Loving my HTC Touch Pro2

In many ways, I can't seem to remember what life was like before I was using my HTC Touch Pro2. I briefly tried the HTC Touch Pro, the HTC Touch, and even the BlackBerry Storm. I had been a long user of the XV6800 (HTC Titan), so I was accustomed to Windows Mobile.

• I use my Touch Pro2 as my in-car navigation system.
• I use it for my e-mail.
• I use it to browse the web.
• Oh, and I use it as my phone.

It's a great smartphone. Thanks to HTC!

No flash on the Verizon Touch Pro2

I'm very happy with the HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone on Verizon Wireless. However, I really miss the LED flash that was on the older Touch Pro. I used that LED flash as a flashlight more than a camera flash. If I could change one major thing on the Touch Pro2, I would return the LED flash.

HTC Touch Pro2 at Verizon Wireless

The HTC Touch Pro2 may be one of the best Windows Mobile smartphones this fall for Verizon Wireless customers. I'm currently using a Touch Pro and I really like it. It's probably the best smartphone I've ever owned. The Touch Pro2 has a larger screen and it will officially run Windows Mobile 6.5 (even though I'm running an unofficial ROM that contains Windows Mobile 6.5 on my current Touch Pro).

I'm eager to see how Verizon prices the Touch Pro2. In the past, they've had a habit of overpricing their smartphones. Now that other devices are averaging $200, will this new device be competitively priced?

Windows Mobile 6.5 custom ROMs for the HTC Touch Pro

I've been testing several different Windows Mobile 6.5 custom ROMs for the HTC Touch Pro. So far, I find that the one made by DCD gives you the most free memory after a reboot. However, if you really like having different utilities and options, then you may want to try MightyROM6 or my personal favorite as of right now: NFSFAN

I prefer installing my own apps so that the system RAM is freed up for memory-intense applications such as Opera Mobile.

GPS on the HTC Touch Pro

The HTC Touch Pro that I received from Verizon must have had a strange setting because the built-in GPS did not work out of the box. I loaded a custom radio ROM and a custom Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM and the GPS still didn't work! I had to dig through several forums to finally get the GPS to work.

At this point, the built-in GPS is locking to satellites very quickly. It's not receiving assistance from the network because the speed of achieving a GPS lock is the same whether the phone is on or off. I will continue to perform additional tests.

Right now, I'm using Might ROM Windows Mobile 6.5 and I have radio ROM 1.12.34F

I ordered an HTC Touch Pro

My XV6900 (Vogue) gets a slow GPS lock because it's not getting assistance from the network.
My XV6800 (Titan) gets a quick GPS lock because it's getting assistance from the network.

I can't seem to get my XV6900 (Vogue) to connect with QPST. I'm unable to find drivers for this phone. I was able to get the XV6800 (Titan) to connect so that I could tweak the aGPS settings.

Well, it appears that it's time for me to move on from the Titan. Therefore, I'm getting the HTC Touch Pro (for free with my "new every two" credit). This device has an unlocked aGPS, so I won't need to flash any custom ROMs. However, since I'd like to run Windows Mobile 6.5, I'll probably still install some type of custom ROM on this device.

Windows Mobile 6.5 on the XV6800 (HTC Titan)

I'm actually quite impressed by the way Windows Mobile 6.5 runs on this old machine. It has a relatively slow processor and is limited in RAM, but the optimized version of Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't too bad. I like the larger fonts, the large buttons, and the overall touch-friendly feel of the operating system. I will continue to run my tests on the XV6800 (HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul).

Next week, I may order the HTC Touch Pro. If I do, I'll be running Windows Mobile 6.5 on it and I may have to rename this blog.

Verizon unlocks the GPS on the Samsung Omnia

A software update released by Verizon Wireless now unlocks the built-in GPS in the Samsung Omnia running Windows Mobile. It's about time!

I've had to hack, I mean "modify" my XV6800 so that I can use the built-in GPS chip. Why do you have to disable these Verizon? If the phone manufacturer included a feature like an internal GPS chip, then we (as consumers) should be free to use it. Don't you think?

The HTC Touch Pro now also has an unlocked GPS chip. Users of the Samsung Saga still need to wait. To get the update, visit the Samsung website and look for the CF03 Software Upgrade. Or, visit this link.

Verizon Unlocks the GPS on the HTC Touch Pro

The title says it all: Verizon Unlocks the GPS on the HTC Touch Pro. If you're a luck owner of the HTC Touch Pro and you haven't flashed the radio or phone ROM to enable the GPS, you're in luck! Users of the Samsung Omnia and Samsung Saga are still waiting for Verizon to unlock the GPS.

HTC Touch Pro replacing the XV6800 (aka Mogul)

Looks like the HTC Touch Pro will be replacing the Verizon XV6800 (aka Sprint Mogul ). Are you planning on upgrading?


As for me, I think I'm done with sliders. They're great for some, but not for me. I really prefer the Treo-style phones so the new Samsung Epix or the new Treo Pro are the ones that really attract me. I want something that is slim (hence, not a slider), and one that I can use with a single hand for the keyboard. A slider requires both hands. I got used to typing with a single hand when I used my old Treo.