety implications of having a GPS device are also huge. In fact, I'm surprised that Verizon hasn't faced any significant lawsuits from people who may have sustained injury that could have been avoided if the aGPS on their device had not been locked or disabled by Verizon.

Well, fortunately Verizon won't be crippling future smartphones that have a built-in aGPS. However, there are many current customers who are waiting for that software upgrade!

Getting the aGPS to work on the XV6800 MR2

The release of MR1 and MR2 for the Verizon XV6800 has complicated things quite significantly. I had to install an older Verizon ROM, then update the bootloader, then install the new radio ROM, then install the new device ROM. Once you do that, then you need to run QPST and change a few settings to enable the aGPS.

Verizon Wireless 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution)

Verizon Wireless is working on 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution). Is it possible we'll start seeing some phones with 4G capability next year? Download speeds of 50 megabits per second!

Defective keyboard on my XV6800

I've recently discovered that my refurbished replacement XV6800 sent by Verizon Wireless has a severely defective keyboard. Not only do certain keys repeat themselves when I press them once. The "B" button does not work. The #7 is also on that button. Hence, I am crippled with a defective keyboard and I have to pull up the on-screen keyboard when I want to type either "B" or "7." Come on Verizon! Send me a working replacement please!

Stuck on the Bootloader Screen

I got stuck on the Bootloader screen today as I was updating a few things on my XV6800. Fortunately, I still had an active USB connection and I was able to install the DCD 4.1.2 custom ROM on my device. This is a really nice ROM mainly because you can use your finger to pan/scroll more pages up and down, including on Pocket Internet Explorer. However, since I have Skyfire, this isn't a huge benefit.

Unfortunately, I'll have to go through this again in a few days because my device has a defective keyboard. I hate reinstalling all my applications.

Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab and GC Verizon aGPS.cab

These are essential components if you'd like to enable the aGPS on your XV6800:

Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab
GC Verizon aGPS.cab

Installing Custom ROM All Over Again to Enable the GPS

I wasn't planning on this, but the 4-way navigation buttons on my XV6800 have failed. Therefore, it's time to go through the circus again and install a new BootLoader, a new radio ROM, and a new custom ROM so that I can use the internal GPS that's disabled by Verizon Wireless.

I'm debating whether I should attempt to install the beta version of Windows Mobile 6.5. I don't have the luxury of spending too much time on this. I mainly need a dependable working phone. I tether and I use the aGPS (assisted GPS) for driving. The aGPS allows for super-fast satellite acquisition.

Pay per KB on Verizon Wireless Still Available on the XV6800

If you're lucky enough to have the XV6800 on Verizon Wireless, you can still avoid the "mandatory" data plan. So, does that mean that these types of smartphones will be in higher demand by those who don't want to pay for a data plan?

Data plan now required with verizon wireless

If you're on Verizon Wireless and you want to get a new smartphone (or PDA phone if you will), you MUST get a data plan. This policy started last September. Why?

I'm so disappointed by this. My wife has been using a Treo for a while now (without a data plan) and now she needs a replacement smartphone. She doesn't need a data plan, but now she's forced to get one if she wants to keep a smartphone. Doesn't sound right, does it?

What's going on Verizon? At least offer the pay per KB plan for all smartphones and BlackBerry devices. That's the least you can do for all those users who don't need a data plan but want to combine a phone and a PDA.

Going Back to the Stock Verizon ROM for the XV6800

I need to install the stock Verizon ROM on my XV6800. I've been using a custom ROM that allows me to use the built-in GPS and it's been great. But, it's time for me to go through the steps of installing the original ROM. Can you guess why?

If Verizon hadn't disabled the built-in GPS, then I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble. Now, I have to go through all these complicated steps at the risk of turning my phone into a nice paperweight brick.

Thank goodness for the HTC Titan wiki. The first step is the BootLoader. I've already done that using a microSD card. Now, I need to go through and replace the phone ROM and the radio ROM. Verizon now has both an MR1 and an MR2 ROM update listed on their website so you can get Windows Mobile 6.1 and RevA speeds.

Thankfully, all the newer Verizon phones don't come crippled with disabled GPS chips.

Windows Mobile 6.5 on the XV6800

There are some beta versions of Windows Mobile 6.5 floating around for the HTC Titan (XV6800, Sprint Mogul). Looks like it will be more touch-friendly based on some of the pictures floating around.

Buttons Not Working Well

The 4-way navigation buttons on my XV6800 aren't working very well anymore. I'm not entirely sure why, but I may be calling Verizon and asking for a replacement. I'll have to see if this improves over time or if it gets worse. I'm not too optimistic right now. I just hope that Verizon still has many spare XV6800 on hand to act as replacements.

Buying a new Verizon Wireless smartphone

If you had to purchase a smartphone as a new Verizon Wireless customer, which one would you choose?

Windows Mobile?
BlackBerry?
Palm?

Windows Mobile 6.5

Interested in running Windows Mobile 6.5 on your Verizon XV6800? (AKA Mogul, HTC Titan). Or, are you content with 6.1 and are you waiting for Windows Mobile 7?

Some developers have released a working beta of 6.5. Check out the XDA Developers forum to find it.