HTC Desire Review

[Bob The Drummer]

Had my Desire for two weeks now.

To be honest, I'm really struggling to get to grips with its touch screen. In portrait mode, my (not particularly sausage-like) fingers simply cannot type with any accuracy. In landscape, things are a lot better, but I get frustated by many of the major menus (apparently) not switching to a landscape mode.

This is my first touchscreen phone, and I suppose I really should stick with it as other users assure me I'll overcome my difficulties through repeated use. However, I keep finding it easier to revert to my trusty Symbian-based Nokia E51!

T-Mobile supplied the handset for a neglible fee at contract renewal time. If I had forked out for an unlocked device, I would probably have felt quite disappointed with my purchase. As things stand, I'll persist for another few weeks, but may well end up sticking it on e-bay.

[norrahe]

Had my Desire for two weeks now.

To be honest, I'm really struggling to get to grips with its touch screen. In portrait mode, my (not particularly sausage-like) fingers simply cannot type with any accuracy. In landscape, things are a lot better, but I get frustated by many of the major menus (apparently) not switching to a landscape mode.

This is my first touchscreen phone, and I suppose I really should stick with it as other users assure me I'll overcome my difficulties through repeated use. However, I keep finding it easier to revert to my trusty Symbian-based Nokia E51!

T-Mobile supplied the handset for a neglible fee at contract renewal time. If I had forked out for an unlocked device, I would probably have felt quite disappointed with my purchase. As things stand, I'll persist for another few weeks, but may well end up sticking it on e-bay.

You can buy a stylus for the desire

[administrator]

Had my Desire for two weeks now.

To be honest, I'm really struggling to get to grips with its touch screen. In portrait mode, my (not particularly sausage-like) fingers simply cannot type with any accuracy. In landscape, things are a lot better, but I get frustated by many of the major menus (apparently) not switching to a landscape mode.

This is my first touchscreen phone, and I suppose I really should stick with it as other users assure me I'll overcome my difficulties through repeated use. However, I keep finding it easier to revert to my trusty Symbian-based Nokia E51!

T-Mobile supplied the handset for a neglible fee at contract renewal time. If I had forked out for an unlocked device, I would probably have felt quite disappointed with my purchase. As things stand, I'll persist for another few weeks, but may well end up sticking it on e-bay.

Make sure you calibrate the screen - really improved the typing for me:

Settings > Language & keyboard > Touch Input > Text input > Calibration tool

[Spacecadet]

I imported my outlook ccontacts via csv file into my gmail/googlemail account.

can't remember where in googlemail is it to do that.

Open Contacts (from the menu on the left) then select the export option (top right)

[administrator]

Navigation

Google Maps Navigation for mobile

Winner! Just had a quick play with this and seems really good. Was going to buy CoPilot but certainly won't be bothering now Need to get a cradle for it for the car though - anyone got any suggestions?

Also would love an FM transmitter for it so if anyone seen anything they like suggestions would be welcomed. Have seen this one:
Griffin iTrip 6106-TRPUNPLS Auto Universal Plus: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Looks about right. Has USB on the top so could also plug the charger in while using it...

[TykeMerc]

Google Maps Navigation for mobile

Winner! Just had a quick play with this and seems really good. Was going to buy CoPilot but certainly won't be bothering now Need to get a cradle for it for the car though - anyone got any suggestions?

I've seen several cradle doofers on eBay.

That Google navigation application relies on an internet connection? Or works happily with a standard Bluetooth GPS receiver and just does updates with internet?

I've never tried this with Bluetooth, but is it possible to connect the Desire to more than 1 Bluetooth device at once? I'm thinking hands free and GPS in this case. If the satnav works for me I will stop carrying my PDA around.

[administrator]

I've seen several cradle doofers on eBay.

That Google navigation application relies on an internet connection? Or works happily with a standard Bluetooth GPS receiver and just does updates with internet?

I've never tried this with Bluetooth, but is it possible to connect the Desire to more than 1 Bluetooth device at once? I'm thinking hands free and GPS in this case. If the satnav works for me I will stop carrying my PDA around.

The HTC has built in GPS so no need for a bluetooth GPS device. As for handsfree, the one I linked to works via output from the headphone socket and transmits to FM so may be no need for bluetooth there again. I have never used hands free though so cannot vouch for any of this, hence me asking

[TykeMerc]

The HTC has built in GPS so no need for a bluetooth GPS device. As for handsfree, the one I linked to works via output from the headphone socket and transmits to FM so may be no need for bluetooth there again. I have never used hands free though so cannot vouch for any of this, hence me asking

I've used a handsfree speaker thing in the car for years, it's small and clips to the sun visor by all accounts of people that I've spoken to on it it's pretty good. I'd feel a total pillock with one of those Bluetooth earpieces.

I had no idea the Desire had a built in GPS!!! I've not gone for an unlimited internet deal so I hope it's not dependant on connectivity for ordinary navigation purposes.

Stylus wise it's a shame they didn't go with a similar design to the one on my current phone which is a perfectly ordinary LG Cookie and has a collapsible stylus that fits really neatly into the bottom edge of the phone. It comes in very handy for those fat fingered moments, I will miss having one, but I'm not going to carry one around that's seperate from the phone.

[ThomasSoerensen]

I have had mine since Friday now. I like it.
The free android market apps cover the same needs I had covered by free apps on the iPhone.
I think the screen is better.
I like that you can mix widgets and program shortcuts on the desktops.
I can now see flash websites!!!
I have not tried tethering yet but I expect it to work.
I feels much faster than my 1Gen iPhone.
I now have a decent camera.
I now have video camera in the phone.

I am happy with it.

[administrator]

I have had mine since Friday now. I like it.
The free android market apps cover the same needs I had covered by free apps on the iPhone.
I think the screen is better.
I like that you can mix widgets and program shortcuts on the desktops.
I can now see flash websites!!!
I have not tried tethering yet but I expect it to work.
I feels much faster than my 1Gen iPhone.
I now have a decent camera.
I now have video camera in the phone.

I am happy with it.

I love the camera and the video quality seems really good too.

You may be able to see flash but you can't see animated gif files! That was a bit of a let down