HTC XV6800

The HTC XV6800 is a great smartphone! So many ROM developers built custom ROMs for the HTC Titan (XV6800, Sprint Mogul) and there were so many dedicated users who have been active participants on forums like the XDA Developers, PPC Geeks, etc.

Now, the big question is my mind is this: what smartphone will XV6800 users choose when it comes time to upgrade?

Let's assume that users will maintain loyalty to HTC. Will they stick with Windows Mobile? Or will they switch to Android? HTC has some great Windows Mobile and Android phones coming out in 2010, so get excited!

Who still uses the XV6800?

The XV6800 used to be my main smartphone. It was great to have access to some nice custom ROM packages that were built on Windows Mobile 6.1 and Windows Mobile 6.5

I'm wonder who still uses the XV6800? (AKA HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul, etc.)

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!

Windows Mobile 6.5 on the XV6800 (HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul)

The XV6800 is an old smartphone, but there are still many people out there who are using this phone and they're looking for an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5

The Verizon XV6800 is also known as the HTC Titan, the Sprint Mogul, the PPC 6800, and several other names. I have an XV6800 and I've been running a custom ROM built on Windows Mobile 6.5

Don't expect to see any major improvements.
Don't expect to see any speed or performance enhancements.

The only major improvement is in Internet Explorer Mobile (IE Mobile).

HTC smartphones on Verizon Wireless

In my opinion, HTC makes some of the best Windows Mobile smartphones. They're now making more devices that run Google Android, but as long as Microsoft remains alive, Windows Mobile will be a popular smartphone operating system. So, if you're on Verizon Wireless and you're looking for a Windows phone, get one made by HTC. Remember that many of these devices end up getting rebranded as an XV6800 or XV6900. You'll have to do a bit of research to identify them as an HTC product.

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.

Testing Windows 6.5 on the HTC Titan (XV6800)

I'm taking the plunge. After using Windows Mobile 6.1 for such a long time, I decided to give Windows Mobile 6.5 a try. Let's see how my little experiment goes over the next several days. Hopefully I won't end up with a brick (paperweight).

Installing build 23017. Since the XV6800 (HTC Titan) has very little RAM and a slow processor, I'm not expecting dazzling results with Windows 6.5. However, I'd like to know if it's usable, so this is really just for my edification.

Time to keep an eye on new smartphone prices

I've decided that it's time to replace my XV6800 over the next few months. I could replace it now, but I'd like to wait. I'm going to keep my eye on smartphone prices and then I'll make the switch when prices near $99 (the BlackBerry Storm is currently $99 because the Storm 2 is coming out this fall).

Getting another XV6800 replacement

The keyboard on my XV6800 has developed a defective problem yet again. Hence, I am requesting another replacement from Verizon Wireless. The last time this happened, I received a replacement which was defective.

HTC makes great devices, but what is it about the Titan keyboard that causes these issues? Spacing too tight? Dust? My next phone won't be a slider and it may not even have a hardware keyboard. I may end up with the Samsung Omnia or the BlackBerry Storm (although there are newer versions of each of these phones that will be appearing later in 2009 and in 2010).

Double letters with a single key press

I've heard others have the same problem. You press a key once and you see two or three letters (the same letters) appear. Is this a hardware problem or a software problem? If the key is getting "stuck," then it's obviously a hardware issue. Do you have this issue with repeating key strokes? I've changed my "Buttons" setting and the "Delay before first repeat" is set to "Long."

Is the keyboard on the XV6800 poorly designed? Looks like HTC revised the keyboard for all future sliders, so I hope they've made some design improvements.

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 Wireless XV6800

Still using my XV6800 as a GPS navigation device

I've had many opportunities to upgrade my phone on Verizon Wireless. However, I'm still using my XV6800 as a smartphone, wireless modem (tethering), and GPS navigation device for driving. I don't know when I'll be upgrading, but I'm trying to wait as long as possible.

The XV6800 has been reliable and although it's a bit on the slow side and it lacks enough RAM to run Opera Mobile, it's still a very good phone.

Using the XV6800 as a Stand-Alone GPS

I'm tempted to replace my HTC XV6800. I've had it for a while now and although it still works fine, I'd like to have something that has more internal memory so that I can do more web browsing. If I get a new smartphone, perhaps I should use the XV6800 as a stand-alone GPS device in my car. The biggest downside of doing this is that the XV6800 isn't very fast at locking satellite signals when you compare it to other stand-alone GPS systems made by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan. Also, the XV6800 has a relatively small screen compared to some of the newer GPS navigation systems. So, what will I do? Well, at this point, I'm not committed to replacing this phone, so I guess I'll just wait and see what else comes along.

My Battery is Dead

I've decided that the original battery on my Verizon XV6800 is now dead. I've had this battery for about 18 months now, but my phone is relatively new because I received a replacement from Verizon.

I have an extended battery so I plan to use that moving forward. I don't think I'll be replacing the original battery anytime soon. Why? Mainly because I use my XV6800 as a GPS quite often and I also use it heavily as a mobile internet device (MID). These services can drain the battery quickly.

So, if I had an iPhone that was also 18 months old, would my battery be dying?

Mother's Day

Hope you had a nice Mother's Day today. What did you get your mom? I got her a new phone. What a great gift, right? Now, she can call me anytime!

Should I Replace my XV6800 for a Palm Pre?

I've applied to be a reviewer for the Palm Pre. I hope I get picked, because then I'll get to play with the phone for 6 months. I wonder if I'll end up switching to the Palm Pre from the xv6800. What will happen to this blog?

Dwindling Battery Life

The battery life on my XV6800 is dwindling. Since it's a lithium ion battery, it has a finite life span and I think I'm approaching it quickly. I've been debating about whether I should get an aftermarket extended battery. At this point, I need something, so perhaps I'll try one out.

Use Your XV6800 is a GPS

If you have an old Verizon Wireless XV6800 (or Sprint Mogul) at home, don't throw it away because you can use it as a standalone GPS. You can turn off the phone service and still use it as a GPS device. Isn't that great to know? You just need to get your hands on some software like TomTom Navigator or Garmin Mobile for Pocket PC/Windows Mobile.