HTC Advantage X7510 gets unboxed, still baffles us

If you absolutely, positively haven't seen enough of HTC's newest iteration of its Advantage, the X7510, then boy do we have a treat for you. After the break, you'll find a charming video of one of these odd devices being unboxed. Sure, it looks pretty cool, but we're still trying to figure out just exactly what someone would be using this thing for. We're open to hearing your thoughts on the matter -- maybe you can convince us to make a purchase.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

[Ysleiro @ May 5th 2008 9:17AM]

Pron !!!!!!!


Oh wait. I has I-Pod. :o(

[OneLove @ May 5th 2008 10:12AM]

Maybe you are baffled because its a X7501 not X7510.

[Michael Chastain @ May 5th 2008 12:14PM]

Ted Striker: They're launching the X7510! You know what that is doctor?
Dr. Stone: The muffler bracket for the '79 Pinto?
Ted Striker: No, that's the X7501. The 7510 is the lunar shuttle.

[Vit @ May 5th 2008 9:17AM]

Well, if you want to look smart, here's your chance!

[aaron @ May 5th 2008 10:55AM]

How did you get a corpse to hold it? Rigor Mortis?

[KEROLiUKAS @ May 5th 2008 9:18AM]

I know someone who has an Advantage..pretty cool....

[Jamma @ May 5th 2008 9:22AM]

"Direct quotes:
"it's not a mobile phone replacement"

"it's somewhere between a PDA and a UMPC"

so why not get an EEE for less that half the price?

[Jamma @ May 5th 2008 9:28AM]

side note: the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 will have all the features of this (winmo 6.1 pro, 3 meg camera, qwerty keybboard) and be a LOT smaller and lighter, with a usable keyboard, with the only sacrifice being a smaller screen


and the nokie e90 already has these features

[Phoenix @ May 5th 2008 9:58AM]

HTC Kaiser... (minus the VGA screen)

The HTC Raphael will have all of it though.

[Sean @ May 5th 2008 10:24AM]

like what you just quoted:
"it's somewhere between a PDA and a UMPC"
so is EEE sitting between them? No.

[Neoprimal @ May 5th 2008 11:03AM]

Because you can't make cellular phonecalls from an eee without significant mods/hacks and spending. Not to mention having to connect this and that to the eee to make phonecalls.
Second of all, the 7501 can easily fit into a pocket, just like a umpc or a pda, the eee can't. But maybe you were being sarcastic.

Either way, I agree that it's an odd device. The pricepoint puts it a bit above a typical smartphone (which can do most of what this can do, mind you) but it includes Windows Mobile Pro. so it's not as capable as a umpc with Vista/XP. So in summary, it can make and receive calls, store and play a bunch of music and videos without external storage and run windows mobile apps (which are few and far between) - it's kind of like a 'glorified' PMP or a true PDA with cell capability (glorified a la, big nice screen, ability to make and receive phonecalls, use wifi and surf the internet). It seems to be more of a PDA of today than a smartphone at all.

[omoks @ May 5th 2008 9:31AM]

Jeeez. It's Big!!

[JJV @ May 5th 2008 9:39AM]

thats what she said. lol

[Benga @ May 5th 2008 9:43AM]

@ ^^ Now we all know thats a lie!

[Jeff @ May 5th 2008 9:38AM]

Hack it and make it into a digital frame.

[Babau @ May 5th 2008 10:00AM]

Or just buy a much cheaper digital frame?

[Joseph Sanders @ May 5th 2008 9:44AM]

Why? Screen size, screen size, screen size! My guess and hope is that the screen size of this device makes it actually useful for interacting with the web which is not the case on all the phone sized devices I've seen.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I could so far they don't seem to be available in the states. I'd use to pull info off the web interface of my work database and post data to 2 industry sites I use constantly. Also gmail/google notebook. I don't want to haul a notebook/cell phone out on to my local mountain bike trails... or even out to lunch for that matter.

[mister XR @ May 5th 2008 10:48AM]

You can order it from Dynamism for $1350, shipped to the US. I think they even give you a warranty of some sort:

http://www.dynamism.com/htc-x7510/main.shtml

[vudean @ May 5th 2008 9:48AM]

Looks like it would be good on a plane... watch some movies, maybe type some emails or work on that next great novel

[stewi @ May 6th 2008 2:49AM]

You've been workin on that novel for 3 years now... u knowwwww the novel u been working on, talkin about that 3 years ago.

[dextro11 @ May 5th 2008 9:48AM]

So what exactly is so spectacular about this? It runs Windows mobile, like a lot of devices do. It has 16GB of storage, nothing spectacular there. You can't use it as a phone (well unless you use a headset, would you be impressed if you bought a phone but they told you you can only use it with a headset?) The keyboard probably s*cks big hairy donkey b*lls. The cameras are nothing special. And you can go on and on ...

I cannot believe why anyone would want this. It's not handy, it's bulky (+ you need several parts if you want to use as either a phone or a pocket pc or give presentations ...) There's nothing new on there ... just several things put together, with a larger screen and thus a seperate keyboard, several add ons etc. ... woth 800$ ... i'd rather have a foleo.

[epi117 @ May 5th 2008 9:51AM]

I been using a HTC advantage since it came out. i dont use the keypad, sure its kinda big, but 5 inch of opera loving viewing screen is sweet, movies run great with TCPMP (damn you htc for not upgrading drivers) google maps (sweet) on 5 inch screen, reviewing powerpoints prior to presentations (sweet). i just keep it in my pocket, hardly notice the size.

[martin @ May 5th 2008 10:21AM]

do you wear cargo pants all teh time? how do you get a device with a 5" screen into a normal pocket :-s

[Paul @ May 5th 2008 9:56AM]

If only the Apple would release an iPhone similar to this in this size...

[Shiva @ May 5th 2008 10:07AM]

If you own a Dell Axim x50v and a Nokia 3650, for example, you like this because you can ditch two devices for one device. You get a phone, plus a modern PDA, with web browsing and the ability to edit your sync'd documents, play games, read PDFs, etc.

You can't use a Nokia N95 to handle Excel spreadsheets like a PDA can. So that's out.

The iPhone doesn't have the apps. Out.

Where this device does fall down is lack of GPS, detachable kbd. The kbd is admittedly too weird, and modern smartphones/PDAs need the GPS radio.

-S

[Bondtastic @ May 5th 2008 10:17AM]

The device has GPS:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/htc-advantage-x7510-now-upgraded-with-16gb-flash-memory/

[Bondtastic @ May 5th 2008 10:11AM]

It's more PDA than an MID (mobile Internet Device is) so it's for those people that constantly complain about Nokia NOT putting a GSM radio in the N800.

The advantage of this over say an e90 or X1 IS the screen. With proper VGA resolution you get correctly formatted websites without the constant need to scroll all the time to get the information. This is really useful for casual browsing, keeping track of your schedule, movies, games, etc.

Windows mobile may not be a "real" OS to some, but it is by far the most popular to develop on and they have more programs running on it than S60, UIQ, and Maemo combined. The limitations of the OS are repeatedly broken down by a very active community of enthusiasts ( check out XDA for proof), and the configuration options (with a little elbow grease) are plentiful.

I use more data and txt than actual cell phone minutes, so the size of this doesn't matter, besides I can just use a bluetooth deadest and leave this in a backpac or pocket. I currently have an n800 running OS2008 but like this device because it offers a slightly bigger screen, more software options, a gsm radio (so I can actually be connected all the time), and a camera (for those "look at that" moments) that is actually useful.

The negative side is the pricing or expected pricing of this as it puts it well above EEE + smart phone or N800//n810 + smartphone range which isn't the place for this to be. If this was sub $500 we would see this type of thing be a lot more popular. Also, no loud speaker? No Mic? I can understand deterring people from using this as a cell phone, but this with stand and front facing camera would be awesome for video calling (a feature the N800 can actually do).

So if you are looking for a device that has a screen large enough for you to visit text heavy sites without scrolling every 5 seconds, can play a variety of music (different codecs have been made available for the winmo platform) a variety of movies (same thing), keep your life synced with outlook or google (there are some nice google wireless sync programs for winmo), games, and still do data anywhere you would normally have signal, all in a small package that can be tweaked for performance or style: You have this option

[Adamantite @ May 5th 2008 10:20AM]

I love the design of this thing. Make a widescreen wvga (and thus not as tall) version and you get my money.

It's true what Jamma says though, the Xperia will do just that.

[Eldiablo @ May 5th 2008 10:30AM]

I use the original advantage on a daily basis, and it still draws an 'ohh whats that' from anyone that see's it.

What I like:- Mhassove screen, 8GB storage, Always connected (via HSDPA-3G/WiFi) , external keyboard, Built in GPS, cable which allows VGA/TV out, USB in, bluetooth. What more could you want?
Ok, so the phone usage sucks (you either have to use a headset or let everyone hear your conversation) but then I don't have any friends that I want to speak to (why bother when you can msn/e-mail/txt/sms them) so thats not really an issue.

Nothing else currently compares to it, and its only made better by xda developers improving the stock roms.

[mlambert890 @ May 5th 2008 10:32AM]

I have one and use it all the time. If you dont think it fits your needs, then dont buy it. What is this deranged obsession among technophiles with INSISTING that others MUST justify WHY they use the devices they use?

I chose it over something like an EEE b/c I get 7+ hrs of bat life and it is a lot smaller (the EEE gets lousy bat life and is big)

I frequently have it in a jacket pocket (sport coat or over coat) or sometimes in a pants pocket if Im wearing casual pants. (Amazing that people even need to challenge your WARDROBE decisions in threads like this)

I dont feel the OS is "unusable" and I dont pine for Mobile Linux at all, but if you do then, again, this device isnt for you.

The elitism and cultishness of tech blogs is really just amazingly narrowminded and obnoxious. I remember when people who were into tech just got together and focused on what WAS cool about a device rather than DARING someone to suggest they like it.

The Advantage certainly isnt a device designed to take the world by storm and the goal from HTC is to address a niche, not to tackle the iPhone. Why does that seem to bother so many of you ("columnists" included) everytime a device like this gets released?

Apparently, they did manage to sell a few since they refreshed it right?

[epi117 @ May 5th 2008 10:34AM]

agree with all the above comments

replaced my axim and work, will kinda since its not my official work phone, but so very easy to synch at work.

3G
GPS

[cr0ft @ May 5th 2008 10:36AM]

A Pocket PC is actually a very nice device to have around. It lets you do a lot that you normally would need a laptop for, but you can (if it isn't an Advantage) easily carry it in a pocket or a holster. Add a nice foldable Bluetooth keyboard you can carry occasionally or if you know you'll need to input data rather than just read it and you can pretty much do a vast quantity of your daily work on a PPC - email, write documents, surf the web quite well with the proper software, not to mention leisure stuff like watching movies and reading e-books on a very crisp and readable screen.

The one big drawback of this thing is the fact that it's the size of a lunchbox.

The VGA screen is great (or rather, essential, on a modern Pocket PC), but you can get VGA on a far smaller device than that. Beyond the VGA part, there is little reason to go with this. Sure, if you have weak eyes perhaps you need the 5 inches, but I've been using a Pocket PC device with a 3.5 inch VGA screen for years and have had no issues with using it and enjoying it a lot.

So, for me, the Advantage itself fails, but a smaller device with all the features in a smaller format can be a great tool.

[SvenS @ May 5th 2008 10:44AM]

I own a Advantage from the beginning and I love it. I'm working often at the customer side using customers Infrastructure. In the past I had a Notebook with me just to check sometimes my companies mails, enter a contact etc. Now most of the time I've only the advantage next to me on the desk. With the Exchange Server in my office and the push mail function of the Advantage I'm always in sync with my mailaccount, tasks and contacts on all my devices.

True the advantage is nearly unusable as a phone. HTC made a good decision to prevent the users from holding this brick on the ear (would look completely wired). If one will use the Advantage as a phone a Headset is needed. My device have only a data plan without the possibility to make voice calls. I like it to have a small mobile phone and this PDA with a big screen.

Internet access is really useful with the device, watching Videos or listening to music as well, 8 GB and a MiniSD card can hold a lot of entertainment for the train ride in the morning and evening. With Google Maps and the build in GPS I have a full function navigation system even if I walk in a foreign city. O.k. the usual PNAs can do the same but not including the satellite view which prevented me more than once to take a way which looks suitable on the map but in reality not existent if you walk.

So I use the Advantage for the usual task, calender, contact stuff, mail communication, listening to music, watching videos, doing banking stuff with a online banking solution for my own company, storing my billable time. If I need my notebook because I have to edit more text or graphics, the Advantage is still with me as he is the internet connection for the Notebook.

Yes you can do all this things with almost every PDA/Smartphone, but the 5" screen makes it easy to read, the keyboard makes it easy to write text (o.k. not like a full keyboard, but better than the on screen thing) the 8GB HDD gives me the possibility to carry a lot of data for entertainment and for my business which can be used directly on the device.

At home I use the device often just to check something on the web e.g. wikipedia to get a quick information or in the morning to check if the train will be in time. I would not start a PC or the notebook to do this.

So I love this device and later when the 7510 will be available here in Germany I'll see if I can get one and sell the one I use now. You ask why? the only disadvantage of this device is the keyboard layout. The layout of the new one looks much better and is more usable with the numbers on the top row as on every other keyboard.

[Jim Goodman @ May 5th 2008 10:44AM]

looks like it could come in handy for mascara touch-ups.

[Nas @ May 5th 2008 10:49AM]

WHY oh WHY does he keep pointing at everything with his pinky finger...
It's so annoying =(

use your index finger damnit!

[Ratteler @ May 5th 2008 11:11AM]

Call me when it run Ubuntu.

[Matthew Forrest @ May 5th 2008 12:28PM]

Try Android in a few months! Plus AP 4.0 Rom is already released for this.
Best phone I've ever had.....that includes the iphone.

[tekdroid @ May 5th 2008 11:16AM]

that stylus might get some use hitting that membrane keyboard :)

[Kevin Farley @ May 5th 2008 11:34AM]

Think I'd rather wait for the Nokia N830, although 'neat' this one isn't doin' it for me.

[ITRanger @ May 5th 2008 12:04PM]

Apart from the fact it's a gadget, I'm struggling to think of what I could do with it. I already have a smartphone, and, ...

What's with the magnets? SD cards + magnet = "Not good"!

Why didn't he quickly switch it on? Now I'll have to watch the sequel. sigh.

[tnkgrl @ May 5th 2008 12:07PM]

Strange... Mine was $399 without renewing my contract. Maybe the salesperson screwed up!

Here's my unboxing: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/unboxing-the-lg-cu920-vu/

[tnkgrl @ May 5th 2008 12:09PM]

Nevermind :) Wrong thread.

[BigTeebo @ May 5th 2008 12:19PM]

Unboxing videos/photosets are useless. How about actually showing usage of this device?

[Cassini @ May 5th 2008 3:24PM]

I don't understand this device either. Never did.

- Too bulky for a pocket.
- Too bulky to replace a phone.
- Isn't powerful enough to replace a laptop.
- Keyboard is too small to touch type on.
- Keyboard isn't integrated you can't thumb type on it.

If you're going to go with something this size, why wouldn't you just buy an OQO Model 02 that has an integrated slider keyboard and all the bells and whistles as well as a full OS; and then go buy yourself a nice WM phone for everything else?

So in all actuality, Engadget, you're spot on for not buying one.

[L. M. Lloyd @ May 5th 2008 4:04PM]

What it does that a Laptop can't:

Always on, always connected. With a laptop, you have to turn it on or wake it up, and then open an email program to check your email. This will let you know if you have email.

Go all day on a single charge. Try carrying an OQO around with you all day, using it throughout the day, without ever plugging into an outlet. You will be doing really well if you get halfway through the day.

Be quick and responsive. All ultra-mobile PCs are fairly underpowered for a desktop OS, and tend to have disappointing performance as a result. This is quite powerful for a Windows Mobile device, and so is surprisingly fast.

Run mobile apps. Sure UMPCs have the fantastic advantage of being able to run PC apps, and that is great when you need those, however Outlook is hardly the most efficient choice for sending of a quick email while walking down the street. Google Earth is a great program as well, but it isn't going to give you turn-by-turn spoken directions as you drive to your destination. Mobile apps tend to be better designed for mobile applications, and that is where running a mobile OS makes sense.

[Cassini @ May 6th 2008 8:23AM]

@L.M. Lloyd

My HTC Tytn II does all that, too. It also isn't as big and heavy as a house, like this Advantage.

Everything about the Advantage is odd - size, heft, keyboard, volume to power ratio. And with current WM phones and other phones like the Sony Xperia X1 and even the HTC Raphael on the horizon (which will do everything this Advantage will), what's the point of this device?

[Derrick @ May 6th 2008 1:31PM]

Since I got my winmo 6 ppc I seldom use my pc. Therefore with a device that has all the functionality that I am used to plus a few other upgrades that my ppc does not have and with that screen size this advantage would be an advantage for me.

[keithwwalker @ May 6th 2008 4:21PM]

Comparing this to an EEE is like saying a Yugo compares with a Porsche...

The Advantage is first and foremost a power PDA. That is why most 'phone' people don't get it. Phone, wifi, hsdpa, a2dp, gps and all the other features are icing on the cake.

Secondly, it is a great Palm OS replacement, handwriting recognition in particular means that you don't have to use the included keyboard which is ridiculous.

It is ashame that the 7510 doesn't have the joystick of the 7501.

[tazeem @ May 6th 2008 11:41PM]

To the skeptics. I was one of you too. But the large screen really fits my normal usage pattern. I bought it from a colleague who only had it for a few weeks and found it to be too cumbersome as a phone. After a few days, I started hating it too. It was too slow, too bulky and some of the software I used to have did not work so well. Then I headed to http://forum.xda-developers.com and upgraded the device some cooked ROMs. Now, I'm a convert. I probably won't settle for anything less than the 5" VGA screen again. The movies play well, music is great and GPS is WOW on a 5" screen. This thing has spoilt me for anything else of smaller proportions. Conclusion, size does matter. Once you get used to the 5" screen, you won't want to go back.

[Joshua York @ May 7th 2008 6:41PM]

Unlike what the specs say, it can make calls without an ear piece. At least the original I have does. It just turns into a speaker phone, which works in a pinch if you forget your headset or the battery in it dies. I would assume this version will do the same.

I use my advantage for a wildlife reference device. I have pdf's, field guides, and books loaded into the device that I need to perform my job. With the device's large screen, I am able to do research in the field, without having to take specimens or photos back to the lab. which increases productivity. UMPC's are too slow for this, and too bulky (except for maybe the shift) and don't fit nicely on my belt.