Verizon's XV6800 in the wild, finally available to order

We had to read over the confirmations a few times before it finally sank in, but apparently, Verizon users that are somehow still interested in the XV6800 can place their orders and -- gasp! -- actually expect a handset to arrive. According to a slew of users over at Howard Forums, VZW is finally selling the aforementioned handset online( (via chat) and over the phone for $249 after all applicable rebates / agreeing to a two-year contract. Additionally, mclass555 substantiated the claims by posting up a shot of his mobile (seen above), which came with a home charger, USB cable, and an extra stylus. Interestingly, the carry pouch that came bundled in lacked the oh-so-necessary belt loop, which seems downright ludicrous, nay, unconscionable to us. Nevertheless, the XV6800 is available now to Verizon users who have stomached the wait, but for whatever reason, we just aren't feeling the excitement.

[Thanks, Jeremy and mclass555]

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Nov 27th 2007 7:33PM]

Is this an HTC Tytn? I wonder if Verizon customers can now enjoy the same buggy, borderline unusable firmware as Sprint users. Useless bluetooth, only partially functional MS Voice Command, 12 hour battery life, promised EVDO Rev-A and GPS still nowhere to be seen... I understand why people are flocking to the iPhone, at least that works reliably.

[boe @ Nov 27th 2007 7:44PM]

You son of a bitch - you said everything I would have said - well done! I agree 100%

[i.c. weiner @ Nov 27th 2007 10:05PM]

the htc mogul is actually the Tytn II, so it doesnt have the same buggy software

[Rhochi @ Nov 28th 2007 12:09AM]

I don't know what you're talking about. I have a Mogul, I haven't had a problem with voice command, my battery lasts for days, (I haven't used bluetooth so I won't comment on that) and while Rev. A and GPS haven't been released yet, they are promised, and frankly, I'm not missing them too much. Rev 0 is plenty fast and I have an in-car GPS for navigation.

[PeterF @ Nov 28th 2007 12:19AM]

@i.c. weiner
The HTC Mogul is an HTC Titan, not a TyTn (Hermes) or a TyTn II (Kaiser).
The American TyTn is the AT&T 8525 and the TyTn II is the AT&T Tilt.
This phone is the same as the Mogul (HTC Titan).

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Nov 28th 2007 12:47AM]

Rhochi, the major problems are with the use of bluetooth and data connection. Before the Mogul I had a T-Mobile MDA which gave me two days of moderate use leaving bluetooth on and data connected permanently, checking my email every 5 minutes.
Using the same settings on the Mogul, I get under 8 hours of battery life.
With version .09 of the firmware which shipped last summer (and is the current firmware since they recalled .16 which was briefly released in October) most bluetooth headsets are unusable (people at the other end of the phone complain of "choppy" sound).
The long-delayed version .16 fixed the bluetooth quality problem, unfortunately it introduced a new one: bluetooth shuts down by itself, apparently randomly.
I found out that if I wanted to get decent battery life out of the phone, I had to turn off data, no more automatic checking of the email.
Finally, Microsoft's own Voice Command does not work correctly on Bluetooth. There is an unofficial patch provided by a third party developer that fixes some, but not all of the issues; the confirmation feature still doesn't work over bluetooth, so you have to remember to turn it off.
These are very serious flaws.
The only reason I'm still relatively pleased with the phone is the dirt cheap Sprint SERO plan, but I think you'd have to be nuts to get this phone if you pay the outrageous Verizon rates.

[trafficguy @ Dec 12th 2007 8:16AM]

I just got a verizon xv6800 as a demo. Having been a previous Treo 750 user, I like it, a lot. HOWEVER, it does not have Voice Command at all, it uses Voice Tags (bummer). Haven't tried Bluetooth yet, but without Voice Command, you don't have to worry about that, I guess. Have had it for 24 hours and battery life seems about the same as the Treo I had, so far.

[Bhosted.net INC. @ Dec 24th 2007 10:28AM]

Well so far so good. We had to find something in the first 2 minutes, it can be charged via USB but you need this adaptor cable that comes with it to hook up the USB to the PDA. Not a problem just don't loose it. You wont be able to find one at any store . The sync software works great with Windows XP but be patient if you are using Vista. We ran into problems with syncing with Office 2007 and Vista. We gave up our BB 8830's for it. Oh ya it's $600 without contract from verizon. Other then that PDA seems great

[Lord John Whorfin @ Dec 23rd 2007 2:57PM]

To Bhosted.net INC.: seems you haven't noticed that the connector is compatible with ordinary mini-USB plugs. You don't need the adapter to use a mini-USB car charger, power adapter or even to sync and charge with your computer. It's only necessary if you want to also use the headphones at the same time.

[Jason @ Nov 27th 2007 7:35PM]

Second

[derX @ Nov 27th 2007 10:23PM]

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING.

VZW finally releasing the VX6800 IS a sign of the second coming of Christ, I was just perusing over that part yesterday.


*confesses sins, clutches crucifix, and waits diligently for Him to appear*

[Joe Blo @ Nov 27th 2007 7:40PM]

November 27, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Verizon Wireless surprised much of the wireless technology world Tuesday with its plan to open its networks to devices and applications it doesn't already offer.

"This news is a big deal and sets a precedent for other U.S. carriers to follow," said Jack Gold, an analyst at J. Gold Associates in Northboro, Mass. "Plus it's a poke in the eye of Google and even Apple and other closed systems."
More like a kick to the nads !

[RC @ Nov 27th 2007 7:40PM]

My friend was wanting this phone so bad.. He got tired of waiting for it and got a Tilt 2 weeks ago. He loves the Tilt but still.... LOL!

And I would assume it runs the same firmware as the Sprint one, except Verizon-branded.

[Sam Zebian @ Nov 27th 2007 8:14PM]

I had the same thing, I was a verizon Customer, had an LG VX8300, and was waiting for this new phone to be released, but I didn't want to wait another week, so I just got my ATT tilt on black friday, it was $200, and it is still better than this phone with Verizon's crap UI. I'm so glad I changed carriers, Verizon sux, and I'm getting my whole family to change once their Verizon contracts end in about 5 months.

[brad @ Nov 27th 2007 8:35PM]

@sam, this phone has MW6 no the crap UI

[Andrew Fong @ Nov 28th 2007 12:06AM]

Same here -- had to reflash the firmware to the original HTC though. The AT&T one was a little too flow and fugly for me.

[Willis @ Nov 27th 2007 7:47PM]

verizon phones lick balls...verizon slaps them w/their ugly branded interface, and disables all the features (ie, bluetooth can only connect to headsets, not file transfers, etc; GPS is disabled, etc etc).

[sgt_easton @ Nov 27th 2007 8:40PM]

A little heads up, guy: it runs Windows Mobile 6. If you're going to hate, at least do your homework first.

[jperry @ Nov 28th 2007 12:12AM]

By the way, my enV and Voyager are both able to do file transfers over bluetooth...

[boe @ Nov 27th 2007 7:48PM]

While it doesn't have - a physical keyboard, a flash, or WIFI - I would hands down recommend the TOUCH over the 6800. I had the 6800 for 5 months and cursed it every day. I have the Touch now and while I really miss the flash (used it as a handy flashlight) I won't miss the WIFI popping up all the time even though the physical switch was turned off, I won't miss having bluetooth but not being able to use it as no one wanted to hear every other word being cut off on the crappy BT of the 6800, I won't miss it randomly locking up, I won't miss the BULK of the unit, I won't miss poor battery life - frankly I think the 6800 should come free with a contract and you should have to pay $249 if you want a good phone.

[Kasona @ Nov 27th 2007 8:22PM]

I talked to a Verizon rep a couple days ago and he confirmed that Verizon is getting the Touch soon. He couldn't tell me when exactly though.

[Jason @ Nov 27th 2007 8:34PM]

As soon as it's completely obsolete and every other carrier on the planet has the Touch, then it will be out on VZW :o

[boe @ Nov 27th 2007 8:54PM]

Sorry to hear that - at least they get the benefits of fixing the POS before it made you curse it every day. Frankly I'm on Sprint and when I look at equipment like ETEN and IMATE I also feel my carrier's equipment is obsolete but those are GSM Phones - VGA screens (4 times that of the mogul or touch) built in REAL GPS - like SIRF3 - not that AGPS so that you have to pay a monthly fee to get your GPS info and faster processors. Both Sprint and Verizon seem to get HTC stuff which isn't surprising as they are one of the largest PDA manufacturers however their stuff is pretty antiquated. The Iphone while not ideal for business brings hardware into the hands of the US that shows off how obsolete the HTC phones are.

[Chip @ Nov 28th 2007 8:07AM]

boe, I'll assume you're the same boe from Buzzabout wireless. I've taken the same journey as yourself. I had the Sprint Mogul (same 6800 model as this Verizon cousin) and dang near killed myself with it. The bluetooth was so screwed up I kept having to shut it down, power up, power up my headset to keep the thing running I just about rear-ended a car. At that point I said screw this and got a Touch. I LOVE the Touch! It's unbelievable that the Touch is actually CHEAPER than the Mogul on the Sprint website.

PEOPLE! DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE! Verizon is reporting to work with BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone). Wait to see if you can bring a Touch to Verizon.

[Taylor @ Nov 27th 2007 8:18PM]

I got sick of waiting like 2 months ago and switched to AT&T for a tilt. I was a verizon customer for 8 years, but they lost me with their weak hardware. Now that it's out, i really don't care, as the Tilt is way better anyway.
-Taylor

[JSM @ Nov 27th 2007 8:33PM]

who could possibly care - I've been using an xv6700 for two years, this is barely an upgrade (assuming you've flashed your 6700 with wm6). I am the first to mark down this iphone fanboys who post on every phone but JFC - it's almost 2008 - if your phone doesn't have AT LEAST a vga screen and something like the htc touch or iphone software, and phone software that works WELL, you are just pawning off the same old crap. Frankly I am disgusted with HTC - even if no mobile provider will pick up your device, you should at least released your state of the art hardware unlocked (ie. nokia, and the prada phone) and let those of us willing to hack it keep your reputation high. The gd omni could have been released 18 months ago. Today HTC has officially become the purveyor of warmed over crap. Congratulations boys.

[Monte @ Nov 27th 2007 8:34PM]

I'm guessing the pouch is probably the same type included with the 6700... just a little slipcase that helps protect the screen when it's in your pocket.

[Marvin @ Nov 27th 2007 8:37PM]

its not available online until the 28th, just verified with a rep, i was looking to order it today :-(

[Sam @ Nov 27th 2007 8:42PM]

Dear Verizon, Welcome to 2007. You're only 11 months late. Congratulations on getting here nevertheless.

[Arvid Hokanson @ Nov 27th 2007 9:50PM]

Marvin is correct - the 6800 is not up yet, but ironically the 6700 is still available. Now the Samsung 760 is out of stock online.

[JohnnyGTO @ Nov 27th 2007 10:07PM]

Wife has verizon and 6700 I went with AT&T and finally stopped taking the free phones, got a Tilt. It's like they come from two different companies, the Tilt is far and away better. If the 6800 is nothing more then a warmed over 6700,I think they just lost another verizon user. Now AT&T's Tilt isn't perfect, it neededa new ROM flashed on it :-) but now it's acceptable.

[Jeremy @ Nov 28th 2007 3:20AM]

They are from two different companies, they're 2 different versions and the Tilt is "more advanced" - of course it's better...ignorance on your part to compare them side by side makes your post useless.

[Chip @ Nov 28th 2007 8:13AM]

Jeremy, no they're both made by HTC. Verizon, Sprint and AT&T don't actually make their phones and have little to do with what hardware is inside. I'll also agree with JohnnyGTO that it "seems" like they're from different manufacturers.

I likewise can't believe the same company that makes the elegant, sleek, responsive, error-free Touch also make the buggy-brick 6800.

[Jeremy @ Nov 28th 2007 1:49PM]

I was talking about the tilt and the 6800. I know they're both by HTC. They're two versions. Titan I and Titan II. Johnny is thinking that the 6800 and tilt have no generation difference. The bugs are being fixed, and Verizon, even though late in the game - is still in the same position Sprint is with getting bugs fixed. Although I haven't heard any problems from the 6800 owners so far.

[JohnnyGTO @ Nov 28th 2007 5:02PM]

Hey Jeremy it isn't ignorance, I should say I have looked very closely at the devices. I'e reviewed the third party ROM being cooked for the Apache, etc. What it is is utter shock that Verizon would think rolling out a buggy 12 month old device is something it's customers want. It doesn't even have GPS, oh HTC is working on adding it to the ROM, WTF sounds like another provider crippled device? So Jer, it aint no ignorance, it's more like shock. I got to go transfer some more pics off my Tilt via Bluetooth, sorry you can't do that Jer.

[russ_schroeder @ Nov 30th 2007 9:11AM]

Did exactly the same thing..was sick and tired of waiting the 6800 so I ditched Verizon for AT&T and the Tilt and couldn't be happier.

[RC @ Nov 27th 2007 10:59PM]

The Mogul isn't a TyTn II. That's what the Tilt is.
The Mogul and 6800 are the HTC "Titan".

[yoyodude64 @ Nov 27th 2007 11:27PM]

screw tilt...att's best phone is the iphone. rank me low if you want...but the only crappy thing about it is that when u receive a multimedia message, u have to go into a webpage with a randomly generated username and password to login. but other than that, it owns the tilt, which is kinda thick.

[JohnnyGTO @ Nov 27th 2007 11:59PM]

Try getting a tethering plan with the iPhone, not going to happen. I like to play and being able to setup the phone with the applications I need is a plus. Besides I just enable internet sharing and use my iTouch if I want multimedia and better browsing. So no thank you I wont "Screw Tilt"

[JayMonster @ Nov 28th 2007 9:12AM]

The only thing crappy about the iPhone? It is a lousy phone. (So says any objecive reviewer of the phone). Fun? Check. Slick Looking? Check! Call Quality? Pedestrian to Poor! Downloadable Software? Maybe... development (supported) starts in February... apps to follow.

iPhone is far and away not the best phone... just the best hyped.

[Austin @ Nov 28th 2007 12:09AM]

I got tired of waiting for this phone months ago and finally got the Samsung i760. Runs WM6, has Wifi and BT built in, Slideout keyboard, touchscreen, and has the number on the front-very handy.

So far quite happy.

[Jeremy @ Nov 28th 2007 12:28AM]

[Thanks, Jeremy and mclass555]
Hey, that's me. Lol.
I can't get it for any less than 399 at the moment. Have to wait for my NE2...
You can also order it on vzw.com now also.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3411&changingCompletedOrder=

[Zach @ Nov 28th 2007 12:40AM]

How do you guys flash a new ROM onto the tilt?

[JohnnyGTO @ Nov 28th 2007 10:43AM]

http://www.xda-developers.com/ read carefully. Not for the faint of heart.

[bernard @ Nov 28th 2007 2:14AM]

OK, so now where is the Libra?

[Ricardo @ Nov 28th 2007 4:53AM]

Why is the screen showing a Motorola Ming?

[Sam @ Nov 28th 2007 7:28AM]

Now if only we can get Verizon to finally release the ultra state-of-the-art Treo 755p, Verizon will solidify it's last place reputation and confirm it can't compete with the release deadlines of such heavy-hitters as Mexican wireless network Iusacell.

http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/8120/treo-755p-released-on-iusacell-mexico/

[dave smith @ Nov 28th 2007 7:57AM]

I've got a bad case of the "whatevers" over this release. After toting around the 6700 for the last year+, I put WM6 on it and suddenly I don't see any compelling reason to upgrade to the 6800.

[sernak plywood @ Nov 28th 2007 9:17AM]

the htc mogul is actually the Tytn II

[RC @ Nov 28th 2007 6:23PM]

No......

AT&T 8525 = HTC TyTN
AT&T Tilt = HTC TyTN II

Sprint Mogul/Verizon XV6800 = HTC Titan

TyTN = GSM
Titan = CDMA